Peachtree Nova65SE Peachtree I love that the Peachtree Nova65SE integrated stereo amplifier doesn’t look like any other brand’s amplifiers or receivers. The Nova65SE’s 6mm thick aluminum faceplate and round cornered medium-density fiberboard cabinet, finished in gloss black, real cherry or rosewood veneers sets this amp apart from everything else. Beyond design considerations my reasons for …
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Klipsch Reference On-Ear headphones Klipsch No doubt about it: the Klipsch Reference On-Ear makes bass and lots of it, but it’s not boomy, thick, or muddy. I find with the best headphones it’s all about overall balance, and when the bass obscures midrange or treble detail, it’s game over. For example, the Sol Republic Master Tracks ‘phones dished out loads …
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Thorens TD 203 Thorens It’s becoming an everyday event. I keep hearing from friends about new vinyl converts — young people getting into the groove for the first time. And also about 40-somethings who just bought a new or used turntable to play their old LPs, and are now rediscovering the music of their youth. The ongoing vinyl surge may …
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Astell & Kern AK240 (left), Chord Hugo (center), Audeze LCD-XC (right). Franklin Williams When Franklin Williams was still in college, he bought a pair of Etymotic ER-4S in-ear headphones that forever changed the way he listens to music. He still listened to speakers, but headphones connected the musical dots better, so then he bought Grado, Sennheiser, Shure, and Ultimate Ears …
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Steve Guttenberg/CNET Compression has gotten a bad rap in recent times, but I’d wager nearly all of your favorite records are compressed. Some less than others, yet some of your most beloved tunes are massively compressed. Dynamic range compression (not lossy compression) is a handy scapegoat too often tagged to bad-sounding music, but heavily compressed music isn’t a new trend: …
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Technics SU-C700 integrated amplifier Technics Technics was once one of the most iconic names in the audio business, best known for its DJ turntables, but back in the day Technics also made highly regarded speakers and amplifiers. So when I received a hot tip that Technics was back with a new integrated amp I couldn’t wait to plug it into …
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The Spendor S3/5R2 speakers and Naim Uniti 2 CD player/amplifier Steve Guttenberg/CNET I’ve always admired the sound of Spendor speakers, especially their smaller bookshelf models. That’s what ran through my head as I started listening to the S3/5R2, Spendor’s least expensive and smallest bookshelf speaker at the Innovative Audio Showroom in New York City. The listening room was small, maybe …
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The Technics SB-C700 speaker’s flat driver. Technics In 2015, there’s no shortage of affordable, small and easy ways to access music on your phone or Bluetooth speaker, and that’s fine. But if you really want to feel the heart and soul of your music, you’ll need something better. That’s where the Technics SB-C700 speakers shine: they can unravel the deepest …
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An Audio Classics display case Audio Classics Buying used audio gear from the original owner or a store usually carries a high degree of risk. Working electronics may turn out to have faulty components, speakers might have busted drivers, and a turntable’s bearings may be worn out. Buying used audio can be a huge hassle, but the team at Audio …
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I may not be the biggest fan of Broadway musicals, but when a friend introduced me to the Associate Music Director “The Book of Mormon“, Adam Ben-David, we really hit it off. I was curious about how he got his start, and his answer took me by surprise, “I was thinking about ways to make a living as a musician, …
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