Audio-Life
New Years Eve: Some Whatevertheheckthey’recalled
I am not a fan of resolutions. It’s not that I don’t keep them or even have trouble keeping them. Well, no more than most folks, I guess. It’s the reflection that I don’t really […]
Year: 2011
Announcements
Christmas Eve and the Magnepan 20.7
Guess it was just a matter of time … and now, the secret is out. Yes, Magnepan has rev’d the 20.1 speaker, bringing it all the glorious goodness that was developed in the 1.7 and […]
Cables & Power
Mini-Review on the Black Cat Silver Star 75
I’ve been running the Silver Star 75 for a couple of weeks now. Well, almost exactly 2 weeks. “Two weeks? Hah! You hack! That cable is hardly broken in!” you say. To which I reply, […]
Analog
The benefits of a bubble level
Well. In all fairness, no one ever said that cartridge alignment was simple. So, today, I got to spend an hour dialing in my Ortofon Windfeld cartridge. With luck, this is “it” — I revisited […]
Cables & Power
Announcing the Black Cat Silver Star 75
Lookout! Looks like the famous 1.23m $123 digital audio cable, Black Cat’s Veloce, is about to undergo a metamorphosis. Black Cat Cable’s brand spankin’ new offering — the Silver Star 75. Availability should be by […]
Analog
Quoth the Raven, “Forevermore!”
Oh boy! New toy! UPS finally managed to deliver (there was some doubt there for a day) my new analog front end. To wit: one TW Acustic Raven AC-3, a TW Acustic Raven 10.5 tonearm, […]
Publishers Desk
Highly Sensitive Speakers?
I suppose it’s only to be expected. Still, its a bit disconcerting. Another system? Already? I mean, WTF, seriously? The last bits of my current system aren’t even in and yet, here I am, actively […]
Music
Digital
Loudspeakers
First Listen: Magnepan Mini System
I’ve been meaning to get down to The Gifted Listener in Centreville for about two months now — and today was the day. The target? The new Magnepan Mini System. Tom Unger, proprietor, took delivery […]
Music
Bob Katz on The Loudness Wars
Bob Katz is a mastering engineer with an impressively long CV. Here, he explains what “The Loudness War” is, how it came about and why, and what it’s going to take to get out of […]
Far Corners
The Waddles Are Coming
Just in time for the holidays, a new band has arrived. They’re little. They’re yellow. They’re different. No, try again — they’re ducks! And they rock. 😉 Check them out here at The Waddles.
Digital
Powered up: Berkeley Audio Designs Alpha “Series 2” and Alpha USB
They’re here! Stopped by Command Performance A/V today to pick up my new Berkeley Audio “Series 2” Alpha DAC and Alpha USB. Got them in now — running flawlessly. Oh la la! Sexy time! While […]
Digital
Berkeley Audio Alpha Series 2 DAC and Alpha USB
Guess what showed up at my dealer yesterday? My brand new DAC! A Berkeley Audio Alpha Series 2 is waiting for me! And (miracle of miracles) so is the Alpha USB! Hooray!
Audio-Life
Nigel Tufnel Day
3 days to go, but as always, these go to 11.
Announcements
Zu Audio Sale
Got this from Zu. Qualifying customers also get FREE shipping! Yep, even on loudspeakers (UPS Ground). Which loudspeakers are on sale @ 20% off and FREE shipping? ESSENCE SOUL SUPERFLY OMEN DEF OMEN OMEN BOOKSHELF […]
Digital
Berkeley Alpha USB: Arrived!
Pretty excited! My Berkeley Alpha USB has arrived at the dealer! Now, all I need is my Berkeley Alpha Series II DAC to show up … and that doesn’t ship till Nigel Tufnel Day.
Publishers Desk
Check in, upcoming and changes
Two weeks past RMAF and I’m feeling a bit let down. It’s a long time till my next fix, you see, and I’m just starting to feel the withdrawal symptoms. Oh well. Guess there’s always […]
RMAF
RMAF 2011: MSB, Silverline
Silverline SR17 stand-mounted loudspeakers ($7500/pair). The two air purifiers — er, amplifiers — between the speakers are the $17.5k MSB Platinum Mono 202 Class A monoblocks. $4k Platinum Data CD IV CD transport (add $995 […]
RMAF 2011
RMAF 2011: Estelon, Bricasti, Zesto, Concert Fidelity
I was immediately star struck. Look at those beautiful shapes! Gorgeous, flowing, white! Then I looked into the high-mounted Accutons and saw … what are those? Eyes? Are these speakers? Or … Schmoos? Har? Okay, […]