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116.
003
 Cairn
I I TONE

Staff
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Kevin Wolff

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all Property of The Audiophile Apartment
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is a registered trademark.
yg-acoustics.com

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 18
what's inside:

60
V
i
s 1095 - Gear
0
for about a G
u
Cover Story
Another great low-b udget
r
w phono stage - this time
e Meet Joe Nino-Hernes from Parasound.
b -By Bob Gendron
s
i
t
e
s

0
n

70
e

14 54
p
u
b
l (and on ...) MINE: It Should be Yours
i Can't Get it out of my Head
C Playlists You can't live on music and hifi
alone, so here are some things
a Singer/songwriter extraordinare
t to spice up your existence.
Our readers, staff, and industry Emily Duff, is on the scene in
friends share what they are
62
0 NYC telling us what she's loving.
n listening to with y ou.
s
C
Swill
0 Enough hifi, let's have a beer!
m This time, Darin Kong breaks
out the RUSH ale!
C

25
a Sponsored by Cardas Audio
r
t
r
i 79 58
d Journeyman Audiophile:
21
Dealers That Mean Business
g
e TONE's list of approved dealers.
Jim on Jazz
d We've got some great monitors These are the folks you can trust
u Jim Macnie's discerning ears
d from ATC. your hard earned dollars with.
e The Audiophile Apartment give us a great list of new

88
music to dive into.
C Hegel's 390 integrated combines great sonics
0
m and functionality. Sean Zloch puts it through
its paces. Get The Gear

64
m Links to the gear (and our
&
m
advertisers) in this issue.

w
h
a
b 90
Future Tense
i
t Last Word
C What's in the
0 box doc? Products in for review and on our
m near horizon.

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neymanAudi
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 l
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TONE116.
026-
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TONE116.
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TONE116.
028-
Jour
neymanAudi
ophi
le
 Had this been a full-blown review, I'd certainly have tried these speakers with
about ten different amplifiers, including a 300B/SET just to try it out. Mr. Vineyard's
system is excellent and more than up to the task, utilizing a dCS Rossini DAC with
the Taiko Audio Extreme server, powered by a Plini um Alexander preamplifier
and Achilles amplifier. A mixture of Shunyata, Transparent, and Nordost cables
tie it all together with great success. An AMG Viella with an Etsuro gold cartridge
and CS Port C3EQM2 phonostage took care of analog duties.

We listened to several tracks, digital and analog, both exceptionally rendered.

Going through a round of blues, jazz and female vocals all prove enthralling.
However, what proves the most impressive is how well the Botticelli's deliver the
goods when listening to a modest recording. Vineyard chose to spin Bob Seeger's
"Night Moves," from Night Moves, and it was incredible, with a fantastic sense
of hall space, dynamics, and details. Having heard this so many times over the
years, the amount of nuance in this recording I'd never heard before was exciting.
Ditto for Jeff Beck's Live at Ronnie Scott's. Unfortunately, Jeff Beck would be no
more a few days later.

The Botticelli X is a no regret speaker. (Truly in the context of a no regret system)

How many times have you listened to a speaker and loved most aspects, but had
that nagging "if it only did this right?" Not here. Great as the ribbons are for
speed, and the ability to scale musically with ease, you'll be floored by the quality
and quantity of low frequency information these speakers deliver. Even though
they possess a crossover network with multiple driver panels, the Botticellis also
deliver the seamlessness of a pure, full range ESL. They are by far one of the most
natural sounding speakers going. And, they have the most horizontal dispersion
going on in the panel speaker realm.

If you're on a quest for the final speaker, especially if you have gone the panel route
and still haven't found what you're looking for, I suggest these. I could write
thousands of words talking about this track, and that subtlety, but 30 seconds
into your favorite track is all you'll need. You'll know right away. After living with
every other panel, these speakers take you somewhere you've never been and
that's what justifies writing the
big check. Considering the
concierge service you will get
from Rhapsody Audio, these
speakers will deliver an
otherworldly experience. They
have TONE's "panel guy's"
highest recommendation.

Rhapsody Audio NYC

212-229-1842

Rhapsody Out West

503-867-6755

TONE116.035
 L ate Night Garage Playlist
0
-Jeff Dorgay

·-
t; When I'm in the mood for jazz, I never need to look
further than staffer Jim Macnie's incredible taste
in the genre.

He sent me a list of a dozen albums to check out, so

I picked some of my fave tracks for you. A few of
these are pretty improvisational tracks, so maybe
better for car washing and not valve adjustment!

Sexmob - King Tang

Rudy Royston - It's Time To Sleep

Dave Scott - Indistinct Chatter

Tim Berne/Hank Roberts/Aurora Nealand - Low Strung

Michael Blake - Merle the Pearl

Jere my Pelt - Two For The Road

Brandon Lopez - The Real Bad Vibe
Mette Henriette - Drifting

Bobby Previte - Explorer 1

Marc Ducret - Palm Sweat

TONE116.036
 Focal Bathys
Wireless Headphones

Ooh, la, la. No wires!

$799
focal.com

Focal fans rejoice. Now you can have a pair of noise cancelling
wireless Focal phones. While our publisher uses the Focal Utopias
and the Clear Mg, I'm not quite as much of a headphone guy. A bit
of a reclusive guy, as I don't share my space with anyone, I can have
massive speakers in the living room and don't have to be quiet at
certain hours. But now that we're all getting back on airplanes again,
noise cancelling is a must for me as I have next to zero patience with
chatty people in the seat next to me. Few things make a better firewall
than a pair of headphones. Somehow with earbuds, people still think
you will talk to them.

Social anxieties aside, the Bathys are incredible headphones, and if

you don't need to use them wirelessly, they can be used via cable. We
can argue all day about that, but suffice to say they do sound slightly
better cabled. Chances are though, if you are a headphonista, you've
already got more than one pair of cabled phones you're fond of, and
you're buying these for a specific purpose.
With a pricetag about double the best Bose noise cancelling phones,
I borrowed a pair from a flight attendant pal just to do a fair comparison.
And to stay in the same shopping zone, out publisher also has a pair of
regular Px8s from Bowers & Wilkins - though not the super Coolio
McLaren edition or 007 edition. Seriously, when did you ever see James
Bond wearing headphones? Can't fight villains creeping up on you plotting
a sneak attack if you've got noise cancelling headphones on.

TONE116.037
 L Head phoneArts
w
1- Scouting the backyard to make sure it was Pairing the Bathys to your phone or tablet will
villain free, and releasing my savage labradoodle, take all of about 30 seconds. Those requiring it,
(f) the listening began with no more than an iPhone can take advantage of Google assistant, and
and some tunes on Spotify. Great as this is, Amazon Alexa, but I choose not to partake, so
>­ ROON ARC provided a wider range of music I'll take Focal's word for it. Finally, you can use
and significantly better sound quality. your phone to make calls via the Bathys, and
they use Clear Voice technology. Combined with
(f) Sonically, the Bose phones don't suck as much the onboard mies, call quality is excellent. Much
as many would have you believe, though they like the heated steering wheel in my car, I scoffed
are not on the same level as the B&W or Focal's. at first, but once you try it, it's very convenient.
1- While both reveal considerably more music,
both are made by companies committed to Back to the music
(f) manufacturing excellence. With a pair of Sopra

w 3s as my main speakers, I admit a predisposition Sleek, sexy, stylish and functional as the Bathys
for Focal products, and the Bathy's do not are, let's not forget about sound. Focal makes
disappoint. Though you can turn it off, the some of the world's finest headphones, and the
lighted Focal logo on the phones is pretty fab. Bathys uphold the tradition. As I was the one to
I­ The Bathys come with some spiffy accessories unbox them, and started cold, I noticed that they
too. From the gorgeous semi-hard case, with only took about 100 hours to sound their best,
standard and USB cables, the care that went and you could probably accelerate this process
:) into making them is immediately apparent. by cranking some bass heavy techno tracks and
just letting them play for a full charge cycle.

0 The wired benefit

The Bathys have a big, bold sound. Their transient
Thanks to the built in DAC, when connected to attack is very quick, and if you're a fan of music
your phone or tablet, the Bathys can play back heavily laden with drums and percussion, they
24/192 high resolution audio, giving them a have an extended but not fatiguing high end.
major advantage over similar products. Though Tracking through some Keith Jarrett tracks
this does defeat the wireless aspect, it's a major proves they are equally good with piano.
snap up for anyone wanting to experience
better sound. While nothing stood out that the Bathys can't do,
they are a ton of fun on recordings with giant
Playing a number of high-res files through the sonic landscapes. It's tax time, so while preparing
Bathys, it was impressive how much they share my taxes, I listened to about five of Brian Eno's
sonically with the much more expensive Focal ambient records. The highest compliment I can
phones. Granted, these use an aluminum/ pay the Bathys is how easy it is to forget you even
magnesium "M"-dome driver, where the Utopias have headphones on. The Utopias are wonderful,
DESKTOP AUDIO use beryllium (like the tweeters in my Sopras) but slightly heavy. These are a little smaller and
The Qutest range distils more than 30 years of award-winning British
REDEFINED design, engineering and craftsmanship into a compact home audio and lack the tiniest bit of fine resolution that a bit lighter.
the four-figure Utopia phones resolve, they
have certainly won me over. Whether the Focal Bathys are your transition
system for the modern age.

into the headphone world, or your first step up

to premium headphones, I think you'll be fond
(o CHORD o) The human stuff
of them . They offer an easy user interface,
With a (confirmed) 30-hour charge capacity, you deliver great sonics, and are well built. You can
can fly anywhere from anywhere and not run consider this can curmudgeon converted. Say
Chord Electronics Ltd.

out of music. When you need to charge your that ten times as fast as you can.
Bathys, a 2000mA adapter only needs 90 minutes
for a full charge and 15 min for a quick charge. Highly recommended.
-. ••• • •
TONE116.038
 Geer Fab
D.808
Now you can have all the bits.

$999
geerfab.com

H appily listening to a recently purchased MoFi SACD of The Band's Rock of

Ages, it's easy to forget I'm not listening to a mega digital rig. I'm spinning a $150
Sony SACD player via the $999 GeerFab D.BOB into a Mytek Brooklyn DAC. One
of the reasons SACD discs never did as well as they could have in the marketplace
is because most people never really got to hear the full benefits of the format. Let
that sink in for a minute.

This is more of a long-term test as I've had the D.BOB way longer than I should
have before finishing this review. However, I remain as excited about it as I was two
years ago when we gave it a product of the year award. It really solves a major problem
and does so at a reasonable price.

Why you need one

Should you be one of the many audiophiles that purchased an OPPO player, you
know how good they are, but unfortunately, they are no longer produced. Great as
their flagship 105 was, the $500 203 is surprisingly great as well. Here's the secret -
the D.BOB (digital breakout box) will take the high resolution bitstream from the
SACD, Blu-ray Audio disc or DVD layer of the respective discs, and feed it to your
current DAC as DSD 64 or hi-res PCM. I had a hunch this would be a great idea,
but it's better than that.

TONE116.039
 Roon
Nucleus Plus - Rev B
Roon revamped!

It seems like just yesterday I was reading TONE's review of the original
Roon Nucleus and Nucleus+ Rev A versions. Built around Intel's NUC platform,
either Nucleus had a primary responsibility become a Roon Core that directed
the music traffic in its subscribers' digital libraries.

The Rev A versions have since been replaced (but are still supported by Roon)
by Rev B versions that are slightly larger, enabling the installation of larger
HDDs or SSDs with heights up to 15 mm, and have a second HDMI port on
the rear panel. The internal circuit boards and component parts of the new
versions are otherwise identical to those of their respective predecessors.
TONE's detailed description of the Nucleus+ Rev Ks functions and performance
still apply to a Nucleus+ Rev B that Roon recently sent me. While I won't
rehash them all here, I will say that Ethernet connectivity to my network
was flawless and replacing my MacBook Pro 16 laptop as the new Roon Core
was smooth. My library of 9200 downloaded CDs and digital files with their
66000 tracks stored on two NAS hard drives was quickly recognized by my
4th generation iPad Air using Roon Remote.

Since its introduction, the Roon software has had several revisions, the most
recent being Version 2.0 with the new Roon ARC mobile app. Roon 2.0 has
improved its support of Apple Silicon so it now functions as well on macOS
as it does on Windows and Linux platforms. However, Windows 10 or 11 or
macOS 10.15 will now be required as their respective older operating systems
will no longer be supported.

TONE116.042
 NEAT Acoustics
Majistra
Big Speaker Sound, Small Footprint

$4,995/pair
neatacoustics.com

f eeling nostalgic, the opening bass line in Argent's "Hold Your Head Up,"
is powerful and controlled with tremendous pace. Somehow, the Brits always
have a great handle on pace and timing - the Neat Majistras are an excellent
example. There is so much these little speakers do right. Another huge bonus
is how smooth their ribbon tweeter is, and how well it integrates with the pair
of 1 70mm (about 7-inch) woofers.

Ah, there's the trick - there's only one woofer on the front panel, and looking
around back doesn't reveal another bass driver. The Majistras use an Isobaric
woofer configuration, with another identical woofer inside the cabinet, operating
in tandem with the main woofer. This allows the woofer pair to produce the
same amount of bass extension as one driver would with twice the cabinet
volume. A neat solution, indeed.

Over in the UK, space is usually at a premium, and you don't see quite as many
homes with large to massive living rooms, so getting serious bass output from
a small cabinet is a major bonus. Something Neat has always done an excellent
job with.

TONE116.044
Balanced performance
An 88dB/1-Watt sensitivity combined with a 4-ohm nominal impedance and a gentle
2nd order crossover network, makes for a pair of speakers that are easy to drive
with any kind of amplification.

John Mellencamps voice in "Evening Breeze" is pushed well out in front of the mix,
and tracking through more of his work, some Dylan and a bit of Tom Petty illustrates
how well the Neats decode densely packed recordings. Considering how compressed
a fair amount of today's music is, this is definite virtue.

Switching it up for Bowie's no.1 Outside album, (with Brian Eno as main collaborator)
shows off the Majistra's ability to play loud without collapse. This album delivers
a massive soundfield that is slightly bigger top to bottom than wide or deep, but
nonetheless immersive. Layer upon layer of musical information is available, and
the higher the volume control is turned, the more the sound field grows, almost
like a big bang of music.

Artisan aesthetic
Can you live on sonics alone? I love speakers that display true craftsmanship, and
behind the front baffle that is obviously CNC machined from high density MDF or
like material (and covered with a black textured finish) the actual walnut cabinets
have a bespoke feel, giving these speakers a more luxurious appearance. They are
slightly "not perfect," as only hand built cabinets are. Very nice indeed.

Unlike a thin walled BBC monitor, which follows a different path with thin wall
cabinets, the Neats have a dense cabinet that easily passes the knuckle test. They
are solid. In this case, a high mass stand will give the most solid, extended, and
defined bass response. Pressing the filled Sound Anchor stands into service, and
some blue goo, the mighty Majistras end up about ten feet apart, slightly toed-in
and about 4 feet from the rear wall in the main 15 x 24 foot listening room. (Which,
by the time you read this will be no more - our new 24 x 36 room is on the way!)

Embrace the bass, but don't forget the treble

That second isobaric woofer serves up major bass extension for a speaker this size,
however with a rear-firing port, if you can get the Majistras at least a couple feet
away from your room's rear wall will benefit the smoothness of the bass to midrange
transition. The ribbon tweeter has good horizontal dispersion, so try and move
them back and forth from the rear wall until you get the least cloudy mid-bass.

While my couch is somewhat high, 24-inch stands work well to get that tweeter close
to ear height. Should yours be incredibly low, you may require 20-inch stands. You
shouldn't have to do too much with rake angle, you'll probably be better served with
adjusting toe-in. Just as getting the speakers the right distance from the back wall
will improve bass to midrange transition, you'll know when you've got the toe-in
just right when you achieve the best treble to midrange balance. All told, you should
be able to ace the setup in about an hour or two, taking your time.

TONE116.045
This is either a path you enjoy, or it isn't. If you prefer
components with more of a voice - there are other equally
enticing things at your disposal. However, if your credo is
to keep the amplification chain as neutral/natural as possible
and "voice" the rest of the system elsewhere, ARC has always
been a personal favorite, and that of many other music lovers...

Constant advancement of the art

If you've been following TONE and ARC for a while, you know that
this Minnesota company always makes measured progress improving
their products. They come up with the best thing they can, make a
model out of it, and then spend a few years tearing it apart, trying to
make it even better, to create an SE model.

While this approach is a topic of contention for certain armchair

audiophiles, it's business. Ask anyone in manufacturing about the
constant battle they face between the engineering department
wanting to make "one more change," and the rest of the company
wanting to produce actual products so everyone can keep their job.
ARC has done an excellent job of balancing, much like Apple, producing
products on a realistic timeline. We all know what the game is. Some will
have to have the latest, right now, while others will be perfectly happy
waiting for the next one. It only gets dicey for a few people near the event
horizon. Do I hang on for the SE, or get the current one now?

A quick call to Audio Research's Dave Gordon sheds more light on the
LS28SE and confirms suspicions. He mentions that while the REF
components still feature their chassis in a chassis design with slab
sides (and the super cool acrylic top and bottom) the casework in the
LS28SE is produced with the same level of attention to detail as that
in the REF components. (As is the new, metal remote.) ARC also
specs out their own proprietary capacitors under the cover, and
these are the same design as the ones inside the REF.

In and out

You can read the full specification sheet on the LS28SE by clicking
here and going to the ARC website.

(https://audioresearch.com/product/ls28se/) You can even download

the owner's manual. (https://audioresearch.com/wp-content/
uploads/2019/03/LS28-Manual.pdf)

Four sets of balanced XLR inputs and four RCA inputs, along with
two variable outputs and a fixed output (yay, tape deck fans!) give the
REF28SE mega flexibility. Considering how many people use a phono
preamplifier and then a DAC as a digital hub, there's still plenty of room
to grow with this preamplifier.

TONE116.048
 REL
212/SX
Sublime and Substantial

$4,999
rel.net

L istening to Charlie Hayden's bass radiate up from the ground, organically,

in Earles's listening room, feels incredibly natural. His 24 x 30 room allows
the Focal Sopra 3s to really come alive and integrate perfectly with the
212/SX's that replace the 212 SE's that were here. I don't usually write
reviews based on other systems, but because I lived with this exact
combination for about three years and have heard this system extensively,
it's more like a home away from home.

Running through a number of tracks, this already spectacular system has

taken on a new dimension with what might seem to an outsider as a modest
upgrade - and in terms of dollars spent, it is. Yet the increase in performance
is massive. Even with tracks having no apparent substantial low frequency
information, combining the original 212/SEs with my Focal Sopra 3s made
for a staggering improvement.

A favorite subwoofer track to illustrate this is Ella Fitzgerald's "Miss Otis

Regrets." An excellent subwoofer properly integrated brings substantially
more depth to the recording in all three dimensions. You won't believe it
until you hear it, yet you won't be able to unhear it once you've experienced
it. And the RELs do this better than anything else we've used over the years.
Earle is equally impressed with this track in his system. He claims over and
over that "he wasn't prepared for this level of improvement, and noticed it
"immediately, before the fine tuning began." And it only gets better.

TONE116.051
Hunter says that a pair of the new 212/SX subs deliver "about 75% the
performance of a six pack of S/812s for about half the price." This is great
news for someone who doesn't have the space or budget for a six pack.
Having lived with a number ofRELs now for some time (as well as a six pack
of S/510s and no.25s) they have more than achieved that goal. He goes on
to say that the 212/SX "manages to retain all the big character cues but is
so much better resolved and has better inter-transient silence. This quality
is due to the use of the Carbon fibre latticework on the rear of the alloy cone.
It simply shuts up beautifully after a huge sequence, quiets back down to
silence instantly. There are a bunch of tricks unique to this model. Most
important is that we limit its primary response to 60 Hz. Doing so snapped
the whole design together."
The proof is in the listening
Everything was elevated, even from initial install. More extension, more
dynamic power, and more clarity everywhere. As mentioned earlier, when
REL subs are correctly set up, they integrate perfectly with the main speakers
and the room. Fortunately, Hunter made the quick trip to Portland to double
check our work and fine tune things to magnificence.
Because Earle is a jazz lover, critical listening began with a number of familiar
jazz tracks, before subjecting him to a few hours of rock, hip-hop, and
electronica tracks.Regardless of program material, it's easy to see where the
improvements have been made. Listening to Stanley Clarke or Jaco Pastorius
play bass, frames the increased low frequency tonality that the SX brings,
yet favorite electronica tracks from Tosca, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and
Jean-Paul Jarre showcase the increased slam. This type of music played on
subwoofers with less capability exposes any overhang present. Sheer force
replaces the boom, making this music much more exciting.
Past experience with the 212/SE proved it to work well with full range
speakers capable of going down to about 40-45 Hz. If you aren't familiar
with howREL's operate, they do it a little differently than most. A .1/LFE
input is offered as well as L andRRCA line-level inputs from preamplifier out.
However, you will get the best results, making the connection at your speaker
outputs, via the Speakon connectors.
This high impedance connection puts no load on your power amplifier, but
does two things. First, it allows the sub to see the same sonic signature going
to the main speakers, and if you should take the time to connect yourREL
via line outs and then speaker outs, you will notice a slightly different
presentation. (arguably a smidge less performance when connected this way)
As a variation on this theme, you can also take advantage ofREL's Airship II,
zero compression wireless transmitter and receiver. This can come in handy
if your equipment rack is truly out of reach of where your subs need to go,
or you just can't be bothered with long subwoofer cables. REL utilizes a
proprietary, military grade 5.8 gHz chipset to provide top quality bass
performance. Their transmitter and receiver pass full frequency signals, not
just bass for optimum results. We did not have a chance to use the Airship II
in the context of this review, but we have had impressive results with their last
generation of wireless product.
Being old-school, I prefer connectingRELs up via speaker outs, as I do in my
own reference systems. This, combined withREL's new Bassline Blue cables
is the optimum choice. It also makes it incredibly easy to plug and unplug the
subs to see just how much they add.
Finally, as has been the case with all the otherREL's I've used, the increased
dimensionality that their subs provide, always makes listening at lower levels
even more enjoyable. That extra bass reinforcement really rounds out the
picture at lower levels.
Still champ
A few years ago, the 212/SE was our product of the year. These have gone up
to just under $10,000 a pair, from just under $8,000 a pair, but the bump in
performance is much more than a 20% increase. Everything from top to bottom
has been improved, and the difference is not subtle.
If it makes sense for your wallet and environment, I highly suggest getting
a pair to start out with. You'll be glad you did. Enthusiastically recommended.
Cliche as it sounds, theREL 212/SX is not something you will be able to unhear
once you've experienced it.
Peripherals
Analog Source AVID Volvere turntable/Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Digital Source Esoteric N-01XD
Preamplifier Conrad Johnson GAT series 2
Power Amplifier Nagra Classic
Speakers Focal Sopra no.3
Cable Cardas Clear
TONE116.053
 Ben Wolfe
Unjust

"With the Rhumba Extreme

preamp, my listening experience
immediately became much more
Sizable sections of the modern jazz landscape are dotted by math-tinged rhythm
gambits whose tunes break left and right with little warning. Keeps you on your satisfying."
toes, but makes for a jagged ride. Ben Wolfe has seldom subscribed to that tack, and
on his tenth album as a leader, the bassist glances over his shoulder to come up with
a refreshingly yesteryear date. Unjust uses decidedly bop-inflected designs to tell
its story, a bluesy tale that lets soloists share personal perspectives while still
bolstering the band's collective impact. Casting was key. From Nicholas Payton to
Joel Ross to Orrin Evans, the leader invited an array of crackerjack improvisers to
flavor these relatively simple tunes. The action starts immediately.

On "The Heckler," trumpeter Payton and saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins twirl around
each other while drummer Aaron Kimmel's impeccable swing keeps the groove
animated. Thanks to Wolfe's scripting savvy, the program is always in flux. Some
tunes feature pianists, some opt for Ross's vibraphone. Others percolate with
polyphony, comfortably easing into their skin with a little hubbub. "Mask Man" boasts
a West Coast vibe, enjoying all the twists and turns of a classic jazz sound while still "This was a very big step forward in listening enjoyment, feeling
taking a few chances. Need to step back to a time when lyricism was a key aspect more like what I experience when I'm playing bass in a group.
of the music's pleasure? The door is open.
It's like I'm right there in the room, hearing every detail of the
instruments. The rhythm and pace are delivered with greater
palpability than I have ever heard, and the result for me is
pure nirvana." - Marshall Wood

BACKERT LABS
www.Backertlabs.com Preamp specialists.

Bass player for Tony Bennett beginning in 2009, Mr. Wood has also played with Monty
Alexander, Randy Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Scott Hamilton, Anita O'Day, Marian McPartland,
Joe Pass, Nelson Riddle, Clark Terry, Phil Woods and many other jazz greats. He is featured
on Bennett's double-platinum Grammy award-winning album Duets II, Tony Bennett at 90,
and in concert appearances around the world. There was no expectation of an endorsement
in this purchase and Mr. Wood paid for his Rhumba Extreme in full .
TONE116.054
 JAZZ
By Jim Macnie
Ralph Alessi
It's Always Now
The trumpeter opens his fourth ECM album as
a leader with some arresting abstraction - a
typically bold choice, and one that sets the mood
of a disc that goes its own way not out of defiance,
but with a piqued interest in off-kilter beauty.
Pecking silvery notes through a spray of glisses
by pianist Florian Webber, Alessi introduces us
to his latest ensemble while revealing newfound
emotional depth in his playing. Long known as
a technical whiz on the horn, the Brook lyn
bandleader has occasionally traded the sharing
of sentiment for impressive mechanics. The
balance struck has certainly had its valuable
moments, but his turns of phrase sometimes
seemed like academic anouncements. It's Always
Now is a place where that shifts back towards
a poignant lyricism.
Surrounded by the pianist, bassist Banz Oester,
and drummer Gerry Hemingway, Alessi's level
of expression is amplified throughout. The
second track, "Old Baby," is also a Webber duet,
and its intimacy is striking. Here the leader's
gentility is front and center, with disarmingly
warm tones and half-valve murmurs arising from
the interplay. When the foursome unites on the
comparativelyjumpier "Residue," the poetry of
their interaction moves the trumpeter to deliver
his lines with a stirring candor. Each member
of the band adds to this atmosphere; the rhythm
section is utterly pliable and supportive while
always maintaining its foothold in the foreground.
As feisty romps such as "His Hopes, His Fears,
His Tears" remind, even a frenzied swirl can
have a joyous side. It's Always Now finds Alessi
addressing the emotion of the moment, regardless
of what it may be.
TONE116.055
Ralph Towner
At First Light
Wadada Leo Smith & Orange Wave Electric
Fire Illusions
The poise of the guitarist's six previous solo
albums makes for quite a legacy, and the
radiance he's shared since opening up his Diary
Back in 1998 guitarist Henry Kaiser and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith made so�e scorch�d-earth
to us a half-century ago certainly justify his moves across the turf claimed by Miles Davis' early '70s bands. Rough and raving, scathmg and
steady return to the recital realm. Here, as on strident, their update paid homage to the master's funky turbulance, gainin� a scor� of fans who
2017's My Foolish Heart, the 83-year-old's love the idea of jazz plugging-in and throwing punches. To some degree, Fire Illusi
ruminations stress concision, but also manage _ �ns extends
these notions. Three guitars, two basses, two percussionists, and an elec�ronics whiz� the b�om
caprice. At First Light fascinates with inspired
that drives the action varies from track to track, but is always splattered with the leader s keemng
tunes, exacting touch, and clarifying focus. brass cries. The churning may have been a deeper on their Yo Miles! prototype, but this new date
After a lifetime of music-making, these elements
intrigues due to the palpable intention of the performances. Every time d:umm�� Pheeroan
cohere to a deliver a soft-spoken brilliance.
akLaff cracks his snare on "Ntozake" or "Tony Williams" the group's collective voht10n seems to
Here, Towner's nylon strings have their way
crank a bit tighter. What's even more coercive is the fact that the overall sound is drifty and dubby­
with a couple Broadway artifacts, Hoagy flat out spectral in its most vivid moments.
Carmichael's "Little Old Lady" and Jule Styne's
irrespressible "Make Someone Happy" (I'll take
Smith conducts his squad with purpose. The silences have as much clout as the roar of the elec�ric
the Durante spin over the Bennett version, strings, and bassists Melvin Gibbs, Bill Laswell set a carpet of sinewy rumbl� for everyone to ghde
myself). Between phrasing and temperament,
on. The program isn't all real-time performances. The leader chose to m8:nipulate some of the
this is where Towner becomes jazziest, captured sessions, ( re)constructing pieces in the studio a la Miles and �is produ
reminding me of the exquisite renderings the , _ _ �er Teo Macero
circa Bitches Brew. "Muhammad Ali and George Forman s Rumble in Zaire Africa suggests that
MJQ's John Lewis gave those solo pieces on his this approach can communicate a equal amount of interplay, its collage vibe neither muting forward
final Atlantic outings.
motion or stifling that fierce resolve.
There's a diaphanous aura to guitarist's most
fanciful work. "Ubi Sunt" is gossamer itself, the
album's title cut brims with grace, and "Danny
Boy" whispers its sentimental message without
waxing maudlin. Rather than feeling flimsy,
they arrive with feet on the ground and heart
in hand.
Ralph Towner
ECM
At First Light
 JAZZ
By Jim Macnie

Sam Bardfeld
Refuge

June 23-25 2023

Pacific Audio Fest.com
It takes insight and devotion to make a quaint combination of instruments seem
utterly natural. Sam Bardfeld applied each to his 2017 trio outing The Great
Enthusiasms, and walked away with a nugget of gold. Didn't matter if the drums/
piano/violin formation initially raised eyebrows, by album's end it sounded like an
old pal. The Brooklyn bandleader has a way of charming listeners with his strings.
A folksy lilt is part of his palette, and as he goes about the intrepid improv
investigations that are key to his well-rounded music, he dispenses the kind of
voodoo that can get you out of sticky situations.

Refuge follows suit. It boasts the same instrumentation as its predecessor, and
delivers a similar mix of nu-jazz originals- curious in construction, enchanting in
execution. With pianist Jacob Sacks and drummer Michael Sarin sparking these
slippery tunes, Bardfeld has enough grounding to take all kind of risks. Indeed,
parts of the interplay are wonderfully speculative. But that's not the ultimate take­
away. As "On The Seat of Which" flies three ways at once, it feels secure, fully organized.
The melody to "Kick Me" lets the leader address a variety of moods, but its his focus
that shines through.

An eerie spin through Springsteen's

already haunted "Atlantic City"
(Bardfeld was a key part of the Boss's
2006 Pete Seeger ensemble) feels
like a campfire noir soundtrack- the
trio's synergy finds a way to defuse
its hermetic vibe while sustaining
its drama. Bardfeld's string work PACIFIC
----•----
seems to suit plaintive passages best.
AUDIO FEST
On the title cut, an Andrew Hill
classic, a soft wail marks the theme.
This too sets an inviting mood, and You are C..ordia/ly imited to
p��f.�.�-·
brokers an almost theatrical flavor
(check that Paul Simon quote in the partieiJ'ate in the lar_ciesi and ...........................J� . .21. .-.-... ZS.,. .2.023............
outro). Yet another reminder that
Refuge is an album rich in
Jest lludio· 5how in the west .1
atmosphere(s). �IH�,..�.W.�.....
Loa -lf,'n(ley 3ti,O-'/I0-2�33. .

A
w
~ Gary G;// 1-03-�39-51i,�4

tN AS50CtA1fON WfTH TH£ CAPITAL Al11)tOF£51

·······••'4?:@Pdd.�1��� ........�
TONE116.057
 �TENSE ur immediate future...

::::,
I--
::,
II

TelluriumQ
Black 2 Power Cable

$995 (1.5M)
telluriumq.com (manufacturer)
toneimports.com (north america)

We've been looking at many

different power solutions lately,
conrad-johnso and Tellurium Q makes some
n fantastic mains cables at all
price points. The Black 2 is a
significant upgrade from their
past model.

TONE116.064
� TENSE Reviews in our immediate future...
::::,
I-­
::,
II

Saved the best for last...

$3,695
primaluna-usa.com

This is an analog masterpiece.

And it's within your reach. You want one.

TONE116.065
�TENSE Reviews in our immediate future...
::::,
Naim
CD-5si
II
$1,990

naimaudio.com.

It's not a DAC or a streamer. It only plays CDs.

But the new si model has so many internal
improvements, if you're a die-hard silver disc
fan it's tough to beat.

A longtime favorite of ours, and this one's better.

TONE116.066
 � TENSE Reviewsinourimmediatefuture...
::::,
I-­
::,
II

Puron
Plug-in
Line Conditioner
. With a side of Muscle.
$250
Martinlogan's latest generation of Dynamo- subwoofers. Five models engineered to deliver an intensely tactile bass verafiaudiollc.com
experience. They feature new technology, bold construction, and the power to reveal the Truth in Sound: fast response,
accurate detail and realistic impact. New smartphone App control, and ARC Room Correction, give you the ultimate
We've tried a few other
control, and optimal bass in any listening space. For music or cinema, Dynamo brings the performance home. Visit plug-in conditioners from
martinlogan.com for more information, and to find an authorized dealer near you. other manufacturers with
good results over the years,
but never one this small and
this reasonably priced.
Initial testing shows the
Puron to do what it claims:
lower noise, and give the
overall sonic presentation
more ease.
Full review in process..

TONE116.067
� TENSE Reviews in our immediate future...

:::,
:::,
II

YG Acoustics
Cairn

$8,500/pair
yg-acoustics.com

After a recent trip to the

YG factory, and listening to
their new "Peaks" line of
speakers, we came away really
excited about the sound of the
latest YGs, and the incredible
attentionto detail in their
manufacture.
And these small speakers
delivered the goods in the YG
room, so we're anxious to get
started. Watch for these on
our YouTube channel sooner
than later.

MAKE
BRILLIANT
MUS IC
The Sound Organisation I 972-234-0182 I support@soundorg.com I soundorg.com I soundorg.ca

TONE116.068
 [fl

CJ
�

. � S ome of our favorite new picks. Thanks to

your favorite streaming services, you can vet
these selections, should you care to commit
to physical media.

Enjoy!

Ryuichi Sakamoro

Masterfully etherial The best fern bar music Music for snowstorms

Not your Dad's disco Definitely your Dad's Dead Great to have it back

.. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Massive hair, massive riffs Now he's gone too far Taylor Swift at 50?

TONE116.069
 z�
L&.lifJ

Perfectly
:E� Celebrate the past...

$495
ecstuning.com

�
If your car features a standard DIN reciever, you can
revisit your cassette deck past with the Blaupunkt
• Bremen SQR DAB - but with a twist .

Now instead of inserting a cassette in the media slot,

you merely plug in an SD memory card, holding way
more music than your favorite mix tape ever did.

The orange-red illumination completes the totally 80s

look and will match your Porsche, BMW, Mini, or other
Euro car's look perfectly.

The Bremen also adds a bluetooth connection for your

mobile phone. W ho knows, maybe with cassettes making
somewhat of a comeback, the next Bremen will have a
tape slot?

Announcing The New VK80i Integrated.

The warm glow of the quartet of 6(33 tubes distinguishes the
VK80i as a pure Balanced Audio Technology design. Inside the
stunning all-aluminum chassis is innovative technology and
uncompromising audio quality. It's perfectly balanced for the
discerning music lover.

BAT's proprietary intelligent auto-bias and (useless protection

circuits make this a tube amp that is easy to own and operate. You
will always have optimal sound and total peace of mind.
The balanced amplifier generates 55 watts-per-channel of high
current triode power. This amplifier drives speakers with vigor due
to the exceptional wide-bandwidth output transformers.
With the VK80i, all you need to do is listen.

Contact your nearest BAT specialty retailer

to audition this American-made powerhouse.
TONE116.072
 Much Respect ...
$34.99
amazon.com
0
,..c
Chuck D , the genius behind Public Enemy, is equally
• masterful in visual as well as musical creativity. He
said in a recent interview, that the drawings presented
in Livin Loud are all the result of down time on the
road.

This great book, also includes a lot of Public Enemy's

history along with Chuck D's commentary. Highly
recommended.

1 think a lot of wit and word play left music for the
sake of a quick, easy route to a youth audience.
l
Wllr• roi re rapping, !jOa can pliy witi voollulary to lie uutive.
On 'The Long and Whining Road' I Just wan1ed 10 tell the story of
Publrc Enemy by referencing Dylan titles, almos1 like an 'Easter egg·
type of tt11ng. Dylan was a spokesperson for his generation and some
peoPle have said that I was for mrne, so I thought 11 would be
Interesting. Somebody later pointed out that 'The long and Winding

C
Road' was a Beatles record. Well, maybe the Beatles stepped up their
music after they got weeded up wtth Dylan.

I think a Jot of the songs tha t are wnnen today don't hav e a stor y
beyond the lyrics. As a fan of music, I'm Just as inlerested in the
story behind a song as the song nself.

TONE116.073
Nothin like em'...

About $5 or $6 per box

girlscouts.org

The Girl Scouts have made

it easier than ever to order
cookies from your
local scout.

All proceeds stay m t

local chapter (but N(
if you buy them from
Amazon)and these
are just the best snacks

TONE116.074
Butyouc
an’
thavei
t..
.

Remember Wu-
Wear bac
kint
heda
y?

Ifyou’
reafanoftheClan,youmightwantthis
.Butyoupr
obablywon’tbeabl
e
togetone,asyouhavetor e
gis
tertohaveachanc
eatpurchas
ing.Maybeyou’
ll
belucky.

Thi
sist
heult
imateCasi
oG-Shoc
kthatal
waystel
lsyouwhatti
mei
tis
,wi
tht
he
mott
o(”
CashRulesEver
ythi
ngAroundMe”)ri
ghtinthebez
el.

cas
io.
com
 DTMB
Dealers That Mean Business

We've had this section at the back of TONE for some time now, and actually before
we got hit with COVID, and it was easier to just pop in your favorite hifi store for a
cursory visit, I was planning on an extended road trip to seek out great audio salons.
I'm sorry to say that quest has been on hold for a while.

A few years later, times have changed, the landscape has changed somewhat, but
the best dealers have adapted and are still thriving. Innovate or perish, as the saying
goes. Most have gone to an appointments only model, which hasn't been all that
much of a stretch, because many hifi shops had adopted this model, or at least a semi­
appointment model before the current situation. Of course, stricter anti-cooties
protocols have been engaged, and for the most part, customers have stayed in the
retail game.

We've swapped a few people out here, but most of the dealers we were featuring are
still doing well - we are truly glad for this. As it becomes easier and easier to travel
again, I'll be back on the road seeking out more great dealers and attending events.

In the issues to come, we're also going to be featuring commentary from these dealers,
telling their stories on how they've adjusted, and what, if anything they've learned
and changed.

As we move into the year 2022 (which still feels weird saying) I still firmly believe
the support from a great hifi dealer is essential to help you wade through the ever
increasing complexity of audio, whether it be two channel, theater, or something
in-between.

To recap what I've said here before: Nearly every audio system that has failed to
achieve the greatness expected of it can be traced back to poor component choice
and setup. I've heard a lot of systems all over the world, and it always falls back to
these two factors.

The top retailers need our support now more than ever.

EARSNOVA NEW YORK ARIZONA HI-Fl PHOENIX

NE PLUS ULTRA AUSTIN COMMON WAVE LOS ANGELES
AUDIO SALON MIAMI EXCEL AUDIO NEWPORT BEACH
DAVID MICHAEL AUDIO DETROIT ELEMENT ACOUSTIC VANCOUVER

TONE116.077
 Dealers That Mean Business - Listings
Marietta, Georgia - The Audio Company
www.theaudioco.com
Optimized or Compromised?
146 South Park Square NE
Marietta, Georgia 30060 770.429.0434

San Diego, Califonia - Deja VU Audio West

www.dejavuaudiowest.com

With the modular OCTAVE

4848 Ronson Ct. Ste E Crafted from the highest
San Diego, California 92111 858.412.4023 grade components

HP 700 preamplifier,
there is no trade-off!
With the OCTAVE HP 700 tube preamplifier there is no sacrifice of personal
customization to enjoy perfect sound quality. Distinguished by its powerful and Audiophile tone
control option
airy sound, the HP 700 also boasts the incredible flexibility of eight optional
high-end input modules, allowing perfect customization to any system without
a hint of audible compromise.

l □ CTA\/EI
MODERN CLASSIC Perfectly optimized
optional input modules

Meticulously crafted in Germany • Available exclusively from select authorized OCTAVE retailers • www.octave.de

TONE116.080
 Dealers That Mean Business - Ustings
La Verne, California - Upscale Audio
upscaleaudio.com
2058 Wright Avenue
La Verne, California 91750 909.931.9686

sical perform
m t ha t b . g s forth
rin
"Natu ral is
23 • THE ABS
OLUTE souND
EDI ·oRS
'CHOICE 20

equa 1
in lifeli
P l af nu m St arI.19 ht 7 HDMI
"A step above
I
T. WtREWO
RLD
PRESIDEN
DAVIDSALZ ,

Vestal, New York - Audio Classics

audioclassics.com
3501 Vestal Road,
Vestal, New York 13850 800.321.2834

dard po
de over a stan
"Auror
STEVE

TONE116.081
 Dealers That Mean Business - Listings
Morton Grove, Illinois - Quintessence Audio
quintessanceaudio.com
5701 W. Dempster Street Designed By Science... Driven By Passion
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053 847.966.4434

Scottsdale, Arizona - LMC Home Entertainment

lmche.com
15507 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 135
Scottsdale, Arizona 480.403.0011

Analog Excellence
Sa1nple our Phono Statement.
Your record collection will be
glad you did...
"\\ ,,.coi ncidenlspcakcr.com

TONE116.082
 C1ub Mix compilation expert, Scott Tetzlaffs
theme for this playlist is "Mostly 90s."

·-
� Some obscure 90s electronic tunes with a few
modern cuts that match the vibe. Enjoy!
t;

ca
�

a.
See You Next Year!
863-825-5380 barta@floridaaudioexpo.com
www.floridaaudioexpo.com

Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa

Andrew Weatherall-Flotation (subsonic grid mix) 555 North Westshore Boulevard

Commoner, Taches - Experiencing a significant Gravitas Shortfall Tampa, Florida 33609

(Taches remix)

Saint Etienne - Speedwell (the Aloof mix)

One Dove - Fallen (Dusk)

Transglobal Underground - Temple Head

Coldcut, Roots Manuva - True Skool

Smith & Mighty - Walk On

Cath Carroll - Moves Like You (Remix)

Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

(Andrew Weatherall Mix)

The Stone Roses, A Guy Called Gerald - Fools Gold (Top Won Mix)

Max Sedgley - Happy (Make You Happy)

Love and Rockets - So Alive

TONE116.085
 Get The Gear: Where to find what you've seen in this issue.

Acora Acoustics acoraacoustics.com conrad-johnson conradjohnson.com

AMG/Benz Micro sierrasound.com Core Power underwood hifi.com
Ana Mighty Sound anamightysound.com dCS dcsaudio.com
Anthem anthemav.com Degritter degritter.corn
Aqua Audio aquahifi.com Dynaudio dynaudio.com
Audience audience-av.com Echo Audio echohifi.com
Audio Art Cable audioartcable.com Egglestonworks egglestonworks.com
AudioClassics audioclassics.com Florida Audio Expo floridaaudioexpo.com
Audio Research audioresearch.com Focal focalnaimamerica.com
.... �' AudioVision SF audiov isionsf.com Harbeth fidelisav.com
�,
...........
_,,
_,-
Backert Labs backertlabs.com Heretic Loudspeakers thehereticspeaker.com
BobCarver bobcarvercorp.corn HiFiCentre hificentre.com
CaptureCassettes splicit.com High End by Oz/Thrax highendbyoz.com
Cardas Audio cardas.com JLAudio jlaudio.com
Chord Cable soundorg.com

Coincident coincidentspeaker.com

TONE116.086
 Get The Gear: Where to find what you've seen in this issue.

Luxman luxmanamerica.com

Manley manley.com

MartinLogan martinlogan.com

Matterhorn Audio matterhornaudio.com

MoFi Distribution mofidistribution.com

Mytek mytekdigital.com

Nagra nagraaudio.com

Nairn focaJnaimamerica.com

Octave octave.de
Ortofon ortofon.com
Paradigm paradigm.com

Parasound parasound.com

Pass Labs passlabs.com

PrimaLuna primaluna-usa.com

REL rel.net
Rega soundorg.com
Sierra Sound sierrasound.com

SVS svsound.com

T+A ta-hifi.de

Tannoy upscaledistribution.com
Tellurium Q telluriumq.com

TONE Imports toneimports.com

Totem totemacoustic.com
Upscale Audio upscaleaudio.com
Vanguard Speakers xsa-labs.com

Vera-fi verafiaudiollc.com

Wireworld wireworldcable.com

YG Acoustics yg-acoustics.com

------------------------ DVNAUDIO Confidence 60

Discover the full range at www.dynaudio.com/confidence
TONE116.087
 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A COMPANY WITH 70 YEARS OF ACOUSTIC EXPERTISE
MERGES WITH A LEADER IN CONNECTED DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY?

We've tried to make it pretty easy for you to find

us out on Facebook, and have divided up our pages
to be a bit more subject specific. A REVOLUTION
Here they are with links. Just click on the page that
interests you most. We look forward to hearing from
you when you have a spare moment .

• TONEAudio A Audiophile Apartment

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TONE116.088
Nextissue,117:

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TONE116.
FIN