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Vitus Audio
Vinnie Rossi Brama
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.

Dutch&Dutch - Unsurpassed
Gryphon Audio Essence
Wilson
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Wilson

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.

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.”

Read more …

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.

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Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 April 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceIn the audio industry, build quality isn’t just synonymous with how well a piece of equipment is assembled, nor is it a measure of how expensive the materials are which constitute the end product. A product’s build quality stems from its innate scientific fundamentals and resulting design, into which are incorporated quality materials and refined assembly processes, to produce a component of high quality and high performance. Build quality is something British speaker manufacturer Monitor Audio takes very seriously, as evidenced by the many successful products they’ve produced since their founding, in 1972.

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Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro

Written by: Tom Mathew
Created: 15 March 2017

When I first started collecting LPs, in the mid-1970s, my record cleaner of choice comprised a liquid and brush made by Discwasher. I would place an LP on my Philips GA312 turntable, and apply to it a few drops of the solution in a straight line, from lead-in groove to lead-out groove. Keeping the platter immobile with one hand and holding the brush in the other, I’d then sweep the brush around the record three times counterclockwise -- and my worn copy of Tattoo You would be good to go.

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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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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

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

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