Reviews
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista PAS Power Amplifier
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 October 2023 01 October 2023
“The most important invention of the 20th century”. That was said of the semiconductor after its introduction in 1947. The device then went on to ubiquitous application in transistor radios through the 1950s. Then, in the late 1960s, very early 1970s, the transistor saw increasing implementation in Hi-Fi. Valve audio amplifiers’ decades-long reign was now being challenged. Soon after, the new technology became all-pervading, promising longevity, reliability, higher output power and improved sonic accuracy. Yeah, well… in early designs, that last one was mostly… so, so. It wasn’t until well into the 1970s, that skilled engineers procured the transistor’s potential for high-end audio. Those transformative events actually overshadowed the development of the Nuvistor tube in the late 1950s. The promising device came… and went. Forward to 1997 when British audio specialist Musical Fidelity unearthed the Nuvistor and harnessed that missed opportunity. The aim? To marry the best traits of both valve and solid state amplification. In the Nu-Vista PAS power amplifier, will the two worlds coalesce into a new powerhouse fusion?
Crystal Cable Diamond Series 2 Reference Loom
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- Written by Steven JM Polley Steven JM Polley
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 September 2023 15 September 2023
When it comes to cables, we’ve all seen products with gregarious designs, from ones approximating ornamental garden hoses to those resembling a python that has just devoured its prey. Bulky cables with a "bigger is better" mentality are often perceived as superior or essential for greater dynamics and powerful bass. Among other desires, having more bulbous-looking cables would be on most audiophiles' wish lists. Anything less might diminish their pride, with most believing diminutive cables would not suffice. In that case, they’re disregarding the significance of substance over appearance, with the most critical factor being how cables sound and integrate within our systems.
Electrocompaniet AW 800 M Power Amplifier
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- Written by Tom Waters Tom Waters
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 September 2023 15 September 2023
Electrocompaniet has a legacy of nearly 50 years in the industry producing world-class Hi-Fi products. All its products are designed and manufactured in Norway – they are the leading Norwegian manufacturer of high-end audio products. Electrocompaniet products are used by audiophiles, industry professionals and world-class recording studios in 50 countries around the world. In fact, the company’s original AW 600 Nemo amplifier was reputedly designed and built to power the “hard to drive” Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus and 801 speakers back in the 90s. The focus of this review is the evolution of that venerable AW 600 Nemo, the brand new AW 800 M power amplifier.
Wilson Audio Sasha V Loudspeakers
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 September 2023 01 September 2023
Within the development of a research-based company timeline, how does such an entity express its philosophies within the context of a product’s identity and long-sustained lineage? Well, while some branch-off by introducing entirely new classifications bearing the company’s latest technologies, others continue on the engineering path of refining proprietary advancements to enduring platforms. The Wilson Audio Sasha concept is an example of the latter. The company has faithfully managed the development of its iconic WATT/Puppy, with each generation perfected via exclusive technologies culminating in the Sasha platform. Sasha was itself an anagenesis devotedly progressed to a second-gen and then on to the commemorative Sasha DAW, a tribute to company Founder David A. Wilson. Now, the DNA is further refined with the introduction of the next generation: the striking Sasha V.
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Loudspeakers
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 August 2023 15 August 2023
It was back in late 2020. I recall, quite vividly, several weeks of bliss with Bowers & Wilkins’ 702 Signature Edition speakers (review here). Joy, joy. Over and above the excellent 702 S2 standard version (reviewed back in 2017), the ‘SE’ was the ultimate expression of the company’s highly popular 700 series. Its sonic skills were so sharply refined that it could cheekily face-slap with a challenging glove its 800 series entry points compadres. And then there was that insane ‘Datuk Gloss’ finish. Knock-out. Time-jump to Q2 2023 and I receive a call from Australian distributor Masimo Consumer’s John Martin offering to renew my acquaintance with the 702 flagship, now, in its latest-gen 702 S3 generational evolvement. “How about a review?” Umm… like, yeah!
Yamaha NS-2000A Loudspeakers
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- Written by Barry J Johnston Barry J Johnston
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2023 01 August 2023
Yamaha needs no introduction, founded as Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. in 1887, as a reed organ manufacturer, the company is a Japanese powerhouse of innovation across multiple industries. From motorcycles to outboard motors, pianos, to electronic keyboards, guitars, semiconductors, drum kits, Hi-Fi equipment, and mixing consoles, Yamaha is perhaps the only company that provides technologies and products at every step of the musical creative process. From the instruments that music is composed and performed on, to the mixers, effects units and monitors that it is recorded, mixed and mastered on, to the turntables, cassette decks, CD players, amplifiers and speakers, that inspire us at home, which complete and re-establish the creative cycle. Yamaha has an insight into the entire process, in a holistic manner unlike perhaps any other manufacturer. The NS-2000A, under scrutiny here, reaffirms the company’s creative power.
EGM Audio Emerald AC Power Cable
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- Written by Barry Jones Barry Jones
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2023 01 August 2023
I have to confess that I’ve never been tempted to invest heavily in AC power cables. I do own some Merlin Tarantula Mk6 power cables which I bought several years ago (without audition) for a modest investment and found it to be difficult to quantify much of an improvement above the standard supplied cables. I’ve swapped them in and out of production over the years tending to favour whatever cable was (gasp) most easily manoeuvrable behind my cabinet! While there seems to be more debate on the effectiveness of AC cables than signal cables, I’ve always been intrigued and wondered what a serious quality type of AC power cable could make. Enter the EGM Emerald…
Metronome Technologie Le Player 4+ CD Player/DAC
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- Written by Barry J Johnston Barry J Johnston
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 July 2023 15 July 2023
On the 6th of January 1987, Astronomers at the University of California witnessed the birth of a Galaxy for the first time, and later that month, Ronald Reagan signed a secret order permitting covert sales of arms to Iran. Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley and B.B.King were in the company of greats being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it was a year that saw 80s rock reach new heights, with the likes of Whitesnake’s 1987. Movies like Full Metal Jacket, and Robin Williams’ iconic performance in Good Morning Vietnam, made their mark on pop culture history, and a small audio company, Metronome Technologie, was birthed in the beautiful French town of Toulouse.
Lumin U2 Streaming Transport
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- Written by Tom Waters Tom Waters
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 July 2023 01 July 2023
Lumin is an offshoot of Pixel Magic Systems Ltd of Hong Kong, a privately-held electronics equipment manufacturer founded in 2003 to create home theatre and home audio products. Lumin was created in 2013 to design and manufacture network players, network transports, network amplifiers and network music servers. It has been quite prolific and has launched many products that, without fail, have been accepted very quickly by audio enthusiasts around the world. People talk of Lumin whenever they talk of high-end music servers/players. The product in focus this time is the brand new Lumin U2 Network Transport.
Soulnote S-3 Reference SACD Player & X-3 Clock Generator
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 July 2023 01 July 2023
Hey, they say there’s something about a name. When an audio company chooses ‘Soulnote’ for its branding, it’s making a powerful statement right from the outset. Soul… Note… Conjuring expectations, right? The company name hints at products aiming for the ethereal core of music, connecting art, the artist and along the creative chain to the music lover. Will the Soulnote S-3 Reference SACD Player and X-3 Clock Generator under review here fuse the spirit of music with the fundamentals of sonic performance?
Polk Audio Legend L600 Loudspeakers
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- Written by Steven JM Polley Steven JM Polley
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 June 2023 15 June 2023
Back in 1972, Mathew Polk and a team of big dreamers with just $200 between them set out on a wildly determined voyage to bring engaging, immersive sound to the masses of music lovers. With no interest in producing esoteric “cost-no-object products”, Polk’s real challenge was to deliver a truly great audiophile experience at a cost most people could afford. This established its founding philosophy of sound and design. Do the newest generation ‘Legend Series’ L600 speakers reaffirm the over 50-year-old mandate?
YBA Passion PRE550 MkII Preamplifier & Passion A650 Power Amplifier
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- Written by Mark Busby Mark Busby
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 June 2023 01 June 2023
This review covers two chic looking products from French audio designer Yves-Bernard André who started the YBA brand in the early 1980s. A multi-faceted and thoroughly modern pre amplifier, the YBA Passion PRE550 MkII and a powerful solid state amplifier, the Passion YBA A650 Power Amplifier. The PRE550 caters for analogue and digital sources and has its own twin DACs on board. How will these French audio fashionistas perform?
