AVID Pulsus Phonostage
The good news is that a few hundred dollars grants you access to the analog world. But should you become truly obsessed, you’ll require a better analog front end. Not to worry. Competition is fierce in the $100-$300 phono preamplifier segment, with fewer great choices in the $500-$800 range. Read More >
Burmester 088 Preamplifier Taking Sound to A New Level
Comparing my Burmester 011 preamplifier to the company’s new 088 preamplifier reminded me of two other German high-performance machines I’ve sampled: Audi’s 430hp eight-cylinder R8 and its new 525hp 10-cylinder model. Read More >
Hiromi Kanda – Days of Yesterday
While I found singer Hiromi Kanda’s last release, Hiromi in Love, quite charming, her new record offers more of the same—and that’s not necessarily a plus. Think Hello Kitty meets Diana Krall, but without the sparkles. Read More >
UFO – Lights Out
Ala Spinal Tap, the two-word review for this record would be “shit sandwich.” To elaborate a bit further, this two-record set pressed on green vinyl and encased in a beautifully printed cardboard sleeve to keep pace with the best remasters disappoints the second you lower the stylus onto the wax. Read More >
Stan Getz – The 1953-54 Clef/Norgren Studio Sessions
Mosaic’s latest unburied treasure compiles mono recordings produced on the Clef, Norgran, and Verve labels during one of the lowest points in the career of legendary saxophone player Stan Getz, who, at time, was battling heroin addiction and assorted personal problems. Read More >
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Staff writer Andy Downing wrote an insightful review of this, Bon Iver’s recent album, in Issue 38. But since he was then only in possession of the advance CD, he was unable to comment on the LP’s sound quality. Read More >
Quicksilver Messenger Service – Quicksilver Messenger Service and Happy Trails
The first two albums from QMS are considered by many devoted fans and critics to be from the “classic period” before the original lineup underwent a series of changes. The reputation is deserved. Read More >
Madeleine Peyroux – Standing on the Rooftop
As she’s done throughout her career, Madeleine Peyroux continues to evolve on her fifth solo effort. Her songwriting has become more sophisticated and choice of covers more intelligent—perhaps even quirky—but it works well. Read More >
Bel Canto C5i Integrated Amplifier Journeyman Audiophile : Small, Style, Simplicity
Many of my non-audiophile friends would love to have a great music system, but often ask the same question: “Do I really need that rack full of components?” With the Bel Canto C5i DAC Integrated Amplifier you don’t. Read More >
NAD C316 BEE Integrated Amplifier Budget Audiophile: An Updated Classic
The NAD 3020 integrated amplifier was a marvel in its day. Read More >
MSB Technology Platinum Data CD IV Transport and Platinum Signature DAC IV Revelations Per Minute
Digital audio doesn’t have a sound, per se. Read More >
dCS Debussy DAC Single Box Elegance
Computer audio has grown exponentially in the last few years, its orbit quickly accelerating over the past 18 months. Read More >
B&W 802 Diamond Loudspeaker An Audiophile’s Best Friend
Having owned a pair of B&W 805 Diamond loudspeakers for the past year, I’m tuned into B&W’s current sound: Powerful, detailed and accurate. Read More >
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