@Featured

IsoTek Sigma $4,995 Audiophile Power Conditioner - a few from the rear...

IsoTek V5 Sigmas Power Conditioner Reviewed

My relationship with power conditioning products has always been a complex one. Over the years I’ve tried several from very respected brands, but not IsoTek. Most provided some sort of sonic improvement to my system, while others seemed to do… Read More »



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Ethernet cables can be directional in the audiophile world and also designed to reduce digital noise that is on most Internet networks. A real-world problem.

Three Affordable Digital Upgrades That Are Cheap, Easy and Work

There are a lot of tweaks that you can make to an audiophile turntable. Many of them make big differences, as the analog nature of spinning vinyl discs benefits from having excellent setup. The reality for nearly every audiophile today is… Read More »


Piega ACE 30 powered loudspeakers as photographed by Eric Forst

Piega Ace 30 Wireless Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

Every few decades, a technological innovation transforms the audiophile world. The 1980s introduced the Compact Disc, standardizing audio fidelity. The 1990s saw the rise of MP3s and file-sharing, filling hard drives with music for the first time. In the 2000s,… Read More »


Car buffs will love the Lamborghini Fly Yellow coloring of this exotic tube power amp.

Why It Can Be Difficult to Explain the Audiophile Hobby to Non-Audiophiles

At its lowest common denominator, involving oneself in the practice of the audio arts, what we practitioners known as the audiophile hobby, is quite simple to understand. Audiophiles want, demand, and are always in search of an immersive, dynamic and… Read More »


The attention to detail in the industrial design of HIFI ROSE products is hard to match anywhere near its price.

HiFi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

Few brands have caught my eye over the last 12 months as much as has HiFi Rose. They are among the few companies in the audiophile market that look like they are making some changes in their products. We see… Read More »


A close-up of some top McIntosh electronics at the NYC House of Sound Experience Center.

Bose Purchases McIntosh Group Inc. in a Curious Move

Mainstream loudspeaker company, Bose, announced today that they are purchasing Upstate New York based, McIntosh. McIntosh is one of the most iconic brands in the history of audio and bring a respected electronics brand to pair with Bose. Italian loudspeaker manufacturer, Sonus faber,… Read More »


Benchmark Media LA4 Preamplifier Reviewed

Benchmark Media Systems made its reputation in both pro audio and audiophile circles by designing gear with extraordinarily low noise and distortion, and selling it at reasonable prices. When I reviewed Benchmark’s AHB2 stereo power amp (read my review), I was so… Read More »


A home theater packing serious audiophile equipment as well as RPG room treatments behind the fabric wall.

Why is the Audiophile Hobby Better Than Home Theater?

When you think about it, audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts should really have a lot in common. Any good home theater starts with great sound reproduction, and audiophile gear is all about producing studio-quality audio. The surround sound part of… Read More »


PS Audio BHK 600 monos actually use tubes? Believe it..

PS Audio BHK Mono 600 Amplifiers Reviewed

PS Audio has evolved over its 50-plus years of business and now manufactures a complete line of high-performance audiophile products designed to reproduce music from digital sources to speakers and everything in between. Their product line starts at the middle… Read More »


Estelon AURA Speakers in a gorgeous dark blue finish

Estelon AURA Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

One of the best things about the audiophile hobby is the diversity of designers and equipment manufacturers. Having owned a major home theater publication in my somewhat recent past, I can tell you that only a few companies make a… Read More »


Thousands of watts of power installed the way that people who have the money to actually buy such audio gear would want to display them. Bravo!

McIntosh’s House of Sound is a Super Cool Experience in NYC and You Are Invited

For the past 31 years, I have lived in Los Angeles. However, I grew up in Philadelphia, which can be a pretty strange place on any number of levels. Despite its proximity to New York, which is a simple, one-hour… Read More »


T+A's A200 class-D power amp in silver

T+A  A 200 Amplifier Reviewed

This is the last in a series of T+A reviews in which we already looked at their MP 200 music player and DAC 200 Preamplifier/DAC (read my reviews).  The A 200 Amplifier we discuss below may be the most flexible in that, while it is… Read More »


The Alta Audio Alex photographed by Lee Shelly

Alta Audio Alec Speakers Reviewed

The Alec loudspeaker, by boutique audiophile speaker company Alta Audio, is a two-way floorstanding model with rather unique technology incorporated. If you haven’t heard of Alta Audio before, you are like me. Our publisher, Jerry Del Colliano, sent me some information about the… 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 »


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 »


Rockport Avior II speakers in gloss black

Rockport Avior II Loudspeakers Reviewed

Rockport Technologies is a company with origins that date back to 1990, when they released their first audiophile component, a reference phonograph named the Sirius. Phonographs live and die by how well the designer can isolate and control vibration to… Read More »


Kanto TUK powered speaker installed in Eric Forst's living room.

Kanto TUK Premium Powered Speakers Reviewed

The first time I heard Kanto speakers was in 2018 at the Axpona audiophile show in the suburbs of Chicago. The Canadian lifestyle consumer electronics brand had a modest setup in the convention’s lower marketplace area (typically reserved for smaller… Read More »


The legendary blue-ish green light is on display in a unique way on the McIntosh MT5 turntable.

McIntosh Labs MT5 Precision Turntable Reviewed

Ask any audiophile who has been in the hobby for a decade or more to identify a legacy brand, and the name McIntosh will almost certainly be mentioned. Founded by Frank McIntosh and residing in Binghamton, New York since 1952,… 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 »


The Boulder 508 is a slim but powerful audiophile phonostage.

Boulder 508 Phono Preamplifier Reviewed

Mention Boulder Amplifiers to almost any audiophile and the resulting comments will almost certainly be much the same. These opinions may include world-class performance, impeccable quality, best of the best, big, heavy and, of course, very expensive. None of these… Read More »


The The MartinLogan XTB100 speakers with the grills off.

MartinLogan Motion XT B100 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

MartinLogan, renowned for its high-end floorstanding speakers (often electrostatic), aims to bring the performance of those speakers to a different market. They’ve done this by completely reimagining their Motion Series catalog of floorstanding and audiophile bookshelf speakers, and putting the speakers through a… 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 »


The Cambridge Audio CNX100 is a slick looking music streamer/DAC that is getting a lot of organic hype on the forums and Reddit.

Cambridge Audio CXN100 Music Streamer/DAC 

Cambridge Audio has a 50-year legacy of designing and producing high-performance audio components with a high-value proposition over 10 years in music streaming electronics. It has become quite popular in recent years. To keep up with a vast amount of… Read More »


Anthem STR Integrated Amp installed

Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The Anthem STR (buy at Crutchfield) is a midrange option in the world of audiophile integrated amplifiers with a price tag of $4,999. Anthem has chosen to take a very audiophile route with this integrated amplifier. What I mean by this is that, instead of… 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 »


The Pass Labs INT-250 at Jerry Del Colliano's House

Pass Labs INT-250 Integrated Amp Reviewed

One of the most affordable and, in this case, powerful ways to rock your audiophile system is to look for a high-end integrated amp for your power needs. The Pass Labs INT-250 is one of many strong options in the $10,000-plus price… Read More »


McIntosh's MDA200 DAC brings a retro look to a converter with ESS DAC under the hood.

McIntosh MDA200 DAC Reviewed

Perhaps no single brand in the history of audio defines the high end of the hobby more than McIntosh. The marquee’s legacy dates back before the boom in popularity of music, as well as audio, in the late 1960s. In… 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 »


The Benchmark AHB2 stereo amp in silver has both pro audio as well as audiophile consumer appeal.

Benchmark Media Systems AHB2 Stereo Power Amplifier Reviewed

For years, the audio world acknowledged one main contender (at least at sub-five-figure pricing) for the quietest, cleanest, most neutral power amplifier around. That was the Benchmark AHB2 ($3,499 – buy at Amazon), whose specifications are still, for all practical… Read More »


Pass Labs X250.8 (photo by Lee Shelly)

Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier Reviewed

If there is anything that seems patently obvious about Nelson Pass, it may be reasonably said he loves designing audiophile amplifiers. Additionally, his company has one of the best reputations in the industry of doing so with magnificent results. Whereas many… 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 »


The Lumin D3 Audiophile DAC/Streamer

Lumin D3 Streamer/DAC Reviewed

One of the fastest-growing categories in the audiophile hobby today is streaming. There are many mainstream music streamers that offer pretty fantastic connectivity and Apple-like ease-of-use, stunning graphical user interfaces and whole-home connectivity. With less than nine percent of all… Read More »


Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition Integrated amp is a jaw-droopingly gorgeous bit of industrial design that also sounds FANTASTIC.

Cambridge Audio EVO 150 DeLorean Edition Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The Cambridge EVO 150 DeLorean Edition marks a refreshingly unique marketing choice by the folks at Cambridge Audio. They have taken their EVO 150 product which comes with the same built-in steaming features, 150 Watts of class D power into… 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 »


The SPL Director MK2 stereo preamp and DAC is the latest affordable, high performance component from this studio-grade manufacturer

SPL Director MK2 DAC/Preamp Reviewed

So I get a phone call from a fellow audiophile friend who is known for un-Earthing some of the more high performance and often value-oriented brands in the audiophile world and he’s ranting and raving. He recently found a German… Read More »


SPL s1200 power amp in red with its silver, magnetic front faceplate. Very cool looking.

SPL Performer S1200 Power Amp Reviewed

Professional audio products sometimes have a somewhat strained relationship in the audiophile hobby, but they shouldn’t. The people who actually make the music that we love are some of the best-equipped to design or inspire the best-performing music playback equipment.… 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 »


SVS Prime Elevation Speakers in white which unexpectedly sold out in weeks. (more are coming)

SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeakers Reviewed

It wasn’t that many years ago that SVS was a forum-promoted, somewhat small subwoofer company with a solid cult following in the DIY-enthusiast home theater market. Today, SVS is an entirely different entity that dominates the subwoofer market and has been able… 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 »


Audeze Maxwell headphones bring audiophile performance to people who make a lot of phone calls or play advanced video games

Audeze Maxwell Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones Reviewed

The entire editorial mission of FutureAudiophile.com is to bring the audiophile hobby to a new generation of enthusiasts. Someone who is younger, more diverse and who loves music. They also should be interested in high-performance technology and understand that, to… 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 »


The QUAD Revela 1 bookshelf speaker installed nicely.

Quad Revela 1 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

Investing in a pair of excellent bookshelf speakers provides a cost-effective and space-efficient means of achieving a transcendent listening experience without physically dominating your living and listening areas. When combined with high-quality components (and arguably, a capable subwoofer in most… Read More »


Acoustique Quality Labrador 39 speakers as a pair

Acoustique Quality Labrador 39 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

Although I myself also have fairly extensive knowledge of HiFi manufacturers and brands, I sometimes encounter speakers and components from brands that are new or unfamiliar to me. Case in point – Acoustique Quality, hailing from the Czech Republic, recently sent me… Read More »


Stenheim Alumni Two.Five Speakers as a pair in dark grey.

Stenheim Alumine Two.Five Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed

Swiss-made audiophile gear is all the rage these days, especially in the world of electronics. However, speakers from Switzerland are equally as sought after as amps, preamps and digital components. These days, Stenheim is at the top of the list… 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 »


AtmaSphere's Class-D amp is one of the most high end examples of GaN technology in the audiophile space today.

Atma-Sphere Class-D GaN Mono Amplifiers Reviewed

It’s no secret that we at Future Audiophile are big fans of Class-D power amplifiers. We’ve reviewed many, and while not every Class-D amplifier is superb, some of the most neutral, smooth, and transparent amplifiers being made today are based… 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 »


No brand since Halcro has come on to the very high end market like CH Precision has.

CH Precision M1.1 Amplifier Reviewed

Switzerland is a country known for many things, such as political neutrality, incredible chocolate, fantastic skiing and, most notably, the finest watches on the planet. We likely should add ultra-premium audio into the list of fantastic things that come from… Read More »


PSB Imagine T65 Speakers in black

PSB Speakers Imagine T65 Loudspeaker Reviewed

Back in January, I finally solved an ongoing audio conundrum I had: Finding an affordable, true reference-level set of loudspeakers. I solved this problem when I received in PSB Speakers’ flagship Synchrony T800 loudspeaker (read the review). The Synchrony T800… Read More »


The Topping D90 III Sabre is one of the best audiophile products Chi-Fi has given us to date.

Topping D90 III Sabre DAC Reviewed

One of the most exciting yet volatile categories in the audiophile hobby includes DACs and streamers. Without question, the Chi-Fi brands have disrupted this category in ways that can only be seen as good for mainstream consumers and value-seeking audiophiles… 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 »


The Bricasti M19 might just be the last silver disc spinner that an audiophile will ever need.

Bricasti M19 SACD and Compact Disc Transport Reviewed

I am quite invested in Bricasti, having put 15 years into adding and upgrading their products as the core of my ever-changing audiophile reference system. When the news came across my desk of the new Bricasti Design M19 (M19) transport, I had… Read More »


Most uber-audiophile amps don't weight 22 pounds. This Boulder is lightweight in non-sonic terms. It is heavy duty once a song starts playing

Boulder 861 Power Amp Reviewed

There is a lot of exotica in the audiophile hobby and, when it comes to power amplifiers, Boulder is likely to land at the front of the pack. Jeff Nelson’s team in Boulder, Colorado designs and builds some of the… 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 »


The $21,995 Weiss Helios DAC is a slick looking and even better sounding audiophile DAC with deep pro audio roots.

Weiss Engineering Helios DAC Reviewed

With over four decades in the art and science of audio, Daniel Weiss started his audio tenure in 1979 with pioneering company Studer, then founded his own company making pro series equipment and moved into home audio in 2000. I… 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 »


The Boulder 812 DAC/Preamps is a major price breakthrough for the uber-high-end audio company.

Boulder 812 DAC/Preamp Reviewed

When I think of badass audiophile power amps, there are a few brands that pop into my head, but at the front of the list is Boulder. Before the CEDIA trade show (mostly for AV custom installers) this past fall… Read More »


PS Audio AirLens in silver

PS Audio AirLens Streamer Reviewed

The PS Audio AirLens retails for $1,999 and is a single-component audiophile streamer often referred to as a “network transport.” This is not to be mistaken for a streaming DAC, which is alternatively known as a “network player” that includes… Read More »


The Pass Labs XP-27 is not designed by Nelson but by his partner, Wayne Colburn.

Pass Labs XP-27 Phonostage Reviewed

Pass Labs has long been known for innovation, build quality, performance and perhaps, to many audiophiles, value. When I reviewed the highly capable Pass Labs XP-17 Phonostage (read the review), I quickly became convinced, enamored even, of the performance 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 »


The Memory Player is one of the most sophisticated, tech-forward ways to listen to digital music be it streaming or from a silver disc.

Laufer Teknik Memory Player 64 Reviewed

Sometime in the late 1990s, audio designer, scientist and quantum physicist Mark Porzilli started thinking about digital music and why he felt it sounded so artificial, with hardly any tangible association to natural-sounding music. In fact, this line of thought occurred about… Read More »


The Rega P3 in red is a true audiophile looker.

Rega Planar 3 Turntable Reviewed

Rega is a blue-chip brand in the audiophile community, and there are many good reasons why. For starters, every product has been painstakingly built by hand in England since 1973. Engineering is one of Rega’s founding pillars. Rega has built… 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 »


RBH 61 SF/R speakers with their AMT tweeter paired up at Eric Forst's house

RBH 61-SF/R Bookshelf Loudspeakers Reviewed

I was first introduced, in-person, to Utah-based RBH Sound in 2023, when I had the opportunity to review their excellent entry-level floorstanding speakers, the RBH 6500-SF (read my review here). During the course of my research for that particular review,… Read More »


The T+A DAC 200 in silver and reviewed by Brian Kahn

T+A DAC 200 DAC/Preamplifier Reviewed

In my last T+A review we discussed how the source component performs the critical job of injecting the audio you want to listen to into your system while keeping it pristine. I would argue that this next component has an… 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 »


Magnepan 2.7 floorstanding planar speakers.

Magnepan MG2.7i Planar Loudspeaker Reviewed

Founded in Minnesota in 1969, Magnepan is an iconic speaker manufacturer in the audiophile world, its speakers instantly recognizable both visually and sonically. Today, Magnepan’s speakers (which the firm calls Magneplanars) are still designed and built in White Bear Lake,… Read More »


Monitor Audio Anthra W15 is a deep-reaching, audiophile subwoofer capable of reproducing the lowest of low frequency notes

Monitor Audio Anthra W15 Subwoofer Reviewed

Founded in 1972 in Cambridge, England, Monitor Audio has consistently produced well-received loudspeakers, and today offers everything from basic bookshelf models to towers with multiple woofers. (With acquisitions of turntable and electronics maker Roksan and audio furniture maker Blok, Monitor… Read More »


The ISOTEK Elecktra V5 actually has six outlets...

IsoTek V5 Elektra Power Conditioner Reviewed

A power conditioner is an often overlooked, cherry-on-top component that helps to enhance a HiFi system’s performance. We have discussed system synergy here at Future Audiophile before, and how the journey to audio satisfaction is part of the fun. Having… 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 »


The iFi ZEN One Signature DAC is a small form factor audiophile DAC that works with today's modern audiophile streaming and CD-based systems.

iFi Zen One Signature Digital to Analog Converter Reviewed

In some ways, there are few things that will be as important to the modern audiophile as their DAC, as the vast majority of music today is being listened to through digital sources. Streaming continues to get more and more… Read More »


The PS Audio Stellar Gold comes in silver and black (with a gold accent, of course).

PS Audio Stellar Gold Preamp Reviewed

A few months ago, I wrote about secret designers quietly making very high-value audiophile components. Seeking these products out is often worth the effort, as they tend to punch above their weight class. Darren Meyers is quite not an audiophile… Read More »


HIFI Rose is makes some of the most stunning looking audiophile gear on the market today in terms of industrial design

HiFi Rose GaN Integrated Amplifier RA180 Reviewed

Let’s face it, not every audiophile has the room or desire for separate components for their electronics. The HiFi Rose RA180 integrated amplifier (buy at Crutchfield) was built specifically for this group of audiophiles who prefer a one-box approach, but… 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 »


The retro-looking yet affordable Outlaw Audio RR2166 integrated amp installed.

Outlaw Audio RR2160MkII Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The RR2160MkII (yes, that is a mouthful) is an integrated amplifier from the direct-to-consumer brand Outlaw Audio. If you’re not familiar with Outlaw Audio, they are a Massachusetts-based company that was founded in 1999, and has been making fine audiophile-grade products ever… Read More »


The T+A MP200 is a truly unique audiophile component with its range of audiophile source options in once chassis

T+A MP200 Multi Source Player Reviewed

The first component in your audio system playback chain is your source component, and it’s arguably the most critical in your system. Your source component needs to be able to play your media and get it to the rest of… 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 »


The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3s installed in a slick, music-lovers room.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed

For years, the Bowers & Wilkins 600 series has been a favorite among audiophiles looking for a great, detailed bookshelf speaker. Their latest iteration of the series, the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 (buy at Crutchfield), promises to build on… 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 »


PS Audio's Stellar Gold DAC with its matching stereo preamp nicely installed

PS Audio Stellar Gold Digital to Analog Converter Reviewed

PS Audio is one of the most time-tested and trusted brand names in the audiophile hobby. Not every audiophile knows that, a few years back, PS Audio made the controversial move to dump all of their traditional dealers, thus leaving… Read More »


The Pass Labs XP-17 phonostage designed by Wayne Colburn installed in a swanky living room...

Pass Labs XP-17 Phonostage Reviewed

When commercial operations first began in 1991, Pass Labs took the innovative amplifier creations from the kitchen table of founder Nelson Pass and rose to become one of the more respected and awarded audio companies currently in business. In 1994,… Read More »


The Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Music Streamer

Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streaming DAC Reviewed

Orchard Audio is an American audiophile company based in New Jersey, where its products are designed and assembled with its owner and product designer, Leo Ayzenshtat. Orchard Audio could be described as a fan-favorite, direct-to-the-consumer audio manufacturer that focuses on… 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 »


Whatfedale AURA 1 speakers installed

Wharfedale Aura 1 Stand Mounted Loudspeakers Reviewed

If you have been an audiophile, even for a short time, you have come to understand that different regions of the globe have a certain geographically specific sound to their loudspeakers that is hard to miss. One of the more… Read More »


Note the balanced input on the front of the Bricasti M3 that is often hidden from sight.

Bricasti M3 Audiophile DAC Reviewed

The audiophile world is jam-packed with companies making uber-expensive components that cost what they cost mainly because of scarcity, esoterica and, sometimes, simple gross profiteering. Bricasti’s audiophile offerings are a breath of fresh air in this sometimes-polluted world of technological… 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 »


Chord's Anti desktop, audiophile integrated amp is built as well as the best gear the world knows.

Chord Anni Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The Anni from Chord Electronics is a small form factor, desktop-style integrated amplifier. This small but powerful integrated amplifier features both a 3.5 and a quarter-inch headphone jack, as well as 10 watts into eight ohms of Class AB amplification… Read More »


Orchard Audio's Premium GaN monos with their slanted front face plate.

Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Premium Amps Reviewed

The world of semiconductor-based amps has been the most wonderfully disruptive category in the audiophile hobby, and Orchard Audio is one of the main brands behind the movement. We discussed this matter in depth in this featured news story. A… Read More »


The Eversolo DMP-A6 is the DAC that has gotten the audiophile forums talking with a great price and a wonderful feature set.

Eversolo DMP A6 Streaming DAC and Music Server Reviewed

The Eversolo DMP A6 (buy at Amazon), which retails for $859, is a full-featured audiophile music streamer and audiophile digital to analog converter (DAC) that from here on out we will refer to as a streaming DAC. The Eversolo DMP… 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 Chord Qutest DAC is small in size but rivals any in terms of quality of build.

Chord Qutest DAC Reviewed

The Chord Qutest audiophile DAC is a small form factor $1,595 dedicated digital-to-analog converter designed for both audiophile and desktop solutions. Made in England, this diminutive DAC is built to survive any possible unforeseen nuclear fallout, with its thick aluminum… Read More »


The LEAK Stereo 230 is a new player to the old-school trend of legacy audio components.

Leak Stereo 230 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The Stereo 230 from Leak is a modern take on a heritage design from the English audiophile brand Leak, which has been making high-performance components since 1934. This $1,695 integrated amp is designed to look similar to the Stereo 30,… 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 »


It is hard not to be impressed with the big LED screen on the HiFi Rose RS520 integrated amp

HiFi Rose RS520 Network Streamer and Integrated Amplifier Reviewed

The RS520 from Korean brand HiFi Rose is a what the company calls a “All-In-One Network Streamer.” In this case, all-in-one means it has a built-in network player, DAC and amplifier, and I can tell you that is just scratching… Read More »


RBH's SFTR DSP powered speakers bring much of what their SVTR speakers for at $40,000 for well less than half of the retail price.

RBH Sound SFTR Partially Active Modular Speaker System

Last year, I reviewed RBH Sound’s SVTR fully active speaker system. They are a monster in terms of performance, size and is pretty expensive at approximately $40,000 per pair, depending on configuration. While I was working on that review, I… 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 SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers at Eric Forst's audiophile listening room.

SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed

The newly-released SVS Ultra Evolution line consists of floorstanding speakers, satellite speakers, height channel speakers, a three-way center channel speaker and bookshelves. I had the opportunity to review the latter. The SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers (buy at Crutchfield) are… Read More »


WiiM Pro Plus audiophile endpoint installed and ready to rock

WiiM Pro Plus Audiophile Endpoint/Streamer Reviewed

Even the audiophile elders admit that streaming provides the best performance and most cost-effective way to get CD- to HD-quality audio into your audiophile system. In 2022, only a tiny fraction of the record high sales for recorded music was… 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 »