Ariel Bitran
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How Not to Change a Tweeter
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 24, 2013 • 4 comments
In April of 2011, after watching one of the many iterations of The Due Diligence perform at Silent Barn, the soundman made an announcement: “We have a bunch of old music gear for sale in the venue’s basement.” I jumped from my seat.

Dusty guitar amps, dirt-speckled stage light fixtures, and busted drivers piled atop each other on a series of shelves. I inspected each piece of gear carefully. Atop the highest shelf, I found them. Though covered in scratch marks and gum, the logo was clear: Polk Audio. The “i" was dotted with a little heart. I fell in love.

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Live: Anamanaguchi, Bitchin' Bajas, and Angel Olsen
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 21, 2013 • 0 comments
Despite a recurring and subtly bothersome perirectal abscess, I was committed to making this a good weekend. My life had been devoid of concerts and bars due to my renewed vow to frugality, but an endless stream of incredible live music in NYC this weekend could not and would not be ignored.
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Tony Wins Some Schiit
Sweepstakes
Ariel Bitran • May 16, 2013 • 8 comments
Tony Tueni of Charlotte, North Carolina is the happy winner of our Schiit Bifrost USB and Modi DACs Sweepstakes. Tony's current system includes a Rega Planar 3 turntable, Onix integrated amplifier, Soliloquy 5.3 loudspeakers, Oppo CD player, and Squeezebox Touch. He can now add the Schiit BiFrost and Modi DACs to the list.
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Passion of the Hi-Fi: Part VI - Resolution
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 15, 2013 • 6 comments
JA guffawed, “It sounds like you need a tweeter-ectomy.”

“I hope that’s all I need.” After buying a replacement tweeter for my Usher S-520s, I asked Stan Tracht, US representative for Usher, a pair of questions.

“Will I need to solder anything?”

“No soldering needed,” Stan advised.

“Do I need to buy a second tweeter to ensure the speakers match?”

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Released Today: Anamanaguchi’s Endless Fantasy
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 14, 2013 • 0 comments
For gamers, video games can instill a sense of purpose. They imbed the idea in their minds that any ordinary boy or girl can become a hero. On their second full-length record Endless Fantasy, Anamanaguchi recreate the quest of becoming something bigger than yourself.
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Logitech|UE 4000 On-Ear Headphones
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 09, 2013 • 2 comments
I wear polo shirts daily. Polo shirts keep things simple. Seven-time French Grand Slam tennis champion René Lacoste invented the “tennis shirt” in 1929 as an alternative to the traditional player’s outfit of white button-down and tie. The easy-to-wear “tennis shirt” rapidly expanded as official garb for polo players, golfers, and Homer Simpsons of America. Like the polo, the Logitech|UE 4000 on-ear headphone ($99.99) is accommodating to all in both fit and acoustic profile.
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B&O Release H6 and H3 Headphones
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 08, 2013 • 2 comments
On Wednesday May 8th, 2013, B&O announced the release of the H6 over-ear headphone ($399) and H3 in-ear monitor ($249). Long known as a lifestyle brand that embraces both excellent sound and excellent design, B&O’s H6 and H3s promise no different.

Nicolaj Shabtai, Category Manager for B&O Play, explained the products’ three priorities: "outstanding sound, design for life & style, and quality materials."

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Javelin Live at Brooklyn Bowl
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 07, 2013 • 0 comments
Simon Hewitt, Cambridge Audio’s Director of Marketing, visited Stereophile HQ to demonstrate the Cambridge Audio Minx Air one-box Bluetooth system. Hewitt says Cambridge Audio’s business is exploding thanks to the Minx Air. It makes up 15% of Cambridge’s current profits. Meanwhile, Cambridge is busy building more speaker lines as their fathering company, Audio Partnership, fades out mass distribution of Mourdant-Short.

Minx Air is currently available in two sizes, the Minx Air 100 ($449) and the larger Minx Air 200 ($599). It features Airplay, on-board Internet radio, and bass EQ that can be controlled via app. I played three synced Spotify playlist selections transmitted via Bluetooth from my iPhone. At the end, Hewitt asked, “What was that first track you demoed?”

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Passion of the Hi-Fi: Part V – Imbalance
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 05, 2013 • 3 comments
My hi-fi basked in morning sunshine. The sparkling white finish of the Usher 520s reflected angular glints of yellow light across plaster walls. Birds chirped as I hoped for the best. Would my bass bloat be gone? Would I have an evenly dispersed image?
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Remix: UNKWON Does “Love and Respect” by When Saints Go Machine feat. Killer Mike
Ariel Bitran
Ariel Bitran • May 02, 2013 • 3 comments

On March 27, 2013, Stephen Mejias blogged about the single “Love and Respect” from Danish electro-pop group When Saints Go Machine, which “features Killer Mike offering strong and exciting contrast to Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild’s delicate falsetto.” Although the track left him “wanting more,” SM admitted the restraint from both Killer Mike and Vonsild made his yearning a good thing.

In UNKWON’s remix of this track, the Danish DJ leaves yearning at the door, and unleashes an onslaught of sonic manipulations, big bass, and layered tambourines, handclaps, snares, and bells transforming the track from one of self-discipline to groove indulgence.

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