THE SHOW 2021 was, by my estimation, a reason for cautious optimism. Everything appeared to go off without a hitch, attendees were well-behaved and plentiful enough, and exhibitors seemed pleased by the amount and depth […]
Cake Audio, another local Southern California dealer, was showing the perennially popular Alsyvox (website) Botticceli speakers in a room I’m convinced was designed to double as a sensory deprivation chamber. Besides bringing a very literally meaning […]
The Best Tonearms [Editor’s note: Welcome to the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2021! These are the best tonearms that we, the PTA team, have heard.] Tonearms Sorane TA-1L ($1,875 USD) From the Japanese […]
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 […]
The Best Tonearms [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 […]
When Mark Sossa of Well Pleased AV called about dropping off a pair of the excellent QLN Prestige Three speakers for me to review a few months back, he casually mentioned he might also bring […]
What the heck is in THAT thing? That was my first reaction to the huge road case I signed for from my delivery guy. My second reaction was “Dayum, I don’t remember there being an amplifier […]
There is something about a curry. Sorry, but for some reason when I started making serious notes about the sound of the ZYX Ultimate 100 moving coil phono cartridge, I thought of food. I love Indian […]
Last November at the 2019 Capital Audio Fest, I had a fantastic time hearing numerous amazing systems and meeting some great folks. One of the many rooms I enjoyed was hosted by Well Pleased AV […]
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 […]
Every time I visit a high-end audio show room with Stenheim loudspeakers, I mention how I’m trying to get a pair in for review–specifically, the Alumine 2 bookshelf speakers ($11,950). I’ve heard these Swiss speakers, […]
I was eager to hit this room at the 2019 Capital Audiofest for two reasons–first, I wanted to hear some of the Studio Electric loudspeakers after Eric Franklin Shook’s very positive review of the stand-mount […]
RJS Acoustics brought the MD6 Bass Augmentation Speaker System, Backert Labs showed their new Rhumba Extreme 1.3 tube preamplifier, Pass Labs brings the power, and Luminous Audio Technology ties it all together. The Story Starting […]
Stereo Haven is probably one of the most aptly named bricks & mortar outfits out there. I came across it late in the afternoon Friday during the AXPONA weekend at a time when I needed […]
Welcome to Chicago There are over 160 rooms and exhibits here at Axpona. Making this event the largest audio show in North America. For some this can be overwhelming and cause a bit of anxiety. […]
In business, it can be advantageous to cut out the middle man. In vinyl record production, too, less can be more. The latest mini-trend in the audiophile world is one-step recordings, which eliminate two parts […]
Attending the three biggest U.S. high-end shows last year, I got to hear a lot of speakers. Many were new, exotic, state-of-the-art designs, driven by megabuck equipment. A fair number of those produced impressive sound. Yet, […]
I had to chuckle a little to myself when Volti Audio rolled out what it described as its “compact” loudspeaker at the Los Angeles Audio Show. Calling the new model small, however is kind of […]
It’s not unusual for high-end amplifiers to be a particularly good match with some speakers, but not others. It’s been rare for me, however, to hear an amp from Chino, Calif.-based VTL sound anything less […]
Every audio show, I find a couple of rooms that I could hang out in all weekend if not for the Esteemed Editor’s stubborn insistence that I also do my job of helping cover the […]
Copyright PT Audio 2009-2021