The Absolute Sound Podcast

Best Speakers $5k to $10k Series: MoFi Sourcepoint 888

DESCRIPTIONFor many people shopping in this price range, the Sourcepoint 888 is probably the speaker to get, or at least it should be on the short list. It may not be the speaker you think you want but hear me out and then decide. 00:00-01:00 Overview01:00-03:35 Sound Quality03:35 We want elevated Bass03:35-5:05 Sound Quality Music Examples05:05-06:55 Voicing06:55-09:49 SummaryNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom Martin’s Reference System:Aurender N200 ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerAudio Research Reference 6SE preampPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMBL N51 integrated amplifierMagico A5 speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorAVN Systems acoustic designRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Beats Studio Pro Wireless Review | John Quain Reports...

Introducing John Quain to the TAS reviewer team, with this first report on the Beats Studio Pro Wireless. While acknowledging the oft-reported features of the Beats line, John uncovers some novel features unique to the Studio Pro Wireless.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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

A Road Trip Interview | Michael Fremer & Musical Surroundings’ Garth Leerer

From Fremer: "Beginning in the late 70s/early 80s, Musical Surroundings' Garth Leerer has been an eye witness to and participant in the growth of high performance audio. I've known Garth for more than thirty years but mostly we're like two ships passing in the day and night at hi-fi show or I'm calling him about reviewing a piece of gear he's importing or representing.On the eve of Clearaudio's 45th anniversary party in Nuremberg, Germany in May of 2023 we had time for a longer talk and some of his experiences and the people he met and whose lives he influenced were pretty mind blowing so during our drive to Munich I asked if I could conduct a rolling interview and he kindly said "yes"."

Best Speakers $10k to $20k Series: Paradigm Persona 5F Review

DESCRIPTIONWhat do you do when you come across a speaker that is both deeply engrossing on Vaughn Williams’ orchestral Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and enthralling on Samantha Fish’s blues rocker Kill or Be Kind? My first thought was “buy it!” However, before we jump to hasty conclusions, let’s do a full review of the Paradigm Persona 5F speakers.00:00-:45 Intro 00:45-03:22 Overview03:25-10:31 Sound Quality10:31-14:00 Voicing 14:13- Summary Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom Martin’s Reference System:Aurender N200 ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerAudio Research Reference 6SE preampPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMBL N51 integrated amplifierMagico A5 speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorAVN Systems acoustic designRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Preview: Oneiros Acoustics speaker launch | Tom Martin reports...

DESCRIPTION Oneiros Acoustics is a new British loudspeaker company. They recently launched their flagship speaker with a special listening session at the Power Station recording studios in New York. We were in attendance to put together this report for the select few at whom this speaker is targeted. 00:00-01:30 Introducing the Oneiros speaker01:30-3:53 Overview3:53-03:39 Specs & Design03:39-6:36 Live Demo6:36-09:01 Listening Demo09:01 SummaryNewsletter: 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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Best Stereo Under $5k Series: Cabasse RIALTO Bookshelf Hi-Fi System

DESCRIPTION Where my time with the RIALTOs landed on the calendar got me thinking (my time with them spanned the onset of the holiday season, which included Thanksgiving).If – as an audiophile – you could identify with the Pilgrims - that is, as a puritan – you might just skip this review. These speakers are likely too much fun for you.This video is sponsored by: https://www.advanceparis.com/en/Playlist of mentioned tracks: https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/2673312500:00-00:51 Introducing the Cabasse RIALTO00:51-3:53 Overview3:53-7:47 Specs & Design7:47-9:46 Notes on Home Theatre Listening9:46-14:44 Sound Quality14:44- Is This For You?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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Best Speakers $5k-$10k Series: Acoustic Energy Corinium

The Acoustic Energy Corinium does much of what excellent speakers at 2 to 3 times the price try to do. In this review, I cover what that means, what you might get if you spent more, and also discuss why you might or might not want this sonic profile. That’s a lot, so let’s get going.This video is sponsored by: https://www.advanceparis.com/fr/The Perception and Measurement ofHeadphone Sound Quality: What Do Listeners Prefer? by Harman's Sean E Olive: https://acousticstoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Perception-and-Measurement-of-Headphone-Sound-Quality-What-Do-Listeners-Prefer-Sean-E.-Olive.pdfThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comTom Martin’s Reference System:Aurender N200 ServerRoon Nucleus serverMac Mini (M2) serverWiim Pro server/DACBluesound Node server/DACTopping D70 Pro DACdCS Lina DAC/Master clockBerkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input moduleJ Sikora Initial Max turntableTechnics SL-1210G turntableKuzma 4Point 9” armJ Sikora KV12 tone armDS Audio 003 cartridgeBenz Gullwing SLR cartridgeHana Umami Blue cartridgeHegel V10 phono preampMusical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preampDS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizerAudio Research Reference 6SE preampPS Audio BHK 600 mono power ampsMagico A5 speakersWireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cablesShunyata Omega digital cablesShunyata Venom power cables and directorRediacoustic diffusers and absorbersRediacoustic bass trapsSalamander racksSolidsteel Turntable rackWhat 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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Preview: Dali’s More Affordable Epikore Line Revealed

DESCRIPTIONWe recently travelled to Chicago for a preview of Dali’s newest Epikore speakers, the more affordable Epikore 9, Epikore 7 and Epikore 3. The new speakers follow last year’s release of the Epikore flagship, the Epikore 11, The technology on offer is impressive, and the prices are upper midrange, so we wanted to see if the tech of the new speakers paralleled the Epikore 11 and see if the sound of the new speakers hinted at that pedigree. Let’s check it out.To read the December 2024 issue of The Absolute Sound magazine with Andre Jennings review of the Epikore 11: https://theabsolutesound.zinioapps.com/publications/the-absolute-sound/issues/39073Sponsored by: https://www.metronome.audio/?lang=enNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Best Headphone Amps Series: Pass Labs HPA-1 Review

DESCRIPTION The Pass Labs HPA-1 comes with the Pass pedigree and accompanying price, so this is not the headphone amp for most people. But does it do things sonically that might make it right for some music-lovers? Let’s see.Robert's Nelson Pass interview: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/nelson-pass-four-decades-of-innovation/Sponsored by: https://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-elevationNewsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Best Bookshelf Speakers Series: Focal Aria Evo X No. 1 Review

DESCRIPTION With their remarkable vocal presence and technological innovations, the Focal Aria X No. 1 Bookshelf Speakers allow for relaxed listening and render music in a way that encourages sharing with others.Sponsored by: https://www.advanceparis.com/en/Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesoundSubstack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.comThe Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/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, podcast and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound