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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.

Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier

Written by: Uday Reddy
Created: 15 July 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceThe Ayre Acoustics AX-5 integrated amplifier, which I reviewed two years ago, was an ear-opening experience. At the time, I stated that “the AX-5 is not only, overall, the finest-sounding amp I’ve ever heard, it ranks as one of the finest components I’ve heard of any type.” The AX-5 featured a technology previously unused by Ayre, called the Diamond output stage, which has since been extended to Ayre’s top models, the R series.

Read more …

Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage

Written by: Tom Mathew
Created: 01 July 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceA rush of lavender to the head

Recently, I was lying on my back in savasana (corpse pose), at the end of the 75-minute sweat fest also known as my Sunday hot-yoga class. As the teacher first placed a cool stone on my forehead, and then, on my face, an ice-cold, lavender-scented towel, I found myself drifting into a state of blissful relaxation. This was healing balm after a hectic work week, and as the relaxing sounds of sitar and tabla wafted into the room, I melted into dreamland.

Read more …

fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 June 2016

Tweaks are for kids, to adapt a phrase from a 1960s ad campaign for Trix breakfast cereal. In the world of audio, the phrase is true and not true. Newbies fall in love with tweaks, for which are claimed miraculous improvements at little cost. The allure of customizing a relatively humble system has an attraction similar to that of using a tighter suspension and nitrous oxide injection to soup up a stock compact car into a tuner.

Read more …

Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 June 2016

In high-end audio, overnight successes are extraordinarily rare. Almost every successful audio company I can think of took years, even decades, to establish itself as a globally recognized household name. Moreover, the great majority of these firms can trace their lineage back to one or two passionate engineers working in a garage, armed with little more than ingenuity and ambition. But every once in a great while, a company still in its infancy will introduce one or more pioneering products so different in design and so advanced in performance that those responsible for their inception quickly find themselves leading the market.

Read more …

Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier

Written by: Garrett Hongo
Created: 15 May 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceAfter I graduated from college I spent a year in Japan, getting acquainted with the culture of my ancestry, coaching linebackers at Kyoto University (“Get low and explode into your opponent!” I’d shout), and generally having a great time being free, mighty, and 21. Once, on a warm autumn afternoon, I visited Ryoan-ji temple, on the northwestern outskirts of Kyoto, and took my time taking in the simple splendor of its famed rock garden. There were worn crags in puddles of green moss that seemed to float on a granular sea of smooth gray pebbles, those pebbles carefully raked into striations of linear constancy interrupted only by islands of rocks and mosses, around which they swirled in calming, concentric radiations. How like a lagoon dotted with islands! I remember thinking. How like frogs dallying in the pools and eddies of a stream! My mind kept proposing likenesses in this way until, eventually, it ran out of comparisons, and I thought of nothing but the sweet quiet of the composed scene before me, a trompe l’oeil of nothing but itself.

Read more …

YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier

Written by: Vade Forrester
Created: 01 May 2016

I’ve gotten the general impression that French hi-fi gear sounds sweet, with a tuneful, relaxed, enjoyable character that doesn’t impose itself on the music. So when offered an opportunity to audition YBA’s Passion PRE550A DAC-preamplifier, I eagerly accepted. YBA is a French company founded in 1981 by Yves-Bernard André, whose initials it bears.

Read more …

Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects

Written by: Tom Mathew
Created: 15 April 2016

Last month I came across a fascinating article in Brain Pickings, a weekly neuroscience newsletter: In “The Psychology of What Makes a Great Story,” writer and blogger extraordinaire Maria Popova shared insights from the eminent Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner about what makes a great story. I think Bruner’s ideas and Popova’s enriching discussion can be used to understand what makes for a great audio cable.

Read more …

Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 April 2016

In high-end audio, price is always relevant -- except when it isn’t. I’ve waffled so often on this subject that sometimes I’m no longer sure where I stand. A case in point: the Soulution 560 digital-to-analog converter, which retails for $35,000 USD.

On one hand, no DAC should cost $35,000. Taking into account any reasonable ratio of manufacturing cost to retail price, I have a hard time understanding how any DAC maker can justify that sort of price. A super-high-end DAC is maybe 50 pounds’ worth of parts, including a nicely machined and finished case. For that kind of money, you can buy a couple of 200-plus-pound high-tech speakers -- 400 pounds of stuff should cost more than 50 pounds of stuff. After all, both represent high-end stuff. Besides, there are a number of terrific DACs available for less than five grand, and with much of the functionality of the Soulution 560. Wadia Digital’s di322 is a great DAC for $3500 -- precisely one-tenth the Soulution 560’s price.

Read more …

Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 March 2016

Reviewers' ChoiceOver the last 18 years, Synergistic Research has introduced five generations of its Active Shielded signal cables, interconnects, and power cords. The company claims that applying a 30V DC bias to the cables’ shield isolates the signal from the dielectric, thus reducing phase and time distortions and improving sound quality.

More recently, Synergistic has applied this active technology to other audio products, including its PowerCell power conditioners, Tranquility Base component platforms, and Atmosphere and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) room wave generators. In fact, Synergistic is now best known for its ever-broadening implementation of its Active Shielding technology.

Read more …

Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 March 2016

The NADAC ST-2 is Swiss-company Merging Technologies’ first foray into consumer electronics. However, Merging Technologies is hardly a newbie -- their reputation in professional audio is that of legend.

Merging Technologies was founded 25 years ago by Claude Cellier, who’d previously worked with electronics maker Nagra, another Swiss company with a rich history in pro audio -- namely in various types of recorders -- that then ventured into high-end home audio. Though probably best known for their Pyramix professional audio workstation, Merging has recently ventured far into networked audio interfaces with their Horus and Hapi products. It was the experience gained in designing the Horus and Hapi models that convinced Merging to launch the two-channel Networked Attached Digital-to-Analog Converter (NADAC) ST-2; an eight-channel version, the NADAC MC-8, is also available.

Read more …

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

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