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MQA via JPS Labs in binaural
I only own one MQA recording, but it's a doozy. It's on a CD, and surely one of the most real-sounding live recordings I've encountered.

Inside the Moment is a luxuriously packaged Chesky Records production (Chesky Records CD JD397) of Camille Thurman singing and playing saxophone, recorded live at New York's Rockwood Music Hall with a B&K binaural head feeding an MSB A/D converter, engineered and mastered via the sharp, wise ears of Nicholas Prout.

Before I acquired this spectacular CD, I'd only experienced MQA via streaming on Tidal…

Description: Two-channel D/A converter, streamer, line-level preamp, and headphone amplifier. Digital inputs: two coaxial (one S/PDIF, one BNC), two optical (TosLink), one USB, one Ethernet (RJ45). Analog inputs: stereo pair balanced (XLR), stereo pair single-ended (RCA). Audio outputs, line-level: stereo pair balanced (XLR), stereo pair single-ended (RCA); headphone: single-ended (¼" stereo), 4-pin balanced (XLR). Other: clock sync input. 12V trigger in/out, RS-232 serial port (control). Frequency response: 5Hz–80kHz, +1/–5dB. THD: 0.002%. S/N ratio: 108dB (1kHz…

Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analog Blackbird turntable with Sorane SA1.2 tonearm with a Benz Micro Gullwing SLR moving coil, or Nagaoka MP-200 moving magnet. Plus, EMT 912-HI tonearm with EMT's JSD6 moving coil.
Digital sources: Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC, HoloAudio May Level 3 and Spring 3 KTE DACs, dCS Lina DAC with Master Clock; TEAC VRDS-701T transport, Onkyo C-7030 CD player.
Preamplifiers: HoloAudio Serene line preamp; PrimaLuna EVO 100 and MoFi MasterPhono phono stages.
Power amplifiers: First Watt SIT-4, Parasound Halo A 21+, Elekit…

I performed a full set of measurements on the TEAC UD-701N using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I started the testing by examining the performance of the UD-701N's DAC. I used the coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs, both of which accepted data sampled at rates up to 192kHz, and USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro running on battery power. I also connected the UD-701N to my network and installed the TEAC HR Streamer app on my iPad mini. The app doesn't appear to allow access to the processor's settings, however; it's just for playback including the usual…

Mostly I like spending time looking at art, especially in the early mornings when the galleries are empty. Lately, I've been watching art handlers hanging a roughly 100'-long tapestry depicting some manner of…

Listening to the Leben makes what he means rather obvious. The first thing I noticed is the ample drive, grunt, and dynamic freedom—for me, the first and least things a good amp should accomplish. On "Intro" from an LP of 2009's eponymous record by The xx (Young Turks YT031LP), the programmed drums hit with such stupefying force that I sat grinning until the side ended. The Leben rendered those beats with real snap and with vanishingly little temporal smearing or hangover. The record is most remarkable for how effectively the band uses silence and dynamics. This, I thought, is how their…

In the Adams Room, two VPI Forever Series Model One ‘tables ($5250 each) were up and running a VPI Shyla MC cartridge ($2000) and a VPI Goldy MC cartridge ($1300), respectively.

An Audio Research Reference 3SE Phono Stage ($17,000) ran analog signals to an Audio Research Reference 6SE linestage ($17,000), into Audio…

Register to win a pair of Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor speakers (MSRP $996) Stereophile is giving away.

Introducing the LC1 Bookshelf Monitor – Bringing Hi-End Audio to New Audiences. The Ultimate Hi-Fi Bookshelf Speaker, crafted to set a new standard in sound quality. Using a high density polymer cabinet, the LC1 embodies the sound of a speaker 10 times its size. Amaze yourself with this ultimate listening experience.

Superior audio quality is evident in every aspect of the LC1. Opting for a hands-on approach, no printed circuit boards are used; instead, each…

Innovative Audio hosted the sessions in their listening rooms on 58th Street in New York. We heard the vinyl, played by a top-tier…