Munich 2023
Marten Mingus Septet | Munich 2023
At AXPONA in April, I was unexpectedly taken with the Marten Mingus Quintet loudspeakers in the Vana Ltd. room. They had such a relaxed and open sound, so much so that they sounded just a […]
marten
Munich 2023
Munich Day 1 | Munich 2023
This is my third High End Munich show, but this is the first time I actually attended on the first day–Thursday. Not Friday, but Thursday. It’s my fault–I’m used to Friday/Saturday/Sunday high-end audio shows. But […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Floorstanding Loudspeakers | Buyers Guide Summer 2022
Welcome to the Best Floorstanding Speakers 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 […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Bookshelf Speakers | Buyers Guide Summer 2022
Welcome to the Best Bookshelf Speakers 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 […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Floorstanding Speakers | Buyers Guide 2022
Welcome to the Best Floorstanding Speakers 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 […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Bookshelf Speakers | Buyers Guide 2022
Welcome to the Best Bookshelf Speakers 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 […]
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) […]
Digital
Denafrips Pontus II DAC | REVIEW
I’ve been on a hot streak lately with getting components to review that have sounded excellent despite the current difficulties in hearing something beforehand. For a reviewer, it’s one of the many great things about […]
Components
Rotel A14 Integrated Amplifier | REVIEW
Why in the world would I want to review the Rotel A14 (website), an integrated amplifier with DAC and phono stage and headphone amplifier all sorts of features for just $1500? What is this, […]
AXPONA 2019
Zesto Audio, Marten, Merrill-Williams, Cardas | AXPONA 2019
CHICAGO (PTA) — Zesto Audio was demonstrating the full gambit of their stunning high-end tube electronics, along with a new phono-stage. Marten brought their youngest Django XL loudspeakers out to play, Merrill-Williams brought reality to […]
AXPONA 2019
Must See Rooms, Day Three | AXPONA 2019
CHICAGO (PTA) — This year’s AXPONA audio show is already on course to be their biggest, and most newsworthy yet. Lots of product debuts are happening at this show, and we’re committed to bringing you […]
Announcements
Munich High End 2018: Marten
From Marten.se In 2018 we celebrate Twenty years in the High-End audio business. While we take a moment to reflect, we are still working hard behind the scenes. Marten has an exciting year ahead with […]
RMAF 2017
RMAF 2017: The Sight of Sound
The Picture A wrap-up photo journal of this year’s Rocky Mountain Audiofest in Denver, Colorado. GTT Audio MasterBuilt Audio, Von Schweikert High End by Oz Raidho Acoustics, Aavik Acoustics Neat Acoustics Audia Flight, High Fidelity […]
LAAS 2017
LA Audio Show 2017: Zesto’s tubes shine in the spotlight
George and Carolyn Counnas, proprietors of Zesto Audio, probably are pinching themselves frequently these days. For a small maker of tube gear that’s not much more than six years old, Zesto seems to be turning […]
AXPONA 2017
AXPONA 2017: Trends, rants and John’s Best of Show
The audio-show year kicked off for me with an eardrum-flexing snare shot in Chicago at Audio Expo North America. If those three hectic days near the end of April are any indication, we’re in for […]
AXPONA 2017
AXPONA 2017: Music From Another Room, Part 3
A photojournal by Eric Franklin Shook You can’t just say “It’s awesome, buy it.” Eliciting a gut reaction of confidence in consumers who speak your name in conversations of top tier service and products is […]
AXPONA 2017
AXPONA 2017: Zesto takes tubes to the next level
George and Carolyn Counnas are two of the nicest people in the high-end. A visit to the couple’s exhibit room at a show always results in interesting conversations about the tubed gear they produce under […]
Newport Beach 2016
Newport 2016: EAR Yoshino meet Marten’s Mingus with Viridia TT world premier
Baron Timothy de Paravicini is a name I instantly associate with exquisite-sounding audio gear. He was involved with legendary brands like Luxman, Quad, and Musical Fidelity – works closely with a number of high-end recording […]
AXPONA 2016
AXPONA 2016: Lyn Stanley puts Kyomi Audio system to the ultimate test
It’s not often you attend an audio show demo where a song’s actual singer shows up for an impromptu live versus Memorex moment. Just such an unlikely event has happened to me twice in the […]
Newport Beach 2015
Newport 2015: The Lotus Group presents PranaWire, Hanss Acoustics, Marten, KR Audio
by Rafe Arnott Marten is a company, in my experience, whose loudspeakers are often discussed in hushed tones by serious audiophiles who nod their heads solemnly when they speak of rendition, resolution and focus. Having […]