Audiophile News, Opinion and Insights

We post a weekly featured audiophile news story that dives into the often controversial topics surrounding stereos, audio systems and the audiophile hobby.

Audiophile News, Opinion and Insights

Wireworld Series 10 New Audiophile Cables

Wireworld Introduces All-New Series 10 Audiophile Cables

Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world’s most respected brands of high-performance audio and video cables, is introducing their next generation ‘Series 10’ audio cables. These new cables incorporate several technical and visual improvements over the previous ‘Series 8’. The… Read More »



More Audiophile News, Opinion and Insights


Tubes reportedly use 70 percent of the power that they draw from the wall to heat.

Are Tubes Still Relevant to Today’s Audiophile? 

Vacuum tubes, historically speaking and consistent with what are used in today’s audio systems, were invented, according to most sources, in 1904 by John Ambrose Flemming. In 1907, New York inventor Lee de Forest patented a tube design similar to… Read More »


Rotel's Michi Preamp at $4,500 is right in the mid-market position and a strong performer for the price.

Rotel Michi P5 Series 2 Preamplifier Reviewed

It is always exciting when a brand like Rotel sends you a component from their flagship lineup. Rotel, a blue-chip, value-based brand, is known for making quality audiophile-grade components. The P5 Series 2 from Rotel’s Michi line is a preamplifier… Read More »


“Sex Farm” Is On the Charts in Japan and So Is QoBuz Music Streaming

Qobuz, the French pioneer of high-quality music streaming since 2007, takes a major step with its launch in Japan, the world’s second-largest music market. This strategic expansion marks a decisive turning point in the international development of the platform, reinforcing… Read More »


This guy is chillin' like a villain at THE Show listening to some ATC speakers.

How To Realistically Listen to Music at an Audiophile Show

It is no secret that I am a fan of many of the growing number of regional audiophile shows. Do they have their issues? Sure, they do, but where is there a better place for audiophiles to experience some of… Read More »


WiiM powered Speakers

WiiM Powered Speakers Embrace AI

WiiM is excited to announce the integration of its powerful WiiM OS into Audio Pro’s newest speakers. This collaboration combines Audio Pro’s over four decades of expertise in speaker design with the feature-rich and user-friendly WiiM OS, resulting in a… Read More »


The Revox B77 MKII is an updated version of a legendary reel to reel machine.

Revox B77 MK III – a new highlight in analog audio technology 

The Revox B77 is a true icon in the audio world. Famous and awarded for its outstanding sound reproduction and high-quality, sustainable construction, it sets the standard for analog audiophile excellence.  As a Revox product, it reproduces music exactly as… Read More »


Read our tips on saving money for audiophiles (version 2) before you type your credit card into the Internet for your next upgrade/purchase

More Creative Ways to Save Money to Buy More Audiophile Gear

The first installment of this How to Creatively Save Money to Buy Audiophile Gear (read it here) was quite popular, so we are back with some more ideas on how to stash some dough away for that new streamer, turntable,… Read More »


Is that Pete Townsend? I don't think so but The Who guitarists has significant hearing loss reportedly.

An Audiophile’s Guide To Avoiding Tinnitus

Ask almost anyone, audiophile or not, if they’ve ever experienced ringing in their ears, and the answer will likely be yes. For about 10 percent of the U.S. population, however, this persistent ringing is more than just a fleeting experience… Read More »


QoBuz Student program for $4.99 per month

QoBuz Offers $4.99 per Month Student Program

Qobuz, the French pioneer of high-quality music streaming, launches Studio Student, a brand new offer aimed at students who are passionate about music and top-notch sound. Enrolled students ranging from 18 to 25 years old will be able to access Qobuz’… Read More »


Dali EPIKORE speakers installed

New Dali EPIKORE Speaker Line Launches

With the new EPIKORE Series, DALI draws upon its expertise in over 40 years of loudspeaker research and development. ​The natural evolution of the acclaimed DALI EPICON series — inheriting several innovative technologies from the DALI KORE flagship speaker —… Read More »


Audio-Technica Experience Center in NYC

Audio-Technica’s TECHNICA HOUSE – Another Audiophile Experience in NYC

Audio-Technica, a producer of innovative audiophile experiences for more than 60 years, recently opened TECHNICA HOUSE – New York, a unique marketing salon dedicated to connecting the various artistic communities — music, art, fashion, cuisine, and more — that make… Read More »


HIFIMAN GoldenWave G10 Tube Headphone Amp

HIFIMAN Debuts Goldenwave GA-10 Tube Amplifier

HIFIMAN just debuted a new Goldenwave tube headphone amplifier at the recent CanJam SoCal 2024, featuring pure analog sonics that are unique to this model. The new Goldenwave GA-10 (SRP: $1,599) is an audiophile-grade headphone amplifier that features the SEPP (single-ended push-pull)… Read More »


An audiophile equipment rack destroyed in the robbery

Sunny Components Robbed of Uber-High-End Audiophile Gear on Father’s Day

One of our favorite ultra-high-end audiophile dealers and one of the publication’s best industry friends, Sunil Merchant, and his Sunny Components in Covina, California, was recently robbed on Father’s Day 2024. The robbers were “pros” on one level, in that… Read More »


SVS Launches New 17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofers

SVS, a leading manufacturer of high-performance speakers, subwoofers, and accessories, proudly announces a new flagship subwoofer series, 17-Ultra R|Evolution. A complete reimagining of subwoofer design for the Ohio-based audio brand, innovations abound in the new series making it the most… Read More »


New Finishes for the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2s and Px8 audiophile headphones

New Exotic Finishes for the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 and Px8 Audiophile Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins, has introduced two new premium finishes to its portfolio of high performance, multi-award-winning over-ear headphones, Px7 S2e and Px8. The new Px7 S2e Ruby Red and Px8 Dark Forest finishes expand on the already extensive range of… Read More »


The NAD M10 takes the cool-retro vibe of the NAD C 3050 and brings it to a more compact and more modern form factor in the M10

NAD Announces Masters M10 V3 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is Now Shipping

NAD Electronics just announced the NAD M10 V3 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is now available. Building upon its predecessor the M10 V2, the M10 V3 features improved audio performance and the latest generation of technologies including MM Phone Input and Dirac… Read More »


New TT Line of turntables from Pro-Ject

Pro-Ject Announces the Launch of the T1 EVO Turntable Line

Mistelbach, Austria – September 24th, 2024 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems is proud to announce the latest edition to the T Series of turntables, the T1 EVO, T1 EVO Phono & T1 EVO BT. Improvements include a classic groove-slayer in the Ortofon OM10 MM phono cartridge, a larger… Read More »


KEF speakers at a local Los Angeles AV retailer.

The Audiophile Hobby is More Fun When You Have a Strong Relationship with Your Local Retailer

Last week, I spoke with one of my high-end audio dealer friends, as he was in need of rightfully venting a little bit after a highly organized client demonstration of some ultra-expensive audiophile electronics ended up in an unsalvageable situation.… Read More »


HRS makes some of the best, higher end racks in the audiophile world.

How Important is Using a Great Audiophile Equipment Rack?

When I brought my first audio system home from the store, way back in 1973, I was so very excited. At the time, I had no music, because it then took every penny to my name to purchase the system… Read More »


Here's the store closing sale from Andy Singer's retail store. Up to 50% off is a great deal (while inventory lasts)

Andy Singer Recent Demise Reminds Us of an Urgent Audiophile Demographic Problem

There are a lot of colorful personalities in the audiophile business. When I was exiled from audiophile publishing between the end of 2019 and 2022 because of the non-compete that I signed after the sale of HomeTheaterReview.com and AudiophileReview.com, I… Read More »


New Totems

Totem Acoustic introduces the KIN ONE

Throughout Totem Acoustic’s 38 year storied history, the 2-way monitor loudspeaker has played a very significant role. Think highly musical, accurate, perfect phase coherency and three-dimensional expansiveness, all the while, yielding performance that defies their size. This company has been… Read More »


You can make a statue out of a digital cable if you are creative enough...

How To Pick the Right Digital Cable for Your Audiophile System

Putting aside the huge percentage (year to year) gains in sales that vinyl enjoyed during the pandemic, we really live a digital world when it comes to audio, and that world is almost all streaming as of 2024. Physical media… Read More »


Audiophile-grade hearing protection from Eargasm.

Five Practical Ways Audiophiles Can Protect Their Hearing in the Real World

In a world where silence is golden but noise is embraced, protecting your hearing is truly a defensive art – especially for audiophiles. From the roar of traffic to the potentially harmful volume settings on the devices that live dangerously… Read More »


New BlueSound Nodes are coming - some with Sabre DACs others with Dirac room correction.

Bluesound Introduces Three New NODE Wireless Hi-Res Audiophile Music Streamers 

BLUESOUND, the original wireless hi-res multi-room music brand, just announced three new wireless music streamers, the NODE NANO, NODE, and flagship NODE ICON. A slim and compact streamer, the new NODE NANO is the perfect entry streamer, offering only the… Read More »


JBL Event

JBL Stage 2 Loudspeakers and MA AV Receivers Line Introduction

I was at JBL a year or two ago for a media event, possibly a pre-CEDIA preview and part of the day was spent in a conference room listening about how Harman has been spending lots of time and money… Read More »


The only audiophile store on Rodeo Drive was a B&O store but that moved after years on the price prominade.

What Is the “Pretty Woman Close” and the “Levinson-Sucks Close” and Why They Need to Die? 

For those of us who make our living selling things, in my case, advertising, there is a certain joy in working with a truly professional salesperson. Somebody who isn’t pushy. Somebody who knows their products as well as how they… Read More »


HDMI cables are the choice of home theater enthusiasts but now audiophile companies are catching on to the sonic advantages.

Why HDMI is Important for Audiophiles

The worlds of high-performance audio and home theater should get along better than they do most of the time. Most good AV stores that sell audiophile components also sell home theater systems. In these magical home theater systems, things connect… Read More »


New MartinLogan Subwoofers

MartinLogan Unveils New Dynamo Foundation, Dynamo and Abyss Subwoofers

MartinLogan just launched its latest subwoofer lineup. Featuring the Dynamo® Foundation, Dynamo® and Abyss® Series, this new lineup is poised to be a benchmark in compact bass performance, offering a diverse array of advanced features and masterful artistry. “We’re thrilled to offer high-quality audio solutions at an exceptional value while preservingeverything that makes MartinLogan unique,” said Allan Tarrant, Senior Vice President of MartinLogan. “Our newest subwoofers exemplify our commitment to innovation and excellence inaudio engineering. With their design for seamless integration with any brand of speaker, they are aversatile choice that enhance any home audio system.” “We are excited to bring powerful, precision bass into homes in a way that complements anyenvironment,” said Andrew Lindsey, Product Manager at MartinLogan. “Each model has beenmeticulously engineered to deliver a… Read More »


Understanding the physics of an audiophile turntable is the first step in setup excellence.

The Basics of Setting Up an Audiophile Turntable

Vinyl’s unexpected comeback as a format for audiophiles was one of the many shockers of the pandemic. Audiophiles of all ages decided to get back into playing the 100-plus-year-old format for various reasons. Some people love listening to a musical… Read More »


Colorful cover-flow images from Roon

An Audiophile’s Guide to Using Roon for Music Management

For audiophiles looking to take their streaming and local music management to the next level, Roon is a music management and organization system that works with both music from your library and some streaming systems. You may think that this… Read More »


These big Estelon speakers are not something that you can easily hear in every city in America.

Should You Travel to Attend an Audiophile Show?

Each month in 2024, it seems like I have been to another audiophile show. The Tampa show was in February. Dallas was in March. AXPONA was in early April, and soon, I will park my wide-load in a seat and… Read More »


Few audiophile publications talk about the importance of protecting your hearing. We do.

Can You Still Be a Real Audiophile If You Have Lost a Little of Your Hearing?

To be an audiophile is not just to love audio gear, but also the music that is played back on such a high-performance music playback system. Audiophiles live and breathe good sound, with a whole lot of emphasis on music,… Read More »


SVS Line level adaptor

SVS Launches New SoundPath Speaker Level Subwoofer Adapter

SVS, a leading manufacturer of high-performance speakers, subwoofers, and wireless audio products, proudly announces the addition of the SVS SoundPath Speaker Level Subwoofer Adapter to its growing line of AV accessory solutions. Many integrated amplifiers and legacy stereo receivers lack… Read More »


The reference listening room at Masimo in Carlsbad, California

Bold Predictions on Who Will Buy Masimo’s Sound United Brands

Bowers & Wilkins is finding itself branded in more and more luxury cars. Why did a publicly-traded medical products company spend $1,000,000,000 to buy a bunch of audiophile and home theater brands? Many were left asking that question when the… Read More »


Some turntables are as as sexy being sculpture as they are being functional

How Many Audiophile Whales Are There Really?

Is anybody else tired of the word “billionaire” being used so often in modern media and society? I am. There are reportedly 2,800 billionaires on the planet Earth that is host to roughly 8,200,000,000 human beings. Here in the richest… Read More »


Getting your hearing checked every year or two is a great idea for concerned audiophiles looking to protect all of their hearing today and for the future.

Could Audiophile Hearing Aids be the Next Big Thing in the Audiophile Hobby?

I’ve discussed the importance of hearing health and hearing loss prevention in previous articles, and my genuine hope is that at least a few readers were inspired enough to take my recommended preventative measures to heart. Who knows, maybe a handful of elder millennial… Read More »


The BlueSound Node is a game-changing audiophile component that is just getting better and better.

BlueSound To Add Dirac Room Correct To Both New and Some Legacy Products But No Models Listed Yet

Swedish room correction and digital audio company, Dirac and Bluesound Node (read the review), makers of high fidelity multi-room streaming devices, just announced a collaboration to integrate Dirac’s award-winning Dirac Live Room Correction solution into select Bluesound device like the… Read More »


Dan Da'agostino's steampunk inspired amps are as good to look at as to listen to and they sound really, really good.

The Look of Your Audiophile Gear Is an Important Element to Its Overall Value

If we lived in a perfect world, we might seek audiophile components that do nothing other than sound great. There are examples of such products out there, such as ATI amplifiers, which up until recently used to be handmade right… Read More »


Boulder is known for making possibly the most expensive electronics in the world but their new, younger executives have designed $8,000 amps, preamps and integrated amps.

The Radical Change in Brand Dynamics in Audiophile Electronics and What the Future Will Bring

One of the business books that I have always loved is Trout and Ries’ The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing (buy at Amazon) which I believe was originally published back in the 1970s. One of the key elements of the… Read More »


Eversolo's DMP-A6 streaming DAC is one the more popular Chi-Fi audiophile performers in the market today.

The Audiophile Realities of Owning Chi-Fi Gear

Sometimes, in life, things seem too good to be true. In the audiophile world, nowhere is this more prevalent than when talking about Chi-Fi (Chinese-made and often sold direct) gear. If you still not hip to Chi-Fi check out my… Read More »


Ray Kimber's studio at Weber State is quite impressive.

Have You Considered What Will Be Your Audiophile Legacy?

The University of the South was not a school that I had heard of until my audiophile friend, classical recording engineer and former Absolute Sound and Stereophile writer John Marks, told me about their audiophile listening room. A priest at … Read More »


The audiophile rig at Luxury Publishing Group's old offices in Brentwood including a Benchmark DAC, Focal speakers, Pass Labs amp and more

Which Audiophile Speakers Should You Buy: Floorstanding or Bookshelf?

One of the key editorial tasks that we took on was taking on audiophile lore and cliché and seeing how it holds up over time. We’ve recently stepped into the “all DACs sound the same” topic (hint: they don’t). We’ve… Read More »


Wireworld cables boxed and ready to go

Which Cables Should You Use With Your Audio System, Do They Matter and Why?

Unless someone comes up with a highly innovative alternative, connecting all those various components in our audiophile systems still requires the use of cables. Some people believe cables absolutely improve sonics, while others feel all cables are the same, with… Read More »


Old school Bowers & Wilkins 801s (look at those Kevlar drivers) with McIntosh electronics at an audiophile salon

Should You Buy an Audiophile Store? 

For 20 years, there have been some faint voices discussing demographic issues that the audiophile hobby has, mainly being the fact that the hobby is nearly all-male and predominantly supported by Baby Boomers who are now aged into their 70s.… Read More »


Can you stay in the audiophile club if you aren't actively buying gear?

Are You Out of the Audiophile Club If You Stop Buying Gear?

There are a lot of things to love about the audiophile hobby, from its long past dating back to the 1960s (perhaps even before depending on your historical outlook), as well as the rich potential that listening to music has for today’s… Read More »


The Bricasti M3 is a super capable audiophile DAC with deep pro-audio roots

If DAC Chips Perform Perfectly Then Why Don’t All DACs Sound the Same?

 It is likely the audiophile forum Audio Science Review that should get credit for starting this thread talking about digital to analog converters and the vast improvements in today’s DAC chips. The question was “Do All DACs Sound the Same?”… Read More »


The NAD CS-1 is a very capable, audiophile grade endpoint that connects to your network and system

What’s the Difference Between an Audiophile Endpoint and a Music Streamer?

Don’t feel bad if you can’t tell me the unique differences between an audiophile endpoint and a music streamer. It is a bold new world where streaming music services have delivered basically full access to damn close to every album… Read More »


The Anthem STR is a Stereo Preamp with a 32 bit DAC, room correction and more.

Should You Consolidate Your Stereo Preamp With Other Audiophile Components? 

Conventional wisdom and, frankly, common sense tells us the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. If you wanted to travel from one city to another several hundred miles away, you’d simply look at the map and pick… Read More »


The PS Audio Sprout 100 is one of our favorite small audiophile components.

Should More Audiophile Companies Standardize the Size of Their Gear? 

By Jerry Del Colliano You’ve seen the film This Is Spinal Tap!, right? Even if you haven’t, the chances that you don’t know the joke that goes “but this one goes to 11” are pretty slim, unless you’ve been living… Read More »


Vinyl's revival didn't revive the music business did but doing away with discs sure did.

Music Revenue Is Booming But Physical Media Sales Are Dead

You know when Wall Street is buying up all of the music catalogs that there is something good going on in the music industry. What’s good is that, according to the RIAA in 2022, gross combined revenue (including all sources)… Read More »


SVS is out with new higher end speakers

SVS Launched New and Long-Awaited Ultra Evolution Speakers

SVS Launched New Ultra Evolution Speakers SVS, leading manufacturer of high-performance speakers, powerful subwoofers, wireless audio, cables, and accessories, proudly announces a new flagship speaker series, SVS Ultra Evolution. Consisting of seven new models featuring advancements in driver design, cabinet… Read More »


Saving money for your audiophile system is a creative process

How to Creatively Save Money for Audiophile Gear

Unless you are into sports like golf or polo as your pastime, the audiophile hobby is one of the more expensive ways that you can spend your discretionary dollars. While audiophiles like you and I are always looking for those… Read More »


Cambridge Audio and car maker Delores have teamed up on a sexy-retro, audiophile integrated amp

Cambridge Audio Introduces The Evo 150 DeLorean Edition Integrated Amp In Partnership With The Legendary Car Company

British audiophile company, Cambridge Audio, just unveiled the Evo 150 DeLorean Edition. This is the first product to celebrate Cambridge as the official audio partner of the legendary DeLorean Motor Company, Inc. Built upon the award-winning Evo 150 all-in-one integrated amplifier… Read More »


Meze Audio Liric 2 closed-back audiophile headphones

Meze Audio To Release Updated $2,000 Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones With Ties To Ukraine

Meze Audio just introduced LIRIC 2nd Generation, a major evolution of its acclaimed LIRIC closed-back over-the-ear audiophile headphones with performance enhancements, a new striped ebony wood finish and more modularity for easier upgrades and a long life of listening pleasure. … Read More »


Three popular hearing products designed to improve or protect

Three Ear Health Products That Can Save Your Hearing – But Do They Work?

I’ve said it before and I will say it again – the single most important component in any audiophile system are your ears. Surprisingly, this is an often-overlooked topic of conversation among audiophiles, who are (given their age and male-dominated… Read More »


When and exactly how to upgrade your audiophile system is a big part of the hobby

When To Make an Audiophile Upgrade and When To Not Upgrade

Upgrading our audiophile system is a big part of the fun in this hobby. Maybe we want to simply heighten our musical enjoyment by improving the configuration of our audio system. Perhaps recent listening experiences at an audiophile dealer, an… Read More »


Audiophile speakers in an audiophile showroom

Exactly How Your Standard 20 Percent Discount Is Likely Putting Your Local Dealer Out of Business

By Jerry Del Colliano  Anybody who’s been in the audiophile hobby, even for a little while, knows that when they enter the realm of the audio salon or stereo store, they can pretty easily ask for (and get) a 20-percent-off… Read More »


For many watch enthusiasts, a Patek Phillipe is the holy grail of timepieces

Limited Edition Gear Will Bring Urgency and Collectability to the Audiophile Hobby 

It is hard to feel bad for that guy who just spent $275,000 on that new V8 Ferrari, but how do you tell him that no matter how little he drives his Prancing Horse from Maranello, Italy, and no matter… Read More »


Today's automotive and aviation SIMs are nothing short of amazing toys for big boys with a lot of money to spend

The Next Generation of Audiophiles Are Spending Big Bucks (and Time) Gaming

Have you ever eaten at Din Tai Fung? It is a Taiwanese soup dumpling restaurant that is the only “chain” to have earned a Michelin Star, which is about as lofty a culinary goal as there is in the world of fine… Read More »


ROBLOX is the right language to reach today's Gen Alpha kids.

NHL and Gibson Guitars Teach Audiophiles That Finding Younger Enthusiasts Is Possible Today

If you want to get the attention of my 11-year-old Vincenzo (Enzo, for short), you would be well-served hitting him up on ROBLOX. This seemingly low-resolution video game in the metaverse has him and every boy (and many a girl) every… Read More »


Every audiophile is looking for the Nth degree of performance but how much does one need to spend to get there?

Do You Have to Spend a Fortune in order to Own a Truly Serious Audiophile System?

There are those outside our beloved hobby who might claim audiophilia is little more than a collection of technological snobs. Others may feel audiophiles are certifiably crazy. They point to the lunacy of the cost of upper level audio systems… Read More »


Getting a receipt from the actual shipper is key to "tendering" your shipment.

What To Do With Your Audiophile Boxes (Revisited) 

In a perfect world, no right-minded audiophile would ever throw away his or her equipment boxes. None of us live in a perfect world and, for many of us, storage space comes at a tremendous premium. How to manage your… Read More »


This is NOT The French Laundry... it is a laundromat in France but close enough to make our point.

How to Get the Most Out of an Audiophile Demo

Imagine you walk into your favorite local audiophile dealer to spend some time listening to the latest and greatest gear on display. Years ago, most professional stereo salespeople had a short stack of their best Compact Discs ready to play… Read More »


Orchard Audio's Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amp reviewed

Today’s Disruptive Class-D Amps Are Changing the Audiophile Hobby Very Much For The Better

There is a sea change going on in the audiophile hobby coming from the world of electronics – specifically via a whole crop of new-school, Class-D amplifiers (learn more here). These amps are designed around any number of somewhat modern… Read More »


STAX's new headphone amp

STAX To Introduce the SRM-D10 II Portable Headphone Amp for Just Under $1,000

STAX just introduced the SRM-D10 II portable headphone amplifier, available for sale from the first quarter of 2024. Featuring significant updates from the original SRM-D10, the SRM-D10 II continues to elevate listening experiences for STAX fans worldwide.  The SRM-D10 II… Read More »


They say if you want to be a millionaire in the wine business that you should start with 20m. The same is said about the speaker business!

Secret Designers Often Offer Great Audiophile Value Products

The audiophile hobby has always been a bit of a cult of personality, based around mostly male, Baby Boomer engineer types, whose main purpose in life is to find the highest possible quality music playback performance from any and all… Read More »


You just need one winning Powerball ticket to have anything you want from the audiophile world

What Would Your Audio System Look Like After You Won Powerball?

Accepting that you are repeated loser can be a tough pill to swallow when you have any modicum success in your professional life, but this is where I stand today. The reason for my malaise is that, no matter how… Read More »


A classic EMI Mixing console and Lockwood speakers up for auction at Bonhams

A Classic EMI Mixing Console and Lockwood Major Speakers For Auction

The long-awaited reunion of the renowned Abbey Road EMI TG12345 MKI recording console and Lockwood Major Loudspeakers has marked a significant milestone in music history. Lockwood proudly provided a pair of original Lockwood Major Loudspeakers to support the special Bonhams… Read More »


NAD M33 Master Series integrated amp is a good example of a modern, all-in-one solution.

What’s Better: Separate Audiophile Gear or All-in-One Integrated Components?

In the very early days of musical playback, as far back as the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, most music devotees bought a console audio system. These units were the ultimate all-in-one. A single, large cabinet housed the stereo power… Read More »


PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC and Preamp designed by Darren Meyers for PS Audio.

StellarGold From PS Audio Offers Up a New Preamplifier and DAC Design

In a significant expansion of its acclaimed Stellar Series lineup, PS Audio just announced the introduction of its PS Audio StellarGold preamplifier (read the review) and PS Audio StellarGold DAC (read the review). The two new high-end audio components incorporate… Read More »


Masimo has updated their HEOS App

New HEOS App Updates Ready To Download From Masimo

Masimo believes that music should be at the heart of your home, enhancing your daily life. Our commitment to creating a seamless experience has always driven us to continuously evolve our platform. We’re thrilled to announce a significant visual and… Read More »


Used vinyl is being sold at over $100 per LP at this L.A. food event that caters to young, tech savvy enthusiasts

L.A.’s Thriving Food Scene Brings Young People Together (and They Love Vinyl)

My wife and I recently realized that during our COVID-era lockdown, we inadvertently got away from many of the things that we really enjoyed doing. But for now, we are back out and enjoying life and trying to restore some… Read More »


Stenheim speakers installed at The Power Station Studio in New York City

Stenheim Launches the Alumine Two.Five at Power Station Recording Studio in New York City

Stenheim, the Switzerland-based speaker company that utilizes aluminum cabinets and high-efficiency drivers to create some of the hi-fi industry’s most renowned and musical loudspeakers, launched its new Alumine Two.Five, a passive two-way, floorstanding speaker, at an exclusive media event held at the… Read More »


My wife is becoming an unexpected audiophile so I feel compelled to get her a Dark Side of the Moon T-Shirt for Christmas

Why I’m Buying My Wife a Dark Side of the Moon T-Shirt for Christmas 

Sitting in our living room with the inward-facing French doors open to let the cool evening ocean breeze waft in, I cued up my audiophile system for some chill, trip-hop, loungy/electronic jams as my wife and I had a rare… Read More »


ATC's updated C4 MK2 subwoofer

ATC Announced the C4 Sub MK2 Active Subwoofer System

World renowned for its signature high output, low-distortion audio engineering and trusted by musicians, studios, live sound engineers and audiophiles over five decades, The Acoustic Transducer Company (ATC) is proud to announce the production of the C4 Sub Mk 2… Read More »


Magnepan Speakers are a bi-polar planar design

Audiophile Lingo You Need to Know Part 3: Different Types of Speakers

Loudspeakers are somewhat of a marvel. Where electronic components are designed to efficiently move electrical signals from one place to the next, speakers have the unique job of converting those signals to the mechanical vibrations we perceive as music. Without… Read More »


The Record Doctor X is a pretty serious audiophile record cleaner priced at $599

Record Doctor X Now Shipping at $599

Pangea Audio, a developer and manufacturer of high performance, high value audio accessories, announced today a new edition of its acclaimed Record Doctor vacuum record cleaning machines that simultaneously cleans both sides of a record, saving time and effort over… Read More »


Nothing says "expensive audio" like Mark Levinson's Cello gear from the 1990s

Why It’s Still Important to Review Really Expensive Audiophile Gear

Longtime audiophile reviewer Steven Stone was being shy in a recent phone conversation. As far as I can tell, he coined the phrase oligarch audio which describes audiophile components that are priced north of $100,000. By anyone’s measure, that is… Read More »


Where to get something like a vintage McIntosh amplifier repaired?

How To Get Out-of-Warranty Audiophile Electronics Repaired

After my article about three recent in-warranty repairs, my publisher, Jerry Del Colliano, asked me to write about out-of-warranty audiophile repairs. Those are the ones that you can expect to have to pay for. Basically, there are three out-of-warranty repair… Read More »


REL Tx9 Subwoofer in red, red, red!

REL ACOUSTICS Introduces the Bright Red T/9x Subwoofer

Noted subwoofer manufacturer, REL Acoustics, just unveiled the T/9x Red subwoofer to the audiophile market. Evolving from the foundational T/9x, this Special Edition subwoofer combines arresting aesthetics with improved driver performance, pushing the boundaries of both design and sound. The… Read More »


Wilson Audio WATT PUPPY speakers installed in Jerry Del Colliano's Brentwood, California screening room complete with RPG acoustical treatments and a neatly installed fabric wall

Reducing Background Noise Can Get You Big Audiophile Gains 

A few years before COVID, I walked into a listening room at a CEDIA show in Denver for an audition of Wisdom Audio’s latest powered and room-corrected speakers. Calling it a room is a stretch, mind you, as these demo spaces are easily assembled… Read More »


REKKORD F100 turntable brings audiophile performance with no installation woes to entry-level audiophiles

REKKORD F100 Turntable is a Turnkey $399 Solution For People Starting with Audiophile Vinyl

REKKORD Audio, the company whose extensive selection of high-end turntables is meticulously designed and handmade in one of Europe’s foremost audio manufacturing facilities, is bringing its high performance, intuitive F100 turntable to U.S.-based music lovers who are ready to partake… Read More »


Nagra is out with a reference level tube phono stage called the HD Phono for $87,500 USD

Nagra Fights All Swiss Audiophile Stereotypes By Introducing an $87,500 Tube Phono Stage

After years of intense research and development, the Nagra HD PHONO is finally available for discerning listeners of vinyl. It is the ideal complement to the HD range and the world-acclaimed HD PREAMP, HD DAC X and HD AMP monoblocks.… Read More »


How to prevent audiophile hearing loss from a professional's perspective

How Should Audiophiles Think About Hearing Loss as They Age?

The human ear is quite an amazing piece of audio gear. It’s an intricate yet vast system of tiny, superbly-tuned components working in sync to convert mechanical energy into what we interpret as sound. Most people, audiophiles included, will go… Read More »


New Record Doctor record clamp

Pangea Audio Debuts Black Chrome Record Doctor Low Profile Record Clamp

Pangea Audio, developer and manufacturer of high performance, high value audio accessories, just announced it now offers its low-profile Record Doctor Record Clamp with a black chrome knob, adding a new color option for listeners who prefer to use a… Read More »


PSB just launched a whole series of new Imagine Series speakers at the 2023 Toronto Audiophile Show

PSB Speakers Announces New Generation of Imagine Series at Toronto Audio Show 

PSB Speakers just announced the launch of a new generation of the highly acclaimed Imagine Series speaker line at Toronto Audio Fest. The latest edition of the Imagine Series consists of the B50 Bookshelf, T54 and T65 Tower speakers. The… Read More »


All about audiophile warranty repairs

Are Warranty Repairs Even Worth It Anymore?

One of the ugly truths of consumer electronics is that stuff breaks. When we’re lucky, a malfunction occurs while the product is still under warranty. But what do those warranties actually cover, practically speaking? The following stories draw from my… Read More »


Sorensen X2 is their most affordable speaker at $8,800 per pair USD

Børresen X2 to Ship New $8,800 Audiophile Speaker in U.S This November 

Børresen is thrilled to introduce the X2 speaker, a sleek and elegant, three-unit, floorstanding loudspeaker, that is the smallest model in the award-winning X series. This new loudspeaker reflects Børresen’s commitment to meeting diverse needs of listeners while maintaining the… Read More »


Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin McLaren edition will only have 60 units sold

Only 60 Units Will Be Made of the New $899 Bowers & Wilkins McLaren Edition Zeppelin Wireless Speaker

Audiophile loudspeaker company, Bowers & Wilkins, has launched a new version of its award-winning wireless speaker in collaboration with long-standing partner, McLaren Automotive. Introducing the new Zeppelin McLaren Edition. Read More »


Gryphon Diablo 333 Integrated amp now on display at two U.S. dealers

After Munich Launch, Gryphon Displaying Satanic $25,000 Integrated Amp at Two U.S. Dealers

Gryphon’s highly anticipated Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier will make its North American Dealer Debut today, Thursday, 16 November at The Sound Environment, Omaha, NE. Anthony Chiarella, Gryphon’s North American Director of Sales and Marketing, will present the amplifier and be… Read More »


Bass traps from Paul Wilson's reference audiophile listening room

Want a Better Sounding Hi-Fi System? Fix Your Room First

For most audiophiles, the road to sonic nirvana often follows the path of increasingly better equipment. Many of us spend decades and untold thousands of dollars replacing an existing something for a something better – all in the hopes of… Read More »


Tube amps in an audiophile demo

How to Do a Killer Audiophile Demo 

We talk a lot about how the future of the audiophile hobby needs to be inclusive. We need to ditch some of the old-school standards and practices like only listening in a messy listening room by yourself versus having your… Read More »


Meze Audio Primal Headphones are now out and $999 per pair

Meze Audio’s New Primal Headphones Priced at $999

Meze Audio is happy to launch 109 Pro Primal: a very special edition of its award-winning 109 Pro headphones and the latest addition to the exclusive Meze Audio Art Gallery collection.  These headphones are handmade by Meze Audio’s skilled artisans,… Read More »


Monitor Audio Anathra Subwoofer line is just announced for October 2023 shipping

Monitor Audio releases Anthra Subwoofer Series, a standalone three-model range that majors on musicality and depth 

Monitor Audio just announced the launch of the new Anthra Subwoofer Series like the Monitor Audio Anthra W15 reviewed here. This highly anticipated range introduces a trio of high-performance powered subwoofers into the Monitor Audio portfolio. Each of the three… Read More »


The Apple iPod changed everything in the audio world in many ways for the better

What If Everything We Thought We Knew About Hi-Fi Was Wrong?

For the past few months, I have been somewhat obsessed with these new Gallium Nitride (GaN, for short) amplifiers. Long-time Stereophile writer and classical music recording engineer John Marks was the first to hip me to the concept via an … Read More »


Sound & Vision to represent AudioVector speakers in US

Specialty Sound & Vision Now To Represent Audiovector Speakers

Audiovector ApS, internationally-acclaimed producer of High-End loudspeakers, has chosen Specialty Sound and Vision, LLC (SSV) to represent their brand in the US. SSV is charged with growing Sales, Brand Awareness and Market Presence for the Danish icon and assumes these… Read More »


Victrola launches new turntable to work with Root and Sonos

Victrola Brings Roon and Sonos Integration its Latest Turntable

Victrola announced the upcoming integration of its Victrola Stream turntable line with Roon, a music management and listening solution offering Airplay, Chromecast, and high-performance Roon Ready connectivity, making the wireless vinyl listening experience even more immersive. Along with the new… Read More »


Luxman is out with a nearly $13,000 reference Integrated amp

New $12,495 Integrated Amp From Luxman

Luxman continues to prepare for 2025, the company’s centennial, with a new top-of-the-line integrated amplifier. In addition to the company’s trademark sound quality, the L-509Z is the first component to incorporate the Luxman Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES1.0) in both… Read More »


All your need to be an audiophile is a set of earbuds

All You Need to Be an Audiophile is a Pair of Earbuds

At the AXPONA audiophile show in Chicago this past spring, I had a conversation with a well-respected member of the audiophile community, on the manufacturer side, who was talking about the future of the hobby. His premise was that for… Read More »