July 2019 - Twittering Machines

Pre-Order Begins Tomorrow

July 31, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Lana Del Ray Norman Fucking Rockwell!

Classic Albums: Jean Barraqué, Le Temps restitué

July 31, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Digging through the Contemporary Classical bins at the old Tower Records on Broadway in NYC was an endless source of mystery and magic. Sometimes, I would pick a recording based on nothing more than the fact that I didn’t know much, or anything, about it. […]

Review: Linear Tube Audio MZ3

July 30, 2019 Darren Henley

I just dropped the Linear Tube Audio (LTA) MZ3 at our local UPS store. It’s hot (112, says The Weather Channel), so I rushed back home to the shady, cool listening space that is my office. On the way back, I was thinking about the […]

Artists’ Books: Masahisa Fukase, The Solitude of Ravens

July 29, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Masahisa Fukase’s Solitude of Ravens, first published in 1986, is considered by many to be a high point in postwar Japanese photography, and even one of the most important photobooks ever created. While I am not qualified to make such proclamations, I can testify to […]

Pet Peeves: “I feel sorry for people who own and enjoy that…”

July 29, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Some people say this, “I feel sorry for people who own and enjoy that…”, and some actually believe it. I’m not kidding.

HiFi Bargains: Denon 103 Moving Coil Cartridge

July 28, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

1962. nineteen sixty freakin’ two. That’s when the world was introduced to the mighty & magical Denon 103 Moving Coil Cartridge.

#NewMusicFriday: July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019 Stephen Mejias

Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream.com columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.

Album of the Week: Vanessa Wagner

July 26, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

French classical pianist Vanessa Wagner’s latest record, Inland released on InFiné, presents a wonderfully diverse and charmingly off-kilter set of minimalist works for solo piano.

Review: Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifer and L2 Signature Monoblock Amplifiers (Part 2)

July 24, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

In Part 1 of our review of the Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifer and L2 Signature Monoblock Amplifiers, we looked at and listened to the pre-power combo using the L2 Signature Preamplifer as just a preamplifier. Here, in Part 2, we’ll focus on the optional […]

In Barn (after being In Brooklyn): totaldac d1-direct

July 23, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Alex Halberstadt has been living with the review sample totaldac d1-direct ($19,280) and is feverishly writing his review (maybe it’s just the heat). Now the d1-direct is here for a follow-up from yours truly.

Streaming Integrated Amplifiers: A List

July 22, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

A streaming integrated amplifier is a device that connects to your network via Ethernet or WiFi while also housing a DAC, preamplifier, and power amplifier all-in-one.

#NewMusicFriday: July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019 Stephen Mejias

Album of the Week: Guts

July 19, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

90+ degree heat for days on end changes things. Like moods and the music we listen to.

Pet Peeves: We Don’t Own Downloads

July 18, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Ownership has its privileges. When we own things, we can do anything we want with them—share, loan, sell, etc. Not so with downloads.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Jewelry from The Great Frog

July 17, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Do you wear jewelry? Do you like Rock ‘n’ Roll? If that’s 2x “Yes”, check out The Great Frog’s Rock ‘n’ Roll culture inspired rings.

Review: Bluesound PULSE 2i Premium Wireless Multi-Room Music Streaming Speaker

July 17, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Big sound from a little box. Isn’t that everyone‘s dream?

In Barn: Linear Tube Audio Z10 Integrated Amplifier

July 15, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Linear Tube Audio Z10 Integrated Amplifier ($4900.00 + $500 for optional MM/MC Phono Preamp).

HiFi Bargains: ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers

July 14, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

I reviewed the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 bookshelf speakers and said:

#NewMusicFriday: July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019 Stephen Mejias

Album of the Week: Billie Marten

July 12, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Feeding Seahorses By Hand, Billie Marten’s sophomore release, has been feeding my need for the quit and uncluttered. I’d imagine I’ve listened to it through-and-through damn-near every day since its release in April.

Artists’ Books: Lin Zhipeng (No.223)

July 11, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Lin Zhipeng’s, aka No.223, new photobook Flowers and Fruits is a feast for the eyes, passions, and soul(food).

Streaming DACs: A List

July 11, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

A streaming DAC is a device that connects to your network via Ethernet or WiFi while outputting an analog audio signal. It streams and it’s a DAC.

Björk Colored Cassettes!

July 10, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

Björk’s nine studio albums are now available as Colored Cassettes. Yeow!

Pet Peeves: Hi-Res Downloads

July 10, 2019 Michael Lavorgna

In many cases, choice is a good thing. When it comes to hi-res downloads and sample rates, choice, especially when there’s a premium attached, just bugs me.

Audiophile Tweaks from Intona Technology and Sonore

July 9, 2019 Steve Plaskin

I thought it would be fun to share some of the tweaks I have been using with my system that have come from Intona Technology and Sonore by Simple Design LLC. These products include the new Intona Technology USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator Model 7055-B and […]