THE REVIEWS
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SILVERSMITH FIDELIUM SPEAKER CABLE - REVIEW
Silversmith Audio Group, based out of the great state of Wyoming, is slightly different from your average high-end audio manufacturer. They essentially have just two products: the very unique Fidelium speaker cables, and a high-end Digital-to-Analog Converter marketed under Dodson Audio.
THE MEZE STRADA - REVIEW
First, the STRADA unlike Meze’s planar headphones will need, at least, 50 hours and nearly 100 hours to sound their best. The initial listening session, prior to their burn-in, was very concerning. I initially thought I had happened upon a bad Meze headphone. Well, no I hadn’t. It is, however, crucial for a good, thorough burn-in before listening for pleasure and certainly before reviewing them.
AURORASOUND HFSA-01 INTEGRATED - REVIEW
The Aurorasound HFSA-01 ($4,290) is a compact, light weight, multi-functional integrated, which incorporates a Moving Magnet Phono Section and a 6.33mm Headphone amplifier. The HFSA-01 provides 14-watts via four EL84 tubes and it paired beautifully with the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96. I’m told it also works well with marginally efficient speakers (90dB+).
ROTEL DX-3 - REVIEW
If a “personal” system is what you seek and $1.5k is around your target budget, then I’d recommend you try to audition the embellishment–free DX-3. It combines excellent value with a crowd and audiophile–pleasing voice that keeps the listener engaged in their songs. Rotel’s mantra is designing “…no–frills audio components that emphasized musical accuracy, superb build quality, and affordability.” I can’t agree more!
MADISON LOUNGE EDITION STREAMER - REVIEW
The Lounge Edition version of the Madison I had embodies many upgraded components in the signal path, as well as upgraded power supply storage capacitance in the unit itself. To further distinguish the two models, the LE has a warm, pale buff finish. My review sample came with a small, external aluminum PSU.
PSVANE SUMMIT KT88 & 6SN7 TUBES - REVIEW
My recent experience with the PSVANE Summit tubes has led me to consider these tubes, in particular, as a component-level change and not just a tube change. Why? I answer this question in fairly good detail below.
ALLNIC D-15000 OTL/OCL SIGNATURE DAC - REVIEW
Prior to this review, we had not heard Allnic’s digital source components, but that changed when the new D-1500 OTL/OCL Signature Digital to Audio converter arrived from the factory in South Korea. Visually, the D-15000 is both minimalist and monumental. The industrial design exudes weight and elegance, and refined control. Dual bias meters with amber lights add a touch of vintage instrumentation to the otherwise sleek presentation. This is a DAC that looks stout enough be from a bygone era yet modern enough to fit into any current system.