The Absolute Sound      September 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
8 From The Editor: Summary Judgment
Because an effect has no rational explanation,
it doesn't mean it's nonexistent.
Editorial By Robert Harley

Cover Story
Lumin P1 Network Player/Preamplifier
With a terrific-sounding DAC, extensive preamplifier
capabilities, an innovative lossless digital-domain
volume control, and beautiful build-quality, the
$10,000 P1 lets you push all the right buttons.
Robert Harley offers an in-depth assessment of
a product that is perfectly tailored to today's
audio systems.

Letters

The 2022 Golden Ear Awards
Our writers choose their personal favorites.

Return of the Munich Show
Alan Taffel brings you all the latest new gear
from the world's greatest hi-fi show.

Absolute Analog
DS Audio 003 Optical Phono Cartridge and EQ Unit
The new 003 brings the wonders of optical transducers
to an accessible price, says Jonathan Valin.

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo Turntable,
TA-1000 Tonearm, and MCX3 Cartridge
Dick Olsher discovers a fabulous, German-crafted,
analog front-end that doesn't break the five-figure mark.

Equipment Reports
Totem Acoustic Element Fire V2 Loudspeaker
If you only have room for a small speaker but don't
want to sacrifice bass extension and dynamics, this new
Totem was tailor-made for you, says Andrew Quint.

Critical Mass Systems CenterStage2M Isolation Footer
On this latest attempt to perfect his CenterStage
vibration-control devices, CMS' Joe Lavrencik has hit
the jackpot. JV brings you the (very) good sonic news.

NuPrime EVO STA Power Amplifier
Dick Olsher on an affordable Class D power amplifier
that brings several interesting technical innovations —
and outstanding sound quality — to the table. 

Aesthetix Mimas Integrated Amplifier DAC Module
Owners of Aesthetix's superb Mimas integrated amp
now offer the option of adding an outstanding DAC to
the package. Neil Gader puts the digital-equipped
Mimas through its paces.

Canore Audio AI 1.10 Integrated Amplifier
Dick Olsher on a 40 Wpc, Class A, all-tube integrated
from a 25-year-old, cutting edge Slovakian company.

Gradient 1.4 Loudspeaker
Robert E. Greene reports on an idiosyncratic
loudspeaker from Finland.

Future TAS
New products on the horizon.

In Memoriam
Jonathan Valin bids farewell to Atsushi Miura
and Dick Olsher to Vladimir Lamm.

Industry News
Robert Harley shares his impressions of Magico's
new $750,000 flagship M9. 

We welcome veteran audio journalist and
analog guru Michael Fremer back to TAS. 

Manufacturer Comments 

Music
Ann Wilson's Fierce Heart
Mike Mettler interviews Ann Wilson about her
new solo album, Fierce Bliss.

Evolution of a Storyteller
Greg Cahill finds that Mark Knopfler's early studio
albums warrant Warner / Rhino's new super deluxe edition.

Talent is An Asset, And Sparks Appears to Have It
A quirky band from L.A. suddenly finds itself in the
limelight after reaching the half-century mark.
Jeff Wilson reports.

Goodwill Hunting
Stephen Estep celebrates the hallowed tradition of
thrift-store crate-digging — and some obscure treasures
he discovered in those musty bins.

Rock, Etc.
Ry Cooder, Arcade Fire, the Fixx, the Police,
Florence + the Machine, Norah Jones, Shaylee,
Lyle Lovett, Howell Devine, Michael Martin Murphey /
Ryan Murphey, Tony Wray/Tim Crouch, and Karen Dalton.

Jazz
Marc Turner, Dave Brubeck, Burton/McPherson,
Tyshawn Sorey, Ornette Coleman, Hasaan Ibn Ali,
Jacob Garchik, Miles Okazaki, and a previously unreleased
live recording featuring Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin,
and Paco de Lucia.

Classical
The Nash Ensemble, Neave Trio, Beethoven's
"Pastoral" Symphony, clarinetist Michael Collins,
pianist David Kadouch, guitar sonatas composed by
Wenzeslaus Matiegka, the music of Scott Ordway,
and new recordings of off-the-beaten-track chamber music. 

Q&A
Michael Vamos of distributor Audio Skies.

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