Post by Owen Y on Dec 18, 2019 17:47:16 GMT 12
These are John DARKO's choices:  ELAC Navis ARB-51 - standmount active loudspeakers - US$2000 (NZ$3999) " T he Navis ARB-51 (and the floorstanding ARF-51) straddle audiophile worlds old and new: notions of all-analogue purity and future-fi streaming. " " ...an active loudspeaker for streaming pragmatists and analogue-or-die idealists. "  NAD M10 - BluOS Streaming Amplifier - US$2750 (NZ$4999) " Smart industrial design that talks to the more forward-thinking audiophile. A pragmatist who wants good sound without the physical intrusion of separates but with 21st-Century touchscreen/smartphone smarts.. "
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Pundit
Post by cartridge on Dec 18, 2019 18:31:18 GMT 12
The Navis bookies are really quite good.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 19, 2019 11:08:29 GMT 12
An 'honourable mention' from DARKO: KLIPSCH RP-600M" This was the surprise of the year. " " The €500 RP-600M had wowed me with a dynamic thrill ride that you just don’t get from other two-way standmounts at their price point. Klipsch’s horn-loaded drivers whose higher efficiency brings with it broader amplifier agreeability cemented their standing as a must audition for anyone with modern music tastes (like my own). " 
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 21, 2019 14:54:04 GMT 12
DARKO's Products of the Decade 2010-2019:  Squeezebox Touch (no longer in production)  Raspberry Pi (US$45 2GB)  Audioquest Dragonfly (US$99 Black, US$199 Red, US$299 Cobalt)  Chord Mojo (US$399)  Roon (US$119 pa, US$699 lifetime membership)
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 28, 2019 20:12:15 GMT 12
NBT Studio's Jay (aka Soulsik) nominates his " 4 Best hifi Products I've heard in 2019 (that most people can afford)" (Video below.) A young guy who works at a 'high-end audio store' & his Youtube channel through-puts a lot of gear - in particular, gear that is 'affordable'. His comments may be broad & brief, but at least in a comparative sense & as practical advice, I think useful, especially for the performance-for-value conscious audiophile, young or older..  Another vote for the MAGNEPAN LRS - US$650 " A true audiophile speaker for US$650... an amazing deal! " " ... but you have to have quality amplification.. to make it sing. " " Soundstage, depth... an incredible experience. " " the mdrange is just next to none, the transparency, transients... the quickness in the bass, especially the midbass, is just to die for. "  TEKTON PENDRAGON - around US$1800 " Really, really hard to beat for the price. " " Punch & 'rumble' & a full spectrum of sound... a warm characteristic. " " An immersive experience, just outstanding. "  The BILLIE AMP (not yet reviewed) - US$1450 ? A tube-Class D hybrid integrated amp with DAC, phono, Bluetooth, headphone output. " Soundstage depth, width, layering... separation, sparkle... my god! "  HEGEL H190 - 150wpc integrated streaming amp with DAC - around US$4,000 " ... sounds better than separates, a really good all-rounder. " " a lot of punch, grip in the bottom end, midrange is just beautiful, high frequency is airy & extended... "
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 1, 2020 8:29:29 GMT 12
Steve Guttenberg THE AUDIOPHILIAC Best of 2019 - Interviews & Reviews:
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