With the separation of the Varèse's core components—not least the evolution of the Ring DAC into two mono, differential arrays—we would expect to witness some uplift in technical performance. And indeed, comparisons with the Vivaldi APEX DAC show incremental gains in S/N ratio, distortion, and low-level linearity. Specifically, while the 5.88V maximum output (in the Varèse's top 6V mode) has not changed, and the sub–1 ohm…
Achieving that key objective requires achieving another one: How do we make more people aware that our industry exists?
Long ago there was a saying. People (read:…
Steve Mishoe of True Source Audio Distribution originally introduced me to Shindo Laboratory and DeVore Fidelity—brands that shaped my listening sensibility and critical framework. His colleague Steve Cohen often assists with system setup and calibration. In fact, he helps with every review I write for Stereophile, fine-tuning gear and speaker placement and acting as a sounding board.
Their latest import from Japan, G.I.P. Laboratory’s 506 and 4165 horn-loaded, field-coil loudspeakers ($82,000/pair), commanded attention for reasons well beyond personal ties. Along with the…
The Black Pearl XL SE ($19,000) “introduces our proprietary output transformers, expanding frequency response and enhancing transient detail, built on a robust chassis, Gen 6 power supply, and an ultra-low noise floor,” according to the Ampsandsound press release. The amp produces 8Wpc into 8 ohms and offers a bandwidth of 10Hz–24kHz (–2dB at 1W).
…
"I keep my ears open. I've been listening to new stuff by people I have been following for years like Nick Lowe and The Straitjackets, Rodney Crowell, Kathleen Edwards, and Lucinda Williams. And then Craig Finn. I don't own any Hold Steady albums, but I love his last two solo albums. He has a new one coming out…
AudioQuest Thunderbird ZERO + BASS Speaker Cable
For years, I've also used the Auditorium 23 speaker cable in its green cloth jacket. After AudioQuest's Stephen Mejias sent me the company's William Tell Silver speaker cable, I spent several weeks comparing. The William Tell clearly sounded fuller and more detailed and extended than the Auditorium 23, but the skinny German cable was better still at drawing my attention to the performance rather than the sound, so it remained in my system.
But when I heard AudioQuest's thicker, more expensive ThunderBird ZERO cable, I had to…
In two adjacent rooms on the 14th floor of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Innuos launched its latest Stream1 and Stream3 devices. Conceived as “the gateway to high-performance music,” the Stream series works with the Innuos Sense app. The app’s latest additions include a portal to the IDAGIO classical-music streaming service, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, and more.
The entry-level Stream1 can be outfitted with an external LPS1 power supply for improved sound. It comes with a USB audio output and supports dedicated add-on modules for a Standard DAC Board, Performance DAC Board…
As the former owner of an Aragon 8008 power amplifier, I was curious to see how the company’s products have evolved. I used to admire the amp’s V-shaped heatsinks and felt lucky to own it. It was the second high-end amplifier I bought, and a major upgrade over the bright-sounding Adcom that came before it.
AXPONA provided the opportunity to speak with Rick Santiago, who, with business partner Ted Moore, bought Aragon from Klipsch. Santiago—now CEO and co-owner of Indy Audio Labs, which designs and manufactures Aragon and Acurus gear—studied Mike Kusiak’s original Aragon circuits…