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…
When I first received the Onkyo TX-8270 and opened the box, I initially mistook it for a surround sound receiver. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was indeed a stereo receiver. Its resemblance to a surround sound receiver is uncanny. In fact, the TX-8270 not only looks like a surround sound receiver but also shares…
NuPrime’s flagship power amplifiers have maintained a distinctive characteristic since the NuForce era: a mono-mono configuration. This means complete separation of the left and right channels, each with its own independent chassis, power supply, and amplification circuitry. This design theoretically achieves the best possible channel separation, resulting in superior soundstage layering. I have consistently used…
Since 2020, I’ve been collaborating with HiFiReport to host music appreciation seminars, guiding attendees into the world of classical music. The first seminar of this year took place on January 8th. Upon arriving at HiFiReport, the Marten Parker Trio speakers immediately caught my eye, positioned prominently at the front. Central to the setup was an…
Imagine a typical day at home filled with music. The kids come home from school, eager to listen to their favorite tunes. They effortlessly connect their phones to the Mission LX Connect, blasting Taylor Swift’s new album while waiting for dinner. As mealtime approaches, Dad takes over, switching to Mozart’s “Serenade” played softly, providing a…
An addendum? Yes. This isn’t a full-fledged equipment review, merely a supplementary article. Two months ago, HiFiReport e-mailed me the KECES P28. I truly dislike reviewing their power supplies because every time I do, it’s a battle with myself. I have to resort to all sorts of spiritual purification methods to remain detached and desireless….
Not long ago, I wrote a review of the Audionet ART G5 CD player, considering it a “near-miss” reference-grade digital source. Recently, Enjoy Music Hi-Fi organized a Sennheiser HE1 (New Orpheus) audition event by appointment. Having never experienced this combination, I quickly scheduled a time to explore it. Reluctant to Return the Audionet ART G5…
Lelio has truly embarked on a mythical journey in recent years. First, they launched the Hestia signal cable, named after the goddess of the hearth. After a year of development, they followed up with the Artemis speaker cable, named after the goddess of the hunt. HiFiReport’s Zhiyue previously reviewed the Lelio Hestia. Now, it’s my…
If you’re in the market for a simple and user-friendly active Bluetooth speaker, the current market offers numerous options. However, when it comes to a design as exquisite as the Sonus Faber Omnia, it’s virtually unparalleled. This sheer beauty alone, evident in its appearance, is enough to trigger consumer desire. Redefining Sonic Design Aesthetics Sonus…
Strange title, right? Well, it’s because I auditioned two pieces of equipment at once, and no matter how I shortened the title, it just didn’t sound right. So, I ended up with this odd title. However, just by looking at the title, you’ll know who you could meet at the HiFiReport showroom during this audio…
Yes, this pair of Kali Audio IN-5 active speakers isn’t here on loan for a HiFiReport review. The editorial team actually purchased them as nearfield listening reference monitors. During a visit to the HiFiReport recording studio, engineer Xu Yusheng let me hear his newly acquired IN-5s. I was instantly captivated. Priced under NTD 30,000, I…
Another encounter with Amphion. This time, it’s their smallest bookshelf speaker, the Argon 0. It’s genuinely tiny, easily held in one adult hand. However, picking it up with one hand requires a bit of effort; the Argon 0 is heavier than you might expect. Its compact size makes placement easy, unobtrusive anywhere—perfect for a desk…
In 2016, Sony launched the first-generation NW-WM1Z “Gold Brick” Walkman. Five years later, the second-generation NW-WM1ZM2 emerges. While the 4-inch touchscreen has grown to 5 inches and the industrial design appears similar at first glance, every detail has been re-examined and refined. The NW-WM1ZM2 is not merely a second-generation product; it redefines the very notion…