May - June 2025
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Audio Discourse
HiFi-rrari 2025
In which Roger Skoff tells why he didn't buy a Ferrari… In 1969, when a brand-new Ferrari sports car cost, depending on which model it was and how it...
Magic Snake Oil: Roger Skoff Writes the Real Truth about HiFi
During well more than half a century of being a HiFi Crazy, I've learned a lot about not only our hobby and its toys and goodies, but also about my...
The "Dark Horses" versus the (Orchestral) "War Horses," Part 2
John Marks is a multidisciplinary generalist and a lifelong audio hobbyist. He was educated at Brown University and Vanderbilt Law School. He has...
The "Dark Horses" versus the (Orchestral) "War Horses," Part 1
Automotive journalist, amateur endurance-car racer, musician and music lover Jack Baruth challenged our mutual friend John Marks to come up with a list...
Hardware Reviews
XACT S1 EVO Music Server
The formula is simple. If you voice the component in a way that resonates with enthusiasts, odds are it's going to take off. What's left is securing...
Vera-Fi Audio's Line Noise Black Hole and Snub Station Zero:...
Mark Schifter and the geniuses at Vera-Fi Audio have done it again, and their new group of AC power optimization products may be the company's most...
RAY Tubes Select 12AT7 Dual Triode Tubes: Rolling Next-level...
In my recent review of the Advance Paris A12 Classic integrated amplifier, I was smitten with its great looks and retro-cool vibe, but it also proved...
Wireworld Silver Eclipse 10 Interconnects
What manner of arcane sorcery does David Salz of Wireworld Cable Technology practice behind closed doors in the depths of his cryptic labyrinth? Are...
Grado Labs Signature S950 Headphone: An Amazing Addition to the...
Bob Levi (right) with Michael Fremer (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) Brand new to the lineup of Grado Labs Signature Headphones...
RAY Tubes Reserve EL34 and Select 12AU7 Vacuum Tubes: Elevating...
Growing up in late-sixties north Georgia, music first really grabbed my attention around my tenth birthday. My family had an old tube Philco console...
Interviews
An Interview with ATC Loudspeaker's U.S. Distributor, Lone...
Brad Lunde, at right, talks with a photographer based out of Los Angeles the ATC suite at this year's AXPONA (photo by Juan C. Ayllon) Brad Lunde is in...
Music Reviews
Sound Liaison Releases a Pure DSD256 One-Mic Stunner, With Free...
Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond at Sound Liaison have just released a stunning new Pure DSD256 album. This is their first album in Pure DSD256 and...
Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8, a Stunning...
Every so often, a music release occurs that is of such historical and musical significance that time must be made to mark its arrival. So it is with...
Robin Trower's Classic For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary...
Chrysalis Records continues their celebration of the legacy of legendary guitarist Robin Trower with the latest installment in the series, For Earth...
Recent Finds No. 42 Rachel Podger's New Album plus Pure DSD256...
A new album from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque, recorded by Jared Sacks, is always reason to celebrate! Add to that some delightful discoveries from...
Recent Finds No. 41 Pure DSD256 from Hunnia Records
You will likely have noticed a large number of recordings in my articles from Hunnia Records. The owner of the label, Robert Zoltán Hunka, loves all...
Cherish the Ladies, Part 2
John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate (thetannhausergate.com) and Positive Feedback This is a continuation of a very long essay. But I think the subject...
New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print
Audio Ramblings - Seasonings?! I Don't Need No Stinking...
This article by Dave Clark originally ran in 2006, so while we call this section "New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print" you are also going...
Our Friend the Audio Analyst
E231: High End Munich 2025: Six Exceptional Rooms
Today we’ll explore a number of the incredible sounding rooms that were on exhibit at the 2025 Munich High End event. I’ll share my thoughts on.... . . Read More »
E230: High End Munich 2025: Mola Mola & Vivid Audio
With this week’s tour of events during the final High End Society show to be held in Munich, we’ll meet and hear from two of my favorite people in.... . . Read More »
E229: High End Munich 2025: With True Life Audio
While True Life Audio wasn’t launching anything new at this High End Munich, the presentation of their Supreme series of products in two different.... . . Read More »
E228: High End Munich 2025: Kubala-Sosna Ovation & XPander...
There were so many product introductions at this past High End show in Munich that it was simply impossible to keep track of them all. But one of the.... . . Read More »
E227: High End Munich 2025-Updates from Audionet
Today I begin sharing my experiences during High End Munich 2025, beginning with a discussion with the CEO and Lead Engineer of Berlin’s world-class.... . . Read More »
E226: Kalista's Exceptional DreamPlay X & Mantax
Kalista’s flagship $65,000 DreamPlay X Optical Disc player/Streamer/DAC/Preamp and the similarly fashioned $64,000 Mantax DAC, represent both a.... . . Read More »
Our Friends at High Fidelity
Harbeth M40.5 XD2 Loudspeakers
Harbeth Audio Ltd. is a British company founded in 1977 by former BBC research chief Dudley Harwood. Its name is derived from 'HARwood' and his wife's...
Nagra by Roland Schellin - a Book Review
Nagra is a brand of portable audio recorders manufactured since 1951 in Switzerland. Starting in 1997, it also offers high-end equipment for the...
Show Reports
2025 Munich High-End Show
Wow! It's been more than 15 years since I've been attending the Munich High-End Show and this year will be the last year it is to be held in Munich....
AXPONA 2025: Bigger, Better, and a Great Escape from Tariff...
The impressive PS Audio room, boasting their latest, continues to be a crowd-pleasing fixture at AXPONA Despite current concerns regarding U.S....
