HiFi Reviews
Review: Viva Solista Integrated Amplifier
I can count on one hand the number of integrated amplifiers that stand above and apart from all of the others I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. Here’s the list:
Month: January 2024
TM News
Barn Additions: System Updates
While reviewing isn’t shopping and shopping isn’t reviewing, there are times when something or some things come in for review that let us know what we cannot live without.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 26, 2024
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: Laura Cannell | Midwinter Processionals
Not all music made in a church is church music.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Volti Audio Rival Special Edition Loudspeakers
There are few things in hifi less obvious than a large horn-loaded speaker when it comes to setting expectations.
Classic Albums
Classic Albums: The Birthday Party | Junkyard
I could live inside The Birthday Party and never grow old (or tired). Or so I like to imagine.
HiFi News
Meet Luxman’s New Flagship Preamplifier: the CX-10 Control Amp
The new Luxman CX-10 Control Amp, that’s a preamp for most of us, is jam packed with Luxman tech wrapped in lust-worthy looks that I’ve come to expect from the 99-year old Japanese company.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 19, 2024
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: Bloody Head | Perpetual Eden
I almost picked The Birthday Party’s Junkyard for today but decided to save that for another (kind of) post. In its stead, I give you a direct descendant.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Listening to 78s with Technics, Ortofon, Aurorasound, and Gold Note
Why listen to 78s? I imagine that question has crossed more than a few minds and I’m here to give my answer and in the process talk about some gear that helps get the best from these musical treasures.
Music News
Pitchfork Is Being Rolled Into GQ
Variety reports: Condé Nast is merging Pitchfork, the digital music publication it bought in 2015, with men’s magazine GQ. Is music a dude thing?
HiFi Thoughts
HiFi Thoughts: “What would you buy?”
I want to begin with an admission—I do not have the time it takes to properly respond to emails asking for system/gear recommendations.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Grimm Audio MU2 Music Player
The main, big, difference between the recently reviewed and revered Grimm MU1 and the MU2 is the latter also has a DAC built in.
HiFi News
HiFi Show News: Southwest Audio Fest March 15-17, 2024
Regional shows make a lot of sense as they allow people to experience lots of gear close(r) to home.
HiFi News
HiFi Show News: Florida International Audio Expo February 16-18, 2024
As the last bits of snow melt away from the latest NE storm, Florida in February is sounding pretty good.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 12, 2024
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: Ancient Infinity Orchestra | River of Light
Spiritual jazz. Communal music. What do these words bring to mind?
HiFi Reviews
Review: A Bel Canto e.One Stack | Pre5 Preamplifier / REF501S Stereo Amplifier
I know my way around some Bel Canto, having reviewed their e.One C6i DAC Integrated Amplifier and e.One Stream2 Network Bridge along with the more upscale E1X Integrated Amplifier.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Triode Evolution 300 Integrated Amplifier
The Western Electric 300B is the movie star, the rock star, the supermodel of vacuum tubes.
HiFi News
Roon’s New Nucleus Titan Server Arrives at CES 2024
CES is still a thing? I joke because it still is a BIG Show for Consumer Electronics and now that Roon lives under the Harman International umbrella, a CES unveiling makes sense.
HiFi Thoughts
HiFi Thoughts for a New Year
Every so often, an idea rattling around the WWW about our beloved hifi hobby sticks in my head like a jingle.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 5, 2024
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: Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band | Horses In The Sky
I love a beautiful mess of a record, especially one that feels like it was made on the spot in a special place by a collective who share an attitude—the badder, the better.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Wharfedale Dovedale Standmount Speakers
The original Wharfedale Dovedales date back to 1959. This all-new version celebrates the company’s 90th anniversary and fits nicely into their Heritage line with lovely stout retro hand veneered appeal.
TM Favorite HiFi Gear (Retired)
Twittering Machines Favorite Amplifiers (Retired)
The Retired list is for gear that I haven’t heard in years, has been discontinued or replaced with a newer version, or gear that’s been retired by something else around its price that I like better.