05.2023

05.2023

April 29, 2023 | No Comments

NAD C389 Integrated Amp $1500: 130×2 (4h, 17 1/8w, 14 1/2d, 130 w/ch, 8 ohms) In the Feb 2023 newsletter I told you the C389 was imminent. Turns out, they made me a liar by about two months. You can refer to the Feb newsletter for the nuts and bolts. Finally, we have C389 in the flesh. It’s HERE and it is even BETTER than I dared hope. I’m happy to report that C389 has a significantly bigger kick than its smaller brothers and IS an integrated that can drive some major league speakers. It is, in fact, the least
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04.2023

04.2023

March 31, 2023 | No Comments

Bryston A Series Speakers Three of my favorite speakers in all of hi-fi are BACK! After being discontinued- temporarily. With so many resources spread thin during Covid 19, Bryston announced they were going to discontinue its A Series of speakers. They were having a tough enough time making those AND its higher end range, the T Series, and its amps, and its preamps, and its DACs… the list goes on. That… was going to be a travesty, as the Bryston As are attractively priced and outperform the Chinese imports they compete with price wise. After much whining, complaining and begging
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03.2023

03.2023

March 1, 2023 | No Comments

Rogue Pharaoh Mk2 Integrated Amp $4000 (250×2) Rogue is finally shipping the Mk2 version of its high powered integrated amp, featuring a tube preamp section. P2 has quieter background than its predecessor. It is now compatible with virtually all speakers, whether high SPL or not. P2 uses a pair of 12AU7 tubes in its line stage. P2 has MM and MC phono! P2 has one set XLR inputs and 3 sets RCA inputs. P2 has variable line outs- to drive a sub or additional amp. P2 has fixed pre outs and a HT bypass loop. P2 has a nicely weighted
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02.2023

02.2023

January 31, 2023 | No Comments

Amphion has introduced a like minded, less expensive brother to its highly touted Argon 1 ($1900pr). We now have Amphion definition and musicality for not a lot over a grand. Helium 510: $1400 Per Pair (Black or White) $1500 Per Pair Walnut (12.44h, 6.3w, 10.43d, 13 lbs, 86 dB, 8 ohms) Helium 510 is the same size as Argon 1. It runs less money because it uses a pulp fiber bass mid driver while Argon 1 uses a linear-piston aluminum driver. While Helium 510 can’t achieve the stunning clarity that Argon 1 does, it IS competitive and charts new territory
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01.2023

01.2023

December 31, 2022 | No Comments

Isotek has proven that WITHOUT A DOUBT your music is veiled if you’re not using a top flight conditioner. And if you lose information by not having a great conditioner at the start of the equation, you can’t get it back later!
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