Analog

Noam Bronstein has posted a review of the Well-Tempered Lab’s Amadeus GTA MkII turntable ($6140) at Wall of Sound. His conclusions: “And in all honesty, there’s so much I admired and enjoyed in the WTL design, that if I were in the market for something new, I’d give very serious consideration to their Simplex...
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Ed Kobesky has posted a review of the Audio-Technica AT-LP1240-USB turntable ($530) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “If the AT-LP1240-USB merely sounded good, it would be a solid value and totally recommendable. But it’s actually much better than that. I gave it an absurdly thorough shakedown for an entry-level product. It’s testament to how...
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Robert S. Youman has posted a review of the Pass Laboratories XP-25 phono preamplifier ($10,600) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The Pass Labs XP-25 phono preamp is an absolute giant killer. Before the Xs was introduced, the XP-25 was the flagship model and deservingly so. I am not concerned that the XP-25 will be...
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Geoff Husband has posted a review of the Abis SA-1.2 tonearm (€1500) at TNT Audio. His conclusions: “Overall I’d rate the sound as being a little off-the-pace in the extremes but excellent elsewhere and a real pleasure to listen to with a quality moving-coil. It’s competitive with other arms from a purely sonic point...
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Karl Sigman has posted a review of the PS Audio’s NuWave Phono Converter ($1899) at Audiophilia. His conclusions: “Suffice to say that I could not tell a significant difference between playing my turntable digitally, and using a pure analog path; the NPC performs a terrific job either way.” You can read the full review...
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Greg Voth has posted a review of the Audio Technica 440MLb phono cartridge ($373) at Stereo TImes. His conclusions: “With the Audio Technica 440MLb cartridge, there’s a lot to love. It provides a great perspective into a performance, with it’s ability to track thru grooves with no noticeable distortion and it really digs out...
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Janine Elliot has posted a review of the Roksan Xerxes 20Plus turntable, Caspian RPM speed control, and PUG tonearm (together £5825) at Hi-Fi Pig. Her conclusions: “All I played was effortless, with nothing standing out or missing. Dynamics and soundstage were as good as I have heard, and what’s more it looked so good!”...
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Anthony Nicosia has posted a review of the VPI Industries Classic 3 turntable ($6000) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “This is one very musical and enjoyable turntable setup worthy of being placed within systems of considerable value. Recordings sounded both precise and alive while covering the range of frequencies from low to high....
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Anthony Kershaw has posted a review of the Rega Aria phono stage ($1500) t Audiophilia. His conclusions: “And if you want to sit back and relax and enjoy your vinyl anew, with lots more heard than ever before and in the most musical light, then the Rega Aria would be a wonderful choice.” You...
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Jonathan Valin has posted a review of the Zanden Audio Systems 120 phono stage ($7500) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “Yes, there is a slight bit of fine solid-state grain in its resumé — kind of like the luminance noise you see in an 800 ISO photograph at 200% magnification — but unless...
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Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Kronos Sparta turntable (£20,000) and Helena tonearm (£6500) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “There’s a fairly basic term in all this audio stuff, a signal that gets lost in all the noise. But it’s there at the bottom of every page of this magazine – ‘hi-fi’. And...
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Chris Beeching has posted a review of the Music First Audio Reference MM phono stage (£9840) at The Ear. His conclusions: “I really can’t fault this piece of kit. In my view the Reference Phono Stage from Music First Audio deserves the highest accolade possible for this type of unit. Had I the funding...
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Canada Hi-Fi has posted a review of the Acoustic Signature WOW XL turntable ($3490) with TA-1000 tonearm ($2190). His conclusions: “The Acoustic Signature WOW XL with the TA-1000 arm and London Gold cartridge was a tantalizing combination. If I had to find a fault, I would say there was some uppermost air and space...
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Greg Weaver has posted a review of the Kronos Sparta turntable ($21,500) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “Honestly, once seeing and understanding it, as forthright and fundamentally simple as the idea is, it seems almost shocking that someone didn’t think of and apply this principle sooner. It is a game-changer.” You can read...
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Dennis Davis has posted a review of the Spiral Groove SG1.2 turntable ($30,000) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “The increase in bass stability was immediately clear, and my impression is that there is far more than “a bit” more depth to imaging. Furthermore, the changeover also seemed to have tightened up speed stability,...
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Anthony Kershaw has posted a review of the Rega RP8 turntable ($2995) at Audiophilia. His conclusions: “The RP8 is a fantastic piece of kit, decked out with appropriate accessories, all for a very reasonable price. Very highly recommended.” You can read the full review here.
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Tim Aucremann has posted a review of the Grand Prix Audio Monaco 1.5 turntable ($23,800) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “I felt more in touch with the presence and humanity of the music and the music makers. I heard new clarity and distinctness to mirrored vocals; just listen to Nora Jones sing “My...
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Kevin Walker has posted a review of the Ortofon 2M Black ($799), The Cartridge Man Music Maker III (£550), Nagaoka MP-500 ($799), and VPI/SoundSmith Zephyr ($999) phono cartridges at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “Although I may seem to appear a bit hard on these cartridges, I would use any of them over any...
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Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Channel D Seta Piccola Mk2 phono preamplifier ($2498) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Its greatest asset is its transparency, so transparent that when listening to records I forgot it was in my system. That’s the nicest thing that I can say about a component where...
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Steve Dickinson has posted a review of the Audio Origami PU7 (£1999) and Uniarm (£1499) tonearms at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The PU7 is a very grown up arm, it brings confidence, gravitas, and insight, yet isn’t afraid to get down and boogie with the best of them. It also offers more options in terms...
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Peter Familari has posted review a review of the Soundsmith Zephyr ($2106), Soundsmith Otello ($675), Ortofon Cadenza Bronze ($2995), and Garrott Bros. P77i ($599) phono cartridges at 6moons. His conclusions: “The Ortofon Cadenza Bronze isn’t quite as detailed as the Zephyr but only a bee’s wing behind. It tracks as well and has the...
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Ron Nagle has posted a review of the Tavish Design Adagio phono stage ($) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Every once in a while I am privileged to introduce a high-end audio component that combines exceptional value and performance. This is that time, so go forth and find as I’m keeping the review...
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Art Dudley has posted a review of the Oracle Delphi Mk.VI Second Generation turntable ($9750) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “I won’t be leaving my Garrard or my Thorenses by the curb any time soon, but during their absence from my system, the Oracle Delphi Mk.VI Second Generation entertained and fulfilled me in a way...
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