Michael Lavorgna, Author at Twittering Machines

Review: Weiss Engineering Helios Reference DAC

September 18, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

The Helios is the 3rd DAC from Weiss I’ve reviewed in these pages along with the DAC501 and DAC204 and the one thing they have in common, beyond their obvious Weiss origin, is they all sound great. In many ways, exceptional.

TEAC’s New Reference 500 Series PD-507T CD Transport Is Coming Q4 20025

September 18, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

As we all more than likely know, a CD transport does not also house a DAC. If it did, it would a CD player. For serious listening, I’m a fan of transports seeing as I already have a DAC I love. You probably do too.

Devialet Refreshes the Phantom with the New Ultimate Editions

September 17, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

Tens years after the Devialet Phantom made a big splash inside and outside the world of audiophilia, the company has introduced a pair of Ultimate editions.

HiFi Thoughts: In Praise of Listening

September 15, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

We live in a funny world, which isn’t funny at all most of the time, and one of the funniest notions in hifi is that the value of listening to music is best determined by a measured approach devoid of emotion.

Album of the Week: Bury Me (EP) by Ora Cogan

September 12, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

Ora Cogan is represented by NYC’s Sacred Bones label which means something to me. More often than not, it means I’m going to like what I hear.

Review: Treehaus Audiolab The Preamplifer & 300B-2 SET Amplifier

September 11, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

Fans of the complete package—design, craft, engineering, performance and quality—can spot many of these traits built into the Treehaus Audiolab The Preamplifer and 300B-2 SET Amplifier from a listening seat away.

Spotify Finally Rolls Out Lossless Quality Streaming (and why I don’t care)

September 10, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

I subscribe to lossless streaming from Tidal and Qobuz because it simply makes good sense, it’s a giant bargain, and it sounds better than lossy streaming all things considered. But Spotify? No thanks.

Say Hello to the New Goldmund Telos 670 Integrated Amplifier

September 10, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

I have a thing for Goldmund’s clean minimalist lines that imbue their products with an architectural air. In other words, I like the way they look.

Technics’ New $899 SL-40CBT & SL-50C Direct Drive Turntables

September 9, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

I make no bones about my love for Technics ‘tables and own a 1970s-era SP-15 because a) it is a thing of industrial design beauty, b) it plays 78s, and c) it does what it’s supposed to do really well.

Introducing Perlisten’s New A Series Loudspeakers

September 9, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

I’ve reviewed a few speakers from Perlisten and the more I listened, the more I liked.

#NewMusicFriday: September 5, 2025

September 5, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

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: A Danger to Ourselves by Lucrecia Dalt

September 5, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

There are a number of artists whose new works I wait for. Impatiently.

Review: Harbeth NLE-1 Professional Monitor Loudspeakers

September 4, 2025 Michael Lavorgna

TMI. Too much information is an oft-stated knock against “Pro” audio gear. On the other hand, hifi companies with Pro Audio history are often valued for that experience. Odd, no?