| |
|
High-Performance
Audio Gear Reviews,
Music News, Show Reports, Articles & More!
29 Years Of Service To Music
Lovers.
|
May High-Performance Audio
Review Magazine
This month we've finalized our Southwest Audio Fest,
Montreal Audiofest, and AXPONA show reports. Later this month we'll be posting
show coverage from HIGH END 2024 in Munich (our 24th time, we were there in
Frankfurt too!). Roger Skoff's editorial 'What Kind Of Music Do You Like?' may
answer the question of matching your loudspeakers to your music preferences. Or
it could be a trap, you decide! With so much effort going towards shows, we still
found time to review the incredible Linkwitz LX521 loudspeakers. Longtime audio reviewer Rick Becker truly hopes you have the
opportunity to hear them. Rick says they were one of the very best rooms at shows! Our much-anticipated review of Nagra's Classic DAC II, PSU Power Supply, and VFS by Senior Editor Tom Lyle is a
must-read for those seeing the top echelon of Hi-Res Audio digital audio / music. Fact is, while listening to music the Nagra system,
literally, brought tears to Tom's eyes.
---> Enjoy the Music.com's May
2024 Review Magazine.
World Premiere Review!
Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable Review
I strongly suspected when listening to the first song with the Musiko that I would buy it.
Review By Rick Becker
The Charisma
Audio Musiko tonearm had already become part of my reference system back
in May 2021. when it was incorporated into my Linn Project — a complete re-make of the fabled Linn LP12 using off-the-shelf, re-engineered parts from several after-market companies. These parts were sourced from Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Colorado. By the time I finished, the only original OEM parts were the suspension springs and
grommets, the belt, the sub-chassis nuts and bolts, and the wood plinth. While there were lots of lovely alternatives, I kept the original wood plinth out of sentimentality. I was quite proud of the results, having greatly improved on the original vintage table — not unlike the way Carroll Shelby made over the British AC Ace into the Cobra sports car, except I did it on a kitchen countertop and never got around to racing it. I nicknamed it the Bard for reasons
I'll let you figure out.
---> Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable
Review.
Black Ice Audio Fusion F100 Monoblock Vacuum Tube Power
Amplifier Review
Plus a great story about Jim Fosgate's Odyssey circuit.
Review By Ron Nagle
To tube or
not to tube? Strange as it may seem, that age-old question is still relevant.
Today new materials and innovative designs have taken vacuum tube audio
components to a higher level. When I first saw the Black Ice Fusion F100 in room
504 at the Capital Audiofest, they were powered with Russian Tung-Sol KT150 beam
tetrodes. This innovative tube is only one type of power tube the F100 can use,
each with a different musical voice. This ability has a substantial fundamental
advantage. Unlike solid-state amplifiers, you need not be stuck with one
solid-state sound. Like a fine wine, the sound of vacuum tube audio components
can appeal to many diverse tastes.
--->
Black Ice Audio Fusion F100 Monoblock Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Review.
AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Now Complete
Audio Expo North
America (AXPONA) 2024 three-day experience featured a multitude of floors,
with a total of approximately 200 listening rooms. Special showcases include the
Expo Hall featuring The Record Fair, The Ear Gear Experience, and a variety of seminars. Whether you're a
very serious audiophile, a newcomer to high-end audio or simply a music lover, you found everything you need to immerse yourself in your favorite
sounds. The Ear Gear Experience is the place to go to find everything from open-back, closed-back, in-ear headphones and accessories, as well as cables DACs and players. You can also shop audio accessories, turntables, cables and more in the Expo Hall. Plus find new and vintage vinyl in AXPONA's own Record Fair.
---> AXPONA 2024 High-End Audio Show
Report.
Hi-Fi+ May 2024 High-End
Audio Magazine
Editorial: Physical Media Music Formats
Audiovector Trapeze Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Reed Audio Muse 1C And 3P Turntable / Tonearm
Acoustic Energy Corinium Floorstanding Speaker
Chord Electronics Ultima Integrated Amplifier
Audiobyte SuperHUB Network Streamer
Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier
Sonus faber Duetto Active Streaming Speakers
Ayre Acoustics EX-8 2.0 Integrated Amplifier
Pro-Ject Evo 9 CA Premium Turntable / Tonearm
And Much More!
---> Hi-Fi+ May 2024 High-End Audio Magazine.
Today Is International Jazz
Day 2024
Back in 2011 we welcomed UNESCO's decision to officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day. In hopes of bringing great music while also uniting people globally, International Jazz Day features legendary jazz pianist / composer Herbie Hancock as UNESCO's Ambassador. According to their website, "International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; fostering gender equality; and promoting freedom of
expression."
---> Today Is International Jazz Day 2024.
HIGH END 2024 At Munich's
M.O.C. Show Report
From May
9th to 12th, 2024, the 41st HIGH END trade show in Munich will once again shine
a spotlight on luxurious premium music reproduction systems, inspiring listening enjoyment and exquisite audio technology.
HIGH END continues to be one of the most important marketplaces and trading rendezvous for the audio industry, with many international trade visitors from around the world.
Music lovers from over 90 countries visit Munich to discover high-performance audio industry trends, exchange views, learn the latest news, plus network and do business. For industry experts, audiophile enthusiasts, and music enthusiasts, the HIGH END four-day event in Munich will once again be a spectacular
event. It is the perfect place to establish business relationships, expand networks,
exchange ideas and experiences with other industry experts.
---> HIGH END 2024 AT Munich's M.O.C. Show Report.
Australian
Hi-Fi March / April 2024
Editorial: New Hi-Fi Gear Is Pushing The Boundaries
Sonus Faber Duetto Stereo Speaker System
Dellichord FR6 Loudspeakers
DS Audio DS 003 Optical Cartridge
Richter Wizard Series 6Plus Loudspeakers
Australian Hi-Fi Show 2024 Guide
History of Portable Audio: Part 4
Podcasts for Music Lovers
Top Picks And Reissues
And Much More!
---> Australian Hi-Fi March / April
2024.
What Kind Of Music Do You Like?
Roger writes why what you like is what you ought to buy.
Article
By Roger Skoff
Many
a long year ago a friend of mine asked me what kind of speakers he ought to buy.
Complimented by his confidence in my judgment and wanting to be helpful, I asked
him some questions to help me figure out what might be best for him. One of the first was "How much do you want to spend?" To which
I got "It doesn't matter; whatever it costs." I should have known better – he
was the local Maserati dealer, quite well off, and really could afford just
about anything I might suggest. Next, I tried "What kind of music do you listen to? " and was
told "Everything; I like it all, as long as it's good." Other questions about all the usual hi-fi criteria –
imaging, soundstaging, timbre, transient attack and decay, harmonic richness,
the whole thing – got equally vague answers until I finally asked him "Is
there anything at all that you particularly like or want in the music you listen
to?", That's when I hit the "jackpot": "Loud." He said, "I like it really
loud!"
---> What Kind Of Music Do You
Like?
Linkwitz LX521 Loudspeaker Review
I hope you have the opportunity to hear them.
Review By Rick Becker
It
is no accident the Linkwitz LX521 speaker eventually landed in my listening
room. It would have happened much sooner if I had not been so busy. The three Best
Rooms awards you may have seen in their ads have resulted from my very favorable
impressions at AXPONA (2022 and
2023) plus Capital
Audiofest. I've been a big fan of open baffle
speakers since my world premiere reviews of Tekton Designs' OB 4.5,
PureAudioProject's Trio 15 TB, and Treehaus Audiolab's Phantom of Luxury
speaker. Other major proponents of open baffle design include Nola and the
now-named Clayton Shaw Acoustic Lab. And more recently, Songer Audio on the West
Coast, plus a few I've likely missed. I don't normally read other writers' reviews of products I
review. For that matter, I pretty much focus on doing world premiere coverage,
but I wanted to get a first-hand listen to the Linkwitz in my own room.
--->
Linkwitz LX521 Loudspeaker Review.
Nagra Classic DAC II, PSU Power Supply, And VFS
Review
Bringing tears of joy when listening to special songs.
Review By
Tom Lyle
In January 2021, I was fortunate to review Nagra's
Tube DAC and Classic PSU power supply. In my review, I said that the
owners of this vacuum tube Hi-Res Audio DAC will be able to appreciate the "sonic glory"
of this "high-performance component." So, I was not surprised that the
Nagra Tube DAC and its PSU power supply were awarded Enjoy The Music.com's Best
Of 2021 Award. After I finished the review, I was not psyched to
return the $40,900 package consisting of the Nagra Tube DAC, Classic PSU power
supply, and VFS Classic base to the distributor. I was captivated by the sound
quality this digital front end contributed to my system. My reference DAC, an EMM
Labs DA2, is no slouch, but this Nagra Tube DAC package costs twice as much.
It was not twice as good as the EMM Labs converter; it doesn't work that way, but
the improvement in sound quality was significant. I jumped at the chance when I
was offered the subject of this review, the relatively new Nagra Classic DAC II
/ PSU / VFS combo.
--->
Nagra Classic DAC II, PSU Power Supply, And VFS Review.
More reviews & articles within our Review Magazine.
Have
Your Voice Heard!
We have thousands who've joined us on social media and you're invited too!
Come join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram,
and X to meet like-minded music lovers.
|
|
|