“Tianlai” originates from Zhuangzi’s “” (Qiwulun), which uses three types of worldly music—earthly sounds (), human sounds (), and heavenly sounds ()—to illustrate the principle of naturalness and non-action (). Therefore, the original meaning of “Tianlai” is “sounds of nature” or “sounds without artificial modification.” Later, taking its meaning of “natural and unadorned,” it was…
Swedish high-end speaker manufacturer Marten was founded in 1998 and has been in operation for 25 years. To commemorate their 25th anniversary, Marten unveiled the stunning new Mingus Septet loudspeaker at the 2023 Munich High End Show. At the time, the sonic performance of the Mingus Septet deeply impressed visitors at the Marten exhibit. It’s…
Taiwanese brand Diva Audio previously released the EX-7 audiophile-grade network switch, which delivered a stunning performance, easily ranking among the best switches currently available. However, its price point also placed it in an echelon far beyond the reach of most enthusiasts. To extend the benefits of their unique technology to a broader spectrum of audiophiles,…
KECES, a brand that built its reputation on DACs and linear power supplies, has rapidly expanded its product line in recent years. Their offerings now span various capacities of isolation transformers, preamps, power amps, and integrated amplifiers, as well as phono preamplifiers, catering to both digital and analog enthusiasts. Now, KECES is venturing into the…
In any home theater system, premium low frequencies are an absolute must. Without them, the thrill of watching movies is severely diminished. The challenge, however, lies in achieving quality bass – it needs to be abundant yet clear, layered, and fast. On top of that, ideally, it should be easy to adjust and not break…
Spec, a Japanese brand, has always struck me as rather intriguing. Why do I say that? Their products share a few key characteristics. Firstly, their amplifiers exclusively employ Class D amplification – you won’t find any Class AB or Class A designs here. Regardless of price or level, it’s all Class D. Secondly, while their…
Founded in 1934, Leak Audio is celebrating its ninetieth anniversary this year. In its early days, the company dedicated itself to public address systems, coinciding with the golden age of radio in the 1940s. Born for professional purposes, Leak continuously pursued technological breakthroughs. At one point, they created the “Point One Amplifier,” boasting distortion levels…
The Accuphase E-4000 integrated amplifier spent a considerable amount of time with HiFiReport this time around. The main reason was that it arrived in April, and I had to attend the Munich High End show, which meant I couldn’t be in the office to listen for about nine days. I hadn’t finished my evaluation before…
The outer packaging is a black cardboard box, with the words “Final Touch Audio” printed in silver in the lower right corner, presenting a low-key and elegant look. Sliding off the outer box reveals a white inner box printed with symbols resembling a circuit diagram. These symbols are actually “FTA,” the abbreviation for Final Touch…
KECES’s previous preamplifier, the S3, was released in 2017. It included DAC and headphone amplifier functions, primarily targeting users with computer sources (CAT), active speakers, or headphone enthusiasts. The goal was to provide a convenient way for these users to enjoy music with high-quality sound. Years later, the second preamplifier, the S4, has finally arrived….
My first encounter with the Ideon brand was about a year ago. At the time, the manager of the HiFiReport Audio store, Young Cai, sent me a box and said, “Try this out first and tell me what you think. We can decide about writing a review later.” It was a small, unassuming device in…
“Wow, these speakers are absolutely stunning!” The collective gasp was audible as we carefully unpacked the Burmester B28 from its crates and pulled back the black cloth covers. This particular pair of B28s came in a crisp white finish. The cabinet surface is matte, with an incredibly uniform and refined paint application that feels luxurious…
Axxess isn’t a new standalone series, but rather the fourth brand under the Audio Group Denmark umbrella. Audio Group Denmark integrates the technologies used in their cable and accessory brand Ansuz, their powered audio equipment like Aavik amplifiers, and their Borressen loudspeakers to create products that are more accessible and desirable. This is Axxess –…
Upon seeing a two-piece streaming player, one might instinctively assume it’s a separate power supply design, right? That was my initial thought too. However, after getting my hands on the DSP-05EX, I realized it wasn’t that simple. It’s not a separate power supply, but rather a meticulously engineered “streamer transport + DAC.” Sforzato has essentially…
Writing about Elipson speakers for the first time, I naturally delved into the company’s history and brand background. To my surprise, Elipson was founded back in 1938, boasting a legacy of over 80 years! Looking further, I discovered that Elipson isn’t just old; they’ve consistently been at the forefront of technology and creativity. They were…
For Ferrum Audio, the Polish audio innovators, creativity and technical prowess seem boundless. Take, for instance, the Wandla DAC we reviewed previously. It featured digital filter modes specifically designed by Signalyst, the developer behind HQPlayer, boasted an incredibly comprehensive set of connection interfaces (including HDMI ARC, I2S, and even analog input), and incorporated a highly…
In my estimation, any friend who loves headphones, anyone who frequently uses headphones for listening to music, or any HiFi aficionado who appreciates a clean, clear, refined, and delicate sound should seriously consider acquiring a Stax electrostatic headphone system. Electrostatic headphones aren’t universally perfect, nor will they satisfy everyone’s every requirement for headphones. However, they…
Audiophile cables seem to get more expensive by the day. So, is a budget cable like the Oehlbach Audio Link interconnect any good? My belief is that if a cable is correctly constructed, meets specifications, and accurately transmits the signal, it will sound good. The only difference lies in subtle variations in tonal character. High-end…