The Absolute Sound Podcast

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

GoldenEar T66 Loudspeaker Review | The Audio Belle

Cynthia, AKA @TheAudioBelle , reviews the first loudspeaker in GoldenEar's T series. She talks aesthetics, sound quality, its remarkable ability in recreating a live orchestra, and its A+ "wife acceptance factor"...Listen in to learn more!Watch more Audio Belle: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheAudioBelle00:00-1:08 First Thoughts 1:08-3:45 Aesthetics, Design, & Construction3:45-9:22 Cynthia's Subjective Review & System9:22-13:17 The T66's and "The Absolute Sound"13:17-19:11 Reproducing a Live Orchestra19:11- Final ThoughtsNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutes...Substack: theabsolutesound.substack.comAbout 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.#audiophile #theabsolutesound #hifi

2024 Recommended Products Under $1,000

Tom Martin reviews the last year's best hi-fi products under $1,000. Look for our upcoming videos exploring different price ranges. *Correct price of DragonFly Cobalt $199.9500:00-02:12 Introduction & Overview02:12-02:47 Sony MDR 750602:47-3:29 ATH-M50X3:29-4:16 Korf HS-A024:16-5:02 DragonFly Cobalt5:02-5:41 Fluance RT 815:41-6:26 AQ PowerQuest 3036:26-7:30 The Perfect Interface Carbon Mat7:30-8:23 Focal Bathys Headphones8:23-Magnepan LRS+Tune in to learn more!Sony MDR7506: https://youtu.be/f9_ocm2qrso?si=TZdi4mGqbo88UzciAudio Technica ATH-M50X: https://youtu.be/Zbae9IKIjAc?si=SCKrt2QZa2Eu3hKzDragonFly Cobalt: https://youtu.be/d5XoTXklHNg?si=c8lShAlZ9DyWQ0NzFluance RT 81: https://youtu.be/QQIKjJJPglI?si=2fPNwJjG7LbuC73fAQ PowerQuest 303: https://youtu.be/QTxwFC3bNJk?si=lN2s4G5gxj0XjR_LFocal Bathys: https://youtu.be/uRstvDoorqk?si=XTf9SDIoRWu56poBMagnepan LRS+: https://youtu.be/Atvf5FmXm9s?si=UrjzeLf_HSIsUYdyNewsletter: 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

Synergistic Master and Purple Fuse Listening Tests

Newcomer to the TAS reviewing team Richard Drutman, shares his thoughts and experiences in listening to Synergistic Research's Master and Purple fuses.Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comWho is Richard Drutman? Richard is a NYC based film writer/director/editor at TriodePictures.com, creating films/spots for high profile clients including The World Trade Center, Oscar winning actors, renown artists and his own international festival shorts, recently screening at Cannes Short Film Corner. His passion for high quality audio has been a lifelong endeavor whether listening, mixing/recording in the studio or on location with his collection of mics from Neumann, Schoeps and AKG. He is currently in pre-production with the true crime thriller feature film, Heritance.Richard's System: -TAD CR-1 + Enigmacoustics supertweeters -Velodyne DD10plus subs on Sistrum stands, -Atma-Sphere MA1MKIII -PS Audio BHK300 monoblocksNOS Siemans CCA -Atma-sphere MP1 remote pre, TTW Momentus Supreme table on Herzan active vibration -Graham Phantom II, Soundsmith Strain Gauge SG400, -PS Audio Directream MKII/APS Transformers-AQ Niagara 7000-Iconoclast Gen 2 speaker/XLR cables, -Audioquest Hurricane & USB Diamond.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

Dali I0-12 Wireless Headphones Review | Tom Martin Reports...

Tom Martin reviews the impressively built and sonically pure Dali I0-12's.Newsletter: 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

2024 Recommended Products Over $10,000 | Tom Martin reports...

Tom Martin reviews the last year's best hi-fi products over $10,000. 2024 Recommended Products Between $1,000 and $10,000https://youtu.be/p2AgRNUdp7E2024 Recommended Products Under $1,000https://youtu.be/L0PUIWP_OxkBorreson X3 https://youtu.be/XD0ihyCGnmM?si=UUzG81Z4C7GlnUejYG Talus https://youtu.be/Ei43ROKKzWY?si=ZBR_btFOYuxDgPZ-J Sikora Max https://youtu.be/O9oA8chsfek?si=LWHzTuzKfj5p88TWAudio Research Reference 6SE Preamp https://youtu.be/kQn0CUBiWqA?si=NiH8oN_i9Tq6D8CLdCS Lina & MasterClock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqn1oCLG_G0&t=1455s&ab_channel=THEABSOLUTESOUNDLinkwitz LX521 https://youtu.be/7vF2r9PQ28o?si=QZJYkuKUEqMG6lpQMagico A5 https://youtu.be/by4-JGTVn38?si=-iw1D-5ax7vrEMZGPS Audio BHK https://youtu.be/-tX3gprOt14?si=IMdlGp71kK-a_rRRAudio Research 160MkII https://youtu.be/jNde_wqraEY?si=_uXWTy3hopBKNVXrBurmester BC150 https://youtu.be/i08JhdzvvRc?si=s0jwlNbrKbcb5QRFNewsletter: 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

NAD C 389 Hybrid DAC Amplifier Review | The Best All-In-One Amplifier?

Aaron Jenkins reviews the versatile, quiet, and powerful NAD C389.Tom's GoldenEar BRX Review: https://youtu.be/zbMFvtSMBZc?si=0j3dBdRw_bBZZr50About 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