Andrew Everard has posted a review of the Musical Fidelity Merlin audio system (£799) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “I have to admit to coming to this system with divided thoughts. Yes, I expected good things given the brand, but still couldn’t quite dismiss from my mind the worry that this might be...
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David Robinson has posted a review of the Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond turntable ($) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The combination of the Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond Level V, the Walker Audio Procession Reference Phono Amp, and the Soundsmith Hyperion OCL MI phono cartridge is simply the very best turntable system that...
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Mark Pearson has posted a review of the Hagerman Audio Trumpet Reference phono stage ($7200) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “There is something very ‘right’ about the Hagerman Trumpet Reference and I hope that those who are interested in a top level tube phono section will have an opportunity to hear Jim Hagerman’s best...
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John Hoffman has posted a review of the Ortofon Quintet Bronze phono cartridge ($839) at Positive Feddback. His conclusions: “The ability to make a direct connection to the music is what defines the Quintet Bronze, and is what justifies spending several hundred dollars on this cartridge. I can certainly recommend searching out the Quintet...
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Francisco Duran has posted a review of the Mrgules Audio Magenta FZ47DB phono preamplifier ($) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “This is not a bargain basement product by any means, but in the grand scheme of pricing in the ever increasing scale of high end audio, this unit is very affordable. And its performance...
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Marshall Nack has posted a review of the K & K Audio Premium Maxxed-Out phono preamplifier ($4449) aat Positive Feedback. His conclusion: “It is not the sound of modern analog, which tries to incorporate the best aspects of digital playback. (And has come increasingly to resemble it.) It recalls the analog we grew up...
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Alistair McKeough has posted a review of the TechDAS Air Force Two turntable ($42,000) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “The AF2 provides a turntable where the audiophile no longer needs to compromise to find a source tuned for their preference. It has it all. Bass and mids are faithful to the recording, with the AF2...
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Marc Rushton has posted a review of the Soulines Kubrick DCX turntable ($6500 without tonearm) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “Though this is a turntable review rather than a cartridge or tonearm review, one can only essentially review the turntable as part of the combination. I can only conclude then, that the Kubrick DCX offers...
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Robert H. Levi has posted a review of the Andros 1.2 phono stage ($4700) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The new Zesto Audio Andros 1.2 Phonostage Preamplifier clobbers the original, and may just be the best piece of audio gear designed by George Counnas to date. Combine trend setting flexibility, head turning design, glorious...
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Myles Astor has posted a review of the Koetsu Azule Platinum moving coil phono cartridge ($10,950) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “On the other hand, the new stone body Azule Platinum is a totally different animal and is the first Koetsu that I would welcome with open palms into my system with zero reservations....
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Anthony Cordesman has posted a review of the VPI Classic Direct Drive turntable and VPI 12″ 3D tonearm (together, $30,000) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “d a key to letting your own taste help shape the sound and the resulting illusion of musical realism. Moreover, it has been a long time since I...
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Rafael Todes has posted a review of the Miyajima Kansui phono cartridge (£2395) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The Miyajima Kansui is a cartridge capable of some uniquely intelligent and ear-opening sounds. It has an old-world feel to it, but needs careful partnering with other components to get the energy levels right. While naturally introverted...
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Dick Olsher has posted a review of the Jadis DPMC phono preamplifier ($6900) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “The Jadis DPMC’s tube signature is unmistakable. It romances the soul, and I for one could not resist its siren call. With a good mm cartridge in tow, the DPMC is musically compelling. It celebrates...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Oyaide Across 750 RR V2 interconnect (~€200), Tunami II SP-B V2 speaker cables (~€800), and Tunami GPX-R V2 power cord (~€700) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “A sound of new Oyaide cables is very rich and dense. Both sound range extremes are slightly rolled off, although...
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Art Dudley has posted a review of the Audiodesksysteme vinyl cleaner ($4490) in his Listening column at Stereophile. His conclusions: “As for myself, I’ve laid in a good supply of fresh, new Original Master Sleeves from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, and I’m trying to clean as many records as I can before the Vinyl...
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Chris Croft has posted a review of the Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 Genie turntable ($449) at AVHub. His conclusions: “…while I’ve had a few niggles about the Project RPM 1.3 Genie in this review, you need to regard them in the context of its asking price. So at less than $500 for the complete package...
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Tony Bender has posted a review of the CLONES Audio PA-1 phono preamplifier ($900) at Serving the Music. His conclusions: “At this price point there are far more misses than hits on the market. In any number of solid state phono preamps, reasonable accuracy can be expected. The gift of the CLONES PA-1—and for...
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Sujesh Pavithran has posted a review of the Lenco L-175 (€419) at audiofi.net. His conclusions: “Those wanting to dip their toes into vinyl wonderland but are put off by the basic and plasticky offerings from other brands will be keen to hear what the Lenco L-175 offers. And they won’t be disappointed.” You can...
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Andrew Simpson has posted a review of the The Funk Firm Flamenca turntable (£850). His conclusions: “Looks-wise the Flamenca certainly doesn’t stand out from the crowd as much as other decks from The Funk Firm’s stable. But it only takes a few minutes of hearing it to know that the Flamenca is blessed with...
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Andrew Simpson has posted a review of the Analogue Works Turntable One (£1200) at Hi-Fi Choice. His conclusions: “You really don’t need to spend all that much time with this turntable to realise that Analogue Works has carefully considered every aspect of its design, engineering it for maximum performance while ensuring that it remains...
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Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Soundsmith Mezzo ($3800) and Nautilus ($4400) phono cartridges at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Both the Soundsmith Mezzo and Nautilus both won me over. They are better than any other phono cartridges I’ve ever heard anywhere near each of their prices. Most importantly they reproduced the...
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Jacek Pazio has posted a review of the Ayon Spheris phono stage (€28,000) at Sound Rebels. His conclusions: “The timbre of the reproduced sound, which appears without any constraints or limitations to its resolution, is just another asset. I do not know how you see it, but for me the only “issue” with the...
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Janine Elliot has posted a review of the Music First Audio MM phono stage (£9840) at Hi-Fi Pig. Her conclusions: “Not for the wallet-shy audiophile, it is designed with a “cost is no problem” philosophy, clearly shown not only in its component choice and the sound, but also in the way it has all...
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Oliver Amnuayphol has posted a review of the Pro-Ject Classic Xtension 10 Evolution turntable ($3499) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “Nonetheless, the combo of Pro-Ject Classic Xtension 10 Evolution and Sumiko BlackBird is a thoroughly enjoyable record-playing system — one with eminently musical chops, fine sound, and fuss-free setup and operation. It’s one of...
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Alan Sircom has posted a review of the EAT E-Flat turntable and tonearm (£4100) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “I can’t help but like what the E-Flat does to LPs. There is something inherently unforced and natural about the sound from the arm, and it sounds positively ‘right’. Couple that to a precise, pitch-stable turntable...
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