Astell&Kern AK120 Mobile Music Player
By now, you’ve likely heard of Astell&Kern. The sub-brand of Korean electronics manufacturer iRiver launched late last year, with its $700 AK100 mobile touchscreen player capable of delivering 24-bit/192-kHz music, thanks to a single Wolfson WM8740 DAC and the ability to store up to 96 gigabytes worth of audio files. Read More >
Grado Labs Factory Tour
A Brooklyn Success Sixty Years in the Making
Sitting with a rather antsy John Grado in the third floor listening room at Grado’s factory in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, one gets the sense that the storied manufacturer of headphones and phono cartridges has not been this busy in decades. Read More >
New Premium Amp and Disc Player from Yamaha
It’s exciting to see Yamaha get back to their high performance roots with the new AS-3000 integrated amplifier and matching CD-S3000 disc player, which also offers SACD playback and USB DAC functionality. Read More >
Plinius SA-Reference Power Amplifier
Located in New Zealand, Plinius has been making great components for years, and the brand has a loyal customer base that sings the Plinius praises on most of the audio forums. Read More >
Bel Canto C7R DAC Integrated Amplifier
For audio fans who believe sonic reproduction should be heard but not seen, a large-scale component system just isn’t practical. Read More >
Gato Audio DIA-250 Integrated Amp/DAC
Part of the mission here at TONEAudio has always been to remain on the lookout for magnificent hi-fi gear that not only performs well but is also a piece of visual art able to blend into any décor. Read More >
Phasemation PP-1000 MC Phono Cartridge
My quest for the Phasemation PP-1000 cartridge started four months ago, when I was perusing photos from a good friend’s recent excursion to Asia and the exotic analog setups he saw on his journey. Read More >
Apogee ONE
Those not well versed with the world of professional audio may not be familiar with the name Apogee. Read More >
Astell&Kern AK10 Portable Smartphone DAC
In the past year, a healthy section of the audiophile headphone community has gone gaga for iRiver’s Astell&Kern AK100 and AK120 portable media players. Read More >
U-Turn Audio Orbit Turntable
First and foremost, the people at U-Turn Audio are to be commended for bringing a domestically manufactured turntable to market at an unbelievably low price. Read More >
PS Audio NuWave DAC
Working as a DJ for hire in the eighties, I was exposed to more than my share of New Wave songs, upturned collars, pastel colors, and hair gel. Read More >
AURALiC VEGA Digital-Audio Processor
Vega is the name of one of the brightest stars visible from Earth. Read More >
Peachtree Audio deepblue Bluetooth Music System
Some audio fans crave a stereo experience courtesy of multiple components. Read More >
Going beyond two channel…
Have we lost our minds? Are we turning into a home theater magazine? Gasp!
Well, you can’t always sit in the dark and listen to Patricia Barber, can you? If the answer is no, and you love to watch movies and more, the Anthem MRX 510 is the answer. Read More >
The Phonon SMB-02 Headphones
Listening to the gentle, guitar and bass opening to Meshell Ndegeocello’s version of “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” the Phonon SMB-02 headphones instantly impress, with a nice, big, wide soundstage and natural sound. Read More >
Vandersteen updates the model 1…
Sometimes you forget about that awesome thing that was right under your nose (or ears) all along. Read More >
Why we refuse to predict the future!!
I write very few actual rants in this space or in TONEAudio‘s publishers letter for good reason: I want this to be fun. I’ve always felt that the minute we bring our personal baggage into the editorial, it really stops being fun. Read More >
Issue 60
Features
Old School:
Dynaco PAT-5
By Jerold O’Brien
Journeyman Audiophile
Ortofon TA_110 Tonearm
By Jeff Dorgay
Dealers That Mean Business
We Visit HiFi Hawaii
By Jeff Dorgay
Personal Fidelity:
Audeze LCD-X Headphones
By Rob Johnson
Sennheiser HDVD 800 Amp/DAC
By Mike Liang
TONE Style
The Wino
Post Holiday Picks
By Monique Meadows
Nikon Df Camera body
Sens “Smart” Umbrella
By Rob Johnson
Women On Men
The Fine Art of Kristin Bauer
Hello Kitty Bluetooth Speaker
Music
Current Releases:
Fresh Releases in the Pop/Rock World
By the TONE Staff
Audiophile Pressings
Jazz & Blues
By Jim Macnie & Aaron Cohen
Bob Gendron’s 25 Top Rock and Pop Albums for 2013
20 Music Treasures to Savor
By Bob Gendron
Previews
Thorens TD 206 Turntable
Yamaha A-S3000 Amplifier and CD-S3000 disc player
Benchmark ABH2 Power Amplifier
VPI Nomad turntable
Anthem MRX 510 Receiver
From the Web
Naim DAC – V1 and NAP 100 Amplifier
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Preamplifier
Reviews
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Power Amplifier
By Jeff Dorgay
Rogue Audio Sphinx Integrated
By Andre Marc
VPI Classic Direct Turntable
By Jeff Dorgay
Van Alstine Fet Valve CF Preamplifier
By Jerold O’Brien
Focal Maestro Utopia Speakers
By Jeff Dorgay
Updated Phono Pre From Parasound
Parasound’s new Halo JC 3+ adds independent load adjustment for moving coil cartridges, as well as enhancements to the dual-mono phono module circuit boards, and increased power supply capabilities. Read More >
Gary Numan – 78/79 Box Set
A relative newcomer to the reissue scene, British-based Vinyl 180 is concentrating on a small stable of artists from the 80s and 90s that are thankfully anything but traditional audiophile fare. Read More >
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