Introducing Muse Kastanovich, a longtime TAS magazine writer making his YouTube review debut. Muse reviews the design, sound, and context of the Bowers & Wilkins 702 Series 3. Listen in to hear his thoughts!

00:00 Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3

02:34 THREE-way design

07:02 Listening to TWO

16:25 ONE Conclusion

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

One of the things that I’ve discovered in life is that the broader my brush, the more quickly I paint myself into a corner. Scouring the online forums of audiophilia has shed light on a subset of listeners who have done just this when it comes to switching amplifiers.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r212s/

While I’m certain earlier class-D amplifiers warranted this ‘band of brother’s’ rapid armament of the widest brushes they could find, they’ll now have to stay in the corner they’ve painted themselves into waiting for the paint to dry before stepping out to listen to the detailed, musical punch that the Cambridge Audio Evo 150 Streaming Amplifier has to offer...

01:08 Specs & Design

03:02 The App

04:48 Sound Quality

10:07 Conclusion

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

Tom Martin’s Reference System:

Aurender N200 Server

Roon Nucleus server

Mac Mini (M2) server

Wiim Pro server/DAC

Bluesound Node server/DAC

Topping D70 Pro DAC

dCS Lina DAC/Master clock

Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module

J Sikora Initial Max turntable

Technics SL-1210G turntable

Kuzma 4Point 9” arm

J Sikora KV12 tone arm

DS Audio 003 cartridge

Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge

Hana Umami Blue cartridge

Hegel V10 phono preamp

Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp

DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer

Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp

PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps

MBL N51 integrated amplifier

Magico A5 speakers

Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables

Shunyata Omega digital cables

Shunyata Venom power cables and director

AVN Systems acoustic design

Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers

Rediacoustic bass traps

Salamander racks

Solidsteel Turntable rack

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

If you’ve been around headphones for a while, you will know that Stax is a Japanese manufacturer of electrostatic headphones that has operated in the top tier for decades. I recently tested their top-of-the-line SR-X9000 headphones. Does the SRX-9000 carry on the Stax tradition?

00:00 Stax SR-X9000

01:24 Electrostatics?

02:42 Sound Quality

10:50 Summary

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

Tom Martin’s Reference System:

Aurender N200 Server

Roon Nucleus server

Mac Mini (M2) server

Wiim Pro server/DAC

Bluesound Node server/DAC

Topping D70 Pro DAC

dCS Lina DAC/Master clock

Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module

J Sikora Initial Max turntable

Technics SL-1210G turntable

Kuzma 4Point 9” arm

J Sikora KV12 tone arm

DS Audio 003 cartridge

Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge

Hana Umami Blue cartridge

Hegel V10 phono preamp

Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp

DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer

Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp

PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps

MBL N51 integrated amplifier

Magico A5 speakers

Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables

Shunyata Omega digital cables

Shunyata Venom power cables and director

AVN Systems acoustic design

Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers

Rediacoustic bass traps

Salamander racks

Solidsteel Turntable rack

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Robert Taylor duel reviews the Accuphase C2900 preamplifier and the Accuphase A80 amplifier, noting their individual characteristics and their combined output. Tune in to hear Robert's thoughts...

01:04 Specs & Design

03:44 Preamp door controls

05:10 Associated Equipment

05:58 Sound Quality

08:08 Sound Quality Pt. 2

10:51 Conclusion

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

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

We wanted to share with you some of the music we are using in the review process, with a focus on musically interesting work that is also enjoyably recorded. This isn’t necessarily new work or new recordings. With streaming making a test drive of these recommendations so easy, we simply wanted to give you some ideas.

This video is sponsored by: https://www.javahifi.com/home

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

Tom Martin’s Reference System:

Aurender N200 Server

Roon Nucleus server

Mac Mini (M2) server

Wiim Pro server/DAC

Bluesound Node server/DAC

Topping D70 Pro DAC

dCS Lina DAC/Master clock

Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module

J Sikora Initial Max turntable

Technics SL-1210G turntable

Kuzma 4Point 9” arm

J Sikora KV12 tone arm

DS Audio 003 cartridge

Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge

Hana Umami Blue cartridge

Hegel V10 phono preamp

Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp

DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer

Audio Research Reference 6SE preamp

PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps

MBL N51 integrated amplifier

Magico A5 speakers

Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables

Shunyata Omega digital cables

Shunyata Venom power cables and director

AVN Systems acoustic design

Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers

Rediacoustic bass traps

Salamander racks

Solidsteel Turntable rack

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Okay this one is obviously different. At 77” tall and weighing 235 lb, the Tekton Ulfberht is not your typical under $10,000 speaker. One look at the front panel, and you’ll know these aren’t your standard 3-way or 4-way towers on the technical front either. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the ideas and the sound quality behind the Tekton Ulfberht.

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

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

00:00 Tekton Design Ulfberht Speaker

01:14 Overview

02:48 Sound Quality

03:32 Voicing

07:06 Definition, control, character

09:21 Imaging & soundspace

14:39 Summary

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Okay, full disclosure, this video is not targeted at our average viewer. Rather, this is an attempt to open the door of hi-fi for those previously unfamiliar and at $350 US this delicate sounding desktop pair provides a worthwhile peek through that open door.

00:00 Onkyo GX-30ARC

00:56 Overview

03:50 How'd it sound?

07:11 Summary

This video is sponsored by: https://www.hifiman.com/products/detail/353

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

You could view the title of this video as audiophile "click bait"—and perhaps it is. In a more charitable frame of mind, however, you could view it as directing attention to a novel product that could prove to be highly significant and even a bit disruptive to the high-end audio marketplace. This is Andrew Quint, a Senior Writer for The Absolute Sound, and I'd like to tell you about new software coming very soon from Theoretica Applied Physics and BACCH Labs called Stratos, as it's something quite unique in my experience.

00:00 BACCH Stratos Atmos

01:19 Overview

05:25 How it works

06:50 Sound Quality

08:32 Conclusion

This video is sponsored by: https://www.hifiman.com/products/detail/353

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

When Hegel announces a new flagship DAC, the audio world tends to take notice. Hegel has recently released the true successor to their previously acclaimed HD30 DAC. This Hegel Reference Converter promises to elevate Hegel's reputation for pristine digital reproduction to new heights at $4,900. This is placed within the high end realm of HiFi, and is positioned for those looking for supreme accuracy, realism, as well as musicality. Let's break this one down.

00:00 Hegel D50 D/A Converter

01:19 Specs & Design

07:15 Sound Quality

10:15 Is it for you?

11:18 Summary

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-methodology-first-principles/

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

I often rely on analogies to help develop my thoughts. This is a great way to take a known experience that I am relatively more familiar with to draw out the nuance of a less known experience – of course at some point all analogies fall apart and, therefore, they can only get us so far.

I bring this up because I admit, when it comes to audio equipment that I enjoy listening to, I have a pretty sound understanding of my aural predilections. That was until I heard the McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier – I now have a resolute understanding of my sonic tastes.

00:00 McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

01:41 Overview

02:40 Specs & Design

03:29 User Experience

04:25 How's it sound?

08:59 Conclusion

This video is sponsored by: https://www.mofielectronics.com/products/mofi-electronics-masterdeck-turntable

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

Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound

Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com

What Is The Absolute Sound?

The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1973. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved