Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp | We’re OK. But We’re Lost Anyway
I enjoy heady music when there’s plenty of body mixed in.
Year: 2021
HiFi Thoughts
A New Year’s Video Message
What better way to share a thought than to share a thought on video. So that’s what I’ve gone about doing.
HiFi News
AudioConLA 2022 Postponed (i.e. Cancelled)
No one wants to end the year on a wrong note, but 2021 is not letting us go gently into 2022.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Valentina Goncharova | Recordings 1987-1991 Vol. 2
Some of my favorite outsider art was created by people on the inside.
HiFi Thoughts
Twittering Machines 2021: A Year In Pictures
Looking back, something I try not to dwell on, can be informative when looking to grow. To move on. To move ahead.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Ideon Audio Ayazi mk2 DAC & 3R Master Time Black Star
I was impressed by what I heard and saw from Ideon Audio at the Capital Audiofest, so much so, that I asked for review samples of their Ayazi mk2 DAC and 3R Master Time Black Star USB-reclocker. And here we are.
HiFi News
TM December 2021 Video: Interview with John DeVore of DeVore Fidelity
Our second monthly video for Patrons is live! and features John DeVore of DeVore Fidelity talking about his “The 20” 20th Anniversary speakers!
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: December 17, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Mabe Fratti + Concepción Huerta | Estática
If you ever you meet someone who doesn’t at least like the cello, run.
HiFi
AURALiC Adds Amazon Music To Its Streaming Platform
Amazon Music went all Hi-Res earlier this year, bringing lossless quality to the world outside audiophiledom. Today, AURALiC announced its support for Amazon Music Unlimited from within its Lightning DS app, expanding their streaming products reach.
HiFi Reviews
Review: AURALiC ALTAIR G1 Digital Audio Streamer
You can think of the ALTAIR G1 as a one-box solution for all of your streaming, serving, DAC and digital preamp needs. One and done.
Art&Culture
Brian Eno: Turntable, 2021
Discrete, Ambient, Generative, Obscure, Light Boxes, and more. Brian Eno remains a creative force and his formidable powers went to work on a limited edition turntable.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier
Imagine an audiophile game show and the clue is — “He designs phono stages”.
Art&Culture
Frida Kahlo: POSE at the Rose
I’ve made it a habit of doing two things before I travel — check for local concerts and check for local art exhibits.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: December 10, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Michael Hurley | The Time of the Foxgloves
There’s a lot to like, and more to love, about a new record from Michael Hurley.
HiFi Thoughts
Listening Anew
Road Tours, like my recent trip to Goodwins High End, can be intense.
Road Tours
Road Tour: Rockport Technologies Speakers at Goodwins High End
I have a Big HiFi Secret, two actually, and I’m ready to spill the beans.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: December 3, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Akira Rabelais | À la recherche du temps perdu
Memory is life’s best editor.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Fern & Roby Raven III
Feeling single? The recently released Fern & Roby Raven III use a single driver, one in each speaker, housed in a solid walnut cabinet with a black Richlite front baffle to produce music.
HiFi News
YG Acoustics Gets Active With Vantage Live System
The new Vantage Live from YG Acoustics places amplification and D/A conversion inside the speakers for an all-in-one active system.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Perlisten Audio S7t Loudspeakers
How a loudspeaker releases sound energy into a room can make all of the difference in the world. The last thing I want is a hifi that constantly reminds me how impressive it is, how exceptional it is at this or that area of reproduction.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Audio Hungary Qualiton X200 Integrated Amplifier
The X200 Integrated Amplifier joined the Qualiton Classic Series of electronics late last year. It has just joined me in the Barn to play with the other Barn residents and guests.
Art&Culture
Twittering Machines 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
If ever a year deserved a treat at its end, 2021 must be one. I hope you find something in this year’s Gift Guide that tickles your fancy.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: November 26, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Hedvig Mollestad Trio | Ding Dong. You’re Dead
Norwegian guitarist, vocalist and composer Hedvig Mollestad has been tearing up 2021 with not one, not two, but three new records. My current mood picked the most straight ahead ripper, a product of Mollestad’s long-standing Trio.
TM Favorite Gear of 2021
Twittering Machines Favorite Gear of 2021
When we pick a best as hifi reviewers, we’re really picking a favorite. A seemingly subtle difference, but a world of difference in terms of attitude.
Album of the Week
Twittering Machines 21 Favorite Albums of 2021
2021 was a banner year for testing our ability to look ahead while finding pleasure amidst a storm. It should come as no surprise that artists reflect this push and pull in the music they share with us.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: November 19, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: KMRU | Logue
Joseph Kamaru, aka KMRU, collects sounds from his native Nairobi and environs, weaving them into sonic-scapes of pure delight.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Technics Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-R1000
Technics and I could have known each other in high school seeing as the company was born in 1965 (if only the Japanese brand was also from New Jersey). It has been the job of the people behind the products at Technics to make things […]
HiFi Thoughts
Why No Bad Reviews?
This is a question that pops up every so often, like a mole in the Whac-A-Mole game —why aren’t there more reviews of bad products?
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: November 12, 2021
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Lump | Animal
Lump is Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay (Tunnig) and Animal is their second full-length, released on Partisan Records in June of this year.