preamplifier

Review updates: Harbeth, DeVore, Totem, Pass Labs, totaldac, AudioQuest, Pro-Ject, PS Audio… coming from Rafe

August 9, 2017

2017 is rocketing past us, and with the summer at its zenith I thought it was time for a quick update on what’s happening with me up north here on the Best Coast in Vancouver. I’ve moved into a new place that is much larger than my [...]

Review: McIntosh MP1100 Phono Preamplifier, digging into your vinyl grooves

July 30, 2017

When the McIntosh MP1100 phono preamplifier arrived at my doorstep, I was as excited as when I saw the first McIntosh product at 12 years old. I admit, I am a McIntosh fan boy, perhaps not blindly starry -eyed enough to buy the $1,800 USD McIntosh [...]

LA Audio Show 2017: ATC brings pro sound into your home

July 26, 2017

I’ve long heard good reports about ATC speakers and electronics, but never seemed to be in the right place for a substantial demo. I finally corrected that situation at the Los Angeles Audio Show, where Lone Mountain Audio was showing ATC’s SCM [...]

LA Audio Show 2017 Video: The High End Zone, Perfect8 Technologies, Ypsilon Electronics

July 22, 2017

Through the Looking Glass. This is the Lewis Carroll sequel to the much more famous Alice in Wonderland. In it Alice again acquires entry to a magical world, this time by climbing through a mirror. The title instantly sprang to mind after [...]

LA Audio Show 2017: Magico, VAC provide head-soothing sound

July 11, 2017

Toward the end of three hectic days covering the Los Angeles Audio Show, I was coming down with a nasty migraine as I entered the large Scott Walker Audio room at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Valve Amplification Co. CEO Kevin Hayes was standing just [...]

Rotel introduces new integrated amplifier, preamplifier and CD player

July 10, 2017

Rotel has been building high-fidelity electronic components for more than five decades, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down with the introduction of their new RA-1572 Integrated Amplifier, RC-1572 Stereo Preamplifier, and their RCD-1572 [...]

High End 2017: The Munich Experience, and Rafe’s best of the Show

July 8, 2017

I could see his lips moving but I couldn’t hear a word the guy next to me was saying. We were in the Silbatone room at the MOC for High End in Munich, and I had gone the aural equivalent of snow blind while taking in the massive vintage [...]

Vancouver Audio Festival 2017: Bryston goes active – or what’s in a crossover anyway?

July 7, 2017

Bryston is a name that has kept high fidelity tongues wagging for decades. The Canadian company is well known for their powerful, authoritative amplification, and for their incredible 20-year warranty on their products. But lately Bryston is [...]

LA Audio Show 2017: Vandersteen, Audio Research create enchanting sound

July 7, 2017

Whether they admit it or not, all audiophiles have biases. Some value tight, powerful bass above all else, for example, while others crave analog warmth and tube richness. I admit my personal bias is liquidity and refinement, Make no mistake, [...]

McIntosh Announces new MA9000 Integrated Amplifier

July 6, 2017

Touted as their “Biggest Integrated Amplifier” (which is really saying something), McIntosh Labs is today launching another battleship of an amp, this time an integrated going by the moniker MA9000. With 300 watts per channel, two [...]