“Since the advent of the CD, listeners have been deprived of the full experience of listening.” - Neil Young PonoPlayers...
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Amplifiers
Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier-DAC
Michael Lavorgna has posted a review of the Audeze Deckard headphone amplifier-DAC ($699) at AudioStream. His conclusions: “The Audeze Deckard Headphone amp/DAC made the experience of listening to music an experience to be savored and enjoyed. When paired up with the Audeze LCD-X headphones, the combo delivered all of music’s goodness directly into my...
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Oppo HA-2 Headphone Amplifier-DAC
In Ear Matters has posted a review of the Oppo HA-2 headphone amplifier ($299). Their conclusions: “With A10 as the digital source and HA-2 as the amp+DAC, the A10 really goes from just a decent sounding DAP to one of the best portable ‘audio stack’ around. This setup will really worthwhile if you are...
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Linnenberg Maestro Headphone Amplifier
Nathan has posted a review of the Linnenberg Maestro Headphone Amplifier ($1550). His conclusions: “Part of me wishes that Linnenberg had a harsh editor behind him, to clean up his few mistakes. (I could do with one, too.) Because, that pot bigger, and in a better place, and those RCA jacks sturdier, and maybe...
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Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier-DAC
Richard Barclay has posted a review of the Audeze Deckard headphone amplifier-DAC (£599) at The Ear. His conclusions: “The premium planar magnetic headphone maker has succeeded in producing a high-quality, ultra low-distortion Class A headphone amp that offers a highly resolute, neutral and spacious sound that should be compatible with the vast majority of...
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Creek Evolution 100A Integrated Amplifier
Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Creek Evolution 100A integrated amplifier (~€1725) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “Creek 100A can hardly be called “inexpensive”. It doesn’t look like cheap amplifier and its design and functionality clearly indicate that this is a product of a serious company, that cares for its customers. But...
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Lars & Ivan THA-8XP Portable Headphone Amplifier
Srajan Ebaen has posted a review of the Lars & Ivan THA-8XP Portable headphone amplifier (€310) at 6moons. His conclusions: “This quality parlays not just the reediness and steeliness of a clarinet and guitar respectively but also their woodiness. Extrapolate from there. If that’s not the case—if you get the sizzle without the sauce—the...
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NAD Master Series M12 Preamplfier-DAC and M22 Stereo Amplifier
Mark Gusew has posted a review of the NAD Master Series M12 preamplifier-DAC ($6999) and M22 stereo amplifier ($5499) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “The transparency, openness and sheer power of the combination is stunning. With well recorded music, the dynamics, soundstage and lack of coloration of the NAD combination makes a very good play...
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Cembalo Audio Labs Spring 1 Headphone Amplifier
David W. Robinson has posted a review of the Cembalo Audio Labs Spring 1 headphone amplifier ($1980) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: “The Spring 1 does extremely well in delivering detail with soul. There’s a lovely touch of musical warmth, and a lilt to the sound that is quite fetching. Regardless of the type...
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Parasound Halo Integrated 2.1 Channel Amplifier-DAC
Phil Gold has posted a review of the Parasound Halo integrated 2.1 channel amplifier-DAC ($2495) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “So as I said I wanted the Parasound Halo Integrated to shine, and I got what I wanted. It concentrates on sound quality while including home theatre passthrough, subwoofer output, bass management, high...
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Naim NAP 300 DR Power Amplifier
Roy Gregory has posted a review of the Naim NAP 300 DR power amplifier (£7295) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “Once you’ve heard the DR upgrades in action, it’s not hard to understand why Naim made so much of this aspect of the Statement’s technology story. It’s also not hard to understand just...
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Shunyata Triton and Typhon Power Conditioners and Sigma Power Cables
Michael Lavorgna has posted a review of the Shunyata Triton V2 ($6995) and Typhon ($5995) power conditioners and Sigma power cables ($2495-$3495) at AudioStream. His conclusions: “Every component used to build these devices was scrutinized for their contribution to the overall design’s sonic result. I have no doubts that those of you with the...
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Hegel H160 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
A. Colin Floyd has posted a review of the Hegel H160 integrated amplifier-DAC ($3500) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Over all though, the Hegel H160 is just a wonderful sounding and thoughtfully designed European style amplifier, which really lets you enjoy the music.” You can read the full review here.
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Bricasti Design M28 Monoblock Amplifiers
Scot Hull has posted a review of the Bricasti Design M28 monoblock amplifiers ($30,000) at Part-Time Audiophile. His conclusions: “Sonically, I find these amps to be without issue and I have zero complaints about the sound, the signature, or their contribution. I found them linear, with effortless extension. I have heard amps with faster...
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darTZeel LHC-208 Integrated Amplifier
John Bamford has posted a review of the darTZeel LHC-208 integrated amplifier (£13,500) at Hi-Fi News and Record Review. His conclusions: “Offering fine sound quality and enough inputs to satisfy most system set-ups,darTZeel’s LHC-208 is a highly desirable Integrated amp/network player/ DAC solution for audiophiles determined to stand out from the crowd. It might...
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iFi Audio Retro Music System
Chris Martens has posted a review of the iFi Audio Retro music system (£1650) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The more I used the Retro system, the better I liked it. In small-to-mid-size rooms it produced a pure, beautifully focussed, and intensely three-dimensional sound that would do many a costly and complex high-end system proud....
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Audio Research Reference 75 SE Power Amplifier
Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Audio Research Reference 75 SE power amplifier (£8600) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The Reference 75 SE harnessed that grace and fluidity of mid-range of great Audio Research amps. included the surprisingly powerful bass of its predecessor, and pulled everything together to make you want to bask...
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Constellation Audio Hercules II Stereo Power Amplifier
Alan Sircom has posted a review of the Constellation Audio Hercules II stereo power amplifier (£85,000) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “But if you spend some time with the Hercules II, whatever you listen to after that is going to be something of a disappointment. It’s a ‘Plato’s Cave’ moment – if you have spent...
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Questyle CMA800R Dual-Mono Headphone Amplifier-DAC
Srajan Ebaen has posted a review of the Questyle CMA800R dueal mono headphone amplifier-DAC (€1500 each) at 6moons. His conclusions: “The benefits I heard overlapped with general lore on mono amps for loudspeakers. Soundstage scale, imaging specificity, low-level detail, separation, density, depth of stage and bass all improved. To what degree; and whether that’s...
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Bryston 28B SST2 Amplifier
Chris Croft has posted a review of the Bryston 28B SST2 amplifier ($28,988) at AVHub. His conclusions: “If you want a really high-powered amplifier, there’s really no need to ‘compare the market’ before taking the not-inconsiderable plunge: Bryston’s 28B SST² monoblocs are the amplifiers you should buy. Simples!” You can read the full review...
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Linn Majik DSM Integrated Amplifier-Network Music Player
Hans Wetzel has posted a review of the Linn Majik DSM integrated amplifier-network music player ($4900) at SoundStage! Access. His conclusions: “But what pushes the Majik DSM into a class of its own is Linn’s suite of apps, which turn the Majik into a thoroughly reliable and easy-to-use daily companion. Media from just about...
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Cyrus Audio Stereo 200 Stereo Amplifier
Roger Kanno has posted a review of the Cyrus Audio Stereo 200 stereo amplifier ($3499) at SoundStage Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “Judging the Cyrus Stereo 200 by looks alone, you might think it would prove a capable but somewhat polite-sounding amplifier in the sub-100Wpc range — the sort of power amp that many associate with...
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Chord Hugo Headphone Amplifier-DAC
John Granberg has posted a review of the Chord Hugo headphone-amplifier ($2495) at Part-Time Audiophile. His conclusions: “Whatever the case, I see Hugo as a rather unique option. Good enough to hang with very expensive home devices, yet also capable of hitting the road in style. In this regard, Chord’s device stands alone —...
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Rogue Audio Stereo 100 Power Amplifier
Frank Alleshas posted a review of the Rogue Audio Stereo 100 power amplifier ($3495) at Stereo Times. His conclusions: “I firmly believe that Rogue has delivered something special in its Stereo 100 tube amplifier. With the right speakers and recordings it is capable of transporting all the various instruments and performers right into one’s...
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Red Dragon Audio S500 Monoblock Amplifiers
Joël Chevassus has posted a review of the Red Dragon Audio monoblock amplifiers ($3998/pair) at 6moons. His conclusions: “Keeping in mind many different levels of appreciation, I really think that these small red dragons stand well above “not bad considering they’re class D” to “surprising for the money” or other such conditional formulae to...
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Harmonix Reimyo KAP-777 Power Amplifier
Srajan Ebaen has posted a review of the Harmonix Reimyo KAP-777 power amplifier (€19,990) at 6moons. His conclusions: ” It’s in the same general sonic class as the Pass Labs XA30.8 but still a bit richer or ‘wealthier’ in the midrange and upper bass and a bit portlier below 60Hz. And it’s a lot...
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