My fascination with and appreciation of Beethoven's work began even before my relatively formal introduction to his vast body of work and influence on Western music which came in junior high school, where I not only had Miss Bloom's music class once a week throughout the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, but also sat in... Read More »
EF500 and EF499 Put HIFIMAN Design and Performance Within Reach of Music-lovers at Every Level BELLMORE, NY, February 6, 2024 – HIFIMAN, the leader in high fidelity personal audio, today introduced two additions to its growing lineup of high-performance desktop headphone DAC/amplifiers: EF500 and EF499. Both the EF500 and EF499 (SRP: $459 and $299, respectively) bring true audiophile-grade performance to sleek,... Read More »
Buffalo, NY, February 6, 2024 -- Bluebird Music, distributor of high-performance audio products since 2000, is pleased to announce the availability of the new, state-of-the-art Weiss Helios DAC. Weiss Engineering has been a leader in digital audio technology for nearly 40 years; founder Daniel Weiss' contributions to the field were recognized with a Technical GRAMMY in 2021.... Read More »
As I explained many months ago last May in Issue 127, my 2023 show impressions for both AXPONA and Pacific Audio Fest were derailed and terribly delayed by death...family and close friends...disease, and depressive moments. Top it off with too much work and some travel, and, well here I am. But I'm working on finishing... Read More »
Roger Skoff, President of RSX Technologies, at the LAOC Audio Society Gala, December 2023 (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) Roger Skoff writes about the weirdest thing about our hobby On one of the larger Facebook audio groups, a question currently being asked is "Who is the biggest proliferator of audio BS?", and... Read More »
Bob Witrak of HDTT keeps mining the hills for superb vintage recordings on both tape and LP to release in high resolution digital. And new recordings from the master tapes, as well. It is amazing that the flow continues in virtually a never-ending flood of superb music. The skill with which Bob makes these transfers... Read More »
Børresen is proud to launch the Børresen X1 stand-mounted loudspeaker. This two-way loudspeaker is the smallest model in the X-series. The X1 marks the entry into the Børresen loudspeaker universe and is a testament to chief designer Michael Børresen's belief that "everyone deserves this kind of emotional musical moments". The X1, with its compact... Read More »
Naim Presents the CI SERIES A range of electronic products perfectly suited to power integrated audio setups for ultimate listening experiences ISE (Barcelona) – February 1 - The new CI Series range from Naim consists of three products designed to complement integrated setups, and CI Focal loudspeakers. With these innovations, the leading British brand in... Read More »
Ann Arbor, MI - February 1, 2024 MoFi Electronics, a manufacturer of acclaimed high-performance audio equipment, is pleased to announce the StudioDAC, a digital-to-analog converter created in collaboration with Mytek Audio engineer Michal Jurewicz. The StudioDAC offers an exceptional listening experience at a very attainable price point. Supporting DSD, DXD, and MQA audio formats, the MoFi StudioDAC allows users... Read More »
Dire Straits, On Every Street. Mofi (45 RPM) Highly underrated and one of my favorite Dire Straits studio albums, On Every Street was released in 1991 on the Vertigo label in Europe and on the Warner Brothers label in the USA. "Calling Elvis," "Planet of New Orleans," and "How Long" are three tracks that belong... Read More »
PREMIERE The Japanese company TiGLON was founded in 2008. Initially named Kryna Pro, it changed its name to TiGLON in 2010. Its founder and chief designer is Mr. Kentaro Okino. We are testing its latest product, an AC power cable with the illustrative name Azure Dragon. This is its WORLD PREMIERE. TiGLON celebrated its 15th... Read More »
Impex Records has just released a newly remastered LP reissue of Elephant Mountain, the 1969 RCA label neglected classic from folk-rock group The Youngbloods. Elephant Mountain came on the heels of the band's incredible success with the song that helped shape an entire generation, "Get Together." Apparently, getting this reissue together required the production team... Read More »
Experience the future, wrapped in tradition. "The New York Descargas": An Epochal Fusion of Afro Cuban Rhythms and 21st Century Classical Harmony! Dive deep into an unprecedented musical journey where the fervent beats of Afro Cuban music merge seamlessly with the sophisticated cadences of modern 21st Century classical harmony. The result? A breathtaking and innovative... Read More »
Dean Waters with cigar: a portrait at Pacific Audio Fest 2023 (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) The Vivid Audio Kaya 90 loudspeaker in one of its many custom colors (image courtesy of Vivid Audio) The smaller Kaya 45, again in a custom color (image courtesy of Vivid Audio) The Kaya product line... Read More »
The Dutch company Mola Mola was founded in 2012. Its founders were Bruno Putzeys and Jan-Peter van Amerongen; both knew each other from their work for Hypex. Their first products, a line preamplifier and a power amplifier with nCore modules operating in class D, were presented at the 2012 Munich High End Show. We test... Read More »
Mexican-Canadian pianist, vibes player, and band leader Jimmy Namaro (1913-1998) isn't the best known name in music. The only reason I know him is because I have an eagle eye for unusual records. Born in La Rosita, Mexico, in 1913, he became a Canadian citizen in 1945. He moved to the US in 1970. Information... Read More »
Thousand Oaks, CA, January 29, 2024 - Zesto Audio is proud to announce the launch of the new Andros Spirit Phonostage and to be one of the only manufacturers to offer a 100% all-tube analog phonostage at this price point. You will receive the same quality and sonic excellence that you would expect from any Zesto product,... Read More »
2-LP set includes the hits “The Downfall of Us All,” “Have Faith in Me,” and “If It Means a Lot to You,” plus 11 live and acoustic tracks Additionally, ADTR will perform Homesick in its entirety during a special performance at When We Were Young Click here to pre-order Los Angeles, CA (January 30, 2024)—Craft Recordings celebrates the 15th anniversary of A Day... Read More »
Marking the first availability of the soundtrack on vinyl Limited-edition Diamond Yellow marble vinyl available exclusively at VareseSarabande.com Click here to pre-order Los Angeles, CA (January 30, 2024) – Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings are excited to announce the first-ever vinyl release for Dave Grusin’s score to Neil Simon’s whodunit comedy Murder by Death. The original 22-track program will be released on a Translucent Clear pressing,... Read More »
Craft Recordings continues their Original Jazz Classics relaunch with three superb new reissues, featuring Tony Bennett and Bill Evans together on The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975, Fantasy); Tommy Flanagan and John Coltrane on The Cats (1957, New Jazz), and Yusef Lateef's Eastern Sounds (1961, Moodsville). The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album was the first of... Read More »
If you've followed along with some of my other articles, you may have picked up on how much I admire the recordings made by Bert van der Wolf of Northstar Recording Services (see HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE). Bert ranks very highly among a small group of highly talented independent recording and mastering engineers whom... Read More »
Is your system where you want it to be? How would you know? There are a number of "test records" for you to get a sense of your progress that feature pink noise, white noise, and other noises can help you do that. If your perspective arises from science or testing, those can be good... Read More »
Clifford Everett "Bud" Shank (1926-2009) was an American sax player and flautist regularly mentioned as being one of the preeminent exponents of the subgenre commonly known as West Coast jazz. Call it West Coast jazz, or even Cool jazz, if you will; it's freely associated with the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Stan Getz,... Read More »
January 25, 2024 - Succasunna, NJ. Orchard Audio – a boutique audio company offering a variety of ultra-high-performance DACs, streamers, and amplifiers – will showcase two new products at the 2024 Florida Audio Expo (FLAX). PecanPi®+ Streamer Premium is designed to redefine the standards of audio streaming. With a commitment to uncompromising audio quality, this... Read More »
JCAT, a leader in next-generation computer audio solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its flagship linear power supply, the ULTIMO. Engineered for audiophiles and high-fidelity enthusiasts, the ULTIMO sets a new standard in power supply performance, ensuring unmatched clarity and purity in audio reproduction. Unparalleled Performance for Critical Audio Components Designed with the... Read More »
200 Listening Rooms, Top Hi-Fi Audio Brands, Thousands of Products and Gear, Educational Seminars and Live Musical Performances SCHAUMBURG, IL (January 2023) - - The 13th annual AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) will return April 12-14 to the Schaumburg Convention Center offering three jam-packed days of incredible sounds, technology, seminars, networking and the newest products in the industry. AXPONA is the largest high-end audio show in... Read More »
Four-way Aphrodite Designed for Best-in-Class Two- and Multi-channel Sound Reproduction MELVILLE, NY, January 24, 2024 – Alta Audio, the company that combines advanced technology and outstanding aesthetics to create industry-leading home audio loudspeakers, today announced Aphrodite, a four-way floor-standing speaker that heralds a new era for the brand. “Aphrodite is the ultimate statement of Alta Audio’s approach to... Read More »
On what would have been his centennial, Craft Recordings has releasing the complete recordings of jazz guitarist extraordinaire Wes Montgomery's seminal 1962 live date, Full House. Which in its new guise, The Complete Full House Recordings, presents everything recorded on June 25, 1962 at the short-lived Berkeley, California coffee house and jazz hotspot, Tsubo. Compiling... Read More »
Craft Recordings has just released Hot House: The Complete Jazz At Massey Hall Recordings, which is an expanded reissue of the original album, The Quintet: Jazz At Massey Hall. The event took place on May 13, 1953, at Toronto, Canada's Massey Hall, and the gathering of jazz giants Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles... Read More »
The SWAF discount room block ends in two weeks, and the rest of the hotel is sold out! March15-17,2024. Booking — https://book.passkey.com/event/50680411/owner/863/home Hotel info/pic gallery - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dfwanhh-hilton-anatole/gallery/ SWAF - https://www.southwestaudiofest.com/tickets-reservations Why should you stay at the Hilton Anatole during the Southwest Audio Fest? Let me count the ways: Luxury, convenience, great food, drink and music... Read More »
Norman Varney of AV RoomService Ltd. has joined Positive Feedback as a Senior Technical Editor as of Issue 113. His expertise in his field of audio acoustics and experience in the field makes him a helpful voice in our creative community for the audio arts. As has been our wont from the beginning of PF,... Read More »
Rhino Entertainment has released The Yes Album: Super Deluxe Edition (SDE) in a stunning new multi disc package that includes media choices to suit all listeners. The really unique package features an LP-sized gatefold that opens to reveal the same photograph of keyboardist Tony Kaye that's spread across both inner panels of the original album... Read More »
I've written here and there about my preference for listening to 32-bit PCM versus 24-bit PCM files (either 352.8kHz or 384kHz). When there is no Pure DSD256 file available because the file has been post processed in PCM, these 32-bit files have become my preferred alternative for sonic enjoyment, even over the DSD256 files that... Read More »
I'm excited about this most recent group of Recent Finds, all released over this past year at NativeDSD. Included are a great new album from Carmen Gomes and Sound Liaison, a new Rembrandt Frerichs album on Just Listen Records, Anna Fedorova and Dana Zemtsov on Channel Classics, several albums from the Navis Classics label which... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 231. André Hodeir, American Jazzmen Play André Hodeir's Essais. Savoy Records – MG 12104 (mono 1957), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: cool jazz, third stream. French composer, arranger, violinist, and musicologist André Hodeir had two album releases signed under the Savoy label—this is the first, the other being... Read More »
Includes Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans’ Know What I Mean?, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers’ Caravan, and Ron Carter’s Where? Available now for pre-order on 180-gram vinyl and in HD audio Click here to pre-order Los Angeles, CA (January 16, 2024) – Craft Recordings announces the latest batch of reissues for the acclaimed Original... Read More »
When we left off (HERE), I had just contacted Rob Fritz at Audio Art Cable about possibly getting set up with a loom of cables for both my digital and analog room systems. While I didn't press Rob to go the "full loom" route, he did agree to send me a full suite of interconnect... Read More »
