Listening test: time for some liquid music! Under test a PC motherboard, equipped with the Atom D525 DualCore chipset, totally fanless and supersilent, just perfect for building an audiophile PC! Here's the
Zotac NM-10-ITX WIFI. We have listened to it and even measured it! (G. Pozzoli)
Factory tour: a quite unusual visit to the Aqua Acoustic Quality "factory" in Milan, Italy (M. Cox)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 5 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
January 28, 2012
Listening test: another loudspeaker which reminds us the good ol' Seventies, this week it's a two-way bookshelf with a 8" woofer! Here is the Pure Acoustics PRO838 (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test/follow up: a new release of the Paul Hynes SR1-5 (now SR3-05) PSU for the Squeezebox is available. Nick compares it to the old version. It might be used to power other devices as well (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: a loudspeaker which reminds us the good ol' Seventies, a three-way bookshelf with tone controls, dome midrange and isodynamic tweeter, here is the Dynavoice DM5 (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: Mark tells us about a new research on the effects of loudness (loudness war, that is) on modern music. (M. Wheeler)
Winter break!: the TNT-Audio staff wishes you and your families a joyous Christmas and a Happy 2012! Our regular site updates will be back on Jan 21, 2012
December 10, 2011
Listening test: active loudspeakers again on TNT-Audio! After the review of the Aktimate Mini, Andy tests the Swan T200B (A. Norman)
Listening test: looking for the ultimate in damping vibrations? Here's the Dynamat Extreme (M. van Casteren)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 8 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: looking for a versatile DAC with volume control, USB/coax/opt inputs and even balanced outputs? Here's the TentLabs B-Dac (M. van Casteren)
In memoriam: this is such a sad year for HiFi! Even Tommy Jenving, the father of all special HiFi cables, CEO of Supra/Jenving, passed away at the age of 66 (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a small, inexpensive hybrid integrated amplifier (tubes + chipset) that works as a minimalist tube preamp and headphone preamp as well, discover the Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1, 20 watts per channel for less than 200$ (L. Cadeddu)
Awards: TNT-Audio is Engineering Site of the Day on the Electrical Engineering Community, an extremely useful web portal for everything related to electrical engineering. Visit our updated They say about us... section (Staff)
HiFi Shows: taking place on 3rd and 4th Dec. the 9th edition of the Roma HiEnd Show.
Listening test: another high-end cartridge review from uncle Geoff, here's the Shun Mook MC Reference, a tweaked and rebodied ZYX R1000 cart (G. Husband)
Listening test: fan of the Tannoy Autograph Mini anyone? Here's a cheaper alternative, the Tannoy DC-4 bookshelf loudpseaker. Listening test and measurements (W. Ogiers)
Tweaks: ready for some damping tweak? Now the famous Blu-Tack by Bostik has so many alternatives...discover them all and their different applications. In any colour you like! (L. Cadeddu)
We Support Real Stereo: after several requests from our Francophone readers, it is now available a Real Stereo page in French! (L. Cadeddu)
Review follow-ups: we have just received two long, insightful and critic replies from Systems and Magic (Re: our review of their mains filters) and from Vexo (re: our review of their VXSE SET tube amp). You'll find both at the bottom of the respective articles (Staff)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 9 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
October 29, 2011
Listening test: looking for floorstanding tower loudspeakers in the 1000 € range? Don't forget to have a listen to the Aliante Nova, here tested against the recently reviewed Cabasse Jersey's. (L. Cadeddu)
In memoriam: a legend of high quality audio reproduction, Edgar M. Villchur of AR fame, passed away last Monday at the age of 94. His contributions to audio were, among many others, the invention of the acoustic suspension loudspeaker and of the spring-suspended belt-driven turntable. (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Maarten falls in love with an integrated tube amplifier, the Icon Audio Stereo 40 mkIII (M. van Casteren)
Music/audiophile recordings: a real classic is available again on online stores! It is Siri's Svale Band "Blackbird": traditional and innovative jazz at the same time, a real must-have if you love real kick-ass bass (the band uses two double-basses!) (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: Pioneer starts selling their CD-less in-car stereo systems while Ford Motor Co. announces their new cars won't be able to play CDs anymore. So give those CDs their last spin :-) (L. Cadeddu)
In memoriam: Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. passed away on Oct. 5, we wish to celebrate him for his fundamental contributions to the world of (even high quality) digital music (L. Cadeddu)
Books: looking for a short and easy to read guide on How to set up and tune your turntable and tonearm? Here's the review of a classic booklet by George Merrill, still available today after 20 years! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: an active minimonitor that can also work as iPod docking station, the Epoz Aktimate (A. Norman)
Editorial: three leading financial newspapers publish articles about vinyl comeback. We definitely need integrated amps with phono inputs! (L. Cadeddu)
Website statistics: have a look at our access statistics during last August, when the site is temporarily off and gets no updates! (Staff)
Editorial: a comparison chart shows large differences in homes size around the World. It seems newly built homes in the UK are the smallest in the World! How can a stereo system survive then? Some thoughts on our new monthly editorial (L. Cadeddu)
Music: if you're a fan of good old WestCoast AOR music you can't miss this one: a new band from Sweden that strongly reminds me of Steely Dan atmospheres, here are the State Cows (L. Cadeddu)
Summer break!: TNT-Audio takes some week off around Summer, as usual. Our weekly updates will be back online on Sept. 10, 2011. Our staff wishes you and your families a relaxing Summer!
July 2, 2011
Listening test/theory: Geoff explains why and how disc clamps work (or should work!) then reviews the Shun Mook record clamp (G. Husband)
Editorial: a quick look at the latest RIAA music sales reports reveals a trend that makes us quite happy: vinyl sales at + 10.8% (with respect to 2009). Good 'ol vinyl is here to stay (and liquid music too)! (L. Cadeddu)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 4 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test/tweak: experimenting troubles with your mains supply? Are HiFi power conditioners out of your reach? Mark tests extremely affordable mains filters...by BT (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: is CD dead or not? JVC Music is about to release 10 new titles with their new exclusive K2HD mastering and HQCD processes (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: more than 500 watts per channel from an integrated amp? Here's the Wyred 4 Sound STI-1000! Andy writes down his first impressions (A. Norman)
Editorial: a new album for just 0.99 $? Is this possible? Yes, it happened last month on Amazon! Discover which was the real deal! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a quite expensive high-end MC cartridge, here's the Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua (M. Wheeler)
Music therapy: Mark explains all the benefits of Music therapy and asks everyone to support the B C A T, Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies (M. Wheeler)
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
June 5, 2011
Listening test: a multi-purpose, multi-input D/A converter, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic (A. Norman)
Editorial: audio & video consumer electronics are no longer desirable? It seems so, considering what Walmart has decided to do (L. Cadeddu)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 16 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
May 28, 2011
Listening test: recapping passive speakers crossovers with new and audiophile-grade caps is always a good tweak, discover all the details on Mark's capacitors test, part II (M. Wheeler)
HiFi Shows: Hartmut visited the Munich HiFi Show 2011 for us, reporting just the fanciest and strangest loudspeakers displayed at the show! [Part I & Part II] (H. Quaschik)
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
May 21, 2011
Listening test: Mark examines and tests one of the most legendary tweeters in the whole history of audio, the ESS Heil Air Motion Transformer (M. Wheeler)
Factory tour: Maarten visited the PMC speakers plants in Luton, UK (M. van Casteren)
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
May 15, 2011
Listening test: an exclusive test for a digital sound processing module selling for under 100$! Here's the MiniDSP. Create your own active crossover or shape the response of your system according to your room needs! (N. Whetstone)
In memoriam: after Mr. Harman another world renowned HiFi designer, Jean-Marie Reynaud, has passed away, on March 31. We'd like to remember him with the reviews of
two of his speaker designs, we published some years ago here on TNT-Audio, the Twin mkIII and the Arpeggione.
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
April 16, 2011
Listening test: a DLNA network audio player (even with Internet radio!)...here's the Yamaha NP-S2000 (M. van Casteren)
Evaluation test: a new, unusual system for cleaning the stylus of your cartridge, Mark tests The Missing Link VP DustBuster (M. Wheeler)
In memoriam: at the age of 92 Mr. Sidney Harman passes away. Mr. Harman, co-founder of the Harman Kardon brand together with Bernard Kardon in 1953, was an audio enthusiast, a philanthropist and a successful business man.
Easter break!: TNT-Audio takes some week off around Easter. Our usual weekly updates will be back online on 5/15/2011.
Happy Easter from the TNT-Audio staff!
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
Japan aid!: there are many non-profit organizations which have started raising funds for Japan, among others we have chosen SAVE THE CHILDREN.
April 2, 2011
Listening test: another multipurpose DAC with USB input and adjustable volume control, here's the Onix 25A (N. Whetstone)
Theory/listening test: Mark Wheeler tests several Cicada audiophile capacitors, that's the second part of his series on testing & measuring capacitors (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: a new, made in USA multi-purpose DAC under test, this time Nick evaluates the Wyred4Sound DAC2: it accepts USB, SPDIF, Toslink, AES/EBU and I2S (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: one of our new reviewers tests the Aqua La Voce D/A converter, available both as a kit or as a finished product, with four different chipsets to choose from (TDA1541, TDA1543, Analog Devices AD1965 and Burr Brown PCM1704) (M. Cox)
Editorial: a giant in the world of DIY audio has just passed away, Allen Wright, R.I.P. (H. Quaschik)
Listening test: World's premiere! Geoff Husband loves big horns and here's the test of the huge Arcadian Audio Pnoe Horns: fullrange horn-loaded speakers for 24,000 € (G. Husband)
Listening test: a tough evaluation and listening test for the a-Jays Three - in-ear headphones...discover whether they survived or not (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: World's premiere! Another inexpensive, nicely crafted Class D amplifier, the Dayton Audio DTA-100a: more than 30 watts per channel thanks to the TK2050 chipset by Tripath, all for less than 100$. A bargain. (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: an inexpensive, nicely crafted made in UK Class D amplifier, the Temple Audio Bantam Gold. According to Nick Whetstone, a step forward from the low-powered Tripath-based amps (N. Whetstone)
Editorial: free thoughts on what we consider a necessary condition for HiFi reviewers, i.e. real independence (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: on online discussions HiFi cables are becoming more important than speakers and amplifiers. Here's why you won't find many cables reviews on TNT-Audio. Time has come to put Hifi cables craziness to a stop (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: World's premiere! Nick Whetstone tests a quite unusual and rather expensive (> 7000 €!) CD player, the Human Audio Libretto (N. Whetstone)
Winter break!: the TNT-Audio staff wishes you and your families a joyous Christmas and a Happy 2011! Our regular site updates will be back on Jan 22, 2011
December 11, 2010
Listening test: Xmas is near so here are some cool gift ideas for you! Willing to connect your PC, cell phone etc. to your HiFi system via bluetooth? Here's the Eikon Weezy - a cool bluetooth connector (G. Husband)
Listening test: another perfect gift for any audiophile thrilled by vibrations that affect his HiFi components, here are the Solidcoreaudio isolation stands (D. Holgate)
Music: another ZERO COMPRESSION Real Stereo recording from the hands of Barry Diament, here is Markus Schwartz and Lakou Brooklyn - "Equinox". A jazz recording that reaches DR18 levels according to our dynamic range measuring software (N. Whetstone & L. Cadeddu)
December 4, 2010
Listening test: a new phono preamp from Graham Slee, with many different equalization curves (even 78 rpm included), here's the Revelation (G. Husband)
Editorial: on Ebay and other classifieds sites audiophiles seem to go crazy for vintage gear which, as a consequence, is becoming more and more expensive. Too expensive, indeed. (L. Cadeddu)
Music: another ZERO COMPRESSION recording from the hands of Barry Diament, here is David Peacock's "Grim determination meets the fields of sorrow". A rock recording that reaches DR16 levels according to our dynamic range measuring software (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: a quick look at the latest RIAA music sales reports reveals a trend that makes us quite happy: vinyl sales at + 10.8% (with respect to 2008). Good 'ol vinyl is here to stay (and liquid music too)! (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Shows: taking place on 4th and 5th Dec. the 8th edition of the Roma HiEnd Show.
November 20, 2010
Listening test: after che CD-10 CD player Nick Whetstone tests the Onix A-55 integrated amplifier, classic British gear rejuvinated! (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: World's first! Here's the second part of the review of the Little Dot CDP_I & DAC_I CD transport & DAC pair (L. Cadeddu)
Music: The Angels, Fallen Angels, Tonight, British Lions, Stray, Robin George, Tommy James & The Shondells, Danielz & TaraZara, Johnny Warman...so many new CDs for this Autumn (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: World's first! Here's the first part of the review of the Little Dot CDP_I & DAC_I CD transport & DAC pair: a nice package with attractive features (even USB capability and balanced outputs!) at an extremely low price, less than 400 € for the pair. Is this that T-source we were looking for? (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Shows. November 12-14: Hi End Symphony 2010, organized by Musicdoor, will take place at the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola in Lugano (CH). 15 listening rooms with some of the most interesting high end brands.
Listening test: just when you think you've already seen anything...here's a pair of compact two-ways loudspeakers below 50 €/pair, the unbelievable Scythe KroCraft. The price is ridiculous, the sound isn't (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Show reportage: Mark Wheeler visited the new National Audio Show 2010 in Northants, UK. This is the usual Heathrow Show moved to a different location and renamed (M. Wheeler)
Follow-up: we received angry comments after we published our review of the Fidelity Research FR 64S vintage tonearm. The comments referred to the extremely low price Hartmut paid for his FR64 S. The article has been updated with hunting & purchasing advices, plus a scan of the original receipt (H. Quaschik)
October 16, 2010
Listening test: finally a comparison test between the Scythe SDA-1100 and the old SDA-1000: the unbelievable Class D bargain strikes again! (L. Cadeddu)
General theory: here's the third part (of four!) of a saga devoted to Vinyl archival techniques (W. Ogiers)
Music/test records: Manger, makers of the famous and revolutionary Manger drivers and loudspeakers, have just released a new test record, this time on high quality vinyl! (H. Quaschik)
Listening test: here is the Role Audio Sampam FTL, a pair of tiny bookshelf loudspeakers with a 3,5" fullrange driver that promise a bass response unbelievably extended till 40 Hz (± 4 dB)! (A. Kohli)
Listening test: a no longer made (but easily available) gold classic, with a strongly distinctive sound of its own, here's the Fidelity Research FR 64-S tonearm (H. Quaschik)
Music: Nine Below Zero, Gerry McEvoy, David Byron Band, National Razor: here are four new releases from Angel Air Records & Mapleshade (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: not only Class D amps...from Virtue Audio an attractive and inexpensive CD player, the Piano M1 (N. Whetstone)
Editorial: we had CD's, then DVD's, DVD-Audio's and SACD's. What's next? Blu-Ray discs of course! Yes, Blu-Ray discs for high resolution audio... (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a solid-state MM/MC phono preamp, here's the Leema Elements Phono (M. van Casteren)
Music: Rob Thompson, Storys, Chris Spedding and the compilation Do You Dream: UK Pop and Psychedelia 1965-1970...here are four new releases from Angel Air Records (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: another cable skeptic faces the trouble of cables reviewing! Arvind tests the (affordable) My Audio Cables CuQ speaker cables and compares them to standard run-of-the-mill lamp cords. And the winner is... (A. Kohli)
HiFi Shows: Hartmut has just visited the High End Munich Show 2010, discover the latest and coolest products on our three parts reportage (H. Quaschik)
Listening test: a new release of what has quickly become an instant classic among Class D integrated amplifiers, here's the Virtue Audio One.2 amp (N. Whetstone)
Loudness war: we've updated our database of records analyzed and listed according to their dynamic range, using the DR software of the Pleasurize Music Foundation. Have a look at the (now extremely rich!) DR database! Feel free to contribute with your own listings. (VV.AA)
Listening test: 4 years later and after a change of the brand name we review another interesting vacuum tube integrated amplifier, the Canor TP-106 VR+ (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: ever wondered how much a turntable mat can affect the sound of your analogue replay system? Here's a comparison test of different turntable mats (H. Quaschik)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 5 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: a follow-up on last week's Mark Wheeler's angry editorial: BBC6 music programs quit (M. Wheeler)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 8 new, interesting websites. Many other websites have asked to be included but they've never displayed the Real Stereo logo on their pages, hence they've been excluded. (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test/tweak: a regulated linear power supply (24-30 Volts) that can represent an upgrade for many Class-D based amps, including the Virtue Audio ones, here is the Paul Hynes PR3G2-30 - regulated PSU (N. Whetstone)
Useful tools/audiophile recordings: an old but still extremely useful test CD, with signals and music, the Denon HiFi check CD: both for professionals, amateurs and plain audiophiles. 10$ well spent! (L. Cadeddu).
Music: Consortium, ZZebra Zzebra, Medicine Head, David Byron, David Courtney and Adam Faith, here are six new releases from Angel Air Records (M. Wheeler)
Loudness war: updated our database of records analyzed and listed according to their dynamic range, using the DR software of the Pleasurize Music Foundation. Have a look at the DR database! Feel free to contribute with your own listings. (VV.AA)
Editorial: sometimes words are not enough!. What's happening in Haiti truly deserves a reflection from all of us (L. Cadeddu)
Music/audiophile recordings: is it possible to produce an audiophile-quality recording using non-audiophile recording gear? The answer seems to be positive, considering the album "No photographs" by Jason Vitelli (from Brooklyn, New York). Listening test and dynamic range evaluation by means of the DR software (L. Cadeddu).
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 14 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Theory: some easy homework for your holidays, here's a foolproof method for adjusting VTA on turntables (H. Quaschik)
Factory tour: we've visited the Definitive Audio plants in Derbyshire - UK, manufacturers of Living Voice speakers and importers of Kondo tube electronics (M. van Casteren)
Winter break!: TNT-Audio takes some week off around Christmas and New Year's Eve. Our usual weekly updates will be online on 1/17/2010! Our staff wishes you and your families a joyous Christmas and a Happy 2010!
December 12, 2009
Theory: Mark Wheeler on room acoustics! A long, insightful and rather controversial article on how to tame standing waves and get better bass frequency response (M. Wheeler)
Music: by Angel Air Records a well written and well recorded album, it's "Raw" by Damage Control (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: Nick Whetstone spends a day in the country for auditioning an extreme horn loaded loudspeaker based around Lowther drivers, here are the Prophecy horns (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: fan of Oppo players anyone? Willing to squeeze the latest drop of sound performance out of them? Have a look at the Chevron Audio mods for Oppo DV-980 multiplayers (M. Wheeler)
Music: for a different point of view on music industry have a look at a quite different recording label, Angel Air Records, where the artist has a voice (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: not only CD players! From Astin Trew here's the versatile hybrid AT2000 PLUS integrated amplifier (M. van Casteren)
Listening test - follow up: a true CV181 or a 6SN7GT in fancy clothes? Read Mark Wheeler's angry :-) answer on this follow-up: Shuguang Treasure CV181Z vacuum tube (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: after having tested the micro tube preamp PA-10 from Trends Audio, Nick Whetstone listens to its natural partner, the TA 10.2P power amplifier (N. Whetstone)
HiFi Show reportage: Maarten van Casteren visited the new National Audio Show 2009 in Northants, UK. This is the usual Heathrow Show moved to a different location and renamed (M. van Casteren)
Listening test: iron fist in a velvet glove, read about the Genesis Advanced Technologies GR-180 power amplifier, equipped with Hypex Class D modules. Highlights and (many) shadows of an otherwise good amplifier (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Shuguang high quality vacuum tubes again on TNT-Audio...David tests the Shuguang Treasure EL34 and KT66 (D. Holgate)
Sad news: TNT is sad to report the passing away of Jim Thiel of Thiel Loudspeakers who
died of cancer on September the 18th 2009. Jim Thiel was best known for the high-performance speakers and subwoofers
that bear his name, and the hi-fi world has lost one of its iconic names.
Jim co-founded THIEL Audio Products of Lexington, Kentucky in 1976, and the company has grown to become one of the best known names in loudspeaker manufacturing. Like many of us, his love of music and hi-fi went back to his
childhood, and an academic career in physics and mathematics enabled him to pursue his hobby on a more serious basis. His loudspeaker designs have won countless awards over the last thirty years, the Thiel C3.7 being considered as one of the best loudspeakers ever produced.
Also widely respected as a quiet gentleman, he was much admired and respected both by those who worked for him, and those who reviewed and bought his products. (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: an incredibly inexpensive tube integrated amplifier. Costing 360 € here is the Yarland FV34 C: equipped with EL84 GENERAL NOS valves for the power section, two JAN5670W GE NOS for the drivers, Clarity Caps and ALPS pot (N. Whetstone)
Loudness war: we are working on a database of records analyzed and listed according to their dynamic range, using the DR software of the Pleasurize Music Foundation. Have a look at the DR database! (VV.AA)
Listening test: a tube-addict raves about a fully solid-state Class A power amplifier! Read Geoff Husband's opinion on the JungSon JA-99D amp (G. Husband)
Digital for dummies: all you wanted to know about dither and its effects on digital playback (W. Ogiers)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 9 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a four-hands review for the NuForce Icon Class D integrated amplifier. Two line inputs plus a digital USB via inboard DAC, one headphones output...all for less than 200 € (N. Whetstone & L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: for more or less the same amount of money here is the smallest tube amplifier on Earth, the Miniwatt amp! (N. Whetstone)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 5 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
June 27, 2009
Double listening test: a floorstanding loudspeaker using Jordan fullrange drivers and a supertweeter, the
Aurousal VS, including a test of the new Aurousal A1 bookshelf speakers (M. van Casteren)
Follow-up: the DIY HiFi Supply EZ linestage review has been updated with a manufacturer's reply (at the bottom of the original article) (N. Whetstone)
Editorial: just a few lines to remember Michael Jackson (G. Husband & L. Cadeddu)
June 20, 2009
Listening test/DIY: a tube line preamplifier (easy) DIY kit, the DIY HiFi Supply EZ linestage, less than 500$ for the parts, 550$ for the complete package, assembled (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: the ultimate 6SN7 vacuum tube perhaps? Read Mark Wheeler's lenghty :-) answer on his test of the Shuguang Treasure CV181Z vacuum tube (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: a NOS D/A converter with a tube buffer stage, here is the MHDT Havana DAC (N. Whetstone)
Editorial: a quick look at the latest RIAA music sales reports reveals a trend that makes us quite happy: vinyl sales at + 124% (with respect to 2007). Good 'ol vinyl is here to stay! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: from Japan a nicely crafted DAC, the Yamamoto YDA 01 (M. van Casteren)
Editorial: a third article against the infamous "loudness war"! TNT-Audio joins the non-profit foundation Pleasurize Music. Discover what can you do to fight the loudness war and measure - via a dedicated software - the real dynamic content of your own records! We are currently building a database of discs. (L. Cadeddu)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 4 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi/DIY Shows: the Top Audio is the oldest and largest HiFi event in Italy, mainly devoted to expensive high-end. A group of Italian DIYers has decided to organize a kind of anti-Show, the Bottom Audio, a fancy DIY contest among DIY-addicts that will take place in Monterubbiano, Fermo (Marche) from May, 30 to June, 2. For more infos about this very original and alternative Show see Audiofaidate.it, the organizers' website (infos in Italian AND in English).
Listening test: high sensitivity (95 dB/w/m) thanks to a full-range Fostex driver aided by a ribbon tweeter, here are the Tonian Labs TL-D1 speakers (A. Kohli)
Editorial: still an article against the infamous "loudness war"! TNT-Audio joins the non-profit foundation Pleasurize Music. Discover what can you do to fight the loudness war and measure - via a dedicated software - the real dynamic content of your own records! (L. Cadeddu)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 6 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: again a skeptic against (?) voodoo science applied to HiFi. Nick Whetstone tests the NM Sonic Purifiers and tries to give an answer to the question: "Science or science fiction"? (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: an interesting portable 2/4 channel SD-card recorder with built-in microphones, the Samson Zoom H2 (W. Ogiers)
WARNING!: we've lost several e-mails received during last weeks, especially from Companies/websites willing to join our We Support Real Stereo campaign. Please resend!!! Sorry for any incovenience.
May 2, 2009
Listening test: some of you may have appreciated the original T-Amp. Would you like something similar, at the same price, which not only sounds way better but also has a good power supply, a headphone output, audiophile-standard RCA's and speakers posts, two front panels (black or silver, choose the one you prefer, both included!) and even a MUTE switch? Four years after the T-Amp here is something that redefines, once again, the price/quality ratio concept: the Scythe SDA-1000 integrated amp, with class D Yamaha chipset inside! (L. Cadeddu)
DIY/Tweak: ever wondered how to repair a damaged or cracked acrylic lid (e.g. the dust cover of your turntable)? Here's a step by step easy procedure (H. Quaschik)
Easter break! As usual we'll take three weeks off around Easter. Our weekly updates will be back online on May, 2. Happy listening!
April 4, 2009
Listening test: Geoff falls in love with a SE triode integrated amplifier, the Ayon Crossfire (G. Husband)
Interview: Exclusive!!! An interview with Michael Gammon of Transcriptors Limited: the old fascinating Transcriptor turntables are back!!! (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: a quite affordable big floorstanding loudspeaker from Sweden, the XTZ 99.36 with ribbon tweeter and Seas midwoofer and woofer (M. van Casteren)
Theory: Mark Wheeler on room acoustics! A long, insightful and rather controversial article on how to build or improve the room for your HiFi system (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: getting tired of records mastered following the diktates of the "loudness war"? TNT-Audio decides to join the Turn me up! philosophy (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: World exclusive! A new SET integrated amplifier from Italy, the Vexo VXSE (A. Kohli)
Listening test: curious about the effects of adding a supertweeter to your speakers? Geoff tests the John Blue supertweeter (G. Husband)
We Support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 6 new, interesting websites (L. Cadeddu)
Follow-up: the Trends Audio PA-10 review has been updated (with an "addendum" at the bottom of the page) because - in certain situations- the volume pot might be noisy and the preamp may generate hum/hiss.
February 28, 2009
Listening test: World exclusive!...finally on test the first tube/mosfet preamps from Trends Audio, here are the PA 10 and the PA-10 SE (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: another DAC that benefits from tweaks, this time Nick tries to improve the Scott Nixon DacKit by means of Paul Hynes regulators (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: a SME tonearm under 1000 €? Here's what Hartmut thinks of the SME M2 tonearm (H. Quaschik)
Listening test: Nick again on cables!!! Here's his listening test of a complete family of "mad" interconnects: the SPL series from MAD cables (N. Whetstone)
Interview: after a very positive listening test of the OnClassical.com studio master high resolution files we have interviewed the man behind this new audiophile online label, Alessandro Simonetto (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Shows: do not miss the tenth anniversary edition of the Milan Hi-End Show: lots of live demos in 56 listening halls, live concerts (Euphonia - best European Pink Floyd cover band) plus a rare exposition of electric vintage guitars. Milan Hi-End Show 2009 - February 21-22 (9:00am - 6:00pm) - Jolly Hotel Milanofiori - Milan.
Listening test: a complete evaluation of the whole family of Audience AU 24 cables: how to turn a cable skeptic into a firm believer :-) (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: after our review of the DV970 here is a comparison test between these new Oppo digital (multi)players, the DV980H vs DV983H (G. Husband)
Interview: we've been lucky enough to have George Merrill answering to our questions about analog replay and vinyl. George Merrill is the father of the world renowned Merrill turntables (now Merrill/Scillia) (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: ever wondered of purchasing a complete all-in-one audiophile system? One with CD player, FM tuner, iPod docking station, amps and...speakers? All of this into a single cabinet? Real Stereo sound from a single box??? Discover the rather unique Geneva Lab Genevasound systems L & XL (L. Cadeddu)