Part-Time Audiophile

15/08/2025

Welcome to my very first tube-rolling review--of the Stradi 300B, S300B and 5U4G. It's not that I'm new to tube-rolling--when I was an importer and distributor of vacuum tube amplifiers and other types of audio gear, I had to maintain a stash of extra of EL34s, KT88s, 12AX7s and many more for dealers and retail customers. While I was limited by my manufacturer to Tung-Sols and Gold Lions, which were used to design and voice those products, I'd explore other brands whenever I could, and I did get a kick from shopping for NOS versions....

Welcome to my very first tube-rolling review--of the Stradi 300B, S300B and 5U4G. It's not that I'm new to tube-rolling--when I was an importer and distributor of vacuum tube amplifiers and other types of audio gear, I had to maintain a stash of extra of EL34s, KT88s, 12AX7s and many more for

12/08/2025

We still remember the big Genesis room from the 2022 Pacific Audio Fest, which featured the $650,000 Genesis Advanced Technologies Prime Plus speaker system. But this exhibit room was also the location of a stunning recording event from the Paul Sawtelle Big Band--which was the talk of the show. Now that concert is being released on vinyl, on a limited one-step edition limited to just 3,000 units....

We still remember the big Genesis room from the 2022 Pacific Audio Fest, which featured the $650,000 Genesis Advanced Technologies Prime Plus speaker system. But this exhibit room was also the location of a stunning recording event from the Paul Sawtelle Big Band--which was the talk of the show. Now...

10/08/2025

I reviewed the Alexandria Audio The Monitor loudspeakers for pt.AUDIO back in December of 2023. I enjoyed them, especially since they were so easy to drive with their 90 dB efficiency and 8 ohm impedance--they worked exceptionally well with the Allnic Audio T-1500 Mk. II integrated amplifier which uses a pair of 300B tubes in the output stage for a grand total of 10 watts per channel....

I reviewed the Alexandria Audio The Monitor loudspeakers for pt.AUDIO back in December of 2023. I enjoyed them, especially since they were so easy to drive with their 90 dB efficiency and 8 ohm impedance--they worked exceptionally well with the Allnic Audio T-1500 Mk. II integrated amplifier which u...

08/08/2025

After knowing that I was going to Erftstadt several days after Munich High End 2025 to visit the TIDAL Audio factory, owner and chief designer Jörn Janczak suggested that we shouldn't spend too much time in the Munich demo room as Grover Neville and I would have far more time at the factory to play. So I handed off coverage of the TIDAL Audio room to…...

After knowing that I was going to Erftstadt several days after Munich High End 2025 to visit the TIDAL Audio factory, owner and chief designer Jörn Janczak suggested that we shouldn't spend too much time in the Munich demo room as Grover Neville and I would have far more

06/08/2025

Our friends at Innuos have announced that they are debuting their new NAZARÉ flagship streamer at two upcoming shows--the Hong Kong High End Audio & Visual Show and the TAA International Hi-End Show in Taiwan. Here's the official press release from Innuos: Innuos debuts new flagship music streamer and server NAZARÉ at Hong Kong and Taipei Shows Faro, PortugalAugust 6, 2025…...

Our friends at Innuos have announced that they are debuting their new NAZARÉ flagship streamer at two upcoming shows--the Hong Kong High End Audio & Visual Show and the TAA International Hi-End Show in Taiwan. Here's the official press release from Innuos: Innuos debuts new flagship music streamer ...

05/08/2025

We have plenty of reviews scheduled through the month of August...take a look!

03/08/2025

“Well here’s another kettle of fish you pickled me in!” This line from the genius of Laurel and Hardy popped into mind as I sat down to write my review of the Mola Mola Perca power amplifier. Why? In many ways I’ve been struggling with describing some of the sonics of the top level gear that has blessed my listening room lately - not because of writer’s block or that my ears have turned to tin, but because manufacturers have been upping the baseline of what is great....

“Well here’s another kettle of fish you pickled me in!” This line from the genius of Laurel and Hardy popped into mind as I sat down to write my review of the Mola Mola Perca power amplifier. Why? In many ways I’ve been struggling with describing some of the sonics

01/08/2025

"Analog still sounds better than digital, but the gap has been closing over the years." I can't think of how many times I've said that over the last 40 years, but I bet the first time goes back to 1983 when I traded in my Sony CD-101 CD player, the very one that made me the first kid on my block to play the little silver discs, for a much cheaper second-generation Mitsubishi player that looked and sounded far better....

"Analog still sounds better than digital, but the gap has been closing over the years." I can't think of how many times I've said that over the last 40 years, but I bet the first time goes back to 1983 when I traded in my Sony CD-101 CD player, the very one that

31/07/2025

Our friend Shayne Tenace is getting ready to add another high-end audio store in Aiken, SC--Absoulute Audio Plus Video. Here's the info on the grand opening of the store, which will happen on September 19th and 20th. Here's the official press release: Absoulute Audio Plus Video, a dedicated new walk-in showroom for high-performance audio and home theater, is opening soon in Aiken, SC…...

Our friend Shayne Tenace is getting ready to add another high-end audio store in Aiken, SC--Absoulute Audio Plus Video. Here's the info on the grand opening of the store, which will happen on September 19th and 20th. Here's the official press release:

28/07/2025

Ever since we reviewed the Andover-One record player back in 2020, we've been fascinated by their products. They bring back the ease and affordability of the all-in-one record players from the past, with far better sound quality than ever before. Andover has taken an additional step by introducing the Andover-One SB speaker base, which can pair up with any turntable on the market....

Ever since we reviewed the Andover-One record player back in 2020, we've been fascinated by their products. They bring back the ease and affordability of the all-in-one record players from the past, with far better sound quality than ever before. Andover has taken an additional step by introducing t...

27/07/2025

I’ve run a multi-room AirPlay setup for over a decade. My Mac Mini streams Redbook-resolution audio to a network of Airport Express units feeding Schiit Modi Multibit DACs, which in turn drive powered monitors throughout the house. It’s a simple, modular system that’s served me well. I’m not after audiophile extremes—I just want natural, accurate playback with solid timing and tonal integrity....

I’ve run a multi-room AirPlay setup for over a decade. My Mac Mini streams Redbook-resolution audio to a network of Airport Express units feeding Schiit Modi Multibit DACs, which in turn drive powered monitors throughout the house. It’s a simple, modular system that’s served me well. I’m not...

25/07/2025

At first I didn't think I was the right person to review the Vera-Fi Vanguard Caldera 12 subwoofer--what am I going to do with a $399 sub when all the loudspeakers in my review queue are in the $30K+ range? (Not to mention that at least a couple of those speakers can reach down pretty close to 20Hz on their own.) There were two reasons why I decided to continue with the review....

At first I didn't think I was the right person to review the Vera-Fi Vanguard Caldera 12 subwoofer--what am I going to do with a $399 sub when all the loudspeakers in my review queue are in the $30K+ range? (Not to mention that at least a couple of those speakers can