Classic Albums
Classic Albums: Freedom Suite by Sonny Rollins
There were a handful of cassettes at the ready in my painting studio back in college—Hank Williams Greatest Hits, Black Flag Damaged, and Sonny Rollins Freedom Suite.
Year: 2026
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: May 22, 2026
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: Echaremos el Cielo Abajo a Patadas by teodioteodio
You know how some late 1960’s jazz blasted a big jolt of noise at the beginning of the record? And others from the same period like The Peter Brötzmann Octet were all blast on Machine Gun?
The Short List
The Short List: Favorite Speakers (May 2026)
Of all the pieces of the hifi puzzle, loudspeakers are the most important and the most personal.
HiFi News
Schiit Audio Debuts the $99 Vestri Dongle DAC/Headphone Amp
Another dongle? Yep, but this time it’s done in typical Schiit fashion with Vestri billed as the only Mesh™ Portable.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Technics SL-1500CS Direct Drive Turntable
Never say never.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: May 15, 2026
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: Poem 1 by Ana Roxanne
Poetry is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Amplifier Reviews
Review: Musical Fidelity M8xi Integrated Amplifier
Sometimes there’s no way around Watts. And pounds.
HiFi News
High End Vienna 2026: Just Weeks Away
How big is big? (and no)
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: May 8, 2026
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: Train on the Island by Aldous Harding
When it comes to music and extra especially favorite artists I like to turn the critic off. The reviewer.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Aurorasound HFSA-02 Integrated Tube Amplifier
I reviewed and loved the Aurorasound HFSA-01 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier. And…
HiFi News
Audio Note (UK) Releases IZVOR Their First Discrete Resistor Ladder DAC Module
The resistors in use inside the new Audio Note IZVOR discrete ladder DAC module are “bespoke 1-watt resistors manufactured to tolerances of less than 1%” by, you guessed it, Audio Note.
The Short List
The Short List: Favorite Amplifiers (May 2026)
Spring cleaning update—The Short List: Favorite Amplifiers revised!