The Absolute Sound Podcast

In this video, Robert Taylor explores the crucial role of audio cables in optimizing stereo system performance. He discusses how, while lower-end equipment may not see drastic improvements, quality cables can significantly enhance existing setups. Robert reviews VIABLUE's reference series, covering construction, pricing, and performance. With extensive listening comparisons to pricier options, he concludes that VIABLUE cables deliver exceptional sound quality and build at a reasonable price.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Video Sponsor: Playback Distribution | Advance Paris - https://playbackdistribution.com/collections/advance-paris

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Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Aaron Jenkins reviews the $1,199 Audiolab 6000A Mk II integrated amplifier, exploring its features and performance in the high-end audio market. Aaron discusses its improved power supply, upgraded ESS Saber DAC, and enhanced connectivity options like HDMI ARC and Bluetooth 5.1 aptX HD. Join him as he evaluates the amplifier's sound quality, highlighting its coherence, rhythm, and detail, while also addressing some limitations in soundstage depth. Is the 6000A Mk II a worthy investment for audio enthusiasts? Let’s find out!

Video Sponsor: SVS Sound - https://www.svsound.com/collections/17-ultra-revolution-series

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Tom Martin reviews the Avantgarde OPUS 1 active loudspeakers, focusing on their innovative design and outstanding sound quality. Tom explores how the OPUS 1s, featuring a horn driver, challenge traditional audiophile norms by enhancing sound staging and minimizing distortion. Join him as he highlights the technical benefits of the OPUS 1 and encourages you to rethink your audio gear assumptions. With performance that competes with much pricier options, these speakers are a must-consider for serious audiophiles.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, John Quain reviews the Cambridge Audio L/R S active desktop speakers, which are priced competitively at $549 for a pair. John dives into their impressive sound quality, featuring a two-component system with an aluminum dome tweeter and a three-inch woofer powered by Class D amplifiers. These compact speakers are versatile for various placements, and he discusses their connectivity options, including analog, USB-C, and optical inputs. With preset EQ modes for different listening scenarios, John evaluates their effectiveness and ultimately praises the L/R S speakers for their solid soundstage and adaptability.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Tom Martin reviews the Innuos Nazaré Server & Streamer System, a stack of premium audio components that elevates your music playback experience. Tom delves into the intricacies of server streamers, their essential role in contemporary stereo setups, and how they stand apart from basic audio solutions. Join him as he discusses the critical need for minimizing noise in digital signals and the evolution of audio equipment, highlighting the importance of the source in achieving superior sound quality.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Matt Coykendall reviews the Eversolo T10 streaming transport, showcasing its enhancements over the T8 model. Matt dives into its larger, brighter screen, upgraded internal components, and improved clocking hardware. Join him as he explores the T10's design, connectivity options, and unique features like dual M.2 slots for local storage and CD ripping capabilities. He also discusses its performance, app experience, and the critical role of firmware support, ultimately questioning if the upgrades are worth the price difference from the T8.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Muse Kastanovich reviews the Octave V 70 SE tube integrated amplifier, exploring its features, specifications, and performance. Priced at $8,250, Muse compares it to the Audio Research I70, discussing its design, tube configuration, and sound quality. He also highlights the Super Black Box power supply's role in enhancing bass and soundstage, along with the significance of power conditioning and cable choices for achieving optimal performance.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Tom Martin reviews the NAD M23 V2 Power Amplifier, a key component in his $15,000 audio system build. Tom dives into its Class D design, impressive power output, and how it pairs with the Eminent Technologies LFT-8c speakers and Wattson Madison streaming DAC. Join him as he evaluates its sound quality, focusing on clarity and low distortion across frequencies, to help you determine if the M23 V2 is the right fit for your audio setup.

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

In this video, Matt Coykendall dives into the Saros Audio Europa tube amplifier. With its fully differential design, this amp promises to elevate your listening experience by minimizing noise and maximizing dynamic range. Priced at $8,995, the Europa serves as both a headphone amp and a preamp, featuring user-replaceable tubes and top-notch components like Lundahl transformers and VPG Z foil resistors. Matt explores how it delivers a clear, dynamic sound across various genres, challenging the notion that tube amps are only warm and soft. Plus, he points out how easy it is to switch between headphone and speaker use without any hassle.

This video is sponsored by: https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he6-remastered.html

00:00 Sarrus Audio Europa

01:15 Overview

02:45 Design & Features

05:30 Sound Quality

12:00 Headphone vs. Speaker Use

15:30 Is it for you?

16:45 Summary

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.

Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Norway’s Ø Audio cast off into the hi-fi world a decade ago with the Icon two-way horn speaker. Since then, they’ve debuted a number of different models, but the two-way Icon remained at the heart of their brand. Well, that is until the company launched the redesigned Icon 12 last year, alongside a push into the American market. Priced at $25,000, this is not a speaker that’s going to be in everyone’s budget, but perhaps this speaker has something unique to say. I put these floorstanders into my system almost two months ago now and I’ll say that what on the surface might look like well-trodden ground, could just surprise you.

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

00:00 Ø Audio ICON 12

01:4 Overview

02:30 Specs & Design

04:52 Set Up

06:47 Sound Quality

15:19 Amplifier Pairings

16:20 Is it for you?

17:19 Summary