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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.

Esoteric K-05X SACD/CD Player/DAC

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 July 2017

In Japan, the branch of esoteric Buddhism called Shingon (“the true words”) practices Goma, an intricate ritual of consecrated fire dedicated to destroying negative energies, detrimental thoughts and desires, and impure variations of the true words of this spiritual discipline. The flames of the Goma can reach several yards high, and this miraculous fire, combined with mass chanting from the assembled priests and accompanied by the pounding of huge taiko drums, can induce a sublime, trance-like state that’s said to heal the sick, summon rain, improve harvests, exorcise demons, avert natural disasters, and just brang that funky music to the worried heart. It’s supposed to present the pure spiritual Emptiness that is the true nature of reality, and to directly communicate the inner experience of Dharmakaya: the true self of the Buddha present in all beings.

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Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 July 2017

Founded in Brilon, Germany, a small town some 90 miles north of Frankfurt, Audio Physic has for 30 years been earning accolades for producing high-quality, highly resolving loudspeakers under the slogan “No loss of fine detail.” More recently, AP’s reputation for quality, performance, and unique applications of loudspeaker design and materials has generated a lot of buzz on both sides of the pond -- in fact, their provocative products are one of the reasons I became a reviewer. So when I had the opportunity to review Audio Physics’ latest loudspeaker, the Codex, I jumped.

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Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 June 2017

It’s been almost a decade since my last review of Furutech products: their G-314AG-18 and Absolute Power-18 power cords. I noted then that Furutech tries to squeeze every last ounce of performance from its products, not only through the use of innovative technologies, but also with obsessive devotion to detail and build quality. It seems that no improvement in sound quality is too small to be worth achieving, and no product can be overbuilt.

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Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 June 2017

Reviewers' ChoiceVivid Audio’s chief designer-engineer is Laurence Dickie. You’ve probably heard of him -- many reviews of Vivid speakers mention Dickie in the context of the work he did at Bowers & Wilkins years ago. Remember the B&W Nautilus? That was Dickie’s project. Since 2004, Dickie has been designing the loudspeakers manufactured by Vivid Audio, which he co-owns with CEO Philip Guttentag. Vivid speakers are designed in the UK, where Dickie lives, and are made in South Africa, where Guttentag oversees the factory.

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Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter

Written by: Vade Forrester
Created: 15 May 2017

In March 2011, I reviewed Audio Research’s DAC8 DAC on SoundStage! Hi-Fi, which used a now-ubiquitous asynchronous USB 2.0 input to play files of sampling rates higher than 96kHz. For a conservative company like ARC, that feature was somewhat innovative, it having only recently emerged as the sonically preferable way to play recordings at what was then the highest resolution available: 24-bit/192kHz. That was before files with such exotic initials as DSD, DXD, and MQA appeared. The DAC9 is ARC’s first standalone, popular-level DAC since 2010 -- in DAC years, an eternity -- and, like most DACs, it doesn’t include the latest development in digital audio playback: the ability to decode Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files. It can, however, play DSD files; previously, the only ARC component that could do that was the GSi75 integrated amplifier.

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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.”

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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.

Read more …

  1. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack
  2. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  3. Magico MPod Support System
  4. Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier
  5. Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner
  6. van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge
  7. Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  8. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner
  9. Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers
  10. High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate Digital Link, Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords
  11. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  12. Constellation Audio Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Amplifier
  13. Kharma Elegance dB9-S Loudspeakers
  14. Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  15. Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage
  16. fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators
  17. Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier
  18. Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier
  19. YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier
  20. Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  21. Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  22. Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables
  23. Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  24. Zanden Audio Systems AT-1 Acoustic Tubes and AP-1 Acoustic Panels
  25. Rockport Technologies Cygnus Loudspeakers
  26. Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  27. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  28. Stanford Research Systems PERF10 Rubidium Audio Clock
  29. Wadia di322 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  30. Reference 3A Nefes Loudspeakers
  31. Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  32. Nordost Norse 2 Tyr 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  33. Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty Mono Amplifiers
  34. Aqua - Acoustic Quality La Voce S2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  35. Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  36. Highend-AudioPC AudiophileOptimizer Computer Audio Software
  37. Soulution 711 Stereo Amplifier
  38. Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
  39. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  40. AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet Cable
  41. Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo Loudspeakers
  42. Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  43. Bryston Middle T Loudspeakers
  44. Vienna Acoustics Imperial Liszt Loudspeakers
  45. Exogal Comet Digital-to-Analog Converter
  46. NAD Masters Series M22 Stereo Amplifier and M12 Preamplifier-DAC
  47. Ascendo C6 Loudspeakers
  48. Hegel Music Systems HD12 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  49. Esoteric Grandioso P1 SACD/CD Transport, Grandioso D1 Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters, and G-01 Master Clock Generator
  50. Blue Circle Audio BC60X1 Power Conditioner
  51. Octave Audio V 110 Integrated Amplifier
  52. JL Audio CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover
  53. fo.Q Damping Products and AB-4045 Audio Board Isolation Platform
  54. Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  55. Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier
  56. Triangle Magellan Cello Loudspeakers
  57. Audience Au24 SE powerChords, Interconnects, and Speaker Cables
  58. Zanden Audio Systems 120 Phono Stage
  59. Grimm Audio LS1 Loudspeakers and LS1s Subwoofers
  60. Aurender W20 Music Server
  61. Transfiguration Phoenix S Phono Cartridge
  62. M2Tech Young DSD Digital-to-Analog Converter
  63. Audio Research SP20 Preamplifier
  64. Magico S3 Loudspeakers
  65. Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer (HFT) and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) Room Treatments and XOT Crossover Transducer
  66. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  67. Resonessence Labs Invicta Mirus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  68. Vivid Audio Giya G4 Loudspeakers
  69. Aurender X100L Music Server
  70. Sonus Faber Olympica I Loudspeakers
  71. Clarity Cable Organic Speaker Cables, Interconnects, Digital Interconnect, and Vortex Power Cord
  72. EgglestonWorks Nine Signature Loudspeakers
  73. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB Cable
  74. David Berning Company ZH-230 Stereo Amplifier
  75. Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  76. Vivid Audio Oval V1.5 Loudspeakers
  77. Daedalus Audio Argos v.2 Loudspeakers
  78. Octave Audio V 70 SE Integrated Amplifier
  79. KR Audio VA910 Mono Amplifiers
  80. T+A Criterion TCD 110 S Loudspeakers
  81. Birch Acoustics Raven Loudspeakers
  82. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 Loudspeakers
  83. Essential Sound Products Essence Reference-II Power Cords and Reference-II Power Distributor
  84. JE Audio Dyad S400 Stereo Amplifier
  85. Dynamique Audio Celestial Speaker Cables, Zenith Interconnects, Firelight USB, and Infinite Power Cables
  86. Music Culture Elegance MC 501A CD Player-DAC
  87. KR Audio VA340 Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
  88. PMC IB2i Loudspeakers
  89. Cabasse Pacific 3 Loudspeakers
  90. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Loudspeakers
  91. Hegel Music Systems HD25 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  92. EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  93. Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport and D-02 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  94. Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  95. PBN Audio Scan-Speak B741 Loudspeakers
  96. Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
  97. Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
  98. First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
  99. Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  100. Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
  101. SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
  102. Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
  103. Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  104. Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
  105. Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
  106. YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
  107. Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
  108. Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
  109. Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  110. Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  111. Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
  112. EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
  113. AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
  114. Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
  115. Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
  116. NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  117. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TS Power Conditioner
  118. EAR MC 4 Step-Up Transformer
  119. PBN Audio Montana InnerChoic Liberty Loudspeakers
  120. Simple Design Sonore Music Server
  121. Herron Audio VTSP-3A Preamplifier
  122. Copland CDA825 CD Player
  123. TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 Tonearm
  124. Artisan Silver MC Phono Stage
  125. MSB Technology Universal Media Transport
  126. Well Tempered Lab Amadeus Turntable
  127. Purity Audio Design Purity Reference Preamplifier
  128. Silverline Audio Sonatina Mk.IV Loudspeakers
  129. Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  130. Coda Technologies 15.0 Stereo Amplifier
  131. LessLoss Firewall Power Conditioner and DFPC Signature Power Cable
  132. Miyajima Laboratory Premium BE Mono Cartridge
  133. Magnum Dynalab MD 309 Integrated Amplifier
  134. Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  135. VAC Phi 200 Stereo Amplifier
  136. Ortofon Cadenza Mono Phono Cartridge
  137. Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
  138. YG Acoustics Carmel Loudspeakers
  139. Atma-Sphere Music Amplifier M-60 Mk.3.1 Mono Amplifiers
  140. AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
  141. Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  142. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier and MX-R Mono Amplifiers
  143. Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
  144. Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect and Speaker Cells, and Mini Power Couplers
  145. VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
  146. Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE DAC and Reference Drive II CD Transport
  147. Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
  148. EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier

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

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