November - December 2024 Archives - Positive Feedback

Euphony Audio's Stylus OS 4.0 (RC 24), in Combination with Mozzaik Upsampler, S.M.S.L.'s VMV D2R DAC, and a Peek at Exciting New Upcoming Euphony Hardware

Tom Gibbs — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 21:14:39 +0000

Over a decade ago, the late John Sunier of Audiophile Audition called me with a hardware review offer for the original AURALiC Aries streamer. I was clueless as to what a streamer was or what it was supposed to do, John was unable to offer any explanation of its function to me, and I only... Read More »

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The GIK Acoustics Q7D Diffuser

John Zurek — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:49:12 +0000

Over the years I've worked on refining the sound in my listening room by both upgrading/changing components and adding room treatments. Not sure why, but the whole room treatment project always seemed like a separate component of the system. Corner treatments, absorptive panels, diffusers, and Argent Room Lenses, in addition to the occasional component and... Read More »

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iFi Audio ZEN Phono 3 - Let's Make Some Friends

Al Chieng — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:21:24 +0000

I recently met a good friend for dinner and we got to talk about all things audio. It was there that he pondered an earth-shaking scenario to me. He told me that he was considering selling off his vinyl collection and rig to go all digital. It took me a moment to get my jaw off... Read More »

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Mercy, Love Can Make You Happy

Robert Pincus — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 17:23:59 +0000

The history behind the band Mercy, from Tampa, Florida, is one of the more complicated rock and roll stories that I've tried to understand. On its surface, Mercy's story is a simple tale of a one-off single that nearly topped the charts, the release of the band's only album, and the band's eventual breakup. Mercy... Read More »

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Harry Potter, Original Motion Picture Soundtracks I-VII in Exclusive, Color-coordinated, Color Vinyl 16-LP Box Sets

Tom Gibbs — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:27:13 +0000

Rhino Entertainment has just released four sprawling, color-coordinated, exclusive 16-LP box sets for Harry Potter: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks I-VII. The comprehensive box sets feature distinctive, brightly colored slipcovers with individualized artwork for each of the four Hogwarts houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Each set of 16 LPs are also color-coordinated with red vinyl... Read More »

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2024 Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Awards [UPDATED]

Editors at Positive Feedback — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 20:21:23 +0000

Beginning at the end of 2003, Positive Feedback established its first annual awards for fine audio. The Brutus Award was established for the best that David Robinson and Dave and Carol Clark had heard in their own listening rooms during that year. You can think of it as our equivalent of an "Editors' Choice" award. The... Read More »

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Manley Laboratories Oasis Phono Stage - Playing with the Big Boys

Robert H. Levi — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:16:35 +0000

A portrait of EveAnna Manley of Manley Laboratories, Denver, CO, 2019 (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) Manley Labs is a phenomenon located in Chino, California and topped by the amazing award- winning EveAnna Manley. She operates a giant facility that produces from scratch high-end audio products and professional gear, even extraordinary microphones. John... Read More »

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The Synergistic Research Pink Fuse, Low Hanging Fruit That Just Might Jump Start Your System

Robert S. Youman — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:26:30 +0000

Backstory By accident, I recently blew a fuse in a Synergistic Research Galileo SX Ground Block. I won’t get into all the details, but let’s just say that my own human error was very much the problem. At that point in time, the original Synergistic Research Orange fuse was still being utilized in the Ground... Read More »

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Rhino's Slate of Black Friday Record Store Day LPs Features Rare, Expanded, and Specialty Releases

Tom Gibbs — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 17:53:25 +0000

Rhino Entertainment has another eclectic and impressive slate of limited-edition LPs available for Record Store Day Black Friday coming on November 29th. Once again, Rhino's offering of 21 rarities, enhanced, and specialty releases are only a few of the hundreds of exciting albums that will be available from both online sources and at independent record... Read More »

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A Diverse Offering of LPs from Craft Recordings Just in Time for Black Friday Record Store Day

Tom Gibbs — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:54:10 +0000

Craft Recordings has announced a striking offering of limited-edition LPs for the upcoming Black Friday celebration of Record Store Day 2024 on November 29th. Once again, Craft is presenting a diverse selection of rarities and specialty releases that will be among the hundreds of ultra-desirable LPs available online and at independent record stores everywhere. For... Read More »

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The 2024 AES Show

Frank Doris — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:42:53 +0000

This show report by Frank Doris, a Senior Editor for Positive Feedback, and Editor of PS Audio's Copper Magazine, is republished from Copper. The 2024 AES (Audio Engineering Society) convention took place in the Javits Center in New York this past October, in conjunction with the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) convention, which focuses on television,... Read More »

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Audiophile Economics - Part 2

Roger Skoff — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:39:15 +0000

Roger Skoff writes about why things cost what they do In the first part of this article, I wrote about how pricing works, using not only our own industry but others for illustration. I explained that this article is not intended to replace an economics text, but to just touch on, and state in language... Read More »

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Toronto Audio Fest 2024

Douglas Seth Brown — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:47:35 +0000

Toronto Audio Fest Show Report, Friday, 18 October - Sunday 20 October 2024 Encouraging an audiophile with a cabling and equipment addiction to attend the 2024 Toronto Audio Fest, (herein referred to as TAF 2024), is like encouraging an alcoholic to fly to Scotland and take a three week tour of Scotch Whiskey distilleries. Such... Read More »

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E202: Capital Audiofest: The Voice That Is with guest Mark Döhmann

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:57:31 +0000

I’ve had the honor and pleasure of knowing Doug White, the principal of The Voice That Is, of Broomall, Pennsylvania, located about 10 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, for some time now. Today, with my second installment for Capital Audiofest 2024, we have a look at, and get a chance to listen to, The Voice... Read More »

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E201: Capital Audiofest 2024: The Von Schweikert Audio VR.thirty Foundation

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:55:00 +0000

Today, I am pleased to bring you conversations with both , Łukasz Fikus, the drive behind the LampizatOr products, and with Damon Von Schweikert, as he introduces us to the VR.thirty Foundation loudspeakers. While they occupy roughly one-third the volume and weight of my ULTRA 9s, at $49,000 a pair for the passive version, or... Read More »

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E200: The State of the Channel and Capital Audiofest

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:52:30 +0000

What started as the idea that I would be able to reach a wider, and if I’m honest, younger audience than had been possible through my written work, my first episode, “Who is the audio analyst” dropped here on May 10th, 2020. And, it has turned into something far more successful and effective than could... Read More »

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E199: The Amazing, Affordable Fosi Audio V3 Amplifiers

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:49:43 +0000

Today's Second Space episode had its genesis as I researched choices for a linear power supply for another project when I ran across the rather retro-looking Fosi Audio MC101 amplifier with Bluetooth connectivity. But the combination of its size, power rating, feature set, including its round, backlit VU meter, and modest ninety-nine dollar asking price... Read More »

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E198: Revisiting the Parasound Halo JC1+ Amplifier

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:43:21 +0000

Today’s episode, a revisit with a reimagined classic, venerated, amplifier, was spurred by a viewer’s seemingly innocent question. Quite simply, a long-time reader and viewer wanted to know if I still stood behind my unreserved recommendation of the Parasound Halo JC1+ amplifier. When I thought about it and realized that I hadn’t listened to them... Read More »

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The Merry-Go-Round - Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection

Robert Pincus — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 16:22:20 +0000

When I wrote about The Blue Things I expressed my general distaste for cult bands and cult singers. And the reason is because mediocre cult bands cast huge shadows over great bands and singers who deserve our attention, like the above-mentioned The Blue Things. However, there are cult musicians who deserve their cult status. Emitt... Read More »

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Lorenzo Audio Labs LM1 Loudspeakers

Key Kim — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:08:27 +0000

It was at the 2023 Munich High End Show that I discovered some truly remarkable loudspeakers, the Lorenzo Audio Labs LM1 from Spain. They were music to my ears; the speakers rendered music effortlessly with detail, transparency, nuance, and realism, making it seem like I was listening to live music. I was surprised and very... Read More »

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All Hail To The Chairman of the Board - The New IMPEX 1STEP Reissue of "Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra"

Robert S. Youman — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:44:14 +0000

First, Some Personal Backstory And Perspective Please be patient with me as I step you through some personal backstory. When IMPEX released the 33 RPM reissue for Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra in late 2020, it was somewhat of an inspiration for me. I always enjoyed Frank as my father was a big fan... Read More »

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Triode Wire Labs American II Series Power Cord

Malcolm J. Gomes — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:39:08 +0000

By far, the most common blind spot that most audiophiles I have met and chatted with seem to have, is the lack of awareness of the importance of the quality of power that they feed into their audio system. I have encountered audiophiles that have spent high six figure amounts on their system but have... Read More »

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Audiomods 12" Series Six Tonearm

John Hoffman — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:44:50 +0000

In 2020 Jeff Spalls introduced the Audiomods Series Six tonearm, providing many analog hobbyists with an opportunity to experience excellent yet affordable analog playback. Shortly after the Series Six's introduction, two significant events altered the audio landscape for many of us. First, the Ichikawa Jewel Company LTD shuttered its doors, leading to the loss of... Read More »

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ZYX R100H Cartridge

Editors at Positive Feedback — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:10:37 +0000

This article by Bob Levi originally ran in Positive Feedback ISSUE 15 September/October 2004, so while we call this section "New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print" you are also going to see some articles from our early days of going online. A true bargain doesn't come along often in high end... Read More »

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Schumann, via AI? (Not.)

Stephen Francis Vasta — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:04:44 +0000

Schumann Symphony 4 (orig. vers.); Manfred Overture. Yun: Cello Concerto. Jaemin Han, cello; Korean National Symphony Orchestra/David Reiland. Decca Records (Korea). Downloads and streams: music.apple.com; plixid.net (FLAC 24/96); qobuz.com (16/44.1); spotify.com; uk.7digital.com (M4A, MP3, FLAC) Universal, the current parent company of Decca and Deutsche Grammophon, has been unusually unforthcoming about this particular production. Although it was listed in... Read More »

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