tubes

High End 2017: TuneAudio, Trafomatic, Rockna, and Skogrand Cables stock the candy store

June 13, 2017

I felt like I was in candy store. Everything looked colourful, mouthwatering, and sugary… the sound was also drawing me into the sweet spot for an extended listening session. Another room of horn delights was having it’s way with me at [...]

High End 2017: The horns of Azzolina Audio, Thomas Mayer amplification, Vinylista turntables

June 1, 2017

Aubergine? That was the closest colour match I could think of to describe the large, tasty Sphera horns that Azzoline Audio – the creation of Frenchman Chuck Michlin – was showing off with Thomas Mayer’s bespoke tube [...]

High End 2017: The tea ceremony of recorded playback with Kondo of Japan

May 31, 2017

High End at Munich in the MOC is an A-List affair with thousands of people swarming everywhere constantly, and millions of dollars in ne plus ultra gear oozing cabling as thick as my thigh out of every nook, and cranny for the masses to ogle, [...]

High End 2017: Silbatone and the lost sonic art of Western Electric horn systems

May 30, 2017

Horns. Big, beautiful, Western Electric horns. Unless you’ve heard the behemoth 1920s Western Electric horn systems for yourself it’s difficult to convey their ability to hold you enthralled in their presence. [...]

Vinnie Rossi interview: The man behind LIO, PURE-DC-4EVR, and the iMod

February 10, 2017

Vinnie Rossi (of VinnieRossi.com), and his effusive smile are a bit of a legend in hi-fi circles, especially on the show circuit. Rossi is always quick with a handshake, and never forgets a face or a name. In short, he always makes you feel welcome, [...]

CES 2017: The Air Tight dojo in Las Vegas

January 28, 2017

Rarefied air. That kind of sums up the Japanese house of Air Tight for me. The Osaka-based bespoke electronics manufacturer celebrated its 30th anniversary last April, which is no small feat for an esoteric tube amplification-based company. [...]

Review: Audio Note Meishu Silver Signature integrated amplifier

January 4, 2017

When an amplifier takes two men to move it, you could start to question your choice in amplifiers… but not me. I knew I was on to something truly special. The fact that Audio Note dealer, whiskey confidante, and bon vivant Don Thorne had taken [...]

RMAF 2016: Nagra, Kronos, and Avalon Acoustics provide precision with emotion

October 18, 2016

This was probably the most beautiful looking room at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest this year to me. I mean your eyes just kinda went ‘CAYOOGA!!’ in a Loony Toons cartoon character (think old-fashioned car horn) kind of way when you clocked [...]

Newport 2016: Music Reference aims for the sweet spot

July 17, 2016

In these times of $150,000 speakers, $60,000 amps and cable that can approach those two numbers combined, it always warms my heart to see a company set its sights on a more affordable niche in the industry. Notice I didn’t say “cheap.” [...]