SonicFlare - Hi-Fi reviews, audio events, show coverage, photos and more

Review: Skogrand Air Cables

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:30:23 -0800

Review: B&W C5 Headphones

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:16:09 -0800

RMAF: Korg MR-2000

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:00:45 -0800

Korg's MR-2000 DSD recorder in use by Todd Garfinkel, seen and heard at RMAF. Rumor has it that many more companies are working on DSD capable USB DACs, first pioneered by Andreas Koch and Jonathan Tinn of Playback Designs. Stay tuned for a forthcoming review of this killer recorder right here at SonicFlare. DSD rocks!

RMAF: Soulution

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:53:46 -0800

Soulution of Swiss fame and fortune (that's referring to the fortune you'll need to buy their products…) was on display with JMLab Grande Utopia's, showing off their capabilities in full force. Large scale dynamic rock or symphonic sounds presented no problem whatsoever for this combo, then again, at the price point, it shouldn't! The electronics alone, ie. amps, pre-, and disc player came in at a cool $200k...

RMAF: Ortofon A90

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:48:59 -0800

Ortofon's A90 (sadly, no longer in production), perhaps the super cartridge of recent times, is truly a state-of-the-art rethinking of how freshly minted design ideas can positively impact age old technology. Sublimely superb sound (coming off the Wave Kinetics NVS 'table), I haven't heard anything better - no doubt, don't bother unless you have a top flight deck… Amazing! PS: this picture (as where all at the show) was taken with my iPhone 4; not bad, eh?

RMAF: Wave Kinetics NVS Reference

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:39:17 -0800

Wave Kinetics' NVS Reference is quickly gaining recognition and momentum as the new 'table on the market (to have). Headed up by none other than Jonathan Tinn (of Playback Designs & Evolution Acoustics), this latest venture is built as a "ground-up" redesign of whats possible in a modern day record player interpretation. Direct Drive, ridiculously crazy vibration absorption and control all make for a true SOTA experience. I know of a person who sold 3 top flight $60+k 'tables to get this one. 'Nuff said!

RMAF: Thöress

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:45:38 -0800

No, this is not Hydra's latest ray gun, it is Thöress' F2A11 integrated amp. Labeling themselves as the "Puristic Audio Apparatus", it sure looks the part.

RMAF: Allnic

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:41:06 -0800

I recently re-discovered Allnic through a mutual friend and am sure glad I did! Allnic has the finest case work this side of Boulder, with electronics and design quality that is quite simply fantastic. Their H-3000 pre-amp was rocking' the room, though rumor has it their series 1500 integrated 300B amp will find its way to casa "K" soon enough… stay tuned, this could be the killer 300B.

RMAF: Luxman SQ-38

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:30:42 -0800

Another winning integrated from the house of Luxman is their SQ-38 tube amp, complete with a great sounding built-in headphone amp. Beautiful old world charm and craftsmanship (I sound like the guy from the HGTV channel!), this amp will be at home in a great variety of systems… Sweetness!

RMAF: Olive Music

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:26:48 -0800

Since the music server revolution began a few years ago, Olive has worked hard at producing great quality lifestyle oriented music servers, the 04HD being their latest offering. Great quality, simple to use interface and a genuine high-end DAC all make for great sound!

RMAF: Luxman PD-171

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:22:09 -0800

Luxman's vintage decks, the PD-441 & 444, the mighty PD-555, all have long since left production lines, much to the dismay of long time fans and customers alike. In line with the recent vinyl resurgence, Luxman began working on a new model some ten years ago, incorporating all the manufacturing advances they accumulated over the years. The end result is the Luxman PD-171, a hefty beast, weighing in at around 50lbs, complete with Jelco arm that will sell for $6500. Sonics are superb and it sure looks like they will sell quite a few of these… well done!

RMAF: Evolution Acoustics, Playback Designs & Wave Kinetics

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:41:19 -0800

Jonathan Tinn and Andreas Koch, the dynamite duo behind a few venture projects including Playback Designs, where at it again… Pioneering DSD over USB is a true technical feat that Andreas worked tirelessly to turn into reality. The reasons behind it are quite simple: DSD is the future of hi-res and many people I spoke to at the show are working hard at offering DSD files for download. Stay tuned for more DSD news; meanwhile, knock on your dealers' door… this setup ROCKED.

RMAF: Zu Audio

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:51:24 -0800

As is typical with any show they attend, Zu Audio managed to upset the norm once again by having the "coolest" and "hippest" room. Sean and company are no strangers to audiofilia, hence one always expects them to rock the house. And rock it they did! On display, fresh off the factory floor, was their new Definition Mk IV. A definitive upgrade over the now discontinued Definition Mk II, the sound was at once recognizable as it was dramatically improved. Better definition, superior bass integration and treble that was no doubt touched by the hand that is the new tweeter assembly, music simply sounded amazing. At $12.5k not inexpensive, but considering the others at multiples of that, a real Hi-Fi bargain. More to come from Zu.

SonicFlare goes to Denver... Oct. 14-16

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:10:05 -0800

Look for the hottest, coolest and best show coverage with a few Easter eggs thrown in here and there...

Godspeed Steve. The world is less magical today.

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:44:07 -0800