THE REVIEWS
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NORDOST SORT KONE - REVIEW
I can wholeheartedly guarantee that if one’s hearing is intact it will be quite easy to get the differences with and without the Nordost AC SORT KONES, whether under a single component or across an entire system. In this respect they are impossible to remove.
STAX SRM-500T - REVIEW
No doubt, the SRM-500T was STAX’s way of saying this was constructed for those new to electrostatics, for whom it may serve as a beacon to a world that is immensely charming, musical, and communicates as if a breath of fresh air. There will also be those, who see the STAX SRM-500T as but the point of entry to this world. Their sights will, no doubt, lead them farther into this incredibly beautiful, transparent, and detail rich electrostatic world.
SIVGA PLANAR II - REVIEW
Though the SIVGA PII will not reach to the stygian depths of the Holy-Bass-Head-Grail, nor scale to the treble heights of Mt. Olympus and beyond, in that area, that space between the two, it will engage, entertain, communicate, and beautifully work its magic to convincingly state, “that my price point does not describe my level of musical skill, nor ability.” And in this it will have spoken the truth.
ENLEUM AMP-23R - PREVIEW
If the Bakoon AMP-13R has, indeed, been bettered either marginally or significantly by the Enleum AMP-23R, then I will absolutely reveal those details in my upcoming review. We, AudioKeyReviews, are, after all, passionate music lovers, who are incredibly supportive of the talented designers and engineers who push the envelope to bring forward components which offer the highest fidelity and musically engaging solutions. Solutions which allow for the enjoyment of the millions upon millions of songs that we all now have access to 24/7/365 via the various streaming services. I refer to these times as the Golden Age of Music Access (GAMA).
AUDIONET DNP/EPX -REVIEW
The Audionet EPX merged with the DNP in ways both commanding and rather spectacular that I would never have imagined. The pairing carried its weight and then some, in every system in which it was employed, with none of the earlier concerns. In fact, they had all become reversals—complete opposites of what they had been with just Audionet DNP. Meaning?
DENAFRIPS PONTUS II -REVIEW
The Pontus II is a champion of resolution and detail, a champion of dynamics, transient speed, and staging, and a champion of a realism and musicality that is so engaging, so texturally and tonally rich, as to present a rather mystifying conundrum.
BEST PRODUCTS OF 2021
As 2021 began, despite the roiling world outside our doors I began to ponder how difficult it might be to choose those components that provided solace, peace, and a quiet escape via music. The difficulty came in there being so very many incredible components—DAPs, DACs, headphones, IEMs, headphone/amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, etc.—and me, not wanting to provide awards willy-nilly, looked to tighten the awards process further. The further being only two awards given per price category, though this year there would be honorable mentions.