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Vitus Audio
Estelon
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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.

Focal Diablo Utopia Colour Evo Loudspeakers

Written by: Hans Wetzel
Created: 15 September 2020

I don’t like the idea of meeting my heroes. The athlete likely takes performance-enhancing drugs and womanizes. The inspired yet tortured artist’s genius no doubt springs from a lifetime of trauma, haphazardly managed through substance abuse. And the stunning object -- a car, watch, loudspeaker -- is ultimately only that: an object, a thing, designed and made by beings as imperfect as you and I. The more I obsess about these people and things, the greater the expectation, and ultimately the greater the disappointment.

Read more …

Gryphon Audio Designs Essence Stereo Amplifier

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 September 2020

It’s easy for reviewers to digest a company’s products by starting at the bottom of a manufacturer’s line and working their way up to the top models. You’re initiated into what that company can do at a lower price, and hopefully you see and hear more and better as you ascend their price ladder. It seems to make psychological sense to experience a company’s line this way, and it often works out just as you’d hope: the higher the price, the better the qualities of build, appearance, and sound.

Read more …

Constellation Audio Inspiration Integrated 1.0 Integrated Amplifier

Written by: Hans Wetzel
Created: 15 August 2020

Few spirited e-mail threads are exchanged among the SoundStage! Network’s editorial staff. With so many articles coming out each month that need eyes on them to ensure that they’re squeaky clean for your reading pleasure, I find myself weighing in only when I spot something amiss, or I see a chance to lob a snarky remark at the infallible Jeff Fritz or the Napoleonic Doug Schneider. Recently, however, an objectivist/subjectivist discussion broke out that prominently featured the topic of “bias.” No matter where you are on that continuum, bias is of course unavoidable, and to suggest otherwise would be ignorant.

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Plinius Reference A-150 Stereo/Mono Amplifier

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 August 2020

I’m not a member of the Everything Matters camp. I won’t list here all the things audiophiles do to alter the sound of their systems, but suffice it to say that I don’t spend hour after hour comparing footers or cable elevators in attempts to season the sound of my stereo to suit my palate. But most things, of course, do matter, and that’s where I focus my attention.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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.

Read more …

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 …

  1. Estelon YB Loudspeakers
  2. Simaudio Moon 700i v2 Integrated Amplifier
  3. Shunyata Research Hydra Alpha A12 Power Conditioner and Venom NR-V10 Power Cord
  4. Merrill Audio Jens Phono Stage
  5. Gryphon Audio Designs Zena Preamplifier
  6. EgglestonWorks Nico Evolution Loudspeakers
  7. Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III Loudspeakers
  8. Audience Au24 SX Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  9. McIntosh Laboratory MC1.25KW Mono Amplifiers
  10. Sonus Faber Heritage Collection Electa Amator III Loudspeakers
  11. Rockport Technologies Avior II Loudspeakers
  12. Theoretica Applied Physics BACCH-SP adio 3D Sound Processor
  13. PMC Fact Fenestria Loudspeakers
  14. GigaWatt PC-4 Evo+ Power Conditioner
  15. Luxman D-380 CD Player
  16. SGR Audio Model III Symphony Equipment Rack
  17. TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeakers
  18. McIntosh Laboratory MT10 Turntable
  19. Magico A3 Loudspeakers
  20. Merrill Audio Element 118 Mono Amplifiers
  21. Valve Amplification Company Master Preamplifier
  22. Constellation Audio Revelation Andromeda Phono Stage
  23. Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier
  24. Essential Sound Products MusicCord Pro Power Cord
  25. Gryphon Audio Designs Mojo S Loudspeakers
  26. Synergistic Research Galileo SX Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and IFT Jumpers
  27. Auralic Vega G2 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  28. Cocktail Audio X45Pro Music Server-DAC
  29. Luxman L-509X Integrated Amplifier
  30. Vivid Audio Kaya 45 Loudspeakers
  31. Audio Research Reference 160M Mono Amplifiers
  32. Weiss Engineering DAC501 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  33. EgglestonWorks Kiva Loudspeakers
  34. VPI Prime Signature Turntable
  35. AVM Ovation SD 6.2 Preamplifier-DAC-Streamer
  36. Shunyata Research Hydra Typhon QR Power Distributor
  37. Burmester Ambience BA71 Loudspeakers
  38. GIK Acoustics 2A Alpha Diffusor/Absorber Acoustic Panel
  39. Linnenberg Elektronik Telemann DAC-Preamplifier
  40. Top Wing Blue Dragon Phono Cartridge
  41. Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers
  42. Synergistic Research SR25 Limited Edition Power Cord
  43. Balanced Audio Technology VK-53SE Preamplifier
  44. Sumiko Reference Starling Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
  45. Tidal Piano G2 Loudspeakers
  46. ZYX Ultimate 4D-X MC Phono Cartridge
  47. European Audio Team E-Glo S Phono Stage
  48. Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier
  49. T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
  50. Furutech NCF Booster Cable Holder
  51. Raidho Acoustics XT-5 Loudspeakers
  52. Waversa Systems WDAC3 Mk.II Digital-to-Analog Converter
  53. Rethm Maarga Loudspeakers
  54. Audience Au24 SX powerChord Power Cord
  55. McIntosh Laboratory MA9000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  56. VPI MW1 Cyclone Record-Cleaning Machine
  57. Esoteric Grandioso G1 Master Clock Generator
  58. Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable with 10cc Evolution Tonearm
  59. Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player-DAC
  60. Sonus Faber Homage Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
  61. TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeakers
  62. Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
  63. Dynaudio Contour 60 Loudspeakers
  64. VAC Signature 200iQ Stereo Amplifier
  65. Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers
  66. Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
  67. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier
  68. Esoteric K-05X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  69. Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers
  70. Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord
  71. Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers
  72. Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  73. Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers
  74. JPlay JCAT USB Card and USB Isolator
  75. Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
  76. Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
  77. Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
  78. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack
  79. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  80. Magico MPod Support System
  81. Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier
  82. Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner
  83. van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge
  84. Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  85. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner
  86. Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers
  87. High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate Digital Link, Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords
  88. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  89. Constellation Audio Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Amplifier
  90. Kharma Elegance dB9-S Loudspeakers
  91. Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  92. Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage
  93. fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators
  94. Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier
  95. Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier
  96. YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier
  97. Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  98. Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  99. Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables
  100. Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  101. Zanden Audio Systems AT-1 Acoustic Tubes and AP-1 Acoustic Panels
  102. Rockport Technologies Cygnus Loudspeakers
  103. Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  104. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  105. Stanford Research Systems PERF10 Rubidium Audio Clock
  106. Wadia di322 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  107. Reference 3A Nefes Loudspeakers
  108. Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  109. Nordost Norse 2 Tyr 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  110. Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty Mono Amplifiers
  111. Aqua - Acoustic Quality La Voce S2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  112. Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  113. Highend-AudioPC AudiophileOptimizer Computer Audio Software
  114. Soulution 711 Stereo Amplifier
  115. Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
  116. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  117. AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet Cable
  118. Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo Loudspeakers
  119. Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  120. Bryston Middle T Loudspeakers
  121. Vienna Acoustics Imperial Liszt Loudspeakers
  122. Exogal Comet Digital-to-Analog Converter
  123. NAD Masters Series M22 Stereo Amplifier and M12 Preamplifier-DAC
  124. Ascendo C6 Loudspeakers
  125. Hegel Music Systems HD12 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  126. Esoteric Grandioso P1 SACD/CD Transport, Grandioso D1 Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters, and G-01 Master Clock Generator
  127. Blue Circle Audio BC60X1 Power Conditioner
  128. Octave Audio V 110 Integrated Amplifier
  129. JL Audio CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover
  130. fo.Q Damping Products and AB-4045 Audio Board Isolation Platform
  131. Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  132. Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier
  133. Triangle Magellan Cello Loudspeakers
  134. Audience Au24 SE powerChords, Interconnects, and Speaker Cables
  135. Zanden Audio Systems 120 Phono Stage
  136. Grimm Audio LS1 Loudspeakers and LS1s Subwoofers
  137. Aurender W20 Music Server
  138. Transfiguration Phoenix S Phono Cartridge
  139. M2Tech Young DSD Digital-to-Analog Converter
  140. Audio Research SP20 Preamplifier
  141. Magico S3 Loudspeakers
  142. Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer (HFT) and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) Room Treatments and XOT Crossover Transducer
  143. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  144. Resonessence Labs Invicta Mirus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  145. Vivid Audio Giya G4 Loudspeakers
  146. Aurender X100L Music Server
  147. Sonus Faber Olympica I Loudspeakers
  148. Clarity Cable Organic Speaker Cables, Interconnects, Digital Interconnect, and Vortex Power Cord
  149. EgglestonWorks Nine Signature Loudspeakers
  150. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB Cable
  151. David Berning Company ZH-230 Stereo Amplifier
  152. Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  153. Vivid Audio Oval V1.5 Loudspeakers
  154. Daedalus Audio Argos v.2 Loudspeakers
  155. Octave Audio V 70 SE Integrated Amplifier
  156. KR Audio VA910 Mono Amplifiers
  157. T+A Criterion TCD 110 S Loudspeakers
  158. Birch Acoustics Raven Loudspeakers
  159. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 Loudspeakers
  160. Essential Sound Products Essence Reference-II Power Cords and Reference-II Power Distributor
  161. JE Audio Dyad S400 Stereo Amplifier
  162. Dynamique Audio Celestial Speaker Cables, Zenith Interconnects, Firelight USB, and Infinite Power Cables
  163. Music Culture Elegance MC 501A CD Player-DAC
  164. KR Audio VA340 Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
  165. PMC IB2i Loudspeakers
  166. Cabasse Pacific 3 Loudspeakers
  167. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Loudspeakers
  168. Hegel Music Systems HD25 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  169. EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  170. Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport and D-02 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  171. Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  172. PBN Audio Scan-Speak B741 Loudspeakers
  173. Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
  174. Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
  175. First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
  176. Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  177. Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
  178. SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
  179. Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
  180. Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  181. Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
  182. Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
  183. YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
  184. Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
  185. Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
  186. Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  187. Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  188. Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
  189. EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
  190. AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
  191. Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
  192. Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
  193. NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  194. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TS Power Conditioner
  195. EAR MC 4 Step-Up Transformer
  196. PBN Audio Montana InnerChoic Liberty Loudspeakers
  197. Simple Design Sonore Music Server
  198. Herron Audio VTSP-3A Preamplifier
  199. Copland CDA825 CD Player
  200. TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 Tonearm
  201. Artisan Silver MC Phono Stage
  202. MSB Technology Universal Media Transport
  203. Well Tempered Lab Amadeus Turntable
  204. Purity Audio Design Purity Reference Preamplifier
  205. Silverline Audio Sonatina Mk.IV Loudspeakers
  206. Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  207. Coda Technologies 15.0 Stereo Amplifier
  208. LessLoss Firewall Power Conditioner and DFPC Signature Power Cable
  209. Miyajima Laboratory Premium BE Mono Cartridge
  210. Magnum Dynalab MD 309 Integrated Amplifier
  211. Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  212. VAC Phi 200 Stereo Amplifier
  213. Ortofon Cadenza Mono Phono Cartridge
  214. Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
  215. YG Acoustics Carmel Loudspeakers
  216. Atma-Sphere Music Amplifier M-60 Mk.3.1 Mono Amplifiers
  217. AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
  218. Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  219. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier and MX-R Mono Amplifiers
  220. Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
  221. Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect and Speaker Cells, and Mini Power Couplers
  222. VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
  223. Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE DAC and Reference Drive II CD Transport
  224. Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
  225. EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier

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210x600 T+A Solitaire P SE (20230726)
PMC Fenestria
Simaudio
Gryphon Audio StandArt
Vitus Audio
Vitus Audio

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