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I then compared two mid-1960s folk-rock albums from the same label and noticed how easily the ARC delineated the differences between the engineering of the voices. On "Morning Morning," from Richie Havens' Mixed Bag (LP, Verve Forecast 3006), Havens' voice is rich, deep, and vibrant, with just the right amount of reverb added to give a touch of syrup to his rusty growl. (I get a kick out of the fact that my favorite mellow ballad on this album is a Fugs tune.) On the other hand, the musically superb "Society's Child," from Janis Ian's eponymous debut album (LP, Verve Folkways 3017), is a…
There are a lot artists who try as you and they might, never really grab ya. Then there are those who made one single that for some odd reason touched you. No, not there! In the heart or the head or some combination of both. Most are pop artists. And most of these one track wonders fall into the category of the "guilty pleasure."
In listening to what seems like 50 different new reissues of older music for the December issue of Stereophile, or what I'm calling the "Reissue Issue," I ran across Postcards From East Oceanside a Rhino best-of that gathered Paula Cole's work from the three…
On a clear, bright day, when the blue of the sea rivals the blue of the sky, one sees the hawk, the eagle, the buzzard soaring above the still, hushed canyons. In summer, when the fogs roll in, one can look down upon a sea of clouds floating listlessly above the ocean; they have the appearance, at times, of huge iridescent soap bubbles, over which, now and then, may be seen a double rainbow. In January and February the hills are greenest, almost as green as the Emerald Isle. From November to February are the best months, the air fresh and invigorating, the skies clear, the sun still…
Integrated Amplifiers & Receivers
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Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty: $12,950
In 2013, AD described the original Ayre AX-5—a $9950 integrated amplifier built around a recently rediscovered configuration of bipolar transistors known as the "diamond" circuit—as "one of the three best, most musical, most human-sounding solid-state amps I've ever heard." Then, in 2015, Ayre debuted a new version, the AX-5 Twenty—a nod to the company's 20th anniversary—promising even better sound. The AX-5 Twenty is built into the same foursquare aluminum case as the AX-5, and is controlled by the…
Stereophile should start a "Personals" section in the back of the mag—maybe stick 'em in with the classifieds:
SWF ANALOG FETISHIST looking for a few good LPs. Send photo to P.O. Box 433, Indianapolis, IN.
MWM WITH TUBES seeks same for hot days and hotter nights. Reply to P.O. Box 12, Los Alamos, NM.
I mean, wouldn't that be great? Not only could we all hook up with that Special Someone a helluva lot easier than hanging around hi-fi huts with red hankies protruding from our back pockets, but we could also send messages to the manufacturers telling them what we really…
Polk Audio completely redesigned its popular RTi series of loudspeakers. The RTis occupy the "better" position in Polk's good (R series), better (RTi), best (LSi) hierachy. The refurbished line features new drivers, higher quality cabinets, and handsome cosmetics—including real wood veneers in black oak and cherry.
The range boasts five models: two two-way bookshelf units (the $259.90/pair RTi 4 and the $459.90/pair RTi 6) and three floorstanding models (the RTi 8 at $839.90/pair, the RTi 10 at $1139.90/pair, and the RTi 12 at $1639.90/pair). All feature new generation polymer/…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Phono preamplifier with dual inputs and wireless Wi-Fi remote control of cartridge loading, gain, and other parameters. Inputs: 1 pair XLR/RCA, 1 pair RCA only, both switchable balanced/single-ended via rear-panel pushbuttons. Single-ended setting connects input ground to chassis ground. Each input is switchable, moving magnet or moving coil, with an Android app. Outputs: balanced XLR or single-ended RCA. Gain: MM: 30, 36, 44, or 50dB; MC: 50, 56, 64, or 70dB. Input capacitance: 0pF to 750pF in 50pF steps, adjustable for each input. Input resistance…
As you will have read in my Followup review in September (Vol.19 No.9, p.169), I'm even more excited about the Alón V Mk.II, whose design has trickled down from the $22,000 Phalanx; the V features the same drivers (albeit with less expensive magnets) as the Phalanx in a more conventional three-way enclosure. In fact, I'm more attracted to the V Mk.II than to the Phalanx, as the V features most of the magic of the Phalanx drivers in a more user-friendly speaker—ie, it can easily be driven by one amplifier. The Alón V Mk.IIs also have one major advantage over the Phalanxes for me: I can afford…
This story originally appeared at InnerFidelity.com
Skullcandy Mix Master ($299)
Mix Master Mike is a west coast turntablist known primarily for his work with the Beastie Boys and winning the DMC World DJ Championships for three years consecutively. This type of music really isn't my cup of tea, but I do think the Beastie Boys are really good at what they do. Skullcandy's Mix Master headphone is a quite similar thing: not my cup of tea, but a really good headphone nonetheless.
The Mix Master is a full-size, around-the-ear, sealed headphone, and has a number of what I thought…
Sidebar 3: Who is Robert J. Reina?
I'm consumed by a passion for music that began at the age of three, when I became tall enough to reach the coin slot in the jukebox of my cousin's bar to play Lloyd Price's "Personality." My record-purchasing career began in 1958 when my godfather, touched by my performance as a crow in the kindergarten Christmas play, offered to buy me any gift I desired. My response: "Santo and Johnny's first album...the one with 'Sleep Walk' on it."
As for musical background, I'd describe myself as a "classically trained amateur new music composer and jazz…