Neil Gader has posted a review of the Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon turntable ($3000) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon continues the brand’s outstanding run of sonic and technical improvements in affordable vinyl playback. In fact, throughout my evaluation it never seemed out of its league, even facing the...
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René van Es has posted a review of the Remton LCR Mk2 phono stage (£3250) at The Ear. His conclusions: “The Remton lets the music flow into the room in such a natural way, it has an ease that is seldom disrupted, no matter what you throw at it. Classical, jazz, pop, male or...
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Mike Malinowski has posted a review of the Tenor Audio Phono 1 phono stage ($50’000) at 6moons. His conclusions: ” Stunning in its presentation, there were explosive dynamics, bass resolution, bloom and air. There was no single element which made the Phono 1 so outstanding. It was the cumulative effect of them all that...
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Alan Sircom has posted a review of the TechDAS Air Force Two turntable (£28,898) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The TechDAS Air Force Two is one of those turntables that takes ‘Awesome’ in its stride. It always sounds awesome, even when it’s resolving something straightforward like Tom Waits voice. But when faced with an orchestra,...
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Roy Gregory has posted a review of the “Booplinth” bamboo replacement plinth for Linn LP12 turntable (£1650) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The booplinth represents the biggest and most musically fundamental upgrade I’ve yet heard to the LP12 – and that includes all the various Linn parts. For anybody who has played with bamboo in...
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Artjom Avantinjan has posted a review of the S. A. Lab Luthier Range Stradivarius phono stage ($11,000) and Amati integrated amplifier ($11,000) at 6mmons. His conclusions: “Whilst appraising components, it is customary to talk of levels of construction and musicianship. For the S.A. Lab Luthier Series pair, it’s sufficient to say these two devices...
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Jeff Dorgay has posted a review of the Dynavector DV-20X2 phono cartridge ($850) at TONEAudio. His conclusions: “If not the ultimate word in any of these categories, this MC cartridge will still provide substantial listening enjoyment with terrific musicality. Provided your phono preamp is up to handling low-output MC cartridges, this is an easy...
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Darryl Lindberg has posted aa Bob’s Audio Devices CineMag SKY 20 step-up transformer ($1250) at Part-Time Audiophile. His conclusions: “I really liked the SKY 20—it was impossible not to like it. For a relatively reasonable outlay of the old skrilla ($1,250), you get a very well made SUT that should satisfy even the most...
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Alan Sircom has posted a review of the VPI Prime turntable (£3750) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “This would be an extremely competent turntable from the drawing board of an established expert with decades of experience under his belt, but from a comparative newcomer, the Prime is a true star. Very highly recommended.” You can...
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Jeff Dorgay has posted a review of the VPI Classic Two turntable ($3995) at TONEAudio. His conclusions: “Small details aside, the VPI Classic Two is one of the finest turntables available for $3,995. As with the Classic One, we are proud to award it one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2015.” You can...
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Noam Bronstein has posted a review of the Rothwell Audio Rialto phono stage ($849) at Wall of Sound. His conclusions: “I found the Rothwell Rialto to be something of a scalpel. There is no euphonic, pleasant harmonic distortion here. No cream or other liquid colourations. No 12ax7 tube to roll. It just doesn’t bring...
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Jason Kennedy has posted a review of the Viv Lab Rigid Float 7/Ha tonearm (£2995) at The Ear. His conclusions: “The Rigid Float is a rather unconventional arm and one that ignores traditional approaches to cartridge alignment, but like another idiosyncratic design, the Well Tempered, it produces superb results. It’s one of those analogue...
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Marc Mickelson has posted a review of the Lamm Industries LP1 Signature phono stage ($32,790) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “he LP1 Signature will work with every combination of turntable, tonearm and cartridge and bring out the best in it all. It is Vladimir Lamm’s finest product to date — the one whose...
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Michael Fremer has posted a review of the Swedish Analog Technologies tonearm ($28,000) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “I’d never heard most of what I’ve played in the last few weeks “like that”—which was why, at the end of each of those late-night listening sessions, I laughed in delight.” You can read the full review...
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Michael Fremer has posted a review of the Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas turntable ($5995) and Cornet 2 tonearm ($2195) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “For some, Pear Audio Analogue Blue’s Kid Thomas turntable and Cornet 2 tonearm will sound too damped and rich in the midrange. Others, especially those who listen mostly to classical...
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Small Spaces Audio has posted a review of the Vista Audio Phono 1 phono stage ($299). Their conclusions: “Good audio begins with honest quality engineering and the Vista Audio Phono-1 is a fine example that such quality need not be budget busting. By following goals ahead of price point, Boris Sasic has brought a...
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Chris Templer has posted a review of the Shure V15 V phono cartridge with Gyger stylus at TNT Audio. His conclusions: “In all honesty apart from the likes of some very expensive high end cartridges I’m not convinced this can easily be beaten. Only one other cartridge I have heard or owned has sounded...
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Roy Gregory has posted a review of the Langer Audio No.7 turntable (€5980) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “But most of all I love the direct, uncomplicated and uncompromising clarity of its musical performance, the expressive range and temporal anchor with which it underpins the performance of your ‘arm and cartridge. Like any...
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Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Kiseki Purple Heart NS phono cartridge ($3299) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “After living with the Kiseki Purple Heart most if not all vinyl-loving audiophiles will be amazed at what they can hear hidden in the grooves of their favorite records, and how it can...
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Andre Jennings has posted a review of the JR Transrotor Orion Reference FMD turntable ($30,000) with TR 5009 tonearm at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “Add an outer ring clamp like the optional Transrotor Rotor Ring (be sure to use the center weight when doing so) for those less-than-flat records, choose your cartridge (and...
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Jason Thorpe has posted a review of the Simaudio Moon Evolution 610LP phono stage ($7500) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “So. Bass? Check. Treble? Yep. Imaging? You bet. The 610LP did it all right. But it’s how the Simaudio put it all together that makes this phono stage truly valuable.” You can read the...
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Canada Hi-Fi has posted a review of the VPI Scout 1.1 turntable ($1995). Their conclusions: “What more can I say, exploring my record collection with the Scout has been enlightening, engaging and downright good fun! If ever I needed another reason to listen to more vinyl – the VPI Scout has given me one....
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John Gatski has posted a review of the VPI Scout 1.1 turntable ($2000) and Luminous Audio Arion phono stage ($6395) at Everything Audio Network. His conclusions: ” If you are a vinyl stalwart with a bit of disposable income, the VPI Scout 1.1 and Luminous Audio Arion are two worthy candidates for purchase. If...
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Ian Ringstead has posted a review of the Perreaux Audiant VP3 phono stage (£1950) at Hi-Fi Pig. His conclusions: “I know it’s cliched in reviewer speak but I will be very sorry when the VP3 goes back. My Whest Two is very good for it’s price £800 , but at less than half the...
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Myles Astor has posted a review of the Transfiguration Proteus phono cartridge ($6000) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The cartridge delivers much of what the best transducers do at a fraction of the cost. The Proteus is quick, clean and resolving and really does justice the both the musicians and recording engineers intent. The...
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