Components
Ampsandsound Zion Monoblocks | REVIEW
The story of the Ampsandsound Zion Monos (website) is the story of the best amplifiers I’ve ever had in my system. Full stop. Go back and read that twice. If It seems like I’m giving […]
proac
Digital
TotalDAC d1-tube-mk2 | REVIEW
Like me, you probably recognize TotalDAC d1-tube-mk2 and the TotalDAC brand (website) in general, but you may know very little about them. This French company has a stellar reputation for making high-end converters, but I’ve […]
Loudspeakers
Focal Kanta No. 2 Loudspeakers | REVIEW
The Focal Kanta No. 2 (website) speakers first caught my eye at an RMAF a year or two ago, speckled up in a brilliant citron yellow and sounding, well, swell. The sound was performing that […]
Components
Manley Labs Snapper Monoblock Amplifiers | REVIEW
“What are those light bulb things?” My roommate asked that as he bent over the Manley Labs Snapper Monoblock Amplifiers with his camera in hand. The downtown Los Angeles skyline tinted the sky charcoal grey […]
RMAF 2019
The Sound Organisation, Bryston | RMAF 2019
My first impression of The Sound Organisation exhibit room was how beautiful it was, not so much because of all the gorgeous equipment they brought but because of the room itself. Say what you will […]
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: What’s in a Naim? With the Uniti Core, it’s about 100,000 songs
There has been such an avalanche of music servers and rippers recently that it’s a bit hard to keep up with them all. When I heard that Naim Audio was coming out with a new […]
AXPONA 2016
AXPONA 2016: John Stancavage’s Best of Show
Best Sound Cost-no-object system: Wilson Alexx, driven by Doshi tube amps (Paragon/Wilson Audio room). Neutral, effortless and jaw-dropping sound, combined with realistic weight, solidity and image height. $150,000 to $200,000 system: Sonus Faber Lilium speakers […]
AXPONA 2016
AXPONA 2016: VTL, Pro Musica prove nice guys finish first
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 […]
CAF 2013
CAF 2013: Deja Vu
Much like the metal that coats Wolverine’s skeleton, the bits on display in the Deja Vu Audio room are all made from unobtainium. It’s not clear where they get these ancient transformers and whatnots, but […]
RMAF 2012
RMAF12: Sonus Veritas is Latin for Gimme Some
Sonus Veritas broke free at RMAF this year, showing in their own room for the first time. It was good to see them step out into the limelight — this is a brand worth keeping […]
Publishers Desk
System Two
I am on the hunt for some new speakers. No, I’m not ditching the Magnepans … at least not yet (wink, wink). No, seriously, I’m not talking about that system at all. I’m talking about […]