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Help Audio Vision SF move!
The guys at Audio Vision San Francisco have lost their lease after years in their location on the corner of Pine and Van Ness streets in downtown San Francisco. They’ve only got a few months to find...
View ArticleBest Rock and Pop Albums 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...
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Audio by Van Alstine Fet Valve CF Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
While Audio by Van Alstine (AVA) may be a new name for many, there’s a good chance you are at least peripherally familiar with Frank Van Alstine’s work. Out of his shop in Minnesota, he spent years...
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VPI Classic Direct Drive Turntable
In audio, like in so many other things, the seed of a great idea often sprouts before the technology of the time is able to fully express the concept. The direct-drive turntable is a perfect example....
View ArticleAfghan Whigs Latest!
“You know me by now” softly repeats Greg Dulli in the midst of the Afghan Whigs’ new noir showpiece “Lost In the Woods,” his tone taunting, threatening, haunting, reminding. Seeing the statement comes...
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PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Power Amplifier
Seriously, the only thing I don’t like about PrimaLuna gear is lifting it. Recent hours at the gym notwithstanding, PrimaLuna amps keep getting heavier. Continuously improving the breed, the Dutch...
View ArticleNeil Young – Live at the Cellar Door
Recorded at the Cellar Door in Washington DC over a three-day period from November 30 to December 2, 1970, the latest in Neil Young’s “archives” series hits the record store shelves in vinyl format,...
View ArticleElvis Costello – King of America
Mobile Fidelity continues their excellent job of remastering the Elvis Costello catalog with his tenth album. Never charting higher than #39 in the US, this record received more than its share of...
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Rogue Audio Sphinx Integrated Amplifier
Rogue Audio, out of Brodheadsville, Pa., has been building rugged tube components since the 1990s, and as a result, the company enjoys a fiercely loyal customer base. Under the direction of owner and...
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Sennheiser HDVD 800 Headphone Amp/DAC
For a company to be a market leader or maintain its position as one, it has to be bold and willing to take some risks, challenge its R&D team to go beyond its comfort zone and build a product for a...
View ArticleReflections on Another Record Store Day
Another Record Store Day has come and gone, with many of my friends and our readers home counting their booty. And yes, some of this shit has gotten incredibly overpriced to the point where it is...
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Coffman Labs Equipment Footers
The Coffman Labs G1-A preamplifier is among the most unique-looking pieces of audio equipment we’ve reviewed. It includes custom-made feet that Damon Coffman designed to reduce that unwanted...
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Rega Aria Phonostage
Literally translated, the word aria means air in Italian, but it is often referenced as a lyrical, playful section of music as well. All of these terms apply rather nicely to Regas latest phono stage...
View ArticleArchie Powell & The Exports Latest
Archie Powell doesn’t have an easy go with relationships on he and the Exports’ terrific Back In Black. Candid, funny, and disarmingly personal, the Milwaukee quintet’s third album serves a vital...
View ArticleYes, the Meatmen!
“We’re the fucking men of meat!” proclaims the opening chorus during the leadoff track on the new album from Detroit’s offensive punk icons, the Meatmen. Frontman Tesco Vee, who came back into the fold...
View ArticleThe Black Keys – Turn Blue
Before the May 13, 2014 release of Turn Blue, the Black Keys’ eighth studio album, the Ohio-borne duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney released a tour itinerary. It was one befitting of one of the...
View ArticleIssue 63
Features Old School: The Ortofon MCA-76 Phonostage By Jeff Dorgay Journeyman Audiophile Dali Fazon Mikro Speakers and Sub 1 Subwoofer By Jeff Dorgay Personal Fidelity: Musical Fidelity MF-100...
View ArticleSharon Van Etten Are We There
Sharon Van Etten recently covered Bruce Springsteen’s “Drive All Night” for the A.V. Club’s “Pioneering” video series, performing it solo at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. While countless artists have...
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AURALiC Merak Monoblock Amplifiers
China’s AURALiC, a relative newcomer to the hi-fi industry, has stepped into this crowded scene with some quality products, and the company sets a high bar for itself with each new release. Seeing...
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Paradigm Monitor 7 Home Theater Speakers + Anthem MRX 510 A/V Receiver
Paradigm and Anthem both produce quality audio equipment at reasonable prices—Anthem on the component side and Paradigm on the speaker side. The two sister companies (to which MartinLogan is also a...
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