Reviews & Awards by Brand: A
Accustic Arts
High-end audio jewellery, hand made Amplifiers, CD players & Transports - from Germany
ACCUSTIC ARTS AMP V - scores 99/100 in Lite-magazine review
RRP NZ$89,995 incl GST
SUBLIME SERENITY SENSATIONAL ACCURACY SOLIDITY & ELEGANCE AMP V provides a strong statement. With astonishment, we enjoy the kind of purity, calmness and reserves the Accustic Arts Amp V delivers.
-
Lite-magazine - Sublime Serenity / Sensational Accuracy scores 99 / 100 points
AMP V stereo power amp - ACCUSTIC ARTS statement in terms of audiophile power amplifiers 2x 1,500 watts on 2 Ω 2 x 1,360 watts on 4 Ω 2 x 900 watts on 8 Ω
With their brand-new power amplifier, Amp V Accustic Arts provides a strong statement. This high-end behemoth offers a maximum output of 3,000 watts.A separated circuitry in the dual-mono design an opulently dimensioned power supply section ensures the cultivated reference sound. It makes exclusive use of selected premium components up to the phalanx of amplifier stages with 40 dedicated transistors. With astonishment, we enjoy the kind of purity, calmness and reserves the Accustic Arts Amp V can deliver from these resources.
Conclusion: As an impressive power amplifier in dual-mono design, the Accustic Arts Amp V delivers an impression of overwhelming power and outstanding sound culture. His nearly limitless power of up to 3,000 watts enables breath-taking levels. But this potency is just the means for a perfect re-production: The boundless vigour and the endless reserves allow for an effortless intonation of sound. The Amp V works with incredible calmness, stays completely relaxed and offers a sublime serenity. Its subtle and rough dynamic abilities are sensational on their own. This power amplifier impersonates what is possible in regards to precise and accurate reproduction. That, in turn, is further optimised by a selectable damping factor linearisation – and so the sound is even more refined. This way, listening to music becomes an exquisite pleasure and an emotional experience. This excellence comes with a high price tag – again, the rule is the same as with the Preamp III: Those who want to experience High End at this reference level will willingly pay it.
ACCUSTIC ARTS PREAMP III - Stereo mag review.
RRP NZ$24,995 incl GST
It now occupies a top position among our list of reference preamplifiers, the playback suddenly possessed an unusually authentic quality. It contained such a high-end aura of completely undisguised naturalness and stupendous homogeneity.
-
"Saturday Night" – an authentic club jazz song by the Red Norvo Quintet, which is uniquely fresh – was laid out widely in every direction in front of the listener. The performance, dominated by the vibraphone strokes that "exploded" concisely and with heavy impulses, was dense and vibrant, but also light and transparent. It almost seemed as if you could understand individual scraps of words from the audience babbling quietly in the deep ends of the room, even though no artificial brightening feigned brilliance. The pitch-black background remained completely calm and undisturbed, so that the tiniest details sparkled and stood out clearly against it.
ACCUSTIC ARTS POWER III - 230w Integrated - Stereotimes review.
RRP NZ$27,500 - $30,995 incl GST
A beautiful physical appearance, reference-level reproduction of gorgeous timbres/tonality, seemingly boundless dynamics, the ability to create a sense of spatiality that captures how authentic music sounds, and an accurate fidelity that gives you the illusion of live music.
-
My last selection was the Mosaic album of the great baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan’s “Concert Band Sessions Volume 1”. I use this recording to get an amplifier’s ability to create, if it’s on the recording, a sound stage with depth/height/width along with accurate placement of individuals on that sound stage, and if it can produce a sense of air around these individuals players. My speakers completely disappeared into an immense soundstage with rock-solid/holographic images of the band’s players as each took turns soloing.
Many times during my auditioning of the Accustic Arts Power III Integrated amplifier, I said I would only listen for a reasonable amount of time, which then turned into hours of blissful music enjoyment. Think of all the stellar qualities of this German-designed and manufactured integrated amplifier. A beautiful physical appearance, high-level internal parts, construction, reference-level reproduction of gorgeous timbres/tonality, seemingly boundless dynamics, the ability to create a sense of spatiality that captures how authentic music sounds, and an accurate fidelity that gives you the illusion of live music. The Accustic Arts Power III Integrated amplifier was a real treat to review,
Stereotimes - Terry London
Aesthetix
Multi Award Winning, hybrid designed DACs, CDP, Phonos & Amps from the USA
AESTHETIX MIMUS Integrated amp review
RRP NZ$19,995 incl GST
The Aesthetix Mimas is one of the finest integrated amps on the market today. It’s an absurdly good value, to boot, and one of my recent Golden Ear Award recipients.
-
For me, it is the very definition of what I am seeking in an integrated amplifier—unalloyed transparency and musicality served up with rich reserves of power. I doubt if any speaker can make this amp sound less musical than it most certainly is. It’s an amp I can recommend with no reservations. Just another way of saying that I’m over the moon for Mimas. text goes here
AESTHETIX Janus preamp w/ Atlas stereo power amp: Janus RRP NZ$15,995+, Atlas RRP NZ$15,995+
Excellent internal phonostage / Impressive refinement / class leading resolution / Strong dynamics / good rhythmic ability / Excellent build / Powerful & authoritative / Impressive Composure& & refinement.
-
We’re really impressed by this pre/power combination. Rarely has high-end amplification been so easy-going while still retaining the transparency the price point demands.
Add that superb phonostage into the equation alongside the excellent build and sensible range of features and it’s clear that Aesthetix has produced one of the standout performers at this price. This is one to take very seriously indeed.
Alieno
One of the world’s most revered Ultra high-end amplification systems: OTL-OCL Tube Amplifiers - from Germany
ALIENO 250 LTD MkI II Ultimate Reference Stereo Power Amplifier
RRP NZ$TBA
This extraordinary amplification system is virtually the definition of extreme high-end audio.
-
The Alieno 250 LTD is frankly a ground-breaking product that has no peer. There is simply nothing else in the world that has this technology or can deliver this performance. It is the first and only amplifier in the world utilising two 300B tubes generating 250W per channel. It is an OTL-OCL (Output Transformer Less & Output Capacitor Less) Single Ended, pure Class A amplifier. It is not a hybrid tube/transistor amplifier. text goes here
ALIENO Preamp MkII Ultimate Reference Tube Line Stage
RRP NZ$TBA
Its never been done before, an amplification system with the purity, refinement and emotional communication of a single ended triode design
-
The Preamplifier contains many unique technical design features and technologies, most of them being totally exclusive to Alieno. It uses an innovative technology to obtain an ultra-refined yet powerful signal.
This technology offers completely distortion-free signal handling rendering the common use of feedback obsolete. There is no feedback used in this preamplifier. From the inputs to the output connectors, a minimal crystal-clear signal path incorporating a selected couple of NOS ECC82 tubes ensures transparency, accuracy and speed of the musical signal.
There are some key technological features which combine to deliver this incredible performance.
ALLN/C
Revered Ultra high-end tube amplification systems: OTL-OCL Tube Amplifiers - from Germany
ALLN/C Audio T-2000 30th Anniversary Integrated Amp
RRP NZ$23,495 incl GST
In essence, the Allnic Audio T-2000 isn’t just a great-sounding integrated amplifier. It’s two great-sounding integrated amplifiers. Highly recommended.
-
I’ve heard only a handful of integrated amplifiers that I’ve reviewed that come anywhere close to the sonic performance of the Allnic Audio T-2000. They’re all in the same ballpark pricewise. It’s a mix of valves and resistors among these champions, to be sure, but none of them sound like solid-state nor tubes. They’re merely so close to that ultimate truth, and so linear in response, and so meticulous about the frequency extremes, that they just exist in harmony with your favorite music. I know I had everything I needed with each of these amplifiers in the chain.
The real way to evaluate the Allnic Audio T-2000 is with the H-5500 and the Amber cartridge, and perhaps some of Allnic’s own cables. The H-5500 and the Amber MC worked will with every other piece of gear, but they swept me away together, and that feeling is amplified (pun intended) once you add the magnificent, noble Allnic Audio T-2000 30th Anniversary stereo integrated amplifier. If some highly fictitious benefactor gave me roughly $25K to spend on high-end audio to continue my pursuit of musical nirvana, this is what I’d do. In a heartbeat. Highly recommended.
ALLN/C D1000 OTL/OCL DAC review
RRP NZ$34,995 incl GST
Allnic Audio’s D-10000 is one of the best DACs in the world that could raise the game still further and perhaps be the best digital audio sound ever.
-
KS Park, Allnic’s founder and chief designer, decided it was time to look again at the world of digital music reproduction with the goal of producing a DAC that reproduces digital music on par with the very best analog devices he has created, to see if he could wed the purity of his OTL/OCL analog output designs to the very best of today’s DAC technology.
He has succeeded! The new flagship ALLNIC D-10000 OTL/OCL DAC is the product of this challenge, and according to early user feedback, is a fantastic addition to the top tier of Allnic’s products, a machine of true beauty, in sonics, audio engineering and industrial design.
Why OTL/OCL?
In common circuits, output capacitors or output transformers are required to separate the AC music signal from the DC operating potential. If this is not done, the latter will destroy the power amplifier, the loudspeakers, or both. However, these two coupling devices also introduce their own influences on the transmission of the musical signal, adding their own character (colouration), increasing distortion, and consuming small signals, all as predicted by physical efficiency theory. In addition, they also limit signal dynamics. For these reasons, the elimination of output transformers and capacitors has been considered the best solution for the design of the most accurate amplifiers. Removal of these two coupling devices from the signal path achieves the best results possible:
⦁ No colouration of the musical signal
⦁ Extremely detailed expression, natural harmonics, and subtle musical decay
⦁ The lowest possible distortion
⦁ The widest musical dynamics
Taking these factors into consideration, KS Park, Allnic’s founder and chief designer, decided it was time to look again at the world of digital music reproduction with the goal of producing a DAC that reproduces digital music on par with the very best analog devices he has created, to see if he could wed the purity of his OTL/OCL analog output designs to the very best of today’s DAC technology.
He has succeeded! The new flagship ALLNIC D-10000 OTL/OCL DAC is the product of this challenge, and according to early user feedback, is a fantastic addition to the top tier of Allnic’s products, a machine of true beauty, in sonics, audio engineering and industrial design.
D-10000 in use
As an OTL/OCL design, the D-10000 is without transformers or capacitors in its signal path, and the D-10000’s RCA and XLR outputs both provide the OTL/OCL design’s benefits. KS Park’s design of the D-10000’s signal path takes full advantage of the tubes it employs and results in its output connections passing along a converted digitally sourced music signal of a quality equivalent to that produced by Allnic’s very best analog products - as Mr. Park intended.
Speaking of the tubes, the D-10000 uses four tubes per channel: two 6C19P tubes, a 12AU7 tube, and a 7258. There are no equivalents for the 6C19P and 7258, but they are plentiful and inexpensive. The 12AU7 allows for tube rolling among the various brands, vintages and variants of this famous, almost ubiquitous valve.
The D-10000 is a product of cutting-edge tube and digital design offering world-class sound quality. We’re confident that it will become an icon of digital music reproduction devices among the very, very best DACs currently available, at any price from anywhere in the world. Early purchaser extremely positive feedback is coming in and reinforcing our opinion. In addition, D-10000 units are currently going out for professional reviews.
AMG
Multi-Award winning Turntables from the best of Germany design and quality.
AMG Viella V12 turntable
RRP NZ$29,995+ incl GST
Auditory high precision with expressive spatiality and excellent dynamic power. Extremely smooth running, excellent performance with highly dynamic sound presentation and definition.
-
Like the original Viella, the Viella Forte is among the best values in "top tier" turntables. Its build quality and engineering make it worthy of placement in that category even if the sonic performance is a notch below the absolute best; remember that it does so at, in some cases, a fraction of the price. text goes here
AMG GIRO II w/ 9W2 tonearm
RRP NZ$21,995+ incl GST
It's type of machine is capable of transporting you to wonderful, beautiful places. The elegant Giro's design is capable of creating beautiful music. While it may look like a svelte supermodel, it can ball with the big boys.
-
While it may not be a Mercedes, the AMG Giro MK II turntable with the Benz Micro SLR Gullwing cartridge proved that another type of machine is capable of transporting you to wonderful, beautiful places. The elegance of the Giro's design shows that a high-end turntable doesn't need to look like someone's junior high school science-fair project to be capable of creating beautiful music.
Five years ago, in his review of the original Giro, Herb Reichert wrote, "the AMG seems to have it all going on: exquisite style, superb build quality, ease of setup, ease of use, and the ability to steer cartridges and play records with the world's finest record players." All those observations apply to the MK II version, but now it can accommodate a wider variety of tonearms. Plus, even more than before, while it may look like a svelte supermodel, it can ball with the big boys.
Antipodes
Multi award winning, State-of-Art Music Servers * Streamers - proudly designed and made in New Zealand.
ANTIPODES Oladra music server review by Part Time Audiophile
RRP NZ$35,000 incl GST
I felt as if I entered that world for the first time, a world without limits, where I could do anything I wanted, and it all sounded magnificent, it’s shaped my music server expectations in a profound way.
-
this is about you, the knowledgeable digital audiophile who is looking for the finest sound possible
It goes back to the days when I was importing and distributing and exhibiting at those same shows, and I was still flipping LPs and swapping CDs while the smart guys were sitting in their comfy chairs and running a flawless demo with just a smart phone or tablet.
I wanted to be one of those guys. It seemed so easy, and the results were stunning and suggested the unlimited future of high-end digital audio. With the Antipodes Oladra, I felt as if I entered that world for the first time. It was a world without limits, where I could do anything I wanted, and it all sounded magnificent in a strangely easy way. I have no idea–yet–if the Antipodes Oladra is the “best” music server out there. I just know it’s shaped my music server expectations in a profound way.
ANTIPODES K50 music server review - Stereophile
RRP NZ$25,000 incl GST
The K50 was 1st launched in 2020 and updated in 2023 with G4 Oladra technology trickled down from the flagship Oladra, taking the K50's music-making ability to an entirely new level.
-
Antipodes K50 music server distinguished itself as the finest-sounding music server ever to grace my system. Image size and weight, colour saturation, bass control, and transparency were the best my system has ever delivered.
Listening was the most enjoyable and reI strongly suggest the latter approach: If a NZ$25,000 music server is within your price range, or you want to hear all that a $25,000 server can deliver, audition the K50. Class A+ all the way. rewarding I’ve ever experienced at home. That is cause for celebration.
ANTIPODES K41 music streamer reviewer: Hifi-Advice
RRP NZ$13,000 incl GST
K41 is a Music Server only. The K41 plays to the Ethernet input on networked DACs. You can upgrade with a K22 player (for USB and reclocked synchronous outputs S/PDIF, AES3, and I2S).
-
The K21, K22, and K41 are Antipodes’ K-Series Modular Options. To explain these models, it’s easiest if we start with the all-in-one K50 that I reviewed in September 2020. The K50 is a single unit but it contains three separate processing engines for the Server apps, Player apps, and the Reclocking outputs.
The K41 server and streaming via a standard gigabit Cisco network switch to the CH Precision C1.2 DAC’s network input, the Antipodes server has an engagingly soulful delivery. It’s meaty, dense, smooth, and full-bodied, as well as upbeat and toe-tappingly rhythmic, and beautifully liquid and continuous. It has the kind of sound that is easy to get into and that is relaxing without being laid back.
ANTIPODES K22 music server reviewer: Hifi-Advice
RRP NZ$12,000 incl GST
The K22 includes the K50 Player and Reclocker engines to play to the USB, S/PDIF, AES3, or I2S inputs of DAC. The K22 is ideal if one already has a server and only requires a high-quality endpoint.
-
Percussion, meanwhile, had a greater impact with a higher ‘shock’ value when each drum was hit while cymbals offered a broader splash when they were hit, giving the percussion a more important place within the mix. The surrounding brass, finally, featured a clean, rather shiny and brassy performance that added pizazz during crescendos.
The lowering of inherent and sonically damaging noise creates a generally improved suite of sonic frequencies that will serve any audiophile looking to upgrade from budget cables very well indeed. As you can see, even those of you who own the original Black cables should take a serious look at the new Black II cables.
Artesania Audio
Statement, class leading Audio Racks often seen on many of the the big rigs at MHES- from Spain
ARTESANIA Exoteryc reference audio racks - winner of Stereo Times “Most Wanted” award.
from RRP NZ$5000 - NZ$25,000
The Exoteryic rack eclipsed my US$,5000 reference with over US$15k of tweaks on top! Its highly effective at lowing the noise floor allowing the music to come through in most neutral, clean and three-dimensional manner.
-
After living with Artesania Exoteryc racks and doing some additional experimentation, I discovered, believe it or not, that grounding the racks using the provided ground straps improved their performance considerably. In my case, I grounded them to an independent ground – preferably a true earth ground – located in my backyard. This removed an additional layer of low-level grunge and gave my system a better insights to its inner details and dynamics. I also found the Artesania accessory called the Disk Weights, do in fact improve the performance of lighter made products such as an inexpensive PC DAC, DVD player or Music Server.
I’ve since become settled in with my new Artesania racks and admit that I’m enjoying my system’s overall performance like never before. The overall sense of freedom of constriction or constrain in the low frequencies has given bass greater definition.
In the end, I put in a lot of the time putting my former rack together. I’ve not had the Artesania Audio Exoteryc for a fraction of that time and it has eclipsed my reference with well over $10k – $15k worth of tweaks added on top of its $5k asking price! I now can conclude that not only does the Artesania Exoteryc isolation platform work but I found its performance to be surprisingly effective at lowing the noise floor and allowing the music to come through in most neutral, clean and three-dimensional manner.
ARTESANIA Aire Floor Platform - winner of HFA Favourite Award
from RRP NZ$5,995+
These sophisticated platforms do not merely add the last nth of quality, they actually transform the sound, in a musically meaningful manner.
-
Because of their carefully balanced mix of coupling and decoupling, the Aire Platforms have no sound of their own, yet they allow for a smoother, more organic sound than any other rack that I have used so far. In this aspect, I think they are unique. If anything I’d say that they allow components to sound as tonally full as they really are, allowing upper harmonics to bloom, as opposed to making them sound thinner and subjectively faster while cutting off the decays as happens with so many other racks.
Artesania racks and platforms do not magically make a cheap component sound like a million bucks. On the other hand, they also do not have any subtractive effects so you could say that in a sense they are forgiving, especially when compared to glass or racks with spiked levels. When the quality is inherently present in the components used, these platforms will allow it to be extended fully.
Granted, these platforms are not cheap. But given their incredible effect, I feel they are worth the expense. Especially if you have a system that has the inherent quality, and you are not looking to replace any components, then the addition of one or two Artesania Aire Floor Platform(s) for your amplifier(s) is just the ticket. And trust me on this: they do not merely add the last nth of quality, they actually transform the sound, in a musically meaningful manner.
ARTESANIA Organic Absolute 3 level rack
RRP $75,995 incl GST
The Organic Absolute rack is a 3 level, “State-of-the-Art” rack, with no compromise, for those who demand and can justify only the very best.
-
ORGANIC ABSOLUTE RACK
MATERIALS
Manufactured entirely from Krion, Panzerholz wood, elastomer adhesive, Japanese thermoplastic screws, and Titanium elements, with adjustable feet. KRION™ is a new generation solid surface developed by PORCELANOSA Group. The composite material is similar to natural stone but has absolutely no resonance, feels warm to the touch, is highly resistant, and easy to repair. Panzerholz® is a hardened layered panel material made of a combination of phenolic resin and hardwood with a hardened structure. The synergy between Panzerholz wood and the Krion solid surface is absolutely magic.
LINEAR ARMS
The arms are made from Krion, Panzerholz, and elastomer in a constrained layer. The arms hold adjustable Panzerholz discs that can easily be located in different positions, providing flexibility in different positions.
ISOLATION DISCS
The discs support each of the electronic components directly and without any need for shelves. The Panzerholz isolation discs are fixed to the linear arms with Japanese Peek thermoplastic screws. The discs allow easy installation and adjustment by means of only loosening one screw to change the position.
DECOUPLING BASE
Panzerholz discs are supplied for use under the feet which don’t damage wood floors or other soft surfaces.
ARTESANIA Organic Absolute single level amp rack
RRP $ incl GST
The Organic Absolute rack is a single level, “State-of-the-Art” rack, with no compromise, for those who demand and can justify only the very best.
-
ORGANIC ABSOLUTE RACK
MATERIALS
Manufactured entirely from Krion, Panzerholz wood, elastomer adhesive, Japanese thermoplastic screws, and Titanium elements, with adjustable feet. KRION™ is a new generation solid surface developed by PORCELANOSA Group. The composite material is similar to natural stone but has absolutely no resonance, feels warm to the touch, is highly resistant, and easy to repair. Panzerholz® is a hardened layered panel material made of a combination of phenolic resin and hardwood with a hardened structure. The synergy between Panzerholz wood and the Krion solid surface is absolutely magic.
LINEAR ARMS
The arms are made from Krion, Panzerholz, and elastomer in a constrained layer. The arms hold adjustable Panzerholz discs that can easily be located in different positions, providing flexibility in different positions.
ISOLATION DISCS
The discs support each of the electronic components directly and without any need for shelves. The Panzerholz isolation discs are fixed to the linear arms with Japanese Peek thermoplastic screws. The discs allow easy installation and adjustment by means of only loosening one screw to change the position.
DECOUPLING BASE
Panzerholz discs are supplied for use under the feet which don’t damage wood floors or other soft surfaces.
Atoll Electronique
Competitively priced, high quality CDP, DACs, Streamers, Phonos & Amps, for budget-conscious audiophiles from France.
ATOLL IN300 Signature Integrated amp review
RRP NZ$6,495
The Atoll IN300 is a purely integrated amplifier in the classic sense. Source switching, power, volume control, and essential digital inputs are executed to a very high standard all while wrapped in a fine 3-piece French suit.
-
The Atoll IN300 is akin to a sledgehammer in a fine-tailored suit. It extolls power and finesse in equal measure and it’s certainly worth your time for a listen.
The Atoll IN300 integrated amplifier, like the Atohm GT2-HD loudspeakers that I reviewed previously, is a finely crafted French audio component that is likely not top of mind with most audio enthusiasts. Frankly, that’s a little bit of a shame because I’ve found it to be certainly worth considering. Its understated good looks hide what looks like a heavy and well-designed component. One that, while light on the bells and whistles, delivers an appealing sound and more than enough power to easily handle some good-sized tower speakers. With plenty of digital and analog inputs, the IN300 is a very flexible, classic integrated amplifier. And with a proper dual-mono balanced design, the IN300 is more than a few steps above mainstream integrated amps in the build and sophistication departments. If I could made one suggestion for improvement, I would like to see an HDMI ARC input. Still, with enough optical and coaxial digital connections, it’s not a complete loss to connect a TV to the Atoll.
One of the more fun parts of my job as a reviewer is finding surprises. Components that in one way or another represent an unexpected value or deliver unexpected satisfaction that I was previously unaware of. The Atoll IN300 integrated amplifier fits very neatly into that category. A serious Hi-Fi component from our friends in France that is built like a tank and musically delivers much more joy and satisfaction than you might expect.
ATOLL SDA300 Signature Streaming integrated amp
RRP NZ$7,995
Connection to my local network with Tidal, Spotify and Qobuz was very straightforward. It delivered tight, precise and full-bodied bass, even the largest of crescendos remained dynamic and forceful with a warm, musical coherence…. allowed engagement with the music from the first few notes
-
As soon as Atoll confirms that the SDA300 Signature is Airplay-equipped I shall be placing my order to use this as a reference product. I like its styling, its ease of use and, best of all, its sound quality. The price is also competitive; there’s a lot for the money and it would cost considerably more to purchase separately the component parts from the Atoll range or any other reputable brand.
Overall, we have here a superbly engineered, well built (in France) streaming amplifier which sets a benchmark. Sound-wise it never fails to impress, with all manner of inputs sources and across many genres. The timing is spot-on, the soundstage wider and deeper than I recall from the SDA200, definition superb and both the dynamic abilities and detail extraction ahead of what one might expect at this price. Listeners are drawn into the music which become heavily engaging; so much so that it’s hard, very hard, to fault the sonics at all.
Audio Solutions
A wide range of multi-award wining, incredible value for the money, natural sounding Loudspeakers - from Lithuania.
AUDIO SOLUTION Virtuoso-S floorstand speakers review
RRP NZ$44.995/pr incl GST
The “small” Virtuoso-S have musicality and sound in a noble way, They are extremely elegant, Its the ELEGANCE, COHERENCE and REFINEMENT that to my mind in the long listening hours.
-
The AudioSolutions Virtuoso S from Lithuania showed, that they are no stranger to musicality.
The manufacturer implemented a knob on the rear, which allows to change 3 modes of the cross-over from detailed, balanced, to a golden honey one. This makes the tested heroes capable of fitting into even very demanding systems.
This leaves me no choice, than to a very honest recommendation to all music lovers, especially those on a road crossing, to test them out, it will be a success, the selectable modes of the cross-over will make you resist further changes for years. And what should you expect more ……. Jacek Pazio
AUDIO SOLUTION Virtuoso M floorstand speakers review
RRP NZ$61,995/pr incl GST
The Virtuoso-Ms continue the AS legacy, but with an even more refined, transparent character along with a lively heart, and a certain clarity, They are not genre-specific but offer seamless enjoyment of all music.
-
As with all loudspeakers submitted for review, the AudioSolutions Virtuoso M goes beyond the usual frontiers and above the common expectations.
Virtuoso M combines stylish aesthetics with modern surfaces. Add a refined voicing and dynamic capabilities that are well suited for the audiophile and music lover of the 21st century, and the final result is a product that combines what market demands! Gaidelis seems to understand and listen to the industry input and applied the needed accordingly to the time and circumstances.
AUDIO SOLUTION Overture 0305F floorstand speakers
RRP NZ$11,995/pr incl GST
The ability of the O305Fs to deliver exactly the sound of her voice in all these circumstances was exemplary.
-
Whatever the genesis of the soundtrack, there’s massive amounts of deep and not-so-deep bass and all of it was reproduced wonderfully well by the 0305Fs. The clarity of the AudioSolutions’ bass delivery made it easy to hear and appreciate the subtle changes in pitch and intonation in the bassIn my opinion, the ability of the O305Fs to deliver exactly the sound of her voice in all these circumstances was exemplary. The title track that follows has her singing as well as speaking and her breathy vocals were extraordinarily-well realised by the AudioSolutions speakers. The background percussion in this track is precise and the way the speakers delivered the sound of the ‘bounce’ of the skin on the drums was a joy for me. Rarely do I hear this done so well. What’s most impressive when you listen to ‘Sour’ is that when the album delivers power and drama, the AudioSolutions O305F delivers that power and drama, but when it switches to ‘soft and girly’ the O305F also moves straight into ‘soft and girly’, so becoming a perfect mirror to the music.To reprise those final words from that previous paragraph, “mirror to the music” is a fitting way to describe this superlative third-generation design from Gediminas Gaidelis, whose signature sound is writ large in the O305F’s acoustic DNA. Whatever speakers you thought you might be looking for for your own listening room, you owe it to yourself to consider this new model from AudioSolutions……. Greg Borrowman - Australian Hi-Fi
AUDIO SOLUTIONS Figaro MK2 floorstand speakers
RRP NZ$13,995/pr to NZ$32,000/pr incl GST
“Audio Solutions Figaro speakers have been reborn.New Figaro is not only a visual face-lift its also takes a significant step forward.”
-
AudioSolutions writes: “we unveiled our Figaro MK2 speakers. The most successful speaker series ever among Audio Solutions products has been reborn. The visual change is quite significant as it became much more modern as well many other technical aspects which made Figaro (mk1) a superior speaker in its price range. New Figaro is not only a visual face-lift its also takes a significant step forward.”“Figaro now has dedicated Bass drivers compared to mid-bass units in the previous version for Sonic response and articulation are improvements. The Mini-Horn has also seen improvement as well with wider working range, especially in the very top band of the frequency. Crossovers were updated with thicker wire air-coils as well as a new PCB layout for less cross-talk”. “The most important and biggest update is of course in the cabinet structure itself with a completely different approach which does not bind the cabinet to one monolythical structure but rather has some plasticity between different mass and density surfaces which converts vibration energy to heat in the junction between two surfaces”.“Figaro Mk2 now features a fully functional Cabinet-In-a-Cabinet (CIC) enclosure directly taken from our much more expensive Virtuoso series. This is the major and most significant update for new Figaro speakers”. ……….by Matej Isak - Mono & Stereo
Ayon Audio
Leading edge design, “Best Sound” winner MHES, extensive range of Tube Amps, DACs, Streamers, CD players & transports etc - Austria
AYON Crossfire-Evo-Delta 300B SE 50w integrated amp. High Fidelity’s Gold Fingerprint Award
RRP NZ$55,995 incl GST
The Ayon is able to present huge, orderly soundstage. it clearly separated layers of the stage with a better instruments’ separation. one has an impression of almost direct contact with the musicians.....it clearly showed even the smallest cymbal brush strokes, the bass’ body was big and heavy as it should be.
-
CROSSFIRE EVO DELTA is an extraordinary beast. It is big and heavy, which may not be a plus in itself, but all tube fans know that mass is the first feature of such design you notice suggesting its class (if only because good transformers simply weigh a lot), and the size resulting from the need to fit the entire system inside, in turn, facilitates proper heat dissipation.
The fact that the new model looks like a classic Ayon will be a plus for many people - the manufacturer does not surprise us using well-proven solutions. The fact that the sonic character shares the same DNA with the previous Crossfire versions should, in my opinion, also be added to the list of advantages (because each of them was a great product!). The 2x 50w output from the PSE circuit, in Class A, is a huge benefit, because it means that the list of loudspeakers this integrated can be paired with is clearly larger than in the case of its older brothers.
And there is still this "tiny little thing" ... the sound. And perhaps it is the EVO Delta that to the greatest extent among all the Crossfires so far, combines the best features that SETs are known for with those that are usually the domain of high-end solid-states. Because the higher power,means a greater control of the speakers, an even better extension of the bass and its proper authority, great saturation with energy of the entire band, and impressive dynamics. And this is complemented with a beautiful, colourful, juicy, dense and resolving midrange, and equally refined, delicate, in the best sense of the word, open, clean, airy, sonorous treble.
The whole delights on the one hand with momentum and energy, on the other with extraordinary, natural flow of music. This is a rare combination that most neither SETs nor solid-states can offer. Crossfire EVO Delta is therefore an extraordinary beast! Listen for yourself, because only a few amplifiers on the market, regardless of price, offer a similar, complete set of sonic features, which translates into an extremely engaging, beautiful, sophisticated presentation of music. For many people, the Crossfire EVO Delta can be the amp for life. ●
AYON CD35-II Signature CD player review & video - Editors Choice & “Audio Oasis” Awards
RRP NZ$24,995 incl GST
Ever since I became an audiophile I have been searching for a CD player capable of moving my soul, capable of delivering a high-fidelity experience without (of very few of) the negative aspects of digital playback...I have finally found it!
-
The new Ayon Audio CD player is one of the best devices of this type available on the market, regardless of the price. It outperforms the CD-35 MkI (the basic version), because it sounds more energetic, cleaner and even more saturated. If SACDs are not your priority, I don't see any flaws in it. Yes, the bass is bit „turned up” and you have to confront it with your own system. But it is a compact, dense and multi-coloured bass, with an excellent focus.
The midrange is saturated and dense, making the vocals beautiful in their "presence". They will be moved a bit closer to us, but this is what digital sources usually lack - here we have it for free. It is a sophisticated source with great functionality that will be an owner’s pride in any advanced, sophisticated audio system