Christiaan Punter

Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
7 December 2023
JPLAY update with TIDAL MAX integration – Industry Update premium
JPLAY is excited to announce the latest update to its iOS app (version 1.0.14), now featuring integration with TIDAL MAX. This update represents a significant leap forward in digital music streaming, offering unparalleled audio quality for JPLAY iOS app users.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
4 December 2023
Bergmann Magne Air-Bearing turntable with DS Audio DS W3 Optical Cartridge premium
Here's a special combination: the Bergmann Magne Air-Bearing turntable with Air-Bearing tonearm with the DS Audio W3 cartridge and phono equalizer. As it turns out, they work together seamlessly.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
29 November 2023
Main System 11 – December 2023 premium
This is a quick summary of the Main System as it was in December 2023.
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dCS Puccini CD/DAC & Paganini Clock/USB Interface – Quick Impression premium
I only just recently heard the dCS Puccini CD/SACD Player and DAC and Paganini Master Clock/USB Interface in the context of my own system. Since many people are shopping in the second-hand market, I thought it would be worth sharing my Quick Impressions of these products.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
3 November 2023
Network Acoustics Introduce the tempus Ethernet Switch – Industry Update premium
Streaming specialists Network Acoustics introduce tempus, their flagship Ethernet Switch.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
2 November 2023
Wires 4 Music Completes the Osiris Signature Range – Industry Update premium
Wires 4 Music, a company making handcrafted high-end cables since 2018, is proud to introduce four new products, completing the OSIRIS SIGNATURE range.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
31 October 2023
Ensemble Dynaflux FSF RCA Interlink – Quick Impression premium
Connected between the CH Precision C1.2 DAC and L1 preamp, the Ensemble Dynaflux FSF Interlink surprises by sounding nothing like its appearance might suggest.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
New Mad Scientist ranges – Black Magic Ultra and Black Magic Gold premium
Mad Scientist introduces two new ranges: Black Magic Ultra and Black Magic Gold. Reviewed are four cables: Black Magic Ultra speaker cables, Black Magic Gold balanced analog interlink, Black Magic Ultra Power cable, and Black Magic Gold USB cable.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
17 October 2023
Reference Sounds – Wilson Sasha V with Wadax Atlantis Reference and D’Agostino premium
Michael Huigen and Nick Spier of Reference Sounds kindly hosted a private session for yours truly and two colleagues. Having attended Reference Sounds demos before, I knew this was already promising to become a great day, almost no matter the audio system. But this was not just any audio system, very far from it!
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
1 October 2023
Manunta Evo DDC 3 USB to Digital Converter premium
Manunta By M2Tech is a new daughter company from M2Tech, devised to offer audiophiles and music lovers a large portion of the M2Tech product quality at a lower price. The Evo DDC 3 can be seen as the successor of the HiFace Evo that I have used for over a decade. In this review, I am putting the sleek yet versatile Evo DDC 3 to the test and I will investigate how it performs and how it compares to its older nephew.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
27 September 2023
Network Acoustics muon2 USB Cable – Industry Update premium
Network Acoustics believe there’s always a way to improve the sound of music streaming. Their latest innovation is the muon2 USB Cable, the ultimate version of the award-winning muon digital interconnect.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
24 September 2023
Lejonklou Entity 1.2 MC Phono Stage premium
Building on the highly refined and musical sound of its 1.1 predecessor, the updated 1.2 model's seemingly subtle tweaks (new chassis ground parts and a specific fastening torque) yield distinct advantages.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
24 September 2023
Aequo Audio New Production Facility – Industry Update premium
Aequo Audio is going to expand considerably and has started the construction of a new production facility of 1200 m2. This will be the new home base for the loudspeaker manufacturer from Eindhoven in the coming years.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
AG Lifter Apollo Modular Rack premium
The AG Lifter design philosophy is to build a rack for music lovers. Apollo is the top-of-the line product with a modular nature which allows users to start with a single module and build out the system precisely as needed.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
3 September 2023
Vermouth Audio Statement XLR Interlink premium
Before the introduction of the Statement series, the Reference series was Vermouth's very best. The new Statement series, using OCC silver/gold conductors, promises further elevated performance.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) EXR Audio Stand premium
For the past five years, HRS has worked on the EXR system to get the performance and modularity on the desired level while also offering a 30% cost reduction over the model it replaced. As a result, the EXR Stand System is the brand's most cost-effective system to date.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Jorma Audio Unity Interlink, Power Cable, and Speaker Cable premium
Along with the Marten Parker Trio loudspeakers that I recently reviewed, I was also handed a trio of Jorma cables. As I found, these cables turned out not only to work superbly synergistically with the Parker Trios, but they also proved a smashing success overall. As such, I felt they deserved their own review.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
4 August 2023
Antipodes Updated Line-up for 2023 – Industry Update premium
Antipodes Audio is proud to announce their updated server/streamer line-up for 2023, with updates to the existing flagship OLADRA and the K Series range. Coupled with the release of the updated range is the Antipodes Audio Upgrade Program for all existing OLADRA and K Series owners, which brings their units up to the corresponding new model specification.
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Dutch Audio Event 2023 – Industry Update premium
Mark your calendars for a new edition of the Dutch Audio Event on October 7 and 8 2023!
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
1 August 2023
Marten Parker Trio premium
Marten may be known primarily for its luxurious cost-no-object Mingus and Coltrane series, but fortunately for those with more modestly-sized wallets, the range also extends to the other side. The Oscar series is the starting point into the world of Marten. Positioned above is the Parker series which offers a considerably more lavish build with non-parallel walls, a so-called multi-diverse crossover technique, and more exotic drivers.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
1 August 2023
Ansuz Darkz Resonance Control premium
As I wrote review after review of Audio Group Denmark products, Darkz Resonance Control footers were always involved in one way or another. As I quickly found, Darkz have a profound impact, leading to my using several sets in my two systems as well as in many other reviews since then. But so far, the info was scattered across various articles. To make the info more easily attainable, I decided to create a separate article.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Goldmund Tethys premium
The beautifully understated and elegant Tethys is the latest addition to Goldmund's portfolio and it marks the brand's very first passive loudspeaker. Given that all other Goldmund loudspeakers are active designs, that is a pretty big deal.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
AG Lifter Crescendo Power Amplifier Stand premium
The AG Lifter design philosophy is to build a rack for music lovers. The Crescendo Power Amp Stand is a relatively affordable standalone product that offers a very large chunk of what a full AG Lifter rack solution can do for an audio system.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Main System 10 – July 2023 premium
This is a quick summary of the Main System as it was on July 22nd, 2023.
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Bowers & Wilkins – Company Profile and Signature 801 D4 Review premium
Originally, I had intended to limit this review just to a listening impression of the new 801 D4 Signature. However, during my visit to Bowers & Wilkins in Eindhoven, I was provided with such a wealth of information that I felt I could not just keep it all to myself and only focus on the review. As a result, what you can read below is a bit of Company History, a Factory Tour, and of course, a Listening Impression of the 801 D4 Signature.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
13 July 2023
Aqua LinQ Squeezelite Module – Industry Update premium
The Squeezelite Module for Aqua LinQ is now ready! Its performance and sound quality are at the same high level which characterizes the other LinQ modules. The Squeezelite module allows users to stream to the Aqua LinQ Network Interface directly from any Squeeze Server.
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AVIDHIFI ALTUS and NEXUS Tonearms premium
After years of development and thoroughly testing various techniques, AVIDHIFI has now released two Tonearms: the entry-level ALTUS and the range-topping NEXUS. In this in-depth review, I will assess both arms using an AVIDHIFI Sequel SP turnbtable.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Auralic Aries G1 and Lumin T3 – Quick Impression premium
This is not an in-depth review but a Quick Impression of these two streamers with the aim of providing a high-level (overall) comparison of their features and performance.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
27 May 2023
Lampizator Amber 4 DAC – Quick Impression premium
The Amber 4 DAC is the most recent incarnation of Lampizator's most affordable offering. This is not a full in-depth review but a Quick Impression.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
27 May 2023
Copper Variants Explained premium
Red copper, yellow copper, White copper, T1 copper... all just copper?
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
25 May 2023
Antipodes Oladra premium
The Oladra offers the familiar Antipodes qualities such as deep tonal saturation, lushness, liquidity, and organic flow but is more articulate, crisper, more expressive, airier, and more highly resolving than ever before. Amazingly, it does all this without sounding even the tiniest bit cooler or more analytical.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
24 May 2023
Artesania Audio Exoteryc Rack Pro – Industry Update premium
Introducing the Exoteryc Rack Pro - An enhanced version of Exoteryc with Master Kyo features.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Munich High End 2023 Show Highlights premium
After my 2022 report of the show based on photos, comments, and other content from friends in the industry who are attending, I felt it was time to visit the show in person once again.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
AVIDHIFI BORON MC Cartridge premium
AVIDHIFI offers three MC phono cartridges, of which the BORON is the mid-range model. Distinguished from the REFERENCE RUBY top model only by its BORON cantilever, the BORON may well represent the sweet spot of the range.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Driade Flow Link Reference 808 XLR and RCA – Follow-up Review premium
Regular readers will know of my unwavering enthusiasm for Driade Flow Link Reference 808 interlinks ever since reviewing them in the summer of 2021. As time went by, I found myself using them more and more, and they are now my favorite cables!
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
12 May 2023
CH Precision Introduces the P10 Phono Stage – Industry Update premium
Following the introduction of the L10 and M10 amplifiers, CH Precision is proud to announce the release of the partnering phono-stage, the new P10.
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Seawave Acoustic AM23 and Aletheia III premium
Since its inception in 1983 by CEO Bo San, a practicing Korean Buddhist monk, Seawave Acoustic has sought the ultimate expression of horn loudspeaker technology. They aspire to reintroduce true horn loudspeakers based on original principles yet dramatically re-engineered for the modern era.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Main System 09 – May 2023 premium
This is a quick summary of the Main System as it was in May 2023.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
25 April 2023
AVIDHIFI Tonearms – Quick Impression premium
Just days ago, I received both of AVIDHIFI's brand-spanking-new tonearm models. Say hello to the entry-level ALTUS and the range-topping NEXUS.
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Secondary System 06 – April 2023 premium
This is a quick summary of the Secondary System as it was on April 21st, 2023.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
10 April 2023
SW1X DAC III Special – Quick Impression premium
Due to a busy schedule and the DAC III only being with me for 1 week, here's a "Quick Impression" article, as an appetizer, or teaser review, if you will. The DAC will return and an in-depth review will follow later.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
8 April 2023
PUUR hifidelity Company Visit and Clarisys Audio Minuet Review premium
Recently, PUUR hifidelity moved from Oostzaan into a cozier and much more accessible shop on a main street in Zeist. In this article, you will find a showcase of the new showroom as well as a report of the Clarisys Audio show with a full listening impression of the entry-level Minuet model. 
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Network Acoustics MUON Pro Ethernet Filter premium
Developed around the company's latest proprietary noise filtering technology, the muon Ethernet Filter is a passive system designed to filter out problematic electrical and radio frequency noise that would otherwise be delivered via the ethernet cable along with the data into the sensitive audio equipment.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
Antipodes K41 and K22 Music Servers premium
Antipodes servers have always offered a wide range of server and player apps and this makes them unique in a world dominated by single-purpose servers and streamers. But the brand's core quality is that they are all about conveying the soul of the music.
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SAEQ Hyperion Ge and RAAL Requisite CA-1a premium
I'll say it right away: this is going to be an unusual review for me but it will be very interesting. Even if you are not into headphones, I must encourage you to read on. I promise you will be intrigued!
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Playback Designs MPD-6 premium
The Playback Designs MPD-6 is a discrete DAC with integrated analog volume control. As part of the Edelweiss series, the  MPD-6 has its roots in the Dream series from which it borrows key technologies and combines these with new ones to create a more compact and cost-effective package.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
20 March 2023
Aries Cerat QuintEssence amplifier – Industry Update premium
First photoshoot of the new Aries Cerat QuintEssence amplifier, to be debuted at Munich High End 2023
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
5 March 2023
Playback Designs MPS-X premium
The concept behind the MPS-X Interface is to connect digital sources such as computers, servers, network-attached storage, internet streaming services, and any other digital sources to it rather than directly to the sensitive circuits of a DAC. The MPS-X is a full-fledged standalone Network Endpoint / Streamer compatible with streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and vTuner, as well as local storage solutions on a NAS via DLNA/UPnP, and importantly, Roon.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
22 February 2023
AVIDHIFI Tonearms – Industry Update premium
Yes, AVIDHIFI Tonearms are now a reality! After years of development during which different techniques were thoroughly tested, AVIDHIFI has just released two new Tonearms.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
5 February 2023
Secondary System 05 – February 2023 premium
This is a quick summary of the Secondary System as it was on February 5th, 2023
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CH Precision C1.2 Upgrade Listening Impressions premium
Following the May 2022 Press Release, CH Precision has recently issued the new C1.2, an update of the longer-running C1 DAC. After having my unit updated, I was so impressed with the results that I simply had to share my findings.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
23 December 2022
A10 Audio Company Visit & End-Of-Year-Show Announcement premium
Now that the tumultuous year 2022 is coming to an end, Alex thought it would be nice to organize a musical get-together at A10Audio just after Christmas on 28 & 29 December 2022.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
21 December 2022
Accuphase E-280 – Mini Review premium
This is not so much a review as a brief report of my personal experience with the E-280 after replacing the Ayon Spirit III with it in the secondary setup.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
20 December 2022
Børresen Acoustics Z1 and 01 premium
With the Z1 Cryo and 01 Silver Supreme Edition, Børresen has produced on the one hand a speaker that offers a truly great price/performance ratio and on the other hand, an extravagantly-priced speaker that nevertheless offers state-of-the-art performance along with an absolutely stunning aesthetic.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
16 December 2022
A Tube High Fidelity Company Visit 2 premium
New location: Televisieweg 60 A Tube High Fidelity is very proud to announce that as of November 2022 the company has moved into a detached and considerably larger location on the Televisionweg in Almere. Here the team will have the opportunity to present even more hi-fi and to expand their range. Additionally, they are able […]
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
15 December 2022
Main System 08 – November 2022 premium
This is a quick summary of the Main System as it was on November 20th, 2022.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
29 November 2022
Wires 4 Music Horus and Osiris Signature Interlinks premium
Wires 4 Music is a young and dynamic company based in Málaga, Spain. Their goal is to make the best possible audio cables by employing today's best available materials while aiming for a reasonable price.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
26 November 2022
Secondary System 04 – November 2022 premium
This is a quick summary of the Secondary System as it was on November 26th, 2022.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
13 November 2022
AVIDHIFI MC Cartridges – Industry Update premium
AVIDHIFI offers turntables, phono stages, amplifiers, supports, and speakers, and since the summer of 2022, also a range of phono cartridges.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
13 November 2022
Final Touch Audio Elara power cable – Revisited premium
A complete system change and newfound experiences warranted a revisit of the Final Touch Audio Elara power cable. Read on to find out how I like it now!
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
30 October 2022
Aqua La Diva M2 – Part 3 premium
Of late, ongoing changes on the streaming front have led to my reassessing the CD medium. But more pertinently, I have made a very interesting discovery that led to a newfound admiration for the Aqua M2 drive.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
29 October 2022
GigaWatt PF-1e, PF-1 EVO, and PF-2 EVO Power Strips premium
For this review, I will compare all three of GigaWatt's Power Strips using a range of GigaWatt power cables.
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
25 October 2022
GigaWatt PowerSync, PowerSync PLUS, PowerSync ULTRA, and LC-2 EVO power cables premium
For this review, I am covering four GigaWatt power cables: three models from the new PowerSync range and one from the longer-standing EVO range. Read on to find out how they compare!
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Jay’s Audio CDT3-Mk3 and DAC2-Mk3 premium
The DAC2-Mk3 can be seen as the successor of the DAC2 Signature that I reviewed in December 2019 and the CDT3-Mk3 is Jay's Audio's new Flagship CD transport. Read on to find out how they perform individually and as a pair.
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Onzow, DS Audio Dynavox, Winyl, and LAST Stylus Cleaning compared premium
The purpose of Dry Cleaning methods is to introduce a safe and easy method for stylus cleaning. But with so many available solutions, how do they compare? And where does this leave the special wet-cleaning methods?
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Owner of Hifi-Advice.com
30 September 2022
Driade Flow Reference 808 speakercable premium
The Flow Reference 808 is Driade's new reference-level speaker cable, intended to inhabit the spot above the Flow 405 in the brand's topmost tier and meant for those who seek the maximum in performance.
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