February 2023 - Twittering Machines

Melco Adds the Flagship N1-S38 Digital Music Library to Its Roster

February 28, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

News from Japan: Melco Audio has launched the N1-S38, an all-new flagship SSD-based digital music library offering the best sonic performance in the company’s history.

HiFi Bargains: Q Acoustics Concept 50 Floorstanding Speakers

February 27, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

The Q Acoustics Concept 50 floorstanders floored me with their shockingly good-to-great performance. And they cost just….

Schiit Raises the Low Priced Bar With Two New Sub-$300 Amps

February 25, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

That’s right, not one but two, each less than three. Schiit Audio has recently released the new Rekkr and Gjallarhorn Class A/B “Speaker Amps” coming in at $149 and $299 respectively.

#NewMusicFriday: February 24, 2023

February 24, 2023 Stephen Mejias

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: BIG|BRAVE | nature morte

February 24, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Howl.

Review: ModWright Analog Bridge

February 23, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Imagine a chef shows up at your place and makes the offer—I have a special sauce that, when added to your favorite dish, will make it taste better. Would you thank or curse her?

Review: A Sonnet Stack: Hermes Streamer, Pasithea DAC, Kratos Mono Amplifiers

February 21, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

If we want to understand the sound a hifi designer is after, what better way than to sample a stack of their gear. Here we’re going to be digging into the Kratos Mono Power Amplifiers, Pasithea DAC, and Hermes Streamer from Cees Ruijtenberg of Sonnet […]

#NewMusicFriday: February 17, 2023

February 17, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Album of the Week: The Ephemeron Loop | Psychonautic Escapism

February 17, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

“a synaesthetic acid bath”

The TM Phono Stage Survey: Rules & Regulations

February 15, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Before I dig into the reviews of the 8 phono stages that have been living in Barn, I thought I’d share my approach in tackling a gaggle of phono preamps. Let’s begin with what to call ’em.

The Florida Audio Expo 2023 Is Just Days Away

February 14, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Unfortunately my private jet doesn’t exist so I won’t be attending this year’s Florida Audio Expo in sunny Tampa this weekend.

#NewMusicFriday: February 10, 2023

February 10, 2023 Stephen Mejias

Album of the Week: Meg Baird | Furling

February 10, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

A few moments into Meg Baird’s Furling and you’ll want to roll up in its shimmering beauty and stay long after the record ends.

Review: Sonner Audio Legato Duo Floorstanding Loudspeakers

February 9, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Reviewing a piece of hifi gear, especially a loudspeaker, is more complicated than deciding whether or not we like it. But at the end of the day, it sure makes the reviewing more enjoyable when we do—like it. Such was the case with the Sonner […]

In Barn for Review: Dynaudio Contour 60i Floorstanding Loudspeakers

February 8, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Woof! I wanted a speaker in Barn for review that enjoys some power from the accompanying amplifier and one that might fill the Barn, from top to bottom, with some powerful music. Enter the Dynaudio Contour 60i.

In Barn for Review: Cocktail Audio X45Pro Streamer/DAC/CD Player/Ripper/Server/Tuner/Preamp

February 6, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Korea’s Cocktail Audio has loaded up their X45Pro with just about all of the digital functionality you could ask for, added a MM phono stage, DAB+/FM Tuner, color LCD screen and volume control for good measure.

#NewMusicFriday: February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

Album of the Week: Shabaka and the Ancestors | We Are Sent Here By History

February 3, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

We Are Sent Here By History was released in 2020 but it only recently landed in Barn. And I thank my lucky stars.

Review: Audia Flight FLS 10 Integrated Amplifier

February 2, 2023 Michael Lavorgna

The Audia Flight FLS 10 is among the most engaging integrated amplifiers to have graced the Barn. Its performance is in some ways remarkable while being wholly engaging in every way. Why not begin at the end for a change?