Every time I encounter products from Stein Music, I find myself scratching my head. Their creations are so unique that it’s sometimes hard to know where to even begin describing them. My first experience with Stein Music was their renowned Harmonizer, used in conjunction with Magic Stones tuning blocks. This combination could make music flow…
What are the perks of being an audio reviewer? It’s the privilege of experiencing a world of exquisite sound through diverse Hi-Fi equipment. But what’s the downside? Falling in love with the sound of gear, only to have to reluctantly return it. My time reviewing the German Audionet ART G5 CD player was exactly this…
Nordost’s cable series often draws inspiration from Norse mythology, with each product line telling a story. The flagship Odin series is named after the leader of the Aesir gods, the king of gods himself, befitting its top-tier status. The Valhalla series, just below Odin, is named after Valhalla, the hall of slain warriors, honored guests…
It’s quite amusing, after being Facebook friends for so many years, my encounters with Mr. Ong had been limited to public events. We’d even bump into each other at the Munich High End Show, yet I had never actually visited HiFiReport Audio. This time, finally, that changed. The connection was made by Mola Mola, or…
In the realm of audiophilia, each enthusiast harbors a personal summit to conquer. My recent experience auditioning the Argento Flow FMR EE, a flagship power cable from Denmark, left me in awe, unveiling yet another pinnacle in power cable design. Three Decades Building a Boutique Audio Cable Legacy My first encounter with the Argento FMR…
On a certain day, I arranged to meet HiFiReport’s editor-in-chief at HiFiReport Audio to audition a multi-channel system featuring LALS dual 12-inch horn center channel and 12-inch horn main speakers. I arrived early, but following the address, I couldn’t find a storefront. HiFiReport Audio was on the second floor, and looking up, there was no…
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…