Welcome to 2024’s best phono preamplifiers and SUTs from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” phono preamplifiers and SUTs or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. […]
There can be no question that my first exposure to the Mola Mola Lupe phono stage in April of this year left me more than merely impressed. In fact, you can see my initial reaction […]
“Did you ever hear one back in the day?” Tim Stinson of Luminous Audio Technology (website) asked me. He was referring to his Arion phono preamplifier, the original version which created a lot of buzz […]
Gary Koh of Genesis Advanced Technologies and Merrill Wettasinghe of Merrill Audio hosted the Pacific Northwest Audio Society (PNWAS) in early March. They were expecting 10 people but had the doors blown down when 57 […]
There is no lack of religion, opinions, or passion when it comes to vinyl. Which table, which tonearm, which cartridge, which geometry or even which equalization curve to use? Lots of smoke. Maybe even some […]
Every time I see one of the big gold Reference-level ‘tables by Triangle Art the theme song from the Sean Connery film Goldfinger starts playing in my head. It’s not even a conscience effort on […]
Music is a thread that seems to run through the lives of audiophiles. I say “seems to” because often in my conversations with those who profess to be said audiophiles at large high-fidelity trade shows […]
I’ve had the opportunity to cover Christopher Hildebrand’s efforts several times in the past two years as he builds up his, bespoke high-fidelity brand Fern & Roby. Speaking with him via telephone after he arrived […]
Say hello to the McIntosh MA252: “Hello, stranger.” In the world of high-end audio, there are solid-state tribes and there are tube tribes. Usually, the two pretty much stick to their own camps, except for scattered […]
Picking the best audio component of the year is kind of like pondering your ultimate list of girls to ask to the high school prom. There are many very attractive choices, but probably a much […]
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 […]
Virginia is for Lovers. That’s what the bumper sticker said on the car in front of me. The air was muggy, and charged with electricity as the windshield wipers tried to clear the rain from […]
More than a few audio companies have set sail with the simple mission of delivering budget gear, only to get lured into sometimes-rocky shores by the siren call of the higher-end market. Such temptations make […]
I first auditioned a pair of Wilson Benesch speakers about a decade ago at a Dallas dealer. I had come in primarily to listen to a tube amp I fancied, but the sight of the […]
I found myself getting short of breath at RMAF not long after I entered room 1030 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. I put most of the blame on my general middle-aged poor health, combined […]
Like Bogie and Bacall, Batman and Robin or gin and tonic, PSB and NAD have been together for a long time. Both companies are now owned by the Canada-based Lenbrook Group, and many dealers carry […]
Veteran manufacturer Esoteric had not one, but two, major product introductions at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Reflecting general trends in the industry, one new piece of gear is aimed at vinyl fans, while the […]
In a hobby where dropping a hundred grand for a system is common, what can you get these days for, say, $1,500 USD? An interconnect, maybe? A cartridge? Tax? Well, how about an entire rig? […]
On the surface, the news sounds shocking: Zesto Audio has built its first component without a tube. But rest easy. President and designer George Counnas hasn’t forsaken his strategy of mixing 1930s valve concepts with […]
For Immediate Press Release: Since we hired Electrical Engineer Mike Bettinger we have been asked about VPI’s future in electronics. Mike is known for his award-winning “Arion” phono, which is how we met him. Harry […]
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