HiFi Thoughts
HiFi Thoughts: On Being Not 100%
Unlike machines, people have their ups and downs.
Year: 2026
HiFi News
Introducing VinnieRossi’s CANTA Integrated Amplifier
Boy oh boy oh boy.
HiFi News
Schiit’s New Freya 2 Is a Passive or All-Tube or Solid State or Hybrid Preamp Starting at $999
That’s right—the Schiit Audio Freya 2 preamplifier can be run as an all-tube preamp, as a MOSFET-based solid state affair, a hybrid deal, or even as a passive pre with no gain stage. Different flavors to suit your taste.
HiFi News
Esoteric’s New Limited Edition F-Series Integrated Amps Come Dressed in Black
There’s nothing basic about black.
In Barn for Review
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: September 25, 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: Στον Ελαιώνα / Ston Elaióna by John Also Bennett
Music for base flute, Yamaha DX7-ii & SY77, digital oscillators & eurorack from American born, Athens, Greece based John Also Bennett.
Amplifier Reviews
Review: Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo Preamplifier & Grandioso S1X Power Amplifier
I hope they sound as good as they look.
HiFi News
MoFi Distribution Named Exclusive U.S. Distributor for Italy’s Diapason Loudspeakers
Brescia, Italy’s Diapason was founded in 1987 by Alessandro Schiavi “a live classical recording engineer who needed a monitor he could trust.”
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Audio Note DAC 4.1x IZVOR Balanced
The Audio Note DAC 4.1x IZVOR uses a discrete 18-bit R2R ladder DAC module filled with Audio Note’s own resistors to convert digital to analog with no oversampling, no jitter reduction, no noise shaping, and no re-clocking.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: September 18, 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: Kytytsi by Svitlana Nianio
Svitlana Nianio is a Ukrainian avant-garde singer-songwriter. In today’s world, that makes me want to embrace her and her music all the more.
Digital Reviews
Imersiv D-1 DAC Followup & Some Thoughts on System Building
I reviewed the Imersiv D-1 DAC back in March and bought the review unit.
Classic Albums
Classic Albums: Prayers on Fire by The Birthday Party
Following a band, or in this case a musician, for some 40 years teaches the inevitable acceptance of change.
HiFi News
Devialet Debuts the Phantom Ultimate 98 dB – Pulse Blue
The new Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98 dB – Pulse Blue is not almost blue, not kind of blue, but bluer than blue.