Linear Acoustic is a familiar sight at audio exhibitions, consistently appearing in the HiFiReport showroom. In recent years, they’ve become a favored partner for Elac’s flagship Concentro and Concentro M loudspeakers, delivering compelling demonstrations at these events. The latest generation of Linear Acoustic components sports a striking silver and black aesthetic, housed in larger, more…
Imagine having an unlimited budget to build a Hi-Fi system that fully unlocks the power of music, delivering both sonic impact and emotional beauty. If this is your desire, a visit to HiFiReport Audio in Neihu is a must. There, you can personally experience the all-Swiss Orpheus flagship system. If Hi-End brands were to engage…
Electricity is the lifeblood of any audio system. Everything emanating from your Hi-Fi equipment – signals, voltage, current, and sound waves – originates from your home’s power supply. Therefore, the quality of your power directly impacts the sonic performance of your audio system. Improving power quality fundamentally strengthens the foundation upon which your carefully constructed…
Danish audio innovators Ansuz introduced their Sortz Noise Reduction Terminals in 2021, claiming they effectively eliminate resonance and noise interference simply by plugging them into unused input or output terminals. Currently available in RCA, XLR, and BNC versions, with potential USB and LAN options on the horizon, I’ve spent over a month auditioning these intriguing…
Where did the Future Dream 22 series originate? Back in 2019, Crystal Cable celebrated its 15th anniversary and launched the Future Dream anniversary “limited edition” products. These incorporated many high-end technologies, offered at a more accessible price point than their flagship lines, representing excellent value. However, “limited edition” truly meant limited, and production ceased after…
What exactly is a “Stand-Alone Audio System”? Simply put, it’s a complete audio system that you can effortlessly enjoy at home by just plugging it in and connecting to your network and smartphone. KEF’s initial foray into this market was with the LS50 Wireless, followed by the LSX II and LS50 Wireless II. Both were…
A brand new Hijiri Takumi Maestro power cable arrived at the HiFiReport editorial office. My colleagues and I eagerly unboxed it, and even for seasoned veterans accustomed to handling prestigious cables, the packaging of the Hijiri Takumi Maestro elicited audible gasps of admiration. Exquisite Lacquer Box Packaging Upon opening the outer cardboard box, we were…
After experiencing the Western Electric WE 91E integrated amplifier, my immediate thought to Mr. Chang of HiFiReport was: congratulations, you’ve struck gold! The WE 91E is not only a genuine Western Electric 300B amplifier but also a product perfectly aligned with the digital age. From a user’s perspective, it resolves the complexities often associated with…
Have you ever had the experience of buying a streaming device or digital source, only to find a few years later that its upgrade flexibility is limited? This inflexibility leaves you unable to support new music services or enjoy the manufacturer’s technological advancements on your older model, putting you in the dilemma of whether…
Prior to this review, I had already experienced the LALS Classical 12CT horn center speaker on two separate occasions. The first was in the dedicated listening room at the home of HiFiReport, the principal of LALS, and the second at HiFiReport Audio. Both encounters delivered a truly earth-shattering sonic experience that remains vividly etched in…
What does “Modern Vintage” truly mean? If we borrow a term from Ming dynasty furniture, it would be “new works in antique style.” The newly released Mission 770 speakers from the UK perfectly embody this “Modern Vintage” aesthetic, exuding a classic charm with contemporary engineering. Mission’s Bestselling Speaker The original Mission 770, launched in 1978,…
One day in late May, a message popped up on Line, from Box, asking if I had heard the JMR Orfeo Grande yet. I had heard that JMR would be launching the Orfeo Grande this year to commemorate the company’s 55th anniversary, and had heard as early as spring that an order had been placed,…
Aurender has recently undertaken a significant streamlining of its product lineup. This refresh involved updating certain models to newer iterations and retiring some of the more redundant or ambiguously positioned units. The result is a considerably simplified range, making it easier for consumers interested in Aurender to make informed decisions and find the model that…
In 2022, Monitor Audio, a British audio stalwart, joyously celebrated its 50th anniversary, unveiling the groundbreaking Concept 50 HiFiReport speaker and the limited edition Silver 100 7G. Anticipation was high for the uniquely designed Concept 50 at the August TAA Audio Exhibition. However, due to shipping delays, it was the Cinergy series, slated for a…
It is truly wonderful and much appreciated that PrimaLuna, affectionately known as “” (Pǔlǐmǎ) by Dr. Tsai, has been introduced to the market. PrimaLuna enjoys a stellar reputation overseas, lauded for its exceptional sound quality, excellent build, and reasonable pricing – in essence, high performance-to-value. I had heard of PrimaLuna’s esteemed name many years ago…
Founded by German Holger Stein, Stein Music has been introducing a plethora of products over the past four decades, many of which are exceptionally intriguing. For instance, their Harmonizer stands out. By employing two or four Harmonizer units, coupled with dedicated tuning bases, it purports to enhance the realism of music playback. Another example is…
In the past, every time an AVM amplifier was delivered, it always came in a black flight case. The weight of the machine itself, plus the case, was impossible for one person to move. This time was different. Only a light cardboard box arrived, easily lifted by one person. Inside was the CS 2.3, an…
For me, Auralic is a brand of particular significance. My first digital streaming player was the Auralic Aries Mini. In terms of the technology of the time, the Aries Mini, with its slim and compact form factor, boasted a powerful processing heart. It also supported wireless transmission, a feature rare then and still not ubiquitous…
In the realm of music, we often speak of two distinct domains: online and offline. Online music is synonymous with digital streaming, drawing from the boundless resources of the internet. Offline music, on the other hand, evokes physical media like CDs and vinyl, alongside digital files stored on computer hard drives or NAS devices. The…
Furutech’s newly launched Lineflux NCF series expands their flux-NCF product line, currently featuring balanced (Lineflux NCF XLR) and unbalanced (Lineflux NCF RCA) interconnects. Digital cables (Digiflux NCF), power cables (Powerflux NCF), and speaker cables are also in development, with Furutech refining speaker terminals for a near-future release. The RCA and XLR versions of the Lineflux…
Having worked as an audio reviewer for many years, I have auditioned Audio Physic speakers countless times. In my memory, each experience has been exceptional. However, all previous encounters were with their Reference series, the high-end range, featuring many of Audio Physic’s proprietary drivers and cabinet designs. This time, the Classic 3 I am reviewing…
Finally, HiFiReport has experienced the Rockport Lyra, and I must say, this is the best audition experience I’ve ever had at HiFiReport. It’s not that previous experiences were bad, but the Lyra’s performance was simply outstanding and deeply impressive. Profound Musicality What makes it so good? Its strength lies in the fluid expression of musical…
The name Neumann immediately conjures images of studio-grade monitoring headphones, instantly signaling to discerning listeners the distinction between professional and consumer-level audio equipment. Indeed, the newly introduced Neumann NDH 30 is purpose-built for the professional recording sector, prioritizing exceptionally accurate stereo reproduction. Closed-back Then Open-back Neumann’s headphone product line is streamlined, featuring just three models….
Yes, you read the title correctly. This listening session isn’t at an audio show, an audio store, or even a home visit, but at HiFiReport Hotel, the most luxurious resort in Jiaoxi. Why? Because HiFiReport Hotel and British speaker brand Castle are currently collaborating to launch Taiwan’s first-ever dual-experience vacation. By simply staying at the…