DIY: a new DIY design to keep you busy during these upcoming holidays, our new speakers cables based on CAT 6 wires, here's the TNT VibraDamper (P. Canova)
RIP: at the end of October Len Gregory, The Cartridge Man passed away at 76. His contributions to the world of analogue replay will remain legendary. Sadly, another legend has recently passed away, Tim de Paravicini, who designed components for Luxman, Quad, Alchemist, Musical Fidelity, Unity Audio and now EAR Yoshino. You can read more about him on the EAR Yoshino website (L. Cadeddu)
Feedback: we have received, from the official Atoll distributor, some remark on our recent review of the all-in-one component Atoll SDA200 Signature (scroll to the bottom of the review)
Christmas and New Year break: as usual, TNT-Audio takes some week off for the upcoming holidays! Our weekly updates will be back regularly on January 23, 2020. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Stay tuned with more audio and music news on our Facebook official page!
December 12, 2020
Listening test/theory: Mark investigates on the audibility of two turntable belts (instead of one). Advantages or disadvantages to using two belts on an already optmized motor-belt-platter system (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: do you like to play music at insanely high levels? Think again! Here's the incredible sad story of a man who has been jailed for playing classical music too loud. Mr. Trainer, an 82 years old music lover, died while being jailed. Not the good Christmas tale I was planning to tell you... (L. Cadeddu)
DIY: something to keep you busy during these upcoming Christmas holidays (and/or partial lockdowns), here's an open-baffle DIY loudspeaker, our new AK OB1 (A. Kohli)
Theory: Roger warns us about the damage unproper installation can cause to HiFi components, discover the potential thrills of thermal aging. Let your components breathe! (R. McCuaig)
Listening test: a complete and versatile all-in-one component, here's the Atoll SDA200 Signature: streamer + DAC + amplifier! (P. Canova)
Editorial: after the weird comeback of Compact Cassette something even more unexpected! Directly from the Sixties, the comeback of Stereo 8 tapes/cartridges. Simply unbelievable!!! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Schiit has just released the Modius DAC, a step up from the Modi 3 for $199. It comes with not only the AKM 4493 DAC chip, but also with their own exclusive design of Unison USB™ interface compatible with modern UAC2-compliant devices and an improved output stage using OPA1662 opamps in a single ended configuration and LME49724 opamps in a balanced configuration (B. Court)
Theory: another Pierre Lurné's controversial article on turntables, this time he writes about platter bearing! (P. Lurné)
Jurassic (S)park! Listening test: another amazing HiFi component from the Seventies! Designed by Jacob Jensen, here's the ID award winning B&O Beomaster 1900 receiver, history, specs, sound quality and advices. A component definitely ahead of its time! (L. Cadeddu)
Music: here's a treat for lovers of Chopin in particular, classical piano in general, and Japanese animation alike--a Netflix original series, Forest of Piano (D. Hoehl)
November 7, 2020
Listening test: Elac release their 2.0 series of entry-level Debut loudspeakers, under test the Debut 5.2, 6.2 and 6.2 Reference. Discover how stunningly inexpensive and good sounding loudspeakers can be improved by Andrew Jones! (L. Cadeddu)
Theory: another Pierre Lurné's controversial article on turntables, this time he deals with physical problems of platter design, debunking many myths! (P. Lurné)
Listening test: from Poland, a versatile MM/MC solid state phono stage, with gain and subsonic filter, the Fezz Audio Gratia, priced around 600€ (G. Budd)
Editorial: wondering what can video-conferencing do for the HiFi market? Meet the Zoom High Fidelity feature: streaming video and audio via Zoom in audiophile mode! (L. Cadeddu)
DIY/Vintage Corner: here's part II of David's history of pre-emphasis on Compact Discs. Once found pre-emphasis on your CDs, there's a way to remove it! [with audio excerpts and comparisons] (D. Hoehl)
Interview: meet the experts! Arvind interviews Troy Joseph Crowe of Joseph Crowe Audio, a small business located in Canada that offers custom audio products such as wood horns and speaker cabinet design (A. Kohli)
Listening test: a quite sophisticated MM/MC phono preamp with vacuum tubes, here's the Canor Audio PH1.10 (P. Canova)
Theory: here's Pierre Lurné's second article for TNT-Audio on The Naked Truth about tracking angle, a rather controversial piece that debunks many myths (pivoted arms vs tangential arms)! (P. Lurné)
Listening test: fitting a Decca London cartridge to J type and S type conventional pick-up arms (such as SME) is now a better prospect thanks to the Stanley Engineering Carbon Fibre SME adapter (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: today is the Audiophile Day! Let's celebrate all together, with a grin and a smile on your faces (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a rather controversial device, the VS Audio Demagnetizer, a mysterious component that should demagnetize CDs and LPs... (G. Budd)
Viewpoint: the Covid-19 lockdown has offered a brief interruption to the grimbly grumbly rumble of Grey Noise the industrial world creates. Mark explains the relation between the presence or absence of Grey Noise and the phenomenology of the experience of better late night listening (M. Wheeler)
Desert island albums: while enjoying the Summer, be sure to read this research on DIY Desert Island Discs and choose your favourite albums.
Summer break: that time has come for a little break, our usual Summer break! Our ritual weekly updates will be back online on Sept., 19. follow us on our Facebook page. Enjoy your Summer in music! (Staff)
July 25, 2020
Listening test: our new reviewer, Fabrizio Marcon, tests a classic, high-end headphone, the Sennheiser HD800S (F. Marcon)
Reviewers' bio: our new reviewer from Italy, Piero Canova, introduces himself and his outstanding reference system, with lots of unusual homemade components (tonearms, bases, suspensions etc) (P. Canova)
Listening test: are these the first T-Headphones? For less than 10€, shipping included, the best earphones we've ever come across, here are the unbelievable Venture Monk Plus (D. Hoehl & L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: here is the fourth part of Mark's impressions of the full Pedersen modifications to the Michell Orbe SE. This one is devoted to suspension modifications (M. Wheeler)
DIY: the second part of a series of exclusive articles devoted to restoring, fixing and tweaking the original Lenco tonearm. A lot of people have criticized the original Lenco L75/L78 tonearms. They are generally considered to be not worth keeping on the original turntable and should be the first thing to go if the budget permits. Well, they are right, a 50-year-old Lenco tonearm typically has some major issues. However, that being said, there are some fixes for these issues and a repaired Lenco arm can be a great temporary solution for those who want to put into service an old Lenco without spending a lot of money on a replacement tonearm (R. McCuaig)
Editorial: Apple wins another new patent for audio, this is a system to move a virtual sound away from a listener. Initially developed for MacBook, it could be applied elsewhere, even on HiFi components (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: “Unstoppable music machines”! These budget-class (700€/pair!) floorstanding loudspeakers are simply amazing. From Poland, here are the Pylon Audio Opal 20 (L. Cadeddu)
Theory - Pierre Lurné Corner: Pierre writes down some short notes about tonearm damping (P. Lurné)
Editorial: you wouldn't believe how unreal and challenging can be the life of a HiFi reviewer, just read the second part of our article, devoted to unfair behaviors of HiFi companies and reviewers. Discover how can you be 100% sure a review isn't reliable reading our article Life'n Perspectives of a Genuine HiFi Reviewer and see who's cheating us (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Graeme listens to a classic single-ended amplifier by Audio Note, the OTO SE (G. Budd)
DIY: the first part of a series of exclusive articles devoted to restoring, fixing and tweaking the original Lenco tonearm. A lot of people have criticized the original Lenco L75/L78 tonearms. They are generally considered to be not worth keeping on the original turntable and should be the first thing to go if the budget permits. Well, they are right, a 50-year-old Lenco tonearm typically has some major issues. However, that being said, there are some fixes for these issues and a repaired Lenco arm can be a great temporary solution for those who want to put into service an old Lenco without spending a lot of money on a replacement tonearm (R. McCuaig)
May 22, 2020
Listening test: here is the third part of Mark's first impressions of the full Pedersen modifications to the Michell Orbe SE. This one is devoted to subchassis modification (M. Wheeler)
Vintage Corner: WWI was Hell on earth in ways by no means limited to the influenza pandemic, but it did spawn some rousing good songs. Herewith, as we wrestle with our own viral onslaught, a medley from the era of that earlier pandemic for your entertainment. It ends with remarks by one of the great men of the age. All are from contemporary records played on contemporary machines (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: here's Part II of Bevan's test of an inexpensive Raspberry Pi DAC, the Nanomesher Nanosound 2, equipped with Texas Instruments PCM5122 - 192kHz/24bit Burr-Brown DAC, with high grade crystals for clocks and other high grade electrical components. It starts at just $49.99. (B. Court)
Editorial: you wouldn't believe how unreal and challenging can be the life of a HiFi reviewer, just read what has recently happened to us in our article Life'n Perspectives of a Genuine HiFi Reviewer (L. Cadeddu)
RIP: sad, sad news! Giovanni Nasta, of Opera Loudspeakers and Unison Research, has recently passed away and Jelco, manufacturer of phono cartridges, tonearms and turntable accessories for more than a century, has closed its doors, because of a combination of the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficulty of maintaining the company\D5s engineering tools updated (Staff)
DIY vintage gear: the impressive collection of DIY amplifiers and loudspeakers built, using vintage gear, by Mark Andrews [includes an impressive video excerpt] (C. Templer)
Reviewer's bio: we are immensely proud to announce that a legend in analogue reproduction, Mr. Pierre Lurné, father of so many legendary turntables and tonearms (Audiomeca, Vecteur-Lurné, Goldmund etc.), has joined our team! He will write articles on what he knows best, analogue reproduction!
Theory: Pierre Lurné's first article for TNT-Audio is on The Naked Truth about tracking angle, a rather controversial piece that debunks many myths! (P. Lurné)
Jurassic (S)park! Listening test: another 42 years old pre & power amp combo! History, technical analysis and listening test of the first pair of components ever made by Meridian, here are the 101 + 103 preamp+power amp, a pair of cool components ahead of their time (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: the second part of our beginner's guide for tape reel decks. Chris reviews these legendary decks: Otari MX50, Otari MTR10, Studer A80R and Fostex E2 (C. Templer)
Editorial: 8D Audio seems to be all the rage now! Discover everything you need to know about it: is it hype, nonsense or a chance? (L. Cadeddu)
Happy Easter!: our warmest wishes for a joyous Easter break, even during the awful situation we're living in...
We have decided to keep our website open and weekly updated, we hope you'll appreciate our efforts :-) (Staff)
April 4, 2020
Jurassic (S)park! Listening test: a 42 years old pre & power amp combo! History, technical analysis, upgrade (by Avondale Audio) and listening test of a strange couple from Salisbury: Naim Audio NAC12 & NAP120. How does it sound after more than 40 years? (L. Cadeddu)
Vintage Corner: all this anti-togetherness demands its practitioners find alternative ways to occupy their time in the privacy of their own homes. David seems to have found his! The Edison Triumph Model B phonograph, his own “triumph over adversity” (D. Hoehl)
Coronavirus outbreak: considering the complete lockdown situation, at least here in Italy, we will do our best to keep the weekly updates up and running. It is NOT an easy situation, we do hope to continue to offer a service, i.e. something interesting to read, while this situation - hopefully - improves (Staff)
March 28, 2020
Listening test: a website that sells cartridge alignment protractors in all flavours, with different null points! Roger has tested all the different options of Alltheprotrators.com (R. McCuaig)
Theory: here's the third and last part of our crash course on downgrading, i.e. how to make your system worse and feel better! (L. Cadeddu)
Coronavirus outbreak: considering the complete lockdown situation, at least here in Italy, we will do our best to keep the weekly updates up and running. It is NOT an easy situation, we do hope to continue to offer a service, i.e. something interesting to read, while this situation - hopefully - improves (Staff)
Coronavirus outbreak: considering the complete lockdown situation, at least here in Italy, we will do our best to keep the weekly updates up and running. It is NOT an easy situation, we do hope to continue to offer a service, i.e. something interesting to read, while this situation - hopefully - improves (Staff)
Listening test/DIY: an easy DIY suggestion to keep your mind and hands busy during the Coronavirus
“stay at home” period! Mark tells us how to improve any tweeter performance with the
DIY tweeter felt (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: Richard tests a new hand-made stylus upgrade for the Shure V15VxMR (and VN5xMR) cartridge, the JICO Morita stylus VN5x Kurogaki, with a wood cantilever!!! (R. Varey)
Editorial: a new Apple patent will allow automatic stereo sound, even if you're not seated in the sweet spot between the loudspeakers (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Richard tests different types of wood and carbon cartridge bodies, suitable for a wide range of different carts, by Stanley Engineering (R. Varey)
Theory: here's the first part of our crash course on downgrading, i.e. how to make your system worse and feel better! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test/DIY: a Coral-cabinet based design for the Goodmans Axiom 80 driver. This is the third part of Chris's series of articles on the Coral cabinet. (C. Templer)
Listening test: a new kid on the block of the entry-level phono preamps market! From France, here's the Real Cable Mini-LP50, a 100€ MM/MC unit, tested against the Musical Fidelity V-LPS (L. Cadeddu)
Vintage Corner: here's the third part of a series of articles on stereo microgroove 78s: Rivermont label is doing something very special in releasing this old music in new bottles! (D. Hoehl)
Listening test - World premiere!: from Canada an interesting 2A3-equipped tube amplifier, Roger tests the Triode Lab EVO, an integrated single ended triode (SET) amplifier with two line-level inputs (R. McCuaig)
Listening test: looking for a good and inexpensive Bluetooth audio receiver? Here's the Dayton BTR-01, a successful tool for making passive speakers simulate active, Bluetooth enabled ones (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: more than one year ago Nick tested a battery-operated USB DAC, the Ciúnas Audio ISO-DAC, which has recently been “boosted”, so here's the new Ciúnas Audio Supercapacitor ISO-DAC USB (N. Whetstone)
Vintage Corner/Music: Christmas is coming, and, aside from exclamations over obese geese, the season's well-roasted chestunuts--at least for those not exclusively devoted to rock, of the jingle bell persuasion or otherwise--inevitably will include Handel's 1742 oratorio Messiah (D. Hoehl)
Christmas and New Year break: as usual, TNT-Audio takes some week off for the upcoming holidays! Our weekly updates will be back regularly on January 25, 2020. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Stay tuned with more audio and music news on our Facebook official page!
December 14, 2019
Listening test: David presents the sixth part of an interesting series of articles devoted to 78 rpm playback (turntables and cartridges): Feickert Volare, Pro-Ject Xtension 12, Strathclyde STD 305 (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: looking for an inexpensive Christmas gift? What about a sub-30€ portable player that can handle even uncompressed digital formats like APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA? Nick tests the Victure Clip Sport player (together with Autkors earphones) (N. Whetstone)
December 7, 2019
Listening test: does it exist a switching amps/speakers unit that doesn't affect sound? Chris thinks the 77mfg switching unit gets the job done quite nicely. 77 Manufacturing has designed and built it under Chris' specifications and called it “Templer Junction”. Now you can directly compare any amp/speaker combination without worrying about sound quality (C. Templer)
RIP: Ken Ishiwata passes away at 72. Let us commemorate him as a legendary designer with a brief article on his career, his achievements and his listening room (L. Cadeddu)
November 30, 2019
Listening test: Nick reviews the Human Audio Drakit, a DAC kit that can be purchased as a populated PCB, or fully built into a case (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: Jico are renowned for making replacement stylii for many cartridges, but they also design and make more sophisticated stuff like these: JICO Seto-Hori cartridge and Stylus 1 Boron stylus (R. Varey)
Vintage: here's the second part of a series of articles on stereo microgroove 78s (D. Hoehl)
November 9, 2019
Listening test: another interesting product from Black Ice Audio, here's the F360 preamplifier with built-in Sound Stage Expander circuit (R. Varey)
Listening test - World Premiere!!!: Mark is the first man on Earth to test the new Thorens TD1600 & TD 1601 turntables, new versions of the classic, legendary TD 160. Also included a close look at the new Thorens TP92 tonearm and TAS1600 MC cartridge (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: do you fancy good meal and good music, played on rare vintage HiFi components? Discover the unusual Italian restaurant Mamma Muli' (L. Cadeddu)
Factory tours: enjoy our long and detailed visit of the Solen Electronics plants in St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada. Speaker drivers, crossovers and kits, audio electronics kits, DIY components including resistors, inductors, capacitors, tubes, and much more! The article also includes an interview with Solen's President/Owner, Christian Ouellet (R. McCuaig)
October 12, 2019
Listening test: Bevan tests an inexpensive Raspberry Pi DAC, the Nanomesher Nanosound 2, equipped with Texas Instruments PCM5122 - 192kHz/24bit Burr-Brown DAC, with high grade crystals for clocks and other high grade electrical components. It starts at just $49.99. (B. Court)
Books: Mark reviews a monumental third edition of what is considered the Holy Bible for Thorens fans, SCHWEIZER PRÄZISION by Joachim Bung, the Story of the Thorens TD124 and Other Classic Turntables (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: David tests a pair of bluetooth active bookshelf loudspekers, with built-in CSR 8670 D/A converter. Here are the Audioengine A2+ speakers. Also included a review of the Avantree Leaf USB Bluetooth Audio Transmitter (D. Hoehl)
Reportage: here's the third part of our detailed visit of the Munich High End Show, many pics and entertaining news from the largest HiFi Show in Europe! (C. Iaccarino)
Upcoming HiFi Shows: upcoming the 27th edition of the Milano Hi-fidelity (Oct. 5-6) (staff)
July 13, 2019
Listening test: from Germany a pair of classy floorstanders, with a Seas coaxial driver and the possibility to adjust the frequency response depending on installation (free field or close to the rear wall), here are the Ascendo Coax D6 (L. Cadeddu)
Reportage: the second part of our detailed visit of the Munich High End Show, many pics and entertaining news from the largest HiFi Show in Europe! (C. Iaccarino)
Summer break!: TNT-Audio, as usual, takes some week off during Summer, our weekly updates will be back on Sept. 27. In the meanwhile keep following our continuously updated Facebook page. Have a nice holiday!
Listening test: Richard tests a new amplifier from the newest production of Black Ice Audio (formerly known as Jolida), this is the FX10 integrated tube amplifier with two matched pairs of Russian Electro-Harmonix EL84/6BQ5 power output tubes and a pair of Tungsol 12AX7 pre-amp tubes, for just 700$ (R. Varey)
Reportage: our detailed visit of the Munich High End Show, many pics and entertaining news from the largest HiFi Show in Europe! (C. Iaccarino)
May 31, 2019
Listening test: a pair of small, active and highly versatile loudspeakers, with DSP-crossover, built-in DAC with USB, toslink and coax inputs, plus a complete remote control! Here are the impressive Vanatoo Transparent OneEncore reviewed by Bevan Court.
Listening test: after having reviewed the Wand tonearm, Richard tests the Wand 14-4 turntable by Design Build Listen and writes “This is a turntable for playing records properly. It's easy to use and stylishly conceived, both technically and aesthetically. On the strength of my now extended familiarity with this machine, I have no hesitation in recommending it. It really is something special”.(R. Varey)
Jurassic (S)park! Listening test: right from the Eighties, a rare bird! A pure “less is more” integrated amplifier, direct competitor of the legendary NAD 3120, here's the amazing Yamaha A320 (L. Cadeddu)
Vintage Corner: musing on his recent disappointment with a set of 78s, David ponders the pitfalls of taking a doctrinaire stance toward different formats in A Cautionary Tale (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: a palm-sized integrated amplifier, with line, USB and bluetooth inputs, 30 watt per channel all for 20€ (twenty). With the famous TPA3116 Class D chipset inside, here's the F900S (made by Nobsound, Douk Audio, Mogu and other brands) (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a new cartridge from Excel Sound Corporation (Japan), here's the Hana ML low output MC (G. Husband)
Reportage: David pays a visit to the Belfer Audio Laboratory at Syracuse University, the first purpose-built laboratory in the United States for preserving, playing, and transcribing historical recordings (D. Hoehl)
April 13, 2019
Listening test: from Atoll, their flagship DAC/preamp, equipped with the acclaimed ESS Sabre ES9038PRO chipset, nine digital inputs and a minimalist preamp section, here's the DAC300 (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: a pair of small desktop full-range loudspeakers, the Arche Audio FR2 (R. Varey)
Theory/Listening test: everything you need to know on turntable felt mats, plus a test of the least inexpensive felt mat on the market, the SlipMat, yours for 4€, shipping worldwide included! (L. Cadeddu)
Editorial: sad and unexpectedly happy moments in an audiophile's life. Let's share our hidden treasures (includes a 64-years old tube amp from Philips) (L. Cadeddu)
March 9, 2019
Listening test: Richard tests an impressive 12" titanium tonearm, here's the Temaad Audio Merlin (R. Varey)
Theory/tweaking: Mark's saga on vibration control isn't over yet! Enjoy the 10th part of his ramblings on vibration devices (M. Wheeler)
March 2, 2019
Listening test: Mike listens to a pair of compact transmission line loudspeakers, the Kerr Acoustic K300. An interview with the designer is included. (M. Cox)
Reportage: new vinyl stores opening worldwide! Visit these two new and unusual vinyl stores in Naples (Italy) (C. Iaccarino)
February 23, 2019
Listening test: Graeme tests a compact power amplifier from Sweden, the Harmony Design A90 (G. Budd)
Listening test: nostalgia for the good ol' days of HiFi? Acoustic suspension speakers and big woofers? Then you'll love the Novaudio Classic 8 Reference loudspeakers, handcrafted in Italy (L. Cadeddu)
Reportage: what's going on with HiFi Shows? After visiting the Roma Hi-Fidelity Show we were a bit puzzled... (L. Cadeddu)
January 19, 2019
Listening test: Mark listens to a pair of floorstanders, which use a kind of hybrid of transmission line and tuned third wave pipe, the Kerr Acoustic K320 (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: Roger tests a new version (Femto) of the popular audiophile software JPLAY (R. McCuaig)
December 22, 2018
Listening test & interview: Richard listens to some Etalon component: ethernet noise filter, music streamer/server, MM phono stage and digital streamer/DAC/preamp from Etalon and interviews László Sallay, managing director of Etalon Acoustics (Hungary) (R. Varey)
Listening test: X-mas gift ideas! Searching for cool looking, tempered glass & aluminium speaker stands? How about a pair of these for 45€/pair, delivered right to your door? Unbelievable but true, here are the VidaXL speaker stands. An absolutely insane bargain! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Mark tests and gives a second opinion on the phono stage QHW The Vinyl (M. Wheeler)
December 1, 2018
Listening test: Compact Discs survive, again! Here's a new CD player from Technics, the SL-C700 with a “re-master” function and dual TI/BurrBrown PCM1795 D/A converters. Not 100% convincing, to say the least (L. Cadeddu)
We support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 3 new, interesting websites (Staff)
Listening test: Compact Discs survive! Wondering how a CD sounds like when upsampled to DSD? Under test a pure (upsampling) CD transport and a preamp/DAC, here are the NuPrime CDT-8 & DAC9 (L. Cadeddu)
Theory: Mark investigates the mysteries of vinyl replay (M. Wheeler)
RIPRémy A. Thorens has recently passed away at 91. During the long period when he was CEO at Thorens, many legendary turntables were made, such as the TD 150, TD 160, Reference and Prestige. He personally designed the Excelda 1, also known as Thorens Remy, an entry-level turntable named after the famous portable gramophone Thorens Excelda of the early '30.
Listening test: another amazing and surprising loudspeaker from Sweden, here's the Larsen 8, flagship model of Larsen HiFi, a “think different” company (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Show reportage: here's the second part of our recent reportage from the Munich HiFi Show (C. Iaccarino)
Listening test: Nick tests wireless headphones with a “smart” EQ feature that suits our hearing, our preference, or perhaps even a particular genre of music...here are the Dodocool DA151 (N. Whetstone)
Editorial: TNT-Audio has been on summer break for the past several weeks, but of course the world has continued on. Unfortunately, one inevitable way in which it has done so is the passing of noteworthy musical figures (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: here's the last part of Richard's three parts saga on Ethernet Audio (R. Varey)
Site popularity: many HiFi manufacturers seem to be eager to know how many readers browse our magazine. Moreover, we've recently found a web magazine that claims to be “the most widely read Hi-Fi magazine on the planet” though hardly reaching 1/10 of our monthly access statistics! (Staff)
Listening test: Richard tests another unusual component, here's the JoLida Foz XT-R, phono crosstalk corrector, designed - again!- by a legend in audio, Jim Fosgate (R. Varey)
Listening test: Richard tests a vacuum tube analogue audio processor, soundstage expander, the JoLida Foz SS-X, designed by a legend in audio, Jim Fosgate! (R. Varey)
Follow-up: David's review of the Graham Slee Accession phono preamp generated a long and insightful manufacturer's reply that sheds new light on the design and the ideas behind it (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: Chris tests what's quickly becoming a rare bird, a pure and simple CD transport! Here's the affordable and good sounding Cambridge Audio CXC (C. Templer)
Music: a long and detailed retrospective on Peter Lang, an acoustic guitarist who recorded for Takoma Records with John Fahey and Leo Kottke (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: Nick tests a nice battery-operated USB/SPDIF converter, the Ciúnas Audio ISO-SPDIF, and compares it to the M2Tech HiFace2 SPDIF converter. And the winner is... (N. Whetstone)
Listening test: here's the first article of Richard's three parts saga on Ethernet Audio (how to exploit the RaspberryPi micro-computer) (R. Varey)
Listening test: David presents the fifth part of an interesting series of articles devoted to 78 rpm playback (turntables and cartridges): Empire 598, McIntosh MT5 & MT10, Music Hall MMF 1.3 & MMF 1.5, Dual 410, CS-5000, CS-7000, Golden Stone, Thorens TD 170, TD 190, TD240 II, Rega RP78, Garrard, BSR, Crossley & Califone (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: Nick tests a cool universal high-quality battery-operated USB power supply, the Ciúnas Audio ISO-PS (N. Whetstone)
March 10, 2018
Listening test: David presents the fourth part of an interesting series of articles devoted to 78 rpm playback (turntables and cartridges): Technics SP15, Thorens TD115, Philips GA 202, Garrard 301-401, Dual 10xx-12xx series, Perpetuum Ebner (P/E), Elac/Miracord (D. Hoehl)
RIP: Russ Solomon, the entrepreneur who built Tower Records into a global business and pioneered a new way to sell music has died at 92 (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: a cool, inexpensive phono preamp, here's the Tisbury Audio Domino (M. Wheeler)
Editorial: CD sales going down the drain! Read what's happening and why you should keep buying CD's on our February editorial (L. Cadeddu)
We support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 2 new, interesting websites (Staff)
February 17, 2018
Listening test: David presents the second part of an interesting series of articles devoted to 78 rpm playback (turntables and cartridges). Under revew several modern turntables. (D. Hoehl)
Listening test: Mike tests a hybrid tube preamplifier, here's the KR Audio P135MC (M. Cox)
Vintage corner: David suggests some nice Christmas music! [audio excerpts included] (D. Hoehl)
December 15, 2017
Listening test: Graeme tests a high-end CD player, the Canary Audio CD300 LV (G. Budd)
Theory/listening test: Mark writes about the Phenomenology of Musical Experience (what you hear may not be what I hear). The article includes comparison tests between Thorens and Linn turntables (M. Wheeler)
December 9, 2017
Listening test: Roger tests a set of Genalex Gold Lion PX 300B tubes...just in case you need other gift ideas for Xmas :-) (R. McCuaig)
Books: a long and detailed review of Bruce Springsteen's autobiography Born to run (R. Felletti)
December 1, 2017
Listening test: according to Nick this is one of the great hi-fi bargains of all time! A 45€ portable player that can play hi-res audio formats (even DSD!) in audiophile quality, here's the unbelievable Dodocool DA 106. Is this the perfect Xmas audiophile gift? (N. Whetstone)
Vintage Corner: David writes about the The Six Brown Brothers, a Canadian vaudeville era saxophone sextet consisting of six brothers (includes a 78rpm high quality audio excerpt!) (D. Hoehl)
November 25, 2017
Listening test: a pretty expensive top-class tube phono preamplifier, here's the SW1X LPU-II (G. Husband)
HiFi Show - Reportage: David visits the Capital AudioFest 2017 in Rockville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC (D. Hoehl)
November 19, 2017
Listening test: an integrated Class D amplifier with built-in 24/192 USB DAC and bluetooth input, here's the Teac AI 101DA (L. Cadeddu)
HiFi Show - Reportage: the second part of our reportage from the Munich HighEnd Show 2017 (C. Iaccarino)
HiFi Shows - News: upcoming the 21st edition of the Poland Audio Video Show, November 17-19, Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, Warsaw, Poland
November 11, 2017
Listening test: a full-tube preamplifier with a versatile phono stage, Mike tests the Thöress preamplifier (M. Cox)
Listening test: innovative EQ correction for your collectible vinyl, discover the versatile Gold Note PH 10 phono preamp (M. Wheeler)
In memoriam: Fats Domino sadly passes away at 89 (D. Hoehl)
HiFi Shows news: upcoming the 6th edition of the New York Audio Show, 10-12 November, Park Lane Hotel, and the 26th edition of the Bari High End, November, 4-5, Nicolaus Hotel, Bari, Italy.
HiFi Shows news: upcoming the 15th edition of the Roma hi-fidelity 2017, November, 18-19, Mercure West Hotel, Roma, and a new edition of Bacco, Tabacco e Vinile, October, 21-22, Chieti at HiFi DiPrinzio.
October 13, 2017
Listening test: Geoff tests a nice looking and good sounding turntable, here's the Goldnote Mediterraneo (G. Husband)
Review: Mark reviews a review :-) Here's Long Live Vinyl! (M. Wheeler)
October 7, 2017
Listening test: Roger tests what the manufacturer defines a “Real Stereo moving coil cartridge”, the Zyx Bloom 3 (R. McCuaig)
Listening test: a budget-class evergreen turntable, the Linn Basik, serviced and equipped with a Linn K5 cart with Audiotechnica AT95 new stylus. Good sound for peanuts! (M. Wheeler)
In memoriam: few days ago Zuzana Ruzickova, a world-class harpsichordist, passed away (D. Hoehl)
September 23, 2017
Listening test: Nick tests a Class A/B integrated amplifier, the Clef Audio Soloist 50 (N. Whetstone)
Listening test/tweak: Mark evaluates a new method for vinyl records cleaning, discover the Divinyl, a worthwhile addition to the shelves of any LP collector or vinyl-audiophile (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: Mark tests a rather heavily tweaked version of the Audio Technica LP5 direct drive turntable, here's The Audio Files AT-LP5 IPT (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: one of the best sounding omnidirectional loudspeakers in the market, ladies and gentlemen here are the amazing Duevel Bella Luna Diamante. Discover why Dr. House likes them so much! (L. Cadeddu)
DIY: another “big” loudspeaker DIY design from Chris, here's the Altec 604 Onken based on the famous Altec Duplex 604-168x driver (C. Templer)
Vintage Corner: David goes to a circus and writes about the show and some popular circus music, here's his Lions and Tigers and--Mares! Oh, My! (D. Hoehl)
May 27, 2017
Listening test: Mike tests a pair of unusual bookshelf loudspeakers from the UK, here are the RMB 12/3 (M. Cox)
Listening test: a made in USA full discrete, Class A gain circuitry with zero loop feedback phono preamplifier, here's the LKV Research phono 2-SB (A. Kohli)
Audiophile recordings: a new addition to the “Retro Scene” is Analogy Records who are producing reel to reel tapes of various genres, directly from original master tapes, copied from the original studio multi-track master (M. Cox)
Listening test: a tube integrated amplifier that uses a pair of EL84s in the output for each channel, a single ECC83 as the voltage amplifier and driver, all sourced from JJ Electronics in the Slovak Republic. Here's the DIMD PP10 tube amplifier from Latvia! (M. Cox)
Listening test/tweak/DIY/miracle: TNT-Audio investigates on some of the sublime effects of cable raising (R. Pollo)
HiFi Shows: ready to start the 22nd edition of the Milano hi-fidelity 2017, April. 22-23, Centro Congressi Melià - Milan, Italy.
Easter break: as usual TNT-Audio takes some weeks off around Easter, our usual weekly updates will be back online on April, 29. Stay in touch with us following our official Facebook page!
RIP: first guitar hero and father of rock'n'roll Chuck Berry passes away at 90 (A. Norman)
HiFi Shows: organized by Audio Natali & Angelucci Hi-Fi here's Music for friends, a HiFi Show taking place on March 31, April 1 at the hotel Villa Maria in Francavilla al Mare (CH), Italy.
March 18, 2017
Listening test: Roger tests the Doge Audio 8 tube preamplifier with 4 X 12AX7, 4 X 12AT7R, a phono input and a remote control (R. McCuaig)
Vintage: David investigates the real story behind His master's voice record label (D. Hoehl)
March 11, 2017
Listening test: Richard tests the Redgum Black series integrated amplifier from Australia (R. Varey)
Editorial: audiophile streaming music! It seems even Spotify is going to launch a HiFi version of its streaming service, using lossless compressed files (L. Cadeddu)
We support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 3 new, interesting websites (Staff)
Listening test: Richard tests a passive TVC passive preamp, here's the icOn TVC (R. Varey)
Listening test - follow-up: under test an updated new version of the Intona USB isolator, designed to galvanically isolate the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed bus, breaking ground loops, avoiding noise coupling and protecting ports from power surges and voltage spikes (R. Varey)
HiFi Shows: upcoming the 8th edition of the Gran Galà dell'Alta Fedeltà in Rome, March 4 - 5 at the SHERATON GOLF 3 Hotel - PARCO DE' MEDICI, Rome.
February 18, 2017
Listening test: an audio server based on Raspberry Pi, RUNEaudio software, ES9023 Sabre DAC and a 50 watt Class D amplifier, here's the Hana Lab, music server & class D amp combo (M. Cox)
Author's bio: our new reviewer from Canada, Roger McCuaig introduces himself and his reference system
(R. McCuaig)
[RIP]: sadly, this seems like a neverending story! Even Al Jarreau has recently passed away...let's celebrate him with this live version of Gershwin's “Summertime”.
Follow-up - listening test: high end computer audio made easy! Nick tests the Euphony Audio Transport, now with Roon server incorporated! (N. Whetstone)
Reportage: dreaming of an audiophile pub anyone? Spiritland opens in Kings Cross, London and it's ALL about the music... (G. Budd)
[RIP] On January 31st John Wetton, former King Crimson bass player and Asia co-founder, passed away at 67. Let's celebrate him with one of his most famous hits...
Listening test: Graeme tests the Audio Note IQ3 cartridge, possibly one of the best MM cartridges in the market! (G. Budd)
Editorial: audiophiles have been coming together for long enough and in sufficient numbers to create lots of mythologies. Mark lists them all! (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: high end computer audio made easy! Nick tests the Euphony Audio Transport (hard disk & software) (N. Whetstone)
We support Real Stereo: we have updated our Real Stereo List with 2 new, interesting websites (Staff)
December 10, 2016
Listening test: Arvind tests the Pass Labs XP15 phono preamp and compares it to the Lehmann Black Cube SE and the PS Audio NuWave Phono. And the winner is... (A. Kohli)
Listening test: under test the Intona USB isolator, designed to galvanically isolate the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed bus, breaking ground loops, avoiding noise coupling and protecting ports from power surges and voltage spikes (R. Varey)
December 3, 2016
Listening test: a detailed second-look review of the ProJect Maia integrated amplifier (R. Varey)
Interview: Richard interviews Coury James Hodges, founder of The Audiophile Group on Facebook, with more than 8,500 members worldwide (R. Varey)
RIP/editorial: music producer-arranger Milton T. Okun, who worked with John Denver, Placido Domingo and Peter, Paul and Mary among other artists, died Tuesday 15th Nov. in Beverly Hills. He was 92. (D. Hoehl)
HiFi Shows: ready to start the 14th edition of the Roma hi-fidelity 2016, Dec. 3-4, Mercure West Hotel, Rome.
Editorial: will vinyl last forever? If you think so, do not miss the post-mortem services of And Vinyly...your ashes pressed into a long playing! (L. Cadeddu)
Listening test: Mark tells us everything about a gold classic, the Yamaha NS1000M loudspeakers: history, setting up advices, listening test etc. (M. Wheeler)
Summer break!: TNT-Audio, as usual, takes some week off during Summer, our weekly updates will be back on Sept. 24. In the meanwhile keep following our continuously updated Facebook page. Have a nice holiday!
July 16, 2016
Listening test: a pair of floorstanding louspeakers, with unusually placed drivers, from the UK, here are the RMB 22/3 (A. Norman)
Listening test: here's a Raspberry Pi B+ credit-card size PC and credit-card size Mamboberry HiFi DAC+ mounted in a box with an external power supply adaptor, and software installed and configured. For just 135€ here's the incredible Collybia Mambo media player (R. Varey)
Shocked by the horrible news from Nice and Turkey we express our feelings with this song by XTC...
July 9, 2016
Listening test: another brilliant DAC from iFi, here's the iDac 2 (N. Whetstone)
Listening test/DIY: DIY Open Baffle Loudspeakers with 15" woofers for Non DIYers...here are the Pure Audio Project Trio 15TB Neo (G. Budd)
Listening test: how do budget cartridges perform when tested on a high end tonearm? Discover the details on the Part II review of the beautiful The Wand Plus tonearm (R. Varey)
Listening test: unusual and good sounding mini loudspeakers, here are the Omuni from NZ! (R. Varey)
Hall of fame/vintage: a retrospective article on Enoch Light, a legendary recording engineer who created audio masterpieces from the late 1920s and throughout the 30s, 40s, 50s, and into the early 1960s, and then again in the early 1970s (R. Varey)
Listening test: an impressive turntable with a beautiful tangential tracking air bearing tonearm, here's the Pre Audio ASP 1501 (M. Cox)
Listening test: how do budget cartridges perform when tested on a high end tonearm? Discover the details on the review of the beautiful The Wand Plus tonearm (R. Varey)
Listening test: Richard builds an open baffle speaker using Audio Nirvana Classic 8" fullrange drivers (R. Varey)
Tweak/Listening test: clean power for your USB DAC! Discover the USB Disruptor, a device that cuts the power supply from the PC USB outlet and inserts a clean supply from its mains adaptor plug (R. Varey)
RIP: one of the best jazz saxophonists in the World sadly passes away at the age of 88. Joe Temperley, founder of the Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra, performed with the best artists, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Joe Henderson and many others. Enjoy this live concert, where he plays together with Adam Birnbaum, Yasushi Nakamura, Billy Drummond and Wycliffe Gordon.
May 7, 2016
Listening test: Richard tests a full-function passive preamp using light-dependent resistor (LDR)
technology in a unique circuit design, here's the Java (R. Varey)
Reportage: it is much more fun than a trade show! Mark & Mike report from the Wigwam Show 2016 (M. Wheeler & M. Cox)
Listening test: Nick tests the MHDT Pagoda DAC (N. Whetstone)
Follow-up: Nick reviews the Fidelizer Pro 7.0, a new version of the previous Fidelizer, a software (on Windows) that optimizes your PC in a snap! (N. Whetstone)
Editorial/review: Mark tests a Vinyl LP chopping board, a must-have for any vinyl-addict! (G. Blue)
March 19, 2016
Listening test: a quite unusual, fully adjustable, speaker stand, the isoAcoustics Aperta 155 (M. Cox)
HiFi Shows: the 20th edition of the Milano Hi-Fidelity 2016 will take place at the Hotel Melia on 2 and 3 April, 9:00/6:00pm. We will attend and report!
Easter break: as usual TNT-Audio takes some weeks off around Easter, our usual weekly updates will be back online on April, 16. Stay in touch with us following our official Facebook page
In memoriam: at the age of 90 George Martin has just passed away. Mark reminds us of George's incredible career as music producer (Beatles etc.) (M. Wheeler)
In memoriam: Keith Emerson, of EL&P (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), passes away at 71 (M. Wheeler)
Listening test: an accessory to enhance the digital signal and power supply coming from a computer to a USB DAC or converter (USB to SPDIF for use with a separate DAC), here's the iFi iPurifier 2 (N. Whetstone)
Reportage: it is much more fun than a trade show! It's the Wigwam Show (M. Wheeler)
Site popularity: many HiFi manufacturers seem to be eager to know how many readers our magazine has so here are again our monthly access statistics (January 2016)! (Staff)
February 13, 2016
Listening test: for our anniversary Geoff selects 5 products that have meant the most over the last 20 years. Here's his own Hall of Fame (G. Husband)
Listening test/software: FOLLOW UP! Under test a new release of a PC software for liquid Music, version 6.2, using JStreamer. Discover the new JPlay (N. Whetstone)
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