Web Reviews

fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators

June 15, 2016
fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators

Garrett Hongo has posted a review of the fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note insulators ($1125/set of four) at SoundStage! Ultra. His conclusions: “f you haven’t yet addressed extraneous interior vibrations in your system, as I had not, and if you’ve settled on most of your components and want to take things to the next...
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Leema Acoustics Libra DAC

June 14, 2016
Leema Acoustics Libra DAC

Ed Selley has posted a review of the Leema Acoustics Libra DAC (£5995) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “Judged as a line-level DAC, it offers plentiful inputs, truck-like build, and a performance that delivers a wide variety of music without any signs of strain or issue. These are attributes that can be pinned to a...
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Opera Consonance Reference DSD1.1 DAC

June 14, 2016
Opera Consonance Reference DSD1.1 DAC

Nicholas Ripley has posted a review of the Opera Consonance Reference DSD1.1 DAC (£1595) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “Ultimately, the Opera Consonance Reference DSD1.1 is an extremely good device, straddling as it does the old-school ‘add me to a CD player’ DAC and the new world of USB. It’s a refined performer, which is...
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iFi Audio Micro iDAC2 DAC

June 14, 2016
iFi Audio Micro iDAC2 DAC

Eric Neff has posted a review of the iFi Audio Micro iDAC2 DAC (£295) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “One of the things that I most enjoy about the iFi Micro iDSD is that it is a great portable unit, giving me most of the qualities of a strong home system when I am on...
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Cayin iDAC-6 DAC and iHA-6 Headphone Amplifier

June 14, 2016
Cayin iDAC-6 DAC and iHA-6 Headphone Amplifier

John Grandberg has posted a review of the Cayin iDAC-6 DAC ($999) and iHA-6 headphone amplifier ($999) at InnerFidelity. His conclusions: “At $999 each, these two straddle some sort of line…I’m sure some would call them “affordable” while others would balk at that price as being way out of reach. Personally I think it’s...
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T+A Elektroakustik E-Series Music Player

June 10, 2016
T+A Elektroakustik E-Series Music Player

Richard Varey has posted a review of the T+A Elektroakustik E-Series music player (NZ$7499) at TNT Audio. His conclusions: “So, in summary, this is a fascinating one-stop alternative to discrete units, which sounds really very good and is easy to install and use. All digital sources are catered for, and when paired with the...
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Spread Spectrum Thoebe II Preamplifier and Son of Ampzilla II Amplifier

June 10, 2016
Spread Spectrum Thoebe II Preamplifier and Son of Ampzilla II Amplifier

Doug Schroeder has posted a review of the Spread Spectrum Technologies Thoebe II preamplifier ($3500) and Son of Ampzilla II amplifier ($3500) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “Having used them with electrostatic, dynamic hybrid and full range, supplemented speakers and finding laudable sound, I’m confident they will reward you as well, and when well set...
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Gryphon Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier and Pantheon Loudspeakers

June 10, 2016
Gryphon Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier and Pantheon Loudspeakers

Srajan Ebaen has posted a review of the Diablo 300 (€12,800) integrated amplifier and Pantheon loudspeakers (€35,000/pair) at 6moons. His conclusions: “To recapitulate the Pantheon essence when driven by its Diablo 300 stablemate integrated amplifier: it behaves like a minimalist maxi monitor except for bass power/presence and dynamic life where it’s very clearly a...
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Metrum Acoustics Menuet DAC

June 10, 2016
Metrum Acoustics Menuet DAC

Jan de Jeu has posted a review of the Metrum Acoustics Menuet DAC (£2535) at The Ear. His conclusions: “I am not saying anything new when I note that quite a lot of ‘old’ CD recordings can sound very good, but the Menuet is more capable than most in revealing this. One other thing...
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Naim Mu-so Qb Wireless Sound System

June 10, 2016
Naim Mu-so Qb Wireless Sound System

Jason Kennedy has posted a review of the Naim Mu-so wireless sound system (£595) at The Ear. His conclusions: “It’s detailed, dynamic and transparent enough to let you know how good the original recording is, so if something really good comes along you enjoy it nearly as much as you do on a big...
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NuPrime IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier

June 8, 2016
NuPrime IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier

Julie Mullins has posted a review of the NuPrime IDA-8 integrated amplifier ($995) at The Absolute Sound. Her conclusions: “In summary, the IDA-8 is a winner, and a force to be reckoned with in its category (and beyond it). Though a touch dark in character (à la Class D), it delivers substance and warmth...
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Neat Acoustics Iota Alpha Loudspeaker

June 8, 2016
Neat Acoustics Iota Alpha Loudspeaker

Andrew Everard has posted a review of the Neat Acoustics Iota Alpha loudspeakers (£1385/pair) at Words and Music. His conclusions: “No, they’re not cheap, and the same money would buy you a pair of much larger, and considerably more impressive-looking, speakers – but if you want to introduce a dose of magic into your...
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Cardas Audio A8 Earphones

June 6, 2016
Cardas Audio A8 Earphones

Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Cardas Audio A8 earphones (£279) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “More importantly, the Cardas A8 is a great value earphone for those who’ve grown out of boom and tizz. You’ll need to shop around for better tips if you want to know just how good these earphones...
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The Bespoke Audio Company Passive Magnetic Preamplifier

June 6, 2016
The Bespoke Audio Company Passive Magnetic Preamplifier

Alan Sircom has posted a review of the The Bespoke Audio Company passive magnetic preamplifier (£9000) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “Personally, I love the idea of having a preamplifier made for me, even if it’s something I cannot afford at this time. It’s the ultimate in audio self-expression, a statement of audiophile intent up...
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ELAC Debut B5 Loudspeaker

June 6, 2016
ELAC Debut B5 Loudspeaker

Chris Thomas has posted a review of the ELAC Debut B5 loudspeakers (£250/pair) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “In a word, they are great little speakers. I recommend that you grab a listen to them and perhaps they will find their way into first systems for any number of younger people for whom MP3 and...
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Wilson Audio Alexx Loudspeaker

June 6, 2016
Wilson Audio Alexx Loudspeaker

Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Wilson Audio Alexx loudspeakers ($108,000/pair) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “I’ve heard tales of when the Alexx was playing at its very best, with an almost identical system in another store in America. Music was played, tears flowed, more music was played. I can believe that about...
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Triangle Elara LN01 Loudspeaker

June 4, 2016
Triangle Elara LN01 Loudspeaker

Lionel Payne has posted a review of the Triangle Elara LN01 loudspeakers (/pair) at Hi-Fi Pig. His conclusions: “However, for the asking price of 400 Euros they represent good value as an out and out stereo pair, particularly where room is at a premium. The driving bass rhythms these produced made them a real...
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Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 2

June 4, 2016
Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 2

Chris Connaker has posted a review of the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 ($19,500) at Computer Audiophile. His conclusions: “Listening to Kind of Blue, I had t remind myself that this album was recorded and originally released in 1959! How can a 1959 recording sound this good? Miles’ trumpet went from...
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Paradigm Prestige Series Surround Sound Loudspeaker System

June 1, 2016
Paradigm Prestige Series Surround Sound Loudspeaker System

Jim Clements has posted a review of the Paradigm Prestige Series surround sound loudspeaker system ($7290) at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. His conclusions: “These speakers seriously rocked on movies and the performance on two-channel music was so intoxicating that sometimes I started to feel the speakers were tailor made for whatever...
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Mola Mola Kaluga Monoblock Amplifiers

June 1, 2016
Mola Mola Kaluga Monoblock Amplifiers

Peter Roth has posted a review of the Mola Mola Kaluga monoblock amplifiers ($16,500/pair) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “They may be a small instance of the monoblock category audiophiles have grown accustomed to, and they don’t weigh a ton — or even 20 pounds each. Nevertheless, they’re sonic heavyweights, and one of the...
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Paradox Audio Cables

June 1, 2016
Paradox Audio Cables

Dominic Marsh has posted a review of the Paradox Audio cables ($1549-$2349) at Hi-Fi Pig. His conclusions: “We are talking about a high end price tag here and do the cables give a high end performance to match? Well yes they did in my resident system, but whether they perform the same in your...
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GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+ Loudspeaker

June 1, 2016
GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+ Loudspeaker

Steven R. Rochlin has posted a review of the GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+ loudspeakers ($2499/pair) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “With elegant visual styling that works within even the best decors, sound quality that is by far an overachiever within its class, and plenty of deep bass for pop music and home theater,...
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Focal Sphear Earphones

June 1, 2016
Focal Sphear Earphones

Brent Butterworth has posted a review of the Focal Sphear earphones ($149) at SoundStage! Xperience. His conclusions: “The Focal Sphears are exceptionally comfortable, well-designed, good-sounding earphones that I found especially enjoyable to use when listening to rock, pop, and jazz — and any other music in which groove is important. They wouldn’t be my...
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Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamplifier 1.0

June 1, 2016

Aron Garrecht has posted a review of the Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamplier 1.0 ($9900) at SOundStage! Ultra. His conclusions: “While it may not be the quietest preamp I’ve heard, and its operation is less than intuitive, the Inspiration Preamp 1.0 redefines what $9900 can buy in terms of transparency, refinement, sophistication, inner detail, color...
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CLONES Audio Asher DAC

May 31, 2016
CLONES Audio Asher DAC

Andre Marc has posted a review of the CLONES Audio Asher DAC ($) at Audio Video Revolution. His conclusions: “If you are searching for a smartly designed and implemented DAC, that decodes all known resolutions, with built in volume control and user selectable filters, the Asher DAC should be on your very short list....
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