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The essence of jazz is supposed to be the free-flowing exploration of ideas and expressions. Yet hardcore fans of the music have the unnerving habit of supporting and denigrating the work of the same player from record to record. Artistic growth is often seen as a negative. Even devoted fans might not follow an artist who veers off into a stylistic direction they abhor. The classic example is Miles Davis, who went through…

With their side ports, these speakers are intended to be placed against the wall;…

The analog front end included a Jean Nantais Reference Garrard 401 turntable ($14,000, not including the Garrard turntable) fitted with two tonearm setups: the Glanz 1200s ($12,375) with a Miyajima Zero mono cartridge ($3420), and the Bird of Prey ($23,750)…

This was certainly one of the most expensive systems at AXPONA. Take the source: a $199,975 Transrotor Artus FMD turntable, fitted with the company's 9" TRA-9 Chrome tonearm ($8795) and 12" TRA-9 Ruthenium tonearm ($9995). On one arm sat a DS Audio Grand Master EX optical phono cartridge ($22,000); on the other, a Transrotor MC Tamino ($19,975…

"Just read your May 2005 As We See It for the first time in many years," John wrote. "Great stuff!"

Could 20 years really have passed since I wrote that piece? Back then, I was in a different career, indulging my hi-fi passion by contributing to Stereophile on the side; now I'm in my seventh year as Stereophile editor. Then I was still a youngish dude; now I am an oldish dude. "Time flies" just doesn't capture it…

The SA45 sports a minimalist aluminum chassis and a nearly 9" color display. The unit includes a 180Wpc (stereo) Class G output stage, an ESS-based high-resolution DAC, an MM/MC phono preamp, balanced analog inputs, HDMI eARC, and full-bandwidth Dirac Live with 2.2 bass management.

Arcam paired the SA45 with…

At AXPONA 2025’s Ear Gear Experience, Manley Labs president EveAnna Manley unveiled a long-rumored project: the company’s Precision Line and Phono Stage. Designed to marry tube tradition with modern functionality, the unit houses 10 triodes powered by Manley’s proprietary switch-mode supply. Behind its sculpted faceplate are six inputs, each assignable for line-level or RIAA-equalized signals, offering up to 75dB of gain.

A single encoder allows cartridge loading from 30 to 960 ohms (with a standard 47k-ohm option) and offers 30–480pF of user-selectable capacitance for MM cartridges…

What stood out most to me was how different the rig sounded compared with last year’s AXPONA setup. This year, Filippelli showcased Estelon Extreme Mk II loudspeakers ($296,000/pair) driven by four Vitus SM-103 monoblock amplifiers ($81,000/pair). Completing the system were a Vitus SL-103 preamp ($42,000) and SD-025 DAC ($35,000), two SonoruS ATR10 tape…

The main system included a McIntosh MDA200 DAC ($4000) feeding a McIntosh C55 preamplifier ($9000), which in turn drove MC1.25KW monoblocks ($13,500 each). An AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioner ($5900) scrubbed the signal.

Monitor’s Hyphn looks more like a Kubrickian sci-fi art object than a traditional loudspeaker. Twin vertical columns curve like the legs of a praying mantis, joined across the upper midsection by what appears…

I am part of a small music demographic that I described in 1998, in an article in Positive Feedback, as "high-end composer." Another applicable term might be "audiophile composer." There are others who work this way, but not many. Few musicians are as interested as I am in the recording and reproduction of their music. I like to hear the sausage getting made.