10.2019

10.2019

September 28, 2019 | No Comments

McIntosh MA-352 Integrated Amp $6500 (200×2) 12.9h, 22.7w, 21.9d, 66 lbs Just out is this gorgeous hybrid integrated. With 200×2 of solid state power, MA-352 will drive any speaker out there. Yep, it has gorgeous blue meters too! With a four tube preamp design MA-352 is a full analog piece. It features two XLR inputs along with MM phono and 3 sets of RCA high level inputs. It also offers RCA pre outs to drive a different power amp or subwoofer(s). Further, Ma-352 has a five band EQ to tailor the sound to your taste. Sweet!     Hegel H-390
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09.2019

09.2019

August 31, 2019 | No Comments

Marantz NR-1200 Stereo Receiver $600 (75×2) 4.1h, 17.3w, 14.9d Why should you be excited by a new STEREO receiver? You should consider NR-1200 because it’s MUCH more more than a garden variety receiver. Let’s start with, NR-1200 an honest 75×2 into 8 ohms. Yep, 75×2, 20-20k at .08% THD. We’re not saying this is state of the art. But most stereo receivers these days claim their power at 1K and at 1% distortion. That’s cheating- just like the surround guys. If you take 75×2 at THOSE standards, the actual honest power rating is only 70% of what is claimed, hence
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08.2019

08.2019

July 31, 2019 | No Comments

JL Audio Subwoofers Now In! JL has become an ever larger player in the world of SERIOUS home audio subwoofers. I’ve decided to dive in! If you’re looking for an uber spectacular sub that’s built like a brick out house, get out of the way and let ‘er rip for JL. JL subs are all made in Miramar, Florida. When you read JL Audio specs, they’re real. They’re actually measured! Most sub specs are tossed out there by the ad department. We might remember, “trust but verify.” All drivers are cast and use discrete (as opposed to chip) power amps
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07.2019

07.2019

July 3, 2019 | No Comments

Klipsch RF-7 III $3600 Per Pair (49h, 13 7/8w, 17 7/8d, 97lbs, 100dB SPL) Klipsch’s RF-7 is now here. Made in Hope, Arkansas, RF-7 is a big tower. SO WHAT?! If you want your music to hit big and hard, you need major league muscle. RF-7 doesn’t apologize for being a sizable tower. RF-7 uses a new 1.75” Titanium Horn Tweeter. It hands the ball off to two, 10” cast frame Cerametallic cone woofers. This very simple, highly efficient speaker system can deliver music to you in life sized doses, without owning Herculean power. Of course, if you HAVE big
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06.2019

06.2019

May 31, 2019 | No Comments

Marantz AV-8805 Preamp Processor $4500 Every top flight surround system is “bottle necked” by the preamp/processor you choose. The task of a pre/pro is enormously complex. The truth is, you need a large Asian manufacturer that has the technology DOWN COLD to make a piece you want- both in terms of current features and high end sound quality. All of the N American specialty audio companies struggle mightily to create a pre/pro that’s remotely up to date. Further, they are glitchy. Fact is, for 3-4 times the money, they’re still a day late and a dollar short compared to AV-8805.
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05.2019

05.2019

April 30, 2019 | No Comments

Obstacles! You readers don’t know how hard it is to sort through all the great hi-fi gear these days. There are numerous obstacles in my way. Glenn just came into my office and proclaimed- “You won’t believe what I just found!” I’m thinking, he found a Mac MR78 in mint condition, or a pair of Maggie Tympani 1-Ds that don’t need to be rebuilt. Nope. Glenn went on. “My house was built in 1977. One of the toilets is beige. I’ve never been able to find a matching seat. I went to Ace to buy the lights for the elevator
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