Audience aR6-T4 Power
Conditioner Review
With upgraded frontRow powerChords and standard powerChord
SE-i.
Review By Dr. Matthew Clott
The opportunity to review new models of
familiar equipment is similar to catching up with an old friend. I have
enjoyed, owned and respected Audience cables and conditioners since the
original Adept Response was released and the "Original"
powerChord first hit the proverbial scene. The Au24 power cables were
the epitome of neutrality and their speaker wire and interconnects
magically conveyed the full auditory picture in an inconceivably thin
cable that defied logic and belied current trends of bigger must be
better cable etiologies. Even then, the Adept Response conditioner was
something special and established itself as a premier product with few
equals. Over time, the "Original" powerChord grew into the
Au24, which then matured into the Au24s, Au24se, Au24se-i and now the
Au24sx series of power cables and audio cables; not to mention their new
reference level frontRow series.
--->
Audience aR6-T4 power conditioner review.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound Premium
Experience / Aqstic Technology
Qualcomm Technologies has just announced their Snapdragon Sound premium experience, as this
technology seeks to bring together the very best audio, connectivity, and mobile innovations. This new efforts will deliver high-resolution music, crystal-clear voice calls, and lag-free gaming with superior connectivity and extended battery life. Their end-to-end audio system supports premium sound every step of the way, from the mobile device to the wireless earbuds and headphones. Snapdragon Sound is designed to deliver true lossless high-resolution studio master quality 24-bit/96kHz via Bluetooth music that streams straight from your phone. Their Aqstic technology means you can play your music "extra loud without damaging the speaker on your phone" says the
company.
---> Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound Premium Experience / Aqstic
technology.
Square, Inc. Buys Majority Of Tidal For
Only $297M
The Tidal streaming music platform that seemed to need extra
oomph power to gain traction years ago has sold a majority stake to Square, Inc. for only $297M. Years ago what appeared to be a struggling music streaming service decided to take a play right out of Jimmy Iovine's Beats $3.2 billion sale to Apple
playbook by giving part ownership to artists. For Tidal, they gave a stake to Alicia Keys, Arcade Fire's Win Butler / Regine Chassagne, Beyoncé, Calvin Harris, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Daft Punk, Damian Marley, deadmau5, Indochine, J. Cole, Jack White, Jason Aldean, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna,
T.I., and Usher. Of course Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter was a major stakeholder in Tidal
before this sale and he will have a position on the board with Square, Inc.
---> Square, Inc. buys majority of Tidal for only $297M.
Update About The Pacific Audio
Fest 2021
This just in from PAF's Lou Hinkley: Covid has obviously thrown more wrenches into the audio show schedule. Considering the constantly changing dates of some shows this year we want to assure everyone that if we cannot safely hold the Pacific Audio Fest on our scheduled dates (July
30 -- Aug. 1 2021) then we will simply refund all deposits and plan on similar dates for 2022. We will not change our dates in 2021 because doing so would intrude on the long established show dates of RMAF and Capitol Audio Fest, and our belief and policy is that we are all in this together.
---> Update about the Pacific
Audio Fest 2021.
Update About AXPONA 2021 Date
Change
This just in from Liz Miller with AXPONA: We miss seeing you in person and are optimistic we can all gather again this year. Our team is closely monitoring the vaccine rollout, international travel rules, and state and local government regulations for holding indoor events in 2021. Based on this holistic perspective, and given that the summer months remain unpredictable, we have decided to take advantage of an opportunity to move AXPONA two months later from August 27 – 29 to October 29 – 31,
2021.
---> Update about AXPONA 2021 date change.
Schiit Loki Mini+ Four Band Tone
Control / Equalizer
Schiit's new Loki Mini+ ($149) is a expertly-designed four-band equalizer with super-quiet two-stage regulated power supply and high-quality inductors. With the Loki Mini+, Schiit boosted the performance boundaries of high-fidelity, low noise, single-discrete-gain-stage, LC-filtered, affordable equalizers. We all know not all recordings are made equal, so a high quality equalizer / tone control could bring them to high-end standards within your listening room. In addition, you can make your system sound the way you want it. Schiit asks the question, "Pounding bass? Sure. Crystalline highs?
Absolutely." Loki Mini+ uses a single, discrete, current-feedback gain stage, coupled to passive LC filters for three bands, plus a gyrator for the
bass.
---> Schiit Loki Mini+ four band equalizer / tone
control.
Music Streaming Leads In RIAA's 2020 Report
While LP sales were up 29.2% in value during 2020, they have exceeded that of legacy compact disc (CD) sales, which were down 23.4%. There's no doubt streaming music is the big revenue generator for the music industry during 2020 ($10,074M).RIAA's USA recorded music revenues grew 9.2% in 2020 to $12.2 billion at estimated retail value. "This is the fifth consecutive year of growth for the industry, as paid subscription services continued to be the primary driver of revenue increases, and reached a record number of subscriptions", says RIAA's year end 2020 report. "Covid-19 affected the industry significantly through tour cancellations, retail store closures, and other disruptions. Revenues from recorded music measured at wholesale value grew 8.9% to $8.0 billion.
---> Music streaming leads in RIAA's 2020 report.
Enjoy the Music.com's
March Review Magazine
This month's Enjoy the Music.com Review
Magazine features a variety of great gear reviews, thoughtful think pieces,
and more! Audio Aesthetics has Jules Coleman Articulating the many aspects of beauty in hi-fi audio. Things That Audiophiles Do, But Shouldn't brings the expertise of Roger Skoff as he seeks to foil some 'philes' feckless
foibles 'philes do, but shouldn't. Gear reviews within this issue include the impressive Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier and Essence Amplifier that has Senior editor Tom Lyle blown away by an amazing musical performance! Our World Premiere Review of Aric Audio Unlimited II vacuum tube stereo preamplifier says Igor never sounded so good! We also have a North America Premiere review of Canor's AI 2.10 hybrid stereo integrated amplifier as Ron Nagle enjoys the smallest details, exactly like you would
listen to a very fine performance. In addition, we also have a World Premiere Review of SOTA's wonderful new Nova VI vinyl LP turntable.
We have more wonderful high-end audio equipment reviews, think pieces, etc within this month's
Enjoy the Music.com Review Magazine.
---> See Enjoy the Music.com's
March Review Magazine.
SVS 1000 Pro Series Reference
Subwoofers
SVS has launched their new 1000 Pro Series reference
subwoofers with 12" high-excursion driver and 325 Watts RMS (820+ Watts peak power). SVS says their new 1000 Pro Series subwoofers are a "revolutionary upgrade over their predecessors with flagship features only available from
SVS." The sealed cabinet SB-1000 Pro and ported cabinet PB-1000 Pro features an all-new 12" high-excursion drivers, Sledge STA-325D amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output, 50 MHz Analog Devices DSP, reimagined cabinet designs, and the innovative SVS subwoofer control smartphone app for advanced tuning, control, and
more.
---> SVS 1000 Pro series reference 12" active
subwoofers.
Audio Aesthetics
Articulating the many aspects of beauty in hi-fi audio.
Article
By Dr. Jules L. Coleman
We
audiophiles are a diverse and peculiar lot. So much so that some might think
that self-identification is the only thing we share. If there is something
distinctive about being an audiophile, what is it? Sometime last year, I found myself contemplating this question
when reflecting on the untimely death of Art Dudley. I did not know Art
particularly well, but I had a kinship with him dating back to his days at the
helm of Listener
magazine. No one could read anything Art had a hand in
without coming away impressed not just by his love of music but also by the fact
that he had given a great deal of thought to what he wanted from an audio system
and why. Others on the Listener staff were similarly inclined. For me,
this ongoing iterative reflection about the nature and value of audio made Listener
the most interesting read in audio when they were in business.
---> Articulating the many aspects of beauty in hi-fi audio.
Things That Audiophiles Do, But Shouldn't
Roger Skoff seeks to foil some 'philes' feckless foibles.
Article
By Roger Skoff
Many
a long year ago, when I was probably about sixteen, my father went over to the
home of his friend, Ozzie Palermo, to hear his new Hi-Fi set. (Yeah, Hi-Fi
set; that was back when the hot set–up for everybody other than us early
Hi-Fi Crazies, was a one-piece "console" radio-phonograph with built-in
speakers.) Ozzie had just bought it, and was showing it off to anyone who would
listen. (Judging by when this probably happened, it might even have been "a
stereo", which, in itself, would have been both an oddity and a bragging-point
in those days). After my father got there, listened, and dutifully said "ooh"
and "aah" at appropriate intervals, Ozzie apparently asked him something like "Say,
isn't your son a Hi-Fi Fan, too?"
---> Things
that audiophiles do, but shouldn't.
Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier
And Essence Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Blown away by an amazing musical performance!
Review By Tom Lyle
The
Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Gryphon Stereo power amplifier are gorgeous
looking and beautiful sounding Danish high-end audio components. Those who can
afford either or both of these components will not only enjoy stellar sound
quality but most likely will also be able to enjoy the fact that they are the
epitome of audio equipment that has a look and "feel" of luxury goods. Gryphon
founder Flemming E. Rasmussen was responsible for the stunningly beautiful
exterior of the rather large (and heavy!) Gryphon Essence preamplifier and
Stereo Essence power amplifier. Good looks and operational refinement are
especially true of the Gryphon Essence preamplifier. Its weighty
infrared metal remote was only one indication of this Danish audio manufacturer's
recognition of many audiophile's appreciation of the intangibles that are
available on many preamps.
--->
Gryphon Audio Essence preamplifier & Essence amplifier review.
World Premiere Review!
Aric Audio Unlimited II Vacuum Tube Stereo
Preamplifier Review
Igor never sounded so good!
Review By Paul Schumann
Let's face
it, the year 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic has sucked. In addition to the
tragic loss of life, health, and financial security for many people, most of us
have been unable to easily connect with loved ones. Now, what we always
considered normal activities have been completely shut down. For the past few
years, my dad and I have been season ticket holders for the Austin Symphony
Orchestra. That meant, for nine wonderful Saturday evenings a year, we would
meet up, have a meal together, then go to the Symphony. It was a great way to
reconnect and enjoy our shared passion for music. With the advent of the
pandemic, all that was shut down. So instead of that, I have been trying other
ways to stay connected with my dad. The Aric Audio Unlimited II Preamplifier has
helped me in that effort.
---> Aric Audio Unlimited II vacuum tube stereo
preamplifier review.
The Intro
Editorial By Art Dudley
Apart from reminding Listener's
readers how seldom I have been arrested compared to George W. Bush (the score stands at "zero" to "three that we know of"), I vow to keep the following observations as non-political as I
can. Today's concern goes to the heart of our hobby. Specifically, what should we, as audiophiles, be doing with our hi-fi gear? Should we use our stereos to lay bare every nuance of sound on our recordings, as faithfully and thoroughly as technology allows? Or should we use them as we would a drug, to achieve a musical bliss-out whenever the fancy strikes
us? And: Is it acceptable for us to even think of these as separate
goals?
---> The Intro by Art
Dudley of Listener magazine.
More high-end audio
reviews & articles within our Review Magazine.
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