Kriz Tan has posted a review of the Octave HP500SE tube preamplifier (£6999) at Hi-Fi Senses. His conclusions: “OCTAVE had proved to be a hi-end audio equipment in my book and its unique hybrid performance that possessed the strength of tube and solid-state maybe what some audiophile are seeking for. I would recommend readers...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Chord Electronics Dave preamplifier-DAC (~€12,00) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “It delivers a beautiful, well balanced, rich and amazingly well controlled performance that covers all one might wish for. It is an all-rounder fully capable of delivering fantastic performance when playing Slayer, but also when delivering...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Norma Audio Electronics REVO SC-2 preamplifier (~€6000) and PA-150 power amplifier (~€5750) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “Norma’s system is a living proof that when designer succeeds in this respect result are astounding. There is no coloration of any sort in the sound which allows recordings...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Linnenberg Vivace 2 (€2900) / Unisolo (€1100) preamplifier-DAC at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “Vivace 2 is not just a DAC a a complete preamplifier too. All one has to do is to pair it with power amplifier, a music server with USB output or with a...
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Gary L. Beard has posted a review of the Atma-Sphere Ultraviolet UV-1 preamplifier ($1900) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The UV-1′s dynamic and weighty immediacy never failed to draw me in to the music, and I especially enjoyed its ability to throw a spacious, well lit, stage. It is, perhaps, a tube purist’s preamp...
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Alistair McKeough has posted a review of the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 preamplifier-DAC ($3500) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “For me, the DDP-1 is the perfect solution for a system driving high-end active speakers. It’s small, attractive, ergonomic and flexible. Most importantly, it delivers excellent sound quality with a tonal balance, depth of engagement and detail...
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Mark Gusew has posted a review of the AVM Evolution SD 3.2 streaming preamplifier-DAC ($7587) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “With its wide range of inputs, both analogue and digital, it is highly capable of handling everything that you are ever likely to need to connect up to it. Add to this the inclusion of...
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Jeff Poth has posted a review of the Cary Audio DAC-200ts preamplifier-DAC ($3995) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “It’s natural sounding and doesn’t give up resolution or dynamics to achieve it. Assuming the networking issues are truly resolved, which I think is a fair assumption (shouldn’t be that hard), then the Cary Audio...
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Neil Gader has posted a review of the Rogue Audio RP-5 preamplifier ($3495) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “ reasonably priced, high-performance preamp like the RP-5 is a prime example of what the high end is all about—music reproduced accurately and beautifully. With a nod to the past and footers firmly planted in...
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Key Kim has posted a review of the Audionet PRE1 G3 preamplifier ($8100) and AMP monoblock amplifiers ($18,250/pair) at Stereo Times. His conclusions: “At $18k for a pair of Audionet AMP mono amps is HUGE bargain in today’s sky rocketing market if you ask me. Throw in its state of art PRE1 G3 preamp...
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Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Boulder Amplifiers 2110 preamplifier (£55,000) and 2160 stereo power amplifier (£53,000) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The Boulder 2110 preamp and 2160 power amps are among the heaviest and most expensive amplifiers we have ever tested at Hi-Fi+. They are also in the absolute top class in...
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Scot Hull has posted a review of the Backert Labs Rhythm 1.1 preamplifier ($7500) at Part-Time Audiophile. His conclusions: “The Rhythm 1.1 from Backert Labs is one of my favorite discoveries of late, and a fantastic example of why high-end audio is so flippin’ cool. How awesome is this thing? And this is all...
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Dick Olsher has posted a review of the PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium preamplifier ($3199) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “The Dialogue Premium line preamp strikes me as one of the best things PrimaLuna has ever done. In particular, purity of expression and tonal realism are two of its strongest sonic assets. The incremental improvements...
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Erich Wetzel has posted a review of the Simaudio Moon Neo 350P preamplifier ($3700) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “The qualities of manufacture, visual appearance, and tactile feel of my review sample were all excellent. That same excellence extended to its formidable sound — the Neo 350P had a neutral transparency that presented each...
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Martin Colloms has posted a review of the Constellation Audio Inspiration preamplifier (€10,000) and monoblock power amplifiers (€20,000/pair) at Hi-Fi Critic. His conclusions: “The power amplifier is exceptionally powerful and also highly musical, while the preamplifier works excellently in all modes and has fine musicality and superior connectivity.” You can read the full review...
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Jacek Pazio has posted a review of the FM Acoustics FM 122 MKII phono stage (10,920 CHF), FM 133 linearizer (10,680 CHF), FM 155 preamplifier (9,990 CHF), and FM 108 monoblock amplifiers (17,960 CHF/pair) at Sound Rebels. His conclusions: ” I will recommend to listen to the tested system at your own leisure, in...
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Robert Harley has posted a review of the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 preamplifier ($1995), DPA-1 power amplifier ($1995), and DPA-1M monoblock amplifiers ($3990/pair) at The Absolute Sound. His conclusions: “These new products are a far cry from the Alchemy of yore, with much more advanced engineering, upscale casework, and a superb user interface. The DDP-1...
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Terry London has posted a review of the Backert Labs Rhumba 1.1 preamplifier ($2995) at HomeTheaterReview. His conclusions: “As far as I can tell after a lengthy review process with the Rhumba 1.1, the Backert Labs team has built a preamplifier that is at least at the same level of performance as its big...
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Mark Pearson has posted a review of the Audio Research Reference 6 line stage preamplifier ($) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “In closing (for now), if you currently own a Ref 5SE and are sitting on the fence wondering if the upgrade to the Ref 6 is worth it, all I can say is...
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Jacek Paziohas posted a review of the Audio Tekne TFA-9501 preamplifier (€69,000), TM-8801 phono stage (€60,000), and TEA-8695 monoblocks (€69,000/pair) at Sound Rebels. His conclusions: “It will take a while for me to return to the pre-review state of mind. Usually I required only a few days of reset. How it will be this...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Audio Tekne TFA 9501 preamplifier (€69,000), TEA 9501 phono stage (€89,000), and TM 9502 power amplifier (€155,000) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “After a spending few weeks with a system like THAT I can only say that I understand why people who can afford it would...
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Bob Ankosko has posted a review of the Trinnov Altitude32 AV processor ($17,500-$29,000) at Sound and Vision. His conclusions: “The same “powerful processing capability” that earned Trinnov a coveted spot in the rarefied world of JBL Synthesis is also a key component of its newest consumer product, the Altitude32 —one of the most sophisticated...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the FM Acoustics Resolution Series FM 268C preamplifier (129,800 CHF + 20% VAT) and FM 711 MkII power amplifier (65,800 CHF + 20% VAT) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “The Swiss system made a big and good impression on me. It could be used in a mastering...
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Andre Marc has posted a review of the Rogue RP-5 preamplifier ($3495) at Audio Video Revolution. His conclusions: “The Rogue RP-5, at $3500, is a tremendous value. The tubed components field in that price range is rather crowded, but I believe Rogue has a real class leader here. The sonics are outstanding, and the...
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Aron Garrecht has posted a review of the Classé Audio Sigma SSP surround sound processor ($5000) at SoundStage! Access. His conclusions: “With music, be it as an analog preamplifier or a dedicated DAC-processor, it will take a trained ear to hear the differences between the Sigma SSP and Classé’s $1000-more-costly CP-800 two-channel pre-pro. They...
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