In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: MC Audiotech TL-12 Loudspeakers
North Wales, PA-based MC Audiotech’s hifi roots reach back into other hifi companies including Impact Audio, Linaeum, and Veloce Audio.
Year: 2025
Road Tours
Road Tour: Fyne Vintage Classic Gold at Brooklyn’s Resolution AV
Here’s the thing—when you go to hifi shows and dealer events, the best possible outcome is “I want to hear that! at home!”. To my mind, this is way better than any Best Of list which is the equivalent of picking a best film based […]
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 31, 2025
I had been hoping to avoid it forever, but I finally came down with covid. Coronavirus? Whatever’s it called these days. I had never had it.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Bonnie “Prince” Billy | The Purple Bird
I like every Bonnie “Prince” Billy record, even the bad ones.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Pathos InPol Heritage MKII Integrated Amplifier
Imagine a luxury ocean liner competing in America’s Cup. And winning.
HiFi News
TAD Unveils the Upgraded ME1TX Bookshelf Speakers
My TAD memories go back, way back, to a CES past where I first heard their Compact Reference CR1 stand mounts and was even more excited about their sound than the fine single malt Japanese whiskey being poured in the TAD room. And that’s saying […]
HiFi News
XACT Audio Releases Their New Immotus Series Anti-Vibration Ceramic Footers
In the mechanics of music reproduction, the only good vibrations are no vibrations.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 24, 2025
There was a moment early in my infatuation with Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS when it occurred to me that I could be listening to [cue Beethoven’s Symphony No.5: dun-dun-dun DUNNNNN…] My Favorite Album of 2025.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Eusexua | FKA Twigs
What is Eusexua?
HiFi Reviews
Review: Gauder Akustik Capello 100 Loudspeakers
I’ll let you in on a little secret—while I have Favorites, within those favorites I have favorites.
HiFi News
Meet Volti Audio’s New Vittora Loudspeakers
Greg Roberts’ Volti Audio first developed their Vittoria Horns in 2010. The New Vittoria are bigger and, according to Volti, even better.
HiFi News
AURALiC Announces the Aquila X3 Streaming Media Processor
With completely customizable looks, Auralic’s new LightningCast next-gen multi-room streaming protocol, Lightning DS, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay II, a CD transport, a DAC, line level input, and optional Phono input, the Aquila X3 Streaming Media Processor sure has a lot to offer.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: 50 from 2024 | The Qobuz Playlist
Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest, and Qobuz have made it even easier to experience Stephen’s 50 favorite albums from 2024.
Music News
If you pay attention to current events, this week is a big week
For me and my interests, there is no new record I’ve been looking forward to more than FKA twigs’ Eusexua which arrives this Friday through Young and Atlantic Records.
Art&Culture
David Lynch: An Appreciation
“Hero” is a word that rarely comes to mind.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: David Lynch | Crazy Clown Time
When it comes to death, I’d like to think I’m more Irish than Italian.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Canton Reference 2 Floorstanding Speakers
Do you remember that famous photo of Picasso drawing with light in air? From the Light Drawings? Here, I’ll remind you:
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: January 10, 2025
After bemoaning last Friday’s dearth of notable new releases, I was pleasantly surprised when Bad Bunny released his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, on Sunday, the 6th — just in time for Three Kings Day, a holiday enthusiastically celebrated throughout Bad Bunny’s home island […]
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Ethel Cain | Perverts
“It’s easier to bleed than sweat, Mr. Motes.” ~ Flannery O’Connor, Wise Blood
HiFi Reviews
Review: Luxman L-505Z Integrated Amplifier
Imagine it’s another sleepless night and you’re scrolling through cable stations well into the thousands and you come across a TV Evangelist espousing the dangers of hifi lust.
HiFi News
Technics Drops the EAH-AZ100 Reference Class True Wireless Earbuds w/Noise Cancelling
OK. I’m not normally an earbud kinda guy, mainly because I never leave (the Barn).
HiFi Thoughts
Why I Do Not Use Spotify
Let me count the ways.
TM News
Letter to the Editor: from Tom Gillett aka Sam Tellig
What a lovely surprise.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: Kicking Myself into 2025
The start of any new year is a relatively slow period for new music releases. So, rather than offer 15 new titles for this first Friday of 2025, I’ll share 15 titles that could have easily been included in my List of 50 from 2024.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Jeff Parker ETA IVtet | The Way Out of Easy
I’m happy and we’re fortunate this kind of music is being made today.
TM News
TM News: The Near Term
I’m not a maker of big plans for the New Year. No diets (although I should), no new exercise routines (ditto), no abstinence, no resolutions other than to keep on keepin’ on.