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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.

Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 March 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceWho knows why we become enamored of certain material things? A particular automobile may “speak” to us on some level even before we drive it. We know it’s the right SUV for us because, mysteriously, it aligns with our views on, well, SUVs. And often, when you finally get behind the wheel, the act of actually driving it for the first time becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. And you buy it.

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Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 February 2017

Selecting an audiophile equipment rack can be unnerving. Rack makers rarely agree on anything, and almost all assert that their chosen design is the best. Look, for example, at the bewildering number of construction materials used: aluminum, acrylic, carbon fiber, ceramics, glass, granite, steel, and untold numbers of woods, common and exotic, solid and composite -- to name just a few.

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Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers

Written by: Jason Thorpe
Created: 01 February 2017

I reviewed the Focus Audio Liszt Sonata integrated amplifier in April 2013 on SoundStage! Hi-Fi. To say that I was enamored of it would be an understatement. And just in case anyone hadn’t got the message, I followed up that review with an article that stated just how well suited the Liszt Sonata was to my specific musical tastes.

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Magico MPod Support System

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 January 2017

I’ve never been into tweaks. The thought of spending hour after hour replacing the supports of components or speakers with this footer and that, then straining to hear a difference, sounds worse to me than sitting in a bare room watching paint dry. I just can’t bring myself to do it. Heck, it’s been years since I reviewed even a cable. I prefer the meat and potatoes of audio reviewing: amps, speakers, and a source component here and there. The only tweaking I do -- and I don’t really consider it tweaking in the tweakiest audiophile sense -- is to fine-tune the positions of speakers, and micro-optimize the acoustic properties of my listening space, the Music Vault. I’ve found that both can lead to clear improvements in sound.

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Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier

Written by: Vade Forrester
Created: 15 December 2016

In February 2014, when I reviewed the David Berning Company’s ZH-230 power amplifier for SoundStage! Ultra, I instantly fell in love with it. Its sound consigned to the scrap heap -- or at least to the closet -- every other amplifier I’d tried in my system. This tubed design eschewed the output transformers used in virtually every other tube amplifier in the world, and which are responsible for lots of sonic problems. Everyone who heard it agreed that the sound was just splendid, and its 30Wpc easily drove my sensitive horn speakers.

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Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 01 December 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceIn 2003, I asked a representative from Synergistic Research why, unlike many other cable manufacturers, the company didn’t make a power conditioner. The rep stated that, despite Synergistic’s many models of interconnect, speaker cable, and power cord, head designer Ted Denney had yet to discover a power-conditioning technology he thought worth developing. According to the rep, only when Denney had found something that he thought would move the field forward would he put the Synergistic name on it.

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van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge

Written by: Tom Mathew
Created: 15 November 2016

Just before he left for college, my son turned me on to a TV show that’s become my new binge-watching passion. Netflix’s Chef’s Table is a visual and gustatory feast, and the first episode introduced me to the culinary talents of Massimo Bottura, chef of the three-Michelin-star Osteria Francescana, in Modena, Italy. On the short list of objects in my house that are getting or have gotten better with age are a 1989 bottle of Krug Champagne, my cast-iron frying pan, my wife’s red hair, and a bottle of Manodori -- Bottura’s meticulously crafted, perfectly aged balsamic vinegar. Drizzled over risotto, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, arugula, or fresh-picked berries, Manodori’s complex, multilayered taste is a perfect example of how well certain things in life can age.

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Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 November 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceAudiophiles can instantly tell the difference between a traditional high-end component and a “lifestyle” product. It’s either one or the other, and until recently, their paths did not intersect. In fact, the death knell for a new product’s credibility in the audiophile community was rung as soon as the word lifestyle appeared anywhere in its vicinity.

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Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 October 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceWhat is the true foundation of a seriously good audio system? I’ve heard very knowing people say that speakers set the character of the sound. Others argue that the amplifier is the key, as its power range and operating characteristics might also determine everything else. But, to more than a few, the true heart of any audio system is the preamp. Finally, there are those who insist that it’s source equipment -- the turntable, tonearm, and cartridge, or the digital player and/or DAC -- that determines each of our stereophonic fates. Yet before any of these essential components can contribute anything to the audio chain, it’s the power we get from our wall outlets that drives all else. No matter the quality and prowess of our vaunted audio purchases, saith a happy few, we won’t be able to realize the full capabilities of any of them without clean, reliable electricity.

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Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers

Written by: Roger Kanno
Created: 01 October 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceWhen the SoundStage! Network’s Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Fritz, asked if I’d be interested in reviewing a speaker from Audio Physic, I knew little about the German company other than that they’d been around for a while and had produced some highly regarded loudspeakers. I typically review more modestly priced speakers, primarily from North American manufacturers. And while I knew that Audio Physic was well established, I hadn’t known that they’ve been around long enough to have celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2015.

Read more …

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

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210x600 T+A R Criterion S (20240601)
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