I still remember when the GTO-D3 NCF arrived. As I took it out of the box, I was quite surprised: “Why does it look so different from Furutech’s previous power distributors?” Furutech’s past power distributors had very simple designs. They featured a clean and heavy top plate covering all the outlets. The plate itself was…
One afternoon, a little over two months ago, I received a call from an unknown number. “Hello Editor Lin, this is the person who bought your MB2i speakers, do you remember me?” When I switched my reference speakers, I had sold my MB2i to an online acquaintance, so I knew who he was, though I…
If you’ve moved away from television and find yourself spending more time in front of your computer listening to music and streaming shows, a high-quality desktop audio system is undoubtedly a convenient upgrade for your audio-visual enjoyment. The newly launched **Elac Alchemy DDP-2 DAC preamplifier**, paired with the **Navis ARB-51 active speakers** from Germany’s Elac,…
When it comes to crafting speakers from solid wood, Chario is undoubtedly a master. Hailing from Italy, Chario speakers have consistently showcased a distinctive feature over the years: their solid wood cabinets. For those who appreciate the natural, warm texture of wood, the allure of Chario speakers is often irresistible. Their Academy S series epitomizes…
KECES has been a vibrant force in the Hi-Fi industry in recent years, consistently participating in exhibitions both domestically and internationally, establishing a global brand presence. Their distribution network spans across regions, with dealers not only in Northern, Central, and Southern China but also overseas in Hong Kong, mainland China, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe,…
When it comes to ranking audio equipment with high aesthetic appeal, Jeff Rowland would undoubtedly be a top contender. Their signature high-quality metalwork, coupled with a refined, elegant yet modern design, is captivating, inviting a closer look and even a touch to appreciate the shimmering, textured finish. The Capri S2-SC preamplifier is a perennial classic…
In my editorial workflow, when I encounter an integrated amplifier, I typically refer to it plainly as an “integrated amplifier.” Even if it boasts a built-in DAC, the designation remains unchanged. Should it further incorporate streaming capabilities in addition to the DAC, I would then upgrade its title to “streaming amplifier” to explicitly highlight its…
In 2016, Wilson Audio of America unveiled the Alexx loudspeaker. Five years later, in 2021, they introduced the Alexx V. Despite being only the second generation, the Alexx V represents such a significant upgrade that it’s arguably unprecedented in Wilson Audio’s history. This transformation all began with the WAMM Master Chronosonic. Wilson Audio’s product cycles…
Jeff Rowland equipment always stands out with its highly recognizable visual signature. The silver-white chassis panels, adorned with wave-like ( – texture), coupled with the ( – hollowed-out) heatsinks, resemble metallic sculptures. The Model 735 monoblock power amplifier under review is no exception. This is Jeff Rowland’s time-tested formula for success; classic designs are timeless…
Have you ever experienced a switching amplifier? Generally, we refer to this type of amplification as Class D. These amplifiers utilize transistors as switches, operating in a fully on or fully off manner to generate square waves. Through Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), the incoming analog audio signal, in the form of a sine wave, is…
Anyone who sees the Vivid Audio Giya series speakers for the first time will surely be astonished: why are these speakers designed like this? Our typical impression of speakers, unless they are planar magnetic or horn speakers, is mostly a rectangular box. Some might have slight curves, some might have a tilted front baffle, and…
Listening to online streaming music is all about convenience, and it’s constantly getting even more so! NuPrime’s latest offerings, the Omnia Stream Mini wireless streaming transport and the Omnia Stream Mini DAC wireless streaming player, are incredibly compact, about the size of a cigarette case. Whether it’s your audio rack, TV cabinet, desk, bookshelf, or…
Before the audio exhibition, I visited HiFiReport Audio twice to audition the Rockport Atria II with two different system configurations. After the exhibition, I returned to HiFiReport to experience the larger Avior II. Initially, I assumed the Avior II would simply offer slightly better bass due to an additional woofer and a larger cabinet. However,…
In my previous review of the MBL N21 power amplifier, I mentioned the extensive fine-tuning MBL undertook during the New Noble Line development, striving for the optimal design. This meticulous approach, unfortunately, led to repeated delays in the product launch. From a manufacturer’s perspective, an earlier release translates to quicker profits and a faster return…
In the realm of high-fidelity audio reproduction, vibration is an omnipresent factor. From the subtle tremors of transformers and cables to the more pronounced resonances of loudspeakers and audio racks, these minute disturbances permeate every aspect of the playback chain. “Intermingling” within the equipment, vibrations exert a significant, often detrimental, influence on the sound we…
I often feel like an old soul resides within my body. I have a particular fondness for vintage items. I adore vintage cars and vintage audio equipment. While the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe boasts beautiful lines, in my mind, Mercedes’ pinnacle of design remains the SL300 Gullwing. Those iconic gullwing doors, paired with the car’s rounded…
Due to the pandemic, working from home and online meetings/courses have become the norm. Are you also like me, wearing an earphone in one ear to listen to online meetings, while keeping the other ear open to hear people around you or your children calling? Or, when jogging outdoors while listening to music, are you…
Although this marks my first experience with Kali Audio, an American audio brand, the LP-6 active speakers have immediately impressed me as offering unbelievable sonic performance for their price. I am confident that within this budget, assembling a passive speaker system with comparable sound quality would be a challenging, if not impossible task. Their studio…
How high are your expectations for integrated amplifier performance? I’ve experienced many exceptional integrated amplifiers, and each encounter has been a delightful and memorable auditory journey. However, the T+A PA 3100 HV has redefined my perception of what an integrated amplifier can achieve. Its craftsmanship is simply superlative. The chassis is exceptionally robust and meticulously…
Back in 2018, during a visit to In-Akustik in Germany, their flagship Referenz AIR speaker cable was the copper LS-4004 AIR. Even then, the company hinted at a potential pure silver version, though the timeline was uncertain. The LS-4004 AIR Pure Silver finally debuted the following year, and I was fortunate enough to encounter it…
HiFiReport’s Zhang, a young entrepreneur in the audio industry, possesses both expertise and passion for audio system matching and speaker placement. Recently, he assembled a system featuring the British Monitor Audio PL 300 II and the Japanese Soulnote A-2, deeming it an exceptional value combination. He invited me to audition it, and I scheduled a…
Do you stream digital music? How do you stream? Are you using a computer? If you’re a tech-savvy individual, building a computer audio source (CAS) might not be difficult for you, and you might even enjoy it. However, building a computer for gaming or programming is different from building a CAS. Without dedicated research, the…
Not long ago, I had the chance to test the Vibrato NetWork Bluetooth receiver, distributed by HiFiReport, and it was the 5th-anniversary edition. Its sound was full, rounded, smooth, and warm, performing far beyond my expectations. I used to think Bluetooth playback was just about having sound, period. For someone accustomed to Hi-Res network streaming,…
Did you notice a preamp with a large blue knob in the HiFiReport room on the second floor of last December’s exhibition? Its exterior design is quite distinctive, clearly showing meticulous effort, and uniquely, it’s a passive preamp. This is the Mr. K PPA-02B, hailing from Hong Kong. Meticulous Exterior Design The all-black chassis is…