All in Star Component Award

Pass Labs XP-17 Phono Stage

Pass Labs XP-17 Phono Stage

Karl Sigman
Analog, Star Component Award

While spending more time using vinyl in my audio system, I came to realize the importance of a phono stage; in particular matching one appropriate with one’s turntable and cartridge. This is a huge grey area, and one in which passions are high. If you ask for advice you must be prepared to enter a mine field. Some will insist that all-tube phono stages are the only way to go, while others will insist on solid state. Not having any strong pre-conceived ideas of my own, I considered whatever advice I could get and then researched/explored further. I tried both types, plus the solid state one I own, the PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, which has the unusual ability to convert to digital on the fly and send the output to my DAC--in addition to offering a purely analog path. As I gained a better understanding of what I did and did not like about sound quality revealed by different phono stages, I concluded that the reason my digital setup had the overall upper hand in sound quality was due to its superior components; the weak link in my vinyl setup was the phono stage. So, here we are; the raison d’etre for this review.

Being of a practical nature, I did not like the moving coil (mc) versus moving magnet (mm) dichotomy incorporated in the vast majority of phono stages. Why? Because the cart I liked so much as my reference was neither; it was a moving iron (mi) and had other unusual properties that were not accommodated by some of the most expensive and well regarded phono stages.

VPI Industries Prime Turntable

VPI Industries Prime Turntable

Karl Sigman
Analog, Star Component Award

Recently, I had an unforeseen reason (disaster?) that offered me a chance to check out a new phono cartridge for my VPI Industries Scout turntable. Among the cartridges I focused on for review was the Grado Labs Statement v2 (reviewed here), but it was a much more serious and expensive cartridge than the one I had before (the very nice Ortofon 2M Black (MM)). As such it was considered by both Grado Labs and VPI Industries to be more suitable for a higher level turntable, so I used a Prime in my Grado review; I am grateful to VPI President Mat Weisfeld for allowing me access to the Prime for that review. Here, I review the Prime itself; after all, I have spent quite some time with it by now– and I am deeply impressed by it. A fine cartridge can’t show off unless it is mounted on a fine turntable, right?

Raidho Acoustics XT-1 Loudspeaker

Raidho Acoustics XT-1 Loudspeaker

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

I had a lovely Facebook Messenger conversation with Lars Kristensen of Denmark's Raidho Acoustics about how much I was loving my X-1 Loudspeakers -- more like adoration, if truth be told. 

He mentioned the X-1 now had an upgrade to XT-1 and that he could organize that for me if I wished. Giddyup! True to his word, my speakers were picked up, shipped to Denmark, and were upgraded and back on their stands in less than three weeks!  The cost of the upgrade is USD $1,500 /pair plus shipping. A new pair of XT-1s will run you USD$7,700/pair plus the proprietary (and necessary) stands. 

Readers may find my original review of the X-1 helpful. 

Alta Audio IO Loudspeaker

Alta Audio IO Loudspeaker

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

Michael Levy, the owner of Long Island's Alta-Audio and designer of its range of speakers, is as passionate an audio professional I know.

Levy leverages every ounce of that energy, extreme knowledge and passion into his loudspeaker design. 

Two Audiophilia writers, Martin Appel and Karl Sigman, both have Alta Audio FRM-2 Celestas as their references. At USD$ 15,000, they are worth every penny. Encased in the most gorgeous polyester piano black finish, these stand mount gems are among the best sounding speakers you can buy. Truly magnificent. 

Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge

Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge

Karl Sigman
Analog, Star Component Award

Most audiophiles have a similar story to tell as the one I hereby offer as the lead to this review: One day some months ago, a friend came by excited to play on my turntable what he said was a very fine LP. When the tone arm dropped, all we heard was a loud screeching sound, no music. Close inspection revealed that ‘someone’ had meddled with the diamond tipped needle, and like an acrobat it was now in a most contorted configuration, bent 180 degrees with some cute wiggles too. The needle cracked off shortly after.

Although my 3-year old daughter admitted that she was to blame, she had such a logical and endearing explanation for her action that of course I could not take her to task except to make her promise never again to 'mess around with Papa’s stereo system'. [I introduce to you, fellow audiophiles, Karl Sigman, the most patient man on the planet - Ed]

Totem Acoustic Sky Loudspeaker

Totem Acoustic Sky Loudspeaker

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

The new bookshelf loudspeaker from Montreal's Totem Acoustic looks almost identical to the company's legendary Model 1 from twenty years ago. 

That speaker, like the new Sky, was housed in a small enclosure that packed a musical wallop. It was refined, too. So much so that my choice for my first reference came down to it and Stuart Tyler's ProAc Tablette Signature. I went with the signed Brit. And loved it. It was my reference for several years. All the while my friends with the Totem kept reminding me of the 1's superiority in many audiophile checks and balances. 

Audience AU 24SX Interconnects and Speaker Wires

Audience AU 24SX Interconnects and Speaker Wires

Audiophilia Staff
Cables, Star Component Award

It was just about fifteen years ago that I first became aware of and reviewed the Audience Au24 interconnects and speaker wires. At that time, I made particular mention of their user friendliness and was also favourably impressed with the musicality of these rather thin cables. Then as now, many audiophiles have been conditioned to believe that the better and more expensive audio cables are, the heaver gauged and more massive the cables have to be. I have friends who truly believe that “you need a thick cable to carry the full audio signal”. Personally, I have grown tired of cables that could be considered “Audio Pipes”.

Audience has steadfastly resisted this trend. As soon as I became aware that Audience had revised their entire line and the new Au24 SX interconnects and speaker wire were at the very top of that line, I felt that it was a good time to revisit Audience’s cables. I contacted Audience’s John Mc Donald to arrange for some review samples.

SONOS PLAY:1 Loudspeaker; 5.1 Surround Sound; Stereo Pair

SONOS PLAY:1 Loudspeaker; 5.1 Surround Sound; Stereo Pair

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Digital, Star Component Award

It would be instructive to read my original review of the full SONOS system [PLAYBAR, SUB, PLAY:5]. 

This review will examine the addition of two PLAY:1s to that superb system. The PLAY:1 is the smallest SONOS speaker at (USD) $199.00 /each. They will be auditioned as rears converting my main floor lifestyle system into 5.1 surround sound. I'll also add my thoughts with the PLAY:1s setup as a standalone stereo pair. 

Alta Audio Titanium Hestia Loudspeaker

Alta Audio Titanium Hestia Loudspeaker

Karl Sigman
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

When it comes to loudspeakers, I like ones that are meant for a relatively small intimate setting as opposed to a large space. This is in line with my preference for attending small get-togethers as opposed to huge parties, or my preference for listening to a string quartet, or a small ensemble consisting of a handful from among a pianist, singer, bassist, cellist, guitarist and percussionist (drummer) versus a full-blown orchestra/band; it’s just the way I am, other people are different. This allows me to be very happy with the sound of my reference system in my small cozy apartment living room (16′ (W), 9′ (D), with 9.5′ high ceilings).

Audioengine HDP6 Passive Speakers

Audioengine HDP6 Passive Speakers

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

A good solid read of my detailed review of the powered version of this speaker may well be instructive. 

The new passive version from Audioengine maintains many of the qualities from that fabulous little gem of a speaker, with the new one allowing for your own favourite type of amplification.

The HDP6 is a retro version, stripped of all the powered guts and gizmos. 

Rega RP10 Turntable

Rega RP10 Turntable

Anthony Kershaw
Analog, Star Component Award

Much of the technology incorporated in Rega's recent RP8 turntable transitoned up to the new flagship RP10. As such, a read of our RP8 review would be a good idea before reading the RP10 review. In addition to the new technology added to the RP8, the RP10 was designed with those and some truly new extraordinary design cues that set a new bar for Rega. 

ELAC Debut B5 Loudspeaker

ELAC Debut B5 Loudspeaker

Anthony Kershaw
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

It feels invigorating to get your long held audiophile pre conceived notions smashed to smithereens on occasion. This was such an occasion. Three weeks earlier, it felt as though I was knocking on the door of a very cool house party location. The host answered and looked at me with surprise. 'Actually, the party's just winding down'.

Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier

Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier

Anthony Kershaw
Integrated Amplifier, Star Component Award

I've been a big fan Jeff Rowland's audio gear for many years. Rowland's solid state amplification has always been a segment leader featuring smooth, detailed and powerful sounding products highlighting the best that solid state design can bring to the high end. If you have researched a solid state product to purchase over the past few years, I'm sure a Rowland audition was scheduled.

Alta Audio Rhea Loudspeakers

Alta Audio Rhea Loudspeakers

Karl Sigman
Loudspeakers, Star Component Award

At the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF) 2015 I had the pleasure of listening to the newest Alta Audio loudspeaker, the Rhea. It greatly impressed me and many other attendees. Although only the second lowest in price in their line of five models which range from the Solo at $1,500 per pair weighing in at only 15 lbs each (a single driver model) to the Statement Towers at $250,000 per pair that weigh 485 lbs each and contain 11 drivers, the Rhea were clearly something very special at only $4,500 per pair.

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