KEF Debuts New Finishes for Blade One Meta and Blade Two Meta

Sennheiser Drops HDB 630 Wireless Headphones

LATEST ADDITIONS

Gramophone Dreams #15: AudioQuest Niagara 1000, HiFiMan HE1000 V2

Herb Reichert Mar 30, 2017

Some of our readers seem to believe that the essence of high-quality audio is disclosed primarily by science, and not by dreamy, bodice-ripping adventures that take place on plush carpets behind closed doors. Perhaps they're right. Unfortunately, I have had no personal experiences that confirm that hypothesis.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

AVM Ovation MA8.2 monoblock power amplifier

Jason Victor Serinus Mar 30, 2017

I've known Peder Bäckman, international sales director for the German firm Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM), for many years, ever since he worked with Electrocompaniet. When I told him that I was looking for products to review in the reference system in my new 20' by 16' by 9' music room, he invited me to browse AVM's large catalog and see what tickled my fancy. In consultation with John Atkinson, it became clear that AVM's largest, most powerful monoblock amplifier, the Ovation MA8.2 ($29,990/pair), seemed a good fit.

News

Dealer Event in Connecticut Saturday

Stereophile Staff Mar 30, 2017

Saturday April 1, 25pm, Take 5 Audio (105 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510) is hosting an event featuring products from Bryston and Zanden Audio.

Interviews Jana Dagdagan Re-Tales

A Conversation with Philly Audio Retailer Doug White

Jana Dagdagan Mar 29, 2017

This past weekend, John Atkinson, Herb Reichert, and I drove down to Philadelphia to visit audio retailer Doug White of The Voice That Is. In this video, Doug and JA discuss the challenges of a rapidly changing internet based market, the differences between buying online versus buying from your local dealer, and much more.

Art Dudley Listening Phono Accessory Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Listening # 172: Music First Audio MC Step Up 632, Vinyl Cleaner Pro

Art Dudley Mar 29, 2017

Before I revert to form and leave the subject for another nine or ten months, I'll pick up where I left off in last month's column to focus once again on step-up transformers (SUTs) for moving-coil cartridges. There's yet another choice you should know aboutin this case, a thoroughly brilliant, handmade SUT that sells for well under $1000.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3XL loudspeaker

Sam Tellig, Herb Reichert Mar 29, 2017

Forty years ago, when I first had money enough to buy serious [ahem] consumer audio, there were a few good turntables available, from Thorens, Garrard, Ariston, some others. Today is the golden age of turntables: ask Mikey, if not antiquarian Artie. And loudspeakers! In 1970, models were few, and most were mediocre. Today, you can have a great loudspeaker for a song.

Montreal Audio Fest 2017

Art's Personal Wrap

Art Dudley Mar 29, 2017

The Montreal Audio Fest, formerly Salon Son et Image, isn't so much about hardware. If it were, there'd be no sense attending, because the High End show in Munich does hardware better than this or any other show, and God bless them for it. Montreal Audio Fest also isn't about lavish parties or celebrities or exotic climates: cripes, the weather up there in March is usually so miserable that even the ducks that populate the Hotel Bonaventure's tenth-floor gardens spend most of the day hiding under the bushes. Montreal Audio Fest is mostly about people...

Montreal Audio Fest 2017

Sunday in Montreal with Robert Schryer

Robert Schryer Mar 29, 2017

If there's one thing that brings me more joy than seeing a lot of happy people at the Montreal Audio Festival, it's getting a seat in an exhibitor's room. Unfortunately, I often can't have it both ways. Those same happy people, if there are enough of them, will make it so there's no chair left for me to sit in.

One way to improve one's sitting chances is to go on Sunday, generally the day with the least amount of show goers. I call it the Sunday rule.

Robert Baird

Gil Evans and Ten

Robert Baird Mar 28, 2017

If arrangers and orchestrators are the secret weapons of jazz, Evans on this new LP from Analogue Productions is revealed to be the atomic bomb.

Montreal Audio Fest 2017

Art's Saturday Afternoon at the Show

Art Dudley Mar 28, 2017

At Montreal Audio Fest 2017, by means of some creative signage as well as their presence in one of the show's larger ballrooms, Yamaha had a simple message: "We're back." This was reinforced by a system comprising the latest Yamaha gear, much of which maintained the company's traditional styling . . .