September
2026
High-Performance
Audio & Music Industry News
Essential high-end audio news you need to know.
Stay up-to-date on the latest audiophile and music industry news.
Best High-End Audio Gear: Enjoy the
Music.com's Best Of 2026 Blue Note Awards
Honoring the finest audiophile components reviewed during the past year while celebrating breakthroughs in
high-fidelity audio innovation.
High-End Audio
Awards By Enjoy the Music.com
Enjoy the Music.com's
Best Of 2026 Blue Note Awards once again honors the standout achievements of audiophile manufacturers who continue to push the boundaries of
high-end audio and Hi-Res Audio immersive audio innovation. Now in our third decade, the
annual Blue Note Awards represent the culmination of thousands of hours spent evaluating
reference-level components and recognizing only those products that genuinely rise above the rest. Our Best Of
2026 Blue Note Award highlights the finest equipment we've reviewed over the past 12 months — the pieces that delivered exceptional performance, craftsmanship, and musical
engagement. Each recipient is selected only after extensive discussion and careful consideration by our team of seasoned reviewers. Year after year, we witness remarkable advancements across the industry — from analog
and amplification circuit refinement and vinyl playback innovation to cutting-edge DACs, loudspeaker
engineering, and beyond!
--->
Best High-End Audio Gear: Enjoy the Music.com's Best Of 2026 Blue Note Awards.
And Now, The Best Hi-Fi Products Of The Year
Where we are, and where it all came from.
Editorial By Roger Skoff
High-fidelity sound
reproduction, as we now know it, didn't just spring fully formed from the brow
of Zeus. It was coaxed into existence by brilliant, stubborn, endlessly curious
people who believed that electricity could be taught to carry not just sound,
but music — real, recognizable, and emotionally convincing music. Bell Labs was the first great cathedral of that
belief. Its engineers weren't merely tinkering with circuits; they were laying
down the grammar of an entirely new language. Avery Fisher, H. H. Scott, and the
other early pioneers took that language and began writing poetry with it,
building the first consumer components that tried — earnestly, imperfectly,
and with enormous charm — to bring the concert hall into our living rooms. From those early efforts, the story of hi-fi has
been one of constant evolution. Formats have come and gone, sometimes
disappearing with a sigh, sometimes with a bang, and sometimes returning decades
later as if to remind us that nothing in audio ever truly dies.
---> And Now, The Best Hi-Fi Products Of The Year.
Sony's Disc-Free Future &
Dynaudio's Exit Signal Shifts In The Global Audio Industry
How gaming, Blu-ray, and loudspeaker market changes reveal deeper trends in digital rights, active speakers, and regional
hi-fi demand.
Editorial By Alan Sircom
A couple of interesting events took place this month, which have wider implications for the audio industry than might be seen from taking a surface view. The first is that Sony announced that, as of 2028, the next generation of PlayStation will not feature any kind of disc-based system. Rumours abound that Project Helix, the replacement to Microsoft's
Xbox, will also be discless. Nintendo stopped using discs when the Wii U was discontinued more than a decade ago. In addition, Sony recently called time on its recordable Blu-ray players and blank media. In more tangiably audio-related news, Dynaudio announced that it was withdrawing its domestic product line from North America, just before its 50th anniversary. The company has said that it will be focusing its efforts on Europe and Asia, and will shut down its US subsidiary later this year. Both have led to considerable amounts of hand-wringing across the board, but both are likely legitimate strategic moves, reflecting significant change in the
market.
---> Sony's Disc-Free Future & Dynaudio's Exit Signal Shifts In The Global Audio
Industry.
Why The Broad View Matters
It reveals what the market still seeks, values, and desires.
Editorial By J. Martins
audioXpress covers a deliberately broad scope of topics in the audio world, from technology and applications to the developer and product-design side of the industry. That breadth is the reason the publication has become useful as a reference across many adjacent
markets. Audio is often reported in narrow verticals, but real product development rarely fits neatly inside those boundaries. A technology may fail in one market and succeed in another simply because the use case, business model, or customer expectations are different. That is why audioXpress writes for developers, manufacturers, designers, and the wider supply chain rather than for a single segment
alone. The publication's DIY roots still matter, too. The same curiosity that drives people to build, test, and sometimes break things is what keeps the editorial voice connected to innovation and
experimentation. A wide editorial scope also makes it possible to track emerging ideas before they become mainstream
categories.
---> Why The Broad View Matters.
Best Of 2026 Blue Note Awards
New Reviews
World Premiere Review!
Genesis Simplicity Phono Preamplifier Review — A Glorious Battery-Driven MC Phono Stage With Reference-Grade Sound
Inside the minimalist, ultra-quiet MC phono preamp engineered to rival the very best, yet at
one-third the price.
Review By Tom Lyle
When
I was asked to review the Genesis Advanced Technologies Simplicity, a
battery-powered moving-coil (MC) phono preamplifier, I immediately agreed. This
was because I was very impressed with Genesis's
Premium Platinum phono preamp, which I reviewed in September of 2025. I
was looking forward to hearing what the Genesis designers were capable of with a
lower-priced phono preamplifier. When I spoke to Genesis's Chief Designer and
CEO, Gary Koh, he told me that the Simplicity came about after he challenged
himself to design and build a phono preamp that could sound as close as possible
to Genesis's $23,000 Premium Platinum phono preamp, but at a much lower price. The Genesis Simplicity phono stage, as reviewed
here, was the result. At $7500, the
Simplicity is not an "entry-level" phono preamp. But still, at about a third
the price of the Platinum Premium, it puts a Genesis phono preamplifier within
reach of many more vinyl-loving audiophiles.
--->
Genesis Simplicity Phono Preamplifier Review — A Glorious Battery-Driven MC Phono Stage With Reference-Grade
Sound.
Gershman Symphonia Loudspeaker Review — Reference-Grade Dynamic Loudspeakers With Advanced Isolation & Back-Wave Control
Find out how SASS isolation, resistive bass loading, and tuned venting deliver transparency, depth, and lifelike musical realism.
Review By Brett Rudolph
First,
spending time with the Gershman Symphonia reference
floorstanding loudspeakers at the Florida
International Audio Expo (FAIE) was mind-blowing. I remember thinking
that these things were extraordinary, and that it would be a dream to get
them in-house and do a full-scale review of them myself. So, towards the end of
the show, when my editor and longtime friend, Steven R. Rochlin, helped to set
up the opportunity before the event was over, it felt like winning the lottery!
Of course, nothing comes without a bit of work, and this was no different. The
FAIE occurs every February, and it took until April for us to finally work out
the details and logistics. So, when Ofra and Eli Gershman came to drop off the
speakers in April, I was more than ready. It was one evening, just after
Passover, and they came with two very large crates in tow. These things are not
small. We had a very enjoyable evening, and I learned a great deal.
Eli, the engineer and husband of Ofra Gershman, set up the speakers for me,
which was a great service.
--->
Gershman Symphonia Loudspeaker Review — Reference-Grade Dynamic Loudspeakers With Advanced Isolation & Back-Wave
Control.
World Premiere Review!
Kimber Kable NEO-HB & NEO-CU Review: Next-Generation
High-Fidelity Audio Cables That Transform System Performance
Inside Kimber Kable's New hybrid NEO Series: Real-world listening tests, system impact, and why these reference cables
may redefine what's possible in high-end audio.
Review By Brett Rudolph
Kimber Kable is one of the few cable companies that have
remained a leader through various upheavals in the audiophile world. This is a
substantial achievement, considering that throughout the industry's history,
one of the longest and perhaps most heated debates has been the acceptance and
validity of using high-quality audiophile-grade cabling. Though it would be
wonderful to resolve this debate forever, it is not entirely certain that it is
even possible. However, when the opportunity to review the Kimber Kable
presented itself, it was accepted without hesitation. Founded by Ray Kimber in 1979, Kimber Kable offers a
formidable selection of cables across various price points and materials. These
purpose-built cables are built to exacting standards and fit across various
product series, making them easier to understand. Customers can select cables
from a single range or mix and match, depending on their system specifications,
allowing their system to reach its full potential within a budget they can
afford.
--->
Kimber Kable NEO-HB & NEO-CU Review: Next-Generation High-Fidelity Audio Cables That Transform System
Performance.
World Premiere Review!
Lindemann Woodnote BRIDGE Review: A Time-Domain Focused Streamer That Transforms Musical Expression
How ultra-low-jitter clocking, noise isolation, and S/PDIF purity unlock extraordinary clarity, stability, and emotional realism.
Review By Clive Meakins
Music
streamers all deliver the same data, and we're honored to review the new Lindemann Woodnote BRIDGE
Hi-Res Audio music streamer. The way a streamer
handles noise, grounding, clocking and analogue stability across the system
determines how the music is delivered. Lindemann's Woodnote BRIDGE is built around that
understanding. It aims to create a stable electrical environment in which the
DAC can then do its work cleanly. If the design works as intended, it should make it easy to
hear musical benefits. The Woodnote BRIDGE should give a sense of calm and
coherence that's noticeable from the first track. That's actually quite a
tall order as it's sometimes said it's difficult to distinguish between
streamers. That's the context for this review. The focus is on what the
Woodnote BRIDGE streamer does right: how it manages incoming noise, how it
maintains clock stability and how those choices translate into musical
expression.
--->
Lindemann Woodnote BRIDGE Review: A Time-Domain Focused Streamer That Transforms Musical
Expression.
World Premiere Review!
Synergistic Research Holographic Fuse Review — A $249 Upgrade That Expands Soundstage, Dynamics, And Musical Flow
Transforming vacuum tube & solid-state
hi-fi audio gear with greater atmosphere, emotion, and musical bliss.
Review By Rick Becker
This is a rush job. Andy Weiderspahn, President of Synergistic Research, emailed me
on June 22 to inform me that they had just finalized their new Holographic fuse
and asked if I would be interested in reviewing it. It was a natural decision on
his part because I had reviewed their fuses going all the way back to the Black
in 2016. And knowing what I do about their fuses, I immediately jumped at the
opportunity. They've been a mainstay in my rig since those early days. Andy
said they would be ready in about four weeks, as they still had to source the
packaging. The fuses arrived on August 5th while I was in a Zoom class on
Neuroscience at my local Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning. After class, I
started installing them in my Sony CD transport, LampizatOr DAC, Backert Labs
preamp, and the Coincident Turbo 845 SE integrated amp that I had pulled out of
mothballs to try with the outstanding Tiglon White Tiger power cord that is
currently reviewed in the August issue.
--->
Synergistic Research Holographic Fuse Review — A $249 Upgrade That Expands Soundstage, Dynamics, And Musical
Flow.
AGD's Allegro Unleashed: GaN-Powered Stereo Integrated
Phono / Streamer That Rewrites High-End Rules
A powerful 250+250 Watts of GaN amplification, R2R DAC / music streamer, and analog
MM / MC phono stage all within one precision chassis — convenience meets reference level sound.
Review By Brett Rudolph
April is a
busy month for the audiophile world as it hosts various luxury home audio shows,
with many companies releasing their products to enthusiastic music lovers
worldwide. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend it this year as planned, but,
as luck would have it, something even better came down the pike. AGD announced
its first integrated amplifier, the Allegro, and we were lucky enough to get it
in-house for a review. AGD Productions, Inc. is a company started a few years ago by
Alberto Guerra. His goal, as he puts it, is to bring "emotion" to his customers.
I met him a few times at both the CAF and FLAX shows and have always been a fan
of his equipment. His designs have always been extraordinarily well thought out
and incredibly beautiful. He has always been able to take his lifelong passion
and utilize his skills and knowledge to create masterpieces. The AGD Allegro is a new entry for the company. It is their
first attempt at an all-in-one system.
--->
AGD's Allegro Unleashed: GaN-Powered Stereo Integrated Phono / Streamer That Rewrites High-End
Rules.
Audio Research I/70 Fully Loaded Integrated Vacuum Tube
Amplifier Reviewed
In-depth review of Audio Research's
fully-loaded I/70 integrated stereo unit including the
optional Hi-Res Audio DAC and MM/MC phono stage: performance, design, and reference-level listening notes.
Review By Ron Nagle
I can trace my interest in high-end audio back to the 1970s, long before the
internet, and the 1995 launch of Enjoy the Music.com. Before we discuss
today's review of Audio Research's impressive I/70 vacuum tube integrated
amplifier, let us step back to the very beginnings. My first serious Audio
Research audio components, as back then, I recall vacuum tubes versus
transistors controversy was still raging on. That was when some audio wags
predicted the death of vacuum tube audio. I credit Audio Research and the late
Harry Pearson as the two stalwarts that fended off the Japanese avalanche of
cheaper transistor-powered audio components at the time. And that was the time when the shifting public interest was to
transistor audio. Audio Research Corporation (ARC) was founded by William Zane
Johnson in 1970 and was originally located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are
one of the longest U.S. companies of vacuum tube-powered high-end audio
equipment for audiophiles and music lovers still in operation.
--->
Audio Research I/70 Fully Loaded Integrated Vacuum Tube Amplifier Reviewed.
Bayz Audio Time Corrector Review — Restoring Temporal Coherence
In-depth listening analysis of preserving and restoring temporal integrity for more natural, coherent sound.
Review By Rick Becker
I've met Zoltán Bay a couple of
times at AXPONA and have always been highly impressed with Bayz Audio speakers.
They are an extraordinary omni-directional, C-shaped point-source design with a
commanding presence, both visually and acoustically. His Bayz
Audio Courante 2.0 loudspeaker was highly praised by Dr. Mathew Clott back in the October 2020 issue, which is
worth revisiting to appreciate the context of this review of the Bayz Time
Corrector. When Steven R. Rochlin suggested I review the Time Corrector,
I was taken completely by surprise. We tend to pigeonhole people, even from just
a few encounters, and Zoltán was 'just' a supreme loudspeaker guy in my
mind. Little did I know at the time that he was a physicist as well as an
engineer. He was featured in a "We Ask 10 Questions For High-End Audio Manufacturers
Featuring Zoltán Bay, CEO And Designer For BAYZ Audio" back in 2020. I learned he is also working on an amplifier and has
interesting prior design experience that never made it across the Atlantic
Ocean.
---> Bayz Audio Time Corrector Review — Restoring Temporal
Coherence.
Restoring Music To Its Reality: Børresen T1 Silver Supreme Edition Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review
In-depth listening test, technical analysis, and
real-world setup tips for audiophiles and music lovers.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Giddy. (adj) The emotional response I have developed to
the musical instruments that are Børresen loudspeakers. In my crossover life as both a professional musician and
high-end audio writer and reviewer, I have grown acquainted with a handful of
select audio designs that, from my perspective, serve as true musical
instruments – creations that express sonic art in ways that reach into
the human heart, corporeally moving both body and soul in ways that defy words.
Before we get to my Børresen T1 SSE (Silver Supreme Edition) monitor
loudspeaker review, here's some background. It was six years ago from my first
encounter with Børresen loudspeakers, when, upon first listen, they revealed
those same visceral qualities I am all too familiar with when on stage creating
live music. In the Spring of 2019, I was privileged to pen the U.S.
Premiere review of the Børresen 01 Series stand monitor, the cornerstone of
what was then the newly established Børresen Acoustics loudspeaker company of
Michael Børresen and co-founding business partner, Lars Kristensen.
--->
Børresen T1 Silver Supreme Edition Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review.
Charney Audio Kit-1 300B Vacuum Tube Amplifier & Maestro XL
Loudspeakers: World-Class 300B SET Power Meets Voxativ Precision To Deliver Extraordinary Musical Realism
A deep-dive listening review of Charney's new 300B amplifier and Maestro XL musical loudspeakers featuring Voxativ AC-2.6 drivers.
Review By Paul Schumann
When I first walked
into the Charney Audio room at Southwest Audio Fest 2025, I was greeted by this
charming song by Victor Wooten. It was being projected into the room by a pair
of Lumica VI loud speakers. Despite being a single-driver design, the Lumica VIs were
pressurizing the room with their enormous rear-loaded horns. I was intrigued.
The room was super busy at the time, so I snapped a few pics, moved on, and made
a note to myself to swing back later. When I came back a couple of days later, "The Loneliest
Monk" was once again playing, which I thought was an odd bit of synchronicity.
I sat and listened to the Lumica VI speakers and was impressed by how they
filled the room with just a pair of Voxativ AC-2.6 drivers. After taking some
notes, I talked to Brian Charney about reviewing a pair of speakers. After
describing my listening room to him, we decided that none of his speakers would
perform their best there.
--->
Charney Audio Kit-1 300B Vacuum Tube Amplifier & Maestro XL Loudspeakers
Review.
Reaching Into The Life Of Music: Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD / CD Player &
DAC Review
In service to music, and to experiencing a life fully lived.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
"Practice makes perfect." As with
performing music, audiophilia is a practiced art, defining a very personal
journey through a sequence of inspired choices and construction. Perhaps better
stated, "Practice develops awareness." It is why musicians and audiophiles make
for natural bedfellows. The art of reproducing recorded music at the highest
levels is every bit a practice, fluid through expanding awareness and knowledge,
at once governed by the absolutes of science, yet is subjective to artistic
freedoms and interpretations. Many audiophiles ascribe to a practice of
recreating the live musical moment as faithfully as possible, while others favor
a specific aural character that defines a personal aesthetic. Ultimately, the
jury lies not with the court of public opinion, but with those personal values
honed through enlightenment, education, experience, and preference.
--->
Reaching Into The Life Of Music: Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD / CD Player & DAC
Review.
Geshelli Labs TORC DAC Review: Does This Value-Priced Compact DAC Deliver Big-League Sound?
We explore how the bargain-priced TORC DAC delivers performance that easily exceeds expectations.
Review By Tom Lyle
Over
the years, I have encountered many audiophiles who are unwilling to go into debt
or spend all their money on high-end audio components or systems. While some of
these individuals are new to high-end audio, others are more experienced, yet
both groups consistently assemble impressive audio systems. What these
audiophiles share is their love of music and the pursuit of sound quality, which
is far superior to that of mass-market audio gear found at Big Box Stores. For
music lovers and audiophiles who are not wealthy, or simply prefer not to
splurge on expensive gear, they, instead, piece together their setups using
pre-owned equipment, budget-friendly components, or both. If one of these types of audiophiles asked me for a
recommendation for an affordable, excellent-sounding DAC... read on. Geshelli Labs designs and manufactures DACs and headphone
amplifiers, and is a family business founded by husband-and-wife team Geno and
Sherri Biscegliana.
---> Geshelli Labs TORC DAC Review: Does This Value-Priced Compact DAC Deliver Big-League
Sound?
Lyngdorf TDAI-2210 Review — Can This One Box Replace Your Streamer, DAC, And Amp?
A compact, room-correcting, streamer, Hi-Res Audio DAC, and stereo amplifier for serious music lovers,
audiophiles, and tech geeks.
Review By Dwayne Carter
Some
of the best gear in my house has shown up at the worst possible moments. A
Bryston amplifier I once reviewed arrived the same week my refrigerator quit. A
Pass Labs piece landed on my doorstep about an hour after I'd injured my back,
lifting an amplifier I should not have been lifting alone. So, when the
Lyngdorf TDAI-2210 streaming amplifier turned up on a quiet Tuesday
afternoon, I should have suspected the universe was about to charge me for the
privilege. And it did. This afternoon, I cleared my schedule for the Lyngdorf
TDAI-2210. The box glared at me from across the room. I would wait no longer. The unboxing process was relatively easy. The Lyngdorf
TDAI-2210 arrived in a heavy box. Upon opening, I found the unit nicely packed
and protected. Once everything was unboxed, the microphone stand's quality
caught me off guard. This serious microphone stand is easily worth a couple of
hundred dollars.
--->
Lyngdorf TDAI-2210 Review — Can This One Box Replace Your Streamer, DAC, And
Amp?
Merrill Audio Element 116MX Review: High-End Monoblock Power Amplifiers With Exceptional Clarity & Dynamics
Our exclusive In-depth listening tests reveals the 116MX's exceptionally low noise floor, expansive immersive soundscape, and reference-level transparency.
Review By Tom Lyle
In this review, I will describe and sonically examine Merrill
Audio's Element 116MX monoblock power amplifiers. Given the number of Merrill
Audio reviews I have written over the past decade, I suppose some may accuse me
of favoritism. I'm often chosen to review their components simply because I
live close to their factory. As a bonus, they can deliver their products
personally and then help me set them up, rather than simply shipping them to me.
The Element 116MX is Merrill Audio's newest component, and the most powerful
and most pricey amplifier I've reviewed from them. It is a significant upgrade
over their earlier
Element 116 (sans MX), which Dr. Michael Bump reviewed in the summer of 2019
in Enjoy the Music.com. In this very positive review, he remarked that the Element
116 "delivers some of the best amplification anywhere." Merrill Audio claims that the Element 116MX "offers greater
clarity, detail, and dynamic range."
--->
Merrill Audio Element 116MX Review: High-End Monoblock Power Amplifiers With Exceptional Clarity &
Dynamics.
Nagra PREAMP II-S Review: Swiss Reference Vacuum Tube Engineering Unveiled
First expert listen to Nagra's tube preamplifier with their eye-candy
Modulometer.
Review By Tom Lyle
This review
features Nagra's latest preamplifier, the Preamp II-S. I previously had the
opportunity to review two other Nagra products for Enjoy the Music.com.
My first experience with their Swiss-made Nagra components came during my 2018
review of the Nagra Classic Preamp. Many audiophiles are aware that Nagra has spent
75 years
designing and manufacturing "indestructible, Swiss-engineered, portable, and
industry-standard" reel-to-reel tape recorders. Their first model was launched
in 1953, and by the late 1950s, these recorders had gained considerable
popularity. Nagra began designing high-end audio components in 1997. In the past, I frequently saw journalists and engineers using
Nagra reel-to-reel recorders at music events. These machines were trusted and
gave the appearance that they were built to last. Anyone familiar with location
recording understands the importance of having reliable, high-quality portable
recorders. It's no surprise that music enthusiasts appreciate Nagra's
high-end audio gear for its sonic quality, dependability, and distinctive
aesthetics.
--->
Nagra PREAMP II-S Review: Swiss Reference Vacuum Tube Engineering
Unveiled.
Pure Power, Pure Pleasure — Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier Review
Quietly powerful, exquisitely precise sound that delivers recording-studio clarity.
Review By Tom Lyle
The Pass Laboratories
X600.8 monoblocks did not simply arrive — they announced themselves. Two Pass Laboratories X600.8
monoblocks for review here at Enjoy the Music.com, each a 123-pound monument of metal and circuitry, crossed my threshold and turned the upstairs listening room into a battleground for gravity. Their bulk filled the doorway, their presence
and proportions, and for a moment the house felt like it had been claimed by something far more serious than furniture.
Furthermore, I needed a little help getting them into
position within my listening room. Besides being quite heavy and quite large (19" x
21.5" x 11" WxDxH), my listening
room is on the top floor of our home. On their website, Pass Labs says that the Pass Laboratories
X600s can "...effortlessly drive the most demanding loudspeakers to musical
nirvana." With 600 Watts under the hood, it should be obvious that these
monoblocks can drive just about any pair of speakers one can think of....
--->
Pure Power, Pure Pleasure — Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier Review.
PERFECT8 Cube-S With Sub Review — Reference-Grade Musical High-Fidelity Loudspeakers With Real-World Transparency
A deep dive into PERFECT8's glass-enclosed omnidirectional loudspeaker sound system that delivers endless musical pleasures for both casual and serious listeners.
Review By Dr. Matthew Clott
OK. Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way... Yes, they are glass speakers, and yes, they sound "transparent." OK. Phew. Glad we got that over with! At a high-end audio show in 2015, I met Jonas from Sweden for the first time in a big room on the first floor. All Ypsilon electronics and their The Point speakers. All glass, open baffle design, dual dipole midrange, and a ribbon tweeter, each sitting on a sealed two-driver subwoofer. As the name implied, they were the closest thing to a point source I had ever heard. Tonally spectacular, they threw a massive sound stage forward, backward, sideward, upward, downward, and every other way there is; and absolutely vanished into that big room. I went back time and time again, and decided that I needed to get to know Jonas better and make sure I heard his room at every show I went to. I also remember the speakers were very expensive, so owning them was not going to happen back then; not without a divorce, and although I loved the speakers, I love my wife too much for that
option....
--->
PERFECT8 Cube-S With Sub Review — Reference-Grade Musical High-Fidelity Loudspeakers With Real-World Transparency.
Vintage Warmth Meets Modern Clarity: Pilot Radio Vacuum Tube Stereo Preamplifier Review
Elevating your hi-fi setup with a blast from the past.
Review By Paul Schumann
My dad passed away last August. This has brought back many fond memories of him.
One of my earliest memories was of my dad's sound system in the bedroom beside
mine. I only got a few peeks in there since my presence in that chamber was
normally strictly verboten. Besides the fantastical sounds that I could
hear, I remember the orange glow coming from the Dynaco ST 70 and a mixture of
the mingled aromas of solder and fresh vinyl. My dad only had his special music
room a couple of years before my brother arrived. I moved into my dad's sanctum,
and his audio system, vinyl, and tapes were banished to the basement. Such are
the sacrifices of a parent. Even in the basement, that great stuff was behind a
locked door to keep it away from my grubby mitts. My dad spent quite a bit of time down there when I was young,
but as the years passed, the basement became the domain for my brother and me.
--->
Vintage Warmth Meets Modern Clarity: Pilot Radio Vacuum Tube Stereo Preamplifier
Review.
Tiglon Audio Cables Review
We explore four models, including a World Premier digital cable.
Review By Rick Becker
Tiglon? I had never heard of
the company. Bernard Li of Charisma Audio invited me to look over this new line
from Japan at the Toronto Audiofest in October 2025. I knew Bernard had a keen
ear and a strong sense of value. His turntable, tonearm, and a couple of the
phono cartridges he also manufactures have been in my rig for years. I gladly
examined the table full of diverse products from Tiglon, including cables,
equipment racks, vibration absorbing shelves and footers, and some speaker
stands. While everything was of high quality, the cables seemed most likely to
put Tiglon on the map in North America. By the time I was ready to
bring in the cables for review, Tiglon had already set up U.S. distribution with
John Victor in Windsor, California, an hour and a quarter north of San Francisco
on US 101. John has been in the High End arena since 2010, and he has a good
handle on communication with the company in Japan.
---> Tiglon Audio Cables
Review.
Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II Luxury Hi-Fi Int. Amp — The Definitive Review
A masterful and musically satisfying experience that had me magically mesmerized.
Review By Dr. Matthew Clott
Caveat: Yes, the Vitus Audio
SIA-025 Mk.II solid-state integrated amplifier, as reviewed here, has
been out for many years. So why review it now? Well, for starters, wouldn't you
say yes if you were asked to review it?!? Secondly, I think that with the
introduction of some new similarly-priced integrated amplifiers and a new interest in
truly reference high-end audio performance at this level, it would be irresponsible of us here
at Enjoy the Music.com not to remind you that the new stuff is not always
the best. Sometimes we must look to the established to reinforce what our
references actually are. Thirdly, sometimes a review after a unit has been out
for some time helps to re-evaluate its place in the market as its price matures
with the flow that has represented the high-end audio world in recent years. Vitus Audio's founder, Hans-ole Vitus, fell in love with music
at the ripe old age of 12. That passion developed into a lifelong obsession with
audio perfection as he matured.
--->
Vitus Audio SIA-025 Mk.II Luxury Hi-Fi Int. Amp — The Definitive
Review.
Southwest Audio Fest 2026 Ignites Dallas With Luxury
High-End Sound Systems
Three days of reference-level listening, product launches, seminars, and vinyl / CD marketplace for serious audiophiles and music lovers.
Southwest Audio Fest 2026 returns to Dallas from July 23rd through 25th with a sharpened
three-day schedule designed to maximize energy, attendance, and high-end listening opportunities. Organizers have officially dropped the traditional Sunday session in favor of a
Thu-to-Sat format, responding to
longstanding industry feedback about slow final day traffic. The new structure opens Thursday from 2
pm to 8 pm, followed by full days Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, creating a more focused and efficient show experience for exhibitors and attendees alike. Hosted at the Sheraton Convention Center in downtown Dallas, the 2026 edition offers expansive demo rooms, proximity to the Arts and Historic Districts, and easy access to restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions. Exhibitors will include major manufacturers, boutique builders, dealers, and independent designers presenting everything from floorstanding loudspeakers and reference turntables to
cutting-edge DACs, streamers, and room treatment solutions.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2026
Show Report.
World Premiere Review!
AGD Forte Review: Inside the Dual-Mono GaN Amplifier
Redefining High-End Audio Performance Learn how
AGD's latest GaN-based
dual-mono design delivers stunning detail, effortless power, and true audiophile reference-grade
musicality.
Review By Brett Rudolph
AGD Productions is a company that
focuses on bringing out the best possible sound using whatever technology is
available. Alberto Guerra founded the company with this goal and a commitment to
creating the most innovative products possible, without compromise. His work
with GaN tube technology has brought him accolades and made him a leader in the
audiophile world. Recently, I had the opportunity to do the world premiere
review of AGD's Allegro. The newest addition to their product offerings
represented their first integrated amplifier. It built on their already
world-class amplifiers and added an R-2R DAC, streamer, and phono stage. Towards
the end of the review, Alberto approached me and asked if I would be interested
in reviewing their stand-alone AGD Forte. My usual response would be to humbly decline, as it is hard to
review products from the same company. The similarities between these two
products make it even more difficult to keep them straight and to write about
them.
--->
AGD Forte Review: Inside the Dual-Mono GaN Amplifier.
North America Premiere Review!
Esoteric S-05XE Amplifier Review — A Magical
Amp That Transports You Deep Into The Music
Recreating music performances with uncanny realism, emotional depth, and soul-stirring performance.
Review By Tom Lyle
The Esoteric S-05XE Class A stereo, bridgeable power amplifier
is the first Esoteric component I've reviewed for Enjoy the Music.com.
Formed in 1987, Esoteric is the TEAC Corporation's "ultra-premium" high-end
consumer audio equipment brand. Esoteric designs and builds amplifiers, digital
converters, and disc transports. They are all handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan. The Esoteric S-05XE is a power amplifier rated at 30 Watts per
channel into 8 Ohms. Its most noteworthy feature is its Class A circuit design.
For those not familiar with solid-state Class A power amplifiers, the main
difference between them and more conventional Class AB or D amps is that a Class
A amplifier's transistors are biased to always remain fully "on". In most
other amplifier types, they turn on and off in response to the musical signal.
Class A power amps offer sonic benefits because their transistors operate
continuously. This eliminates crossover distortion and helps reproduce sound without the harsh frequency peaks, unnatural edginess, or listening fatigue sometimes associated with more customary Class AB or Class D amplifiers.
--->
Esoteric S-05XE Amplifier Review — A Magical Amp That Transports You Deep Into The
Music.
SVS Pinnacle Loudspeaker Review: The Flagship Full-Range Towers That
Transformed My Listening Room
The towers that walked into my listening room as a loaner and never left (maybe).
Review By Dwayne Carter
A few weeks ago, I buried a pair of speakers. Not literally.
They are still sitting in the corner of my listening room, draped in a moving
blanket, waiting for me to make a decision I keep avoiding. But for all
practical purposes, my Martin Logan Summits are gone. Fifteen years of service,
a panel that crackled and then went silent mid-song, and a hole in my room where
my reference speakers used to live. If you read my Lyngdorf TDAI-2210
review, you already know the story. The Logans died during that review, one day in, with a glass
of bourbon in my hand and The Cure cut off at the knees. What I had on hand that
day, sitting in their crates and not broken in, was a pair of new, SVS Ultra
Evolution Pinnacles. They were supposed to be a short visit. A review loaner.
Speakers I would write up, box back up, and ship back to the dealer with a
polite thank-you note. That might not be what happens. Today, I have the pleasure of reviewing the SVS Ultra
Evolution Pinnacle, the flagship floor-standing speakers from a company most
people still think of as a subwoofer outfit.
---> SVS Pinnacle Loudspeaker Review: The Flagship Full-Range Towers That Transformed My Listening
Room.
Listener
Magazine's The Intro
Editorial By Art Dudley
Volume two of the Monumental five-volume set of Bob Dylan's
The Genuine Basement Tapes reaches an emotional climax with a plaintive song called
"I'm
Not There" — no mean feat after the brilliant "Going to Acapulco" and three takes
of "Tears of Rage," one in waltz time. "I'm Not There" has appeared before, on
The Great White Wonder and on Volume One of The Newly Discovered Basement Tapes
on Surprise Records (the latter credited to Blind Boy Grunt and The Hawks), and while the version on
The Genuine Basement Tapes is the best sounding of the bunch, you still wouldn't mistake it for
anything other than a bootleg. About a third of the words are unintelligible, and as if that
weren't enough of an obstacle, the recording begins in mid-verse, with no clue as to
how much had been played before the tape started rolling. No way for technology to
fix that, I guess.
---> The Intro By Art Dudley.
MONOphono Preamplifier
Article By Diego Nardi, Audio Note Italia
I'd firstly like to thank Allen Wright for his
appreciation and his criticism on my (p42
design. I like this kind of constructive
debate and, therefore, I'll express some
thoughts about the points Allen made, one
by one. Agreed. Two Points: Number one is that high
transconductance tubes like the 417A are
very attractive at first sight, but they pay a
big price for their apparent ability to "resolve charge levels on the order of an
electron"[?!]. The first one is that their linearity is rather poor. Also, they can only
stand very limited plate voltages on the
order of 100V. The only point about high
current is that you must use a very low
value/high dissipation plate load resistor.
That makes for distortion in both the resistor and the tube — low level operation is no
excuse! The second one is that, in order to obtain
25 mA/V, these tubes have their electrodes
extremely close together and their frame
grids are wound with micron-thick wire.
---> MONOphono Preamplifier.
Rare
Birds
Listening impressions of some collectible equipment.
There, I hope that helps keep anyone from getting to upset, because I'm going
to be honest about what I thought of some very highly touted equipment. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to
audition a Marantz 7 preamp and 8 power amp which were consigned to me. Both pieces were in excellent electronic shape and very good to excellent cosmetic
shape. The preamp had been checked out and a new filter cap installed by Audio Classics, the guys in
New York who sell all the Mac stuff for huge prices. Both units had been freshly
re-tubed with ARS tubes, and were driven daily by their owner, a high end audio dealer. The output tubes in the
amp appeared to be relabeled GE 6CA7s, but I won't commit to that. So I got the stuff home and listened to it. I used the Magnepans so as not to taint
my impression with my yet to be debugged.
---> Rare Birds.
Professional Musician And Recording Studio Expert Rick Beato Speaks
Music lovers, audiophiles, and the world need to realize the music business....
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin / Videos By Rick Beato
As a classically-trained musician since the early 1970s (at the age of 8), over the
decades questions about why I walked away from the music scene decades ago
occasionally pop up. During high
school there was a touch of studio time, and here is where my eyes were open to
the reality of recording music. As a percussionist and drummer, yes my set was a
bit more expansive than the average, yet within my head were tones, textures,
and sounds... upon seeing my percussion/drum set was immediately bumping up
against recording studio effort and time (and their desire to properly mic up such a kit).
Sadly, the apparent lack of concern, with one studio then saying I should just
use their kit within a small boxed room and dead / lifeless drum heads. Am recalling this story not for any ego or other
overly-inflated.... Yet to let musicians nowadays know, am talking about true musical
artists who have a vision... you intrinsically know who you are.
---> Professional Musician And Recording Studio Expert Rick Beato
Speaks.
Audience ClairAudient 1+1 V5 Personal Reference Monitor Review
The little engine that can.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Audience
President and CEO, John McDonald, is among those exceptional members of the
professional audiophile community who serve all consumer interests with quiet
equity, succinctly, non-judgmentally, and with knowledgeable authority. His
years of innovative experiences designing fine audio products have nurtured a
wellspring of advice on a variety of high-end audio topics. Above all and simply
stated, John is an exceptional individual any of us would consider fortunate to
have in our life circle. A perusal of the Audience
website offers an excellently-mapped library of not only the
comprehensive offerings of high-level Audience audio products, including cables,
power cords, power conditioners, OEM and DIY parts, accessories, and pro audio,
but also supportive pages on available upgrades, product/industry news, media
coverage (incl. published reviews/awards), as well as an extensive listing of
international dealers/distributors.
--->
Audience ClairAudient 1+1 V5 Personal Reference Monitor Review.
600 Watts Of Musical Bliss: Rotel Michi X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier Review
A modern Swiss Army Knife stereo integrated amplifier for music lovers.
Review By Brett Rudolph
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Florida International Audio
Expo 2025. It was an incredible show, and the week I got home, I got even better
news. My editor had arranged for me to review the new Rotel Michi X5 Series 2
solid-state stereo integrated amplifier with phono stage and Hi-Res Audio DAC
here at Enjoy the Music.com. Michi is a designation that represents a
flagship series of components within Rotel's family of products. Originally
introduced to the market in 1993, it showcased all the best that Rotel had to
offer. However, the components as we know them today were reintroduced to the
market in 2019. These latest incarcerations continue to showcase the best Rotel
has to offer while keeping audiophile values alive. Of course, all the labels aside, the thought of getting an
integrated amplifier excited me personally.
--->
600 Watts Of Musical Bliss: Rotel Michi X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier
Review.
World Premiere Review!
Volti Audio Lucera Hybrid Horn / Bass-Reflex Loudspeaker Review
Taking a deep dive into the aural matrix.
Review By Paul Schumann
What
do I really want out of this hobby? I'm sure all of us have asked that question. We
start by listening to music we love on a system we possess. Then we hear that
music on a better system and notice things we'd never heard before. That lights
a fire in our belly. How can I hear that at home? We talk to other people,
listen to other systems, and realize that not everyone hears the same things as
we do. Then, we have that aha moment when we hear a system that touches our
inner child. That happened to me when Dr. Day plopped me down in front of his
homebrew SET system driving a pair of Altec A7s. From then on, I knew exactly
what I wanted. The next question became, how am I going to get
there? Dr. Day spent years listening and soldering to get what tickled his
fancy. My sensei David is on a similar journey. The late Sakuma built different
systems to listen to various kinds of music. For all three of these seekers, the
cornerstone of their quest was high efficiency-speakers.
--->
Volti Audio Lucera Hybrid Horn / Bass-Reflex Loudspeaker Review.
World Premiere Review!
Raven Audio Osprey MK3.1 Integrated Amplifier
And Corvus Reference Monitors Review
Classic designs refined.
Review By Paul Schumann
I grew up
listening to music through my dad's Dynaco ST70. My Dad was a DIY guy; it was
the best kit available in 1960. I inherited it and the matching PAS preamp my
sophomore year of college. I then bought a pair of ADS L620 speakers to go with
them. That kept me happy for 20 years. I eventually replaced my ailing Dynaco
gear with a Jolida JD202 integrated. The Dynaco and Jolida were very similar,
using EL34 pentodes in an ultra-linear configuration. A little later, the ADS
speakers made way for the Thiel CS1.5s. These were both two-way bass-reflex
speakers. In the last few years, my interest in lower-power amps and
high-efficiency speakers has led me away from the pairings I had so long, but I
will always have warm memories of listening to music with them. While attending the inaugural Southwest Audio Fest, I took
an interest in the Raptor horn speakers I heard in the Raven Audio room. About
one week after the show, I reached out to Dave Thompson of Raven to make
arrangements for a review. Dave put me in touch with James Connell.
--->
Raven Audio Osprey MK3.1 Integrated Amplifier And Corvus Reference Monitors
Review.
World Exclusive Review!
Linn 360 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
A credible and modern high-end loudspeaker system.
Review By Alan Sircom
Linn pitches the new Linn 360
floorstanding loudspeaker as 'audibly invisible; visibly remarkable', and the
company has a point. This is Linn's girthy flagship – roughly the size of the
outgoing Klimax 350, the former head of the clan. It's available in passive form
with 'Aktiv' bass or Exakt digital active to slot in a Linn DSM system. The Linn 360 is a good blend of the conventional and the
innovative. It retains several important styling cues of previous high-end Linn
speakers. But look closer, and you'll notice the complexity of the cabinet. Look
even closer; you'll see that new Beryllium tweeter with a Linn logo protection
cover. You might even see the trim pieces with concentric arcs cut into them.
These remind listeners of Linn's place in the turntable hierarchy with its
eternal LP12. But clever curves and elegant grooves are not enough.
--->
Linn 360 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.
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