Something not so secret about me, I'm more interested in the music than the gear. I've documented elsewhere that I do acknowledge that better gear produces better music, but when it's all boiled down, I get distracted listening to gear because I'm identifying with the music. Granted, there are times when I listen to a... Read More »
Yarlung Records is always full of surprises, and Lifeline: Music of the Underground Railroad is no exception. Bob Attiyeh, award winning President of the label, brought it to my attention, explaining its unique and extraordinary meaning. Bob’s tastes are broader and generally superior to mine, and his recommendations always pan out. His hands-on recording techniques, minimalist... Read More »
For Immediate Release! What: Cuckoo For Christmas Extravaganza! Date: 12/8/19 Time: 7pm-9pm Who: The Hot Licks - Music of Dan Hicks With Special Guest Josh Reynolds Where: 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, CA 94941 Phone: 415-383-9600 www.throckmortontheatre.org Ticket Link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35161/production/1021678?performanceId=10483567
Beginning at the end of 2003, PF established its first annual awards for fine audio. The Brutus Award was established for the best that David Robinson and Dave Clark (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 Gizmo... Read More »
The new Magneplanar LRS Loudspeakers are touted by Magnepan in very much the same way as the MMGs were for years: the most inexpensive way you can get a taste of Magnepan's high-end offerings. I can't argue with that; at $650 per pair, they're a remarkable bargain—there's nothing else out there close to the price... Read More »
From John Marks' blog site The Tannhauser Gate comes this recommended recording: the "American Songbook" as performed by solo artists on Steinway pianos. No words...just the music itself. A tough challenge. But John says that the results are excellent, therefore one should pay attention.... Dr. David W. Robinson, Ye Olde Editor Various: Cole Porter on a Steinway,... Read More »
Dear NativeDSD.com music lover, We're messaging you because we are no longer going to include the option of downloading all lower DSD resolutions with a purchase. In this letter we explain why we changed that policy and what we offer as a solution to those of you who want to keep having access to the... Read More »
Now celebrating its 3rd year of operation, Stereo Brewing is an independent craft brewery located in Placentia, California. Master brewer-owner Rick Smets created Stereo Brewing as his crowning achievement for the things he is passionate about, great music and great beer. Given that his values dovetail perfectly with many at Positive Feedback and never lacking... Read More »
Musical Artisans is proud to host the Nagra HD Line Show on December 6-7 in Chicago, with special guest Rene LaFlamme from Nagra. A full Nagra HD system including the HD Preamp, HD Amps, and their most recent introduction, the HD DAC X will be playing in the main listening room. Rockport Cygnus loudspeakers and... Read More »
Gingko Audio Black Friday Sale on the patented Acoustic Resonance Clarifiers (ARCHs) Gingko Audio will have a Black Friday Sale of the ARCHs from Friday November 29 to Friday December 6, 2019. Simply use the code BFPF at checkout to get 15% off the retail price. To purchase, please visit our ARCH Web page at... Read More »
BERNARDSVILLE, New Jersey, USA – Merrill Audio is very excited to announce a large upgrade from the previous Tape Head Preamplifier, the newly released MASTER Tape Head Preamp is studio quality reproduction of your Master Tapes. Quiet, dynamic and realistic presentation of your master tapes can now be heard to an uncanny degree of realism... Read More »
After so many years reviewing audio equipment there are a few things that stand out. One is that the better the AC any component is seeing, the better the music comes across—and that is in terms of both musicality and overall sonics. Cleaner is better. Stable is better. Less crap is better. Better is better.... Read More »
Roon Labs is proud to announce the largest project we’ve ever undertaken. After two years of focused design and engineering, we’re unveiling an entirely new technology we call Vālence. Vālence is a system built on a massive new cloud database, which uses machine learning algorithms – designed with our passion for music – to model... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 116. The Cure, Three Imaginary Boys. Fiction Records – FIX 1 (UK) (1979), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: new wave, post-punk. Just as British art director, designer, and photographer Bill Smith crafted the iconic imaginative cover art of their debut album, so did the boys bring a billowing... Read More »
I only got to spend a short time this year at the Capitol Audiofest but I sure got an eyeful and an earful of some of the newest and most interesting things happening in the high end audio industry today. This is just a short set of photos of a few of the things that... Read More »
The thing about the AES show is that it's traditionally been two shows: a trade show run by marketing people upstairs, selling off all the latest new pro audio hardware, while downstairs there are scientists and engineers talking about the latest new technology. What makes the AES different than any other show is that it... Read More »
From Friday, November 29 through Friday, December 6, we will have a “Black Friday” sale on the following Danacables: Item Regular Price Special Price 1-meter TruStream USB cable $599 $499 2-meter Lazuli Ultra for Utopia, 1/4″ plug $1999 $1699 2-meter Lazuli Ultra for Utopia, 4-pin XLR $1999 $1699 2-meter Lazuli Ultra for Hifiman (2.5mm), 1/4″... Read More »
A legend has been running in the UK audio scene for many years, of an audiophile with a vast collection of the world's most sought after turntables, amplifiers loaded to the brim with platinum transformers and rare vintage capacitors, and an audiophile lair with a sound that eclipses them all. For a long time I... Read More »
Units with the DA1 installed can now be upgraded to the newer DA2 Binghamton, NY – November 14, 2019 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce the DA2 Digital Audio Module Upgrade Kit. The DA2 Digital Audio Module is McIntosh's newest and most... Read More »
Established audio company, Erzetich, is set to launch its new model of headphones, capturing every note in a stylish, lightweight, first of its kind product. Music to our ears Crafted from quality wood and durable metals, Erzetich introduces audiophile headphones of exceptional quality and unique design. Inspired by the goddess of festivity, Thalia live up... Read More »
Audio friend and brother John Marks, he who writes The Tannhauser Gate, takes us along on a remembrance of audio things past. His list is very interesting, and includes a favorite or two of mine, as well. Enjoy the ride! Dr. David W. Robinson, Ye Olde Editor darTZeel NHB-108 model one stereo power amplifier Regrets, I... Read More »
David W. Robinson, "Self-Portrait, Variation No. 3," Happy Valley, OR, 2019 Here's an outstanding product that audiophiles everywhere need to know about. Keep reading… Newly upgraded, and the latest iteration of the far end of our stereo reference system: The Raidho TD 4.2 Loudspeakers, with Stillpoints Aperture II IIs, the Audionet MAX monoblock amps on... Read More »
Qobuz, the Hi-Res music service that launched in the US this February, is completely eliminating its MP3 (lossy) streaming tier. Beginning today, Qobuz streamlines its monthly offering to one $14.99 plan that includes unlimited access to its entire Hi-Res and CD lossless catalogue (as low as $12.50 per month with a yearly plan). With their maximum... Read More »
Legendary Canadian audio manufacturer, Simaudio, is delighted to announce that it will launch a new sales and distribution company, MOON International, on the 6th January 2020. MOON International has been created to promote and provide logistics for the MOON range of performance audio products throughout Europe and Asia. With offices in France and the U.K.,... Read More »
Have you ever wondered which CDs to use when assessing your system? Or maybe you'd like to impress your friends? If so, this text is for you. It covers 10 best sounding COMPACT DISCS and some information about what to expect from them. It was a coincident—if there is such a thing - ask mathematicians... Read More »
The history of the Krakow Sonic Society meetings with various types of Compact Discs is quite long. Almost as long as the list of technical studies intended to improve the process of reading signal from these discs. Already in May 2009, as part of the 64th KSS, we discussed new (for us) patents of EMI... Read More »
GONG, Love From The Planet Gong. 12 CD 1 DVD Audio box set. The Virgin Years 1973-75. UNIVERSAL MUSIC 675 890-1. At last, after years of waiting for the Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy (translation: Flying Teapot, Angels Egg, and You albums) to be released in superior sound quality, Universal Music has gone one better and combined those albums... Read More »
The next generation of integrated amplifier from Boulder will begin shipping in all analog form, followed shortly by the streaming analog+digital version 30 October, 2019: Louisville, CO – Boulder Amplifiers is pleased to announce the immediate release and shipment of the 866 Integrated. The 866 is a part of the 800 Series and the successor... Read More »
Sarasota, FL - October 30, 2019 - VAC / Valve Amplification Company will introduce the finest amplifier in its twenty-nine year history at the 2019 Capital Audio Fest in Rockville, MD, November 1-3, 2019, in the Potomac Room of the Hilton Rockville. Compared to the older award-winning Statement 450, the new Statement 452 has greater... Read More »
Herein the latest from dear audio friend and brother John Marks, he who writes and edits The Tannhauser Gate blogging site. Sacred choral music from Tchaikovsky...a true delight for spirit and soul! Enjoy! Dr. David W. Robinson, Ye Olde Editor This YouTube music video has been viewed more than 5 million times (and there have... Read More »
Legrand Jazz, Michel Legrand. IMPEX Records. I'm very much falling in love with 45 RPM LPs. I'm also very much falling in love with IMPEX Records and their recent series of vinyl releases. Merge this format and this label together and you have a real winner: Legrand Jazz. This is a pressing that could possibly... Read More »
After the very successful Toronto Audiofest (TAF) last year, Sarah Tremblay and Michel Plante followed it up with an even more successful Show this year. Sarah and Michel are the team that also organizes the highly regarded Montreal Audio Fest. The TAF venue was once again The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel, which is conveniently located... Read More »
Self-portrait, Variation No. 3. Happy Valley, OR, 2019 The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest of 2019 was not only a great time for music and fine audio systems. It was also a treasure trove for a photographer like myself. The Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center, late afternoon, 2019 We all share a common passion for the... Read More »
David W. Robinson: Self-Portrait, Variation 3, Happy Valley, OR, 2019 Wilson Audio & VTL As usual of late, the Wilson Audio/VTL room did not disappoint…quite the contrary. The Wilson Audio Sasha DAW loudspeakers and their accompanying Wilson Watchdog Subwoofers, with an external crossover, were sounding quite full-range and authoritative, driven by the VTL S-400 Monoblocks.... Read More »
World Premiere of Zesto Audio's Leto Ultra Preamp Thousand Oaks, CA, October 14, 2019 - Zesto Audio is pleased to announce the world premiere of their newest product, the Leto Ultra Preamplifier. This product will debut at the annual Toronto Audio Fest in Toronto, ON, Canada, October 18-20, 2019 in exhibit room 219 at the Westin... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 111. Count Basie, Live at the Sands (Before Frank). MoFi – MFSL 2-401 (2013), (2x33 1/3 rpm). Genre: big band swing, jazz. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, and apparently that is exactly what happened to this original 1966 recording before Reprise finally release it in... Read More »
If you frequent Positive-Feedback, you may have noticed my lengthy interview with Ketil Vestrum Einarsen, who was recently described by Jacob Holm-Lupo as "prog's mad scientist." Well, he is back with a new project called +Ingelrii+, which includes long-time collaborator Gaute Storsve on guitar, bass, and percussion. Trond Gjellum plays drums. In addition to his... Read More »
