The Absolute Sound Podcast

Last year, Technics unveiled an expansion to their acclaimed Grand Class series with the SL-1300G, the first direct-drive turntable in the lineup since its debut in 2016. While the absence of iconic DJ-associated controls, like pitch adjustment and strobe, may draw attention for its sleek, revamped aesthetic, my month-long experience with the SL-1300G revealed there’s more to this model than meets the eye. I’m Michael Johnson with ...

Robert Taylor reviews the pricey yet formidably impressive TSI-300 Integrated Amplifier. Engaging, relaxing, and extremely natural, this integrated amplifier has Robert reminiscing on one of his favorite childhood albums. Will you feel the same? Tune in to find out.

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The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/art...

Meze has been releasing a lot of new headphones in the last couple of years. And this is kind of a new generation of what I think of as their mid-range line of headphones. Do they strike balance between fidelity and affordability? Tune in to find out.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-revi...

Denafrips is a manufacturer of audio electronics, primarily known for its series of advanced ladder DACs. In this test I cover the Terminator 15th DAC which is positioned as Denafrips flagship, but at a price of $6099 is affordable compared to some of the other flagship DACs I’ve been covering. Let’s see how it performs.

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00:00 Denafrips Terminator 15th

01:34 The Absolute S...

D'Agostino Pendulum integrated amplifier made from Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, the company belonging to the man who was founder, CEO and chief designer of KRELL until 2009. They mostly manufacture megabucks electronics like preamps, power amps and integrated amps, which sell for up to $385,000. But the Pendulum is their new most affordable amp at $18,000 base, or $22,500 as reviewed, with both options and capable of 120W p...

With a price per pair coming in at $23.5k (USD), for me they’ll remain a memory for now, but when my hi-fi budget grows, I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on these beauties. However, if you currently find yourself looking for equipment in this price range, you’re gonna wanna stick around while I share what I heard while listening to the AGD SOLO Monoblock amps.

This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/

After hearing the Model 1's at this year's AXPONA, in combination with their minimalist design, Adrian Alexander decided to investigate these further. Are they possibly going to be Adrian's new reference speaker? Tune in to find out!

This video is sponsored by: https://www.wattson.audio/

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/

The venerable firm Audio Research has recently undergone a big transition in ownership, strategy and product offerings. We covered this extensively in a visit to their Minnesota headquarters in advance of the release of 6 new products this summer. Today, I’ll be reviewing two of those products, the LS-3 solid-state preamp/DAC and the S-100 solid-state power amp. We’ve covered the new D-80 tube power amp, and will be covering the LS...

What happens when you take one of the most respected professional monitor companies and ask them to build their flagship home speaker? You get something that challenges everything you think you know about how big sound should look...

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00:00 PMC Prophecy9

01:39 Overview

4:40 Sound Quality

11:15 Is it for you?

12:46 Technology

13:36 Summary

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The streamer is quite possibly the most misunderstood device commonly used in the high-end audio chain. Most people harbor the thought that the differences between streamers are either non-existent or very, very small. I had that thought, reinforced by the idea that “it’s just a computer, and computers can be had for $500.” Then I started testing them. The differences are pretty obvious on a good system, and I think meaningful if y...

In many loudspeaker reviews, you'll hear the word 'soundstage' and 'sound dispersion' a lot, and today you're going to hear a lot more about it, in this review of The Golden Ear Triton five loudspeakers.

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00:00 Golden Ear Triton 5

1:01 Overview

01:42 Specs & Design

5:35 Sound Quality

09:15 Summary

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The E-3 is strictly for playback of DS audio optical cartridges. Does its refined purpose lead to refined sound? Listen in to Robert's review to find out.

This video is sponsored by: https://hifirose.com/

00:00 Soul Note E-3 Phono Equalizer

00:49 Specs & Design

02:39 Sound Quality

08:45 Summary

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Ahead of his review of the https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/alsyvox-caravaggio-xx-loudspeaker/ Editor-in-Chief of The Absolute Sound hosted Alsyvox founder and owner Daniele Cohen at his listening room to gather some expository information on the Caravaggio and Alsyvox as a company.

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles...

What can 80 watts per channel of American tube muscle do for your system in 2025? And further, what can a storied heritage brand like Audio Research bring to the table in a field increasingly dominated by foreign competitors? Hello viewers, I'm Michael Johnson with the Absolute Sound and I am lucky enough to have an early look and listen to Audio Research’s new D-80 stereo tube amplifier, so let’s just dive in.

The Absolute Sou...

For a long time, electrostatic driver technology has been at the apex of headphone performance. Audeze, famous for their planar magnetic headphones, has recently updated their electrostatic flagship to create the CRBN2. Let’s take a look.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r210s/

The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-meth...

Some products that we review do special things that are almost immediately obvious in a controlled environment like we use for testing. Some products also present a challenge to our preconceived notions of what works in audio. The Esoteric F-01 integrated amp does both. Let’s take a look.

This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/

6 Major Problems of Believability: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-...

Robert Taylor reviews the versatile yet simple Bricasti M21 Platinum Series DAC, with its sleek, timeless platinum faceplate.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r210s/

00:00 Bricasti M21 Platinum Series DAC

00:38 Specs & Design

02:23 Reference Equipment

2:49 Sound Quality

08:48 Summary

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This one is different. The Sound Lab G7-7C speaker is just under 7 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 4 inches thick. There are no conventional speaker drivers inside. From the right perspective, it contends for the best speaker in the world. And while $49,500 per pair isn’t inexpensive, in a world where the top speakers are often priced at $400,000 or $800,000 per pair, the Sound Lab might be considered a bargain. Let’s check out the deta...