Japanese innovators DS Audio launched their first optical phono cartridge onto the worldwide hi-fi stage back in 2013. Since then, designer Tetsuaki Aoyagi has continued to advance and refine the state of the art, achieving level after level of ground-breaking – and arguably peerless – sonic performance.
All posts by Dave Denyer
DS Audio replaces Master 1 optical cartridge with new third generation, ‘semi-flagship’ Master 3
PRESS RELEASE: DS Audio’s Master 1 optical cartridge was originally launched as the brand’s flagship model in 2016. Since then, flagship status has been justifiably captured by the peerless Grand Master and Grand Master Extreme models, featuring DS Audio’s ‘third generation’ of optical cartridge technology. Now, the Master 3 brings the brand’s third generation features down a price point, bestowing the new Master 3 with ‘semi flagship’ status.
A rare peek behind the scenes: Michael Fremer tours Clearaudio’s German factory
This year, German analogue innovators Clearaudio celebrate 45 years of being at the leading edge of high-end audio. Rather than mounting their usual main floor exhibit at the Munich High End show, this year the company chose instead to throw its own event before the show for its distributors, customers and friends around the world. The Absolute Sound’s Michael Fremer was among those invited to attend and, for those not lucky enough to be there in person, he kindly made a video of his experiences, featuring some fascinating insights into the company’s people and processes.
Continue reading A rare peek behind the scenes: Michael Fremer tours Clearaudio’s German factory
‘Product of the Millenium’: The Absolute Sound’s annual Buyers’ Guide picks its stand-out performers from MBL’s range of loudspeakers and electronics
In the just-published November issue, US audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound recommends a selection of world-leading audio components in its annual Buyer’s Guide. Once again, MBL’s superb high-end range features heavily, with eleven products highlighted in the 2024 edition.
Top ten: The Absolute Sound’s annual Buyers’ Guide highlights its latest hit-list of Clearaudio turntables, cartridges and accessories
Each November, US audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound showcases a selection of the world’s best audio components in its annual Buyer’s Guide. In the just-published 2024 edition, German brand Clearaudio remains at the leading edge of all things analogue with a raft of highly recommended turntables, phono cartridges and accessories.
“The best gets better”: The Absolute Sound is bowled over by MBL’s flagship 101 X-Treme MkII Radialstrahler loudspeaker system
“I’ve never heard anything like this before!” declares Jonathan Valin on first listen, despite having lived with the MkI version of MBL’s Radialstrahler loudspeaker system for four years. “The MkII isn’t just a little different sounding than the original. It is astonishingly different sounding – and astonishingly better.”
New from Furutech: NCF Clear Line-RCA & -XLR passive signal line optimizers
PRESS RELEASE: Furutech’s Clear Line range was first launched in 2020 with the NCF Clear Line AC optimizer, a compact device designed to instantly enhance the quality of your system’s power supply. Now, the new NCF Clear Line-RCA and -XLR extend the range, honing in on the quality of your system’s signal line.
Continue reading New from Furutech: NCF Clear Line-RCA & -XLR passive signal line optimizers
“The sound of silence”: The Absolute Sound reviews Computer Audio Design’s GC1.1 and GC-R Reference Ground Control
“For over a decade my mantra has been to get grounded,” writes Jacob Heilbrunn in US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s October issue. Heilbrunn has gone to far greater lengths that most to lower the noise floor in his audio system, seeking to reduce the ground resistance to as close to zero ohms as possible. So in reviewing Computer Audio Design’s (CAD) Ground Control units, could there be any further ‘ground to gain’?
“Phenomenal”: The Absolute Sound spends quality time with Clearaudio’s upgraded Goldfinger Statement V2.1 MC cartridge
The Goldfinger Statement v2.1 is the new edition of Clearaudio’s flagship phono cartridge, elevating Peter Suchy’s original cartridge patent to new heights of performance, and featuring a ‘world first’ in design. The Absolute Sound’s Jonathan Valin now has a new favourite.
“As silent as they come”: a second Golden Ear Award for Aesthetix’ Mimas integrated amplifier
A lot has happened since the Aesthetix Mimas integrated amplifier won its first Golden Ear Award in 2019, along with a Product of the Year Award, from US audio magazine The Absolute Sound. Many excellent new hi-fi components have come to market and yet, the Mimas remains steadfastly among the best – as evidenced by another Golden Ear Award in 2023.
David Denyer PR | The hi-fi specialist 