Analog
Clearaudio smart phono V2 | REVIEW
Sometimes big things come in small packages. I was on the hunt for modestly priced phono stages to sing with my new Rega P3 turntable. My current entry level separate phono stage is the Schiit […]
clearaudio
Florida 2023
Upstream Audio and Musical Surroundings | FLAX 2023
You know when’s the best time to visit a room during a high-end audio show? Sunday morning, right when the show opens at ten in the morning or so. It’s quiet, the crowds are non-existent […]
Singapore 2022
Sound & Sight Exhibition, Pt. 4 | Singapore 2022
Alright, drum roll. Here comes my favorite sounding room of the entire International Sound & Sight Exhibition in Singapore. The Børresen Acoustics loudspeakers, powered by Aavik electronics and Ansuz switch and Ansuz cables. Before we […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Phono Preamplifiers | Buyers Guide 2023
Welcome to the Best Phono Preamplifiers section of the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2023. The Guide is more than “We heartily endorse this [fill in the blank].” This collection represents our enthusiasm. Every product listed […]
Announcements
Clearaudio Reference Jubilee | NEWS
If anyone is looking to get me something for Xmas (or Hanukkah), then look no further. Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook What we have here is a successful way to communicate—by way of vinyl and […]
Components
Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.3 Preamplifier | REVIEW
The Beatles were playing tambourine in my living room. I could have got out of my chair, walked over between the left speaker and center image and grabbed it – it was right frigging there! […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Turntables | Buyers Guide Summer 2022
Welcome to the Best Turntables section of the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2022. The Guide is more than “We heartily endorse this [fill in the blank].” This collection represents our enthusiasm. Every product […]
Analog
Van den Hul The Grail Phono Preamplifier | REVIEW
Van den Hul? I finally get to review some Van den Hul? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure I’ve even heard a Van den Hul product before. Maybe at a high-end audio show or in a […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Turntables | Buyers Guide 2022
Welcome to the Best Turntables section of the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2022. The Guide is more than “We heartily endorse this [fill in the blank ].” This collection represents our enthusiasm. Every product […]
Analog
Sumiko Amethyst MM Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
This isn’t the first time in the last few months where I had to explain my reasoning behind reviewing a certain component. Take this new Sumiko Amethyst cartridge, a moving-magnet cartridge that retails for a […]
Analog
Technics SL-1210GAE Anniversary Turntable and Hana Umami Red Cartridge | REVIEW
To say the Technics (website) SL-1200 is a legend is an understatement. Rumor has it that they sold 3.5 to 4 million SL-1200s over its 50+ year history. Its distinct look, reliability and smooth pitch […]
Analog
Ana Mighty Sound, Great Cartridge Maker and Rebuilder | REVIEW
Before I even bring up Ana Mighty Sound (website), let me state that I abhor rebuilt cartridges. They are to me, unholy, defiled, inferior, and more often than not, a far cry from the real […]
Analog
The Best Turntables | Buyers Guide 2021
The Best Turntables [Editor’s note: Welcome to the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2021! This year we decided to mix it up a little by breaking up the Buyers Guide into sections, which makes it […]
Analog
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable | REVIEW
Debutantes Wear White Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon EVO landed on my doorstep in what seemed like mere minutes after I’d been asking Managing Editor Eric Franklin Shook, “They want me to do a turntable review? But […]
Announcements
Clearaudio Concept Active “Analog In Place” Promotion
OAKLAND, CA (PTA) — Great news for analog junkies coming out of California today. Musical Surroundings announced their “Analog In Place” promotion for huge savings on the most popular Clearaudio Concept Active turntables. This promotion […]
Analog
Fluance RT85 Reference Turntable | REVIEW
The Fluance RT85 Reference turntable retails for $500. That’s very important to me from a historical standpoint, so allow me to elaborate. I came up with the $500 Rule for turntables back in 1998, during […]
Analog
Hana ML Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
My first experience with Hana cartridges of Japan came at the 2016 Newport Show when I had organized my Down Under Audio exhibit rooms for Colleen Cardas Imports. My idea was this—after visiting Australia in […]
Components
Mactone MH-120 Amplifier, XX-7000 Preamplifier | REVIEW
My Mactone (website) adventure started last year at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, when I went to visit my good friend Bob Clarke of Profundo. He brought a pair of Trenner & Friedl Osiris loudspeakers, […]
Analog
Rega P10 Turntable | REVIEW
By means of introduction to the Rega P10 turntable, let me start by saying that I work as a mastering engineer. For some time, I’ve wanted to upgrade my current turntable, a Rega P3, to […]
CAF 2019
Black Ice Audio taps the talents of Jim Fosgate, along with Clearaudio, Benz Micro, Vienna Acoustics | CAF 2019
WASHINGTON DC (PTA) — Black Ice Audio was showing the full line of electronics at Capital Audiofest 2019, with partnering components from Clearaudio, Benz Micro, and Vienna Acoustics. The Story Black Ice Audio has tapped […]