The Latest Features
SVS Prime Pinnacle Loudspeakers
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- Written by Philip Beaudette Philip Beaudette
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 15 November 2019 15 November 2019
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link.
One thing I’d like to see more of in reviews of extremely expensive high-end audio components is a comparison of the sound quality of the expensive product reviewed with that of real-world gear that doesn’t require its buyer to earn a salary of six or seven figures. For example, while I can appreciate that a $20,000 pair of speakers might sound really good, as a real-world consumer, I’d like to know how those speakers sound in comparison with something that costs a tenth as much. Any reader looking to buy one is unlikely to consider buying the other. But it would be nice if the reviewer of $20k/pair speakers at least had a pair of well-designed, more affordable speakers on hand as a point of reference to provide some context for how much better the pricier speakers sound -- if, indeed, they do.
A Great Unknown Dane -- Discovering DALI
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
How does an audio manufacturer whose loudspeakers are distributed in more than 70 countries, and that has hundreds of employees, a 220,000-square-foot factory, and a history that dates back to 1983, go more or less relatively unnoticed by North America’s audio press? That was something that I and other audio writers from the US and Canada were wondering about when, early last May, we visited Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries (DALI), in Nørager, Denmark. Actually, the fact that DALI isn’t as well known on this side of the Atlantic as some think it should be was the main reason we were there -- DALI’s US distributor, Canada’s Lenbrook Industries, had invited us all to Nørager to get to know the brand better.
From Holiday to Heaven 11 -- the Billie Integrated Amplifier-DAC
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- Written by Douglas Schneider Douglas Schneider
- Category: System One System One
- Created: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
There were two main reasons I wanted to test Heaven 11’s Billie integrated amplifier-DAC in my current System One. First was its reasonable price: $1450 USD. The other, far more important reason was how much careful consideration seemed to have gone into so many aspects of its design. This is a product -- and a company -- that began life as a Kickstarter project. Now that those Kickstarter pre-orders have been filled, the Billie is available for sale at Heaven11Audio.com, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a five-year warranty.
Benchmark Media Systems LA4 Preamplifier
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- Written by Erich Wetzel Erich Wetzel
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
In 1983, in a garage in Garland, Texas, Allen Burdick began building high-performance audio equipment for television under the name Benchmark Sound Company. Two years later he incorporated the company as Benchmark Media Systems, relocated to his home town of Syracuse, New York, and expanded into other market segments, including professional and home audio. Benchmark’s hardware is designed for professional applications and continuous operation 24/7, which makes it perfectly suited to less demanding home use. Benchmark’s current product line includes the DAC3 family of digital-to-analog converters, the AHB2 stereo power amplifier, the HPA4 headphone amp and LA4 line preamp, and a variety of interconnects, digital links, and speaker cables. Most Benchmark components can be purchased with rack-mount faceplates for professional use, or with standard faceplates.
The Audiophile Buzz
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- Written by Ken Kessler Ken Kessler
- Category: SoundStage! UK SoundStage! UK
- Created: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
So sang Buffalo Springfield in 1966: “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.” Nearly every hi-fi show on the planet is reporting increased numbers, the vinyl renaissance is still going strong, at least three genuine luxury brands with no audio experience whatsoever have collaborated this past year with proper hi-fi brands, the reel-to-reel tape revival is costing me a fortune as the prices escalate, ad infinitum. I am not complaining, but I am pleasantly surprised, if genuinely puzzled.
Recommended Reference Component: Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers
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- Written by SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
- Category: Components Components
- Created: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
In his review of the Focal Spectral 40th loudspeakers, published on this site on September 1, 2019, Diego Estan wrote: “In their beautiful, superbly finished cabinets, the Spectral 40ths provided me with stunning sound that always left me grinning from ear to ear.” To our staff, he also remarked that the 40ths sounded so good that he seriously considered buying the review pair to use as references.
Cambridge Audio Edge A Integrated Amplifier-DAC
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- Written by Roger Kanno Roger Kanno
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 15 October 2019 15 October 2019
Cambridge Audio’s first product, designed by Professor Gordon Edge in 1968, was the P40 integrated amplifier, which Cambridge claims was the first amplifier ever to use a toroidal (i.e., donut-shaped) transformer. While continuing to make amplifiers, Cambridge has come a long way in the half-century since then, producing CD players, D/A converters, surround-sound receivers, loudspeakers, and, more recently, network streaming devices and a 4K UHD universal BD player. They also make turntables, moving-coil phono cartridges, and phono preamps. Many of their products list for well under $1000 USD, and have earned Cambridge a reputation for providing extremely high value.
Paradigm Shift -- The Bagbys Are Back!
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 01 October 2019 01 October 2019
On May 13, 2019, Paradigm issued a press release that stated, in part:
Scott Bagby and John Bagby are pleased to announce the successful purchase of Paradigm Electronics, Anthem Electronics, and MartinLogan Loudspeakers, effective May 10, 2019.
Scott Bagby, one of the original founders of Paradigm Electronics, continues as Chairman and assumes the role of CEO. John Bagby, who has been active in many areas in the business over the last several years, takes on the role of Managing Director.
When I read this, I breathed a sigh of relief. I’ve long admired Paradigm, but for many years have had some concerns about the company.
The Budget British Invasion Continues with QED and Wharfedale
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: System One System One
- Created: 01 October 2019 01 October 2019
These days I’m seeing so much great-sounding, great-looking, inexpensive audio gear, particularly from the UK, that I’m not sure there’s ever been a better time for the audiophile on a budget. In my August 2019 column, I wrote about two spectacular values from a British company founded in 1983: Audiolab’s 6000A integrated amplifier-DAC and 6000CDT CD transport, which respectively retail for $949.99 and $499.99 (all prices USD). This month I write about two high-value products from two other UK brands: Wharfedale’s Linton Heritage loudspeaker ($1199/pair, or $1498/pair with stands), and QED’s XT25 speaker cables ($84.99/2m pair).
Paradigm Premier 800F Loudspeakers
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- Written by Roger Kanno Roger Kanno
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 01 October 2019 01 October 2019
After many years of producing, basically, the same few lines of loudspeakers, Paradigm recently revamped almost its entire range of hi-fi speaker models. Except for the Atom, the naming convention used for the new Monitor SE series is entirely different from that of the previous line, and comprises fewer models -- and completely gone are the venerable Studio and Signature lines, now replaced by the intermediately priced Prestige line. Of course, change can be good -- built into Paradigm’s tour-de-force model, the Persona 9H, is a powered subwoofer as well as Anthem Room Correction; the 9H and other Persona models offer state-of-the-art performance at prices that are reasonable by high-end standards. I was a bit disappointed to see the costlier but still high-value Studio and Signature lines retired, but the new designs, including the budget Monitor SE series, incorporate many cutting-edge technologies trickled down from their top models.
