The Absolute Sound Podcast

• Best Speakers $10k-$20k Series: PSI Audio A25-M

  PSI Audio is primarily a pro audio company focused on monitors for use in recording studios. Given our interest in reproducing recordings well, I thought it would be interesting to review a few studio monitors to see if hearing what the engineers hear, or something more like it, had any benefits. There are all sorts of urban myths about what happens in the studio and try as I might, I can’t escape these. So, I was truly surprised by what I heard from the PSI Audio A25-M. 00:00 PSI Audio A25-M 01:44 Overview 6:05 Sound Quality 12:34 Voicing 14:38 Imaging 15:56 Value 17:14 Summary The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/ Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com Tom Martin’s Reference System: Aurender N200 Server Roon Nucleus server Mac Mini (M2) server Wiim Pro server/DAC Bluesound Node server/DAC Topping D70 Pro DAC dCS Lina DAC/Master clock Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module J Sikora Initial Max turntable Technics SL-1210G turntable Kuzma 4Point 9” arm J Sikora KV12 tone arm DS Audio 003 cartridge Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge Hana Umami Blue cartridge Hegel V10 phono preamp Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps MBL N51 integrated amplifier Magico A5 speakers Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables Shunyata Omega digital cables Shunyata Venom power cables and director AVN Systems acoustic design Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers Rediacoustic bass traps Salamander racks Solidsteel Turntable rack What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

  --------  

  18:11
• February Recordings of the Month from The Absolute Sound Reviewers

  We wanted to share with you some of the music we are using in the review process, with a focus on musically interesting work that is also enjoyably recorded. This isn’t necessarily new work or new recordings. With streaming making a test drive of these recommendations so easy, we simply wanted to give you some ideas. The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/ Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com Tom Martin’s Reference System: Aurender N200 Server Roon Nucleus server Mac Mini (M2) server Wiim Pro server/DAC Bluesound Node server/DAC Topping D70 Pro DAC dCS Lina DAC/Master clock Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module J Sikora Initial Max turntable Technics SL-1210G turntable Kuzma 4Point 9” arm J Sikora KV12 tone arm DS Audio 003 cartridge Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge Hana Umami Blue cartridge Hegel V10 phono preamp Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps MBL N51 integrated amplifier Magico A5 speakers Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables Shunyata Omega digital cables Shunyata Venom power cables and director AVN Systems acoustic design Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers Rediacoustic bass traps Salamander racks Solidsteel Turntable rack What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

  --------  

  6:31
• Best Power Amps Under $5000 Series: NAD C298 Stereo Power Amplifier Review

  The NAD C 298 strikes me as the amplifier a lot of audiophiles would want. But it is somewhat unusual, which may mean it flies under your radar. It shouldn’t, but let me tell you why so you can decide. This video's sponsor: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-sourcepoint-888-floorstanding-speakers-pair 00:00 NAD C298 Stereo Power Amplifier 02:07 Overview 03:13 Sound Quality 05:38 Voicing 09:06 Summary The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/ Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com Tom Martin’s Reference System: Aurender N200 Server Roon Nucleus server Mac Mini (M2) server Wiim Pro server/DAC Bluesound Node Icon server/DAC Topping D70 Pro DAC dCS Lina DAC/Master clock Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module J Sikora Initial Max turntable Technics SL-1210G turntable Kuzma 4Point 9” arm J Sikora KV12 tone arm DS Audio 003 cartridge Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge Hana Umami Blue cartridge Hegel V10 phono preamp Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps MBL N51 integrated amplifier Magico A5 speakers Perlisten S7t speakers Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables Shunyata Omega digital cables Shunyata Venom power cables and director AVN Systems acoustic design Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers Rediacoustic bass traps Salamander racks Solidsteel Turntable rack What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

  --------  

  9:45
• Best Power Amps Under $5000 Series: NAD C298 Stereo Power Amplifier Review

  The NAD C 298 strikes me as the amplifier a lot of audiophiles would want. But it is somewhat unusual, which may mean it flies under your radar. It shouldn’t, but let me tell you why so you can decide. This video's sponsor: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-sourcepoint-888-floorstanding-speakers-pair 00:00 NAD C298 Stereo Power Amplifier 02:07 Overview 03:13 Sound Quality 05:38 Voicing 09:06 Summary The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/ Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com Tom Martin’s Reference System: Aurender N200 Server Roon Nucleus server Mac Mini (M2) server Wiim Pro server/DAC Bluesound Node Icon server/DAC Topping D70 Pro DAC dCS Lina DAC/Master clock Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module J Sikora Initial Max turntable Technics SL-1210G turntable Kuzma 4Point 9” arm J Sikora KV12 tone arm DS Audio 003 cartridge Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge Hana Umami Blue cartridge Hegel V10 phono preamp Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps MBL N51 integrated amplifier Magico A5 speakers Perlisten S7t speakers Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables Shunyata Omega digital cables Shunyata Venom power cables and director AVN Systems acoustic design Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers Rediacoustic bass traps Salamander racks Solidsteel Turntable rack What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

  --------  

  10:06
• Best Headphones Series: ZMF Caldera Open Back Review

  Newcomer (to The Absolute Sound, not to high-end audio) Grover Neville shares his breakdown and thoughts on the ZMF Calderas. Are they a return to form? A new development? Or all of the above? Listen in to learn more. 00:00 ZMF Calderas 00:51 Specs & Design 02:47 Sound Quality 07:10 Value? 11:01 Summary Grover's Reference Gear: Ampsandsound Custom 300B SET Ampsandsound Yosemite Preamp/Phono Ampsandsound Custom Kraken Horn Speakers ANK kits DAC Schiit Sol Turntable with Mo-Fi Silver ATC SCM20PSL SPL Amplifier 2X Rythmik 12SE Subs Headphones: DCA Expanse ZMF caldera Audeze LCD-4, XC Sennheiser HD800 Ferrum Hypsos + OOR Who is Grover Neville? Grover Neville is an LA-based musician and audio engineer with a love for all things triode. After graduating from Oberlin College and Conservatory, Grover went on to work on everything from movie scores to grammy-nominated pop to avantgarde-jazz. When not in the studio tinkering with vintage tube mics or playing piano, you can spot them at your nearest Hi-Fi show, probably wherever the tube amps are. What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles. #hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

  --------  

  12:38

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About The Absolute Sound Podcast