Part-Time Audiophile

Focal/Naim and Big Bass Drops | AXPONA 2024

by Marc Phillips in AXPONA 2024 0

I enjoy how Focal/Naim has set up their exhibit rooms at all of the high-end audio shows over the last few years. Basically, they’re set-up like one of the new Focal/Naim retails stores where all [...]

Aretai at Midnight | AXPONA 2024

April 22, 2024 0

Let me tell you about my “Aretai at Midnight” story. I had a busy Saturday evening at AXPONA 2024–drinks in the hotel bar, a heavy dinner, and by ten I just wanted to get to […]

Børresen C1 Loudspeakers Debut | AXPONA 2024

April 21, 2024 0

Audio Group Denmark rarely attends a show without introducing at least one new product, and at AXPONA 2024 they introduced two–the new Børresen C1 two-way monitors ($16,500/pair), and a new line of Axxess cables to […]

Aidas Cartridges Joins the Dream Team | AXPONA 2023

April 21, 2024 0

The Dream Team of high-end audio–Joseph Audio, Doshi Audio, Cardas, Aurender and J. Sikora–welcomed a new addition to their ranks at AXPONA 2024. Aidas Cartridges from Lithuania is now being imported Jeff Fox of Notable […]

Arnold Martinez and Krell | AXPONA 2024

April 20, 2024 0

I haven’t heard from my good audio buddy Arnold Martinez in quite a few years–long enough to have the what-happened-to-Arnold discussion with a number of others this year. Arnold was one of my favorite dealers […]

Audio by Van Alstine Returns to the Show Circuit | AXPONA 2024

April 20, 2024 0

When I walked into the Audio by Van Alstine room at AXPONA 2024, I instantly realized that I have never walked into an AVA room at any high-end audio show before. Mary from AVA confirmed […]

Kubala-Sosna, TLA, Vivid and Mola Mola | AXPONA 2024

April 20, 2024 0

The Kubala-Sosna room, hosted by one of the finest cable manufacturers on the scene for the last couple of decades, featured a system that included so many great products that have popped up on my […]

HiFi Highlights And Best Of Show | AXPONA 2024

April 19, 2024 0

North America’s biggest audio show is behind us, but coverage continues to roll out all week on the site, video channels and even our audiophile-oriented podcast. Host Brian Hunter is joined this week by the […]

Ayre and YG Acoustics | AXPONA 2024

April 19, 2024 0

This is the section of our AXPONA 2024 coverage that plays out like musical chairs–YG Acoustics with Vinnie Rossi, YG Acoustics and Linn, Qln with Vinnie Rossi and, as we have here, Ayre and YG. […]

The Bob Carver Room | AXPONA 2024

April 19, 2024 1

Room 1643 at AXPONA this year was the Bob Carver room, and it was very enjoyable. That’s because their products on display here were completely new to me, and catching up with Carver turned out […]

CAT and Clarisys | AXPONA 2024

April 19, 2024 0

And now for something completely different–a big pair of panel speakers in a big hotel conference room playing big music. I’m not sure why the CAT and Clarisys Audio room at AXPONA 2024 seemed like […]

Fidelis, Audio Skies and Ernest Meunier of ArgentPur | AXPONA 2024

April 18, 2024 0

I’ve known Walter Swanbon of Fidelis AV and Fidelis Distribution for many years, and we usually see eye-to-eye on high-end audio brands. That’s why I’m especially glad to see JMF amplification in his exhibit rooms, […]

Artisan Fidelity and TIDAL Audio | AXPONA 2024

April 18, 2024 0

Usually when I listen to a system with TIDAL Audio components and speakers, my focus is on TIDAL Audio itself. I’m truly impressed with this German brand, especially after hearing the Tidal for Bugatti system […]

Vinnie Rossi and YG | AXPONA 2024

April 18, 2024 1

The absolute highlight of my AXPONA experience came from a somewhat expected source: Room 1427 featuring Vinnie Rossi and YG products. Vinnie was displaying the latest iteration of his Brama products, including the Brama preamp […]

Next Level HiFi and Audio Group Denmark | AXPONA 2024

April 17, 2024 1

In one of the three rooms from Next Level HiFi, a dealer in the Chicago area, and Audio Group Denmark, the Børresen X3 loudspeakers ($12,000/pr) were pumping the jams with the Axxess Forté 2 integrated […]

Axiss Audio | AXPONA 2024

April 17, 2024 4

Room 1632 at AXPONA this year featured products from Axiss Audio, and was stacked with gear from Soulution and Gauder Akustik. Up to this point I’ve been unfamiliar with Soulution Audio, but these source components […]

Zanden Audio Systems 1200 Signature Phono Stage | REVIEW

April 7, 2024 0

Like any self-identifying member of the audio cognoscenti, I got super excited about the new Zanden Audio Systems Model 1200 Signature phono stage ($29,500 MSRP). It is way up there in the category of high-end […]

AURALiC ARIES G2.2 Network Streamer | REVIEW

April 5, 2024 0

During my time listening to high-end audio products, AURALiC has become one of my favorite brands. Their products are reasonably priced (in the world of high end audio, at least), have unmatched build quality, and […]

Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Streamer/DAC | REVIEW

March 31, 2024 1

I needed a DAC. Yeah, I know, I’ve started off more than one review with this declaration and it’s a constant reminder that I need to rectify that situation. But I’ve also toyed with the […]

StudioSilver MC Cartridge from MoFi Electronics | REVIEW

March 29, 2024 0

Do I need MoFi in my hi-fi? MoFi expanded beyond their vinyl offerings and their importing and distribution division, and now they’re venturing now into the electronics game–the music giant is shaking the audiophile tree. […]

Triangle Magellan Duetto 40th Anniversary Loudspeakers | REVIEW

March 24, 2024 1

One of our writers here at PTA, Graig Neville, has flipped so completely over the latest generation of loudspeakers from Triangle of France that after reviewing the relatively affordable yet impressive 40th Anniversary Antal, he […]

Hagerman Piccolo MC Head Amplifier | REVIEW

March 22, 2024 2

When I purchased my Naim NAIT 50 integrated amplifier last year, my only criticism was the inboard MM phono stage, which is a really fine phono stage if you’re into high-output moving magnet cartridges. While […]

TAD C1000 Preamplifier (& Friends) | REVIEW

March 17, 2024 0

Technical Audio Devices debuted the TAD C1000 preamplifier at Capital Audiofest this past November, and I was excited to be the first in the queue to get my hands on this new piece of kit. […]

Enleum HPA-23RM Headphone Amplifier | REVIEW

March 15, 2024 0

I don’t think I’ve given PTA Senior Contributing Editor Grover Neville enough credit about this in the past, but he really does an excellent job when it comes to discovering new and worthwhile manufacturers for […]

Orchard Audio Starkrimson Monoblock Amplifiers | REVIEW

March 10, 2024 3

Gallium nitride (GaN) transistors have created quite the buzz in the audio industry over the last few years–some of the buzz is good, and some maybe not so good. When I had the chance to […]

2023 Product of the Year

December 17, 2023 Comments Off

I’ve made a few changes for the 2023 Product of the Year Awards. Usually I limit the nominees to products our team at PTA has reviewed over the year. That implies we have significant seat […]

2023 Best Value Awards

December 15, 2023 7

PTA’s 2023 Best Value Awards are marked by an underlying theme, that old audio reviewer canard of saying “I liked it so much, I bought it!” Many of the 2023 Best Value nominees below are […]

Stocking Stuffers for Audiophiles | Buyers Guide 2024

December 8, 2023 2

I’ve been told on multiple occasions by numerous people that when it comes to holiday gifts, I’m notoriously “tough to buy for.” Nonsense! I’m an audiophile! I have a million things I want, and I […]

2024’s Best Hi-Fi Accessories | Buyers Guide 2024

December 3, 2023 2

Welcome to 2024’s Best Hi-Fi Accessories from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2024. We’re not saying that these are the “best” hi-fi accessories or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying […]

2024’s Best Cables, Power and Grounding | Buyers Guide 2024

December 3, 2023 2

Welcome to 2024’s Best Cables, Power Management and Grounding from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” cables, power management and grounding devices or that these choices somehow overrule […]

2024’s Best Headphone Gear | Buyers Guide 2024

December 3, 2023 2

Welcome to 2024’s Best Headphone Gear from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that this is the “best” headphone gear or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying that these […]

2024’s Best Digital Playback | Buyers Guide 2024

December 2, 2023 2

Welcome to 2024’s Best Digital Playback for the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” digital playback products or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying that […]

2024’s Best Cartridges, Tonearms and Headshells | Buyers Guide 2024

December 2, 2023 Comments Off

Welcome to 2024’s Best Cartridges, Tonearms and Headshells section from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” cartridges, tonearms and headshells or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s […]

2024’s Best Phono Preamplifiers and SUTs | Buyers Guide 2024

December 2, 2023 Comments Off

Welcome to 2024’s best phono preamplifiers and SUTs from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” phono preamplifiers and SUTs or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. […]

2024’s Best Turntables | Buyers Guide 2024

December 2, 2023 1

Welcome to 2024’s Best Turntables from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” turntables or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying that these are the […]

2024’s Best Preamplifiers | Buyers Guide 2024

December 1, 2023 1

Welcome to 2024’s Best Preamplifiers from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” preamplifiers or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying that these are the […]

2024’s Best Power Amplifiers | Buyers Guide 2024

December 1, 2023 4

Welcome to 2024’s Best Power Amplifiers from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” power amplifiers in the world or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re […]

2024’s Best Integrated Amplifiers | Buyers Guide 2024

December 1, 2023 6

Welcome to 2024’s Best Integrated Amplifiers from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” integrated amps in the world or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re […]

2024’s Best Floorstanding Speakers | Buyers Guide 2024

December 1, 2023 12

Welcome to 2024’s Best Floorstanding Speakers from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” floorstanding speakers in the world or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re […]

2024’s Best Bookshelf Speakers | Buyers Guide 2024

December 1, 2023 9

Welcome to 2024’s Best Bookshelf Speakers for the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide. We’re not saying that these are the “best” bookshelf speakers in the world or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re […]

Innuos Factory Tour | On the Road

The story of my Innuos factory tour starts off in a fascinating part of the world–Faro, Portugal, at the southwestern tip of the Iberian peninsula, a relatively short distance from the Spanish border, Gibraltar, the [...]

Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40, microZOTL Pre | REVIEW

“These ‘uns are a little bit different,” Scot Hull told me in that almost impenetrable Northern Maryland drawl of his. It was almost a warning—he knew I loved the Linear Tube Audio Z10 integrated so [...]

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