There's no point in listing the well-documented hassles, humiliations, and expenses involved in changing homes, or point out the ample opportunities for things to go from predictably stressful to memorably horrific. It's the less obvious aspects that strike me as interesting. At the risk of sounding maudlin, I…
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It's difficult to put a positive spin on moving. A recent survey ranked it as life's most stressful event, ahead of divorce, losing a job, or becoming a parent. Forty-two percent of respondents said it brought them to tears. Thirteen percent said it was worse than a week in jail.
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I performed a complete set of measurements on one of the Linn Klimax Solo 800s (serial number 1593390) with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I preconditioned the Solo 800 by following the CEA's recommendation of running it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, the temperature of the top panel was just 81.6°F (27.6°C) and that of the side-mounted heatsinks only slightly higher, at 89.0°F (31.7°C). The Linn amplifier runs cool, especially considering its high rated power.
The Linn amplifier's balanced and…
Sound Attic founder and owner Charles Weiner with wife and strategic adviser Lauren Weiner (center) and student interns.
In some ways, the Sound Attic, a new dealership in Tampa, Florida, seems like a traditional brick-and-mortar hi-fi store. It does what such stores do: It sells a selection of hi-fi gear across a range of prices. But there's more to the story, according to Sound Attic founder/owner Charles Weiner, who Stereophile interviewed by phone and email.
"We represent a number of traditional hi-fi brands and operate as a showroom," Weiner said. "What's a bit different is…
Some exciting news.
Note: As we arrive onsite to prepare for our coverage of High End Vienna and its many satellite shows, we share more of Jason Victor Serinus and Rogier van Bakel's coverage of Europe's second most important audio show, Audio Video Warsaw. Audio Video Warsaw 2026 will take place this fall, October 23-25, 2026. For Jason and Rogier's previous Warsaw show coverage, go here.
The final day of Audio Video Warsaw 2025 ended with claims that it was the second or third largest audio show in the world. Unique visitors reached a record 14,881. (High End may not count unique visitors, but…
Note: As we prepare for our coverage of High End Vienna and its many satellite shows, we share more of Jason Victor Serinus and Rogier van Bakel's coverage of Europe's second most important audio show, Audio Video Warsaw. Audio Video Warsaw 2026 will take place this fall, October 23-25, 2026. For Jason and Rogier's previous Warsaw show coverage, go here.
Deciding whether to exhibit hop in the PGE Narodowy Stadium or, many miles away, the Radisson Blu Sobieski and nearby Golden Tulip is like choosing between strolling through midtown Manhattan, and/or walking through neighborhoods…
Now that the High End show has moved from Munich to Vienna, what will audiophiles encounter there this week? One thing they'll encounter is not one but a multiplicity of shows—the big, main show, and at least three much smaller shows. The first four-day High End Vienna, sponsored by the High End Society, opens at the Austria Center Vienna on June 4, and runs through June 7, 2026.
Like Munich before it, High End Vienna is the largest and most important audio show in the world. A representative of High End Vienna told Stereophile that this year's show will have "nearly" 500…
Photo: Chapman Baehler
You could say that guitar phenom Derek Trucks grew up in a musical family. His late uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, was a cofounder of The Allman Brothers Band, and his younger brother Duane drums for Widespread Panic. Derek's jam-centric DNA shaped the sound found in the grooves of Future Soul (Fantasy), the sixth studio album from Tedeschi Trucks Band, the 12-piece collective he co-fronts with his wife, vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi. Future Soul was released in March. (Also see Ray Chelstowski's review in this issue's Record Reviews.) That DNA also spills over to…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Discrete, dual-balanced stereo preamplifier with class-A analog output stage. Inputs: Three balanced (XLR), three single-ended (RCA). Outputs: Two balanced (XLR), one single-ended (RCA). System gain: 6dB. S/N ratio: >118dB at 4V RMS output (unweighted). THD+N: ~0.01% at all frequencies. Output impedance: Balanced, 150 ohms; single-ended, 75 ohms. Output level: 6dBu XLR, 0dBu RCA. Bandwidth: DC–100kHz. Maximum power consumption: 40W.
Dimensions: 6" (152mm) H × 17.5" (445mm) W × 14.4" (368mm) D. Weight: 39lb (17.69kg).
Finish: Bead-blasted…
Audio Note UK presented an entry-level system in room 1403 at AXPONA 2026. Adrian Ford-Crush (shown above) manned the room with charm and expertise. It is notable that Audio Note UK manufactures the entire system, from sources to speakers.
The core of this system was the OTO Phono SE 35th Anniversary Edition integrated amplifier ($10,100), which includes a moving magnet (MM) phono stage. The analog source was a TT Two Deluxe turntable ($4690) fitted with an Arm Three/II tonearm ($3430) and an IQ3 MM cartridge ($1393). The digital source was a CDT Two CD transport ($9310) playing…