Avsnitt
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When Hegel announces a new flagship DAC, the audio world tends to take notice. Hegel has recently released the true successor to their previously acclaimed HD30 DAC. This Hegel Reference Converter promises to elevate Hegel's reputation for pristine digital reproduction to new heights at $4,900. This is placed within the high end realm of HiFi, and is positioned for those looking for supreme accuracy, realism, as well as musicality. Let's break this one down.
00:00 Hegel D50 D/A Converter
01:19 Specs & Design
07:15 Sound Quality
10:15 Is it for you?
11:18 Summary
This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r210s/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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I often rely on analogies to help develop my thoughts. This is a great way to take a known experience that I am relatively more familiar with to draw out the nuance of a less known experience – of course at some point all analogies fall apart and, therefore, they can only get us so far.
I bring this up because I admit, when it comes to audio equipment that I enjoy listening to, I have a pretty sound understanding of my aural predilections. That was until I heard the McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier – I now have a resolute understanding of my sonic tastes.
00:00 McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
01:41 Overview
02:40 Specs & Design
03:29 User Experience
04:25 How's it sound?
08:59 Conclusion
This video is sponsored by: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-masterdeck-turntable
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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The Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition may look almost identical to the contour 20, but looks can be deceiving. The Danish loudspeaker company, I think, has packed quite a few changes under the hood of this long popular stand mount speaker. Let's find out what!
00:00 Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition
02:29 Specs & Design
05:45 Sound Quality
18:45 Is this for you?
21:38 Summary
This video is sponsored by: https://www.javahifi.com/home
Learn more about Dynaudio 20 Black Edition: https://dynaudio.com/home-audio/black-edition/contour-20-black-edition
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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In this briefing I cover the Via Blue Rocket cable lifter system. I’ve been using these for several months now and have found them quite useful and enjoyable. Let’s find out why.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.hegel.com/en/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Following up from his Pass Labs factory tour, Adrian reviews the hefty, rich Pass Labs 260.8 Monoblock Amplifier.
This video's sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/gemini-model-8/
00:00 Pass Labs 260.8 Monoblock Amplifier
01:56 Specs & Design
03:32 Sound Quality
06:31 Customer Service
07:33 Summary
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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A business strategy frequently employed by seasoned organizations when developing a new product is to design and produce what is known as a Minimum Viable Product. After hearing the Chesky Audio LC1s, it became abundantly clear Founder and CEO, Lucca Chesky, made the prudent decision to dispense with circumspect practices of seasoned organizations and forged a path solidly in the direction of viability, all while leaving minimum in the rearview mirror, when designing his first commercially available loudspeaker.
Stay tuned while I share what I heard when listening to the small-in-size, big-in-sound, Chesky Audio LC1s.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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A business strategy frequently employed by seasoned organizations when developing a new product is to design and produce what is known as a Minimum Viable Product. After hearing the Chesky Audio LC1s, it became abundantly clear Founder and CEO, Lucca Chesky, made the prudent decision to dispense with circumspect practices of seasoned organizations and forged a path solidly in the direction of viability, all while leaving minimum in the rearview mirror, when designing his first commercially available loudspeaker.
Stay tuned while I share what I heard when listening to the small-in-size, big-in-sound, Chesky Audio LC1s.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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We wanted to share with you some of the music we are using in the review process, with a focus on musically interesting work that is also enjoyably recorded. This isn’t necessarily new work or new recordings. With streaming making a test drive of these recommendations so easy, we simply wanted to give you some ideas.
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
Tom Martin’s Reference System:
Aurender N200 Server
Roon Nucleus server
Mac Mini (M2) server
Wiim Pro server/DAC
Bluesound Node server/DAC
Topping D70 Pro DAC
dCS Lina DAC/Master clock
Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module
J Sikora Initial Max turntable
Technics SL-1210G turntable
Kuzma 4Point 9” arm
J Sikora KV12 tone arm
DS Audio 003 cartridge
Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge
Hana Umami Blue cartridge
Hegel V10 phono preamp
Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp
DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer
Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp
PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps
MBL N51 integrated amplifier
Magico A5 speakers
Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables
Shunyata Omega digital cables
Shunyata Venom power cables and director
AVN Systems acoustic design
Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers
Rediacoustic bass traps
Salamander racks
Solidsteel Turntable rack
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Some listeners feel that the most intimate experience you can have with recorded music is by using headphones. Not just because of the proximity to your ears, but it's the way they're voicing their aural personality gets right inside your head. An excellent example of that are the Meze Audio 105 AER Headphones...
00:00 Meze Audio 105 AER
01:32 Specs & Design
5:00 Sound Quality
10:34 Summary
This video is sponsored by: https://soundorg.com/mojo-2/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Just north of Rome on the Italian coast is a high end amplifier manufacturer you've probably never heard of, but Audia Flight who've been making amps and preamps in-house since 1996, is a company that I think is past due for serious consideration from North American audiophiles. I spent this past winter with their FLS9 Modular Integrated Amplifier, and with this review I aim to tell you all about that.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r212s/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
@PerlistenAudio @fidelityimports3604
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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We’ve just attended the 2025 AXPONA audio show in Chicago. We had a team of 5 on site: Adrian Alexander, Grover Neville, Jason Methfessel, Robert Taylor and Tom Martin doing video coverage. The magazine also had a group of reviewers covering the show and their summary will be published in an upcoming issue.
Errata:
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Super 9: $9900/pr
Pass Labs new preamp is the XSPRE-2, not the XP-22.
Sponsored by: https://www.advanceparis.com/
00:00 AXPONA 2025
02:25 Value for Money
04:12 Innovative Woofers
06:49 Sweetspot
08:57 Integrated Systems
15:50 Refinement
19:20 Vinyl
20:29 Thought Provocation
23:05 Fun
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Theoretica BACCH4Mac Review: https://youtu.be/TxI6wf5TYTU?si=Q9ZB4TufhdpwO0N_
The 6 Major Problems of Audio Believability: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-six-major-problems-of-audio-believability/
VPE Electrodynamics Woofer Reviews: https://youtu.be/Z9oMKGqtlDI?si=0RsqAaI957iqfHMm
Pass Labs Factory Visit: https://youtu.be/Z685WSlGz0A?si=yXNVH7RutoY3bZp_
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
@ruarkaudio @TheoreticaAppliedPhysics @AudioGroupDenmark @PerlistenAudio @PearlAcoustics @DeVOREFIDELITY @lonemountainaudio642 @atcprousa2355 @GrimmAudio @dynaudio @danvillesignal8234 @Devialet @ygacoustics @thevoicethatis @artisanfidelity7648 @audio-ultra @gttaudio @vividaudiochannel @audionet-hifi @Paulmcgowanpsaudio @scottwalkeraudio1 @WilsonBeneschTV @fidelityimports3604 @linkwitzaudio689 @estelon_speakers @audioresearchus
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Songer Audio is the kind of audio company that puts a smile on your face. Songer is a small company devoted to designing and hand-building unusual loudspeakers. The concepts used by designer Ken Songer in some ways harken back to the early days of audio in the ‘30s and ‘50s. But these ideas are off the beaten path for modern designs. And a seven-year-old company making its own main drivers is also not the norm. The aesthetic used by Songer is also different. Now, sometimes different is good. Let’s take a look.
Sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Regular viewers (thank you!) will know that we have defined six major issues for audio believability. These are systemic technical issues that have proven hard to address, one of these being ‘the problem of a-musical digital distortion’. We have been reviewing D/A converters in the hope of finding some that deal with the issue effectively. Is the Tidal Camira LC a DAC that breaks through this barrier? Let’s take a look.
Sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r210s/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Newcomer Matt Coykendall reviews the Bang & Olufsen H100 headphones with their versatile but surprisingly high-fidelity sound. How do these stand up in the marketplace of hi-fi headphones? Listen in to find out...
The video is sponsored by: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2
Matt's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC145VfPR89fEeiwjvQvThaA
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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I tend to approach amplifier reviews with some trepidation, because I’m afraid the differences between them will be minute. This is almost never the case in reality. With the Block Class A monoblocks, the sound quality was not only easily discerned, it was what I think many audiophiles would want, if cost were no object.
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Adrian Alexander stopped by Auburn California to take a peak at what Pass Labs has been up to...
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
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Thomas gives his impressions of his first experience with two different dipole bass systems, provided by VPE Electrodynamics, one for use with smaller Magnepan speakers like the LRS+. and one for use with open-baffle dynamic speakers. Listen in to hear his thoughts.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.advanceparis.com/
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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ERRATA: Popori Hypersail does NOT include subs. Demo had REL subs in place. Apologies for the mistake.
MBL 101 X-Treme price is $433k/pr (4 pcs)
Tom Martin and Jason Methfessel return from this years Southwest Audio Fest with a list of some of the most compelling products and rooms they experienced at the show. Listen in to see what's new!
theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Does high-performance audio necessarily mean high-fidelity audio? In my default reactionary state, I might pointedly blurt out, “Of course it does!” I might even go so far as to say, “How could one even ask such a question?” That was, until I heard the KEF Q7 Meta.
theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
00:00 KEF Q7 Meta
01:17 Specs & Design
03:12 Sound Quality
8:33 Summary
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
Jason’s Reference System:
Aurender N200 Server
Roon Nucleus server
Mac Mini (M2) server
Wiim Pro server/DAC
Bluesound Node server/DAC
Topping D70 Pro DAC
dCS Lina DAC/Master clock
Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module
J Sikora Initial Max turntable
Technics SL-1210G turntable
Kuzma 4Point 9” arm
J Sikora KV12 tone arm
DS Audio 003 cartridge
Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge
Hana Umami Blue cartridge
Hegel V10 phono preamp
Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp
DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer
Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp
PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps
MBL N51 integrated amplifier
Magico A5 speakers
Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables
Shunyata Omega digital cables
Shunyata Venom power cables and director
AVN Systems acoustic design
Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers
Rediacoustic bass traps
Salamander racks
Solidsteel Turntable rack
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound
- Visa fler
