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High-Performance
Audio Gear Reviews,
Music News, Show Reports, Articles & More!
30 Years Of Service To Music
Lovers.
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dCS LINA Head-Fi / Headphone System Review
Headphone listening for the ages!
Review By Frank Iacone
dCS
is not a company that releases new products often unless it can make a
significant upgrade in overall performance. The Bartók was dCS's first entry
into the high-end headphone market designed with dCS's famous Ring DAC it was a
successful product for dCS. The Headphone community received it well and I
enjoyed my time with it during my review and was sad to see it leave. Not
to rest on their laurels, dCS spent two years in designing the new Lina System,
a Modular three-piece design that includes a separate Headphone Amplifier, Ring
DAC, and Master Clock as a step up from the Bartók. Designed for ultimate
listening performance the Lina System can be purchased as individual units or as
an entire system, while aesthetically, the Lina's modern and sleek contemporary
design will work well in any home or office setup.
--->
dCS LINA Head-Fi / Headphone System Review.
Pass Labs X260.8 Monoblock Amplifier Review
Prestigious power, glorious grace, and terrific transparency.
Review By
Dwayne Carter
Pass Laboratories, Inc., is a name that most audiophiles
utter, after describing a product that comes close to perfection. "XXX
amplifier almost sounds as good as the Pass Labs XXX model". We've
all done it. Fortunately, "as good as" will have to wait. Thanks to the good
people at Pass Laboratories; I get the real thing. As the world was on pause, my
listening room entertained a pair of Pass Labs X260.8 monoblock amplifiers. In full disclosure, I would like to admit that I have been a
fan of Pass Labs products for many years. I've never owned or reviewed any of
their products, so I was looking forward to this delivery.... The Pass Labs X260.8 monoblock amplifiers require two people to
move. I know most amplifier manufacturers recommend this, but this is the first
time I heeded their recommendation. Luckily, my good friend Michael was able to
help me wrestle these beasts into place.
--->
Pass Labs X260.8 Monoblock Amplifier Review.
Audiophiles: July's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music
Plus high-end audio gear reviews, show reports, and more!
Within the July 2025 issue of Enjoy the Music.com's
Review Magazine, we feature a special world premiere review of the much-anticipated Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker. Our Senior Editor, Tom Lyle, was amazed by the lifelike sound. With two more show reports, HIGH END in Munich and InfoComm in Orlando, there's a lot to unpack from these major consumer electronics showcases. Within this issue, we're focusing on what everyone is talking about: Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI can be very helpful and a big timesaver, it can also replace some human activities. We know the music BUSINESS is already taking great advantage of AI, which also rings higher profits for record labels and removes the problem of costly and emotional human musical artists. Why pay for a human to create music and a human tour when you can outright own it thanks to AI? Modern technology and all
that. Speaking of modern tech, our July issue also features
our exclusive review of Chesky Audio's modern LC1 bookshelf monitor and our World Premiere Review of the Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker!
As always, in the end
what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> Audiophiles: July Review
Magazine's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music.
Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show (TAS) 2025
The 32nd Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show (TAS) is set to take place this weekend, from July 11 to 13, at the Shanghai International Convention Center in Lujiazui, Pudong. Nestled on Binjiang Boulevard along the Huangpu River and just steps from the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the venue offers easy access to
Shanghai's financial district and skyline vistas. Over three days, TAS will transform the convention center into a showcase of high-end immersive audio-visual (A/V) craftsmanship and innovation. Driven by both industry heavyweights and boutique specialists, the 2025 edition will feature more than 200 exhibitors presenting over 2000 brands. Attendees can expect comprehensive demonstrations of cutting-edge loudspeaker systems, state-of-the-art amplification, digital streaming solutions, immersivephile home-theater setups, and smart-home integration. Each year the show draws roughly 35,000 visitors, from audiophiles and A/V integrators to international buyers scouting the latest trends in hi-fi and commercial A/V
technology.
---> Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show (TAS) 2025. 
Hi-Fi+ July 2025 High-End
Audio Magazine
Editorial: Making High-End Audio Gear Bigger
Clearaudio Performance DC, TT5 And Stradivari V2
Soulution Audio 331 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Doshi Audio Evolution Stereo Line Preamplifier
Acoustic Energy AE3092 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Euphony Summus 2c And 4c Music Server
Piega Premium 301 Gen2 Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
PMC prophecy7 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Karan Acoustics Master Collection POWERb MONO
Chord Electronics Alto Integrated Headphone Amp
McIntosh DS200 Network Streamer / DAC
...And Much More!
---> Hi-Fi+'s
July 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.
Magenta RealTime
(RT) Open-Weights Live Music Model
Are you a music lover wishing you could create your own
tunes in Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/48kHz? Imagine yourself expanding on Miles Davis'
great jazz works, or Buddy Rich's lightning-fast drumming. You can now easily
create Jazz, Classical, Prog, or other music genres to bring more joy and happiness
into your life. Welcome Magenta RealTime (Magenta RT) Research, the new open-weights, live-music generative model designed for fully interactive creation and performance. As the open-weights counterpart to Google
DeepMind's Lyria RealTime (which powers Music FX DJ and the Google AI Studio real-time music API), Magenta RT brings that same on-the-fly generative capability to a community-driven platform. Clocking in at 800 million parameters,
there's a lot to digest here. Real-Time Generation Architecture and Performance Live music generation demands real-time factor > 1 (i.e. generate more audio than wall-time), causal streaming, and ultra-low latency control—challenges were meet by adapting the MusicLM framework into block
autoregression.
---> Magenta RealTime (RT) Open-Weights Live Music Model. 
Celebrating 45 Years Of The First Sony Walkman
The birth of Sony's TPS-L2 Walkman began in early 1979 when co-founder Masaru Ibuka asked for a compact stereo player to use on long flights. Norio Ohga, then President of
Sony's audio division, handed the request to engineer Kozo Ohsone. In just four days, Kozo stripped a home Pressman mono recorder of its speaker and recording circuitry, added stereo playback electronics and amplification, and delivered a palm-sized prototype to Ibuka. Enchanted by the result, Sony chairman Akio Morita green-lit full production under the model code TPS-L2 (Tape Player Stereo L2) with twin headphone jacks, a
"fader" button for in-headset conversations, and a sub-$200 (~$780 in 2025) price target. It hit Japanese stores on July 1, 1979 (¥33,000) and reached the U.S. market in June 1980, setting the stage for what would become the
world's first truly personal audio device. Externally, the TPS-L2 wore a slim blue-and-silver metal case measuring just 88 x 133.5 x 29 mm (WxHxD) and weighing about 390 grams.
---> Celebrating 45 Years Of The First Sony Walkman.
Cirrus Logic
CS5308S / CS5304S ADCs And CS4308S / CS4304S DACs
Cirrus Logic, a renowned leader in innovative audio technology, has expanded its Pro Audio portfolio by launching two new analog-to-digital converters (ADCs CS5308S and CS5304S) and two new digital-to-analog converters (DACs CS4308S and CS4304S). Designed with affordability in mind, these converters deliver exceptional audio performance without compromise, making them ideal for a variety of setups—including Hi-Fi stereo playback systems, professional audio installations, musical instruments, and USB audio interfaces. This strategic launch underscores the company's commitment to democratizing high-quality audio technology for both high-end and mid-tier devices. Incorporating premium features, the new ADCs and DACs are engineered to enhance the audio experience through advanced functionalities. Key improvements include a hybrid gain control for precise signal adjustments, differentiated digital filters that allow users to tailor their sound signature, and an exceptional power-to-performance ratio for superior sound quality paired with energy
efficiency.
---> Cirrus Logic CS5308S / CS5304S ADCs And CS4308S / CS4304S DACs.
World Premiere Review!
Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
You're drawn into the music by its amazing, lifelike sound.
Review By Senior Editor Tom Lyle
I first became aware of Genesis speakers
when I was a young man, shortly after they were first introduced in 1991 via the
audiophile press. It was tough to ignore the fact that anyone who discussed this
brand of speakers never failed to mention their chief designer, the late Arnie
Nudell, and his passion for research and development, as well as the use of
premium materials, their impeccable design, and, by all reliable accounts, their
outstanding sound quality. Genesis introduced their more affordable G7 Series in
2005, beginning with the G7c, also known as the Convertible, a bookshelf speaker
designed by Genesis' Arnie Nudell, who sadly passed away in 2017. The G7c speakers were soon followed by other models created by Mr. Nudell's successor, Gary L. Koh, who is now Genesis' Chief Designer and the CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies. These newer models included the G7p (Petite) and the G7f, a floor-standing model with an active side-firing woofer. Although the G7 Series was discontinued in 2018, it has now been
reintroduced.
--->
Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.
12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek
Show Report
And some 'modern
breakthroughs' that are shaping the Future of your audio (and video).
InfoComm 2025 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Held within the Orange County Convention Center from June 7th through 13th, InfoComm 2025
was the largest professional audiovisual (AV) trade show in North America. While
this is not an 'audiophile show' open to the public, it brings together industry leaders, cutting-edge immersive modern audio and video technologies, and immersive experiences. Attendees explored thousands of products related to audio, collaboration, display, audio / video streaming, control systems, enterprise IT, security, VR, higher education, and live events.
For modern technology enthusiasts, the exhibit floor had several dynamic zones, with dedicated areas for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) innovations for immersivephiles, IP communications, and smart building
systems. Beyond the exhibits, InfoComm 2025 offers a robust education and networking program that caters to every facet of the industry.
--->
12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek Show Report.
Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The Go!
We test four retro CD players; the winner will
surprise you!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
As
a world traveler, sitting within the "tuna can" for over six hours can
be a mind-numbing experience. Other than the lousy airline food and
ever-declining quality of onboard service, bringing your entertainment during a
trip is a must. Also, those who are allowed to enjoy music at work will find
this review enlightening. Portable systems must be just that, completely
portable, and therefore mandate the use of headphones. So what is an
audiophile to do with all the junk at mass market stores? Any audiophile worth their salt would never
choose MP3 or other lossy compression schemes devices. "The iPod"
shouts the Apple Dumpling Gang from the back of the room. No thank you. While it
is indeed a great mass-market product, its music reproduction abilities are far
behind what is truly possible. As for portable DVD units, I tried a few
and feel they were just ok with higher resolution digital discs, yet most
audiophiles have only one real choice.
---> Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The
Go!
Novus... Cleans, Protects, And Revitalizes Compact
Discs (CDs)
A great way to fix your scratched up
optical discs.
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
Since you are indeed a music lover,
odds are you have hundreds, maybe even thousands of compact discs in your home.
Over the years maybe a few of them have become dirty with fingerprints, or
worse, have a few scratches. Could have been due to a rare mishap when the disc
fell to the floor, or during that big party when drunk you and the disc
fell to the floor. Regardless, many of us have tried Armor All (shame on you) or
other proclaimed polishes and cleaners. Enter the professionals from NOVUS. Like
Caig Laboratories who
make professional contact cleaners that are used by truly professional
technicians, the NOVUS plastic polish is made by professionals, for
professionals. Sure i have tried "audiophile" solutions like Finyl,
the excellent Optrix and also the mediocre Discwasher solution as well. While
the Discwasher may clean some fingerprints, it is a yawner at best. Finyl
claimed to make the music on your discs sound better.
---> Novus... Cleans, Protects,
And Revitalizes Compact Discs (CDs).
More reviews & articles within our Review Magazine.
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