The Absolute Sound      July 2022

  The Absolute Sound is the world's preeminent source of expert product reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio. Since 1973, TAS has set the standard for quality audio and music journalism, helping to shape the industry and guiding audio enthusiasts and music lovers to components and recordings that faithfully reproduce the sounds one might hear in a good concert hall. The Absolute Sound's editors and reviewers, many of whom have been writing about music and high fidelity for better than three decades, bring unparalleled enthusiasm, expertise, and insight to the magazine's readers.

Editorial
Don't Call it Lifestyle
Bringing high-end audio to where many music lovers live.
Editorial By Robert Harley

Cover Story
Stenheim Alumine Five SE Loudspeaker
One For The Ages
Looking for near-subwoofer bass, horn-like dynamic range, and 'stat-like tone color, resolution, and realism in a speaker that will fit 'n' flourish in smallish rooms? Look no further than Stenheim's Alumine Five SE — a handsome, hefty, little aluminum-bodied three-way that, in performance, is one for the ages.

Letter And Articles
Letters To TAS

In Memoriam
Robert E. Greene offers a heartfelt tribute to the late Max Townshend.

A World Class Listening Room
Robert Harley reports on a magnificent listening space.

Show Report
Hot New Gear at the AXPONA Show
Audio shows are back, baby! Jonathan Valin, Robert Harley, Andrew Quint, and Andre Jennings bring you a full report from North America's premier hi-fi event.

Analog Focus Equipment Reports
Denon DL-103, DL-103R, and DLA110GS Phono Cartridges
Paul Seydor explains why the DL-103 has remained in production, unchanged, for more than sixty years, why it's still relevant today, and how Denon has manufactured contemporary variations on this classic of classic pickups.

Pear Audio Blue Odar Turntable and Cornet 3 Tonearm.
Robert E. Greene examines the unusual and sophisticated design approach of this British turntable and tonearm.

Klaudio KD-ARM-AP12 Tangential Tonearm
Tonearms are either pivoted or linear tracking — aren't they? How about one that combines both technologies? Andre Jennings explores this unique hybrid tonearm from Klaudio.

Zesto Andros Deluxe II Phonostage
This new version of the popular Andros phonostage from Zesto Audio gets a full evaluation by Rives Bird.

Cable Focus Equipment Reports
Audience frontRow Au24X
This flagship cable from Audience pushes the edge of the art, says Neil Gader.

RSX Tech Max Phono Cable
XLO founder Roger Skoff is back with a new company and a new high-value phono cable. Matt Clott reports. 

Esprit Eureka Phono Cable
Neil Gader discovers much to like in a phono cable from France's Esprit.

Shunyata Research Sigma V2 Cable
Kirk Midskog on the many advances in Shunyata's upgraded Sigma cables.

Snake River 
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Equipment Reports
TAD E1-TX Loudspeaker
With a concentric driver, beryllium tweeter, and an innovative porting system, TAD's latest floorstanding speaker is brimming with innovation. Andrew Quint brings you the details.

Graham LS5/5 Loudspeaker
Paul Seydor traces the history of the LS5/5 and explores the performance of this modern-day legend.

Gradient 1.4 Loudspeaker
Robert E. Greene explains the unusual design behind this floorstanding speaker from Finland.

Manufacturer Comments

Future TAS
New products on the horizon.

Music
The Meteoric Rise of Cécile McLorin Salvant
The genre-bending vocalist and songwriter discusses her new album with Bill Milkowski.

Catching up with Mobile Fidelity
Jeff Wilson interviews John K. Wood and Shawn R. Britton about the challenges and successes of the One-Step Series.

Goodwill Hunting
Stephen Estep discusses the long, hallowed tradition of thrift-store crate-digging — and some of the treasures he has discovered along the way.

Rock, Etc.
Cowboy Junkies, John Lee Hooker, Duke Robillard, Electric Light Orchestra, Albert Cummings, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Delines, Bart Davenport, Joey Landreth, Andy Irvine/Paul Brady, and the Harold & Maude soundtrack.

Jazz
Chet Baker, Kenny Dorham, Brad Mehldau, Dave Douglas, Marquis Hill, John McLaughlin, Myra Melford, and Ornette Coleman.

Classical 
Vaughan Williams, Stephen Jaffe, Albert Roussel, William Bolcolm, Maxim Bernard, the Cleveland Orchestra, H.K. Gruber, Inon Barnatam, and Violina Petrychenko.

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