HiFi Reviews
Review: PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport: A Different Story
There are days when I feel sorry for people who believe that all digital sounds the same.
Articles by Michael Lavorgna
Music News
The Linda Lindas: “Racist, Sexist Boy” (Live at LA Public Library)
Music Is the Healing Force of the Universe is the name of an Albert Ayler album from 1969. “Racist, Sexist Boy” is the name of a single from The Linda Lindas from 2021.
HiFi Thoughts
Reductio ad absurdum: HiFi’s False Prophets and the Myth of the Perfect Amplifier
If you think about it, all birds sound the same.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Mdou Moctar | Afrique Victime
Just buy it.
Music News
Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen: Like I Used To
You heard that right — Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen have just released a single, together, today.
HiFi News
MQA Responds to GoldenSound (if this makes no sense, you are spending your time wisely) [Updated]
Equal rights. Justice. A few weeks ago, I pointed readers to a relatively new YouTube hifi reviewer, GoldenSound. The subject of his most popular video, by a multiple of around 15x, was MQA. Spoiler Alert: it was not a positive take.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Denafrips Pontus II DAC
I’m hoping there’s more than a family resemblance to be found between the recently reviewed, and loved, Denafrips ARES II DAC, and the upstream Denafrips Pontus II.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: THX Onyx Portable DAC
The dongle DACs just keep comin’.
Music News
Square, Inc. Announces Plans To Acquire Majority Ownership Stake In TIDAL
Don’t count TIDAL out just yet.
Music News
Amazon Music HD to Deliver Lossless + Hi-Res, Now!
It’s a fact, Jack. Amazon has announced that Lossless Audio, up to 24-bit/192kHz, is here for Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers at no additional cost. Sound familiar?
Music News
Apple Music will bring Lossless Audio to entire catalog in June 2021
It’s a fact, Jack. Apple has announced that Lossless Audio, up to 24-bit/192kHz, is coming to Apple Music subscribers in June 2021 at no additional cost.
HiFi News
ADOT (Audiophile Digital Optical Technology) Media Convertors
Network audiophiles have been using fiber media converters for years. Companies like TP-Link offer a number of options in the $20/each price range that do the job just fine. But, what’s the job?
Music News
Macworld Selling The Big Lie: “Nobody needs HiFi Apple Music+”
We’ve come to expect people to say stupid things. It’s a daily occurrence if you watch the news, at least here in the US.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Susan Alcorn | The Heart Sutra (Arranged by Janel Leppin)
Genre defying, instrument defying, defiant and wholly captivating music from legendary pedal steel player Susan Alcorn and guests.
HiFi Reviews
Review: Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport: The Sound and The Music
“My God! What has sound got to do with music?” ― Charles Ives “Whether I make them or not, there are always sounds to be heard and all of them are excellent.” ― John Cage
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand Reference Floor Standing Speakers
Even a Baby Grand can be grand.
HiFi News
Bluesound’s Upgraded Node and PowerNode Coming Soon!
The Bluesound Node 2i is a genuine HiFi Bargain, nearly a classic, so I am very happy to see it getting some renewed attention.
HiFi News
Luxman Celebrates 95 years: L595A SPECIAL EDITION Integrated Amplifier
95 years. That’s nearly 1,000 years in hifi time.
In Barn for Review
In Barn for Review: GoldenEar Triton Reference Tower Speakers
The shipping cartons containing the GoldenEar Triton Reference Tower Speakers are about the same size as the hotel room I used to occupy in Paris.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Pinegrove | Amperland, NY
It’s a movie. It’s a reimagining. It’s a kickass album.
HiFi Thoughts
CD Replay: A Preface
According to various customs laws, an antique is a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object that’s at least 100 years old. Out in the real world, an antique is anything that’s perceived to be old. For some, I’m an antique.
HiFi News
GoldenSound: A New HiFi Review Resource
Did you ever wish there was a source for measurements, listening impressions, and how the two may converge? And one that was absent of extremist views that tilt so heavily in one direction, it discounts the validity of the other? Well, it looks like there’s […]
HiFi News
Auralic Launches the ALTAIR G2.1 Digital Audio Streamer
Who put analog in my digital? Auralic’s new ALTAIR G2.1 Digital Audio Streamer adds two all-analog inputs, from input to output, including a Moving Magnet Phono input! making for one full-featured Streaming DAC/Preamplifier plus.
Music News
Apple Music Hi-Fi: Is The Wolf Finally At The Door?
Rumors, especially MacRumors, abound. While we are still in the conjecture stage, recent news suggests Apple will be rolling out a lossless CD-quality streaming service sooner than later.
Music News
Tidal’s New Lossless Tier Says Goodbye to MQA?
First spotted on the Roon forums, the news of the day is Tidal, beginning in Australia, is offering a new streaming Tier that separates lossless CD-Quality (HiFi) from Hi-Res MQA/Atmos/360 Reality Audio (HiFi Plus).
