Neil Young: "Roxy: Tonight’s the Night Live"
- Written by: Joseph Taylor
- Category: Recording of the Month
Reprise 566051-1
Format: 2 LPs
Musical Performance: ****
Sound Quality: ***½
Overall Enjoyment: ****
Neil Young wrote and recorded Tonight’s the Night in the late summer of 1973, shortly after two close friends died of heroin overdoses. Danny Whitten had been a singer and the rhythm guitarist for Crazy Horse, Young’s backing band, and Bruce Berry was Young’s roadie and friend. Young’s studio recording of the previous year was Harvest, which was hugely popular and put him firmly in the mainstream. Tonight’s the Night was a more emotionally difficult album, sloppier in execution -- and one of his best.
Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier
- Written by: Aron Garrecht
- Category: Full-Length Reviews
For the past few months I’ve been evaluating two products from Balanced Audio Technology: the VK-53SE preamplifier and the subject of this review, the VK-255SE stereo power amplifier. The VK-255SE presents attractive measures of size, mass, gain, and power output for its asking price of $8995 USD, but would its impressive specifications result in equally impressive sound quality? I couldn’t wait to find out.
Jeff's New Temporary Audio System
- Written by: Jeff Fritz
- Category: Opinion
The T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV integrated amplifier was the last audio product to be reviewed in my Music Vault listening room. In fact, as you read this, the new owners of my old home have probably deconstructed the space formerly known as the Music Vault, and begun renovating it to make it theirs.
T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
- Written by: Jeff Fritz
- Category: Full-Length Reviews
The current popularity of the integrated amplifier is unquestioned. This component category has risen in the esteem of audiophiles over the last decade and more, even as it has grown in complexity. On average, integrated amps can now do more than ever before. In fact, if a 2018 integrated doesn’t have at least a built-in digital-to-analog converter, it breaks with current convention. Streaming options, onboard storage for music files, wireless connectivity -- these and more appear on the lists of features of many of today’s integrateds.
I Did Record Store Day
- Written by: Jason Thorpe
- Category: For the Record
It’s embarrassing for me to admit this, but adversity builds character: This year will mark my first participation in Record Store Day. There. I said it. While the idea of dragging buyers back to bricks-and-mortar stores to buy records, find community, and actually look each other in the eye is, in every respect, a great idea, and one that should be championed by all fans of vinyl, with me the concept has fallen flat. I’ve never been fond of crowds, and this event always made me think I’d have to line up in hopes of getting any of those limited editions.
Andy Sheppard Quartet: "Romaria"
- Written by: Joseph Taylor
- Category: Recording of the Month
ECM 2577 (578 6780)
Format: CD
ECM 2577 (6730185)
Format: Vinyl
Musical Performance: ****
Sound Quality: ****
Overall Enjoyment: ****
British saxophonist Andy Sheppard has recorded extensively as a sideman over the last 30 years, appearing on albums by Carla Bley, Gil Evans, Keith Tippett, and George Russell, among many others. He co-led three sessions with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow, and has released 14 recordings as a leader. Romaria, his newest, is his fourth for ECM. It’s his second outing with his current quartet, which comprises guitarist Eivind Aarset, double bassist Michel Benita, and drummer Sebastian Rochford. Their previous release, Surrounded by Sea (2015), also appeared on ECM.
Furutech NCF Booster Cable Holder
- Written by: Howard Kneller
- Category: Full-Length Reviews
I’ve said it before: No matter what type of audiophile you are, Furutech probably makes a product you’ve lusted after. In addition to power distributors and filters, and finished interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords, they make DIY bulk cables and component parts, and accessories that include the stainless-steel and silver-plated FI-50 NCF power-cord connectors, the Destat III Static Charge Eliminator for LPs and CDs, the DF-2 LP Flattener, Nano liquid contact enhancer and PC-α (Alpha) cleaning solution for CDs, the SK-III Electrostatic brush for discs and A/V gear, and a variety of AC outlets, cover plates, and fuses.
Jeff Buys a New (Used) Amp
- Written by: Jeff Fritz
- Category: Opinion
Last month I discussed how buying used audio gear can be a great option for any audiophile, even reviewers who have access to industry accommodation pricing (usually a discount of about 50%). This month, I put my money where my ears are.
I bought an amp.
Raidho Acoustics XT-5 Loudspeakers
- Written by: Jeff Fritz
- Category: Full-Length Reviews
Back in May 2012, I reviewed the Raidho C2.1, a smallish, three-driver, floorstanding loudspeaker from Denmark that retailed for $28,000 USD per pair. A lot has changed since then for the manufacturer of that speaker, Raidho Acoustics. The primary designer of the C2.1, Michael Børresen, has left the company to helm Aavik Acoustics along with his partner, Lars Kristensen. Aavik makes some very expensive amplifiers and a DAC-preamplifier.
GoGo Penguin: "A Humdrum Star"
- Written by: Joseph Taylor
- Category: Recording of the Month
Blue Note B0027806601
Format: LP (2)
Musical Performance: ****
Sound Quality: ****
Overall Enjoyment: ****
The jazz of GoGo Penguin, a trio based in Manchester, England, takes in all manner of influences, from electronica to the atmospheric rock of Radiohead. Hints of Brian Eno and of current minimalist composers, such as John Adams, also pop up, but this music isn’t slapdash or scattered. It has the improvisational excitement of jazz, while using carefully constructed themes and studio technology to create its sound. The group was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2014, and the following year signed with Blue Note France.
- Waversa Systems WDAC3 Mk.II Digital-to-Analog Converter
- Buying Used: An Option Even for Reviewers
- Rethm Maarga Loudspeakers
- I Love My Turntable
- Thomas Strønen/Time Is a Blind Guide: "Lucus"
- Audience Au24 SX powerChord Power Cord
- Lessons I've Learned
- McIntosh Laboratory MA9000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Marshall Crenshaw: "Field Day"
- VPI MW1 Cyclone Record-Cleaning Machine
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