Robinson in Jerusalem, 2022, contemplating on the Via Dolorosa. (Photograph and image processing by John Robinson.) Every now and then I make a trip to visit my very good audiobud Bill Parish over in Long Valley, New Jersey. Bill owns GTT Audio and has an exceptional line of high-end audio brands, each of which sets... Read More »
I was a longtime subscriber to the now defunct Audio magazine; around the midpoint of 1981, while thumbing through the record review pages, I came across two albums that caught my eye. The first chronicled Glenn Gould's autumnal re-interpretation of The Goldberg Variations; the second documented the posthumous release of Bill Evans' You Must Believe... Read More »
Aptly named “Tungsten”, this new version of Elite features a dark graphite grey finish with subtle silver particles. Baia Mare, Romania, March 2023. The Tungsten color scheme adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to Meze’s flagship headphone model, making it the perfect choice for audiophiles who value both sound quality and style. Antonio Meze,... Read More »
Pink Floyd fans will have a rare opportunity to hear the newly released “The Dark Side of the Moon – Live at Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974” LP and the new 2023 remastered studio album featuring the original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo versions delivered on premium sound systems in participating local high-end audio stores.... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 211. Donald Byrd, At the Half Note Cafe (Volume 1). Blue Note – BLP 4060 (mono), BST 84060 (1961), Blue Note Tone Poet Series – B0033842-01 (2023), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: jazz, hard bop, bebop. Will that be black or with milk and sugar? From the patron's... Read More »
David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of Positive Feedback, with Greg Weaver of the audio analyst and a Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback in New Jersey for the GTT Audio Vivid Audio launch event. (Photograph by Bill Parish; image processing by David W. Robinson.) The first weekend in March saw a substantial press event hosted by GTT Audio... Read More »
Craft Recordings is beginning a new push with remasters and reissues of titles from the Original Jazz Classics (OJC) series from Concord Music's vast catalog of classic jazz from the Fifties, Sixties, and beyond. Many titles from the record labels that fall under the OJC umbrella rank among the finest ever recorded or released, and... Read More »
When you think of jazz pianists you probably don't think of Bobby Hamack (1922-1990). That's because his work was primarily behind-the-scenes studio work in radio and television. Hammack was the West Coast musical director of the ABC-TV and radio networks between 1958 and 1963, and he conducted his own orchestra and scored music for several... Read More »
For one week only get 20% off Focal and Naim products**. Focal Headphones, including New Focal Bathys Bluetooth and ANC headphones for your spring and summer travels. Bathys $639 ($160 off) Celestee $799 ($200 off) Clear Mg $1199 ($300 off) Stellia $2,399 ($600 off) Utopia 2022 (excluded) Use with Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Edition... Read More »
– Guitarist Espinoza is joined by world-class bandmates and guests in a journey of diverse musical styles and elements, recorded in high-resolution pure DSD – Boulder, Colorado, March 15, 2023 – Octave Records is excited to release one of its most musically satisfying and emotionally powerful albums yet: Gabriella by Miguel Espinoza Fusion. It’s a dazzling blend of flamenco, Latin, Indian, fusion... Read More »
The Estelon AURA follows the general design philosophy of all Estelon loudspeakers, taking into consideration the environmental acoustics of real-life listening spaces. It provides an immersive and captivating audio experience like no other speaker of this size. Alfred Vassilkov designed the AURA with meticulous attention to detail, incorporating cutting-edge technology and unique features. One of... Read More »
Mytek Audio begins shipping of the Brooklyn Bridge II Roon Core a new all-in-one high-end Roon Powered Streamer/DAC/Preamplifier The device combines a Roon Core server, network streamer, exceptional dac and preamplifier with phono MM MC input, and headphone amplifier in a single unit. It allows users to use the award-winning music player system without needing... Read More »
There are some artists whose music I find so compelling they force me, compel me, to stop and listen and absorb. Such is the impact of Maya Fridman—cellist, composer, singer. Born in Russia, making her home in the Netherlands, fierce advocate of support for Ukraine in this current war of Russian aggression, Maya is a... Read More »
(March 17, 2023) Enjoy the Music.com, premium audio's celebrated online publication for 28 years and a leader in providing industry news, high-end audio reviews, and luxury show reports is pleased to announce we're once again sponsoring Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest's Exhibitor / Press Party. Show exhibitors and members of the press are invited to join us... Read More »
SACD/CD/DAC player supports the most advanced file formats BALLSTON SPA, New York, March 2023 – “This is a transformational period in digital audio, and the new D-07X digital player is at the cutting edge,” said Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America. The player supports MQA-CDs, MQA files, 32-bit/768 kHz PCM, 22.4 MHz DSD, conventional USB... Read More »
What: Nexus Audio Technologies, a company dedicated to supporting independent, high fidelity audio brands with sales and marketing initiatives to grow their business throughout North America, will make its AXPONA ’23 debut with all four of its current partner brands demonstrating their latest product innovations at the show. · Alta Audio, Rooms 476, 564, Nexus Room... Read More »
Newport Beach, CA – March 16, 2023 - A Focal Powered by Naim retail space opened in Newport Beach near South Coast Plaza, a luxury shopping mall. The shop-in-shop, dedicated to Focal and Naim’s audio brands, is located inside Brilliant AV, a leading retailer in audio/video, security and lighting. Focal Powered by Naim Newport Beach is... Read More »
High Definition Tape Transfers (HDTT) has released the great Erich Leinsdorf recording of Die Walküre—let there be celebrations in the streets! With the greatest cast ever assembled, and led by a great Wagner conductor, this recording should have been the start of a full Ring Cycle for RCA. Unfortunately, it was not. By the time... Read More »
Estelon is proud to present the new Extreme Mk II flagship loudspeaker. After updating the Estelon classics series to Mk II and launching a limited Anniversary Edition of the Forza model, Estelon now refines its most luxurious high-end loudspeaker having incorporated a significant number of advancements in the same iconic form factor. The Extreme Mk II includes... Read More »
MOON is delighted to announce a new version of its 250i integrated amplifier. It features an upgraded circuit design, a new shield for the power supply and, for the first time, an MM phono preamplifier. The 250i is an analog design classic that delivers the renowned MOON audio performance and represents outstanding value. The new... Read More »
This episode provides a potpourri of musical gems that I thought worth bringing to your attention. All are available from HDTT or NativeDSD or Octave Records in either DXD or DSD256. I apologize for the length of this article with well over 20 albums discussed, but publishing opportunities kept pushing this article further and further... Read More »
Headphone stuff comes up in my email feed all the time! Last week I received a notice from online bargain store Monoprice that an "audiophile" headphone amplifier, normally priced at $129.99, is on special for $67.99—the Monoprice Monolith Series Liquid Spark. Oh, come on! An "audiophile-quality" headphone amp at a bargain-basement price? This put me... Read More »
J.S. Bach, Partita No. 2 in D Minor, Petteri Iivonen Violin. Yarlung Records. 45 RPM LP. Executive Producer: Elliot Midwood Producer and Recording Engineer: Bob Attiyeh Mastering Engineers: Steve Hoffman, Arian Jansen & Bob Attiyeh Vinyl Mastering: Bernie Grundman Microphone Preamplification: Elliot Midwood AKG C24 microphone: Gearworks Pro Audio Graphic Layout: MikeDesign Violin: Ferdinandus Gagliano... Read More »
Or about computer sound recording systems It all started in January 1971 with the world's first LP with digitally recorded material. In a long chain of successive recorders—among DENON Digital, SOUNDSTREAM, 3M, ProDigi, DASH, ADAT, RADAR - DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation, is the latest development. And this is its story. DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING –... Read More »
Music manuscript, Northern Italy, circa A.D. 1350. (Courtesy of John Marks) "Best" and "Worst" are often creatures of Pure Subjectivity—especially when it comes to literature, art, and music. Golf and baseball, in contrast, have objective metrics. I know that I have a list of "The Songs I Love to Hate." After you read mine, please... Read More »
Qobuz Launches Qobuz Club: An Exclusive Community for Audiophiles and Music Lovers Qobuz, the music lovers’ high quality music streaming and download service, is launching a new community platform designed to connect audiophiles and music lovers around the world: Qobuz Club. The interactive forum will allow Qobuz users to convene with like-minded listeners on topics... Read More »
PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 1 in D, Op. 25 ("Classical"). London Sympbhony Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda. LSO Live LSO0363 (download only). TT: 14.01. Downloads: eclassical.com (FLAC 24-bit or 16-bit, mp3) lsolive.lso.co.uk (FLAC, mp3); prestomusic.com (mp3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC); qobuz.com (24-bit, 192.0 kHz) Prokofiev's first symphony is an affectionate homage to, or sendup of, the Classical style (whence the subtitle), and should... Read More »
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, March 7, 2023 - Vincent Audio, a designer and manufacturer of elegant high-fidelity stereo and multichannel components, announced today the availability of the SA-T7 MK tube preamplifier, an update of the highly popular SA-T7. The new SA-T7 MK features the same audiophile-grade circuitry and renowned sound quality as its predecessor, but with the added benefit... Read More »
March 08, 2023 – Succasunna, New Jersey. Orchard Audio introduces the PecanPi+ DAC and PecanPi+ Streamer, further expanding the highly reviewed line of PecanPi® products. The PecanPi+ DAC leverages Asahi Kasei Microdevices’ (AKM) latest flagship AK4499EXEQ digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and AK9141EQ ΔΣ modulator chips. The 4499 utilizes the latest multi-bit switched resistor DAC method, employing... Read More »
Over the past 40 years, Jonathan Horwich has been making very high resolution reel-to-reel tape recordings of live jazz concerts. He works out of the Chicago area, but travels quite broadly to capture these performances. Wherever he can get permission to set up his microphones and reel-to-reel tape deck (15 or 30ips, 2-track), he's likely... Read More »
NEW Server Delvers State-of-the-Art Features and Performance Woodcliff Lake, NJ, February 28, 2023: In 2019, Silent Angel, designer of High End digital components, introduced the Rhein Z1, which was immediately hailed as a new standard in high value servers. Now, Silent Angel proudly debuts Rhein Z1 Plus: an all-new design whose features and performance advance... Read More »
MOON has commissioned a pair of custom painted Voice 22 loudspeakers to be auctioned in aid of Oxfam Canada. The award-winning speakers feature a unique hand-painted design applied by Montreal artist LeBicar and use premium audio technology to deliver an unforgettable listening experience. Oxfam Canada’s mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice,... Read More »
Available in Black or Silver, the new K-05XD will begin shipping in Late April or early May in the USA. Pre-order now to reserve one of the first units to arrive in the USA! The core model of ESOTERIC Super Audio CD players, the K-05, is finally available in an XD edition. The design platform is completely revamped... Read More »
If you know the name Lyle Ritz (1930 - 2017) at all, it's because you saw him credited as the bass player on a pop or rock album. Ritz was a prominent bass player in Los Angeles during the 60s, and he was part of the studio musicians collectively known as the Wrecking Crew. His... Read More »
BMG & THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE NEXT RELEASE IN THE MONTREUX YEARS SERIES A COLLECTION OF MICHEL PETRUCCIANI’S FINEST PERFORMANCES AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL FROM 1990 - 1998 LONDON WEDNESDAY 01 MARCH 2023 - BMG and The Montreux Jazz Festival have today announced the release of “Michel Petrucciani: The Montreux Years” -... Read More »
Decades in the making, Melco’s all-new N1-S38 offers the Japanese music specialist’s best performance to date Tokyo, Japan, 1 March 2023: Melco Audio, the Japanese digital music expert, has launched the N1-S38, an all-new flagship SSD-based digital music library offering the best sonic performance in the company’s history. ($11,995) The new ground-up design is based... Read More »
Roger Skoff's new article is, hopefully, less ambiguous than its title. In a recent comment on one of my articles for this publication, a reader named Michael wrote in to say that he was clearly able to hear differences between some kinds of cables (specifically AC power cords and speaker cables ) but not between... Read More »
