CAF 2023
Day Two with Brian Hunter | CAF 2023
The weather tightened up a bit for the second day of Capital Audiofest 2023 in Rockville, MD. My commute over to the Hilton wasn’t marred by any water falling from above, but rather graced by […]
living voice
Loudspeakers
Volti Audio Razz LE Loudspeakers | REVIEW
Disclaimer: I have not traditionally been a fan of horn speakers such as the Volti Audio Razz LE. Why then did I decide to accept an invitation from Greg Roberts, head man at Volti Audio, […]
Munich 2022
The Big Living Voice Room | High End 2022
When I attended High End in Munich in 2019, the big Living Voice room really stood out for me. First of all, it was like a forest in there, with plants everywhere and a huge […]
Capital Audiofest 2021
Volti Audio, BorderPatrol, Triode Wire Labs, Innuos | CAF 2021
Volti Audio, BorderPatrol, Triode Wire Labs exhibit something truly special and worthy of your undivided attention at Capital Audio Fest 2021. The Story by Eric Franklin Shook This story goes back almost a year or […]
Components
BorderPatrol SE300B-EXD Stereo Power Amplifier | REVIEW
Gary Dews is one of those people who is welcome at my home any time. He’s a wonderful guest and great conversationalist, and he always shows up with an unexpected and welcome gift! I don’t […]
Components
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier and MC312 Power Amplifier | REVIEW
I feel like I’m the designated Part-Time Audiophile power lifter lately. I received another freight shipment containing the McIntosh C49 preamplifier and MC312 power amplifier, weighing in at back squat workout weight of 234 lbs. […]
Components
Audio Hungary Qualiton A20i Integrated Amplifier | REVIEW
Human communication is a fickle thing. Even languages like English have plenty of room for interpretations and inferences that are often misunderstood. Take, for example, the Audio Hungary Qualiton (website) A20i tube integrated amplifier that […]
Components
Rotel Michi S5 Power Amplifier and P5 Preamplifier | REVIEW
Harkening from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Rotel Michi P5 Preamplifier and Rotel Michi S5 Stereo Amplifier presented an imposing pair in my listening room. Weighing in at a hefty 50 lbs. for […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Floorstanding Speakers | Buyers Guide Summer 2021
The Best Floorstanding Speakers [Editor’s note: Welcome to the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2021! These are the best floorstanding speakers that we, the PTA team, have personally heard.] Magnepan LRS ($650 pr USD) […]
Components
Decware Zen Triode SE84UFO2 Power Amplifier | REVIEW
First, a disclaimer. I own this Decware Zen Triode amp and bought it for myself, so it’s not a typical “loaner” that we reviewers normally get to evaluate. Steve Deckert, Decware’s head guy, normally doesn’t […]
Loudspeakers
Volti Audio Razz Loudspeakers, Part Two | REVIEW
When PTA Editor-in-Chief Marc Phillips asked me to co-review the Volti Audio Razz loudspeakers, of course I said I was interested. This would be my first official review for Part-Time Audiophile, and I’d be fulfilling […]
Loudspeakers
Living Voice IBX-R3 Loudspeakers | REVIEW
Here’s a little witticism for you all to ruminate upon before I dive into the Living Voice IBX-R3 (website) loudspeakers: “You can have it all, but just not at the same time.” My wife really […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Floorstanding Speakers | Buyers Guide 2021
The Best Floorstanding Speakers [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 […]
Components
BorderPatrol P21 EXD 300B Amplifier | REVIEW
This one is a bit of a convoluted story, let me tell ya. One sunny day in the early pre-COVID winter, Gary Dews, the head guy at BorderPatrol Audio (website), paid me a visit bearing gifts. […]
Components
Vinnie Rossi L2i Integrated Amplifier | REVIEW
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last couple of years, you’re probably aware that Vinnie Rossi has been shaking up the world of high-end audio shows with his tremendous L2 amplification line. […]
Analog
Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas turntable | REVIEW
The Pear Audio Kid Thomas turntable I had in for review came to me by way of Dr. Vinyl, a local audio dealer, and Audio Skies, the US importer for Pear. I had seen this […]
Occasional Magazine
The Occasional Magazine Volume 6 | Now Available!
They say that the magpie is the cleverest of all birds. They say it also has quite an eye for bright and shiny toys. This time through, our magpie has found all manner of shiny […]
THE Show 2019
PranaFidelity, Helius, E.A.R., Furutech | T.H.E. Show 2019
In the upcoming Summer Issue of The Occasional, I talk about all of the fantastic brands I’ve discovered over the last year or so, pretty much since I’ve joined the Part-Time Audiophile team. PranaFidelity is […]
Munich 2019
Marc’s Wrap Up | High End 2019
So what did I learn during my first trip to High End 2019 in Munich, which also happened to be the first time I set foot in Europe? Let’s go through the list: Go to […]
Munich 2019
Living Voice R25A, a Small Miracle | High End 2019
Everyone’s looking for giant killers in this hobby. I’ve always maintained that they don’t exist, that elusive component that gets the job done for an insanely low price. (I also maintain that the Law of […]