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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.

VPI Prime Signature Turntable

Written by: Jason Thorpe
Created: 15 December 2018

Reviewers' ChoiceI first met Harry and Mat Weisfeld, of VPI Industries, at the 2016 Montreal Audio Fest. They’d driven north from Cliffwood, New Jersey, with a truckload of turntables, and had proceeded to pepper a number of MAF rooms with them. Over the next two days I ran into the Weisfelds a number of times, and spent an evening chatting with them in the lounge of the Hotel Bonaventure’s restaurant. Harry and his son Mat are exceptionally good conversationalists, and were as enthusiastic while on duty during the show as they were over beers that evening.

Read more …

AVM Ovation SD 6.2 Preamplifier-DAC-Streamer

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 December 2018

AVM is one of those companies I discovered at Munich’s High End years ago. Like myriad other German manufacturers that display at High End, AVM annually has a large presence at this audio event in their native land, with a room in which they display their entire product line. High End 2018 was no different -- I saw so many components in AVM’s big room that I wondered how their customers keep track of everything they make. At that moment I vowed to learn more about AVM and their offerings -- and to seek out a review sample of one of them.

Read more …

Shunyata Research Hydra Typhon QR Power Distributor

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 November 2018

Aware of my interest in master word clocks, Scott Sefton, Esoteric’s marketing specialist for the Americas, recently e-mailed me to ask if I planned to audition the Sigma Clock-50, a new clock cable from Shunyata Research, based in Poulsbo, Washington. Most audiophile clock cables are specified at 75 ohms; the Shunyata cable is interesting due to its 50-ohm specification. Copied on Sefton’s e-mail was Grant Samuelsen, Shunyata’s director of marketing and sales, whom I’d not spoken to in years. When Samuelsen received the e-mail, he contacted me directly.

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Burmester Ambience BA71 Loudspeakers

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 November 2018

If I were to freely associate on the stimulus “Burmester,” my immediate response would probably be “amplifier.” After that I might say “Dieter,” followed by “chrome” and then, probably, “quality.” What wouldn’t come to mind, at least not right away, is “loudspeakers.”

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GIK Acoustics 2A Alpha Diffusor/Absorber Acoustic Panel

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 October 2018

Reviewers' ChoiceAt the start of each episode of the original Star Trek TV series, William Shatner intoned “Space -- the final frontier.” For audiophiles, however, the final frontier may be the conquering of a space far smaller: the listening room. Typically the last variable to be addressed when assembling a sound system, room treatments are often greatly misunderstood in terms of their cost, effectiveness, and ease of installation.

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Linnenberg Elektronik Telemann DAC-Preamplifier

Written by: Jeff Fritz
Created: 01 October 2018

I figured Mark Sossa didn’t really know what he was doing. Sossa is, after all, a young guy (in audiophile terms), lacking the decades of experience of most of us audiophiles -- we’re generally older dudes, and Mark is in his mid 30s. His idea was to bring down a collection of gear he represents through his distribution company -- Well Pleased Audio Vida, of Tysons Corner, Virginia -- and install it in my brand-new listening room. (You can read about that daylong adventure in my “Opinion” column in this month’s SoundStage! Ultra.)

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Top Wing Blue Dragon Phono Cartridge

Written by: Jason Thorpe
Created: 15 September 2018

I’ve spent the last decade or so watching some audiophiles of my acquaintance twist themselves inside out trying to rationalize spending a fortune they don’t really have on things they don’t really need. I used to be like that, but thank all that’s holy, I grew out of it.

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Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 September 2018

Reviewers' ChoiceFor over a decade, Simaudio itched to produce a state-of-the-art, cost-no-object, reference-grade power amplifier. Unfortunately, low market demand and high development costs forced them to postpone this and other such projects -- but they didn’t stop thinking about them. In fact, a little over a decade ago, Simaudio created what they call their skunkworks bin, where they keep their more technically creative yet economically impractical ideas. Kept under lock and key, this bin is opened only when the high-end market is robust enough to make the design and manufacture of such products cost effective.

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Synergistic Research SR25 Limited Edition Power Cord

Written by: Howard Kneller
Created: 15 August 2018

Reviewers' ChoiceAn audio system’s sound quality can be affected by, among other things, the type of signal cables, vibration-management products, and room treatments used. However, there is perhaps no more important variable than power. Whether this is due to the essential role that power plays in a signal’s generation, as opposed to its conversion or distribution, is hard to say. What is certain is that the stream of ever-better-performing power products installed in my system over the years has never failed to impress me.

Read more …

Balanced Audio Technology VK-53SE Preamplifier

Written by: Aron Garrecht
Created: 01 August 2018

Balanced Audio Technology, aka BAT, was founded by Steve Bednarski and Victor Khomenko in the early 1990s. Their first two products, the VK-5 preamplifier and VK-60 power amplifier, were launched in January 1995 at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, and those debuts were anything but customary. As the story goes, Geoff Poor, BAT’s current director of sales, had joined Bednarski and Khomenko as a full partner in 1995, having for some years led the marketing department at Dunlavy Audio Labs. Not long before that, while still working at Dunlavy, Poor had invited Bednarski and Khomenko to his family store for a demo of some Dunlavy speakers driven by the forthcoming VK-5 and VK-60. That went so well that Poor convinced John Dunlavy to use the BAT gear to drive his all-new SC-V speakers for their world premiere at the 1995 Winter CES. The tremendous success of this triple debut, held in the ballroom of the Golden Nugget Hotel, created a buzz infectious enough to flood the ballroom with visitors for the rest of the show.

Read more …

  1. Sumiko Reference Starling Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
  2. Tidal Piano G2 Loudspeakers
  3. ZYX Ultimate 4D-X MC Phono Cartridge
  4. European Audio Team E-Glo S Phono Stage
  5. Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier
  6. T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier
  7. Furutech NCF Booster Cable Holder
  8. Raidho Acoustics XT-5 Loudspeakers
  9. Waversa Systems WDAC3 Mk.II Digital-to-Analog Converter
  10. Rethm Maarga Loudspeakers
  11. Audience Au24 SX powerChord Power Cord
  12. McIntosh Laboratory MA9000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  13. VPI MW1 Cyclone Record-Cleaning Machine
  14. Esoteric Grandioso G1 Master Clock Generator
  15. Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable with 10cc Evolution Tonearm
  16. Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player-DAC
  17. Sonus Faber Homage Amati Tradition Loudspeakers
  18. TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeakers
  19. Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers
  20. Dynaudio Contour 60 Loudspeakers
  21. VAC Signature 200iQ Stereo Amplifier
  22. Synergistic Research Galileo UEF Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and IFT Jumpers
  23. Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC-Phono Stage-Preamplifier-Headphone Amplifier
  24. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 860A Stereo Amplifier
  25. Esoteric K-05X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  26. Audio Physic Codex Loudspeakers
  27. Furutech FI-50 NCF Series Power Connectors and FP-TCS31 Alpha PC-Triple C Bulk Power Cord
  28. Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit Loudspeakers
  29. Audio Research Foundation DAC9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  30. Vandersteen Audio Model Seven Mk.II Loudspeakers and M7-HPA Mono Amplifiers
  31. JPlay JCAT USB Card and USB Isolator
  32. Monitor Audio Platinum II PL300 II Loudspeakers
  33. Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner Pro
  34. Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Evo Stereo Amplifier
  35. Symposium Acoustics Osiris Stealth Ultimate Equipment Rack
  36. Focus Audio Liszt Concerto Mono Integrated Amplifiers
  37. Magico MPod Support System
  38. Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk.II Stereo Amplifier
  39. Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 UEF SE Power Conditioner
  40. van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge
  41. Devialet Expert 1000 Pro Mono DAC-Integrated Amplifiers
  42. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TSSOX Power Conditioner
  43. Audio Physic Avanti Loudspeakers
  44. High Fidelity Cables CT-1 Ultimate Digital Link, Interconnects, Speaker Cables, and Power Cords
  45. Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  46. Constellation Audio Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Amplifier
  47. Kharma Elegance dB9-S Loudspeakers
  48. Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier
  49. Luxman EQ-500 Phono Stage
  50. fo.Q Modrate HEM-25 Pure Note Insulators
  51. Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier
  52. Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 Preamplifier
  53. YBA Passion PRE550A DAC-Preamplifier
  54. Skogrand Cables Ravel Speaker Cables and Interconnects
  55. Soulution 560 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  56. Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 4 Speaker Cables and Interconnects, Atmosphere Level 3 Power Cords, Grounding Block and HD Ground Cables
  57. Merging NADAC ST-2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  58. Zanden Audio Systems AT-1 Acoustic Tubes and AP-1 Acoustic Panels
  59. Rockport Technologies Cygnus Loudspeakers
  60. Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD Player/DAC
  61. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 850P Preamplifier
  62. Stanford Research Systems PERF10 Rubidium Audio Clock
  63. Wadia di322 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  64. Reference 3A Nefes Loudspeakers
  65. Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
  66. Nordost Norse 2 Tyr 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  67. Ayre Acoustics MX-R Twenty Mono Amplifiers
  68. Aqua - Acoustic Quality La Voce S2 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  69. Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
  70. Highend-AudioPC AudiophileOptimizer Computer Audio Software
  71. Soulution 711 Stereo Amplifier
  72. Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
  73. Moon by Simaudio Evolution 760A Stereo Amplifier
  74. AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet Cable
  75. Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo Loudspeakers
  76. Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
  77. Bryston Middle T Loudspeakers
  78. Vienna Acoustics Imperial Liszt Loudspeakers
  79. Exogal Comet Digital-to-Analog Converter
  80. NAD Masters Series M22 Stereo Amplifier and M12 Preamplifier-DAC
  81. Ascendo C6 Loudspeakers
  82. Hegel Music Systems HD12 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  83. Esoteric Grandioso P1 SACD/CD Transport, Grandioso D1 Mono Digital-to-Analog Converters, and G-01 Master Clock Generator
  84. Blue Circle Audio BC60X1 Power Conditioner
  85. Octave Audio V 110 Integrated Amplifier
  86. JL Audio CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover
  87. fo.Q Damping Products and AB-4045 Audio Board Isolation Platform
  88. Devialet 400 Mono Integrated Amplifier-DACs
  89. Audio Research VSi75 Integrated Amplifier
  90. Triangle Magellan Cello Loudspeakers
  91. Audience Au24 SE powerChords, Interconnects, and Speaker Cables
  92. Zanden Audio Systems 120 Phono Stage
  93. Grimm Audio LS1 Loudspeakers and LS1s Subwoofers
  94. Aurender W20 Music Server
  95. Transfiguration Phoenix S Phono Cartridge
  96. M2Tech Young DSD Digital-to-Analog Converter
  97. Audio Research SP20 Preamplifier
  98. Magico S3 Loudspeakers
  99. Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer (HFT) and Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) Room Treatments and XOT Crossover Transducer
  100. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier
  101. Resonessence Labs Invicta Mirus Digital-to-Analog Converter
  102. Vivid Audio Giya G4 Loudspeakers
  103. Aurender X100L Music Server
  104. Sonus Faber Olympica I Loudspeakers
  105. Clarity Cable Organic Speaker Cables, Interconnects, Digital Interconnect, and Vortex Power Cord
  106. EgglestonWorks Nine Signature Loudspeakers
  107. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB Cable
  108. David Berning Company ZH-230 Stereo Amplifier
  109. Esoteric Master Sound Works C-02 Preamplifier
  110. Vivid Audio Oval V1.5 Loudspeakers
  111. Daedalus Audio Argos v.2 Loudspeakers
  112. Octave Audio V 70 SE Integrated Amplifier
  113. KR Audio VA910 Mono Amplifiers
  114. T+A Criterion TCD 110 S Loudspeakers
  115. Birch Acoustics Raven Loudspeakers
  116. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 Loudspeakers
  117. Essential Sound Products Essence Reference-II Power Cords and Reference-II Power Distributor
  118. JE Audio Dyad S400 Stereo Amplifier
  119. Dynamique Audio Celestial Speaker Cables, Zenith Interconnects, Firelight USB, and Infinite Power Cables
  120. Music Culture Elegance MC 501A CD Player-DAC
  121. KR Audio VA340 Mk.II Integrated Amplifier
  122. PMC IB2i Loudspeakers
  123. Cabasse Pacific 3 Loudspeakers
  124. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 Loudspeakers
  125. Hegel Music Systems HD25 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  126. EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter
  127. Esoteric P-02 SACD/CD Transport and D-02 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  128. Vivid Audio Giya G3 Loudspeakers
  129. PBN Audio Scan-Speak B741 Loudspeakers
  130. Blue Circle Audio BC109 Preamplifier
  131. Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature Loudspeakers
  132. First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier
  133. Simaudio Moon Evolution 810LP Phono Stage
  134. Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier
  135. SMc Audio VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier
  136. Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier
  137. Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers
  138. Von Schweikert Audio VR-35 Export Deluxe Loudspeakers
  139. Vitus Audio Signature SM-010 Mono Amplifiers
  140. YG Acoustics Kipod II Signature Loudspeakers
  141. Vandersteen Audio Treo Loudspeakers
  142. Magico Q1 Loudspeakers
  143. Hemingway Audio Prime Reference Mk.II Speaker Cables, Interconnects, and Power Cords
  144. Synergistic Research Element Copper, Tungsten, and Copper-Tungsten-Silver Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  145. Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini Loudspeakers
  146. EgglestonWorks Fontaine Signature Loudspeakers
  147. AudioQuest Diamond and Carbon FireWire 800 Cables
  148. Artos Audio Sunrise Loudspeakers
  149. Esoteric I-03 Integrated Amplifier
  150. NuForce DAC-9 Digital-to-Analog Converter
  151. Audience adeptResponse aR6-TS Power Conditioner
  152. EAR MC 4 Step-Up Transformer
  153. PBN Audio Montana InnerChoic Liberty Loudspeakers
  154. Simple Design Sonore Music Server
  155. Herron Audio VTSP-3A Preamplifier
  156. Copland CDA825 CD Player
  157. TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 Tonearm
  158. Artisan Silver MC Phono Stage
  159. MSB Technology Universal Media Transport
  160. Well Tempered Lab Amadeus Turntable
  161. Purity Audio Design Purity Reference Preamplifier
  162. Silverline Audio Sonatina Mk.IV Loudspeakers
  163. Ayre Acoustics DX-5 Universal A/V Engine
  164. Coda Technologies 15.0 Stereo Amplifier
  165. LessLoss Firewall Power Conditioner and DFPC Signature Power Cable
  166. Miyajima Laboratory Premium BE Mono Cartridge
  167. Magnum Dynalab MD 309 Integrated Amplifier
  168. Audio Research Reference 5 Preamplifier
  169. VAC Phi 200 Stereo Amplifier
  170. Ortofon Cadenza Mono Phono Cartridge
  171. Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
  172. YG Acoustics Carmel Loudspeakers
  173. Atma-Sphere Music Amplifier M-60 Mk.3.1 Mono Amplifiers
  174. AudioPrism Ground Control Grounding Cables
  175. Nordost Norse Frey Interconnects and Speaker Cables
  176. Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier and MX-R Mono Amplifiers
  177. Raysonic SP-300 Integrated Amplifier
  178. Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Interconnect and Speaker Cells, and Mini Power Couplers
  179. VAC Renaissance Mk.3 Preamplifier
  180. Accustic Arts Reference Tube-DAC II SE DAC and Reference Drive II CD Transport
  181. Silent Running Audio VR fp isoBASE Equipment Platforms
  182. EAR 890 Stereo Amplifier

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

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