The Latest
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 August 2020 15 August 2020
Michi P5 Preamplifier & M8 Monoblock Power Amplifiers
Throughout audio history there have been high profile companies who, after success in the affordable ‘mainstream’ space, have amassed their R&D, engineering and manufacturing might to produce products catering to the high-end market. Some have given the new luxury products distinctive appellations, as a form of distinct separation from its mainstream fare, while others went about launching disassociated alternative brands with a less obvious resonance to the parent company. Back in the early 1990s, armed with an enviable reputation in affordable quality Hi-Fi and wanting to embark on a new path, Rotel fired an authoritative round squarely at the high-end by way of the Michi statement brand (A.K.A. ‘Michi by Rotel’). As successful as Michi was, Rotel in its wisdom phased the brand out of the market. Subsequently, the select Michi products became highly sought-after classics. Now, after a hiatus lasting near on 30 years, the term ‘Michi’ is once again part of the luxury audio lexicon.
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Features Features
- Published: 13 July 2020 13 July 2020
Peter Foster Halcro Video Interview
SoundStage! Talks: SoundStage! Australia editor-in-chief Edgar Kramer talks to Halcro CEO Peter Foster about the rebuilding of the brand and where his group plans to take it.
- Details
- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 11 August 2020 11 August 2020
New Duo with Bowers & Wilkins’ Formation Duo
Bowers & Wilkins Australia is offering a powerful combo of Formation Duo and Formation Audio when you purchase the former.
- Details
- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 10 August 2020 10 August 2020
Lindemann Back in Australia
Revered German company Lindemann, now in the main a digital specialist, is back in Australia via new distribution partner Magenta Audio.
- Details
- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 07 August 2020 07 August 2020
New Pre/Power Duo from McIntosh Laboratory
McIntosh Laboratory has unveiled the C22 Mk V preamplifier and MC1502 power amplifier, two valve components which, aside from their arresting retro-style designs, also promise an ideal partnership in terms of functionality and potential performance.
- Details
- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 02 August 2020 02 August 2020
HANA Umami Cartridge Promises Audio Deliciousness
Cartridge manufacturer HANA’s new Umami high-end cartridge opens the possibilities of superbly tasteful sound performance.
- Details
- Written by Scott Campbell Scott Campbell
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2020 01 August 2020
Audia Flight FL CD Three S CD Player
A Swiss Army Knife inside a Pandora's Box. We reviewers do so love our metaphors and I've brewed-up a doozy in that previous sentence. It's about as mixed as they get and yet, it's what sums up this interesting player from the Italian audio house of Audia Flight. Features abound and it truly is a “jack of all trades”. CD player? Yep. DAC? Yep. Transport? Of course. USB DAC? We have you covered Sir. Oh? Your system is balanced you say? Not a problem Sir. We have balanced outputs along with our five (yes five) different digital inputs and high-resolution playback. Sir doesn't use a preamplifier? We anticipated that and there's remote volume (in the digital domain naturally).
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2020 01 August 2020
JL Audio Fathom f110v2 Powered Subwoofer
Bass. We all love it. Come on, you know you do! You can muse audiophilic to your heart’s content on “accuracy” and “neutrality” but when you’re cranking Led Zep or Yello to 11, all talk of “balance” goes down the gurgler in an intense sensory wave of low-end pleasure. Fun so it Hertz. But what if I told you about a low frequency generator which is capable of both supreme accuracy and all-out visceral joy? All in a pretty and small package. Well, I be talking JL Audio Fathom f110v2. Yes, it will play nice and audiophile-like with your super-precise high-end mains and, should you desire some outright fun, it’ll also test the construction integrity of your house… and your neighbour’s house.
Nordost Cables to Enhance Your Music Experience
In light of our ‘coming soon’ review of the unique Nordost QPoint and QSource products, we thought it appropriate to draw attention to a rare Australian promotion for the specialist company’s digital cable lines.
AudioSolutions Releases New Overture Mk.3 Loudspeakers
The new Overture Mk.3 loudspeakers from Lithuanian company AudioSolutions adopt several technologies and construction techniques from the company’s upmarket Figaro, Virtuoso and Vantage lines.
DS Audio Grand Master Optical Cartridge
Analogue and optical technology master DS Audio has unveiled the new spare-no-expense Grand Master cartridge with dedicated outboard equaliser and power supply.
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 July 2020 15 July 2020
Yamaha GT-5000 Turntable & Tonearm
What enthusiast with an appreciation of audio history and who values music, from its creation to its recreation, would not love to own a beautifully designed and superbly engineered music-playing component with the tag ‘Gigantic and Tremendous’? Images of a looming multi-driver Gojira-like loudspeaker come to mind but Yamaha, the world’s oldest music company, has revived this sensational term – coined decades ago in the GT prefix for descendants GT-1000 and GT-2000 – to moniker its new flagship turntable, the GT-5000. And yes, Yamaha’s new vinyl spinner sits comfortably with that overt descriptor. The muscular GT-5000 fits the bill by not only featuring Yamaha’s updated engineering and latest refinements of proprietary technologies, but by also being rather… Tremendously Gigantic.
