SonicFlare | RU-vid Records, HiFi, High-End Audio and the occasional sidestep to other spinning and round things | Tech Geek | HiFi Reviewer with 20+ years of published credits | Thank you!
Every word Bob speaks on here is the absolute truth. I’m now a huge fan! Another thing - he says he and Analgoue Productions used the same tape for Getz/Gilberto. However, the channels are swapped, at least on the AS 45. The Impex version is correct, or at least it matches my early reissue. And, the Impex is the superior sounding version, more emotionally engaging, coming close to my best early reissue.
Try the Greece Lab12 melto2. Input and settings are similar to the 505. soundwise? I didn’t hear the 505 but your words meant for me that both are in the same direction. I have the Lab12 melto2 for three years much more better than an EAR 834 what I had before - much more. But not that good like my phono stage built in Backes&Müller ICE 525. That’s a killer. If you are looking for a Line stage with DAC and Phono under 13k that’s the way to go.
That is a beautiful system, I can't wait to hear the differences between the turntables. I love the room colors, it matches your emblem. This room has so much potential, good luck with it. We will all sit back and enjoy the ride!!!
Yes, got a Peterson system pipe and the other is my grandfather’s Parker London from the 60’s. My pick for the best summer tobacco is Rattray’s Exotic passion. 😉🍷
Andrew from Parlogram Auctions channel has an Australian production dub tape of Sgt. Pepper's. The same one used for the legendary 497 copies of the album released as audiophile. And he took it to Abbey Road to play it. The tape is damaged, It was probably left next to a heat source or a magnet and there is a thump on "Within You Without You" which in my humble opinion, probably improved it. But it also extended to the other tracks, unfortunately.
For decades, since I was a kid, I would drool over audiophile magazines, wishing I was one of those guys with those expensively handcrafted super-stereos, with a glass of scotch in one hand and a record on the other, in my smoking suit. Then a few years ago I started going to those audiophile shows where vendors would display their products and play albums. I was more impressed with the beauty and the prices than with the performance. They were good, but everything sounds "good" or "great" if you play pieces such as 3 piece jazz or a guy with a guitar singling Blues, or sometimes classical. The equipment doesn't have to work hard to bring out the sound, and since I don't listen to any of those types, it's very hard for me to justify spending big money on equipment that specializes on music that isn't what I listen to. Yet, there are enough suckers who spend entire retirement funds or mortgages on such equipment to keep these vendors in business year after year. It also helps when the vendor has a British accent. Gives their product more credibility. It's all an illusion. If the album brings out the emotions in you, then it has achieved its purpose. A better mastered album played on a better stereo may enhance that feeling but to a certain point, and certainly not worth paying the price of a new car for a tonearm. Michael Fremer caters to those guys because it means big money and getting million dollars in free stereo equipment to play with (not to keep, though). Everything is either about sex or money, but more often than not, both.
Thanks for watching and the insightful "long" post ... there is unfortunately a lot of nonsense in high-end audio. It's very much a super niche industry with little to no oversight or outside influence to right whatever wrongs there are. That translates to open season for all sorts of charlatans and snake oil sellers to grift from unsuspecting, feel good, believe anything you tell them, customers. I have tried to voice my sometimes contrarian opinions over the past 20+ years of being a reviewer and published writer to the extent that you can given the constraints of publishers and advertisers, etc. When I launched my YT channel, I wanted to free myself from those constraints and be as forthcoming as possible - granted, you always have to have some sort of "filter", so there is that... Of course none of this matters if you are a gear-head with 10 records and a half million dollar HiFi. There's plenty of those audio fools out there too! Cheers mate!
From the given price that is one very nice designed product and they really got it with that powerful psu and dual mono which reminds me about my own Accuphase C47 albeit double the money. Try it out but be aware the C47 takes +350 hours to break in otherwise you will never hear it in its full splendor as it is night and day from 0 hour.
Great review! By the time you got to the end of all the features I thought this unit would be costing way more than it actually does... Still a little bit more than what I'm looking for, but I love the versatility and look of this thing.
I wonder if the would consider making a single input version with all the same facilities? Or a two input version? I like what’s on offer and a slimmed down version would be a super product. The styling is so appealing! It’s not crazy priced for what it is either.
Moonriver makes two products, in Sweden no less... the 404 integrated amplifier and the 505 phono amplifier, reviewed here at SonicFlare Studio A. Let's take a dive into the world of Moonriver... Available through fine dealers worldwide! 💰 Suggested retail price: USD $5,999- / 5,000- EUR Moonriver website: moonriveraudio.com 🍿 Popcorn time! 01:52 pipes or cigars? 03:32 review intro - Moonriver 505 10:19 construction 14:02 sound quality 27:20 conclusion & final thoughts 🎻 Equipment currently setup in Studio A: EINSTEIN The Preamp einstein-audio.de EINSTEIN The Last Record Player, CD player EINSTEIN The Perfect Pickup, MC current sensing phono EINSTEIN The Poweramp, hybrid Circlotron dual-mono amplifier EMMlabs MTRS, solid state stereo amplifier www.emmlabs.com EMMlabs DS-EQ1, optical cartridge "energizer" x 2 Meitner MA3, DAC + Streamer Kuzma XL Air + Safir, turntable + arm www.kuzma.si Bergmann Galder Signature + Odin, turntable + arm bergmannaudio.com ReVox H1 Cassette tape deck Telefunken M15A reel to reel tape machine x 2 Nagra IV-S reel to reel tape machine www.nagraaudio.com Wilson Audio Sasha V www.wilsonaudio.com Wilson Audio Loke x 2 DeVore Fidelity O/96 devorefidelity.com SonoruS Audio proximity bass controller sonorusaudio.com Tascam DA1000, A/D converter + digital recorder QNAP 8 bay 32TB NAS Tidal, Apple Music streaming services Audirvana Studio media playback app audirvana.com eero Pro 6 WiFi network 🎼 Cables used in Studio A: Black Cat Cable blackcatcable.com Graceline L3, speaker + interconnect LessLoss C-MARC Classic power cables www.lessloss.com 🔈 Music used for evaluation - Freddie Hubbard - Keep Your Soul Together Kruder & Dorfmeister - Conversions Randy Travis - Storms Of Life Black Uhuru - Chill Out Oscar Peterson & Nelson Riddle Nucleus - Alley Cat La Planete Sauvage Brian Eno - Apollo 2 LP Ahmad Jamal - Chamber Music Of The New Jazz Duke Ellington - Indigos (2024 65th anniversary IMPEX reissue) 📝 About SonicFlare Danny Kaey has been a published audio and HiFi reviewer for almost 25 years in online and printed publications in the US, Canada and Europe. In the hobby for over 40 years, his tastes have varied through the decades, though now have settled for what music is all about: dynamics, slam, resolving power and tonality. DK believes that like many personally experienced tastes, there are many flavors to HiFi, though in all cases HiFi should aim to replicate music as closely as possible. 🤩 If you like this channel and content please help support me by liking and subscribing here on RU-vid and Instagram. Instagram: instagram.com/sonicflare/ Please DM me with inquiries for future reviews or interviews. #audio #music #hifi #stereo #records #sonicflare Thanks so much for watching this episode, Have I finally found my golden super amp? Cheers!
Why they offer such high capacitance loadings I don't know. In my experience, phono leads struggle to have low enough capacitance for most situations in the first place, let alone adding hundreds more pF.....
Mom and dad smoked cigarettes in 60's. Mom started spitting blood she quit after the doctor told her you could quit or die . Dad took up pipe as less chemicals. Then, eventually, quit early 70's. Phono I use an old Technics phono stage as my NAD hasn't got one. I was using a Kenwood but it had some transformer buzz.
Ha. Remember me asking about the Moonriver 505 and the Soulnote E2 last year? I went for the Soulnote because it also opens the door for an optical cartridge in my budget range. It would be great if you get your hands on this one as well. Would be great to hear your thoughts on it.
Great review with clear and precise explanations! My Phasemation EA-320 phono stage (similar price) doesn't have any manual adjustments (just MM/MC - Mono/Stereo) so I'm kind of stuck with Phasemation cartridges... Thanks!
@@SonicFlare The Phasemation EA-1200 is the best phonostage I've ever heard, unfortunately slightly out of my budget so I opted for a Zanden Model 120 that I received last month, and I love it !
Thanks for a great review - i like your tak om purism in the end. I use a Holfi SuperBattriaa with batteries in PSU. VERY purist - and very quiet and costummade for my Hana SL by Peter Holstein.
Great review! Used to smoke a pipe... Usually el cheapo corn cob pipes with different types of aromatic tobaccos, most of which were variations of Black Cavendish or Black Cavendish + Virginia tobacco. After my cancer diagnosis (not tobacco related), I've abstained from using tobacco, but I get why people love it. My favorite phono preamps are from Jim Hagerman of Hagerman Audio Labs. Unparalleled bang for the buck and he still carries kits for DIYers. Maybe we'll see you do a review of his TOTL Trumpet MC at some point? It's a fraction of the cost of the Moonriver and I'm guessing (based on his other phono preamps) sounds fantastic. Jim is also offers lots of wonderful information on his page AND publishes his schematics. Wish others did that as well. Cheers!!
Oh no, sorry to hear about your cancer! Well wishes my friend. Heard of Jim's stuff a bunch of times, you are right, I should request a review of his gear... thanks for the tip! Stay tuned...
@@SonicFlare Sorry, should have mentioned that diagnosis and treatment was years ago. Doing well now, but thank you for the well wishes. Yes, definitely check out the Hagerman Labs gear. Jim and I chat from time to time, so I'd be happy to help facilitate that now that you have Studio A rollin.🥳👍 Just let me know.
Great video Danny! Greeney here from Portland. I smoke a 20yr old Savinelli pipe. It’s called the “Gandalf” and Is a bit of a collectors item as Saveinelli got into some legal battles with lord of the rings. I smoke it while listening through my Meitner DS energizer!
Hi it’s Craig messaging from Spain on my Wife’s RU-vid account to say I love the videos and particularly this one with the pipe. My Grandfather smoked a pipe and I still love the smell of his preferred backy as he called it which was either Murray’s Erinmore or Balkan Sobranie. I’ve actually bought myself a pipe and some Erinmore to have with a single malt. I think I will once my system is set up again. 🎵🙏🏻
Nice room Danny! Oh the gorgeous bergmann table, handcrafted in Denmark. Wish I could hear it in personal and you my all tube setup. But we live not "next door" unfortunately... 😢 DS Audio Ionizer, a must have I can confirm. Best "brush" ever! Cheers! 🙂
Hi Danny, what an gem this emmLabs, glad you finally found your sound! Same happened to me when I tried ayre v-5xe evolution in my own system, my emotions were the same. The last design of Charles Hansen, I believe, and what a great one, I must say! Last but not least, great list of records, my wallet is crying🙂Been collecting more classical lately, maybe you can show more of your own some day soon again. Great fun, thx!
I get that it's technically very demanding to make a solid state amp sound musical. Obviously Ed Meitner delivered! 👍🏻 In semi nearfield listening in my somewhat smaller room I have found a "worldclass solution" for my ears: LS 3/5A, 15 Ohm, two REL T-Zero MK III (fast enough to blend in seamlessly) and of course, the star of this setup, a 6L6GC (or KT66) SE valve amp without any negative feedback. Lot's of second order harmonic distortion, when you crank this thing up a bit. 🙃 Cheers!
Hey Danny looking dapper my friend . I really enjoyed those summer jazz pulls. That Ahmad Jamal is a must his piano work is sensational. Never seen that Hampton Hawes and Milt Jackson on Pablo i definitely have to seek them out thanks for sharing Danny you pulled some outstanding records I need to seek out brother .
I've heard the Nagra and the D'Agostino monoblocks. Both amazing. I will have to admit that since I play in the Cayin, Plinius, Rega price range, I would find it almost impossible to pick between those uber-expensive amplifiers. Each is spectacular in it's own way. But it's still enjoyable hearing about them. Cheers!!
The best silence is at night in a wooded area after a snowfall. Love that. Beautiful amp. Ed Meitner is one of a handful of designers that immediately come to mind when I think of good designers. A few others are, John Curl, Bascom King, Mike Sanders, Nelson Pass, Tim DeParavicini, and I’m sure I could name a few more. I’m not a fan of that ultra clarity almost etched sounding amp sound either. Fatigues my ears pretty quickly. It really is difficult to find a SS amp with a somewhat“tubey” (for lack of better words) sound. The First Watt amps I’ve heard have that kind of presentation, but I know some people want more power, but it’s more about quality vs quantity of wpc. Cool vid, Danny. Thanks
Agreed! Ear fatigue is a thing! That’s the crux of it, isn’t it… you get drawn to a component by the big box TV effect, crank the contrast and colors, only to find 30 min later… wait a minute, the world doesn’t look and sound that way! Cheers and thanks 🙏🏼
Ed Meitner needs no introduction. The Austrian electronics designer has forged so many new ways in HiFi that his resume is literally a mile plus long... with his company emmLabs, he now has a full assortment of digital and analog components in play. Today, we look at the latest analog creation, his powerhouse MTRS Stere amplifier. Enjoy the show! Available through fine dealers worldwide! 💰 Suggested retail price: USD $65,000- emmLabs website: www.emmlabs.com Stereophile measurements: www.stereophile.com/content/emm-labs-mtrs-power-amplifier-measurements 🎻 Equipment currently setup in Studio A: EINSTEIN The Preamp einstein-audio.de EINSTEIN The Last Record Player, CD player EINSTEIN The Perfect Pickup, MC current sensing phono EINSTEIN The Poweramp, hybrid Circlotron dual-mono amplifier EMMlabs MTRS, solid state stereo amplifier www.emmlabs.com EMMlabs DS-EQ1, optical cartridge "energizer" x 2 Meitner MA3, DAC + Streamer Kuzma XL Air + Safir, turntable + arm www.kuzma.si Bergmann Galder Signature + Odin, turntable + arm bergmannaudio.com ReVox H1 Cassette tape deck Telefunken M15A reel to reel tape machine x 2 Nagra IV-S reel to reel tape machine www.nagraaudio.com Wilson Audio Sasha V www.wilsonaudio.com Wilson Audio Loke x 2 DeVore Fidelity O/96 devorefidelity.com SonoruS Audio proximity bass controller sonorusaudio.com Tascam DA1000, A/D converter + digital recorder QNAP 8 bay 32TB NAS Tidal, Apple Music streaming services Audirvana Studio media playback app audirvana.com eero Pro 6 WiFi network 🎼 Cables used in Studio A: Black Cat Cable blackcatcable.com Graceline L3, speaker + interconnect LessLoss C-MARC Classic power cables www.lessloss.com 🔈 Music used for evaluation - Courtney Pine - Journey To The Urge Within Arooj Aftab - Night Rein Joaõ Gilberto - Ao Vivo Amira Medunjanin - Damar Boris Blank - Resonance Trevor Horn - Echoes Eva Cassidy - The Best Of Fluxion - Traces Placebo - S/T David Murray - Plumb Willie Nelson - The Border Yosi Horikawa - Spaces Einstürzende Neubauten - Rampen 📝 About SonicFlare Danny Kaey has been a published audio and HiFi reviewer for almost 25 years in online and printed publications in the US, Canada and Europe. In the hobby for over 40 years, his tastes have varied through the decades, though now have settled for what music is all about: dynamics, slam, resolving power and tonality. DK believes that like many personally experienced tastes, there are many flavors to HiFi, though in all cases HiFi should aim to replicate music as closely as possible. 🤩 If you like this channel and content please help support me by liking and subscribing here on RU-vid and Instagram. Instagram: instagram.com/sonicflare/ Please DM me with inquiries for future reviews or interviews. #audio #music #hifi #stereo #records #sonicflare #jazzadmiralreviews #emmlabs Thanks so much for watching this episode, Have I finally found my golden super amp? Cheers!
