Reviews
21 May 2011
Accuphase DP400 CD Player
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No doubt the DP400 is a fine looking unit. But how does it compare to the Mark Levinson no.390s?
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2 June 2014
Accuphase DP410 CD Player
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Successor to the popular DP400, the DP410 promises improved sound and adds USB input.
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28 April 2010
Changing the standard Yarbo connectors to IeGO 24k Gold cryo connectors
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14 June 2018
AcousticMatters
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Speaker- and listening seat positioning are the most important matters, but you can't achieve perfection without careful treatment of the room. This is where a specialized company such as AcousticMatters comes in.
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24 September 2023
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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22 October 2020
Aequo Audio Stilla
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While sleek and elegant in appearance, these are not lifestyle products but seriously high-end speakers that tick all the audiophile parameter boxes. All it takes is a single demo to understand their brilliance.
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8 April 2021
Aequo Audio Stilla Active
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After having reviewed the Hybrid (partially-active) Aequo Stilla, the model under review here concerns the fully active version. Whereas the hybrid Stilla still requires the use of an external amplifier, the fully-active Stilla contains internal amplifiers for all of its drivers, thus eliminating the cost and worry of using an external amplifier while freeing up extra space in the listening environment.
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6 September 2023
AG Lifter Apollo Modular Rack
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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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25 July 2023
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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12 June 2012
Gemstones and gold: not only are they a girl's best friend: starting now they're also a man's best friend!
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19 May 2020
Analysis Audio Epsilon
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The Analysis Audio Epsilons produce a sound so clean, clear, open, transparent and so utterly uncolored that many traditional cabinet speakers can only aspire to.
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22 October 2012
Not unlike the Solo Crystal Oval but with a lot more air in the treble, a more forward character and a leaner, better articulated bass.
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22 October 2012
Neutral and relaxed but with some added gravy.
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1 August 2023
Ansuz Darkz Resonance Control
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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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5 May 2022
Here is an in-depth review of the Ansuz Mainz8 D2 and Mainz8 D-TC Power Distributors, enhanced with an assortment of Ansuz Mainz D2 power cables and Darkz T2 and T2 Supreme Resonance Control Footers.
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13 February 2022
Ansuz Sparkz and Sortz
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Whether or not one is into tweaks or enhancers such as Ansuz Sortz and Sparkz, my tests have shown that there is simply no debate whether or not they work. Even the addition of a single Sparkz or Sortz in an otherwise standard setup already makes a large difference.
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9 January 2020
As my experiments show, Room correction is not only beneficial for heavily compromised setups and terrible rooms. Even when the speakers have already been positioned ideally, the results are still far from subtle.
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16 October 2019
Encased in a simple but robust cabinet, the STR series has refreshingly different looks, but these components also distinguish themselves from the masses in terms of sound.
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22 September 2012
Over the last few years, several people have recommended the Anti-Cables to me.
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10 December 2018
There comes a time when a reviewer just lacks the superlatives to describe the latest experience and for me, this is it. This combination is, quite simply, the very best digital front end that I have heard.
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17 August 2017
Antipodes DS Base Music Server
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After having reviewed the costly Antipodes DX and proclaiming it my new reference, here is a product of the same manufacturer, but at the other end of the cost scale. At 1995 euro, it is far removed from the DX' lofty 6000+ price, but does it offer comparable sound quality? Read on to find out!
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1 July 2017
Antipodes DX2 Music Server
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Ones and zeros are not just ones and zeros and music servers are not all created equal
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2 June 2018
Antipodes EX Music Server
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With its ODAPS2 power supply, four separate shielded chambers, and user-installable storage, the relatively affordable EX server marks the start of a new Antipodes range.
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3 April 2023
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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28 September 2020
Antipodes K50 Music Server
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Having reviewed several Antipodes Music Servers and having owned the CX and EX for close to two years as my references, I was excited to hear of the OLADRA project and even more so the arrival of an all-new range with the K50 as the King of the Hill.
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23 November 2021
Recently, Antipodes updated the firmware to from V3.0 to V3.1 to support the upcoming changes in how Roon runs on home servers and they took this opportunity to also further streamline and enhance their User Interface. Interestingly, I also noticed significant sonic benefits with the K50!
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25 May 2023
Antipodes Oladra
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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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9 May 2020
APL DSD-AR DAC
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While resolving the heck out of everything you play with retina-like resolution and lightning-fast transients, the DSD-AR simultaneously has an almost subconscious easy-going aspect, a certain organic quality that makes for highly lyrical music making and an immediate emotional involvement that makes one forget about all the technical details.
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20 November 2013
Apogee Diva
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Diva in my reference setup, and comparisons with Duetta Signature.
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14 September 2013
Apogee Duetta Signature
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Duetta Signature in Toine's listening room and in my reference setup, and comparisons between refurbished and original models.
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4 June 2017
Installing Graz’ latest KLM5 MRTW ribbons with new interfaces and wired returns This is a follow-up review of the initial Duetta Signature review. In speaking with Graz about my experiences with the original and refurbished Duettas, he suggested I install new MRTW ribbons, not only because the KLM5’s are hugely improved over the older KLM2’s, […]
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27 March 2016
Apogee Scintilla
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Apogee Listening Sessions: Scintilla at Stanley's place.
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28 March 2016
Apogee Scintilla – rebuild
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Dismantling and rebuilding the Apogee Scintilla
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31 December 2017
Aqua Formula xHD DAC
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State of the art NOS R2R ladder DAC with DSD compatibility. Current HFA reference!
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7 November 2019
Who says that electronics circuits are for nerds? I mean, look at this board! Isn't it a work of art? With the V2 output board, the Formula xHD's position as the King of the Crop is reaffirmed.
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1 December 2021
Aqua La Diva M2
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Ever since I was aware that a new model was coming, I had been awaiting its arrival with immense anticipation. Fortunately, the M2 delivers on its promise. It is not only a successor with a different CD mechanism but indeed a wholly different player.
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4 February 2022
Aqua La Diva M2 – Part 2
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After my review of the La Diva M2, Marco of Hexagon Audio was so kind to leave both La Diva models with me for some time. This has allowed me to carry out some more comparisons.
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30 October 2022
Aqua La Diva M2 – Part 3
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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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1 June 2019
Aqua La Scala mkII DAC
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Giving away very little compared to the Formula xHD, costing less and possessing of that midrange magic that only tubes seem to bring, the La Scala mkII DAC may well hold the sweet spot in the Aqua DAC lineup.
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2 July 2020
Aqua LinQ Network Interface
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Never before has a digital interface, network or otherwise, behaved so utterly consistently and dependently. The LinQ has the uncanny ability to improve the quality of upstream components but it does this while refraining from imposing any discernible character onto the proceedings.
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5 November 2020
he addition of the HQPlayer module allows using Roon and all of its benefits along with even better sound than was possible using the now-discontinued RoonReady module. Additionally, Aqua's modularity ensures that the product remains up to date.
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26 May 2021
The Core + NAA module marks the perfection of the LinQ as the universal and class-leading network player.
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11 September 2021
When you frequently review products, and especially when the target is usually the high-end segment, true surprises are few and far between. So, it's a treat when a product comes along that truly brings something new to the table.
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19 October 2016
Artesania Aire Floor Platform
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These sophisticated platforms do not merely add the last nth of quality, they actually transform the sound, in a musically meaningful manner.
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16 September 2022
Recently, the Artesania Aire floor platform received a couple of aesthetic updates. This article highlights the specifics.
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11 August 2019
As a result of on-going efforts to further improve Jose Luis Lafarga's designs, Artesania introduced a superb upgrade for the Exoteryc rack: the Carbon Fiber Linear Arm upgrade. Made of 100% Carbon Fiber they replace the metal arms into which the component feet are attached as well as the component feet themselves. The result is nothing short of stunning.
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24 April 2014
Artesania Exoteryc Audiorack
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The most stunning audio rack I have ever seen, and my new reference
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5 July 2014
Due to my ever-expanding CD player collection I was running out of space in my Artesania rack. The solution: to add more racks.
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27 January 2018
These Standalone Isolation Discs are not specific for Artesania Audio Racks: they can be placed under any component and be used on any surface.
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28 January 2018
These Isolation Bases don't only work with Artesania racks but are universally applicable. I use them not only for racks but also for speakers. The Bases now come with 3 disc materials to tune precisely as preferred.
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28 January 2018
Considering their high-grade finish, their very positive influence on the sound and also taking their pricing into consideration, they are virtually a must for owners of Artesania racks.
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25 September 2022
Artesania KSH2 Krion shelf
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The Artesania HSH2 Krion Shelf comes highly recommended, even if your components do not strictly require it, and even if you don't own an Artesania rack!
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11 January 2020
For some people, the sound is all that matters but for me, aesthetics are also very important. Fortunately, the Artesania Modular racks and floor platform are utter eye-candy. But don't underestimate them due to their pretty looks - they also offer a very serious upgrade over any standard rack.
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7 August 2019
As with the Absolute Rack, the Modular rack is made from a combination of Krion and Tankwood but in this case these materials are applied only in the levels themselves. The rack can be assembled exactly as required from 1, 2, 3, or however many layers and it can always be extended or reduced very easily, hence the term "Modular".
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24 August 2014
Artesania Platforms and Dampers
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First installment of an extensive review of some mightily impressive add-ons for the superlative Exoteryc racks.
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16 May 2016
The LiveLine cables combine solid-core copper conductors for the hot run and solid-core silver for the return. Added are 2mm splices of the five resonator alloys to all ends.
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2 August 2009
How does this beautifully crafted player stack up against the Audiomeca Enkianthus and the Mark Levinson 390S?
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31 March 2019
Designed and built in China, Audio GD products provide serious competition for much higher priced European or American gear. Part 1 contains the introduction, info about Magna Hifi and a description of the performance of the complete Audio GD system.
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10 March 2018
Audio Note Lexus LX
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Smooth and fluid yet highly precise sounding speaker cable.
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29 June 2010
Audio Physic Caldera
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The Caldera's belong to my friend Jeroen who has them set up in quite a small room and he long wondered what they would sound like in a bigger room
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13 July 2011
Audio Synthesis DAX Decade DAC
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An older dac but recently overhauled at the factory to bring it to current spec.
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25 February 2017
Phono cartridges can make or break a turntable, but the headshell also has a not inconsiderable influence on the sound.
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