Let’s compare two middleweight speakers in the affordable price strata of about $2000. In this corner we have the Atohm Sirocco 1.24 ($2600pr w/ Sanus SF26 metal stands) from France. 7 yr warranty. In that corner we have the B&W 707 S3 ($2820pr w/stands) from China. 5 yr warranty. Sirocco 1.24 is a 6” 2-way with soft dome tweeter. B&W 707 S3…
Edge Of The Art! Audio ads often claim their products are “state of the art.” That’s a pretty bold claim and lots of barely cut above gear makes that claim. We see it so much that we pay no attention. I won’t repeat that mistake. However… I’m quite willing to call Atoll’s second from the top CD player VERY CLOSE to the…
Atoll CD80 Evo $1750 Vs Advanced Paris X-CD-9 $1400 I’m a great fan of playing CDs. It’s my favorite way to listen to music. Drop the disc in, hit play, and you’re listening to music. There’s no maintenance or wasted time. As a business owner for over 50 years, with a busy family, I value my TIME. You don’t get it back….
Typically when I write one of these missives, “Atoll Vs …” it ends up being Atoll vs something built in China. China doesn’t compare in quality to the French Atoll. The comparison is never a “battle.” The summation is always, spend a modest amount more to get a much superior Atoll. This blurb is about Atoll vs a very formidable competitor, the…
There is still plenty to be said for experience. Loads of magazine and YouTube reviewers talk about products with which they have only a short run of experience. Even if they get a product for a couple of months, what do they know about it? Often… just a little. They don’t give you an ownership picture. Here’s a case in point. A…
I chuckled today when I read a magazine review on some new separates that were dubbed “relatively affordable.” The preamp is an ARC LS-2. Price $8450 line stage, $10k with phono and DAC. The power amp is an ARC S-200, $13k The reviewer offers that most buyers will order the preamp loaded, hence $23k for preamp and amp. If you’re a pro…
I heard you’re looking for an affordable integrated amp to drive your system. Please consider Atoll from France with magnificent sound, vs something built in China that has more features than you can shake a stick at, but doesn’t sound as good and isn’t nearly as reliable. In this corner: Atoll IN100 Integrated Amp, $2100 (100×2, THD .05%) Atoll’s IN100 produces a…