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Vitus Audio
IsoAcoustics Reveal Every Detail
Dutch&Dutch - Distortion
Hegel

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This new site was launched in July 2010. Visit the older site to access previous articles by clicking above.

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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.

dCS Bartók Digital-to-Analog Converter

Written by: Hans Wetzel
Created: 01 August 2020

Reviewers' ChoiceI like to think I was ahead of the curve when, in mid-2009, I bought a Benchmark Media Systems DAC1 USB (discontinued) off a dude on Audiogon. That was in the infancy of high-end computer audio, and the well-regarded Benchmark was one of the first mainstream DACs with a USB input. My previous source had been a cheap Sony CD changer (don’t judge -- I was 23), and the Benchmark DAC offered a big step up in sound quality: that immaculate, analytical sound that digital sources of the aughts all seemed to possess. And at the DAC1 USB’s modest price of $1295 (all prices USD), that kind of sound made it a steal.

Read more …

EMM Labs DV2 DAC-Preamplifier

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 15 July 2020

Reviewers' ChoiceEMM Labs’ DV2 ($30,000 USD) digital-to-analog converter is the product of a three-way collaboration of Ed Meitner, EMM’s founder and chief designer, responsible for the DV2’s overall design, hardware, and layout; Mariusz Pawlicki, who engineered the DSP and firmware; and Kris Holstein, who designed the case and mechanics. The DV2 is based on the circuitry of EMM’s DA2 DAC ($25,000), but partners it with EMM’s VControl -- an all-new, very-high-resolution (50-bit), digital volume controller.

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Wells Audio Commander Level II Preamplifier

Written by: Jeff Sirody
Created: 01 July 2020

Reviewers' ChoiceMy chronic addiction to Audiophilia nervosa has lasted more than 30 years now, and in that time I’ve owned countless components. Family and friends often joke that I should install a loading dock outside my listening room, to ease the swapping of gear in and out. At one time or another I’ve owned products from almost every major maker of high-end audio equipment, and in some cases -- Conrad-Johnson, Magnepan, Mark Levinson, McIntosh Laboratory, etc. -- several of their current and past offerings.

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Audience frontRow Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 June 2020

Reviewers' Choice“Electrons don’t care what kind of wires they’re in,” an electronics engineer once said to me. He was being glib, but I knew him to be a serious man when it came to audio. He builds great tubed and solid-state gear and has good taste in music.

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McIntosh Laboratory C1100 Preamplifier

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 June 2020

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

McIntosh Laboratory is no stranger to that adage. Ever since its founding, in 1949, by Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow, the company has designed and made audio components oriented more toward those who prefer to buy such a product once or, at most, twice in a lifetime. For that, I applaud them. In this industry, sustainable and profitable rarely go together -- you’re far more likely to see an only slightly revised version of the same product offered every two or three years instead of every five to ten, or even only once every decade or two. This may be forgivable for products in the rapidly evolving digital categories of streamers, DACs, even AVRs -- but for analog gear, and especially amplifiers and preamplifiers, it’s seldom necessary.

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Xavian Electronics Classic Quarta Loudspeakers

Written by: Hans Wetzel
Created: 15 May 2020

Despite all evidence to the contrary, there might still be some trusting souls who imagine that all audio reviewers are consummate professionals so seasoned in the ways of audiophilia that mistakes aren’t just few and far between, but nonexistent; that their judgment, honed through years or even decades of experience, is infallible; that the process of sitting down to conduct some critical listening is highly ritualized, even sacred. Let’s imagine what that rite might look like:

Read more …

Estelon YB Loudspeakers

Written by: Jason Thorpe
Created: 01 May 2020

I do love an elegant-looking speaker. There’s something to be said for architectural grace. After all, accepting into your life and home a pair of full-size speakers is a serious commitment. The damn things have to sit there, damn near in the middle of your room. You have to stare at them as you’re listening. I could live with a pair of boxes made of MDF wrapped in vinyl, but I sure as hell would rather not.

Read more …

Simaudio Moon 700i v2 Integrated Amplifier

Written by: Hans Wetzel
Created: 15 April 2020

I grew up in a family that adhered to self-discipline, hard work, and frugality -- in short, to the Protestant work ethic, a phrase first coined and a concept first formulated, in 1904-1905, by German sociologist and philosopher Max Weber, who attributed to this ethic the rise of capitalism. So the idea of spending a lot of money on something for how it looks and feels, instead of for its main reason for being -- its utility -- gives me pause.

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Shunyata Research Hydra Alpha A12 Power Conditioner and Venom NR-V10 Power Cord

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 April 2020

Reviewers' ChoiceI go way back with Shunyata Research, and fondly remember the days of The World’s Best Audio System (TWBAS) events -- gatherings of manufacturers at my home for which I’d chosen and assembled into amazing systems the best audio components then available -- and the sense of discovery we all felt. My first TWBAS, in 2004, included products from Wilson Audio Specialties, EMM Labs, and Shunyata Research. TWBAS 2004 was a watershed for me -- at the time, it was, by far, the best sound I had ever attained in my home. Although that system’s sound would be greatly surpassed by subsequent TWBAS systems, the bar set by that first one was already very high. Shunyata was represented in TWBAS 2004 by their Hydra Model-8 power conditioner ($1995 at the time; all prices USD), various models of power cord from their Anaconda and Diamondback lines, and their Constellation Aries and Andromeda signal cables (these models were discontinued long ago; see archived articles for cable prices).

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Merrill Audio Jens Phono Stage

Written by: Jeff Sirody
Created: 15 March 2020

What most non-audiophiles say when they see my system for the first time -- after “Wow, those speakers are huge!” -- is this: “You still listen to records?” By which they mean vinyl LPs, their implication being digital playback formats are of course superior to analog, and that I should get with the times. As politely and non-condescendingly as I can, I try to explain that, in my opinion, the very best analog rigs reproduce recorded music with higher fidelity than the very best digital rigs. Their response is usually skeptical -- until I prove my point with a demonstration. Most doubters then become converts -- or at least feign agreement.

Read more …

  1. Gryphon Audio Designs Zena Preamplifier
  2. EgglestonWorks Nico Evolution Loudspeakers
  3. Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III Loudspeakers
  4. Audience Au24 SX Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  5. McIntosh Laboratory MC1.25KW Mono Amplifiers
  6. Sonus Faber Heritage Collection Electa Amator III Loudspeakers
  7. Rockport Technologies Avior II Loudspeakers
  8. Theoretica Applied Physics BACCH-SP adio 3D Sound Processor
  9. PMC Fact Fenestria Loudspeakers
  10. GigaWatt PC-4 Evo+ Power Conditioner
  11. Luxman D-380 CD Player
  12. SGR Audio Model III Symphony Equipment Rack
  13. TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeakers
  14. McIntosh Laboratory MT10 Turntable
  15. Magico A3 Loudspeakers
  16. Merrill Audio Element 118 Mono Amplifiers
  17. Valve Amplification Company Master Preamplifier
  18. Constellation Audio Revelation Andromeda Phono Stage
  19. Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier
  20. Essential Sound Products MusicCord Pro Power Cord
  21. Gryphon Audio Designs Mojo S Loudspeakers
  22. Synergistic Research Galileo SX Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and IFT Jumpers
  23. Auralic Vega G2 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  24. Cocktail Audio X45Pro Music Server-DAC
  25. Luxman L-509X Integrated Amplifier
  26. Vivid Audio Kaya 45 Loudspeakers
  27. Audio Research Reference 160M Mono Amplifiers
  28. Weiss Engineering DAC501 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  29. EgglestonWorks Kiva Loudspeakers
  30. VPI Prime Signature Turntable
  31. AVM Ovation SD 6.2 Preamplifier-DAC-Streamer
  32. Shunyata Research Hydra Typhon QR Power Distributor
  33. Burmester Ambience BA71 Loudspeakers
  34. GIK Acoustics 2A Alpha Diffusor/Absorber Acoustic Panel
  35. Linnenberg Elektronik Telemann DAC-Preamplifier
  36. Top Wing Blue Dragon Phono Cartridge
  37. Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers
  38. Synergistic Research SR25 Limited Edition Power Cord
  39. Balanced Audio Technology VK-53SE Preamplifier
  40. Sumiko Reference Starling Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
  41. Tidal Piano G2 Loudspeakers
  42. ZYX Ultimate 4D-X MC Phono Cartridge
  43. European Audio Team E-Glo S Phono Stage
  44. Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier
  45. T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
  46. Furutech NCF Booster Cable Holder
  47. Raidho Acoustics XT-5 Loudspeakers
  48. Waversa Systems WDAC3 Mk.II Digital-to-Analog Converter
  49. Rethm Maarga Loudspeakers
  50. Audience Au24 SX powerChord Power Cord
  51. McIntosh Laboratory MA9000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  52. VPI MW1 Cyclone Record-Cleaning Machine
  53. Esoteric Grandioso G1 Master Clock Generator
  54. Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable with 10cc Evolution Tonearm
  55. Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player-DAC
  56. Sonus Faber Homage Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
  57. TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeakers
  58. Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
  59. Dynaudio Contour 60 Loudspeakers
  60. VAC Signature 200iQ Stereo Amplifier
  61. Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers
  62. Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
  63. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier
  64. Esoteric K-05X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  65. Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers
  66. Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord
  67. Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers
  68. Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  69. Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers
  70. JPlay JCAT USB Card and USB Isolator
  71. Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
  72. Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
  73. Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
  74. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack
  75. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  76. Magico MPod Support System
  77. Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier
  78. Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner
  79. van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge
  80. Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  81. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner
  82. Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers
  83. High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate Digital Link, Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords
  84. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  85. Constellation Audio Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Amplifier
  86. Kharma Elegance dB9-S Loudspeakers
  87. Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  88. Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage
  89. fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators
  90. Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier
  91. Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier
  92. YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier
  93. Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  94. Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  95. Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables
  96. Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  97. Zanden Audio Systems AT-1 Acoustic Tubes and AP-1 Acoustic Panels
  98. Rockport Technologies Cygnus Loudspeakers
  99. Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  100. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  101. Stanford Research Systems PERF10 Rubidium Audio Clock
  102. Wadia di322 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  103. Reference 3A Nefes Loudspeakers
  104. Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  105. Nordost Norse 2 Tyr 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  106. Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty Mono Amplifiers
  107. Aqua - Acoustic Quality La Voce S2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  108. Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  109. Highend-AudioPC AudiophileOptimizer Computer Audio Software
  110. Soulution 711 Stereo Amplifier
  111. Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
  112. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  113. AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet Cable
  114. Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo Loudspeakers
  115. Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  116. Bryston Middle T Loudspeakers
  117. Vienna Acoustics Imperial Liszt Loudspeakers
  118. Exogal Comet Digital-to-Analog Converter
  119. NAD Masters Series M22 Stereo Amplifier and M12 Preamplifier-DAC
  120. Ascendo C6 Loudspeakers
  121. Hegel Music Systems HD12 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  122. Esoteric Grandioso P1 SACD/CD Transport, Grandioso D1 Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters, and G-01 Master Clock Generator
  123. Blue Circle Audio BC60X1 Power Conditioner
  124. Octave Audio V 110 Integrated Amplifier
  125. JL Audio CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover
  126. fo.Q Damping Products and AB-4045 Audio Board Isolation Platform
  127. Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  128. Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier
  129. Triangle Magellan Cello Loudspeakers
  130. Audience Au24 SE powerChords, Interconnects, and Speaker Cables
  131. Zanden Audio Systems 120 Phono Stage
  132. Grimm Audio LS1 Loudspeakers and LS1s Subwoofers
  133. Aurender W20 Music Server
  134. Transfiguration Phoenix S Phono Cartridge
  135. M2Tech Young DSD Digital-to-Analog Converter
  136. Audio Research SP20 Preamplifier
  137. Magico S3 Loudspeakers
  138. Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer (HFT) and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) Room Treatments and XOT Crossover Transducer
  139. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  140. Resonessence Labs Invicta Mirus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  141. Vivid Audio Giya G4 Loudspeakers
  142. Aurender X100L Music Server
  143. Sonus Faber Olympica I Loudspeakers
  144. Clarity Cable Organic Speaker Cables, Interconnects, Digital Interconnect, and Vortex Power Cord
  145. EgglestonWorks Nine Signature Loudspeakers
  146. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB Cable
  147. David Berning Company ZH-230 Stereo Amplifier
  148. Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  149. Vivid Audio Oval V1.5 Loudspeakers
  150. Daedalus Audio Argos v.2 Loudspeakers
  151. Octave Audio V 70 SE Integrated Amplifier
  152. KR Audio VA910 Mono Amplifiers
  153. T+A Criterion TCD 110 S Loudspeakers
  154. Birch Acoustics Raven Loudspeakers
  155. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 Loudspeakers
  156. Essential Sound Products Essence Reference-II Power Cords and Reference-II Power Distributor
  157. JE Audio Dyad S400 Stereo Amplifier
  158. Dynamique Audio Celestial Speaker Cables, Zenith Interconnects, Firelight USB, and Infinite Power Cables
  159. Music Culture Elegance MC 501A CD Player-DAC
  160. KR Audio VA340 Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
  161. PMC IB2i Loudspeakers
  162. Cabasse Pacific 3 Loudspeakers
  163. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Loudspeakers
  164. Hegel Music Systems HD25 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  165. EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  166. Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport and D-02 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  167. Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  168. PBN Audio Scan-Speak B741 Loudspeakers
  169. Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
  170. Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
  171. First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
  172. Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  173. Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
  174. SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
  175. Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
  176. Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  177. Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
  178. Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
  179. YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
  180. Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
  181. Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
  182. Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  183. Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  184. Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
  185. EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
  186. AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
  187. Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
  188. Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
  189. NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  190. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TS Power Conditioner
  191. EAR MC 4 Step-Up Transformer
  192. PBN Audio Montana InnerChoic Liberty Loudspeakers
  193. Simple Design Sonore Music Server
  194. Herron Audio VTSP-3A Preamplifier
  195. Copland CDA825 CD Player
  196. TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 Tonearm
  197. Artisan Silver MC Phono Stage
  198. MSB Technology Universal Media Transport
  199. Well Tempered Lab Amadeus Turntable
  200. Purity Audio Design Purity Reference Preamplifier
  201. Silverline Audio Sonatina Mk.IV Loudspeakers
  202. Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  203. Coda Technologies 15.0 Stereo Amplifier
  204. LessLoss Firewall Power Conditioner and DFPC Signature Power Cable
  205. Miyajima Laboratory Premium BE Mono Cartridge
  206. Magnum Dynalab MD 309 Integrated Amplifier
  207. Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  208. VAC Phi 200 Stereo Amplifier
  209. Ortofon Cadenza Mono Phono Cartridge
  210. Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
  211. YG Acoustics Carmel Loudspeakers
  212. Atma-Sphere Music Amplifier M-60 Mk.3.1 Mono Amplifiers
  213. AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
  214. Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  215. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier and MX-R Mono Amplifiers
  216. Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
  217. Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect and Speaker Cells, and Mini Power Couplers
  218. VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
  219. Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE DAC and Reference Drive II CD Transport
  220. Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
  221. EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier

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210x600 T+A R Criterion S (20240601)
Gryphon Audio Essence
 Electrocompaniet - AW300M
Dynaudio Contour 20BE
Vitus Audio
Vitus Audio

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