I like to read a bunch of audio mags. You always manage to learn something from them. Let’s check the lineup. First up this month…

Phono Cartridge $9k

Tested on tables for tens of thousands.

Give me a MoFi UltraDeck table with MasterTracker Cart for $2000, thank you very much. The MoFi combo will challenge virtually anything out there at its reasonable $2k price point.

Marantz Streaming Integrated Amp $1000

Nice features but at 60×2 this is another “better Sonos” kinda box. Nice they thought of us who work for a living though.

Please spend $1200 and get a FABULOUS integrated amp, the Atoll IN50, instead. You can add a Bluesound Nano streamer and this combo will slaughter the Chinese made all in one box TAS likes.

Integrated Amp $19k, 100×2

Okaaaaaa…. Really boys?

I promise… the Atoll IN300 with built in DAC for $4500 will go head to head with their $20k darling.

Phono Section $1600

But it really doesn’t sound that great till you add the $1100 power supply.

I like the MoFi UltraPhono, $500. It even has subsonic and mono buttons. Are any of your records less than flat? Verrrry competitive!

Tube Power Amp $6800, 20×2

Now there’s a value for ya!

Instead, please consider an Atoll AM200 power amp ($2300, 120×2). It has the warmth of tubes and the butt-kickage of solid state!

Monoblock Power Amps $28k per pair 300w

Stereo Power Amp $40k, 150×2

Both of these amps have lovely Swiss watts I’m sure.

Tube Preamp $18k

Hot seller no doubt. Don’t miss the brand new Atoll PR300 for $3100. Sounds dead quiet, clean, resolving and warm. For 1/6th the price!

Tube Integrated $150k

Now we’re officially in never never land.

Tube Line Stage Preamp $4500 Made in China

Not too bad a price. I’m sure it’s nice. But I’d rather have an American Rogue like the RP5v2 for $4000 with excellent phono stage, MM & MC.

Power Conditioner $2500, oh, and the power cord is $500

Isotek’s Elektra is $2k including a great power cable and I can promise it’s GREAT.

Tower Speakers $10k per pair

For two sixes and a ribbon tweet.

Please come hear Bryston’s A2. It sounds amazingly warm and detailed. It’s bass is very deep and tuneful. It’s a massive bargain at $4k and has a 20 year warranty.

Interconnects $3k Speaker Cable $5-6k

More cables: Power Cord $3k, Interconnect $2200, Spkr cable, 1m $5k.

You can buy Kimber Carbons for a fraction of this price. My money is on the Carbons.

Summary

Some months I love reading TAS and the other mags. This month…