New from the audio analyst© for re-publication in Positive Feedback – Virtual AXPONA 2024 If you've never been to an audio show, especially one as large and comprehensive as the foremost, most successful show in the continental US, AXPONA, which is an acronym made from Audio eXPO NOrth America, held annually at the Renaissance Schaumburg... Read More »
Craft Recordings' release schedule rolls along in the second group of reissue titles for 2024 in their Original Jazz Classics (OJC) franchise reboot, featuring their latest, 1963's Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane on Prestige Records' New Jazz imprint. Guitarist Kenny Burrell and saxophonist John Coltrane are co-leaders on the hard bop session, which showcases one... Read More »
June 04, 2024 - Succasunna, NJ. Orchard Audio – a boutique audio company offering a variety world-class DACs, streamers, and amplifiers – is releasing a new state-of-the-art, gallium nitride (GaN) 500W monoblock audio power amplifier. The Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium represents the culmination of Orchard Audio's relentless pursuit of audio perfection. This meticulously crafted monoblock... Read More »
The Rhino High Fidelity Premium Vinyl Series continues with the release of two new titles for the current quarter. At the outset of the series, each quarterly release featured one rock title and one jazz title, but thankfully, they've recently altered their release pattern. The last two quarterly releases featured a pair of rock albums... Read More »
Master Crown is Siltech’s newest and highest performing series to date, encompassing more than 40 years of cable technology 31 May, 2024; Englewood, CO - Monarch Systems Ltd., a distributor of high-performance consumer audio products, is excited to announce the release and production of Siltech’s new Master Crown cable line. Master Crown is the culmination of... Read More »
Natural. Transparent. Holographic. Introducing Evolution Acoustics SYSTEM THREE Statement Speakers San Diego, CA / May 24, 2024 Evolution Acoustics is pleased to introduce SYSTEM THREE statement loudspeakers. This breakthrough model from Kevin Malmgren is designed to compete with any speaker at any price. Description SYSTEM THREE is a modular, concentric array comprised of a midrange/tweeter/midrange... Read More »
Natural. Transparent. Holographic. Introducing Evolution Acoustics MODEL ONE Reference Monitors San Diego, CA / May 24, 2024 Evolution Acoustics is pleased to introduce the MODEL ONE reference monitors, a cu<ng-edge small speaker created by Kevin Malmgren. Although diminutive in size, the MODEL ONE incorporates new technology developed for the recently released SYSTEM THREE statement speakers.... Read More »
I've been pondering how best to write up this article about my listening experiences with the Audio Note (UK) Tomei 211 single-ended-triode (SET) integrated amplifier, and M3 RIAA phono preamplifier, for a while now. I'll start by saying the Tomei 211 integrated amplifier (left) and M3 RIAA phono preamplifier (right) are easily the highest performing... Read More »
For a change, Roger Skoff wants to ask your opinion instead of just telling you his… I'm old, and quite possibly out of it, so what I see going on in our hobby may very well be completely wrong. I hope it is. I became a HiFi Crazy (as we kids used to call ourselves),... Read More »
Mogwai, Young Team (Remastered) We knew we were in for something shiny and new back in 1997 when Mogwai dropped Young Team. It wasn't because their sound was entirely new. Sonic Youth, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Yo La Tengo dropped their noise rock years before Team, but it wasn't until Mogwai hit the scene... Read More »
Throughout my teenage and adult years in the Chicago area, I had the great fortune to experience some of the biggest and brightest of all the rock, blues and jazz superstars as they passed through The Windy City. The venues included some amazing large settings like Soldier Field, The International Amphitheatre, The United Center, The... Read More »
Rhino Entertainment is celebrating the 50th anniversary of David Bowie's classic album Diamond Dogs with a pair of limited edition LP reissues. Which is being offered with choices of a 180 gram black vinyl LP or an exceptionally cool picture disc version that also includes a fold-out poster. My review copy of Diamond Dogs 50th... Read More »
For most audiophiles the word "calypso" conjures up one musical artist, and that person is Harry Belafonte. Belafonte was a 50's era phenomenon whose popularity bled into the 60s. His brand of beefed-up and polished calypso was essentially the closest thing to rock and roll for people who couldn’t embrace something as "dangerous" as Elvis... Read More »
The world is full of false information. At the same time, we are frequently to be blamed for not doing our due diligence to verify information. As audiophiles, we are in constant pursuit of improving the performance, and therefore the enjoyment of our playback systems. It seems however, that many audiophiles pursue this goal while... Read More »
TEAC Corporation (TOKYO: 6803) is proud to announce the release of the model UD-507, a completely redesigned 500 Series DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier with high-end 700 Series design concept in a compact A4 size package. Products will be available for shipment in late June. KEY FEATURES Highly Musical Discrete DAC Designed and Developed In-House The UD-507 is... Read More »
Kenneth James Gibson & Paul Carman, Murals for Immersion I'm not convinced that any words of mine could so aptly describe this record as its title manages to do: Murals for Immersion. And because of this, I feel morally obliged to perhaps break the online literary book of laws, and also begin this music review... Read More »
Justin Weber of ampsandsound takes a break. 300B amps aren't known for their ability to party hard. More often than not you hear about their sweetness, lucidity, and warm conveyance of Big Tone. But the ampandsound kit, powered by their flagship 300B amp, the Black Pearl, had hip bones fully engaged. The Yellowstone preamp is... Read More »
The newly launched Ultra Evolution Series ascends as the new flagship series representing the culmination of advancements in SVS audio design to achieve performance that transcends class. HIGH END Munch 2024 – Munich, Germany – MOC, Hall 3, Booth N02/P03 - SVS, leading manufacturer of high-performance speakers, HIGH END Munich 2024, the largest audio show in... Read More »
Demonstration-quality sound meets cover versions of songs by John Lennon, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Paul Simon and others, performed by some of Octave Records’ favorite artists May 15, 2024 – Octave Records has released Audiophile Masters, Volume X, the latest in its series of reference-quality demonstration recordings. This time the collection features cover versions of songs written by John... Read More »
SCHAUMBURG, IL—Twenty-six years ago, aspiring studio tech and entrepreneur, David Malekpour, launched his Pro Audio Design, Inc. (initially under the banner, Anything Audio, he re-named it in 1993), with Augspurger Monitors that employed Technical Audio Devices (TAD) drivers and components simply because "they were the best." TAD have been tops for years, he says, and... Read More »
Rhino Entertainment has just released the Quadio/Blu-ray box set for Joni Mitchell's The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) Quadio, which covers her first four catalog albums for David Geffen's then fledgling label, Asylum Records. This next installment of her Joni Mitchell Archives series includes the albums For the Roses (1972), Court and Spark (1974), the live album... Read More »
Vertere Acoustics Munich Motorworld - Walter Rohrl Suite. 09 May 2024. Today, Touraj Moghaddam, founder and chief executive of Vertere, held a press conference to launch CALON, the first Vertere high-end dual-mono phono preamplifier. CALON will be available in July and sell for £15500; €18998; $19995.CALON is available in either silver or black. CALON has been designed... Read More »
May 7, 2024 - Focal introduces Hadenys (ah den ees) and Azurys (ah zur ees), open- and closed-back headphones, making the purity of high-fidelity sound accessible to as many people as possible. Born from the French brand’s distinctive expertise in sound and made in France, these passive headphones combine patented speaker driver technologies, comfort and sophisticated aesthetics to deliver... Read More »
Audiovector, Copenhagen, Denmark April 2024 – Audiovector is excited to announce the release of the new Trapeze Reimagined. Inspired by the original 1979 Trapez, the very first Audiovector loudspeaker, this iconic update features the very latest, most innovative technology available. The Trapeze Reimagined will be officially launched at HIGH END Munich 2024, the world’s leading... Read More »
Leif 3 is the new evolution of Nordost's entry-level lines, which have served as a benchmark in the hifi industry for over three decades. Leif 3 cables embody the culmination of years of technological breakthroughs and advancements in craftsmanship, meticulously refined to meet the modern demands of mid-fi and hi-fi sound systems. They leverage optimal... Read More »
--Apollo Turntable System and Siren Phono Stage Debut Today at Munich-- Munich, Germany, 9 May 2024: Gryphon Audio Designs ApS, designer and manufacturer of Ultra-Luxe Audio Systems, introduces the finest analog offerings in their 40-year history. The Siren Phono Preamplifier and Apollo Turntable System will be unveiled today at HIGH END Munich, Atrium 4.1, Room... Read More »
Craft Recordings has announced their reissue of Church Street Blues, the seminal 1983 album from bluegrass icon and journeyman guitarist and vocalist Tony Rice. Among the hundreds of recordings Rice participated in over a career that spanned fifty years, Church Street Blues is widely considered to be among his finest efforts, and has been out... Read More »
Craft Recordings has announced the second group of reissue titles for 2024 in their Original Jazz Classics (OJC) franchise reboot, featuring four albums whose release dates range across the period from 1956 to 1960. The new reissues include the classic 1956 Prestige label debut from The New Miles Davis Quintet, Miles; Davis' longtime pianist, Red... Read More »
Denver, CO - May 3, 2024 - YG Acoustics is proud to introduce the XV 3 Signature, a new pinnacle of sound reproduction technology. Born from the relentless pursuit of perfection, the XV 3 Signature is an extreme version of the acclaimed XV 3 flagship, delivering an unparalleled musical experience. The four tower XV 3 already... Read More »
Vétroz, Switzerland, May 6th, 2024 -- Stenheim, the Switzerland-based speaker company that utilizes aluminium cabinets and high-efficiency drivers to bring out every nuance of the finest recordings, will show its new Alumine Five LE, a luxury variant of the also brand new Alumine Five SX at High End Munich. These two new additions to the Alumine Five range both incorporate an elegant aluminium plinth machined... Read More »
Just Listen (Columbia Special Products CSS 1337) is an LP that I discovered in 1986. It was released by Columbia Special Products in 1970, as a promotional item for Magnavox. Like most of the CBS Special Products LPs, it's a stereophonic various-artists compilation. The musical selections are by Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Dave Brubeck, Andre... Read More »
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, with Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, HDTT 1957 2024 (Pure DSD256) HERE This is such a great album, it is wonderful to now have it in my digital music library in the best quality sound. My standard for this album has always been the excellent 45rpm vinyl... Read More »
Ye Olde Editor, AXPONA 2024 (photograph by Bill Parish; image processing by David W. Robinson) Another year, another trip around the Sun, another AXPONA. Apart from the COVID years, I have been attending AXPONA since Mark Freed first invited me personally to do so in late 2014. 2015 was my first show. So, I've been... Read More »
Roger Skoff answers a question that many audiophiles have, but never ask... On one of the audiophile groups on Facebook a few days ago, I saw a question from one of the group's members that I had wrestled with, myself, many years ago, when I first got into our hobby. Here it is: I'm very... Read More »
Discovery of a Limited Collection of Telefunken PCF803 Tubes Leads to Next-Gen Version of a Vincent Audio Favorite GRAND RAPIDS, MI, March 12, 2024 - Vincent Audio, a designer and manufacturer of elegant high-fidelity stereo and multichannel components, announced today the limited production run of the new SA-T7 Diamond, a tube preamplifier featuring prized German Telefunken... Read More »
Romanel, Switzerland – 3 May 2024. The Swiss company discloses the exciting Meet the Expert program for the High End Show in Munich. Year after year we are honored by the confidence of passionate professionals who come to our room to share their work and their passion to our visitors. We call these sessions “Meet... Read More »
Romanel, Switzerland – 3 May 2024. The Swiss company announces the introduction of a new digital source. 30 years after the then state of the art Nagra D, the first high resolution digital recorder, and almost 20 years after the Nagra CDC reference CD player, Nagra is releasing a streamer. In a compact format but... Read More »
