Do you own floor-standing speakers? What kind of feet or spikes are you using underneath them? Are you satisfied with the original spikes that came with your speakers? If you asked me these questions, I might not be able to answer immediately. Without prior experience of swapping and comparing, how would one know if the…
My introduction to the Japanese brand Phasemation began with Stereo Sound magazine’s COTY rankings. Their phono amplifiers consistently topped the annual charts, sparking a strong desire to experience them. However, they weren’t available locally until HiFiReport secured distribution in 2023. Finally, I had the chance to witness the allure of Phasemation’s vinyl sound, and it…
The digital streaming audio market is now akin to a warring states period, with products vying for dominance across all price points. High-end audio giants are heavily invested, offering either pure digital transports or DACs, preamplifiers, and integrated amplifiers with streaming capabilities. Even many speaker manufacturers are releasing active speakers with built-in digital streaming functions….
Audiolab has long been synonymous with delivering excellent sound at an accessible price point. Their reputation for high value-for-money has been deeply ingrained in the minds of many audio enthusiasts for years. However, this doesn’t mean Audiolab is content with just maintaining that image. Starting in 2022, Audiolab launched the flagship 9000 Series, stepping into…
At AIM, a renowned Japanese cable manufacturer, the pursuit of exceptional audio cables is rooted in over four decades of professional expertise. Their approach is simple yet rigorous: start with measured specifications, tirelessly prototype, listen, adjust, and repeat. This iterative process of creation and critical listening is the bedrock of AIM’s philosophy, ensuring every cable…
What comes to mind when you think of Serbia? Frankly, before this, only two people did: Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic. The former is a tennis legend, the only male player globally with 24 Grand Slam singles titles and possibly still adding to his count. The latter is the current NBA sensation, an all-around center…
“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…