High-Performance Audio Reviews
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High-End Audio / Audiophile
& Music Industry News
05 / 31 / 22
HIGH END 2022 Show Report High End Society
2022 Munich Germany
Show Report By Andrija Ćurković Of HiFi
Media Magazine After
two uneventful years, audiophile caravans have once again moved towards their
mecca, Munich, and the high-end show organized by the German HIGH END Society
Service GmbH, which has achieved world supremacy over all other hi-fi shows
currently being organized in the world. Due to the relative proximity to Zagreb (about 550 km, or 6
hours of driving), my colleague Neven Kos and I chose car transport because we
have complete freedom and comfort during the trip, compared to any other form of
transport. In the middle of the week there were no traffic jams, and with nice
sunny weather we had almost tourist sightseeing scenery while passing through
the mountainous regions of Austria and the plains near the Bavarian capital
Munich. While we were waiting for the official opening and the
beginning of the first day of the show on Thursday, in the lobby of the MOC
center we came across the cult car DMC DeLorean.... ---> HIGH END 2022 Show Report By Andrija Ćurković.
StereoNET Melbourne 2022 Hi-Fi
Show Is This Weekend
The StereoNET Hi-Fi Show, from June 3rd through 5th at the Pullman Convention and Events Centre (Albert Park), is the largest show of its type held in
Australia showcasing a broad range of
consumer electronics. From the largest screens to the smallest accessories, smart and connected products,
hi-fi, home cinema, and smart home and entertainment products - the 2022 show will be no exception promising something for all. This
year's Show will also incorporate Australia's only three-day record fair which attracts vendors and attendees from all across Australia for the latest in rare, collectible, and new vinyl
records. Come along and experience both the excitement and an immersive treat for the senses, from leading brands from across the world running across all three days. Members of the trade, along with Press are welcomed on the Friday morning between
9am to 12pm for a dedicated preview of the latest products and trends in the
industry.
05 / 30 / 22
AXPONA 2022 Show Report The Fabulous 4th Floor At The Audio Expo North America 2022
Show.
Show Report By Rick Becker I stopped into Vanatoo for a refresh and found both models to sound
virtually identical, save for the lower frequency extension of the larger model.
Even as their price creeps higher, these are still an outstanding value.
Subwoofer optional, depending on your desire. The AVM turntable Rotation R2.3
($5000)
with Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge ($2039), is always fun to
photograph with its under-lit platter. An Art Audio Vinyl One Copper
Reference phono stage ($7500) with adjustable gain and MM and MC settings
followed up the AVM. The phono stage has a remote volume control as an optional
upgrade, a relatively rare feature that would allow you to run it directly to
your power amp in an all-vinyl system. With power amps that required you to
switch between RCA and XLR inputs, this would allow you to easily run separate
systems for Vinyl and digital sources. ---> The Fabulous 4th Floor At AXPONA 2022 Show.
05 / 27 / 22
HIGH END 2022 Munich Germany Show Report The highlight of the European calendar and it was great to be
back!
HIGH END 2022 Show Report By
Jason Kennedy There was a palpable sense of relief during HIGH END 2022 in
Munich show from exhibitors and visitors alike that the biggest event in Europe
was happening again after a three-year break. The organizers initially moved it
from May to October last year but when it became clear that the pandemic was not
going away they decided to aim for the usual slot this year, thankfully it came
good and we didn't even have to wear masks. HIGH END 2022 show exhibitor numbers were down due to
restrictions in the Far East but there was still an awful lot to see in the heat
of the MOC exhibition center, Munich is often fine at this time of year but 86
degrees in the shade can be a little close in a glass building full of
amplifiers and people. ---> HIGH END 2022 Munich Show Report By Jason Kennedy.
05 / 26 / 22
Crystal
Cable Monet Network Ethernet
Cable Review With just a taste of their Diamond network cable as well. Review By
Dr. Matthew Clott Asking an
audio reviewer to review a network cable is sort of like asking a car reviewer
to review an alternator belt or a particular gasoline (although gasoline would
likely equate more correctly to power cords in this scenario). I might even
liken speaker cables or interconnects to tires if I continue the analogy; which
have a more direct connection to the signal path, or similarly connect the
engine, chassis, and suspension to the road. Under most circumstances, I humbly
and politely pass when asked to formally review cables. Not because I don't think they make a massive difference in
the system's performance (which they unquestionably do), but because in most
cases cables affect an overall sense of voicing and presentation that is
personal and subtle.... --->
Crystal Cable Monet Network Ethernet cable review.
Furutech NCF Clear Line AC Power Line
Optimizer Review A skeptic gets his comeuppance. Review By Paul Schumann If you've
read any of my previous reviews, you know that I'm a bit of a skeptic when it
comes to audio. More than one time I've read about some amazing piece of gear,
rushed down to the high-end audio parlor (remember those?) to take a listen, and
came away disappointed. It's not that it always sounded bad (although, sometimes
it did), it just didn't wow me as I was expecting. Where I especially cast a
wary eye is an accessory item that promises to improve the overall sound of the
system. The Furutech NCF Clear Line is just such a product. So when Steven asked
if anyone wanted to review it, of course, I said yes. Okay, full disclosure here, I have been wanting to review a
power conditioning device for quite a while. One area I have been remiss in the
development of my system is the AC end of things. I've almost bought one a
couple of times, but always backed off. Then during the middle of summer, when
the AC quality goes dramatically down because of all the air conditioners I
start kicking myself. Yet I never seem to pull the trigger on getting one when I
have the chance. --->
Furutech NCF Clear Line AC Power Line Optimizer review.
05 / 25 / 22
Kurt Cobain's Guitar Auctions For $4,500,000
Julien's Auctions auctioned off the Fender Mustang electric guitar played by Kurt Cobain in
Nirvana's iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video for $4,500,000. In honor of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month in May, a portion of the proceeds from the auction of this legendary guitar, and select Kurt Cobain items, will benefit Kicking The Stigma. This is a national initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders and to remove the stigma too often associated with these illnesses.
According to Julien's Auctions, "Without a doubt the song "Smells Like Teen
Spirit" created a seismic shift in the music universe by heralding the alternative/grunge era of the ‘90s and becoming one of the most iconic songs and music videos of all time.
Cobain's 1969, Fender Mustang, left-handed guitar in Competition Lake Placid blue finish with matching
headstock. The Generation X anthem off their sophomore album Nevermind that celebrated its 30th anniversary milestone this past fall, turned the underground Seattle based trio, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, overnight into the biggest band in the world, bursting on the music scene and pop culture zeitgeist with an explosion of energy unlike anything felt or seen before in rock history. The song delivered a call to arms for teenage rebellion that was punctuated by the intensity of
Cobain's unforgettable performance in the legendary video and its powerful imagery of anarchy and alienation that would later define the grunge revolution."
05 / 24 / 22
Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors T.H.E. Show 2022 Media
& Exhibitor Celebration Enjoy the Music.com, high-end audio's celebrated site
for over 26 years and a leader in providing premium audio and music industry news, hardware reviews, and show reports, is pleased to announce that we're sponsoring
T.H.E. Show's Thursday night media and exhibitor celebration! To be held from Friday, June
10th through Sunday, June 12th at the Hilton Long Beach in Southern California,
both show
exhibitors and members of the press are invited to join us for drinks, music, and good
times. For decades, T.H.E.
Show has been the must-attend event for Southern California music lovers, audiophiles, and hi-fi
enthusiasts alike. When first launched, T.H.E. Show was primarily a Las Vegas
event an alternative to a non-industry operated CES.
Featuring finely-crafted
luxury audio products, T.H.E. Show is an upscale event for those who truly value
music within their homes and on the go too. Operated in part by award-earning musicians
and those who are enthusiasts, T.H.E. Show 2022 is the place to experience the very best high-end
premium audio / video products. With many leading brands exhibited,
plus educational seminars and special features planned, this show is not to be
missed! --->
Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors T.H.E. Show 2022 Media & Exhibitor Celebration.
Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Fantastic Luxury Hi-Fi On The 5th
Floor At AXPONA 2022.
AXPONA 2022 Show Report By Rick Becker I First heard the Perlisten S7t at Capital
AudioFest and was very impressed with what I heard. This is a new
company with a multinational footprint, designing in the US and building in
China. The fit and finish of the upgrade wood veneer were exemplary. Piano Gloss
Black and Gloss White are standard. The speaker is Certified for THX Dominus,
the highest version of THX, so you can presume it is robust. It can also be
reconfigured as a bass reflex with deeper bass or acoustic suspension for more
tuneful bass response. The speaker is rated at 92.5dB sensitivity and 4 Ohm
impedance, making it tempting to try it with a strong tube amp, but they
recommend amps from 100 to 600 Watts RMS. Perhaps they are thinking in terms of
room-shaking THX performance. I should have made a better effort to capture the
finish of the wood veneer on the sides. The black fronts are suited for home
theater or listening to music in the dark. ---> Fantastic Luxury Hi-Fi On The 5th Floor At AXPONA 2022.
Australian Hi-Fi May
/ June 2022 Issue
Is Now Available Australian Hi-Fi's May / June 2022 issue features:
Editorial: Greg Borrowman Is Stepping Out As Editor
Audio News From Around The World
Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Amplifier
JBL Synthesis HDI 5.1 Surround System
ELAC Vela FS 407 Loudspeakers
Rode NTH-100 Wired Headphones
Silent Angel Munich M1 Streamer
Interview With Chord Electronics' Consultant Rob Watts
Hi-Fi Primer
New Music / Music Album Re-Issues / Top Music Picks
And much more!
Within his editorial, Greg Borrowman says
"Dear reader, this will be my last
Editor's Lead-in, as I have retired from full-time employment and therefore stepped down from my position as being editor of
Australian Hi-Fi Magazine, one that I have held for almost 45 years. I am enormously pleased to be able to say that the magazine will be in very capable hands, as the new editor is none other than Becky Roberts, a long-time audiophile and a very experienced hi-fi journalist who has been writing news stories, articles and equipment reviews for the
UK's What Hi-Fi Magazine for almost nine years, during which time she attained the position of Hi-Fi and Audio editor. Her recent move from the UK to take up residence in Australia was an example of her perfect timing, as well as an extraordinary demonstration of the principle of serendipity. I wish her all the very best!" ---> Australian Hi-Fi's
May / June 2022
issue.
05 / 20 / 22
Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Sensational Premium Audio On The 6th
Floor At AXPONA 2022.
AXPONA 2022 Show Report By Rick Becker Taking
the stairs, I dropped down to the 6th Floor. Fidelity Imports brings
in a lot of brands but in 602 & 694 I spotted a stack of Cyrus
electronics on their signature stand designed specifically for their half-rack
width components. I had just seen a Cyrus rig in Montreal and commented that it
looked refreshingly compact when doubled up on a full-width rack. Oh well. But
what was new here was a tube amp anchoring the stand to the floor. Painted in a
luscious red finish, the 41c model ($10k) comes from English, a young
British company. It delivers 25 Watts per channel from 506 power tubes in pentode mode, which
I prefer to the starker-sounding ultra-linear configuration, but not as much as
SET designs. Again, oh well. We all have our preferences. I
thought the Q speakers were very attractive looking here. The larger
floorstander is their flagship Concept 500 model ($6500) and the shorter is
their Concept 50 ($3000). ---> Sensational Premium Audio On The 6th Floor At AXPONA 2022.
Sennheiser HD 660 S Over-Ear Headphone Review If it ain't broke, fix it anyway. Review By Dave Hanson Updating
a much-loved product like the Sennheiser HD 650 is a tricky task. But having
spent nearly 75 years in the audio business, Sennheiser understands the
importance of reading the tealeaves. The personal audio industry is in a period
of tremendous growth and no single segment is growing faster than the portable
devices category. So with that, Sennheiser made a bold move. While many
companies would have left well enough alone, Sennheiser took one of their most
popular products, the somewhat hard-to-drive HD 650, and updated it with and
easier to drive design. The result is the new Sennheiser HD 660 S ($499). While the original could be a bit fussy with amplification –
holding back some of its potential until you plugged it into the perfect tube
amp – the HD 660 S skips all the fuss and sounds good with just about
anything. ---> Sennheiser HD 660 S Over-Ear Headphone Review.
05 / 18 / 22
CEPro Deep Dive 2022 Home Entertainment Report
With younger music, movie, and video gamer lovers combining their luxury audio and home theater system, CEPro's recent report shows that an impressive 67% of them will be using it for immersive audio. Due to the recent laboratory virus leak that has greatly affected humans on Earth, CEPro's Deep Dive 2022 says, "The most difficult equipment to obtain are pre-amps, processors, AVRs, media servers, controls/interfaces, Blu-ray disc players, mounts/screens/seating and other associated gear. Those unfinished theaters represent real lost money, as dealers struck gold in terms of being able to elevate their home entertainment installation price points. For dedicated theaters, which can include basements in some cases, the average enduser price charged in 2021 was a healthy $50,357. That is an incredible 77% increase compared with 2020, when the average price point for a dedicated theater was $28,227. The same trend appears in multipurpose room theaters, such as dens/family rooms, living rooms, great rooms and in some cases basements. The average price point for a multipurpose room setup rose to $27,500, up from $17,312 the previous year. That is a solid 59% increase."
"Multipurpose rooms continue to be the primary room location for home theaters. In 2021, 30% of home cinemas were stationed in a den, family room, living room or great room. One in four cinema installations was in a dedicated room, while just under one out of every five projects (18%) was in a basement. Master bedrooms (11%), outdoor areas (9%) and other locations such as garages and secondary bedrooms (7%) round out the rest. The median number of seats per home theater is five. About 6% of theaters have 11 or more seats, which is triple the percentage from last year when only 2% of cinemas had that large level of seating capacity. Similar to last year's data, about one in five home theaters (19%) is an AV zone extension of a distributed AV system, which is not surprising since many home theaters these days are in multipurpose rooms."
05 / 17 / 22
Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Rick's 7th Floor Exploration At AXPONA 2022.
AXPONA 2022 Show Report By Rick Becker The
first Upscale Distribution room piqued my interest with an inside look at
the Sbooster, a "linear toroidal power supply with heavy shielding and
noise filtration." These typically replace OEM wall warts and they come with a
variety of connectors for the DC end going into your component. My DIY
replacement of just the DC power cord coming from the upgraded power supply to
my Calyx 24/192 DAC proved to me how critically important an external power
supply can be. My new Charisma Audio Musiko turntable comes with a small
switch-mode power supply so a review sample of a Sbooster seems like a golden
opportunity. They are available in a variety of voltages for almost any
component and range in price from $399 to $514. ---> Rick's 7th Floor Exploration At AXPONA 2022.
05 / 16 / 22
audioXpress' June 2022 Issue
Is Now Available audioXpress' June 2022 issue features:
Editorial: Driving Audio Innovations Sound Systems
Røde NTH-100 Headphones
How Signal Processing And Filter Bank Design Impacts Sound
ANC Headset Testing
Building a Guitar-Controlled Synthesizer
The Acoustical Effects Of Room Shapes
Audio For All-Electric Vehicles
Upmixing And The Future Of In-Car Audio
Evaluation Of Automotive Audio Energy Efficiency
And much more!
Within his editorial, J. Martins says
"This issue of audioXpress focuses on the vibrant segment of automotive audio, which is where a lot of exciting technologies are being explored. Automotive cabin acoustics are not an easy environment but when we combine the latest transducers, amplifiers, and DSP, with careful design and tuning by system experts that now have access to the most sophisticated computer simulation and measurement tools, it's easy to understand why cars are currently at the cutting edge of applications in audio. The transition to electric engines has completely changed the possibilities for car sound, as our annual Market Update details." ---> audioXpress' June 2022
issue.
05 / 13 / 22
HIGH END 2022 Show Is Next Week!
From May 19th to 22nd, 2022, the 39th HIGH END trade show in Munich will yet again shine the spotlight on excellent music reproduction, inspiring listening enjoyment and exquisite audio technology. For many years, the HIGH END has been providing both the big players in the industry and smaller owner-managed companies with their ideal presentation platform as the
world's leading audio trade show. It is the perfect place to establish business relationships, expand networks and exchange ideas and experiences with other industry experts.
The organizer of the event, the HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH, is pleased to announce that the HIGH END
2022 is now fully booked, even before the registration deadline at the end of March! After more than a year without events, this is sure to be music to the ears of exhibitors, trade visitors, consumers, media representatives and, of course, everyone involved in the success of the trade show during both the planning and implementation stages. The constant high demand for the sought-after exhibitor areas in the halls and atriums of the MOC Event Center in Munich clearly shows how keen the industry is to finally showcase its high-quality products to a live audience. ---> Learn more about HIGH END 2022 in
Munich Germany.
StereoNET Melbourne 2022 Hi-Fi Show
The StereoNET Hi-Fi Show, from June 3rd through 5th at the Pullman Convention and Events Centre (Albert Park), is the largest show of its type held in
Australia showcasing a broad range of
consumer electronics. From the largest screens to the smallest accessories, smart and connected products,
hi-fi, home cinema, and smart home and entertainment products - the 2022 show will be no exception promising something for all. This
year's Show will also incorporate Australia's only three-day record fair which attracts vendors and attendees from all across Australia for the latest in rare, collectible, and new vinyl
records. Come along and experience both the excitement and an immersive treat for the senses, from leading brands from across the world running across all three days. Members of the trade, along with Press are welcomed on the Friday morning between
9am to 12pm for a dedicated preview of the latest products and trends in the
industry.
T.H.E Show 2022 Long Beach Home
Entertainment Event
For decades, T.H.E.
Show has been the even to attend for music lovers, audiophiles, and hi-fi
enthusiasts alike. When first launched, T.H.E. Show was primarily a Las Vegas
event an alternative to a non-industry operated CES. Featuring finely-crafted
luxury audio products, T.H.E. Show from June 10th through 12th is an upscale event for those who truly value
music within their homes and on the go too. Operated in part by award-earning musicians
and those who are enthusiasts, T.H.E. Show 2022 is the place to be in June to
enjoy the very best high-end audio / video products. There are many events
planned during their 2022 California event. With many leading brands exhibited,
plus educational seminars and special features planned, this show is not to be
missed!
Why just talk only about vinyl when you can talk about vinyl
and booze from a leading expert who has written multiple books about it! André Darlington, author of
Booze & Vinyl and Booze & Vinyl Vol. 2 will be appearing at T.H.E. Show Long Beach for two very special Happy Hour sessions of mixology, listening, and
discussion. The launch of their brand new initiative, T.H.E. Headphonium, a dedicated space within T.H.E. Show featuring headphones and personal / portable audio. The inaugural Headphonium, presented by audio and home theater publication eCoustics. The brand new T.H.E. Headphonium will offer show attendees a more engaging and unique experience including the opportunity to listen to a wide cross section of the world's best headphones and portable audio equipment. Attendees will have access to a lifestyle lounge, bespoke professional photo shoots, live social media events, and
more. ---> Learn more about T.H.E. Show 2022 in
Long Beach (California).
05 / 12 / 22
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III
Int. Amp. w/ Phono Stage Review Excellent build quality combined with the sonic performance of vacuum tubes.
Review By Ron Nagle The
name Cronus is past down to us from an ancient Greek myth. Krónos was the
leader and youngest of the first generation of Titans.
I did my usual on line peeking and sleuthing and found images of the Cronus, a
very retro looking open frame amplifier. But while all of those pictures looked
like the subject of this evaluation they were actually photos of an earlier
version of the Magnum II amplifier. So these photos were taken before I ever got
my hands on this review sample. This story is about the new extensively upgraded
Cronus Magnum III. When I opened the box and peeled back the packing I lifted
(grunt) an impressive 55 pound amplifier from its cardboard container. --->
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III Int. Amp. w/Phono Stage review.
Schiit Mani MM
/ MC Phono Stage Review A thrill for any newcomer and satisfy most too.
Review By Rick Becker The
word went out on Facebook that my son-in-law Justin wanted a turntable for
Christmas to try out the LP craze. Apparently the fine Sony noise cancelling
headphones I gave him for Christmas last year planted a seed and the seed has
sprouted. The $90 turntable on his list was a turnkey unit with cartridge and
built in phono stage. All he would have to do is connect it to his mid-fi
surround sound receiver. But you and I both know I couldn't let him go down that
dead-end road. He's now 40 and steeped in debt from earning his MBA at
Northwestern. He commutes to work by train almost an hour each way and puts in
long hours of hard mental work. Then he comes home each day to put on his "World's
Greatest Dad" hat. He deserves a better turntable. --->
Schiit Mani Stereo MM / MC Phono Stage review.
Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Rick Gives
The 14th Floor A Good
Listen At AXPONA 2022
AXPONA 2022 Show Report By Rick Becker The
16th and 15th floors typically host some of the best and most expensive rooms at
the show. Dropping down to the 14th floor, the rooms get smaller and more
affordable. I lowered my expectations here but was completely blown away by the
first room I entered. Speaker
Physics was an unknown brand to me so
I wasn't sure what to expect. The floor of the room was covered with scattered
cardboard boxes and the chairs were still stacked. An elderly man of Asian
descent was on his knees unboxing literature. Clearly, he was alone and way
behind schedule in setting up his room. At the far end of the room was a flimsy
table with what looked like might be a couple of mid-fi components and a couple
of bright orange and grey cylinders that could easily be mistaken for air
conditioning units at Home Depot. It looked even worse than the photo above. ---> Rick Becker Gives The 14th Floor A Good Listen At
AXPONA 2022.
05 / 11 / 22
Time To Bid Farewell To Apple's iPod
According to Apple, "Since its introduction over 20 years ago, iPod has captivated users all over the world who love the ability to take their music with them on the go. Today, the experience of taking
one's music library out into the world has been integrated across Apple's product line — from iPhone and Apple Watch to iPad and Mac — along with access to more than 90 million songs and over 30,000 playlists available via Apple Music."
"Music has always been part of our core at Apple, and bringing it to hundreds of millions of users in the way iPod did impacted more than just the music industry — it also redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and
shared," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
"Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. We've integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio —
there's no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music." If you want an iPod, and not sure why anyone would considering the many
far better alternatives, you should get one now while supply lasts.
NASA Is (Finally) In The Sound Recording Business
A recent article from NASA brings us the sound of a Black Hole. According to NASA, "Since 2003, the black hole at the center of the Perseus galaxy cluster has been associated with sound. This is because astronomers discovered that pressure waves sent out by the black hole caused ripples in the cluster's hot gas that could be translated into a note – one that humans cannot hear some 57 octaves below middle C. Now a new sonification brings more notes to this black hole sound machine. This new sonification – that is, the translation of astronomical data into sound – is being released for NASA's Black Hole Week this year."
"In this new sonification of Perseus, the sound waves astronomers previously identified were extracted and made audible for the first time. The sound waves were extracted in radial directions, that is, outwards from the center. The signals were then resynthesized into the range of human hearing by scaling them upward by 57 and 58 octaves above their true pitch. Another way to put this is that they are being heard 144 quadrillion and 288 quadrillion times higher than their original frequency. (A quadrillion is 1,000,000,000,000,000.) The radar-like scan around the image allows you to hear waves emitted in different directions. In the visual image of these data, blue and purple both show X-ray data captured by Chandra..... More sonifications of astronomical data, as well as additional information on the process, can be found at the
A Universe of Sound website.
05 / 10 / 22
Alan Walker Joins Web3 With Corite
With youthful musicians realizing the current mainstream recording label scheme is broken, Alan Walker is a 23-year old Norwegian DJ and Producer with over 115 million followers across his social platforms, 8.7 billion YouTube views, and a staggering 50 billion(!) audio and video streams. This young artist from Bergen, Norway announced that he is partnering with Corite - the fan powered platform bringing fans and artists closer together. Walker is working with Corite to deliver new experiences to his passionate fanbase through
Web3 and blockchain technology.
"Corite enables artists at any stage of their career to eschew the traditional record label model while still releasing their music across all major streaming platforms - including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and
YouTube," says their press release. "The Corite platform empowers artists to engage their fans in new, mutually beneficial ways. By launching fan-funding campaigns on Corite, artists can generate additional revenue streams, secure funding and organic promotional support from their followers, and reward their active backers with a portion of the royalties."
05 / 09 / 22
Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Floors 15 And 16 Of AXPONA 2022
AXPONA 2022 Show Report By Rick Becker In
mid-November, 2021, I covered Capital AudioFest and virtually everyone wore a
mask. In late March 2022, I covered the Montreal AudioFest and everyone there
wore a mask. A month later I covered AXPONA, fully vaxed and double boosted, and
at most, 5% of people wore a mask, including myself. I came home with Covid. As usual,
I started at the top floor where I once
again met Zoltan Bay of Bayz Audio with his C-tube omni-directional
speakers. Clean line Pilium electronics were connected with Nordost cables. On the left is the Pilium Divine Alexander preamp with power supply and on the
right is the Achilles power amp. Bayz is from Hungary and Pilium is from Athens,
Greece. ---> Rick Becker's AXPONA 2022 Chronicles Floors 15 And 16.
Hi-Fi World's June 2022 Reviews & Think Pieces Hi-Fi
World's June 2022 issue features the following:
Editorial: Many Music Lovers Still Want A Decent CD Player
Competition: Your Chance To Win £1600 JBL HDI-1600 Speakers
Klipsch Heresy IV Loudspeakers Review
Teac UD-505-x DAC / Headphone Amplifier
Rega Saturn MK3 CD Player
Helm Bolt DAC Amplifier
Synthesis Roma 14dc+ CD Player
Hitachi FT-5500 MK2 Tuner
Roksan Attessa Turntable
Grado RS1x Reference Series Headphones
...and much more!
Within his editorial, Noel Keywood says "Buses come along in threes, they say – and CD players come along in pairs these days it seems. We have two for you in this issue. People still want to buy a decent CD player – like the now unavailable OPPO BDP-205D we use as a reference, with ESS ES9038 Pro DAC chip inside. Top analogue-to-digital convertor chips like this give superb results with CD but for them steam-punk digital delivered by lasers on sleds is a side
issue. That was yesterday; such chips are capable of so much more today – but that means they must be connected to outside sources, not an old silver disc, in order to play high resolution 24-bit digital."See what's within
this issue of Hi-Fi World
at this link.
05 / 07 / 22
A Music
Professor's Guide To AXPONA 2022 Audio Expo North America 2022
Show Report
Show Report By Dr. Michael Bump How
sweet it was to experience the return of audiophile heaven! The high art of
musical re-creation never had it so good where, for three days, audiophiles and
newcomers alike were able to forget their troubles, immersed in and celebrating
some of the finest home audio designs in the world. As a professional musician & university
professor, 99% of my weekends are spoken for, thus the luxury of jetting off to
an audio conference for even a day is pretty much impossible. Add to this the
two-year hiatus due to the Pandemic... well, it's been a while. For some years
prior and as a consequence of proximity, I've done my best to at least carve
out the annual weekend road trip to Chicago for AXPONA 2022. A 6.5-hour drive
from our home in the cornfields of Missouri and I'm re-energized and inspired
by friends and audio artisans the world over. This year's vibe from attendees
and manufacturers was very enthusiastic and positive, with attendance seeming to
be at least as strong, if not stronger, than any AXPONA show I've experienced. ---> A Music Professor's Guide To AXPONA 2022.
05 / 06 / 22
Musical Universe: Take The Test
Here's something we felt was interesting to Enjoy the Music.com readers, plus you can take part
too and let your voice be heard! Here's their objective, "How it works: Our test will measure your reactions to a selection of musical excerpts and ask questions about your character traits. Our cutting-edge algorithm then goes to work to map your unique musical and psychological profile. Three easy steps and it's all online and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Oh, they strongly suggest headphones. Choose from their basic or amplified version. Your profile will become available instantly, and you will be able to download a PDF of it as well.
They say it's all backed by science. This test is based on over 15+ years of theory and research in cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, and personality science. The algorithms used are based on recent findings from teams of scientists at leading universities. All tests have been developed, validated, and published previously in scientific literature. Percentages and population comparisons in the report are derived from averages based on over 200,000 individuals from over 100 countries worldwide. Privacy
concerns? They say that you are in control of your data and you decide how your individual data is used and shared. Musical Universe will not share your data without your explicit consent.
Hi-Fi+ May 2022 High-End
Audio Magazine Hi-Fi+'s May 2022 issue
features the following:
Editorial: Magazines Are A Collaborative Effort
How To Buy The Right Amplifier
KEF Reference 5 Meta Floorstanding Speaker
Copland CSA 100 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
Radialstrahler MBL 101 X-Treme Speaker
Melody AN300B MAX Valve Integrated Amplifier
Allnic L-6500 Valve Line Preamplifier
Triangle Borea BR09 Floorstanding Speaker
Titanic Audio Model S Moving Coil Cartridge
Chord Company GroundARAY Noise Reduction System
...And More!
Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says
"I hope that you are enjoying our new look magazine. The feedback we have received (see Incoming from page 7 of this issue) has been almost universally positive, which is a reassuring sign. Which is why no one wants to kick off the second of these issues with an apology of sorts. This is my second run-in with COVID-19; one of the perils of living in a densely-populated capital city like London, I guess. Fortunately, now fully vaccinated and boosted, such a brush with the disease is far less physically damaging than the first time, but I have been hit with the frequently-described symptom of 'Brain Fog'."
See
what's within this issue of Hi-Fi+
magazine at this
link.
05 / 05 / 22
Charisma Audio Musiko Tonearm, Soundeck, And Audio Machina Accessories A killer combination forced me to overcome my fear and buy the review sample. Review By Rick Becker Just when I thought I was done with my Linn Turntable Project,
Bernard Li of Charisma Audio called and asked if I'd like to try his new Musiko
tonearm, which conveniently was already on the USA side of the border. George
Merrill had been playing with it on his new Gem Dandy PolyTable down in
Tennessee. Bernard knew I was impressed with it when I saw it at the last
Toronto and other shows during 2019. Dropshipping it from George would save two
border crossings and give me a chance to hear it. Charisma Audio's Musiko arrived in a well-crafted wooden box. Inside, the
various components and tools were neatly partitioned in foam. A long Plexiglas measuring tool was taped to the outside bottom of the box to be used in
measuring and drilling a blank arm board to the proper specs. The 9.33" tonearm
has a 222mm pivot to spindle distance, same as a Rega, but you will need to
enlarge the main hole on a Rega table and drill new holes to mount the flange. --->
Charisma Audio Musiko tonearm, Soundeck, and Audio Machina accessories review.
T.H.E. Human Side Award-Winning Documentary A short documentary about the human connections in hi-fi and music.
Video By T.H.E. Show And Produced / Directed By Rose City Media Group T.H.E. Show's new award-earning video T.H.E. Human Side is a documentary short film about enjoying the music and what is means for you. In 2018, they were approached by an attendee of T.H.E. Show who was asking about podcasting for high-end
audio. After sitting with him and hearing all of his stories, his adventures with his friends, and the incredible history behind all they spoke about, T.H.E. Show charged their production team with making a web series to chronicle their stories. At that time, they never could have known that the web series would take off the way it did and grow first into an award winning documentary short and now, soon to be a feature
film! This documentary had a private, limited premiere at T.H.E. Show 2019 but has never been seen by the global
public. ---> T.H.E. Human Side
award-winning documentary.
05 / 04 / 22
AXPONA 2022 Show Report Part 2 Professional Audio Design, Inc., was presenting their TAD
(Technical Audio Devices Laboratories and division of Pioneer)
professional-grade reference line loudspeakers and electronics. This had to be
one of the most engaging demonstrations of the show. They featured three
models of loudspeakers, a solid-state power amp, and a Streamer Preamp DAC.
Dedicated lab/factories in Japan provided top-level performance to this
listener. In this case, the Compact Reference One, a three-way stand mount
unit offered at $15,000+ (dedicated stands extra) and a larger stand-mount the
TAD CRITX offered at $85,000. The quality of design/construction is without peer in my
opinion. All of the loudspeakers performed with astonishing clarity, speed,
dynamics, uncolored transparency with solid bass down to 32 Hz. Again, likely
some of the finest music reproduction heard at the show all while supported by
the TAD handcrafted, small-batch electronics and Synergistic cabling. ---> AXPONA 2022 Show Report Part 2 By Chuck Bruce.
Spotify Island Brings Fans And Artists To Roblox
Roblox fans and Spotify users can come together within their own world. Spotify Island aims to be a paradise of sound "where fans and artists from all over the world can hang out and explore a wonderland of sounds, quests, and exclusive merch. Spotify is the first music-streaming brand to have a presence on Roblox, a virtual universe where users can create and play games and share experiences with friends. Through this interactive world,
we're creating a place where fans can link up and create new sounds together, hang out in digital spaces, and gain access to exclusive virtual merch. Spotify Island is an audio oasis that has it all."
"Roblox users can mingle with artists, complete interactive quests, and unlock exclusive content. Players can also enjoy an immersive audio experience by creating music and exploring sounds at the virtual beat-maker stations powered by Soundtrap. The island will have other musical Easter eggs at every turn for eagle-eyed users to discover. Spotify listeners will also notice some familiar shapes, colors, and icons on Spotify
Island." We expect immersive sound and innovation to take center stage as
modern music plays on.
05 / 03 / 22
AXPONA 2022: Back To Business Audio Expo North America 2022
Show Report
Show Report By Greg Weaver For
such incorrigible audio junkies as yours truly, to see this nearly
three-year-long dearth of audio shows finally abating is not just exciting,
I'm being dealt a renewed lease on my audio life. This lockdown has been so
unnatural and so difficult. We are first and foremost a community, and we
need to be together to celebrate our passion for, and love of, music. I've
been SO ready for this unhealthy situation to loosen up and get social again,
especially after attending Gray Gill's outrageously successful Capital
Audiofest 2021 this past November, that the yearning has only been building. ---> AXPONA 2022 Show Photos By Greg Waver.
05 / 02 / 22
Enjoy the Music.com's May 2022
Premium Audio Review Magazine With the world's largest luxury audio show only weeks away, we'll have the most-ever writers covering HIGH END's annual event. This month's Review Magazine features World Premiere reviews, show reports (CanJam SG, Montréal Audiofest, and AXPONA), plus enlightening editorials and a manufacturer article
too! Note To HIGH END Exhibitors: Steven R. Rochlin, who has enthusiastically reported on the Germany show for over two decades, is taking this year off and looks forward to seeing you at the 2023 event. ---> See this month's Enjoy the Music.comReview Magazine.
Von Schweikert Audio Endeavor SE Floorstanding
Loudspeaker Review Experiencing the joy of music! Review By Dr. Michael
Bump Ah, describing sound with words. Alas, I am no William
Shakespeare. Yes, words matter, but the listening experience matters
more. Even for a professional musician and academic, crafting a written
narrative that accurately describes an aural impression will, to a fair degree,
remain a flawed science. When teaching a masterclass to my percussion students,
I always struggle to convey musical truth through words. Ultimately, performance
is the final arbiter of musical thought, which I find myself deferring to time
and again. Musical aesthetics are inherently aural expressions, "organizing
sound through time" (to quote Edgard Varese) via the construct of four
fundamental properties of sound: Pitch, Intensity, Duration, and Timbre. --->
Von Schweikert Audio Endeavor SE Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.
World Premiere Review!
Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable Review I strongly suspected when listening to the first song with the Musiko that I would buy it. Review By Rick Becker The Charisma
Audio Musiko tonearm had already become part of my reference system back
in May 2021. when it was incorporated into my Linn Project — a complete re-make of the fabled Linn LP12 using off-the-shelf, re-engineered parts from several after-market companies. These parts were sourced from Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Colorado. By the time I finished, the only original OEM parts were the suspension springs and
grommets, the belt, the sub-chassis nuts and bolts, and the wood plinth. While there were lots of lovely alternatives, I kept the original wood plinth out of sentimentality. I was quite proud of the results, having greatly improved on the original vintage table — not unlike the way Carroll Shelby made over the British AC Ace into the Cobra sports car, except I did it on a kitchen countertop and never got around to racing it. I nicknamed it the Bard for reasons
I'll let you figure out. ---> Charisma Audio Musiko Turntable Review.
Read
All Articles, Hi-Fi Gear Reviews, Etc.
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reviews within this month's Enjoy
the Music.com's Review Magazine.
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