Reviews
Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 September 2021 15 September 2021
According to a number of recent, credible reports widely aired online, the ‘black circle’ has outsold the silver disc for the first time since the 1990s. Both in terms of unit numbers and monetary revenue. By quite a clear-cut margin too. Having said that, in the music industry universe, streaming is by far (and I stress far) the most popular means of enjoying music. Be that as it may, vinyl has emerged from a full samsara cycle and its reincarnation is here to stay. Plus, in addition to its wider current availability, there’s an infinite amount of it in past collections. Yes, a whole heap of vinyl out there. And it needs a regular bath.
MUTEC MC-3+ USB Smart Reclocker & REF10 Reference Master Clock
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 September 2021 01 September 2021
While the largest percentage of digital music streamers/players offer a USB output (often as the sole option), many respected engineers strongly accredit either S/PDIF or AES/EBU connectivity as the superior interface between the music source and the downstream digital-to-analogue converter. As with anything audio, this is open to debate. Equally persuasive arguments assert a well-thought-out USB interface can be at least the equal to the alternative transmittance methods. Virtues are often slaves to implementation and both sides of the coin can shimmer with objective and subjective brilliance. So, many highly capable DACs omit a USB input altogether. Conversely, many streamer/players provide that as the only output option. In those applications, a USB to S/PDIF and AES/EBU converter is required. What if said converter is also complimented with a superbly-engineered in-built clocking topology? Further, would a state-of-the-art external Master Clock elevate music enjoyment to even higher levels? Enter the Alpha specimens of the species, the MUTEC MC-3+ USB ‘Reclocker’ and REF10 Reference Master Clock.
Dynaudio Heritage Special Loudspeakers
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 August 2021 15 August 2021
When a product’s name features the word ‘Heritage’ it conjures an associated sense of… promise. And tradition. And ancestry. Expressing the word ‘Heritage’ carries a message of brand culture and company history. It celebrates the legacy of generations of evolution. With the release of its limited-run ‘Heritage Special’ loudspeakers, Dynaudio confidently advances enduring philosophies and applies long-refined technologies in a product which expresses a powerful mythology. The new speaker shouts its legacy credentials with an assured voice, accentuated by the reintroduction of a timeless enclosure aesthetic now further improved by modern craftsmanship. That’s the ‘Heritage’ box ticked. But is it also ‘Special’ or is that simply bravado?
Heschl Audio Labs HAL 300 Power Amplifier
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- Written by Tom Waters Tom Waters
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021
Heschl Audio Labs is a young, vibrant and innovative company based in Queensland, Australia. It’s fairly new to the high-end audio scene, at present, they have two products released. Their first was the HAL 350 which is an integrated amplifier that includes an R-2R DAC. This was released back in mid-2018. I had the pleasure of hearing it at an audio club meeting in November 2018 – it sounded very good. As a consequence of various audio shows, Heschl realised a sizeable demand for a power amplifier-only version at a more affordable price point. This product became the HAL 300 which was announced in March 2021 and released shortly afterwards. The HAL 300 is basically the power amp section of the HAL 350 morphed into a new chassis with only minor changes. It is the subject of this review.
Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier
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- Written by Travis Kelly Travis Kelly
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021
It's a funny ol' thing, this hobby of ours. We embark on our journey with an idea; an idea self-propelled with enthusiasm in the hope it will maintain some kind of currency. Enough to endure hiccups and hurdles and reward us with long-term listening enjoyment and subsequently, for many of us, that 'pride of ownership'. It can be a rose-tinted viewpoint, and perhaps somewhat indulgent, but we've all had select components that, while they may not be physically with us now, remain as an intrinsic artefact and memory in our audio psyche or spirit. These cherished components are a beloved right-of-passage or an exercise in maturing. This reviewer is no exception to this natural law of audiophilia. Their memories are as vivid now as the moment of their first audition. Here, where more memories may be created for cherishing, I’m graced with the presence of Audio Research's newest offering, the delectable Reference 80S power amplifier.
JBL 4349 Studio Monitor Loudspeakers
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 July 2021 15 July 2021
By way of an intro, do I need to say more other than to state this? JBL. Three letters that are synonymous with music playback since mid-last century (1946 to be exact). Both at consumer and Pro audio levels in the studio and the performance venue. While the company offers highly regarded entry-level loudspeakers, it’s the high-end ‘K’ and ‘Studio Monitor’ models which feature dollops of the real-good-stuff. Like JBL’s colossal development budgets. Like the exceptional transducer technologies created at Harman International’s advanced Northridge, California R&D facility. Yes, those resources are the envy of the industry. In the 4349 Studio Monitor, JBL yet again shows off its engineering chops with the latest horn-loaded compression tweeter and 300mm bass driver in a classic 2-way design with enormous promise. And lots to live up to. Let’s bring it into our very own auditioning studio…
Linn Klimax DSM Digital Music Player
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- Written by Barry Jones Barry Jones
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 June 2021 15 June 2021
A few years ago, I reviewed Linn’s Selekt DSM and was well impressed. So, when I was offered the chance to have a crack at the flagship – the Klimax DSM I certainly didn’t shrug with nonchalance mumbling “Meh” but rather, I enthusiastically exclaimed “Hell Yeah!” Just ask our Editor Edgar Kramer…
Cables for Music Resonant Cable Loom
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 June 2021 01 June 2021
Cables for Music. I like that. Like, wine for the palate or… lens transcribing for subjective vision. A tangible thing which acts as a conduit to interpretive personal pleasure. As far as our audio universe, unadulterated music is the ultimate target, right? In this examination of the ‘Resonant’ cable loom from innovative Hong Kong specialist Cables for Music, I embark on a multi-faceted installation process arriving at a unique cable architecture. Or cable system. One which its makers have painstakingly crafted to deliver the purest version of… well, the last word on the company’s very name. It’s a noble foundation.
Harbeth SHL5plus XD Loudspeakers
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- Written by Vedran Simunovic Vedran Simunovic
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 June 2021 01 June 2021
Some people might say that the Harbeth Super HL5plus XD speakers look ordinary, perhaps because they don’t have curved sides, chromed bits or some other fashion or fad of the hi-fi world. Well, yes, they look as ordinary as the Parthenon. Some might even say that they are not exciting, perhaps because they use no ribbons, horns or other trendy technology. Well, yes, they sound as un-exciting as Pavarotti. That’s because dispensing with those distractions, Harbeth has been creating loudspeakers (such as the SHL5plus XD for review here) that are becoming synonyms for British design, British reliability and British quality.
Siltech Classic Legend 880 Cables
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 May 2021 15 May 2021
By the very lexicon, the new Classic Legend cables from Siltech make a rather bold promise. Off the bat. At the get-go. Classic Legend. That’s some chutzpah right there. But if there’s a cable specialist who can pull that off… Yes, Siltech’s R&D resources, metallurgy expertise and overall market authority certainly qualifies it for such self-assuredness. The company has been one of the industry leaders in cable manufacturing since its market launch in 1983 when it introduced its G1 ‘Silver Technology’ cable interface creations. Now evolved to G9 material and cable architecture, will Siltech’s newest high-end offering live up to the pledge?
Rockna Audio Wavelight Digital-To-Analogue Converter
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 May 2021 01 May 2021
When Australian importer Audio Heaven casually waved the wand of temptation about reviewing Rockna Audio’s latest digital-to-analogue converter, I was all restrained excitement. Here’s a company which has garnered unanimous acclaim across the globe for making advanced proprietary-technology digital products from an unlikely birthplace. Not only did this assignment promise good, good, good vibrations but it’s a product hailing from Romania which is simpatico with my own paternal Germanic-Romanian heritage. So, Rockna Audio’s newest offering, the rather elegant slimline entry-point Wavelight DAC arrives, fresh from the former Eastern Bloc, with a potent musical pledge combining a proven alternative methodology with a twist of 21st century tech.
The Funk Firm Houdini Cartridge Decoupler
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 April 2021 15 April 2021
Obviously, The Funk Firm’s Houdini cartridge decoupler hints at some kind of trickery, some wand-charm waived onto this unique product. Audacious association aside, Houdini shows evidence of ingenuity with genuine performance potential. How did the Houdini perform, after taking… umm, sheltering support over our already sonically stellar in-house cartridge and tonearm combo? Can Houdini free your sound from its resonant captive chains? Will the diminutive component’s performance captivate through to the final Prestige?
