search

Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker The Audioengine A2+

Follow-Up: the Audioengine A2+ from April 2015 (Vol.38 No.4):

When Robert J. Reina reviewed the Audioengine A2 powered loudspeaker in the December 2007 issue, he concluded, "I have never been more impressed with or more stunned by a component I've reviewed for Stereophile than I was with the Audioengine 2. The level of sound quality produced by this uncolored, detailed, articulate, and dynamic speaker, in all situations, was beyond reproach, and its ratio of value to cost borders on the criminal."

I, too, was impressed. I bought a pair of the tiny A2s—each measures just 6" H by 4…

Open House Saturday at Denver Area Retailer Crescendo Fine Audio

Crescendo Fine Audio (6760 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) will be hosting a digital music seminar 4:00–8:00pm on Saturday, March 14, featuring products by Dynaudio and Plinius Audio. Dynaudio representative Mick Tillman will be on hand to explain the digital technology implemented into the Dynaudio Focus XD (pictured above at the 2015 CES with Dynaudio founder Wilfried Ehrenholz) and Xeo loudspeaker ranges. These will be demonstrated with a variety of sources, showing off the speakers’ wireless and hard-wired functionality and capabilities.

Plinius representative Frank Gazzo…

The April Issue is Here!

The title of the Daft Punk song on the Pono Player’s screen says it all: "Give Life Back to Music." John Atkinson’s review of this little gem reveals that it is the least-expensive means of enjoying music in true high-resolution. And with reviews of a 300B SET amplifier, an affordable, big-bottomed, tower speaker, two inexpensive powered speakers that punch above their weight, and, of course, the latest edition of "Recommended Components," and you will see why we think the April 2015 issue is a keeper!

Recording of April 2015: Matson: <I>Cooperstown</I>

Sasha Matson: Cooperstown: Jazz Opera in Nine Innings
Julie Adams (Lilly Young), soprano; Carin Gilfry (Jan Green), mezzo-soprano; Daniel Favela (Marvin Wilder), Daniel Montenegro (Angel Corazon), tenors; Rod Gilfry (Dutch Schulhaus), baritone; Jason Rigby, saxophones; Russ Johnson, trumpets; Sean Wayland, keyboards; Rich Mollin, double bass; Gernot Bernroider, drums; Sasha Matson, conductor
Albany TROY1553/54A (2 CDs). 2015. John Atkinson, prod., mastering; Mike Marciano, eng., mix; Bill Schnee, Kenton Fukuda, engs. DDD TT: 101:63
Performance ****½
Sonics *****

A jazz…

Us and Them

I've known a lot of folks with impressive LP and CD collections who were perfectly content with the sound of the crappiest of hi-fis. This diverse group has included recording engineers, musicians, and owners of record stores. Loving music isn't the same thing as caring about the sound of music, and maybe, in some alternate universe, those folks would-have-been, could-have-been audiophiles. But in this universe, they didn't, and I'm not sure why.

It's clear that we audiophiles are a different breed. We crave a deeper connection with the sound of music. We also love gear, so we're much…

Dealer Events in Manhattan & Denver, Thursday March 19

This coming Thursday is a big day for audiophiles, with Stereo Exchange and Sound By Singer promoting events in New York and Apex Audio on in Denver.

From 12–7pm, Stereo Exchange (627 Broadway, Manhattan) will host its 2nd Annual Headphone Event, featuring a wide array of portable audio products from many respected and innovative brands: Auralic, AudioQuest, Astell&Kern, Audeze, Beyerdynamic, Bowers & Wilkins, Chord, Focal, Grado Labs, HiFiMan, Master & Dynamic, McIntosh Labs, NAD, PSB, Sennheiser, Sonos, Tidal, V-Moda, and more. Featured gear will include the Auralic Vega DAC…

SXSW 2015

Sure, it’s warm here at a time when the northeast is still chilly. Added to that, you can willingly drown yourself in music. Over five days and nights, somewhere north of 2200 bands, solos and everything in between take their shots. And of course it’s always good see friends and colleagues in what is left of both the music and publishing businesses. But none of that is the essence of what Austin’s now monstrous South By Southwest Music melee is really about— at least for the first 24 hours. My needs are simpler. And hotter. For me and many others it’s all about the Migas

As…

South Boston Audio Event, Saturday March 21

The Audio Shoppe (2 Keith Way, Suite 4, Hingham, MA—behind the Derby Street shops just off Exit 15, Rt3) is promising a day and evening of great, vinyl-based music and hospitality this coming Saturday, from 1pm–8pm. The system will include electronics from Zanden Audio, Verity Audio loudspeakers, TW Acustic analog components, and Ortofon cartridges. Representatives of the above companies will be present as well as the owners of High Fidelity Services and High Water Sound.

Questions? Call—(781) 749-2999, (781) 987-3434—or email Paul Manos at paulm@theaudioshoppe.com.

SXSW Bon Temps Roulet

During the day at South by Southwest, whenst the music vampires (better known as registrants) emerge from their tequila scented lairs to brave the sunshine and find fresh migas to feed upon, there are what is known as “day parties.” This is code for FREE, mostly beer and rotgut spirits. And of course there is music. In the history of SXSW, no one has consistently thrown better parties than the good folks from LOO-siana and this year’s bash by the City of Lafayette was no exception. C.C. Adcock was a terrific headliner veering between rock ‘n’roll, swamp pop, and flecks of about every other…

And this being a Louisiana party...

The food, of course, was fabulous!