The Absolute Sound Podcast

PSI Audio AVAA C214 Active Bass Traps Review

Tom Martin reviews the PSI Audio AAVA C214 Active Bass Traps, explaining the problems bass presents, contrasting the use of active and passive traps, comparing frequency responses and more...00:00-00:58 Overview of AVAA C214 00:58-5:42 What Problem Are We Trying to Solve?5:42-14:04 Sound Quality & Frequency Responses14:04-17:28 Usability & Value 17:28- Final Note4 Problems w/ Bass: https://youtu.be/L5IxPUpvCXg?si=mg4PXoKHDHvTwkOtNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comAbout Tom Martin:Tom is a long-time audiophile. He began his reviewing career after acquiring the The Absolute Sound magazine in 1997 and then hi-fi+ magazine in 2002. He has worked closely with Harry Pearson and Robert Harley at TAS and with Roy Gregory and Alan Sircom at hi-fi+. Since Tom and his teams expanded the TAS and Plus platforms in the digital domain, he has served as Chief Content Officer.What Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Air Force III Premium S Turntable | Michael Fremer Previews...

Michael Fremer is somewhat of a 'pro' regarding TechDAS' turntable line-up, having reviewed the Air Force I back in 2013 and today the III Premium S.00:00-02:07 Michael's Background w/ TechDAS02:07-04:12 Overview Air Force III04:12-8:39 Design & Build08:39-16:32 Playing a Record & Vaccuum Seal16:32-24:15 Listening Test: OMA K324:15- Listening Test: AF3 STracking Angle Links:Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/60545...Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracking_angleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackingangle/Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Theoretica Applied Physics BACCH4Mac Stereo Purifier Review

Tom Martin reviews the BACCH4Mac proprietary software which purports to return stereo sound to its original design and purpose; a type 3 product, and one of the most interesting breakthroughs in high-end audio of the last few years.Andy Quint’s Preview of BACCH SP: https://youtu.be/p0fGZnDIZ5k?si=Rhoc5SVhRtcM_0XqHow Tom set BACCH4Mac up: • BACCH4Mac is run on the "streamer" which is a MacMini.He runs ethernet from his router into a MacMini (M2).He runs a Roon Core on the MacMini,The Roon Core then feeds BACCH4Mac software, also on the MacMini.• From the MacMini's USB out data goes into a dCS DAC.• The dCS DAC feeds into Tom’s preamp• The preamp feeds power amps which drive speakers With this setup, Tom can run other digital sources without BACCH through the dCS . He can also run analog sources without BACCH via the preamp. It is possible to run analog and other digital sources (e.g. CD), through BACCH; he just didn't set it up that way so that he could do comparisons of BACCH to other sources without any BACCH touching the signal.00:00-02:09- Brief Summary of BACCH4Mac02:09-04:56 What is BACCH Processing?04:56-10:31 What Problem Are We Trying to Solve?10:31-17:14 Visualizing the Problem w/ Stereo17:14-32:34 Sound Quality of BACCH4Mac32:34- Conclusion & Final ThoughtsNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comAbout Tom Martin:Tom is a long-time audiophile. He began his reviewing career after acquiring the The Absolute Sound magazine in 1997 and then hi-fi+ magazine in 2002. He has worked closely with Harry Pearson and Robert Harley at TAS and with Roy Gregory and Alan Sircom at hi-fi+. Since Tom and his teams expanded the TAS and Plus platforms in the digital domain, he has served as Chief Content Officer.What Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Pro-Ject E1 Turntable Review | The Audio Belle Presents...

Cynthia Blakenship, AKA, The Audio Belle, reviews the Pro-Ject 1 turntable, its design, functionality, price point, and more...Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutes...Substack: theabsolutesound.substack.comWatch more Audio Belle: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdV67WU4ATUorEdts5HPE2Q About Cynthia Blankenship:Cynthia converted to audiophilism 5 years ago when she first heard a pair of Magnepan 3.3Rs playing Die Moldau from Smetana's Ma Vlast. The ensuing journey would have her be a recurring guest on the Audiophiliac's channel, a Magnepan 1.7i ad in The Absolute Sound magazine, and shadowing Alan Sircom of hi-fi+. With what began as a hobby with a focus on human interest stories, 5 years later she will now be delving into the world of audio gear reviews for The Absolute Sound, HiFi+, and her own channel @TheAudioBelle What Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

Rhino High Fidelity’s New Reissue of Television’s ”Marquee Moon” | Michael Fremer Reports...

From Fremer: Rhino's "High Fidelity" series released last week a reissue of Television's classic "Marquee Moon" cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, using the original analog master tape. The reissue sounds great! Far better than the original pressing in terms of bass response, transient clarity and all of the audiophile "check marks" but, I argue, it's not likely what Tom Verlaine intended at all! That's partly due to the fact that mastering engineer Kevin Gray was not familiar with the album or with the original pressing. The recording was produced at Phil Ramone's legendary A&R Studios ("Getz/Gilberto" and 100s of other great sounding records), engineered by the late Andy Johns, who surely knew how to record rock music, and mastered at Sterling Sound by (or so the credits read) Greg Calbi and Lee Hulko both of whom have incredible mastering resumes. So, I argue, the original did not sound as it did by accident! Watch the video! And for a truly remarkable essay about the album and punk rock generally (though "Marquee Moon" was not punk rock!) by Tracking Angle contributing writer Joe Washek here: https://trackingangle.com/features/to...Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

AVIDHIFI Volvere Turntable & Altus Tonearm Review | Complexity w/ a Purpose?

Newcomer to TAS' YouTube team, Chris Martens, reviews the Avid Volvere Turntable & Altus Tonearm. Tune in to learn more!00:00-03:52 Overview of Avid Volvere TT03:52-14:18 Design & Construction14:18-18:37 Altus Tonearm 18:37- Sound QualityNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

DragonFly DAC Cobalt Review | Impossible to Beat for Beginners?

Aaron Jenkins reviews the DragonFly Cobalt DAC. He talks the incredibly competitive price point, ease of use, sound quality, and more...00:00-00:51Introduction to DragonFly Cobalt00:51-03:28 What is a DAC?03:28-07:28 DragonFly Cobalt Overview07:28-12:34 Sound Quality 12:34- Quick Aside & SummaryTom's GoldenEar BRX Review: https://youtu.be/zbMFvtSMBZc?si=0j3dBdRw_bBZZr50Robert's DragonFly Red & Black Review: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audioquest-dragonfly-black-and-dragonfly-red-dacs/About Aaron Jenkins: After discovering high-end audio in the mid-2000s, Aaron got hooked when visiting the California Audio Show -- where he entered a ballroom expecting to see an opera singer he heard from the hallway and instead found a pair of YG Acoustics Anats. While he doesn't have the space (or budget!) for such mega speakers and their accompanying hardware, he's been trying ever since to re-create some of the magic of that experience in real-world rooms.Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWhat Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Burmester 101 Integrated Amplifier Review

Tom Martin reviews the the Burmester 101 integrated amplifier. He talks price point, features, and sound quality...Technics SU-G700M2 Review: https://youtu.be/f0iM7mwEC98?si=BLSBWIgp3AfNbr1qNAD M33 Streaming Amp Review: https://youtu.be/J8zrM1QVDxE?si=7Gy8OV7YwdSPjZ6ILuxman L-507z Review: https://youtu.be/fMAAxD2bQuc?si=BF_gTSMQRPDO70qwMagico A5 Loudspeaker Review: https://youtu.be/by4-JGTVn38?si=7XczijsfJ-Vd5-2100:00-01:58 The Punchline01:58-06:18 Overview of Burmester 10106:18-12:34 Sound Quality12:34- SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comAbout Tom Martin:Tom is a long-time audiophile. He began his reviewing career after acquiring the The Absolute Sound magazine in 1997 and then hi-fi+ magazine in 2002. He has worked closely with Harry Pearson and Robert Harley at TAS and with Roy Gregory and Alan Sircom at hi-fi+. Since Tom and his teams expanded the TAS and Plus platforms in the digital domain, he has served as Chief Content Officer.What Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

DS Audio DS 003 Optical Phono Cartridge Review | My Favorite Optical Cartridge...

Tom Martin reviews the DS Audio 003 Cartridge and Phonostage System. He talks its competitive price point, the nature of optical cartridges, and why the 003 is his current favorite cartridge. DS 003 Cartridge Price: $2500 USDDS 003 Phonostage Price: $3500 USD00:00-02:38 Overview of DS Audio 003 System02:38-11:09 Why Do You Want an Optical Cartridge?11:09-19:47 Sound QualityNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comAbout Tom Martin:Tom is a long-time audiophile. He began his reviewing career after acquiring the The Absolute Sound magazine in 1997 and then hi-fi+ magazine in 2002. He has worked closely with Harry Pearson and Robert Harley at TAS and with Roy Gregory and Alan Sircom at hi-fi+. Since Tom and his teams expanded the TAS and Plus platforms in the digital domain, he has served as Chief Content Officer.What Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge Review

Newcomer Adrian Alexander reviews the Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge. He shares his background with Hi-Fi, stops by Randy's Records, gives his impressions on Cadenza's sound quality, and even a mention of Ortofon's customer service.Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comAdrian's Reference Equipment: Mclntosh MC 462 Quad Balance Power AmplifierMclntosh C2600 Tube Pre-AmpEminent Technology LFT 8 SpeakersGustrad R26 Dac / StreamerSW-10 Audio File Ethernet SwitchPS Audio Power Plant 15VPI Scout Turn TableAudio Technica Turn TableHana Blue Umami Blue MC CartridgePS Audio Stellar Phono Pre AmpKirmuss Audio Record ClearerMorrow Speaker CablesMorrow XLR/ RCA Cables2-REL Ti Sub WoofersWhat Is The Absolute Sound?The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound