September - October 2016
Audio Discourse
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest: The Good and Bad
Every October for the past 13 years I have looked forward to RMAF (Rocky Mountain Audio Fest). It is my favorite audio show because I can just walk...
John Marks: My Audio System Description
John Marks' Stereo System (as of fall 2016) The essential sound of this system is determined first by the loudspeakers, prototypes called Esperanto...
Impressions: The Playback Designs Merlot Quad DSD DAC and...
So here I am again, returning to one of the touchstone companies for DSD and digital audio: Playback Designs. Am I surprised? Should anyone be...
Deep Impressions: The Wave Kinetics NVS Turntable, Durand...
There's glory for you! In which our hero meditates… This isn't going to be anything like a standard review, which is something that I don't do...
Brief Impressions from an Editor’s Notebook: The PS Audio...
In which our hero meditates… What a year it's been. As I observed in the first of these "Brief Impressions" articles, on the Oppo Sonica (HERE),...
Williamson on the Hardware: The Alpha Design Labs STRATOS
Incredibili Sine Compromissum This is it. Think of Trader Joe's. The Hyundai Genesis. A Hamilton watch, Uniqlo clothing, a CAO cigar, the...well,...
Cartoon: The Wild, Weird World of Walker!
[I'm pleased that our longtime cartoonist, Bruce Walker, is becoming active with us again. His unique style of edgy, crazy, Feifferesque drawings are...
Brief Impressions: The YG Acoustics Sonja XV Reference...
Funny thing. You'd think that there wouldn't be any enormous mountaintops in Newark, New Jersey. And you'd be wrong…. Let me explain. Bill Parish of...
YG Acoustics Sonja XV Speaker Launch
Select members of the audio press were invited to GTT Audio for the YG Acoustics Sonja XV speaker press event. Over the course of a week, each of us...
Feuilleton Acapella Audio Arts
Dirk Sommer, with photographs by Helmut Baumgartner For everyone who takes a real interest in High End it's a truism that even the best equipment can't...
A Visit to Distinctive Stereo
It was a glorious day for a Hudson River crossing, with clear skies and endless visibility, the kind of day that photographers love. Lynn and I were...
Just released! The PF DSD Sampler, Volume 1
Great news! Positive Feedback and NativeDSD (http://www.nativeDSD.com) announce the release of a joint music project, the PF DSD Sampler, Volume 1....
Audio Ramblings - the PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier and...
So here I am retired, and with lots of time. Time for music, beer, wine, the magazine… my art and more (like being on the Board of Directors for two...
Brief Impressions from an Editor’s Notebook: the Oppo Digital...
Brief Impressions: From an Editor's Notebook In which our hero meditates… What a year it's been. There have been so many products and projects here...
PS Audio's New DirectStream Junior DAC (Updated)
The DirectStream Junior DAC is my first in-home experience with a PS Audio product. It is also a brand-spanking new product, so my thanks to PS Audio's...
Krakow Sonic Society Meeting 104 - King Crimson 7" Platinum...
If one has to use the word "legendary" to describe a musician or band, then when applied to the King Crimson it would be relatively painless from...
Hardware Reviews
The Pass Labs XP-15 Phonostage Preamplifier
Perhaps I should start at the end. I love the XP-15 phonostage preamplifier. In fact, I love it so much that one night I dreamt I had barricaded myself...
The Lumen White Mystere Reference Turntable
From the first glance onwards, the Lumen White Mystere turntable fascinates with its visual elegance and noble appearance. Its beauty however still...
The HIFIMAN SuperMini Digital Audio Player
Here in the Dungeon, I'm challenged in every way to enjoy good music on any level possible. Almost all my equipment is still packed away in a storage...
Ortofon MC A95 Moving Coil Cartridge - Delivering the Goods
Amazingly the Ortofon MC A95 Moving Coil Cartridge is the very first Ortofon transducer—particularly given the company's long tenure in the cartridge...
Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II with Walker Modifications...
Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." – Ferris Bueller...
Ryan Speakers R610 Loudspeakers
Call me old-fashioned, but I have always preferred a good two-way. There is something comforting, but not necessarily boring or same-old-same-old as a...
LP Gear - The Vessel A3SM Cartridge
In 1995 the world of analog playback was a dark place, and hobbyists had very few places to find the parts and supplies needed to keep their turntables...
Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier – A Flash Back to the...
This review brought back some wonderful memories. It has been quite some time since I have auditioned an Audio Research Corporation (ARC) product....
The GoldenEar Technology SuperSub XXL Subwoofer
Over the last twenty-five years of system building, external subwoofers have never been part of the equation for me. Despite my love of deep bass, my...
Grado Statement Series 2 Phono Cartridge: World Premier Review
Out of production for two years, the Statement Series top of the range of Grado Cartridges is back and remarkably improved. Sporting a newly designed...
Sound Galleries Monaco Server (SGM2015)
I first seriously embraced the advantages inherent in computer audio when Linn released their first iterations of the DS range of ethernet based...
Heavy Metal Fantasies: The Beautiful Bryston Limited 4B³ Stereo...
Defying Expectations For some time now, I have hinted that the Bryston Limited 4B³ Stereo Power Amplifier (pronounced "Four Bee Cubed") is not your...
ATC SCM19AT Active Tower Speaker System
If anyone out there has been following my reviews, you may know that I like active powered loudspeakers (such as the ATC SCM19AT reviewed here). My...
LP Gear Vessel A3SV Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
LP Gear is an online vendor of analogue products and accessories based in Nevada. After spending few moments browsing their vast array of offerings, I...
Cardas Audio Clear Ethernet Network Cable (CAT 7)
No matter what type of hi-fi component currently makes a splash, whether it is headphones or network-based storage systems, shortly after they have...
Pass Labs X350.8 Stereo Amplifier and XP-30 Preamplifier
"When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, it seems like two minutes. When you sit on a hot stove for two minutes, it seems like two hours. That's...
Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered IEMs
With their headquarters based in sunny-side California, Ultimate Ears was initially founded in 1995 by Jerry and Mindy Harvey. The former of which has...
Aequo Audio Ensis Loudspeakers
Ivo Sparidaens, Concept Manager, and Paul Rassin, Marketing & Communications Manager, are members of a six person team of a Dutch company Aequo...
Linnenberg Elektronik Vicace 2 and Unisono
Linnenberg Elektronik offers thousands of products and most of them come from the Far East. China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan quickly conquered a...
Interviews
John Marks: Q&A with Sergey Schepkin
In this continuation of his assessment of the artistry of Sergey Schepkin, John Marks spends a few minutes with him discussing how his ongoing maturity...
Music Reviews
John Marks' New Music: The Parker String Quartet: Felix...
Here's a hot flash update (if such things exist in the world of classical music!) from John Marks of The Tannhauser...
Marc Phillips and the Music: Luis Filipe Fortunato’s 'Live...
Luis Filipe Fortunato’s Live and Pure A year or two ago I had to adopt a somewhat self-serving policy as a reviewer—physical formats only, please....
John Marks' Vault Treasures: David Oistrakh, Shostakovich...
Once again John Marks educates and enlightens us with his recommendation of a worthy recording from our audio treasures. "Some of the best recordings...
Marc Phillips on the Music: Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate
Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate Polydor B0024912-01 2 LPs – $24.99 Purchased at The Sound Garden in Syracuse, NY Tidal strikes again. Just a...
Impressions: Ilya Itin, Debussy, Preludes Books I and II in...
[UPDATED VERSION with new purchase links for NativeDSD.com included at the end of the review.] For quite a while now I've been sitting on an advance...
Pierre Boulez Conducts Mahler's Ninth
MAHLER: Symphony No. 9 Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Boulez Deutsche Grammophon 289 457 581-2 TT: 79.46 The death of Pierre Boulez earlier this...
Notes of an Amateur: Podger's Bach Art of Fugue; Ibragimova's...
J.S. Bach, The Art of Fugue. Rachel Podger, Brecon Baroque. Channel Classics CCS SA38316. There was a time, which for some may still be the time, when...
John Marks' Vault Treasures: Van Morrison's 'Moondance'
Well, right on, John Marks! Here's a real classic from the trove of audio loot. This week's album from The Tannhauser...
Notes of an Amateur: Shostakovich, Penderecki, Adès.
If you talk about music long enough, you tend to forget where you are coming from. I tend to talk about the succession of musical styles (baroque, late...
John Marks' New Music: Speaking of Tannhauser... Boston...
This time around, John Marks introduces us to a recording by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andris Nelsons. He points to the...
Polish Jazz Forever
When the heads of Warner's headquarters learned of the sale of Polish Recordings, then—as Bartek Chaciński writes in the article Marka dużej...
New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print
Impressions: The Classé DTP-1 Transport & DAC-1 D/A...
This article, by David W. Robinson, originally ran when Positive Feedback was in print - Vol. 7, No. 5, 1998. Background to a review If you do...
Our Friends at HIFI Statement
MEE audio Pinnacle P1
Pinnacle: der Gipfel, der Höhepunkt! MEE Audio stapelt bei der Produktbezeichnung seines In-Ear-Hörer gewiss nicht tief. Und auch die Transportbox.... . . Read More »
Acoustical Systems Pickup The Palladian
Acoustical Systems' Tonarm Aquilar zeichnet sich ebenso wie das Topmodell Axiom durch die von Dietrich Brakemeier neu entwickelte Uni-Din-Geometrie.... . . Read More »
Melco N1ZH60
Sie möchten auch hochaufgelöste Audio-Files genießen, ohne einen Laptop oder PC in Ihrer Kette zu haben und sich mit langwierigen Installationen.... . . Read More »
Cardas Audio Clear Ethernet Network Cable (CAT 7)
No matter what type of hi-fi component currently makes a splash, whether it is headphones or network-based storage systems, shortly after they have...
Dynaudio Excite X44 Speaker
Dynaudio hat mit der X44 ein neues Topmodell der Excite-Serie auf den Markt gebracht – wir haben nicht lange über einen Test der eleganten.... . . Read More »
Dayens Ecstasy III Custom 2 Integrated Amp
Ein kleines, etabliertes und weltweit erfolgreiches Familien-Unternehmen aus Serbien baut Verstärker, die ihren eigenen Stil haben. . . . Read More »
Harmonix Tuning Devices
Manchmal geht es schneller als gedacht: Nur ein paar Tage nach dem Erscheinen des Berichts über die großartigen Hijiri Netzkabel war Ed Doggen, der.... . . Read More »
Our Friends at High Fidelity
Krakow Sonic Society Meeting 104 - King Crimson 7" Platinum...
If one has to use the word "legendary" to describe a musician or band, then when applied to the King Crimson it would be relatively painless from...
Aequo Audio Ensis Loudspeakers
Ivo Sparidaens, Concept Manager, and Paul Rassin, Marketing & Communications Manager, are members of a six person team of a Dutch company Aequo...
Polish Jazz Forever
When the heads of Warner's headquarters learned of the sale of Polish Recordings, then—as Bartek Chaciński writes in the article Marka dużej...
Linnenberg Elektronik Vicace 2 and Unisono
Linnenberg Elektronik offers thousands of products and most of them come from the Far East. China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan quickly conquered a...
Show Reports
RMAF 2016 Photo Essay - Part 4
Vandersteens at RMAF 2016. Musical Surroundings and The Audio Alternative were together with Vandersteen Model Seven MkII and a new subwoofer. Two...
RMAF 2016 Photo Essay - Part 3
Margules. All the way from Mexico for RMAF 2016. Andrew Jones from ELAC, what a joy to hear him talk! Standout Room Winner. ELAC, new integrated...
RMAF 2016 Photo Essay - Part 2
MQA showing the difference at RMAF 2016. Aurender had two rooms. The source was the Aurender A10 Server with MQA DAC, 4TB storage. Loudspeakers were...
RMAF 2016 Photo Essay - Part 1
Lines were long at registration on Friday for RMAF 2016, that's a good sign! Everyone seemed ready to enjoy the show! Even with all the distractions...
National Audio Show 2016 (UK)
This is my fourth attendance at the National Audio Show held each year at Whittlebury Hall near Towcester, England. I believe this will be the first...
Monterey Jazz 59 - Quincy Jones Takes Charge
In July, I visited all star music guru Quincy Jones at his mind-boggling hacienda near UCLA with its round ballroom's piano ready main gathering area...
Lone Star Audio Fest 2016 Show Report
We had a great time at Lone Star Audio Fest 2016. From my vantage point inside the event as an exhibitor and listener from Thursday afternoon through...
Impressions: THE Show Newport Beach, 2016, Part 2 –...
A portrait of the artist at play: David W. Robinson with EveAnna Manley (photograph by Dave Clark) The second part of my THE Show report from Newport...
