LATEST ADDITIONS

Burmester 232 Classic Line integrated amplifier

Jason Victor Serinus Feb 19, 2026

My first response, upon being offered for review the new Burmester 232 Classic Line modular class-AB dual-mono integrated amplifier ($25,000), was apprehension—but not because of the product itself, and certainly not because of the Burmester brand. I had already been won over by the pair of Burmester 218 Top Line stereo power amplifiers ($50,000/each) I reviewed in the October 2024 issue.

Brilliant Corners Miscellaneous Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Brilliant Corners #36: A New Listening Space, Jean-Marie Reynaud BLISS Jubilé loudspeaker, Stein Acoustic Discs

Alex Halberstadt Feb 18, 2026

It's difficult to put a positive spin on moving. A recent survey ranked it as life's most stressful event, ahead of divorce, losing a job, or becoming a parent. Forty-two percent of respondents said it brought them to tears. Thirteen percent said it was worse than a week in jail.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #63: Audio Concepts, Kind of a "Pinch Me" Situation

Julie Mullins Feb 17, 2026

In these days of industry transformation, acquiring a brick-and-mortar hi-fi store is not for the faint of heart. That's just what 41-year-old Brandon Bartee did in August 2025. Bartee acquired Audio Concepts from Mark Ashworth, who was celebrating the store's 40th anniversary, all 40 years under his ownership.

As We See It

Presence: Self-Aware Listening

Jim Austin Feb 13, 2026

Recently, my good friend Bryan invited himself over for a "critical listening session" at my place. This was out of character. Typically our listening sessions are not of the "critical" variety. They take place late at night after several cocktails, neat bourbon in hand. Volume knobs are torqued. The choice of recorded material tends toward early Lynyrd Skynyrd (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), that one Hank Williams Jr. album that doesn't suck (The Almeria Club Recordings), and one of two Def Leppard albums (Pyromania or (Hysteria).

Recording of the Month

Recording of March 2026: Easter Island Suite

Thomas Conrad Feb 12, 2026

John Vanore & Abstract Truth: Easter Island Suite
Vanore, trumpet, flugelhorn, compositions, arrangements; 27 others
Acoustical Concepts AC-160 (CD). 1989, 2012, 2024/2026. Vanore, prod.; Terry Hoffman, Richard King, John Senior, engs.

My Back Pages

Steve Cropper Played It

Mike Mettler Feb 11, 2026

Legendary Stax guitarist/producer Steve Cropper hated when deejays talked over song intros. He decided to do something about it for the countless hit singles cut at the label's Memphis studio in the 1960s. As a result of his efforts, Cropper—who passed away on December 3, 2025, at age 84—became known as "The Intro Guy," a sobriquet he was proud to honor.

Music and Recording Reviews

February 2026 Jazz Record Reviews

Thomas Conrad, Andrey Henkin Feb 10, 2026

Billy Hart: Multidirectional; John O'Gallagher: Ancestral; Thomas Strønen's Time Is A Blind Guide: Off Stillness; Peter McEachern Quintet: Streamin'.

Music and Recording Reviews

February 2026 Classical Record Reviews

Jason Victor Serinus, Stephen Francis Vasta Feb 10, 2026

M'a dit Amour, Julia Roset, soprano, Susan Manoff, piano; Ravel: Chamber Music, Nash Ensemble; Lalo | Bonis | Debussy | Ravel: Art Nouveau: French Chamber Music Around 1900, Trio Wanderer.

Music and Recording Reviews

February 2026 Rock/Pop Record Reviews

Robert Baird, Ray Chelstowski Feb 10, 2026

Salt Collective: A Brief History of Blindness; Geese: Getting Killed; Tame Impala: Deadbeat; Tortoise: Touch.

Audacious Audio Tube Power Amp Reviews

Doshi Audio Evolution Stereo power amplifier

Ken Micallef Feb 06, 2026

Nick Doshi is cautiously reserved when he talks about his amplifiers, preferring to let the products speak for themselves. At every show I've heard them at, from Chicago to DC to Munich, they have done exactly that: Every system I've heard featuring a Doshi amp has delivered great sound. When I pressed him as to why, he just smiled.