Dave Thomas

Citypulse Audio DA-2.03e USB DAC ($795.00) The Citypulse DA-2.03e

USB DAC is a wonderful product in its under a kilobuck weight class. It provides tremendous flexibility in a hi-fi or PC-based music system and will provide hours of satisfying music without breaking the bank.

 

Esperanza Spaulding, Chamber Music Society [Heads Up International]:

This lovely young Grammy-winning bassist has opened the virtues and artistry of jazz to a whole new generation of music lovers. Don’t be surprised if “Apple Blossom,” the sixth track from this brilliant album doesn’t become one of those ubiquitous cuts seemingly heard in every other room at the upcoming CES/T.H.E. Show. Great sonics and even better music; what more could you ask for.
 

ClarityOne Audio Earbuds ($139.00) Frankly, my iPhone never had it so good. The ClarityOne Audio earphones not only provide audiophile quality music performance but they’re actually some of the sturdiest earphones I’ve seen. They come with three different sized earpads for maximum comfort and also have a built-in mic for use with smartphones. As earphones go they’re not cheap but their look, feel, and sound make them a real bargain.

Apple TV ($99.00) Easily the most fun purchase I made in 2011. The neat little device was primarily designed to add flexibility to you television by allowing you to stream movies, TV shows, access YouTube, Netflix, and even internet radio stations, but it also allows you to access your iTunes library from the comfort of your sofa. It has an optical audio output so you can run it into an external DAC. Using this thing reminds me of how much Steve Jobs will be missed.

Russell Lichter

Géza Anda, Camerata Academica des Salzburger Mozarteums
Mozart Complete Solo Piano Concertos [Deutsche Grammophon] ($38.00)
Mozart's piano concertos are among his most personal and graceful statements, and Géza Anda's performances as soloist and conductor are perfection. This is music one could take to a desert island and I think never grow tired of it. And it is played by a man whose love for Mozart's music is evident throughout. Recording quality varies, but I quickly forget such considerations. (Russell Lichter)


Frank Alles

Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous USB to S/PDIF Converter ($169.00) is a great, low-cost vehicle to get your hi-res music files streaming from your computer or laptop to your 2-channel stereo or multi-channel home theater. Due to the V-Link's near zero jitter performance, the sound is detailed, sweet, and musical. The V-Link has outputs for S/PDIF on RCA connector and Toslink optical. The list price is $169, and last time I checked both Audio Advisor and Amazon were selling this little gem at a substantial discount. (Frank Alles)

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB Cable ($60.00/0.5M - $150.00/5.0M) Makes a great conduit to connect your Musical Fidelity V-Link USB converter to your system. This cable uses silver-coated OFHC copper conductors insulated in a low-density gas-injected dielectric. DH Labs claims that the combination of these two materials results in a more uniform attenuation vs. frequency curve, which helps to preserve waveform shapes in the Megahertz frequencies where digital cables operate. In addition, the cable is very well shielded to avoid picking up noise and uses high quality connectors. Prices range from $60 for the 0.5-meter cable to $150 for the 5-meter cable. I tried the 5-meter Silver Sonic USB in my reference system and my home theater and both systems improved in detail and immediacy.

Dan Secula

Alexey Gorokholinsky & Marina Gorokholinsky, Delicacies [Alexey Gorokholinsky & Marina Gorokholinsky] ($23.32): The CD “Delicacies” would be an ideal stocking stuffer for the person who would enjoy a great clarinet performance of eclectic classical pieces with piano accompaniment. The clarinetist, Alexey Gorokholinsky, is accompanied by his mother, Marina Gorokholinsky, a distinguished artist in her own right.

As a retired clarinetist myself, I can only marvel at the incredible musicianship and technique of this young (late twenties) clarinet virtuoso. He and his mom are in complete harmony on every track. My favorite happens to be Bazzini’s “la Ronde des Lutins,” (Dance of the Goblins) a pyrotechnical piece that must be heard to be believed. The icing on the cake is that it is recorded in pristine audiophile sound. “Delicacies” will surely sound great on your sound system. Enjoy!


Key Kim

Pyon Sound Spira Ultra Tuning Feet ($690/set of 3, standard version, $990/set of 3, heavy duty version)

The Pyon Sound Spira Ultra Tuning Feet combine the best materials, highest technologies and most extreme engineering. Their function is to drain and eliminate all unwanted resonance and vibration energy from your components. I heard more detailed information and transparency was greatly enhanced. In just about every respect, it improved the sound of my music. They can handle equipment weighing 21-65lbs. Very highly recommended!
 

Pyon Sound Spira II Ultra Tuning Feet: ($399.00/set of 3)
The Spira II is a scale-down version of the original Spira with a more affordable price and lower height (only 1.2 inches high) for more versatility in application. They can handle equipment weighing 12-58lbs.
 

Don Shaulis

Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa, Don’t Explain [J&R Adventures PRAR931391]
Beth Hart begs comparison with Janis Joplin. She can scream her way through a song or she can whisper sweet nothings. I prefer her softer times. Perhaps Joe Bonamassa has a calming effect on her because their collaboration on the blues-based CD Don’t Explain seems more subdued (but not always gentle) than other Hart releases. That suits my tastes and should please anyone who enjoys a powerful but sexy voice with a touch of gravel. The CD is a cover of old standards from artists like Billie Holiday and Etta James but some more recent material is included as well. Beth does a superb cover of the Melody Gardot song “Your Heart is as Black as Night” but my favorite from the CD is “I’ll Take Care of You”. This is the song written by Brook Benton, not the John David Souther song by the same title that was popularized by The Dixie Chicks. Shared credit for the CD is for obvious reasons. The album would not be complete without the skilled musicianship of Bonamassa and his band. Bonamassa, the band, and Hart give a tight and inspired performance and the recording quality is also excellent.

Norm Luttbeg

I have the benefit this year of having a 16 year old grandson interested in good music. So here’s what I would recommend:
LSA.5 Loudspeakers, ($799.00/pr) These speakers were just awesome at the 2011 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. The room bested rooms with ten times more expensive speakers. They can be used on book shelves as the ports face forward, but really excel on stands.

Jolita JD301RC Integrated Hybrid Amp,

 ($450.00) The LSA Standard Integrated Amp was being used to drive the LSA.5s at RMAF. While it is outstanding, it costs $4,000 and weighs 85 pounds. So the Jolita JD301RC Integrated Hybrid Amp might be a better recommendation, at $450 for 30 watts per side.

Exemplar Audio modified Oppo BDP-93 Universal Player, ($2,500.00) Finally, for a source, I would recommend the Exemplar Audio modified Oppo BDP-93 Universal Player for $2,500.


 

Clement Perry
Ultra Systems HiFi-Tuning Supreme Fuses ($55 ea)    

This makes the third iteration of aftermarket fuses I've tried on my Behold electronic and the results are: improved dynamics, transparency and greater ease and delicacy. Yep, all this sonic upside from swapping out a mere fuse. Moreno Mitchell wrote about his experiences here. Highly recommended.

 

Kemp Electroniks Schumann Resonance Plug ($250)

Physically, the Kemp SR plug looks like a small and inexpensive AC power supply that could fit in the palm of your hand. Essentially, the SR plug is a Schumann Resonance oscillator with an eight foot wire that serves as an antenna. It is a totally passive device that you can plug in and out of your electrical circuit without having to turn off your audio system (nice, particularly for A/B comparisons sake). The sonic benefits of adding the Kemp SR plug(s) into my listening space were immediate and obvious. With the RR-77 still powered up, I could easily hear greater three-dimensionality placing a single Kemp SR plug directly center, between my Sunny loudspeakers. Yes, all the accolades formerly applied to the RR-77s were applicable to the SR plug. A greater sense of air and bloom seemed to surround instruments. The acoustic space of each recording also made itself more apparent making the leap of faith of "being transported to the recording" that much more believable. Our own Dave Allison wrote on the newer improved SR plug here.

Audio Prism Ground Control ($150)
The Ground Control's sonic claims surrounding ground wire may read too simplistic (read: not crazy enough), but they do work. By simply installing one Ground Control on the neutral (black) terminal of my loudspeakers, the results in my system were immediately apparent. The big easy sound that horns are known for suddenly became that much more relaxed. I didn't really notice how easy until I looked over at the Behold's volume setting. I was playing at least 3dB louder than normal. Moreover and I think most importantly, the Ground Control quiets noise: the type you never knew you had until you insert this device. Resulting in a better defined soundstage, which includes image specificity, bass and rhythm. There's an increase of pace, rhythm and timing (PRAT), which leads to far better overall enjoyment of the music. Downstairs with the Behold Gentile (used a preamp with the Elliott Studio Arts 66-100), and the Revolver Music Series One monitor loudspeakers, I heard pretty much the same thing. More dynamic pop; life... more get up and go. Whatever you choose to call it, it's all there. I didn't get a sense of an exaggerated stage via the Ground Control. No bloating nor restrictions. Just sweeter, smoother with lots more swing. Nice.

Shatki Hallographs ($1250 pair)
I originally wrote about the sonic wonderment of these 6 foot tall Soundfield Optimizers back in '07 (here) stating: Once properly setup, the enhanced dimensionality of each and every recording was quite startling. They gave the music a far greater sense of stage-width, front-to-back layering and image specificity. These improvements gave more extension and life-like realism to recordings I was intensely familiar with, offering a rare glimpse into the recording venue that didn’t quite happen without the Shatkis.