High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

03 / 31 / 20

Electronic Alchemy eForge 3D Printer For Electronics
According to NASA, Chance Glenn traces the inspiration for his Electronic Alchemy eForge 3D Printer back to Star Trek. He was struck by the replicator, a machine in the show that could produce food, clothing, ship parts, and anything else that was needed, on demand. Glenn proposed the project to NASA's Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, which funds research and development projects in technology areas that contribute to NASA's missions. Because the ability to 3D print parts in space could support long-duration missions, NASA has been working on the technology for years, with a more recent focus on electronics in particular, since these high precision parts and devices have failed in the past on the International Space Station.

Science fiction has become reality. Imagine downloading any electronic device that you want then printing it in minutes. That's what's possible with the Electronic Alchemy eForge. The Electronic Alchemy eForge is a multi-material 3D printer based upon our proprietary materials development. Six of the eight spools have an electronic property, including a capacitive filament, conductive filament, insulating filament, resistive filament, plus both N- and P-type semiconductors.

The eForge and Design Cauldron design software make it easy to start designing and printing electronics. Additionally, our Design Community gives makers all over the world a place to share, download, and discuss designs and applications. Use up to eight different materials simultaneously with fully independent extruders allowing for a massive range of printing capabilities. Never lose a project with automatic pausing if a filament runs out and automatic data saving should power be lost for any reason. Plus, industry-leading build volume means fewer limits and greater freedom to design and print what you want. The Electronic Alchemy eForge is the first 3D printing system capable of producing functional electronics. Limitless possibilities!

03 / 030 / 20

Hi-Fi World's May Issue Features Reviews & Think Pieces
Hi-Fi World's May 2020 issue features your chance to win a Rega Ania Pro cartridge worth £750. There's also a Bristol show report in pictures from the Hi-Fi World team that were there and saw the action. Also within this issue is a report about Hi-Fi World's Globe Awards to manufacturers celebrating the best products from 2019. Gear reviews within this issue include the Magneplanar MG 0.7 LRS loudspeakers, Unison Research Max Mini bookshelf speakers, FiiO Btr5 Bluetooth headphone amplifier, Avid Integra amplifier, Black Rhodium Charleston cables, Luxman PD-151 turntable, Ortofon Quintet Bronze phono cartridge, and Lime Ears IEMs. There's a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to Hi-Fi World journalist of Jon Myles, who passed away suddenly in February 2020.

Within his editorial, Noel Keywood says, "It's been said many times there's no innovation in loudspeakers any more: we get the "same old same old", endlessly regurgitated. You know – cone bass/midrange unit in a box, plus tweeter. The reason being it works and it is cheap. Conventional drive units are mass produced: just look at China's Swan loudspeaker drive unit range. But not everyone wants to follow this path and the dear old US of A likes to make its own way, seemingly oblivious to what's across the Atlantic or Pacific. And thank heavens for that. They produce electrostatics, magnetic planars and hybrids not seen elsewhere." See what's within this issue of Hi-Fi World at this link.

03 / 27 / 20

Tonight And Tomorrow Only!
The 2014 Blues Masters at the Crossroads event at Blue Heaven Studios, celebrating the 17th year as the preeminent authentic Blues concert in the world, featured performances by Rip Lee Pryor, Moreland & Arbuckle, Marquise Knox, Big George Brock, Kim Wilson, Joe Beard, Lazy Lester, Mighty Sam McClain, Sonny Green, Kim Wilson with Billy Flynn, and Bernard Allison. Taking place in Salina, Kansas, October 17th and 18th (2014) at a converted 1925 church sanctuary, the musical gospel continues to resonate within the walls of this historic building. To bring the 'good word to the streets', Enjoy the Music.com live streamed Blues Masters at the Crossroads for the first time in recorded history, so the world can see and hear the live sound of true, authentic Blues music during this momentous event.
Learn more about our Blues Masters At The Crossroads live stream.

03 / 26 / 20

T.H.E. Show Talk Interview Style Q&A Event
This just in from the brilliant minds at T.H.E. Show (The Home Entertainment Show). It looks to be along the same lines as Enjoy the Music.com did years ago with our virtual CES reports we did years ago: In this time of social distancing and focusing on health, T.H.E. Show is launching our news series, called T.H.E. Talk shortly. This will be an interview style Q&A with various designers, manufacturers, dealers, and distributors and YOU will get to ask them your most burning questions about audio and music from the safety and comfort of your own home. We'll be hosting these events on our various social media platforms - be it on Facebook, on Instagram Live and even on Twitter/Periscope so make sure to watch for which platform we will be on. In the meantime, send us who you'd like to see featured! We already have our first few guests lined up but we want to give you a chance to get connected with your favorite brands so please reach out.

We hope that no matter where in the world you are, you're all staying healthy, safe, and inside. T.H.E. Team here at T.H.E. Show would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of you - whether you're a brand, a distributor, a member of the press/media, or an audiophile/music lover, we do this for all of you and we appreciate your continued support. T.H.E. End... until next time!

Furutech NCF Cable Booster-Signal
Life often contains hidden gems awaiting exploration.
Review By Jeremy Kipnis
Sometimes, you can't help but get giddy about a product that most everyone is going to gripe that, "It can't possibly work!" But the fact is the highly debatable yet finely engineered Furutech NCF Booster-Signal I've been lucky enough to be closely reviewing these past few months clearly improves the clarity, focus, resolution, and musical enjoyment...
---> Read More

03 / 25 / 20

Last Chance To Enter And Win!
Win An Audio Note UK IZero Vacuum Tube Int. Amp.
Win a vacuum tube integrated amplifier valued at $2480!
For Audio Note UK's Zero range, they decided to design an integrated amplifier rather than a preamplifier / power amplifier combination. The result is the IZero Integrated Amplifier ($2480), and it has exceeded all of this British company's expectations. Offering a level of performance that was previously considered unthinkable for an amplifier of such diminutive size and price, the IZero really is something very special. It is said to produce a bold, rich, smooth, and delicate performance, whilst offering a level of fine detail finesse that is quite incredible!
---> Read More

03 / 24 / 20

Enjoy the Music.com To Rebroadcast Our Live Stream Of Blues Masters At The Crossroads 2014
The 2014 Blues Masters at the Crossroads event at Blue Heaven Studios, celebrating the 17th year as the preeminent authentic Blues concert in the world, featured performances by Rip Lee Pryor, Moreland & Arbuckle, Marquise Knox, Big George Brock, Kim Wilson, Joe Beard, Lazy Lester, Mighty Sam McClain, Sonny Green, Kim Wilson with Billy Flynn, and Bernard Allison. Taking place in Salina, Kansas, October 17th and 18th (2014) at a converted 1925 church sanctuary, the musical gospel continues to resonate within the walls of this historic building.
---> Read more about our Blues Masters At The Crossroads live stream.

03 / 23 / 20

WiSA Supports 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res Audio Dolby Atmos
WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association), comprised of over 60 leading consumer electronics brands and founded by Summit Wireless Technologies (NASDAQ: WISA), announced support of Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/96kHz Dolby Atmos height channels, allowing WiSA speaker partners to develop products that include immersive 3D audio experiences made possible by Dolby Atmos technology. WiSA users will be able to assign front height, side height and rear height audio channels to WiSA Certified speakers, making it easy for consumers to configure their systems for Dolby Atmos content during set-up.

The addition of Dolby Atmos height channels as options for a WiSA wireless audio system shows WiSA's continued dedication to maintaining its leadership position in wireless home audio while providing versatile solutions that maintain an extremely high level of audio performance. The ability for a user to select Dolby Atmos height channels will be included in the latest transmitter and speaker firmware, now scheduled for release in Q2 of 2020. Existing WiSA products can also take advantage of this feature through a firmware update.

03 / 20 / 20

Thorens New TD 1600 And TD 1601 Series Turntables
Thorens has just introduced the successors to their legendary 160-Series Turntables. Thorens' new TD 1600-series combine the TD 160's DNA with state-of-the-art design, manufacturing, and materials technology. The result is a classically beautiful analog component with impressive performance. The fully manual TD 1600 ($2999) is the standard version, with the semi-automatic TD 1601 ($3499) adds electrical tonearm lift, contactless auto shut-off and balanced XLR outputs in addition to standard unbalanced RCA. Thoren's new TD1600 and TD 1601 embody all the qualities that made the original 160 one of the company's most significant turntable of its generation; however, every detail has been scrutinized, reimagined, and elevated to state-of-the-art. Their aluminum plinth is crafted from cutting-edge Alucobond, which sandwiches aerospace honeycomb material between two layers of aircraft-grade aluminum to provide extraordinary strength and stiffness. The 12-volt synchronous motor is encased in a non-resonant housing, damped by a silicone ring, and fed by an oversized, outboard Linear Power Supply for the quietest and most accurate performance obtainable. A sealed, maintenance-free bearing assures a lifetime of silent rotation.

Whereas the original TD 160 sub-chassis was hung from three springs attached to its top plate, the TD 1600 and TD 1601 sub-chassis sits atop three conical steel springs attached to a massive, highly damped base. These springs are fully adjustable to enable fine-tuning and leveling of the sub-chassis. Fitted to both TD 1600 and TD 1601, Thorens' TP92 9" Tonearm tube is crafted from eight layers of cold-forged aluminum for maximum strength and vibration control, and includes a fixed damping ring precisely placed at the first bending node to attenuate resonance. An offset counterweight ensures optimal tracking. Devotees of Mid-Century Modern design will admire the 1600-Series' minimalist aesthetics. Available in either Walnut or Black gloss, Thorens' TD 1600 series base is complemented by a gorgeous extra-thick hinged dustcover.

03 / 19 / 20

TBT: How A Vinyl Record Is Made
We tour Quality Record Pressings / Acoustic Sounds vinyl LP pressing plant.
Enjoy the Music.com and Enjoy the Music.TV presents to you our video tour of the Quality Record Pressings (Acoustic Sounds) vinyl LP pressing plant. We join plant manager Gary and owner Chad Kassem as they take us on a step-by-step journey through how a vinyl LP record is produced. Creative Director of Enjoy the Music.com Steven R. Rochlin guides you on his Quality Vinyl Pressings factory tour to learn how they produce a vinyl LP.
---> See the video of how a vinyl LP is made at this link.

Coronavirus: Consumers Spend More Time On Media
According to Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics company that provides consumer data for worldwide markets, says that, "Regardless of whether you call it social distancing, quarantining or retreating to a safe place, heading home amid concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is bound to affect media consumption habits. In fact, staying put in our homes can lead to almost a 60% increase in the amount of content we watch in some cases and potentially more depending on the reasons. Considering that consumers around the globe are already leaning into the growing array of content options and channels, a 60% increase is significant."

"Media consumption in the U.S. is already at historical highs," continues Nielsen. "As reported in the most recent Nielsen Total Audience report, Americans are already spending just shy of 12 hours each day with media platforms. What's more, three-fourths of U.S. consumers are broadening their media options with streaming subscriptions and TV-connected devices." Read more about this on their website.

03 / 18 / 20

Dan D'Agostino MAS Progression Integrated Amplifier
Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems has begun shipping the Progression Integrated Amplifier (starting at $18,000), the latest addition to the award-winning Progression Series. The Progression Integrated combines the elegance and detail retrieval of the Progression Preamplifier with the power and dynamic capability of the Progression amplifier topology housed in a chassis the exudes the D'Agostino aesthetic. Built on a modular platform, the Progression Integrated fills every need of today's music listener and audiophile. The analog base unit provides two single ended RCA inputs and three XLR balanced inputs including a theater pass through. Balanced preamplifier outputs make for convenient inclusion of subwoofer(s) into a system.

The Bluetooth Remote control connectivity, first used in the Progression and Momentum HD Preamplifiers, is included as part of the base package. Bluetooth connectivity eliminates line of sight issues and extends the usable range 5x versus conventional IR remote controls. The heart and soul of the Progression Integrated Amplifier is essential Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems' technologies including discrete, balanced, direct coupled circuitry married to a substantial output stage delivering 200 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 400 Wpc into 4 Ohms. The foundation of the Progression Integrated Amplifier is a traditional line stage integrated amplifier suitable for all analog sources except turntables. If a turntable is part of the current system or added in the future, an optional moving coil phonostage module can be included at the time of production or added at a later date. For those listeners keen to incorporate digital playback within the same unit, an optional digital module, adding a full suite of capability, is also available.

Eliminating external connections, gain stages, and additional components offers distinct sonic advantages. S/PDIF coaxial, TosLink optical, and USB physical inputs join Ethernet and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity for in house network and internet streaming capability. Digital resolution includes support for files up to DSD256, 24-bit/192kHz, and MQA. As part of the digital module technologies, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and Spotify streaming subscription services are available. Customized apps for iOS devices provide easy control of music collections, streaming content, and unit control. Roon Music management is also available. The Progression Integrated Amplifier is available now starting at $18,000 for the analog base model, $20,000 for the analog model with optional phono stage, $23,000 for the analog model with optional digital module, and $25,000 for the unit equipped with the optional phono stage and digital module. The optional modules may also be added at a later date. Standard finishes include silver or black with custom painted finishes available upon request.

Enjoy Reading Your Fave Hi-Fi Magazines Online
Everyone here at Enjoy the Music.com sympathizes with those affected by the recent health issue. Our hobby is one that can be enjoyed within the privacy, and security, of your home. We'd like to take a moment to remind our readers that many of our partner magazines offer online subscriptions. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music.

03 / 17 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

DanaCables And Gingko Audio
Plus Sennheiser, Lampizator, Salk, Pro-Ject, Focal, Pangea and Furman.
Report By Frank Garofalo
DanaCables was at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo with their line of handcrafted cables along with speakers by Gingko Audio. If you are someone who is unsure about cables, the difference that they can make or even where cables fall on the priority tier list of audio components when it comes to which component of an audio system makes the biggest difference. You can test the difference between stock cables and DanaCables on various headphones at a show and see for yourself.
---> Read More

PranaWire Annapurna 4" Platform / Collector Base
PranaWire is proud to announce the release of its new series of Platform/Collectors (starting at $9950). These are designed to connect to our Super Enhanced Ground Plane boxes or other grounding devices for maximum effect. The top plate of the Annapurna is 3/8" thick brass that is electrically connected to the internal collector assembly, which is surrounded by a massive amount of noise absorbing materials. Available in 4", 3", and 2" heights, standard and custom sizes and in a range of solid hardwood finishes.

The top is of thick, heavily damped polished brass and composite material. Inside is the company's Super Enhanced Collector Plate that is connected electrically to the top. The internal collector plate is surrounded by powerful noise absorbing materials. There is a binding post that connects the platform to the Emerald via a cable. The entire unit weighs 50 to 60 lbs. The Brass top and the internal Collector Plate function in concert said to to draw vast amounts of noise away from the component, while the massive brass top plate decisively shunts vibrational energy away from the component. Dimensions of this platform in standard form are 15" X 17" X 4".

03 / 16 / 20

HIFICRITIC's Latest Issue Features UK Show And Reviews
HIFICRITIC's latest issue features their coverage of The Bristol Show 2020, which is a fixture on the British hi-fi calendar for more than three decades. High-end audio equipment reviews include the Magico M2 speakers, McIntosh MA9000 big integrated amplifier, Vertere Dynamic Groove DG-1 entry-level turntable, Naim ND555 flagship network player revisited, JBL L100 Classic loudspeaker, Avid Integra integrated amplifier, Focal Chora 806 stand-mounted loudspeaker, Townshend Allegri Reference transformer-based passive preamplifier, Magico Spods speakers, and more.

Within his editorial, Martin Colloms says, "We leap into the 'twenty-twenties' with this brave new issue, the first in our expanded format: we have refreshed layouts, typography and presentation, thanks to our designer Philippa Steward, and hope you'll enjoy it. This update offers the opportunity to be more creative with our presentation of both features and reviews, include extended technology investigations, and write greater detail where appropriate – and it's also easier to read. Instead of the oft- found breathless chase to a quotable conclusion found in many publications, we favour a deeper exploration of the subject, the product, and its context. 'Slow publishing', if you like...". See what's within this issue of HIFICRITIC at this link.

Free Nightly Metropolitan Opera Streams In HD
After just recently canceling upcoming performances due to concerns around the coronavirus, The Metropolitan Opera announced that it would stream encore presentations from the award-winning Live in HD series of cinema transmissions on the company website for the duration of the closure. The new offering will begin on Monday, March 16 with the 2010 HD performance of Bizet's Carmen, conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and starring Elīna Garanča in the title role and Roberto Alagna as Don José.

All "Nightly Met Opera Streams" will begin at 7:30pm and will remain available via the homepage of metopera.org for 20 hours. The homepage link will open the performance on the Met Opera on Demand streaming service. The performance will also be viewable on all Met Opera on Demand apps. "We'd like to provide some grand opera solace to opera lovers in these extraordinarily difficult times," said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. "Every night, we'll be offering a different complete operatic gem from our collection of HD presentations from the past 14 years." Below is a schedule for the first week of streams:

Monday, March 16 – Bizet's Carmen
Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Elīna Garanča and Roberto Alagna. Transmitted live on January 16, 2010.

Tuesday, March 17 – Puccini's La Bohème
Conducted by Nicola Luisotti, starring Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas. Transmitted live on April 5, 2008.

Wednesday, March 18 – Verdi's Il Trovatore
Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on October 3, 2015.

Thursday, March 19 – Verdi's La Traviata
Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Diana Damrau, Juan Diego Flórez, and Quinn Kelsey. Transmitted live on December 15, 2018.

Friday, March 20 – Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment
Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez. Transmitted live on April 26, 2008.

Saturday, March 21 – Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczała, and Mariusz Kwiecien. Transmitted live on February 7, 2009.

Sunday, March 22 – Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin
Conducted by Valery Gergiev, starring Renée Fleming, Ramón Vargas, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on February 24, 2007.

03 / 15 / 20

Win An Audio Note UK IZero Vacuum Tube Int. Amp.
Win a vacuum tube integrated amplifier valued at $2480!
For Audio Note UK's Zero range, they decided to design an integrated amplifier rather than a preamplifier / power amplifier combination. The result is the IZero Integrated Amplifier ($2480), and it has exceeded all of this British company's expectations. Offering a level of performance that was previously considered unthinkable for an amplifier of such diminutive size and price, the IZero really is something very special. It is said to produce a bold, rich, smooth, and delicate performance, whilst offering a level of fine detail finesse that is quite incredible!
---> Read More

03 / 13 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

Musical Surroundings
Featuring AMG, DS Audio, Rogue Audio, Magnepan, and Clearaudio.
Report By Frank Garofalo
Musical Surroundings made an appearance at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo with products from AMG, DS Audio, Rogue Audio, Magnepan, and Clearaudio. To start, we have a pair of Magnepan .7 quasi ribbon loudspeakers ($1400) that are widely known to be one of the greatest performers with in their price range. Powering the .7's was Rogue Audio's very special Cronus Magnum III integrated vacuum tube amplifier ($2995), which I was excited to see.
---> Read More

Hi-Fi World's April Issue Features Reviews & Think Pieces
Hi-Fi World's April 2020 issue features competition with your chance to win a Blue Aura Blackline system worth £899. Reviews within this issue include the Wharfedale Evo 4.2 loudspeakers, Klipsch R-51pm loudspeakers, NAD C658 streaming DAC, FiiO FH7 hybrid in-ear monitors, Furutech DSS 4.1 speaker cables, Mordaunt Short MS3.30 loudspeakers from the early 1990s, Pro-Ject The Classic Evo turntable, Rega Ania Pro MC phono cartridge, TEAC TN-3b turntable and more.

Within his editorial, Noel Keywood says, "I guess a lot of people fancy the thought of being blown across the room by a studio monitor. You know – by a loudspeaker with real bass power, something that has a donkey's kick to it. Wharfedale's new Evo 4.2 isn't quite that but it carries the essence – in a small cabinet. Bass unit and midrange dome are tailored to give a fast sound in everyday living rooms, much as this arrangement does in recording studios. But then Wharfedale go and use an Air Motion Transformer tweeter – unknown in studio monitors. Why? This is a fascinating loudspeaker – reviewed on p11 of this issue. Streamers that play music from internet streaming services – Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music and so many others – get ever more complex as manufacturers try to add value over those of rivals: the one that ticks most boxes looks best...." See what's within this issue of Hi-Fi World at this link.

RecordingtheMasters New MYSTIK Portable Cassette Player
MYSTIK by RecordingtheMasters is a new portable cassette player ($90) project that is now available on Kickstarter. By taking pre-orders for the device, MYSTIK will be a modern day analog cassette player with a focus on quality audio playback plus included Bluetooth as well. MYSTIK is a modern day cassette player with rechargeable battery, while also providing optional Bluetooth so you may connect your portable analog player to Bluetooth 5.0 headphones or loudspeakers. For those who prefer to keep a fully wired connection to maintain a pure analog signal, there is a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack that one can plug in at all time.

Furthermore, the MYSTIK portable cassette player also has the ability to record onto blank cassette tapes, meaning that one can make a mixtape if desired. While sales of cassette tape are falling, RecordingtheMasters is proud to say that they are the leading manufacturer of professional and semi-professional analog audio tapes worldwide. Many recording studios have already switched to fully digital operations. Meanwhile, on the production end there were increasingly few engineers that were familiar with the sophisticated manufacturing process on analog tape. Nevertheless, with over thirty years of experience in the magnetic world, RecordingtheMasters decided to rise to the challenge by inheriting the legendary formulations from former giants in the tape world: BASF and AGFA, plus the formulations they produce today including SM 900, SM 911, and SM 468. Their idea of MYSTIC is simple: a new portable cassette player (and recorder) engineered and built for the 21st century with an honest emphasis on quality audio playback.

03 / 12 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

Gershman Acoustics, exaSound, VAC, And Nordost Cables
Report By Frank Garofalo
Gershman Acoustics was showcasing their new Grand Studio II loudspeakers ($11,900) at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo. The Grand Studio II loudspeaker is essentially two large two-way monitors on top of each other. This speaker system features a pair of 1" high performance ferro-fluid cooled coated silk dome tweeters, which are accompanied by two 8" woofers. These two 8" woofers utilize extensively vented motors in order to eliminate compression and to allow for quiet excursion of the drivers.
---> Read More

CES / THE Show And Remembering A True Legend...
Kondo-san Of Audio Note Japan.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Obviously January brings many within the Enjoy the Music.com staff, including myself, to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronic Show 2008 and THE Show 2008. Usually i spill quite a bit of cyber-ink about this, yet loyal readers know the drill. i post a pre-show report followed by daily updates each day during the events. Have already posted quite a bit within the pre-show report, so get a head start in hearing about the many new products when you have a chance! What i'd really like to talk about is something that happened at last year's THE Show. Specifically, the passing of chief designer and owner of Audio Note Japan, Hiroyasu Kondo-san.
---> Read More

HD Vinyl Laser Cutting Getting Closer To Reality
Years ago Enjoy the Music.com reported on a new effort to product high-resolution vinyl LPs. The process involves lasers instead of legacy metal cutters on a lathe to produce the source, which eventually makes the product to press vinyl LPs. In June 2010, HD Vinyl published for the first time a video of the HD Vinyl laser cutting process. The quality was much better than expected, yet the process was too slow and inaccurate for industrial production. Especially stitching errors gave us a headache. And so they needed to improve the process over the full area of a 12" disc in terms of speed and positioning accuracy.

HD Vinyl found the solution rather unexpectedly at a conference for laser ablation in Japan. There they met the German company ScanLab, which is specialized in scan solutions and turns lasers into precise, highly dynamic and flexible tools. Their XL-Scan technology enables HD Vinyl to move both laser and ceramic plate at the same time. This requires precise synchronization of scanner, stages and laser pulses with special hardware and software. The results are fantastic according to HD Vinyl! Continuous and seamless groove cutting is now many times faster at an unprecedented accuracy.

Parallel to fine tuning the cutting process and developing the Perfect Groove software was needed for the 3D topography, and so they are continuously working on the mold with their specialized partner. While traditional nickel stampers are fixed with a mechanical mounting ring in the pressing machines, ceramic stampers demand a different solution. Right now HD Vinyl is testing vacuum to hold the stamper in place. The challenge is to maintain vacuum suction while the mold changes pressure and temperature during the pressing cycle. Furthermore the mold has to fit in every pressing machine used and switching the mold needs to be easy and without additional costs. Below is a new video HD Vinyl just released.

03 / 11 / 20

Toomen Hybred-Based Power Capacitors
This technology is a new type of hybrid supercapacitor with a much higher energy density. It bridges a gap between traditional (often Lithium based) supercapacitors and lithium-ion battery cells, but using activated carbon as its active ingredient. Contrary to batteries there is no chemical reaction involved when charging or discharging. Hence, they pose no safety risk, can work at low temperatures and have long lifetime. The combination of a power and energy density in a safe energy storage device is what the market really needs. The Carbon based Power Capacitors are a new technology for storing electric charges as the following chart above shows. They offer an energy density that is similar to Lithium-ion battery cells (from 80 to 230 Wk/kg) but with a Power density as found in supercapacitors (a few 100 to 1000s W/kg). Practically speaking, systems equipped with these Power Capacitors will be able to store as much energy but can deliver it up to 20 times faster, which implies that they can be charged faster than traditional lithium based batteries. Technically, the power capacitors are classified as asymmetric, i.e. hybrid supercapacitors.

Safety of a system comes in layers. If a safety issue exist, then it has to be addressed at multiple levels. The first level is prevention, i.e. make sure by design or by technology choice that the safety risk doesn't exist at all. This is the level where power capacitors offers intrinsic safety and reliability. Nevertheless, power capacitor battery packs can store and release enormous amounts of electric energy. Just like with any such system, general principles of safety with power electricity still apply. While the power capacitors contain a small amount of electrolyte, its purpose is mainly to act as a filler and as a pathway for the charges to move. The electrolyte is soaked up by the nano-carbon material, so that even when the cell's skin is breached, very little or none will leak out.

03 / 10 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

The Bleeding Edge
Trends Old and New at FLAX 2020 New Enjoy the Music.com reviewer Maurice Jeffries discusses his favorite rooms at Florida Audio Expo 2020 and what made them so special.
Report By Maurice Jeffries
My formal Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report recently appeared in the pages of our sister publication Positive Feedback. In my two-part show overview, I surmised that FLAX 2020, which ran from February 7th through 9th, 2020 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel in balmy Tampa, Florida, was well on its way to becoming an important early-in-the-year destination event for the close-knit audio community, especially for audiophiles living in the southeastern United States. Buoyed by a notable uptick in overall attendance...
---> Read More

Rick's Home Theater
Featuring SVS, Parasound and many more!
Report By Frank Garofalo
Home theater representation at audio shows can be rare at times. This room by Rick's Home Theater featuring SVS, Parasound, and more was the only room at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo where you can sit down and relax while listening to a recorded live show on a Sony TV and SVS loudspeakers.
---> Read More

Chesky Records' Best Of Phil Woods Album Release
Available March 13th on Chesky Records is Best Of Phil Woods album. Phil Woods began saxophone lessons at age 12 and after graduating from high school at age 16. He then traveled to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard. During the 1950s and 1960s, he performed with his own working bands, some co-led by altoist Gene Quill. In the mid-1950s, Quincy Jones hired Phil to play lead alto in the big band that Dizzy Gillespie took to the Middle East for the State Department and in 1959. New York Times said Phil was "One of the leading alto saxophonists in the generation that followed Charlie Parker." Terms like icon or greatest of all time have become common place and cliché in the age of the twenty four seven news cycle and advent of social media.

Phil Woods, however, is unquestionably an icon in the art form of Jazz, and is one of the greatest Jazz saxophone players of all-time. Having unfortunately passed away in 2015, Woods leaves behind a legacy of skillful soul in his playing. Not only virtuosic but emotive, his music will continue to connect with audiences for generations to come. Chesky Records was lucky enough to release three projects with Woods as the band leader, and featured him as a guest on several others (two of those guest performances are featured on this release). Chesky Record's Best of Phil Woods is a celebration of one of the medium's most ardent ambassadors, and simply one of its greatest people!

Track List
1. Charles Christopher
2. Nada Sera' Como Antes
3. Johnny Hodges
4. Adios Nonino
5. Real Life
6. Waltz For Debby
7. Con Alma
8. Here's To My Lady
9. Oblivion
10. How's Your Mama?
11. Angela
12. Sail Away
13. A Night in Tunisia
14. Visions of Gaudi

03 / 09 / 20

AXPONA Delayed Until August 7th Through 9th, 2020
Dear AXPONA Community,
AXPONA has been rescheduled from April 17-19 to August 7-9, 2020 out of concern for the health and safety of all participants due to the growing coronavirus situation. This decision was made following an outpouring of feedback from the AXPONA community over the last 72 hours. The three most consistent themes we heard were, 1) fears of attending public events will increase in March and April, 2) AXPONA should still be held in 2020, and 3) reschedule later this year if possible...
---> Read more on our AXPONA 2020 show report page.

Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE Preamplifier
Audio Research (ARC) is pleased to announce important updates to its highest-performance phono stage to launch their new REF Phono 3SE ($17,000). Their Reference Phono 3 Phono Preamplifier 3 Special Edition follows ARC's 50th Anniversary product line, with this new model replacing the REF Phono 3. The knowledge gained in the creation of Audio Research's Reference 160-Series Amplifier has now transitioned to both reference preamplifiers, the REF6SE Line-Stage and the REF Phono 3SE Phono Stage.

Due to the extremely low-level nature of the signals involved in a phono stage, the component and wiring upgrades incorporated in the SE update combine to create a startling advancement in performance. Improvements include enhanced resolution at all levels, greater purity, and focus, improved transient speed and snap, and an increase in quality of dynamic shading. The sum of these improvements further breaks down the barrier between the reproduced sound and the immediacy of a live event. Externally, the only difference is that the back panel will indicate the unit's name, Reference Phono 3SE. The SE update will be available to current REF Phono 3 owners in May 2020, and can be installed through Audio Research in North America for $3000.

Arteluthe Stiletto Floor-Standing Loudspeaker
Canadian company Arteluthe is proud to introduce their new Stiletto floor-standing loudspeaker. Taking what they feel is a unique and novel design by incorporating twin low-frequency transducers within a unique sealed transmission line, this amplifier-coupled crossover less transducer section has an overall frequency response from 40Hz to 4000Hz. It is augmented by a high definition 1.2" silk dome tweeter for the higher frequencies. Standing at 37" high, in-room bandwidth of 25Hz to 25kHz (-6dB) can be achieved. Arteluthe's Stiletto is built on a custom maple / birch composite plywood chassis plus decoupled high mass panels. The loudspeaker rests on a compliant alloy base, which is fitted with decoupled alloy footers.

Overall, this three-way system features a 1.2" tweeter with a decompression chamber, a 5.5 coated paper cone with cast basket midrange, and twin 6.5" molded paper membranes with cast and ventilated baskets woofers. Power requirements are suggested at a minimum of 50 Watts into 8 Ohms and upwards of 200 Watts, as the speaker presents a 6 Ohm load nominal (4 Ohm minimum). The weight of each unit is 92 lbs including the base. The available finish is real polyester piano black on black Alcantara. The Stiletto is made in Canada.

03 / 08 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

McIntosh, MartinLogan, And Integrity Sound
Report By Frank Garofalo
McIntosh, a brand that every audiophile is familiar with and may be the most well-known brand in high-end audio. Those classic glowing blue VU meters are something that is undeniably iconic. McIntosh was at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo along with MartinLogan and Integrity Sound, a local dealer located within the greater Tampa area.
---> Read More

03 / 06 / 20

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

Legacy Audio's Complete System
Report By Frank Garofalo
Legacy Audio makes a return to the Florida Audio Expo this year with a stunning new amplifier to show off. Legacy Audio not only makes products for us audiophiles, they also have their own line of professional audio gear that ranges from giant high quality, high SPL output loudspeakers arrays to small studio monitors and home theater products. Legacy Audio has their own line of electronics for the audiophile, home theater, and professional audio markets as well.
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AGD And Ocean Way Audio
Report By Frank Garofalo
AGD was at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo with their recently reviewed by Enjoy the Music.com "The Audion" GaNTube monoblocks. AGD has a unique line of amplifiers with a unique design philosophy. Advanced complex technology is found in AGD power amplifiers. I encourage you to look into just how well that technology can make music, which you can do so by reading Rick Becker's review.
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Black Ravioli Black Hole System Modules
Made in Scotland by Sailforth Ltd, Black Ravioli products are said to embodied with an ethos gained from the nuclear operation and radio broadcast engineering experience of its chief designer. Following repeated demand worldwide for something better than their previous products, Black Ravioli has launched their Black Hole system modules (starting at £500). The Black Hole modules are claimed to work by removing spurious energy from music servers, streamers, active speakers, and almost any electronic device that interfaces within a music system. They are more than grounding boxes, and as such should be treated as a system-wide solution to remove electrical noise and spurious energy from the hi-fi or AV set up according to the company. Black Ravioli Black Hole System Modules are now available with USB, RCA, HDMI, Spade connectors for all Signal modules.

"In addition to the signal modules which simply plug into a spare socket on the rear of your chosen equipment a range of mains modules are also available to treat your electricity to something special," says Black Ravioli. "Trials with existing Black Ravioli customers have proven successful with a system fully treated sounding quite spectacular. All Black Ravioli products are available through the company's website and direct from their appointed sales agent MCRU."

03 / 05 / 20

Mojo Audio Mystique V3 Non-Oversampling R-2R DAC
The art and science of high resolution digital audio today.
Review By Jeremy R. Kipnis
Back in April of 1980, when I was a lad of 15, I went to a recording session that featured one of the new digital tape recorders. This big device on wheels translated the microphone's sound into binary ones and zeros and recorded it on special 1/4" reel-to-reel tape. This process, known as Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC), resulted in a near-perfect approximation of the incoming signal, unlike traditional analog magnetic tape, which requires special biasing and noise reduction.
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BluOS Version 3.8 Brings New Options And Integration
BluOS, the premium multi-room music management platform by Lenbrook International, has announced a number of enhancements available today with the release of version 3.8. Users with BluOS on their device will be prompted to update their BluOS players, at which time, they will gain important updates and access to numerous improvements, including:

• Support for Apple AirPlay 2 on NAD M12 / M32 with MDC BluOS 2i card
• Addition of POWERNODE products to Bluesound Home Theater groups
• Support for MQA-CD ripping on BLUESOUND VAULT and Masters M50 products
• Support for MQA-CD playback on Masters M50 products
• Option to disable rooms on a NAD CI 580 or Bluesound Professional B400S
• Expanded IR learning capabilities
• New front panel display layouts for the NAD Masters M10
• Support for BluOS Controller when multitasking on iOS devices
• Custom Channels and Qsic, streaming for businesses and commercial

Owners of BLUESOUND's VAULT and NAD Masters M50.2 BluOS Enabled players will be able to rip and store MQA-CDs. NAD Masters M50 and M50.2 owners will have the additional ability to decode and play back MQA content from an MQA-CD. Bluesound's POWERNODE can now be used as part of a wireless BluOS Home Theater setup to play true Dolby Digital surround sound. Using a POWERNODE 2i (with HDMI) or a Soundbar 2i as the primary source connected to a TV and acting as front left and right channels, rear channels can then be added by using a pair of PULSE FLEXes or another POWERNODE of any generation. Furthermore, custom integrators in the residential and commercial sectors will have greater control over their players, including expanded IR learning abilities and the option to disable zones in key rack-mounted streaming products.

03 / 04 / 20

Enjoy the Music.com Provides High-End Audio's Official Press Center For AXPONA 2020
Enjoy the Music.com, one of high-end audio industry's foremost internet sites partnered with virtually all major North American audiophile print publications and consumer electronics events, is providing the audiophile industry's official Press Center for AXPONA 2020. AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) 2020 will be held from April 17th through 19th at their permanent home at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. This year is AXPONA's eleventh anniversary, marking its largest show to date!
---> Read More

Hi-Fi+ March 2020 High-End Audio Magazine
Hi-Fi+ magazine's March 2020 issue features turntable accessories part 2 of their vinylista round-up, Meet Your Maker features Swiss electronics experts CH Precision, and Meet Your Dealer focuses on Soundstage within North London. Equipment reviews within this issue include Karan Acoustics Master Collection LINEa stereo preamplifier, McIntosh MTI100 integrated turntable / receiver, Hegel H190 / Amphion Argon 7LS amplifier / loudspeaker system, Magico A1 stand-mount loudspeakers, Mytek Brooklyn Bridge network streaming DAC / preamplifier, Moon Audio Black Dragon cables, Cyrus Audio One Cast integrated streaming amplifier, 1More Triple Driver on-ear headphones, Fidelice By Rupert Neve precision DAC, Meze Rai Penta universal-fit in-ear monitor, NovaFidelity N15D music server / streamer / DAC, Gutwire Consummate Ground cable, REL S/510 active subwoofer, and WBT Plasma Protect cable termination system.

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says, "The evolution of audio is a fascinating subject in and of itself, because sometimes it takes unexpected turns. Back at the turn of the century, people in the audio press were constantly discussing 'final vinyl' – that last turntable that manufacturers were hoping you would buy to play those LPs in the loft. But, secretly and in quiet moments, we would turn to makers, distributors, retailers and ask, 'when did you actually last sell a record player?' Today, sales of vinyl and all things turntable are doing well, far better than they were at the turn of the century when most of the music business had all but written off the format in favour of the CD. While CD sales still outsell LP by a significant amount, the CD has seen a marked decline and has become so unfashionable that its numbers are no longer included in annual statistics published by the music business" See what's within this issue of Hi-Fi+ magazine at this link.

03 / 03 / 20

Pro-Ject's Vienna Philharmonic & Herbert von Karajan
Pro-Ject Audio System's Vienna Philharmonic & Herbert von Karajan features Richard Strauss - Don Juan, Tod und Verklärung plus Sprach Zarathustra and is available on vinyl LP (€39.90 including VAT). Analog only sets the Standard of sound quality for this new vinyl LP edition of the Vienna Philharmonic. Pro-Ject Audio Systems has audio technicians lovingly transferred the music directly from original tapes of Deutsche Grammophon and Decca, with no intermediate digital processing. Heinz Lichtenegger, owner and mastermind of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, is not only an avid music-lover in his private life. Over the years he has emerged as one of the most vocal international proponents of the analog audio world. Out of his admiration for the Vienna Philharmonic, a plan emerged to re-release 12 legendary recordings of the world-famous orchestra from the analogue era.

With this series, Pro-Ject Audio Systems wants to capture the original condition of these irreplaceable recordings as part of our cultural heritage for posterity. Georg Burdicek, a widely known sound engineer and recording guru of the "Tonzauber" studio, was commissioned to carry out the important task of tape copying and mastering. The astonishing thing is the high quality of the original tapes, which are still in excellent condition even after 60 years. Burdicek processes the original master tapes for perfect 1:1 transfers. According to Burdicek, the sound is astonishing because of its dynamic range, which is far greater than indicated by the measured values: True dynamic range of 35 to 40 dB and frequencies up to 15 kHz can be achieved.

03 / 02 / 20

HIGH END 2020 In Munich Has Been Cancelled
Updated 03/02 @ 12pm EST USA (17:00 UTC)

Dear Exhibitor,

Due to the current worsening trend with respect to the spread of the coronavirus, upon consideration of all criteria, we have decided to cancel the HIGH END 2020 trade show as a precautionary measure. This decision was reached in close cooperation with the Board of the HIGH END SOCIETY e.V.

We naturally regret having to take this step. We are convinced, however, that the early cancellation will also assist you in your planning and avert additional uncertainties. For several weeks now, we have been weighing the possible consequences for our international trade show in May, and we had to re-assess the situation on a day-by-day basis. We have also increasingly received inquiries from our exhibitors as to whether the strained situation in connection with the coronavirus would have an impact on the HIGH END 2020 trade show.
---> Read much more on our HIGH END 2020 show report page at this link.

Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report

Classic Audio Loudspeakers
With Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Tri-Planar Tonearms, And Purist Audio Design
Report By Frank Garofalo
Tucked in the corner far away from the rest of the rooms at Florida Audio Expo 2020 was the Classic Audio Loudspeakers' room. Being away from the block of rooms inside the Embassy Suites with absolutely no neighboring rooms, the Classic Audio Loudspeakers T-3.4 and Hartsfield horn loudspeakers were able to play at volumes that would otherwise interfere with neighboring rooms.
---> Read More

Enjoy the Music.com's March 2020 Review Magazine
High-End Audio / Audiophile Equipment Reviews And Think Pieces

Win An Audio Note UK IZero Vacuum Tube Int. Amp.
Win a vacuum tube integrated amplifier valued at $2480!
For Audio Note UK's Zero range, they decided to design an integrated amplifier rather than a preamplifier / power amplifier combination. The result is the IZero Integrated Amplifier ($2480), and it has exceeded all of this British company's expectations. Offering a level of performance that was previously considered unthinkable for an amplifier of such diminutive size and price, the IZero really is something very special. It is said to produce a bold, rich, smooth, and delicate performance, whilst offering a level of fine detail finesse that is quite incredible!
---> Read More

"I Suspect My Tastes Are More Esoteric Than Yours."
Said a show attendee to me during FLAX 2020.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
Like many comedians, audio journalists get great article (joke) ideas during our experience within the world we experience around us. Am sure our readers know that the Florida Audio Expo (FLAX) the past month was a resounding success! Exhibit rooms were up ~50%(!), from around 44 in 2019 to 61 in 2020 as I recall. The mix of attendees are also perhaps one of the most vibrant and varied of any American event too!
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How To Waste Money By Saving It
Roger Skoff writes about buying a music system.
Article By Roger Skoff
I was married when I bought my first really good stereo component, an ultra-high-end (for the 1980s) preamp that been highly praised in a review by Harry Pearson, and that I was able to buy – unheard and unseen – through a friend in the industry, at a very good price. Even with the friendly discount, it was still a lot of money, though, and the way I justified it to my wife was by telling her that it was a "state-of-the-art" piece, and that we could, therefore, be sure to have and enjoy it for many years to come, without ever needing to buy anything better.
---> Read More

Golden Hills Coffee Roasters
A coffee and espresso lovers dream bean.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Based in sunny Groveland, Florida, you'll find Golden Hills Coffee Roasters who are a family-owned company roasting custom blends of specially prepared and roasted coffee beans for both Americana and espresso. Their artisan handcrafted micro coffee roasting is done by hand, in the classic method, which allows them to carefully control the process using sight, sound and smell for every part of the roasting process. They feel that the fresher your coffee, the better. And that's why they do roasts each week.
---> Read More

Sonus Faber Nova II Floorstanding Speakers
These are immensely sexy speakers with the build quality, and attention to detail, that you would expect on an Italian sports car.
Review By Dean Cacioppo
Let's get this started with a hi-fi thought exercise. When does a loudspeaker become something that is considered a luxury item? Is $1000 per pair of speakers a luxury item? How about a $5000 pair? What about those that are priced at $100,000? Although we all may have a different idea of what luxury is, we all know when we are in the presence of something that is truly luxurious.
---> Read More

Soulution 511 Stereo Amplifier
An iron fist in a velvet glove.
Review By Phil Gold
I've written before about Soulution Audio, the high end Swiss manufacturer. Their entry level amp, the 330 Integrated Amp, was the subject of my 2018 review and I admit to being astonished at its capabilities. My conclusion ran "when the recording is of the highest caliber, the 330 is sensationally good over virtually every dimension of sound that I can think of, and I give it my fullest recommendation for an integrated amplifier. I have never been sadder to have to pack up a review component".
---> Read More

Audio Research DAC9 Digital-To-Analog Converter
An organic sound that draws you into the music.
Review By Tom Lyle
This past summer I was in a showroom auditioning a new line of speakers that included a system that was made up of mostly Audio Research components. Even though I heard four other products from that same line of speakers that day, it was their smallest model that impressed me the most. As it just so happens, this system included the Audio Research DAC9 digital-to-analog converter that is the focus of this review.
---> Read More

Audience aR6-T4 Power Conditioner
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.
---> Read More

Read All Articles, Reviews, And Show Reports
We have many more reviews, think pieces, etc than shown above, so be sure to read this month's edition of Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine at this link.

Previous High-End Audio News
For previous high-end audio and music industry news click here.