We started our downsizing journey four years ago. I've written about that journey in four parts beginning HERE. I thought that after four years of experience with our all-digital, headphones-only listening system, an update might be worth sharing. As we headed into the realm of digital-files-only listening, my heels were dug firmly into the dirt trying... Read More » . . . Read More »
Andover-One E: complete one-box music system for modern music lovers with vinyl and digital playback in a compact, sophisticated, plug-and-play design Andover, MA—Sept. 2022—Andover Audio announces updates for its series of all-in-one turntable systems, including one new model and new names for all models. The new Andover-One E ($1,499) features technology trickled down from the flagship, award-winning Andover-One... Read More » . . . Read More »
Gonzalo Noque's recordings continue to mesmerize and delight me. I'm sitting at the moment just stunned having listened to a preview copy in DSD128 of the coming release of J.S. Bach's Complete Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, BWV1014-1019, with Andoni Mercero (violin) and Alfonso Sebastian (harpsichord). My need to share something about this recording compels... Read More » . . . Read More »
Ye Olde Editor contemplating... Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Israel, 2022. (Photograph by John Robinson; image processing by Ye Olde himself.) We're in the final stretch! Some of the best rooms I've saved for last...and here they are. Daedalus Audio/VAC/Lampizator/WyWires In the Daedalus/VAC/LampizatOr/WyWires room…delicious! Going into this space was a reminder of why I always enjoy... Read More »
Lahaina HI, September 15, 2022: Living Sounds Audio is pleased to announce the availability of Hyperdrive 2, a state of the art combination of a superb vacuum tube preamplifier with a 2-watt solid state headphone amp, capable of driving the most demanding headphones. The Hyperdrive 2 is priced at $999, direct from Underwood HiFi, but is presently available... Read More » . . . Read More »
Specialist of high end audio electronics, the French manufacturer introduces its new reference mono power amplifier. The B.amp mono features all the technological innovations that have proved their worth on the B.amp stereo, in an exclusively symmetrical monophonic declination. The B.amp mono is a class AB power amplifier that delivers 500W under 4 ohm and... Read More » . . . Read More »
Powered by a 50mm dynamic driver, the Meze Audio 109 PRO deliver an emotionally engaging sound with great detail & clarity. BAIA MARE, Romania - September 15, 2022: Meze Audio, award-winning high-end headphone manufacturer, announces its first pair of dynamic open-back headphones – the 109 PRO. Made from carefully curated and responsibly sourced materials, including walnut... Read More » . . . Read More »
Ragtime World by melodic rockers Augustus, The Moon Leans In by singer/songwriter Tom LaFond, and Things Worth Remembering from pop/rock band Clandestine Amigo are now issued on limited-edition LP Boulder, Colorado, September 19, 2022 – Vinyl fans, take note: Octave Records has added three titles to its growing roster of LP releases: Ragtime World by melodic rockers Augustus, The Moon Leans... Read More » . . . Read More »
--Digital Components Redefine Price/Performance at Value Prices-- Woodcliff Lake, NJ, September 12, 2022: Silent Angel, designer of High End digital components, proudly debuts their line of ultimate value digital products to the US market. From Media Transports to DAC/Streamers, Network Switches to Music Servers, Linear Power Supplies to External Hard Drives, Silent Angel is the... Read More » . . . Read More »
The latest device to join iFi’s mid-level NEO Series is a music streamer/DAC that delivers class-leading versatility and performance Southport, England – Digital streaming is now the primary method by which music is consumed, whether from online services or locally stored files. There are various ways to invite network music streaming into one’s home, from... Read More » . . . Read More »
Analog is resurgent, what with newbies discovering turntables and seasoned audiophiles revisiting reissued vinyl from their ill-spent youth. Digital music is a much more convenient background for other activities, but playing records better rewards attention with involvement; bitsy will just never replace groovy in the listener's lexicon. Blame the pandemic: one can read similar stories... Read More » . . . Read More »
Whenever I see a Pure DSD transfer from HDTT, I know they've found an excellent source tape that is in great condition. And these are always wonderful to hear. Recently I started looking around for Ella Fitzgerald recordings at HDTT and I've found four in Pure DSD256 transfers that are well worth bringing to your... Read More » . . . Read More »
September 16, 2022 - First launched in 2016, Focal’s Utopia headphones rank amongst the best headphones in the world. Under constant renewal, the French brand with a unique savoir-faire in acoustics, has given its iconic product a new design while adding acoustic enhancements (new voice coil, ‘M’-shaped grilles inside the earcups...). All the exclusive, high-end... Read More » . . . Read More »
LOS ANGELES, CA. (THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2022) – Full details on Independent Project Records' (IPR) release of the previously unreleased archival concert Savage Republic – Africa Corps Live at the Whisky A Go Go 30th December 1981 set coming November 18, are now confirmed. Pre Save/Add here. Clocking in at 37 minutes, befitting the band’s opening slot on the bill that night, the 10... Read More » . . . Read More »
Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio playback devices and accessories, announces a new collaboration with Empire Ears to produce in-ear monitors (IEMs) under the Astell&Kern brand. The latest collaboration with Empire Ears expands Astell&Kern’s already extensive partnerships with premier headphone and In-Ear Monitor (IEM) manufacturers. The limited-edition Odyssey will be sold exclusively by Astell&Kern dealers worldwide for... Read More »
World's first DAP where digital and analog signal processing is completely separated by HEXA-Audio Circuitry DAC design First time Asahi Kasei's latest Flagship DAC, the AKM4499EX has been used in an audio product Stunning Audio Performance through Independent Dual Audio Circuits World’s first use of Stainless Steel 904L for DAP body material Equipped with high-performance... Read More » . . . Read More »
Thus far in 2022, HDTT has given us three new and outstanding transfers of well known, and well loved, performances from the RCA Living Stereo catalog. To these, I've added several more of their excellent DXD/DSD256 Living Stereo reissues, plus a final reissue that RCA never released as a Living Stereo, but should have. They... Read More » . . . Read More »
BINGHAMTON, NY (September 14, 2022) - McIntosh is proud to announce the XCS1.5K Center Channel Loudspeaker, a critical component to perfect any home theater system, complementing the brand’s iconic XRT2.1K or XRT1.1K FloorStanding Loudspeakers, and voiced to match them to ensure impeccable sonic imagery with clear, high-quality sound. The center channel speaker is a critical... Read More » . . . Read More »
Onwards to Part the Third of my Pacific Audio Fest 2022 Photo Essay and Audio Oasis! Awards report... Genesis/Merrill Audio In the Genesis/Merrill Audio space It's hard to know what to say about Gary Koh's good-sized Genesis room, featuring Merrill Wettasinghe's very special next-generation (MX) amplification from Merrill Audio. There was so much really unique... Read More » . . . Read More »
The ocean swells of the recent controversy about Mobile Fidelity and its unannounced (until now) use of DSD256 continue to roil, whether useful or not. Greg Weaver and I had a long conversation about this, provenance, processing, and the (to my mind) vital role that DSD256 has to play in the future of analog LP... Read More » . . . Read More »
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, September 9, 2022 — Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world's most respected brands of high-performance audio and video cables, announces the release of the Platinum Starlight 48 HDMI cable. This third-generation flagship HDMI cable features carbon fiber plugs with supremely conductive silver-clad contacts. Following the previous generations, the cable has solid... Read More » . . . Read More »
Faro, Portugal, September 12, 2022 ZENmini S The new Innuos ZENmini S is based on the popular ZENmini Mk3 music server and streamer. The option of an SSD for the ZENmini has been a highly-requested feature. The ZENmini S replaces the hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) and increases the system RAM from 4GB... Read More » . . . Read More »
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, September 9, 2022 — Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world's most respected brands of high-performance audio and video cables, announces the release of the Platinum Starlight 48 HDMI cable. This third-generation flagship HDMI cable features carbon fiber plugs with supremely conductive silver-clad contacts. Following the previous generations, the cable has solid silver... Read More » . . . Read More »
Introducing EXPANSE, our new flagship open-back headphone. EXPANSE sets a new standard in open-back headphone musicality, soundstage, detail retrieval, and comfort. Featuring Dan Clark Audio’s all-new 4th generation planar-magnetic driver and our breakthrough Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, EXPANSE delivers a stunningly smooth presentation to bring new depth and breadth to all your favorite music. Acoustic... Read More » . . . Read More »
Orange, CA. September 12th, 2022 – ELAC, a leading global provider of high-performance speakers and electronics, today announced the Debut ConneX powered bookshelf speakers. These new powered bookshelf speakers combine the simplicity and versatility of a traditional soundbar with the performance of premium bookshelf speakers. “A premium audio experience does not have to be complicated.... Read More » . . . Read More »
Ye Olde Editor with some very fine coffee. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2015. (Photograph by Lila Ritsema.) Time to continue my Pacific Audio Fest 2022 Audio Oasis! Awards. Part the Second, then...onwards! Parasound/Innuos/Marantz/Dr. Feickert/Norstone/Straight Wire/KEF Here's an eyeful of an earful of a fine-sounding room… The Parasound/Innuos/KEF/etc. room featured some designs from companies that I knew…JC... Read More »
Lansche Audio is pleased to announce High End by Oz, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, as its official distributor for North America. High End by Oz LLC. is a high-end audio distributor covering North America with some of the finest high-end audio products from around the world. The addition of Lansche Audio to the portfolio further... Read More » . . . Read More »
Did you happen to know that one of Planet Earth's great writers, Garrett Hongo is also a music lover and audiophile? That's right, Garrett Hongo is one of us. Garrett has written over thirty works in over seventy publications, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry in 1988 for The River of Heaven,... Read More » . . . Read More »
This will be the best sounding digital reissue of Kind of Blue in your collection. There. I said it. No waffling around. This reissue is stunningly good. If you don't run and get it NOW, you will kick yourself for not having done so sooner once you finally hear it. Miles Davis - Kind of... Read More » . . . Read More »
This issue of Notes on Recent Finds includes a mix of recordings found at NativeDSD. Several albums are from the quite remarkable Sono Luminus label, whose recordings (by engineer Daniel Shores) are supremely good. I've written about their albums in other articles. I'm including three more here. Also included is a delightful new recording from... Read More » . . . Read More »
L-507Z integrated amplifier and PD-151 MkII turntable BALLSTON SPA, New York, September 2022 – Featuring Luxman’s original LIFES1.0 distortion canceling feedback engine, the new L-507Z is a Class AB integrated amplifier of exceptional sound quality. The first model in Luxman’s Z Series, the new integrated amplifier joins the PD-151 MkII turntable, which incorporates a new,... Read More » . . . Read More »
RAVEL: Orchestral Works, volume 2. The Philharmonia/Geoffrey Simon. Cala CACD 1005. TT: 75.42 Rapsodie espagnole. Le gibet (orch. Goossens). Five O'Clock Foxtrot (orch. Palmer). Piano Concerto in G (Gwendolyn Mok, piano). Pavane pour une infante défunte. Pièce en forme de habañera (orch. Hoérée; Han de Vries, oboe). Daphnis et Chloé: Suite 2. I picked up... Read More » . . . Read More »
Robinson reflecting… (portrait by John Robinson; image processing by Ye Olde Editor) Prologue… At long last, after 2.5 years of pandemic interruption and scheduling conflicts, I was finally able to get to an audio show…and not a moment too soon. The Pacific Audio Fest was held from July 29-31 in SeaTac, WA, at the Hilton... Read More » . . . Read More »
Snoop Dogg and Dave Malekpour at Snoop Dogg's Beach City studio complex (photo courtesy of proaudiodesign.com) As a 36 year veteran of the professional music industry, founder and president of Professional Audio Design, Inc. David Malekpour has come a long way. "I started working in pro audio for an acoustic designer and studio tech in... Read More » . . . Read More »
A special Positive Feedback guest editorial from John Marks, J.D. and James Tuomy, AES John Marks has been a longtime audio friend of mine, and a respected member of audiophile recording and loudspeaker design community. He recently approached me to publish a technical paper that he and James Tuomy had written regarding proposed modifications to the... Read More » . . . Read More »
In the early days of our hobby, one reviewer reigned supreme. From his first "test report," in 1957, until his retirement in 1998, Julian Hirsch is said to have written— either as himself, or as Hirsch-Houck Laboratories—some 4000 "laboratory test reports" on the hi-fi equipment of his time. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Hirsch). All of those were, reminiscent of... Read More » . . . Read More »
James Gang, Bang, SD 7037, ATCO Records, 1973 By the end of the 1960s, following the emergence of such dynamic UK-based trios as Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, one of the brightest trios to appear on the subsequent American scene was the James Gang. Though founded by drummer Jim Fox in 1966 with fellow... Read More » . . . Read More »
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