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Equipment Reviews

Ultra Audio's site platform was changed in August 2010. For equipment reviews previous to that, use this link to transfer to the old site.

Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 01 September 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceOne of the first makers of audiophile cables, Golden Enz, began business in the 1970s. With conductors of ordinary electrical-grade copper and connectors of gold-plated nickel, Golden Enz cables now seem archaic. However, they were undoubtedly better than the lamp-cord wire then available at the local RadioShack.

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Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier

Written by: Vade Forrester
Created: 15 August 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceMytek Digital has been a pioneer in digital audio reproduction. Their Stereo192-DSD was one of the first DACs capable of playing DSD files, and their Brooklyn was one of the first non-Meridian DACs to play Meridian’s new Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files.

MQA is a system of encoding audio files that its developer, Meridian Ltd. (MQA Ltd. has since been spun off as a separate company), claims sounds better than such high-resolution encoding methods as DSD and DXD, while resulting in file sizes much smaller than those formats. The small files mean that MQA encoding can be used to stream hi-rez audio over standard Internet connections -- and indeed, Tidal is currently streaming MQA files. I’ve seen Tidal stream files of resolutions up to 24-bit/352.8kHz, and I understand that MQA can handle up to 768kHz.

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Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier

Written by: Jason Thorpe
Created: 01 August 2017

I’m a sucker for the double-down solid-state power amp. But to explain what this means and why it’s important to me I need to start about 30 years ago.

While I’ve always been passionate about home audio, I used to be rabid about car audio, and three decades ago I became very good friends with Colin Kay, owner of Autoworks Car Audio, here in Toronto. Colin introduced me to such esoteric concepts as tube monoblock amplifiers and external DACs (this was about the time Audio Alchemy pioneered the affordable DAC). He also infected me with Mobile Bass Disease.

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Esoteric K-05X SACD/CD Player/DAC

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 July 2017

In Japan, the branch of esoteric Buddhism called Shingon (“the true words”) practices Goma, an intricate ritual of consecrated fire dedicated to destroying negative energies, detrimental thoughts and desires, and impure variations of the true words of this spiritual discipline. The flames of the Goma can reach several yards high, and this miraculous fire, combined with mass chanting from the assembled priests and accompanied by the pounding of huge taiko drums, can induce a sublime, trance-like state that’s said to heal the sick, summon rain, improve harvests, exorcise demons, avert natural disasters, and just brang that funky music to the worried heart. It’s supposed to present the pure spiritual Emptiness that is the true nature of reality, and to directly communicate the inner experience of Dharmakaya: the true self of the Buddha present in all beings.

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Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 July 2017

Founded in Brilon, Germany, a small town some 90 miles north of Frankfurt, Audio Physic has for 30 years been earning accolades for producing high-quality, highly resolving loudspeakers under the slogan “No loss of fine detail.” More recently, AP’s reputation for quality, performance, and unique applications of loudspeaker design and materials has generated a lot of buzz on both sides of the pond -- in fact, their provocative products are one of the reasons I became a reviewer. So when I had the opportunity to review Audio Physics’ latest loudspeaker, the Codex, I jumped.

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Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 June 2017

It’s been almost a decade since my last review of Furutech products: their G-314AG-18 and Absolute Power-18 power cords. I noted then that Furutech tries to squeeze every last ounce of performance from its products, not only through the use of innovative technologies, but also with obsessive devotion to detail and build quality. It seems that no improvement in sound quality is too small to be worth achieving, and no product can be overbuilt.

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Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 June 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceVivid Audio’s chief designer-engineer is Laurence Dickie. You’ve probably heard of him -- many reviews of Vivid speakers mention Dickie in the context of the work he did at Bowers & Wilkins years ago. Remember the B&W Nautilus? That was Dickie’s project. Since 2004, Dickie has been designing the loudspeakers manufactured by Vivid Audio, which he co-owns with CEO Philip Guttentag. Vivid speakers are designed in the UK, where Dickie lives, and are made in South Africa, where Guttentag oversees the factory.

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Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter

Written by: Vade Forrester
Created: 15 May 2017

In March 2011, I reviewed Audio Research’s DAC8 DAC on SoundStage! Hi-Fi, which used a now-ubiquitous asynchronous USB 2.0 input to play files of sampling rates higher than 96kHz. For a conservative company like ARC, that feature was somewhat innovative, it having only recently emerged as the sonically preferable way to play recordings at what was then the highest resolution available: 24-bit/192kHz. That was before files with such exotic initials as DSD, DXD, and MQA appeared. The DAC9 is ARC’s first standalone, popular-level DAC since 2010 -- in DAC years, an eternity -- and, like most DACs, it doesn’t include the latest development in digital audio playback: the ability to decode Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files. It can, however, play DSD files; previously, the only ARC component that could do that was the GSi75 integrated amplifier.

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Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers

Written by: Peter Roth
Created: 01 May 2017

Reviewers' Choice“Arguably, in the last few years, the most competitive segment of the ultra-high-end speaker market has been models retailing for $50,000 to $70,000/pair. This price range includes such prominent models as Wilson Audio Specialties’ Alexia ($52,000/pair), Magico’s S7 ($58,000/pair), and Vivid Audio’s Giya G1 ($68,000/pair), to name just a few. In short, there are lots of tough competitors.”

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JPlay JCAT USB Card and USB Isolator

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 April 2017

A few years ago, I fell in with a bad audiophile crowd -- hardcore computer-audio enthusiasts who ran high-end DIY music servers. Using up to three component cases, these servers featured specially made or modified parts and performance-enhancing software like AudiophileOptimizer, Bughead Emperor, and Fidelizer.

Read more …

  1. Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
  2. Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
  3. Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
  4. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack
  5. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  6. Magico MPod Support System
  7. Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier
  8. Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner
  9. van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge
  10. Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  11. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner
  12. Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers
  13. High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate Digital Link, Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords
  14. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  15. Constellation Audio Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Amplifier
  16. Kharma Elegance dB9-S Loudspeakers
  17. Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  18. Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage
  19. fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators
  20. Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier
  21. Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier
  22. YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier
  23. Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  24. Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  25. Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables
  26. Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  27. Zanden Audio Systems AT-1 Acoustic Tubes and AP-1 Acoustic Panels
  28. Rockport Technologies Cygnus Loudspeakers
  29. Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  30. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  31. Stanford Research Systems PERF10 Rubidium Audio Clock
  32. Wadia di322 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  33. Reference 3A Nefes Loudspeakers
  34. Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  35. Nordost Norse 2 Tyr 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  36. Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty Mono Amplifiers
  37. Aqua - Acoustic Quality La Voce S2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  38. Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  39. Highend-AudioPC AudiophileOptimizer Computer Audio Software
  40. Soulution 711 Stereo Amplifier
  41. Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
  42. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  43. AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet Cable
  44. Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo Loudspeakers
  45. Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  46. Bryston Middle T Loudspeakers
  47. Vienna Acoustics Imperial Liszt Loudspeakers
  48. Exogal Comet Digital-to-Analog Converter
  49. NAD Masters Series M22 Stereo Amplifier and M12 Preamplifier-DAC
  50. Ascendo C6 Loudspeakers
  51. Hegel Music Systems HD12 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  52. Esoteric Grandioso P1 SACD/CD Transport, Grandioso D1 Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters, and G-01 Master Clock Generator
  53. Blue Circle Audio BC60X1 Power Conditioner
  54. Octave Audio V 110 Integrated Amplifier
  55. JL Audio CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover
  56. fo.Q Damping Products and AB-4045 Audio Board Isolation Platform
  57. Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  58. Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier
  59. Triangle Magellan Cello Loudspeakers
  60. Audience Au24 SE powerChords, Interconnects, and Speaker Cables
  61. Zanden Audio Systems 120 Phono Stage
  62. Grimm Audio LS1 Loudspeakers and LS1s Subwoofers
  63. Aurender W20 Music Server
  64. Transfiguration Phoenix S Phono Cartridge
  65. M2Tech Young DSD Digital-to-Analog Converter
  66. Audio Research SP20 Preamplifier
  67. Magico S3 Loudspeakers
  68. Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer (HFT) and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) Room Treatments and XOT Crossover Transducer
  69. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  70. Resonessence Labs Invicta Mirus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  71. Vivid Audio Giya G4 Loudspeakers
  72. Aurender X100L Music Server
  73. Sonus Faber Olympica I Loudspeakers
  74. Clarity Cable Organic Speaker Cables, Interconnects, Digital Interconnect, and Vortex Power Cord
  75. EgglestonWorks Nine Signature Loudspeakers
  76. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB Cable
  77. David Berning Company ZH-230 Stereo Amplifier
  78. Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  79. Vivid Audio Oval V1.5 Loudspeakers
  80. Daedalus Audio Argos v.2 Loudspeakers
  81. Octave Audio V 70 SE Integrated Amplifier
  82. KR Audio VA910 Mono Amplifiers
  83. T+A Criterion TCD 110 S Loudspeakers
  84. Birch Acoustics Raven Loudspeakers
  85. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 Loudspeakers
  86. Essential Sound Products Essence Reference-II Power Cords and Reference-II Power Distributor
  87. JE Audio Dyad S400 Stereo Amplifier
  88. Dynamique Audio Celestial Speaker Cables, Zenith Interconnects, Firelight USB, and Infinite Power Cables
  89. Music Culture Elegance MC 501A CD Player-DAC
  90. KR Audio VA340 Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
  91. PMC IB2i Loudspeakers
  92. Cabasse Pacific 3 Loudspeakers
  93. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Loudspeakers
  94. Hegel Music Systems HD25 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  95. EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  96. Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport and D-02 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  97. Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  98. PBN Audio Scan-Speak B741 Loudspeakers
  99. Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
  100. Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
  101. First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
  102. Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  103. Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
  104. SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
  105. Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
  106. Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  107. Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
  108. Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
  109. YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
  110. Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
  111. Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
  112. Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  113. Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  114. Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
  115. EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
  116. AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
  117. Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
  118. Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
  119. NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  120. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TS Power Conditioner
  121. EAR MC 4 Step-Up Transformer
  122. PBN Audio Montana InnerChoic Liberty Loudspeakers
  123. Simple Design Sonore Music Server
  124. Herron Audio VTSP-3A Preamplifier
  125. Copland CDA825 CD Player
  126. TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 Tonearm
  127. Artisan Silver MC Phono Stage
  128. MSB Technology Universal Media Transport
  129. Well Tempered Lab Amadeus Turntable
  130. Purity Audio Design Purity Reference Preamplifier
  131. Silverline Audio Sonatina Mk.IV Loudspeakers
  132. Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  133. Coda Technologies 15.0 Stereo Amplifier
  134. LessLoss Firewall Power Conditioner and DFPC Signature Power Cable
  135. Miyajima Laboratory Premium BE Mono Cartridge
  136. Magnum Dynalab MD 309 Integrated Amplifier
  137. Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  138. VAC Phi 200 Stereo Amplifier
  139. Ortofon Cadenza Mono Phono Cartridge
  140. Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
  141. YG Acoustics Carmel Loudspeakers
  142. Atma-Sphere Music Amplifier M-60 Mk.3.1 Mono Amplifiers
  143. AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
  144. Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  145. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier and MX-R Mono Amplifiers
  146. Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
  147. Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect and Speaker Cells, and Mini Power Couplers
  148. VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
  149. Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE DAC and Reference Drive II CD Transport
  150. Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
  151. EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier

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210x600 T+A R Criterion S (20240601)
Dynaudio Contour 20BE
Simaudio
Simaudio
Vitus Audio
Vitus Audio

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