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Recommended Reference Component: Meitner Audio DS-EQ2 Optical Phono Preamplifier

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 July 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentIn Jason Thorpe’s July 1 review of the Meitner Audio DS-EQ2 optical phono preamplifier, he recalled that his “analog life was turned around in a way [he] did not expect” about a year ago. That turnaround happened in July 2022 when he reviewed the DS Audio DS 003 optical phono cartridge and its companion preamplifier. Jason was wowed by the superiority of the sound of that combination over any other phono cartridge and preamp he had ever heard before. So much so that he purchased a DS 003 cartridge to use as a reference, and then reviewed two more optical phono preamplifiers—firstly, the EMM Labs DS-EQ1, and now, the Meitner Audio DS-EQ2.

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Recommended Reference Component: Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box S3 B Phono Preamplifier

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 June 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentIn his June 1 review of the Pro-Ject Audio Systems Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier, Philip Beaudette explained that when he reviewed Pro-Ject’s X2 B turntable last December, he “liked” the turntable, but it was the S3 B that “surprised” him because of “its combination of great sound and remarkable feature set.” As a result, after both the X2 B and S3 B had been returned to the distributor, he asked for the S3 B to be sent back so he could review it independently.

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Recommended Reference Component: Bryston BR-20 Preamplifier-Streaming DAC

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 May 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentWe’ve reviewed the Bryston BR-20 preamplifier and streaming DAC twice on SoundStage! Network sites. Gordon Brockhouse reviewed it for SoundStage! Simplifi in June 2021. Then, earlier this month, Evan McCosham reviewed it here on SoundStage! Hi-Fi. The reason for the two reviews has to do with the Bryston’s rich feature set, which makes it right at home on Simplifi, and its high level of sonic performance—desirable of course for Simplifi readers, but mandatory for Hi-Fi readers, who typically put far more focus on sound quality than features.

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Recommended Reference Component: Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones

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SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 April 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentBrent Butterworth reviewed Focal’s updated Utopia headphones in January 2023. He began by praising the original Utopia headphones, which were released in 2016, stating that they were “probably as close as anyone’s come to perfection in headphones.” In fact, his June 2020 review earned Reviewers’ Choice and Recommended Reference Component awards for the original Utopia headphones. Since the new version ($4999, all prices in USD) has the same name, Brent explained that he would refer to the new model as the “Utopia 2022.” We have done the same here, and in the measurements report.

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Recommended Reference Component: NAD Masters M23 Stereo/Mono Amplifier

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 March 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentIn his March 1 review of the NAD Masters M23 power amplifier, Roger Kanno wrote: “Purifi’s Eigentakt class-D amplification technology first came to our attention when SoundStage! Network founder and publisher Doug Schneider raved about the performance of an engineering evaluation sample utilizing the company’s OEM modules. We subsequently reviewed several Eigentakt-based products from NAD, including the C 298 stereo amplifier, the M28 multichannel amplifier, and the M33 integrated amplifier-DAC.” The M23, which is priced at $3749 (in USD), is NAD’s latest amplifier to use the Eigentakt tech.

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Recommended Reference Component: RME ADI-2 DAC FS Digital-to-Analog Converter

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 February 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentMatt Bonaccio’s review of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS digital-to-analog converter appeared on this site on January 15. Near the beginning of that review, Matt wrote: “Affordable, feature-laden DACs that measure well aren’t hard to come by these days, though the ADI-2 DAC FS manages to push the everyman’s standalone DAC paradigm to the extreme.” The word extreme applies both to its feature set and the way it performs objectively (i.e., on the test bench) and subjectively (i.e., listening), which might be a little surprising to some given that the ADI-2 measures only 8.5″W × 2.05″H × 5.9″D (without feet), weighs just 2.2 pounds, and is priced at a reasonable $1299 (in USD).

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Recommended Reference Component: SME Model 60 Turntable and Series VA Tonearm

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SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 January 2023

Recommended Reference ComponentIn his December 2022 review of the SME Model 60 turntable and Series VA tonearm on SoundStage! Ultra, Jonathan Gorse declared that SME is “one of the crown jewels of the British audio industry, and is as quintessentially English as the BBC, Windsor Castle, or strawberries and cream at Wimbledon.” In his review, Jonathan described the firm’s new Model 60 turntable as “the culmination of over 60 years of audio development.” Jonathan commented: “SME released its last flagship turntable, the Model 30, in 1990—over 30 years ago—so it’s not a company that releases new products just to appease the whims of the marketing dept.”

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Recommended Reference Component: Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 December 2022

Recommended Reference ComponentActive speakers using digital signal processing (DSP) aren’t new—they’ve been part of the audiophile landscape for more than 30 years, although they were prohibitively expensive back when and have been getting far more affordable in the last decade or so. But what can be considered new are some of the features now being implemented on active speakers, such as wireless connectivity and music streaming. And in the case of Dynaudio’s Focus 30 loudspeaker system, which Gordon Brockhouse reviewed on SoundStage! Simplifi on December 1, room correction. For the Focus 30 system, room correction is provided via Dirac Live, and we believe this is the first time that Dirac Research’s software has been implemented directly on a speaker system.

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Recommended Reference Component: EMM Labs DS-EQ1 Optical Phono Preamplifier

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 November 2022

Recommended Reference ComponentLast month, we recognized the DS Audio DS 003 optical cartridge and its companion DS 003 phono preamplifier with a Recommended Reference Component award. As Jason Thorpe explained in his review of that combo on this site, DS Audio’s cartridges don’t “rely on magnets and coils to generate an electrical signal.” Instead, DS Audio cartridges use LEDs and light sensors, and the resulting signal must then be boosted and equalized by a phono preamplifier designed specifically for optical cartridges.

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Recommended Reference Component: DS Audio DS 003 Cartridge and Phono Preamplifier System

Details
SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
Components
15 October 2022

Recommended Reference ComponentThe resurgence that vinyl has experienced is certainly a boon for those who make and sell records, but there’s not much that’s new under the sun for this medium—the records, turntables, tonearms, and cartridges aren’t very different from how they were in vinyl’s heyday in the 1970s. But there has been one recent development that has advanced vinyl as a playback medium—the optical cartridges and accompanying phono preamplifiers that Japan’s DS Audio began making almost ten years ago. In July, Jason Thorpe reviewed the company’s DS Audio DS 003 cartridge and companion DS 003 phono preamplifier, a combination that he declared offers “paradigm-smashing performance” for the $6000 (all prices in USD) package price.

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  1. Recommended Reference Component: KEF LS60 Wireless Speaker System
  2. Recommended Reference Component: Sumiko Oyster Wellfleet Phono Cartridge
  3. Recommended Reference Component: Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Stereo Amplifier
  4. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon 310LP Phono Preamplifier
  5. Recommended Reference Component: Monitor Audio Silver 300 7G Loudspeakers
  6. Recommended Reference Component: Saturn Audio 401 Phono Preamplifier
  7. Recommended Reference Component: Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G Loudspeakers
  8. Recommended Reference Component: Meze Audio Elite Headphones
  9. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Celestee Headphones
  10. Recommended Reference Component: PSB Synchrony B600 Loudspeakers
  11. Recommended Reference Component: Arcam SA30 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  12. Recommended Reference Component: Accuphase C-2850 Preamplifier
  13. Recommended Reference Component: Paradigm Founder Series 100F Loudspeakers
  14. Recommended Reference Component: Magico A5 Loudspeakers
  15. Recommended Reference Component: Bryston B135 Cubed Integrated Amplifier
  16. Recommended Reference Component: iFi Audio iPhono3 Black Label Phono Stage
  17. Recommended Reference Component: Karan Acoustics Master Collection LINEb Preamplifier
  18. Recommended Reference Component: NAD C 298 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  19. Recommended Reference Component: Audeze Euclid Earphones
  20. Recommended Reference Component: Pro-Ject Audio Systems RPM 10 Carbon Turntable with 10cc Evolution Tonearm
  21. Recommended Reference Component: Technics EAH-TZ700 Earphones
  22. Recommended Reference Component: KEF LS50 Meta Loudspeakers
  23. Recommended Reference Component: Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation) Headphones
  24. Recommended Reference Component: dCS Bartók Digital-to-Analog Converter
  25. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Shape 65 Analog Active Loudspeakers
  26. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Utopia Headphones
  27. Recommended Reference Component: Rockport Technologies Avior II Loudspeakers
  28. Recommended Reference Component: Magico A1 Loudspeakers
  29. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Sopra No1 Loudspeakers
  30. Recommended Reference Component: PSB Alpha P5 Loudspeakers
  31. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Chora 806 Loudspeakers
  32. Recommended Reference Component: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi Loudspeakers
  33. Recommended Reference Component: Paradigm Defiance V12 Subwoofer
  34. Recommended Reference Component: AKG K371 Headphones
  35. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers
  36. Recommended Reference Component: Revel PerformaBe M126Be Loudspeakers
  37. Recommended Reference Component: KEF R11 Loudspeakers
  38. Recommended Reference Component: Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeakers
  39. Recommended Reference Component: SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
  40. Recommended Reference Component: GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeakers
  41. Recommended Reference Component: Meze Audio Empyrean Headphones
  42. Recommended Reference Component: Luxman L-509X Integrated Amplifier
  43. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Stellia Headphones
  44. Recommended Reference Component: VPI Prime Signature Turntable
  45. Recommended Reference Component: Campfire Audio Solaris Earphones
  46. Recommended Reference Component: Fostex TH909 Headphones
  47. Recommended Reference Component: Hegel Music Systems H590 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  48. Recommended Reference Component: Muraudio SP1 Loudspeakers
  49. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers
  50. Recommended Reference Component: Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 Headphones
  51. Recommended Reference Component: Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  52. Recommended Reference Component: T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
  53. Recommended Reference Component: Constellation Audio Revelation Taurus Mono Amplifiers
  54. Recommended Reference Component: Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones
  55. Recommended Reference Component: KEF Q750 Loudspeakers
  56. Recommended Reference Component: Acoustic Research AR-H1 Headphones
  57. Recommended Reference Component: Magico S1 Mk.II Loudspeakers
  58. Recommended Reference Component: EMM Labs DA2 Reference Digital-to-Analog Converter
  59. Recommended Reference Component: Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
  60. Recommended Reference Component: Oppo Digital UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Universal BD Player
  61. Recommended Reference Component: Bryston 4B3 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  62. Recommended Reference Component: HiFiMan Susvara Headphones
  63. Recommended Reference Component: Devialet Expert 130 Pro DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  64. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Digital-to-Analog Converter
  65. Recommended Reference Component: KEF Reference 3 Loudspeakers
  66. Recommended Reference Component: Audeze iSine10 Earphones
  67. Recommended Reference Component: PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream Junior Digital-to-Analog Converter
  68. Recommended Reference Component: HiFiMan HE1000 V2 Headphones
  69. Recommended Reference Component: Sennheiser HD 800 S Headphones
  70. Recommended Reference Component: Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  71. Recommended Reference Component: Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  72. Recommended Reference Component: PSB SubSeries 450 Subwoofer
  73. Recommended Reference Component: Mola Mola Kaluga Mono Amplifiers
  74. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  75. Recommended Reference Component: KEF Blade Two Loudspeakers
  76. Recommended Reference Component: Vivid Audio Oval B1 Decade Loudspeakers
  77. Recommended Reference Component: NAD Viso HP50 Headphones
  78. Recommended Reference Component: RBH Sound HP-2 Headphones
  79. Recommended Reference Component: HiFiMan Edition X Headphones
  80. Recommended Reference Component: Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  81. Recommended Reference Component: Hegel Music Systems HD30 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  82. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  83. Recommended Reference Component: HiFiMan HE1000 Headphones
  84. Recommended Reference Component: Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  85. Recommended Reference Component: PSB M4U 4 Earphones
  86. Recommended Reference Component: Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  87. Recommended Reference Component: Benchmark Media Systems AHB2 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  88. Recommended Reference Component: Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  89. Recommended Reference Component: Luxman M-900u Stereo/Mono Amplifier
  90. Recommended Reference Component: Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  91. Recommended Reference Component: Rega Research RP8 Turntable
  92. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Preamplifier
  93. Recommended Reference Component: KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers
  94. Recommended Reference Component: Luxman C-900u Preamplifier
  95. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Aria 906 Loudspeakers
  96. Recommended Reference Component: Revel Performa3 F206 Loudspeakers
  97. Recommended Reference Component: Axiom Audio M100 v4 Loudspeakers
  98. Recommended Reference Component: Devialet 120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  99. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  100. Recommended Reference Component: Audeze LCD-X Headphones
  101. Recommended Reference Component: Audeze LCD-3 Headphones
  102. Recommended Reference Component: Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  103. Recommended Reference Component: Joseph Audio Pulsar Loudspeakers
  104. Recommended Reference Component: Bryston B135 SST2 Integrated Amplifier
  105. Recommended Reference Component: Magico S5 Loudspeakers
  106. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon Evolution 740P Preamplifier
  107. Recommended Reference Component: Aurelia XO Cerica Loudspeakers
  108. Recommended Reference Component: Gryphon Audio Designs Mephisto Stereo Amplifier
  109. Recommended Reference Component: Hegel Music Systems H300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  110. Recommended Reference Component: KEF LS50 Loudspeakers
  111. Recommended Reference Component: Oppo Digital BDP-105 Blu-ray Player
  112. Recommended Reference Component: Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  113. Recommended Reference Component: Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  114. Recommended Reference Component: EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  115. Recommended Reference Component: Focal Electra 1008 Be 2 Loudspeakers
  116. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon Evolution 700i Integrated Amplifier
  117. Recommended Reference Component: Calyx Audio Femto Digital-to-Analog Converter
  118. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  119. Recommended Reference Component: Meitner Audio MA-1 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  120. Recommended Reference Component: PSB Imagine Mini Loudspeakers
  121. Recommended Reference Component: KEF R500 Loudspeakers
  122. Recommended Reference Component: Aurender S10 Music Server
  123. Recommended Reference Component: Magico Q7 Loudspeakers
  124. Recommended Reference Component: Benchmark Media Systems DAC1 HDR Digital-to-Analog Converter / Preamplifier / Headphone Amplifier
  125. Recommended Reference Component: Stax SR-507 Lambda Signature Headphones
  126. Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D DAC-Transport
  127. Recommended Reference Component: PSB Synchrony One Loudspeakers
  128. Recommended Reference Component: Vivid Audio Giya G2 Loudspeakers
  129. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics VX-R Stereo Amplifier
  130. Recommended Reference Component: Paradigm Reference Signature Sub 2 Subwoofer
  131. Recommended Reference Component: Etymotic Research ER-4 Earphones
  132. Recommended Reference Component: Gryphon Audio Designs Colosseum Stereo Amplifier
  133. Recommended Reference Component: Magico Q3 Loudspeakers
  134. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  135. Recommended Reference Component: JL Audio Gotham g213 Subwoofer
  136. Recommended Reference Component: Devialet D-Premier Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  137. Recommended Reference Component: Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  138. Recommended Reference Component: Siltech Classic Anniversary 330i Interconnects and 330L Speaker Cables
  139. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre KX-R Preamplifier
  140. Recommended Reference Component: KEF Reference 201/2 Loudspeakers
  141. Recommended Reference Component: Bryston 4B SST² Stereo Amplifier
  142. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP CD/SACD/DVD-A Player
  143. Recommended Reference Component: Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Loudspeakers
  144. Recommended Reference Component: Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
  145. Recommended Reference Component: Revel Ultima Salon2 Loudspeakers
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