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Welcome to Audiophilia. We publish honest and accurate reviews of high end audio equipment and music.
Welcome to Audiophilia. We publish honest and accurate reviews of high end audio equipment and music.
All in Star Component Award
The HiFi reviewing challenges continue to arrive from the pearly shores of South Korea. The Allnic Audio L-8500 OTL/OCL Preamplifier ($13,500) is the third Allnic preamp we’ve had in for review. All three are beautifully designed and manufactured. The varied designs/topology made serious impressions on the rest of my components. All in different but musically fabulous ways.
Other than these gems eventually leaving my system, the primary challenge comes from trying to describe the subtle but very important differences and directing the audiophile to the best purchase choice for their components and listening habits. In this review, there will not be an indeterminate ending. One, after many happy hours of listing and comparison (two in house and one from very pleasant aural memories), did work best for my situation and needs. Ever so slightly. Continue on and read about the L-8500, a very special component, and which of the three preamps may work best for you.
This is my second review of audio equipment from our Canadian producers, Tri-Art Audio (TAA). Please see my earlier review of the Tri-Art Audio open baffle speakers, the B series 4 Open, should you wish to learn more about this Canadian gem of a company.
Note: this review includes the added functionality of the Tri-Art B-Series DC Linear (Tube Buffered) 12 Volt Power Supply, which ships with the integrated amplifier. Price for the integrated amplifier and its outboard power supply is $3799.
The Accordo Loudspeakers were the last Franco Serblin voiced before he died in 2013. Serblin was founder of Italy’s Sonus faber (1983), maker of exquisite speakers with a reputation for the finest cabinetry in high end audio. Sonus faber practically invented artisanal cabinet making. Serblin left Sonus faber in 2006 and continued the high standard of art and design with his eponymous company.
I can report to you that the build quality of the Serblin Accordo is as good or even better than the glorious looking Sonus faber speakers. The mirror-imaged Accordos are small and beautifully balanced in design—they will pass any significant other test and fit into any decor.
