Roger Skoff writes about one of High-End audio's truly basic questions. Full disclosure: Roger Skoff is the former founder and CEO of XLO Cables, and is now the same for RSX Cables. His writing in this essay focuses on the notion of high-end power cables having an effect on turntables, his surprise at that possibility,... Read More »
Ye Olde Editor: a portrait. Happy Valley, OR, 2020. (Photograph by David C. Robinson; image processing by David W. Robinson) It takes time for good things to happen. A child in the womb. A person growing to maturity. Creating art. Composing music. Writing. Fine photography. The aging of wine, whiskey, bourbon, tobacco. All are the... Read More »
Now shipping, the 2yu heralds the arrival of a standalone Chord Electronics network bridge 1st June 2021, Kent, UK: Chord Electronics’ 2yu digital interface for the 2go streamer/server is now shipping worldwide, following its 2020 reveal. The 2yu connects to the existing 2go streamer/server to create Chord Electronics’ first-ever network bridge, ready for use with DACs, DAC-equipped A/V devices... Read More »
Jonathan and Kevin Couch - Founders of Heavenly Soundworks After three years of intensive development, Heavenly Soundworks will, for the first time, be presenting their FIVE17 active speaker system to the public. They will be exhibiting at T.H.E. Show, which is taking place in Long Beach, CA from June 11 through 13, at the Hilton... Read More »
27th May 2021, Surrey, UK: Melco Audio has upgraded its two flagship Japanese-engineered digital music libraries, the HA-N1Z/2EX-H50 (HDD) and HA-N1Z/2EX-S40 (SSD), to include new, improved power supplies and new, higher-performance single-drive storage for the best-ever Melco sound quality. The flagship N1Z series machines offer audio connoisseurs the choice of either solid-state or hard disc storage,... Read More »
There are issues that drive me crazy, truly. I try not to give in to them, I look away and look for more interesting activities, but eventually, sooner or later, they come back to me. I am thinking mainly about how pavements are treated. Once the NOT office building, commonly known as the Szkieletor, today... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 171. Pink Floyd, Meddle. Harvest – SHVL 795, IE 064 o 04917 (UK) (1971), MoFi – MFSL 1-190 (1984), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: psychedelic, progressive, experimental rock, heavy rock, art rock, folk rock, acoustic rock, roots rock, space rock, ambient. Meddle may be considered the bridge between... Read More »
Upgraded MKII Audio Circuits and Components Deliver A Higher Level of Acoustic Performance Tokyo, Japan (May 25, 2021) – Rotel is thrilled to announce new upgraded MKII versions of two of the companies award winning stereo pre-amplifiers with the launch of the RC-1590MKII and RC-1572MKII. Both models feature a host of acoustic and performance upgrades... Read More »
With a light and delicate touch, Noelia Rodiles carries us on a rollicking joy filled ride with Schumann, Rueda, Mendelssohn, and del Puerta, then lands us gently with Schubert and Magrane. If some of these names are unfamiliar, I encourage you to join me and explore this lovely recording. Another transparent recording by Gonzalo Noqué... Read More »
Violent Femmes: Add It Up (1981-1993). Two 120 gram, black vinyl LPs: $29.99 MSRP. Also available as two 120 gram, blister-marbled red vinyl LPs: $32.99 MSRP. Available from Craft Recordings. My first experience with the Violent Femmes came not too long after their eponymous debut album had been released in 1983. I'd just gone to... Read More »
Sarah Jarosz: Build Me Up From Bones. 120 gram, black vinyl LP: $21.99 MSRP. Also available as a 120 gram, opaque red vinyl LP; no website or pricing information was available at the time of the review. Available from Craft Recordings. Sarah Jarosz is a multi-instrumentalist and singer / songwriter who grew up in Wimberley, Texas, a... Read More »
Stream to a McIntosh of Any Era. Binghamton, NY – May 20, 2021 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 70 years, is proud to introduce the MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver. The MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver is an easy and simple solution to add McIntosh quality Bluetooth® streaming capabilities... Read More »
The U18s Combines Proprietary Drivers, LID Technology, and a New Electronic Crossover Network to Deliver a Uniquely Exceptional Listening Experience VANCOUVER, Wash., May 19, 2021 - 64 Audio, the leader in custom and universal fit in-ear monitors, is proud to announce its new U18s, audiophile-grade, universal fit 18-driver in-ear monitor is now shipping with an MSRP... Read More »
May 19th, 2021 – Succasunna, New Jersey. Orchard Audio, LLC (www.orchardaudio.com) is proud to announce the launch of Starkrimson® Ultra Amp Modules. These modules add another product to highly reviewed and award winning Starkrimson amplification line. The ultra modules up the power level to 500WRMS from the previously available 150W. Starkrimson Ultra Amp Modules features:... Read More »
With 4th gen speakers, these five headphones have a new durable cable and headband as well. Brooklyn, NY: Today Grado Labs is introducing the new Prestige Series featuring the first X Drivers. These newly built speakers are the fourth generation of drivers the Brooklyn company has designed since the introduction of the first Grado headphone in... Read More »
IBIS, Self-Titled. Polydor Records 3581980. 1975 Locanda Delle Fate, Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu. Polydor Records 3529073. 1977 Sensations' Fix, Finest Finger. Polydor Records 3559352. 1976 For the uninitiated, Italian Progressive Rock of the 1970s can be differentiated from its German and British peers by its heavier emphasis on the Hammond B-3 organ as opposed... Read More »
Wayne Goins, doing his thing... This next chapter starts with Grant making major moves after his successful adventure with Jimmy Forrest. In our last issue, Grant and the Forrest-led band had completed their first album recorded on December 10 and 19 in 1959 at Delmark Records in Chicago, entitled All The Gin Is Gone (with... Read More »
Bringing the exceptional quality of the world-renowned Reference Ultime speakers to smaller spaces and at lower price point. Conceived and built entirely in Switzerland, the new Reference Ultime Two speaker offers the proven design approach, components and materials used so successfully in our Reference Ultime models, in a more compact product that is easier to... Read More »
Chamber music of Brahms and Schumann, how does it get any better? Well, you mix it with music of Hindemith and Enescu, add excellent musicians who perform all deliciously on viola and piano, and then capture the magic in a sterling recording. And thus you have a this exceptional release. I love music for the... Read More »
Grimm Audio introduces the successor of their LS1s-DMF motional feedback subwoofer: the SB1. It takes Grimm's "Digital Motional Feedback" technology to a whole new level. When Grimm Audio introduced the LS1s-DMF in 2016 they pioneered with true high tech mechatronics in audio. The Philips' motional feedback concept of the 70's was improved with modern sensors... Read More »
Some of you may recall that Ann and I have been on a journey of discovery these past three years. After 45 and more years as died-in-the-wool analog listeners, we moved from an all-vinyl listening system to an all-digital listening system. And as we've explored digital recordings, we've kept our "audiophile-off-the-deep-end" hats firmly in place,... Read More »
When I was a Kid Hi-Fi Crazy many years ago, "specs" were really important to me and to all of my Kid Hi-Fi Crazy friends. Being kids, we naturally had no money, and couldn't afford to buy anything—or at least not anything that wasn't either a kit or second-hand. Even so, we were all very... Read More »
Escape into your own world of high-quality sound! Salisbury, England – May 11, 2021 - British hi-fi specialist, Naim Audio has launched Uniti Atom Headphone Edition – a headphone-optimized version of its multiple-award-winning Uniti Atom music streaming system, designed to be the ultimate solo listening source. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs, which require a... Read More »
I've been enjoying the wonderful recordings from Eudora Records for several months. I asked Gonzalo Noqué, founder and chief recording engineer, if he'd be willing to share a conversation about his label and recording philosophy. He agreed and we corresponded via email about some topics I thought Positive Feedback readers might find of interest. Enjoy. Gonzalo... Read More »
As lovely a piano recording as we are ever likely to hear. Javier Laso gives us superb performances of two great works of the piano literature. And Gonzalo Noqué, producer and chief recording engineer for Eudora Records, gives us a recording that captures of the sound of a grand piano as well or better than... Read More »
Sarah Shafer (s), Tessa; Raquel Winnica Young (ms), Pi; Dan Kempson (b). Arts Crossing Chamber Orchestra/Efraín Amaya. Albany TROY 1846. TT: 78.30 About a year ago—when it became apparent that the pandemic shutdowns would be dragging on for a while—the noted singer-actor Stephen Pasquale was interviewed by Classic Stage Company's Artistic Director, John Doyle (on Zoom,... Read More »
Wide variety of reference-quality music includes solo piano, jazz, classical, pop and more, recorded in stunning DSD and SACD audio -- Boulder, Colorado, May 10, 2021 – PS Audio’s Octave Records label announces its first compilation album, Audiophile Masters, Volume 1. The hybrid stereo SACD disc features 10 new and previously released tracks by a... Read More »
Production run limited to 300 units, of which 100 allocated to North America BALLSTON SPA, New York, May 2021 – The new Luxman L-595A SPECIAL EDITION is a premium Class A integrated amplifier built to commemorate Luxman’s 95th anniversary. The unique industrial design reimagines the highly regarded L-570 series inaugurated in 1989. “Not many consumer... Read More »
10 May, 2021; Englewood, CO - Monarch Systems Ltd., a distributor of high-performance consumer audio electronics, is excited to announce a new offering from Siltech, the Classic Legend Series. Classic Legend is a revision of Siltech's industry leading and multi-award-winning Classic Anniversary Series, first launched in 1997. It has since grown to become their best-selling product... Read More »
May 3rd, 2021 – Furthering the company's reputation for developing high-performance source components, AURALiC has launched the ALTAIR G2.1, a comprehensively featured product, developed to account for both digital and analogue sources, delivering transformative, dynamic sound for the demanding high-performance audio enthusiast. The ALTAIR model name has always been synonymous with that of extensive features... Read More »
A friend of mine was looking at these Sophia Electric vacuum tubes, and she told me "They're so pretty, they look like works of art." These Sophia Electric vacuum tubes really are works of vacuum tube art. The Sophia Electric 45 mesh plate triode (above) and Aqua 274B rectifier (below) vacuum tubes are not only... Read More »
We are listening to the album: Santana, Santana Krakow Sonic Society is an informal group of music lovers, audiophiles and friends who meet to learn something new about audio products, records, music, etc. The idea for Krakow Sonic Society was conceived in 2005 and this is already meeting No. 129. THE MUSICIAN In the last few years,... Read More »
Anna Marie Wooldridge was born on August 6, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, although she was raised from childhood in Michigan. Alternating between her desires to be an actress and a singer, she started performing while still in high school, and soon relocated to the west coast in the early Fifties, where she performed mostly in... Read More »
New “mountaintop” OS achieves a remarkable new level of sound quality along with improved performance including quad-rate DSD capability – Boulder, Colorado, May 4, 2021 – PS Audio has released its Sunlight firmware upgrade for its PerfectWave DirectStream DAC and DirectStream Jr. The new OS enables the DirectStream DAC to deliver an extraordinary new level of musical realism and improved performance including quad-rate DSD... Read More »
San Marcos, CA, May 4, 2021 – Audience today announced the introduction of its Studio ONE and Studio TWO Series interconnects and speaker cables, designed to offer exceptional high-end sound quality. The Studio ONE and Studio Two are available as RCA and XLR (balanced) interconnects, and speaker cable. In addition, the Studio ONE lineup includes phono and headphone... Read More »
Buffalo, NY, April 22, 2021 --- Bluebird Music, distributor of high-performance audio products since 2000, is pleased to announce the availability of two exciting new products from German manufacturer, AVM: the CS 6.3 All-In-One Streaming Receiver, and the A 6.2 ME Integrated Amplifier. AVM (Audio Video Manufaktur) is one of seven brands distributed by Bluebird, alongside Weiss Engineering DACs, Jadis vacuum tube electronics, SME tonearms and turntables, Questyle headphone amps... Read More »
iFi’s new SilentPower range tackles mains-related noise to improve audio/AV system performance. Southport, England – Alongside its award-winning collection of audio devices for home and portable use, including class-leading DACs and headphone amps, iFi makes a range of accessories to tackle common issues that affect the performance of audio systems. The prime objective is to reduce... Read More »
