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No China
In the spring of 2025 I was on the phone with one of the guys at Magnepan. They proudly build speakers with great expertise in Minnesota. Magnepan was created (1969) by an innovative American, Jim Winey, who was an engineer at 3M. In this conversation we were discussing different amplifiers. I told him I recommend great amps from Bryston (Canada) and Atoll…
Isotek
Isotek is an English company, specializing in Power Conditioners and Power Cables that they manufacture in Europe, not China like the other guys. The goal of Isotek is not to just provide surge protection, but to provide IMPROVED SOUND for your hi-fi or AV system. There are two main sources of noise that muddle up your AC. *Differential Mains noise is debris…
Best Bang For Your Buck Integrated Amp
Atoll IN200, $2900 (120×2) Which integrated amp is the best buy of them all? *It has to be built well so that it’s reliable. That means it can’t be built in China. *It needs to sound warm/full/smooth- not thin/harsh. *It has to be able to drive modest to fabulous speakers well so you don’t outgrow it quickly. *It needs to be flexible…
Where Do The Children Play?
In the fall of 1970 Cat Stevens came out with an incredible album, “Tea For The Tillerman.” Many of us who were burgeoning audiophiles were inspired to pursue better audio gear by the song “Where Do The Children Play?” The acoustic guitar intro is sparse and full of character. It lasts about 30 seconds. It’s unadorned and builds to… just where- we’re…
Planning Your Hi-Fi System
Let’s start this discussion from square one. You own NO audio gear but you’re excited to build a system. Where do you start? The first step is to search within your own cavernous brain to understand what will please YOU. Let’s work on that. For me, music is all about singers and acoustic instruments. Since I’m a classical piano hound, the piano…
Atohm Vs B&W
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…
Atoll CD-200, $3450
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…