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Equipment

NAD Masters Series M27 Seven-Channel Amplifier

Details
Feature Reviews

April 2014

Reviewers' ChoiceRecently, my attention has been captured by some Direct Digital integrated amplifier-DACs: NAD’s Masters Series M2 and C 390DD. My own budget reference, the NuForce DDA-100, is of similar design. Each of these models sounds fantastic for its price, and I like the idea of keeping the signal entirely in the digital domain, right up until the speaker outputs.

When NAD announced the newest power amplifiers in their top line, the Masters Series, I was surprised to learn that they would be class-D amps with conventional analog inputs, not Direct Digital designs. Also offered are the matching Masters Series M12 stereo digital preamplifier-DAC and M17 surround processor, but these link to the new Masters Series power amps only via analog RCA or XLR connections.

NAD Masters Series M27

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Moon by Simaudio Neo 430HA Headphone Amplifier

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Feature Reviews

March 2015

Traditionally, headphone amps have been afterthoughts -- relatively low-cost circuits built into receivers, computers, portable media players, etc. After all, even with relatively insensitive headphones, the amp usually needs to put out no more than 50mW -- 0.05W -- to drive headphones to loud volumes with no audible distortion. But with headphones’ recent surge in popularity, and the concomitant growth in the number of hardcore headphone enthusiasts, many manufacturers have been putting serious design effort and resources into their headphone amps.

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Oppo Digital PM-2 Headphones

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Feature Reviews

Oppo Digital PM-2 measurements can be found by clicking this link.

March 2015

Reviewers' ChoiceLuxury has never much appealed to me. The word can mean an indulgence, something inessential. Both latter terms are anathema to me, which is probably why my audio-reviewing beat has largely been gear that scores highly on the scale of performance per dollar spent. S. Andrea Sundaram recently reviewed Oppo Digital’s PM-1 headphones ($1099 USD), and was so taken with them that they ended up being named a SoundStage! Product of the Year. Andrea not only has discerning ears; he’s a fastidious critic. When it was suggested that I review Oppo’s PM-2, a model for which nearly identical sound quality is claimed (provided the synthetic earpads are used for both models) for a price $400 lower ($699), I jumped.

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Onkyo TX-NR838 Network Audio/Video Receiver

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Feature Reviews

February 2015

Founded in 1946, in the aftermath of World War II, Japanese electronics firm Onkyo began by manufacturing phonograph pickups. By the 1970s, Onkyo had established global distribution of a wide range of audio products. Onkyo models are some of the most rich in features for their price points, and the company has the reputation of being among the first to implement certain features -- the world’s first THX-certified audio/video receiver was an Onkyo, in 1994. While today Onkyo makes a full range of products, from Blu-ray players to speakers, they’re best known for their AVRs and amplifiers -- their website currently lists 19 AVRs, from $279 to $2999. These range in power from 60 to 145Wpc, but even more widely in their feature sets: input/output options, processing capabilities, and five, seven, nine, or 11 channels. In terms of processing, the spec sheet for the TX-NR838 A/V receiver ($1199 USD) reproduces no fewer than 31 logos, representing those technologies Onkyo has licensed for this product.

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Bluesound Pulse Wireless Loudspeaker System, Powernode Streaming Receiver, Duo Sub/Sat Loudspeaker System, and Vault CD Ripper and Storage Device

Details
Feature Reviews

February 2015

“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” I’m reminded of the old adage even when encountering apparently daring new products from old, familiar companies. Bluesound is a new line of innovative audio equipment from the Lenbrook Group, longtime owners of NAD and PSB, whose pedigree and ability to make great, affordable audio equipment are the stuff of legend. But even after poring over Bluesound’s website, I still had only a vague idea of what their products actually did. So I said, “Send ’em all.”

Turns out they’re simple, elegant turns on products you’ve used and read about for years.

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Calyx Audio M Portable Media Player

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Feature Reviews

January 2015

Calyx Audio M2014 seemed to be the year of the portable high-resolution music player. Pono was finally released, Astell&Kern released the magnificent AK240, and then came the M, from South Korean manufacturer Calyx Audio.

I was asked to compare the M with A&K’s AK240. No way. The AK240 has many functions absent from the M -- though each might be the best in its price category, the price difference is significant. At $999 USD, the Calyx M costs a lot less than the AK240 at $2499, and you get less: no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, thus no wireless connection to music stored on your computer -- and no form-fitting protective case. But what you do get with the Calyx M is very good, and makes it a reasonably good value . . . once the bugs are worked out.

In the box

The Calyx M comes with a soft carrying pouch and two USB-to-USB Micro charging cables, one short, one long. Its gorgeous copper color is matched by the cables. There’s no quick-start guide -- you download the instruction manual.

At 5.25” x 2.75” x 0.5”, the Calyx M is large -- about the size of a new iPhone 6 or Samsung phone, but thicker. Its 7.7 ounces felt a bit heavy in my hand over long periods of use. The front is almost all screen -- a handsome, 4.65”, high-definition (1280x720) OLED display covered with Gorilla Glass. On a tiny strip below the screen is an “M.” The rear panel is all smooth metal, with Calyx’s engraved treble-clef logo and manufacturing information -- the fine print. Along the top edge are a 3.5mm jack, slots for SD and MicroSD cards, and an On/Off button. On the bottom is the USB Micro jack for charging.

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M2Tech Marley Headphone Amplifier

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Feature Reviews

January 2015

M2Tech MarleyThe headphone market is on fire these days, and not just for the “personal audio” mobile market. I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen so many announcements of new headphones and related components. Most notably, the market for headphone amplifier-preamplifier-DACs has exploded and continues to grow. But what if you, like me, already have a DAC you’re happy with, and would rather spend less to get only what you need? Thankfully, there are plenty of standalone headphone amps available, with new ones being launched regularly.

The Italian manufacturer M2Tech first came to my attention several years ago, with their hiFace USB-to-S/PDIF output interface. Since then they’ve broadened their range to include two such converters, four standalone DACs, an ADC, a clock generator, a power supply, and the subject of this review: the Marley headphone amplifier ($1699 USD). Following M2Tech’s custom, the Marley is named for a famous musician, in this case one whose first name was Bob.

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Alpha Design Labs EH008 Earphones and A1 USB DAC-Headphone Amplifier

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Feature Reviews

December 2014

ADL A1Now that we’re almost half a decade into the revolution in portable hi-fi, with enough headphone and earphone models out there to saturate if not drown demand, I didn’t expect to be so taken with an earphones-and-amp-DAC package. But after a month with Alpha Design Labs’ EH008 ’phones ($239 USD) and matching A1 portable USB amplifier ($599), I continue to be surprised by just how much performance can be had for under $1000.

ADL, for short

Alpha Design Labs (ADL) is a subsidiary of well-known Japanese manufacturer Furutech. While ADL already has to its name several headphone models and a standalone DAC, the EH008 represents a new foray, into earphones. Unlike the single-dynamic-driver or multiple-armature designs available from other manufacturers, each side of the EH008s has two dynamic drivers: an 8mm midrange-bass driver directly behind a 5.8mm treble driver. Each is Alpha-Cryo treated in what ADL says is a two-stage process. First, all metal parts are frozen to temperatures below -328°F (-200ºC) with liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. ADL claims that this binds together the components’ individual molecules more tightly, the overall structure thus becoming more stable in a way that relieves internal stresses. This purportedly improves electrical conductivity and, in turn, power and signal transfer.

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NuForce Primo 8 Earphones

Details
Feature Reviews

NuForce Primo 8 measurements can be found by clicking this link.

December 2014

NuForce Primo 8Reviewers' ChoiceEver had to buy cheap earphones when you were traveling because you broke the ones you had? If you have, you might wonder why some earphones cost $500 USD. I’ve bought several cheap sets of earphones over the years, and while a few were breathtaking in their suckitude, most were OK. The $9 set I got at a truck stop in Jennings, Louisiana, sounded shockingly nice -- a little bassy, perhaps, but quite listenable overall. And the amazingly neutral sound of the $15 Panasonic RP-TCM125 creams a lot of $100 models I’ve heard.

But there must be some reason audio enthusiasts buy $499 earphones like the NuForce Primo 8, right? There are. The Primo 8s have not one, but four drivers in each earpiece. These are not the dynamic drivers found in all inexpensive earphones, but balanced armatures. A dynamic driver is basically a miniature version of a conventional loudspeaker driver. A balanced armature is like a little motorized teeter-totter that drives a diaphragm. Balanced armatures are known for more extended, delicate, and airy treble, and, to some extent, for low tonal coloration -- although dynamic drivers, too, can have low tonal coloration, as proved by the Sennheiser IE 800.

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Grace Digital Encore Wi-Fi Music Player and Internet Radio

Details
Feature Reviews

November 2014

Grace Digital EncoreIn July 2013 I reviewed the Grace Digital Mondo, a portable Wi-Fi player and radio that can easily be moved from room to room. Grace’s Encore ($199.99 USD) is a larger, more solid component that you’ll want to leave in place, but like the Mondo, it lets you experience a world of music and conversation, from stations in your hometown to broadcasts from Australia -- provided you have a Wi-Fi network.

In the box

The Encore comes with a remote control (batteries included), a power adapter and cord, and an RCA-to-3.5mm mini patch cable for optional device connection. The 54-page, single-language instruction booklet is a far cry from the “quick-start” guides that are all you get from too many manufacturers. The Encore’s manual isn’t perfect, however; here and there, it includes instructions for the Mondo instead of for the Encore.

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  1. Oppo Digital HA-1 Headphone Amplifier-Preamplifier-DAC
  2. Samsung Level In Earphones
  3. Brainwavz S5 Earphones
  4. KEF M200 Earphones
  5. Definitive Technology Incline Desktop Loudspeakers
  6. Oppo Digital PM-1 Headphones
  7. Astell&Kern AK240 Portable Media Player
  8. NAD Viso HP50 Headphones
  9. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones
  10. Aura Note V2 Music Center
  11. Audiofly Performance AF140 Earphones
  12. Focal Spirit Classic Headphones
  13. Audeze LCD-X Headphones
  14. Pathos Acoustics Aurium Headphone Amplifier
  15. Alpha Design Labs X1 USB DAC-Headphone Amplifier
  16. NAD Viso HP20 Earphones
  17. Audeze LCD-3 Headphones
  18. Sony XBA-H1 Earphones
  19. Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control with Ultimate Hub
  20. NuForce AVP-18 Surround-Sound Processor
  21. Sherwood R-807 Audio/Video Receiver
  22. Boston Acoustics MC100 Blue Bluetooth Speaker
  23. Miniwatt n4 USB DAC-Headphone Amplifier
  24. Mass Fidelity Relay DAC-Bluetooth Digital Converter
  25. Alpha Design Labs H118 Headphones
  26. Astell&Kern AK120 Portable Media Player
  27. Focal Pack 5.1 Bird Loudspeakers and Sub Air Subwoofer
  28. Cardas Audio EM5813 Model 1 Ear Speakers
  29. Audioengine W3 Wireless DAC
  30. Shure SE535 Earphones
  31. Definitive Technology Sound Cylinder Bluetooth Loudspeaker
  32. Definitive Technology SoloCinema XTR Sound Bar and Wireless Subwoofer
  33. Audio Pro Avanto 5.0 HTS Home-Theater Speaker System
  34. Cambridge Audio Azur 751R A/V Receiver
  35. DarbeeVision Darblet DVP 5000 Video Enhancer
  36. Oppo Digital BDP-105 Blu-ray Player
  37. Arcam rBlink DAC-Bluetooth Digital Converter
  38. Axiom Audio ADA-1000 Multichannel Amplifier
  39. Atomic Audio Labs Mac Platform
  40. MartinLogan Motion SLM On-Wall Loudspeakers and Dynamo 700w Subwoofer
  41. Logitech Harmony Touch Universal Remote Control
  42. Bowers & Wilkins MT-60D Home-Theater Speaker System
  43. Audio Pro Living LV2e Wireless Powered Loudspeakers
  44. PSB Imagine Mini / Mini C / SubSeries 200 Home-Theater Speaker System
  45. Autonomic Controls Mirage MMS•5A Media Server
  46. Cambridge Audio Azur 851C CD Player-DAC-Digital Preamplifier
  47. Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
  48. Anthem AVM 50v 3D Audio/Video Processor
  49. Dynaudio Xeo 3 Powered Wireless Loudspeakers
  50. Paradigm Millenia CT Powered 2.1-Channel Loudspeaker System
  51. MartinLogan Mikros 70 Earphones
  52. Hegel Music Systems HD20 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  53. Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones
  54. Calyx Audio DAC 24/192 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  55. Beyerdynamic Tesla T 70 Headphones
  56. Totem Acoustic Element Ember Loudspeakers
  57. Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamond Loudspeakers
  58. HiFiMAN HE-400 Headphones
  59. HiFiMAN Express HM-601 Portable Audio Player
  60. NAD Viso 1 iPod Dock
  61. Dynaudio Focus 110 A Loudspeakers
  62. PSB M4U 2 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
  63. NuForce Icon uDAC-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter/Headphone Amplifier
  64. Audioengine D2 Wireless Digital-to-Analog Converter
  65. Fluance SXHTB+ Home-Theater Speaker System
  66. T+A Elektroakustik E-Series Music Receiver
  67. Polk Audio UltraFit 2000 Sports Headphones
  68. Paradigm Series 7 Monitor 11 / Center 3 / Surround 3 / Sub 12 Home-Theater Speaker System
  69. High Resolution Technologies Music Streamer II+
  70. Stax SR-507 Lambda Signature Earspeaker Headphones and WooAudio GES Headphone Amplifier
  71. SoundMagic PL50 and EH11 Earphones
  72. Densen Audio Technologies Beat B-130 Integrated Amplifier
  73. HiFiMAN HE-500 Headphones
  74. Polk Audio Blackstone TL350 / DSWpro 550wi Home-Theater Speaker System
  75. Etymotic Research ER-4PT Earphones
  76. Bowers & Wilkins C5 Earphones
  77. Smyth Research Realiser A8 Audio Processor
  78. April Music Aura Groove Integrated Amplifier and Aura Neo CD Player-DAC
  79. Audeze LCD-2 Headphones
  80. PSB CS1000 Outdoor/Indoor Loudspeakers
  81. Velodyne Digital Drive+ 10 Subwoofer
  82. Etymotic Research hf5 Earphones
  83. Focal Chorus 826V Loudspeakers
  84. TEAC SR-100i iPod Dock
  85. HeadRoom Balanced Ultra Desktop Amplifier and Sennheiser HD 800 Balanced Headphone System
  86. Ultrasone Pro 900 Headphones
  87. Cambridge Audio Azur 650R A/V Receiver
  88. Axiom Audio Epic 80-800 Home-Theater Speaker System
  89. Vizio VMB070 Portable 7” TV
  90. Audioengine N22 Integrated Amplifier
  91. Integra DTA-70.1 Multichannel Power Amplifier
  92. Logitech Harmony 300 Remote Control
  93. Logitech S715i Rechargeable Loudspeaker and iPod/iPhone Dock
  94. KEF XQ40 Loudspeakers
  95. Asus O!Play HDP-R1 Media Player
  96. Velodyne Optimum-10 Subwoofer
  97. Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne / Seismic 110 Home-Theater Speaker System
  98. Schiit Audio Asgard Headphone Amplifier
  99. Paradigm Reference Signature S6 v.3 Loudspeakers
  100. Definitive Technology Mythos XTR-50 / Gem / SuperCube II Home-Theater Speaker System
  101. Logitech Squeezebox Touch WiFi Music Player
  102. Curvi-Hifi Model 1 Version 2 Loudspeakers
  103. Aperion Audio Home Audio Link
  104. Paradigm Reference Signature S6 v.3 / C3 v.3 / ADP3 v.3 / Sub 1 / PBK Home-Theater Speaker System
  105. Western Digital WD TV Live Media Player
  106. Monitor Audio Silver RX6 / RX Centre / RXFX / RXW-12 Home-Theater Speaker System
  107. NAD T 175 A/V Processor
  108. Aperion Audio Intimus 6-IC In-Ceiling Loudspeakers
  109. Polk Audio RTi A1 / CSi A4 / DSW Pro 400 Home-Theater Speaker System
  110. Naim Uniti All-in-One Audio Player

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KEF LS60
KEF LS60

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