Today's Home Audio Headlines

It’s been quite a few years, more than I might care to remember in fact, since a Balanced Audio Technology piece of equipment landed in my listening room. But since I’ve been something on a tube amp tear recently—the powerhouse VTL Siegfried wa…
- 12 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:06am -

Kazutoshi Yamada Zanden Audio System Company, Limited I studied electrical and electronic engineering at Osaka Prefecture University to understand the finest nuances of amplifier operation. Since founding Zanden Audio in 1980, I have devoted more tha…
- 1 day ago, 21 Jul 14, 2:37pm -

Friday, July 25, 5 – 8pm: Please join Music Lovers (2295 Bush Street, San Francisco) for an open house with AudioQuest’s Bill Low (founder and CEO), Joe Harley (SVP, Marketing and Product Development), and Skylar Gray (Director, Ear Speaker Divis…
- 1 day ago, 21 Jul 14, 9:36am -

As drummer Blade exhibits a remarkably intuitive sense behind the kit; every stroke, every cymbal crash seems to come from a deep place more to do with sheer emotion than notes on the page. As composer and leader of The Fellowship Band (which include…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 7:20am -

The Feickert Woodpecker was first introduced in 2008 and has gone through some performance upgrades and refinements over the past few years. In 2012–2013 the Woodpecker received a bearing update, a motor/controller/hardware/software update, and a u…
- 5 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 4:43pm -

On July 17, industry veterans Richard Schram, founder of Parasound, and John Curl, the company's legendary circuit designer (above), made a rare joint appearance at Century Stereo in San Jose, CA. Surviving unexpectedly horrendous freeway traffic, wh…
- 11 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 9:08am -

Playing recorded music in the home is a complex, coded, cultural experience: We sit, we listen, we think and dream—and, when it feels just right, we admire. We admire who we are and how we arrived at this beautiful moment. This simple act of a…
- 1 day ago, 21 Jul 14, 4:44pm -

The Black Keys: Turn BlueNonesuch 7559795555 (LP/CD/HDtracks download). 2014. Black Keys, Danger Mouse, prods.; Kennie Takahashi, eng.; Collin Dupuis, Geoff Neal, Bill Skibbe, asst. engs.; Tchad Blake, mix. TT: 45:09Performance ****Sonics ****Th…
- 1 day ago, 21 Jul 14, 4:43pm -

We’re big fans here at Stereophile of dealers putting on events for their customers to meet manufacturers and enjoy some high-quality tunes. So we’re letting everyone know that next Friday, July 25, from 5–8pm, San Francisco’s Music Lovers…
- 1 day ago, 21 Jul 14, 3:54pm -

The annual Capital Audio Fest (CAF), the Mid-Atlantic States' premier playground for audio, returns to the Sheraton Hotel in Silver Spring, MD on July 25–27. With the addition of its CanMania, whose list of vendors continues to grow; Saturday's…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 5:13am -

IntroductionThe 3 products under review all deal with common issues encountered in USB computer audio. Most USB DACs require a 5 volt line (VBUS) in the USB cable to supply power to the USB controller in one’s DAC. Unfortunately, this power line f…
- 14 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 6:35am -

Photo Credit: OmniphoneFrom the Pono Kickstarter page:Omnifone was selected to power the PonoMusic store because of its award-winning cloud music platform and its industry-leading audio expertise and commitment to audio quality. Standing at 35 mi…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 6:50am -

What is deepblue2? deepblue2 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker that houses a custom developed 440-watt amplifier, a long excursion 6.5-inch woofer, two 3" mid-range drivers, and two 1" soft-dome tweeters all wrapped up in a portable 1/2 cubic foot box.…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 6:20am -

I believe Boris. Shape shifters, noise merchants, bliss whisperers, this Japanese trio consisting of singer-bassist Takeshi, guitarist Wata, and drummer Atsuo can build some monumental songs and they go about building all kinds, sorts, and sizes on N…
- 5 days ago, 18 Jul 14, 6:06am -

IsolationFor my review of the Focal Alpha 50 active speakers, my contact sent along a pair of IsoAcoustics L8R155 speaker stands, "I don't do a single demo without it." A few readers alerted me to the IsoAcoustics stands in the past but at the time…
- 5 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 10:34am -

I hope this isn't a stupid question... If i I buy an iDevice ie an iPhone or iPad and use it as a remote can I stream say Qobuz or (God forbid)...
- 3 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 5:52pm -

Price $2,799 Vega in perfect condition. Used only in vacation home. Less than 200 hours. One year old. US Sales only. Buyer pays...
- 5 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 3:14pm -

Hi bin working on trying to get synology nas itunes server working with itunes on my Mac mini playing though audirvana. I have it all set up but when...
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:05pm -

It is not possible to turn on the NUC when it is mounted in the Akasa case. If I Mount the NUC in the original case the NUC can be turned on again...
- 19 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 1:31am -

I wanted to post my thoughts after I upgraded my EMM firmware. The sonic upgrade to me is not subtle. Much more rich and lively. Has anyone...
- 23 hours ago, 21 Jul 14, 9:16pm -

Jay, Really nice look on these. Can't wait to here what they do for your system, I'm curious if they smooth out your room a bit and how much better the bass is.Keep the pictures coming, I really enjoy them
- 18 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:14pm -

Quote from: avahifi on Today at 12:36 amJim owns an AVA Fet Valve 600R hybrid power amp and a Fet Valve CF preamplifier, both with silver faceplates.I assume these are the AVA products he and Dennis Murphy will b...
- 18 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:14pm -

Plans are to be at RMAF... Always a great time!
- 18 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:14pm -

So that's +2 for the reservation? Hadro & "tomp"?
- 20 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:12pm -

Stand has been picked up.
- 20 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:12pm -

 "I've been using in-ear monitors for a while now and even went on to buy a custom..."
- 21 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 8:11pm -

 "I’m looking to unload some of the stuff I no longer listen to music with. All of this..."
- 55 mins ago, 22 Jul 14, 7:37pm -

 "Hey guys, I've got a gaming rig with an ASRock mini-itx motherboard. (H77m-itx to be..."
- 1 hour ago, 22 Jul 14, 7:08pm -

 "Hidition has just put out a new CIEM with two switches for tonality adjustement. It is..."
- 2 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 6:41pm -

 "Im thinking of modding a set of Koss PortaPros instead of purchasing something a bit..."
- 2 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 6:17pm -

Many associate the Ortofon name with its legacy of phono cartridges, but the company’s product line includes a multiple of analog accessories, including headshells, tonearms, and high-end cables. The 6NX-TSW1010 tonearm cable, like Ortofon’s car…
- 5 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 3:22pm -

What started as a one-off unit intended as a family birthday gift has blossomed into a full-fledged audio equipment manufacturer. Hong Kong’s Clones Audio now counts monoblocks and a DAC among its product roster, but its 25i amplifier ($865/€629)…
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:58pm -

As the starship Enterprise explodes while I’m watching Star Trek: Inception, it’s clear that these miniscule satellite speakers from Dali deliver big sound. Working in concert with the tiny Fazon Sub 1, which utilizes a 6.5-inch long-throw driver…
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:54pm -

Since I’m not much of a headphone guy, it takes something special for me to leave the comfort of my listening room and put a pair of cans on my head. Few ‘phones have ever given me big enough goosebumps to do so, and those that did have all been…
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:41pm -

During my recent trip to the Sterling Sound mastering studio in New York City, where I visited with senior mastering engineer Greg Calbi, I had the rare privileged of listening to the new Beatles’ Yesterday and Today from Calbi’s chair. An unco…
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:30pm -

For Audio Research, this 75-watt stereo amplifier represents a return to sonic form and to the basic circuitry design pioneered by the late Wm. Z. Johnson, one of the true artists of the high end...
- 5 Dec 13, 5:29am -

When I listen to these speakers I hear the music, and only the music, and there is really nothing more to say than that.
- 2 Dec 13, 1:12am -

The Wyetech Ruby STD is a hidden treasure for the analog music lover. We say hidden because if people heard this preamp, it would be the talk of the town...
- 25 Nov 13, 5:23am -

These amplifiers could never be considered an ordinary, run-of-the-mill, fly-by-night product. This is no impulse purchase to be sold on AudiogoN months later. If you buy these amps, you will keep them because you will love them...
- 21 Nov 13, 5:12am -

  In the professional audio industry the name Nagra is synonymous with precision. For over 50 years, Nagra has been an industry leader in developing analogue and digital...
- 23 Oct 13, 7:10am -

I was visiting a friend who subscribes to several streaming services, including, Beats, Googleplay, Gruvshark, and Rdio, all of which have bit rates of 320. He played a CD he recently downloaded, titled ‘Sounds’, featuring Shelly Manne on percuss…
- 15 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 5:31am -

Much like our Audiophilia Star Components, we are instituting an Audiophilia Star for recordings. Once again, no hard and fast rules, just an love affair between music, recording and reviewer. The list will grow over the years and our readers will b…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 6:14am -

Creating a one off, great speaker is difficult. Creating a range, a family of great speakers is harder still. The basics of fine speaker design has to be there, of course, but an eye and especially an ear to tune a ‘house’ sound within boxes vari…
- 7 days ago, 16 Jul 14, 4:00am -

In recent months I’ve had the pleasure of listening to several excellent pairs of speaker jumper cables and have concluded they can significantly affect the sonic presentation. Not exactly a glamorous product that every reviewer wants to address, b…
- 9 days ago, 14 Jul 14, 5:00am -

I was waiting at the 34th Street Penn Station subway platform in Manhattan to head Uptown the other day, and I heard and saw two young African Americans playing drums using only plastic paint canisters to pound with their sticks and hands. The Africa…
- 12 days ago, 11 Jul 14, 6:00am -

Pioneer's new PLX-1000 DJ quality direct drive turntable has a user-friendly control layout, high-torque direct drive system and is designed for high sound quality.
- 16 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 4:55am -

Apple's Eighth Annual iTunes Festival in London during September will feature Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, Beck, Sam Smith, Blondie, Kylie, David Guetta, 5 Seconds of Summer, Calvin Harris, Chrissie Hynde and many more.
- 16 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 4:55am -

CBC Radio Canada has a Q exclusive interview with Tom Petty as they discuss his ongoing career, digitized music, and how things have changed within music and the industry over the years.
- 16 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 4:55am -

The RIAA's new paper called Labels At Work: The Music Business In The Digital Age focuses on how major record labels are still doing their best to find great artists and helping them reach their creative potential while also connecting them to fans.
- 16 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 4:55am -

Australian HiFi's July issue includes reviews of the Bryston 28B SST2 2000 watt per channel power amplifier, YBA Heritage CD100 CD player and DAC combo, Rotel RA12 integrated amplifier, BW CM10 loudspeakers, and the Clearaudio Performance DC turntabl…
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 4:45am -

This website and domain are for sale. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to maintain the site with new content as family priorities require that I devote my time elsewhere. 30-Day Google Analytics: Visits – 3,631 Unique Visitors – 3,228 Pageviews…
- 6 Mar 14, 8:21am -

The AudioQuest DragonFly and the CEntrance DACPort have gained some rave reviews due to their portability and sound quality.  But if you’re like me and been holding off on one of those little USB DAC “dongles” because of their 96kHz sample…
- 11 Feb 13, 2:34pm -

I try to focus our reviews and articles on more affordable high quality audio – and for that reason don’t often get to talk about McIntosh Labs.  They make some amazing equipment that sounds great and lasts for decades and makes for a strong sec…
- 20 Jan 13, 4:10pm -

If you’ve ever purchased high-resolution albums from David and Normal Chesky’s ever expanding HDtracks, but were put off by their strange and quirky Java download manager, rejoice!  Released today, their new download manager is an installed app…
- 2 Jan 13, 5:08pm -

Some of you may be aware of the Sicphones project on Kickstarter that ran successfully this fall.  It was able to gain enough funding to produce somewhere around 100 headphone amplifier kits.  My box of parts arrived last week and I was finally abl…
- 31 Dec 12, 10:31am -

Just wondering whether any vinyl loving jazz fans have partaken of any of these new reissue series from Blue Note? I have several Blue Note reissues from years past, just wondering what the latest batch may be like. The first I will pick up is the…
- 2 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 7:02pm -

Item:  Sangean WFT-1D Plus DABLocation:  Melbourne SEPrice: $220 ONOItem Condition: Excellent,Reason for selling:  No longer neededPayment Method: Pickup – Cash, Bank transfer.Extra Info:   Bought from HN about 2 years ago. In excellen…
- 3 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 5:52pm -

I know this sounds a little specialised but please let me know if you have one you want to get rid of.
- 5 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 3:36pm -

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mariasherm/best-record-stores-around-the-world?s=mobile27 Breathtaking Record Stores You Have To Shop At befooire you die
- 13 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 7:05am -

in case anyone has one going to waste - needed for daughter's laptop. happy to consider compact alternatives. ta ALW
- 15 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 5:55am -

FX has announced plans to bring 'The Simpsons' online by launching "Simpsons World." The upcoming digital experience will offer streaming options for all 25 seasons and 552 episodes of the beloved show.
- 14 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 6:28am -

MartinLogan has announced the addition of three more speakers to its Motion line. The Motion series has been designed to offer a more affordable alternative to the company's ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers.
- 2 days ago, 21 Jul 14, 6:08am -

According to a report by PC Advisor (http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/google-android/3531062/amazon-set-launch-prime-instant-video-app-for-android/), Amazon is gearing up to release an Android app for its popular Prime Instant Video service. With that…
- 4 days ago, 18 Jul 14, 10:28am -

Marantz has detailed it latest audio products, the NA8005 Network Audio Player/DAC and the PM7005 Integrated Stereo Amplifier/DAC. Based on the previously released NA-11S1 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BJ7LN9K/panandscathed-20)
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 8:25am -

Sonos has announced a new partnership with SoundCloud, bringing a new selection of audio content to Sonos users. Customers can now access the SoundCloud beta through their Sonos app for iOS and Android devices.Read more... (http://www.avrev.com/home…
- 6 days ago, 16 Jul 14, 9:53am -

So which record cleaning machine should you buy? That's not so easy to answer. I've been loyal to one particular brand for more than 30 years, but that's not necessarily because I think they're the finest RCMs on the market…or even the finest machi…
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 6:21am -

Long ago I spent considerable time with the Audience design team listening, on multiple occasions; to the development of a multi-driver speaker creation intended to take-no-prisoners and drops a proverbial wake-up bomb on the audiophile world. Those…
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 6:21am -

Over many years I've endured hope and disappointment in the service of auditioning and evaluating loud speakers of virtually every sort. At a certain point one becomes braced for the worst or, at least, for the next version of "no cigar" in the proce…
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 6:21am -

This is a ground breaking review in more ways than one. To start with, this is the first Magico S5 speaker review using only analog recorded material. More to the point, it's my first review using the extraordinary VPI Classic Direct turntable and 12…
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 6:21am -

The Duelund Coherent Audio/Tannoy Westminster Royal Special Edition Project article I wrote for Issue 70 of Positive Feedback Online was the most fun I've had writing about audio ever!In that amazing project we took a 'no holds barred' approach to…
- 6 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 6:21am -

High, in your face. When Qobuz Hi-Fi streaming is handled by a smartphone with in-app offline listening cache the need to own lossless content is eroded. Money previously spent on download purchases can be re-directed into the subscription service it…
- 6 hours ago, 22 Jul 14, 2:37pm -

“Hi John, Guess who is jumping into the crowd-funding pool? Giving you and a few others a little extra heads up on this. I know, I usually suck at sending out press releases. Here’s a sneak peek. Campaign goes live noon EDT Monday. ATB, Jon” Th…
- 3 days ago, 19 Jul 14, 8:30pm -

Do it yerself. For my interview, let’s. Q: How did you become a reviewer? A: I’m home-made. Having lived in the US when I started out, I had read all the usual suspects in the American hifi press. Reading a lot, one naturally gets influenced or p…
- 5 days ago, 17 Jul 14, 10:59pm -

Up until fairly recently, headphone listening has by and large been a factor of necessary convenience for me: earbuds on the train, a pair of Grados for late night listening in a shared house, a pair of Sennheiser so I could watch TV whilst my husban…
- 7 days ago, 15 Jul 14, 6:21pm -

Cypher Labs’ Theorem 720 (US$799) is a battery-powered portable amplifier that runs a fully balanced circuit from AKM4396 DAC to headphone output. At one end of the metal case is a fixed output (3.5mm) for connecting to systems where volume attenua…
- 8 days ago, 14 Jul 14, 7:54pm -