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Audiophile Archives

The Latest, Dave’s Faves, and the AE Newsletter all in one:



Bryston’s 4B Cubed: Updated & Better Than Ever

This classic 300 wpc Bryston amplifier is back in its “Cubed” edition–but if you think you already
know what a 4B sounds like you need to revisit this beloved Canadian brand. The Cubed line uses the vaunted Salomie circuit in every model, which features “a low-noise input buffer that’s super-linear…
this patented circuitry reduces RF and audio interference.” Astonishing build quality…

Magnepan MG 2.7i Speakers, $6350 Per Pair With Oval Bases

Magnepan MG 2.7i Speakers, $6350 Per Pair With Oval Bases (72h, 22w, 2d) Magnepan’s BRAND NEW, MG 2.7i has just landed! It is the company’s latest loudspeaker. It does so much, so right, that I can’t believe we have been living without it until December of 2023! MG 2.7i gives us STATE OF THE ART high frequency detail and shimmer due to…

04.2024

Rogue Sphinx Magnum $2000 (100×2) My favorite integrated amp value just got better! An already classic integrated has been improved in crystalline detail and a more airy top end. Rogue has made the Sphinx v3 ($1700, 100×2 with Skeleton remote) for several years now. It’s a dynamite integrated amp, with MM/MC phono section, outstanding headphone amp and uses two 12AU7 tubes in…

New Bryston Model T10 Speakers, $20,000, Pair

The fit and finish is fantastic on these speakers. They have crazy powerful and articulate room filling bass! (our room is 1000+ square
feet). Their midrange is rich and tonality correct with spot-on imaging
and they have non-fatiguing, ultra-clean, and precise highs. They are
the best off-axis performing speakers we have heard to this day. The power handling capabilities of these T-10s is astonishing to say the
least! We are sure that our distant neighbours could agree! LOL.

New Vs Vintage

Larry visited recently with a McCormack DNA-125 power amp in tow. He wanted to hear it vs a new Hegel integrated amp, to see if the investment would be worth upgrading to. Let me start by saying, I think very highly of McCormack amps. They were built in the 1990s up to about 2000. DNA-125 sold for $1995 and had 125 w/ch….

Dave’s Faves – Axiom M2

Axiom M-2 Stand Mount Speakers, $650 Per Pair {11.5h, 7.52, 8.5d, 89 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-150 w/ch} One 5.5” Aluminum Woofer, One Titanium Tweeter Bryston contracted Axiom to build its speakers a decade ago. The project was an immediate success and the companies merged. The resulting company is simply called Bryston. Bryston is using the Axiom banner to bring speakers and…

Dave’s Faves – Bryston Model T-10

Bryston Model T-10, $20,000 Per Pair {72h, 12w, 17d, 133 lbs, 92 dB SPL, 4 ohms} Finishes: Black Ash, Walnut, Walnut Expresso, Boston Cherry, Natural Cherry Four 8” Pure Aluminum Woofers, Two 5.25” Pure Aluminum Mids, Two Titanium Tweets Frequency Response, 25-20K, +/- 3dB Bryston Model T-10 Bryston’s brand new Model T-10 LINE ARRAY, is a true assault on state of the…

Dave’s Faves – Axiom M-3

Axiom M-3 Stand Mount Speakers, $750 Per Pair {13.5h, 8.5w, 8.25d, 90 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-200 w/ch} One 6.5” Aluminum Woofer, One Titanium Tweeter Bryston contracted Axiom to build its speakers a decade ago. The project was an immediate success and the companies merged. The resulting company is simply called Bryston. Bryston is using the Axiom banner to bring speakers and…

Dave’s Faves – Axiom M-60

Axiom M-60 Tower, $1900 Per Pair {37.5h, 9.25w, 15d, 48 lbs, 92 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-250 w/ch} Two 6.5” Aluminum Woofers, One 5.25” Aluminum Midrange, One Titanium Tweeter Bryston contracted Axiom to build its speakers a decade ago. The project was a tremendous success and the companies merged. The resulting company is simply called Bryston. Bryston is using the Axiom banner…

Bryston Model T-10 Speakers

Bryston Model T-10 Speakers, $20k Per Pair {72h, 12w, 17d, 133 lbs, 92dB SPL, 4 ohms, with outriggers} Bryston has been doing dynamite business with speakers for over a decade. What started with one killer model has morphed in to two series (T&A) of successful speakers, all built in Canada with a 20 year warranty by the way. Bryston was dramatically slowed…

03.2024

Bryston Model T-10 Speakers, $20,000 Per Pair {72h, 12w, 17d, 133 lbs, 92 dB SPL, 4 ohms} Black Ash, Walnut, Walnut Expresso, Boston Cherry, Natural Cherry Bryston has just shipped its LINE ARRAY big boy towers, Model T-10. The T-10 denotes that Bryston has been making speakers over a decade. All Brystons are made in Canada with a 20 year warranty! Model…

02.2024

Magnepan MG 2.7i Speakers, $6350 Per Pair With Oval Bases (72h, 22w, 2d) Magnepan’s BRAND NEW, MG 2.7i has arrived! Magnepan rarely introduces new speakers. When they do, it’s a big deal. With MG 2.7i, it’s even a bigger deal because this is now the least expensive model in the family to use Maggie’s True Ribbon Tweeter design. MG 2.7i gives us…

Atoll Of France

I’m very excited about our new business partner, Atoll Electronique, from France. Atoll makes a fantastic, innovative line of gear that carries a 3 year warranty. And yes, the gear is MADE in France. For openers, I’m happy to be able to offer affordable electronics that aren’t made in China. I am fed up with Asian job houses punching out IC laden,…

Atoll Electronique

Exquisite, Affordable Electronics From France! Atoll Electronique was founded in 1997 by brothers Stephane and Emmanuel Dubreuil. Their laudable goal was to create a line of great sounding electronics at fair price points, actually made in France, instead of China! The warranty is three years. Atoll procures over 80% of their components from France. Most of the rest they get from the…

A New Direction

Let me make clear that the following RANT is based on economics and ethics, not race. The world has changed since Covid hit us in March of 2020. Our biz hasn’t been the same since. The audio industry has gone largely cookie cutter in the last few years. Company after company is hiring the same Chinese OEM vendors to make gear for…