Gary Numan – 78/79 Box Set
A relative newcomer to the reissue scene, British-based Vinyl 180 is concentrating on a small stable of artists from the 80s and 90s that are thankfully anything but traditional audiophile fare. We’re...
View ArticleTONEAudio’s Best Music of 2013
It’s that time of year when music critics of every stripe pick what they consider the best records of the past 12 months. At TONE, we’re no different. Here are the 25 studio albums from 2013 that Music...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why we refuse to predict the future!!
I write very few actual rants in this space or in TONEAudio‘s publishers letter for good reason: I want this to be fun. I’ve always felt that the minute we bring our personal baggage into the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Vandersteen updates the model 1…
Sometimes you forget about that awesome thing that was right under your nose (or ears) all along. The Vandersteen 1 has been around for decades, living in the shadow of its more popular sibling, the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Phonon SMB-02 Headphones
Listening to the gentle, guitar and bass opening to Meshell Ndegeocello’s version of “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” the Phonon SMB-02 headphones instantly impress, with a nice, big, wide...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Going beyond two channel…
Have we lost our minds? Are we turning into a home theater magazine? Gasp! Well, you can’t always sit in the dark and listen to Patricia Barber, can you? If the answer is no, and you love to watch...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peachtree Audio deepblue Bluetooth Music System
Some audio fans crave a stereo experience courtesy of multiple components. Of course, more equipment means more money. Plus, each component needs its own power cord, interconnects and shelf space. For...
View ArticleClik here to view.
AURALiC VEGA Digital-Audio Processor
Vega is the name of one of the brightest stars visible from Earth. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s a very good chance that you regularly witnesses its vibrant twinkle. Sometimes called...
View ArticleClik here to view.
PS Audio NuWave DAC
Working as a DJ for hire in the eighties, I was exposed to more than my share of New Wave songs, upturned collars, pastel colors, and hair gel. During those years the early CDs started taking hold....
View ArticleClik here to view.
U-Turn Audio Orbit Turntable
First and foremost, the people at U-Turn Audio are to be commended for bringing a domestically manufactured turntable to market at an unbelievably low price. The Orbit, which is manufactured in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Astell&Kern AK10 Portable Smartphone DAC
In the past year, a healthy section of the audiophile headphone community has gone gaga for iRiver’s Astell&Kern AK100 and AK120 portable media players. And rightly so—they’re both terrific. But...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Apogee ONE
Those not well versed with the world of professional audio may not be familiar with the name Apogee. Founded in 1985, Apogee Electronics is highly regarded by audio professionals and recording...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Phasemation PP-1000 MC Phono Cartridge
My quest for the Phasemation PP-1000 cartridge started four months ago, when I was perusing photos from a good friend’s recent excursion to Asia and the exotic analog setups he saw on his journey. Most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gato Audio DIA-250 Integrated Amp/DAC
Part of the mission here at TONEAudio has always been to remain on the lookout for magnificent hi-fi gear that not only performs well but is also a piece of visual art able to blend into any décor....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bel Canto C7R DAC Integrated Amplifier
For audio fans who believe sonic reproduction should be heard but not seen, a large-scale component system just isn’t practical. Many component systems require significant space and can be obtrusive...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Plinius SA-Reference Power Amplifier
Located in New Zealand, Plinius has been making great components for years, and the brand has a loyal customer base that sings the Plinius praises on most of the audio forums. And with good reason....
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Premium Amp and Disc Player from Yamaha
It’s exciting to see Yamaha get back to their high performance roots with the new AS-3000 integrated amplifier and matching CD-S3000 disc player, which also offers SACD playback and USB DAC...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Grado Labs Factory Tour
A Brooklyn Success Sixty Years in the Making Sitting with a rather antsy John Grado in the third floor listening room at Grado’s factory in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, one gets the sense that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Astell&Kern AK120 Mobile Music Player
By now, you’ve likely heard of Astell&Kern. The sub-brand of Korean electronics manufacturer iRiver launched late last year, with its $700 AK100 mobile touchscreen player capable of delivering...
View ArticleDe La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising
Sounding like they were taped via a cassette recorder placed in front of an AM radio, the original digital and LP copies of this hip-hop classic sound positively dreadful, with not much useful...
View Article