The Absolute Sound Podcast

In this video, Robert Taylor dives into the world of music servers, focusing on the DeJitter it NUC-X server, priced at $8,000. He breaks down its technical enhancements, including a custom power supply and the removal of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi for superior audio performance. Robert also compared it to a standard Intel NUC, showcasing the remarkable improvements in sound clarity and bass definition. Plus...

00:00 Audio Solutions Vantage M 01:33 Specs & Design 04:50 Sound Quality 14:00 Comparisons 15:54 Character This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audio Alexx V Review: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/wilson-audio-alexx-v-loudspeaker/

When putting together a hi fi system, we tend to obsess over the active components. We spend hours agonizing over amplifier topologies or DAC chips, but we often treat the literal foundation of our systems as an afterthought. So settle in while I share some thoughts on a piece of equipment that quietly supports this entire endeavor: The Quadraspire SV3T performance Hi-Fi rack. 00:00 Quadraspire Eq...

Five ten inch drivers per speaker. Alarmingly, that's not a typo, and it's by no means a gimmick either. The MoFi Electronics SourcePoint V10 Master Edition is one of those speakers that just kind of stops you mid-sentence the moment you walk into a room in CES. Or maybe I should say, the moment you hire a crane operator to get them into your basement, they're big, they're impressive. They're beau...

00:00 AE1 40th Anniversary Edition 01:30 Overview 02:06 What's New? 04:17 Set Up 05:18 Sound Quality 09:31 Summary This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/

When all-in-one streaming amplifiers were first introduced a few years ago, they received a pretty frosty reception from audiophiles and musicians alike — and rightly so. But in the years since, significant research and technical improvements have transformed the category. Streaming apps have evolved to offer lossless features and a wealth of capabilities, and quite frankly, you just can't beat th...

Adrian Alexander went behind the gates of Kimber Kable's Ogden, Utah headquarters to see exactly what goes into making one of the most distinguished audio cable manufacturers in the world. From raw wire drawing to the signature hand-braiding process, Adrian got the inside scoop on the people and processes at Kimber Kable, including an exclusive interview with founder and owner Ray Kimble and a loo...

Do you really need a preamp? Many audiophiles say no — and if a DAC with volume control is your only source, they're technically right. But in Robert's experience, DACs connected directly to power amps tend to sound dull, with muted dynamics and anemic bass. Passive preamps often have the same problem. Today, Robert reviews the PS Audio PGA Signature Preamp to see if a quality active preamp makes...

In the past year or so, I have reviewed a reasonably large swath of the DACs in the $10k to $50k range. There are many such DACs to consider however, so this has not been a complete survey. And it will likely continue – and still be incomplete. Today, I consider a streamer/DAC combination from WADAX that from some angles is the best DAC I’ve covered. Let’s take a look at what that means, because,...

In this video, Adrian Alexander dives into the McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC, exploring its eye-catching design and impressive audio performance. Join him as he shares his thoughts on this high-resolution audio device and its nostalgic connection to vintage audio gear. 00:00 McIntosh DS200 01:15 Overview 02:45 Design & Aesthetics 05:30 Technical Specifications 08:15 Listening Experience 12:00 F...

The Perlisten A3t is an unusual design. That unusual design accomplishes sonic results different from 90% or more of the speakers on the market. You may or may not want that difference, but I think you will want to know about it. Let’s check it out. This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/ Perlisten Profile: https://youtu.be/rkNmzkS9cNs?si=DABLAGowVdC4fjxX 00:00 Perliste...

Recently returning from yet another consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, I was reminded of a CES of over 40 years ago, when a company called Martin Logan introduced an audacious, stunning set of towering electrostatic speakers. In the 40 plus years since then, they've become a venerable name in the audio business, making not just cutting edge tower speakers, but also in wireless speakers, wirel...

Matt Coykendall returns with his review of the ALBERICH² SYSTEM speakers comprised of the Hagen² Monitor and the Alberich² active bass module this speaker system not only packs a clean, articulate bass, but impressive dynamics, and even a high "wife acceptance factor". Is the ALBERICH² SYSTEM for you? Tune in to find out. 00:00 Voxativ ALBERICH² SYSTEM speakers 01:33 Overview 02:57 Specs & Des...

Robert Taylor takes a deep dive into the Master Fidelity NADAC D and NADAC C — a groundbreaking $50,000 DAC and master clock combo built around the world's first custom one-bit ASIC chip since Philips' legendary TDA 1547 back in 1988. Does this ultra-ambitious pairing from the Vancouver-based team finally deliver on digital audio's long-promised potential? Tune in to find out! This video is sponso...

In the second half of 2025, Audio Research launched six new products in both tube and solid state areas of design. One of those, the D80 Power Amplifier is a unit that I reviewed, this past July right when the series launched. Well, this time I got to spend some quality listening time with the natural pairing to the D80, the LS2 preamplifier a line stage with intriguing features and an even more i...

In the world of high end audio. $230 isn't a lot of money, especially when those $230 gets you a pair of two way active bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth, dual RCA inputs, and a subwoofer output. The big question, of course, is how do they sound? So let's dig into the Edifier 1700BTS speakers. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/ 00:00 Edifier 1700BTS 01:40 Overview 03:08 Specs...

The Eversolo DAC Z10 is a logical step-up option for audiophiles building their systems beyond, say, the $5000 level. At $5000, plus or minus a bit, you probably spend $1000 on a streamer and DAC, $1500 to $2500 on amplification and $1500 to $2500 on speakers. You might balance this differently, but you just don’t have budget for a $1400 streamer and a $2000 DAC, which is what the two Eversolo pro...

In this video, John Quain dives into the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 wireless headphones, exploring their refined sound profile and standout features. Priced at $479, these over-ear noise-canceling headphones boast 40mm dynamic drivers and support Bluetooth 5.3 with AptX Lossless codec. I’ll discuss their impressive battery life, customizable EQ via a smartphone app, and a sound stage that delivers...

I am well aware that audio coverage on YouTube has something of a histrionic slant. In an algorithmic media world, I suppose that is to be expected. The problem of course is that when something truly special comes along, if treated with the standard approach, it can get mentally dumped by viewers into the “more BS hysteria” bucket. I offer this warning because the product I’m covering today is, I...

Senior reviewer Steven Stone returns with a brief overview of his experience at Denver's Head-Fi meet up. Not quite a Can-Jam or major show a Head-Fi Meet Up sits right in the sweet spot between casual enthusiast get together and large professional show. What did he find out? Tune in to learn more! This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest-x/ Who is Steven Stone? https://you...

In January 2026, Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems celebrated its 15th anniversary with the launch of the Momentum Z Mono Amplifier at their Cave Creek, Arizona facility. Priced around $125,000 per pair, this flagship amplifier features new Kinetic Drive Regulator technology. Michael Fremer reports, tune in to learn more! This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix...

Michael Johnson reviews the hefty, unique Krypton3X floor standing loudspeaker. With a frequency response primed for revelation, Michael discovers some of his hi-fi test tracks aren’t what he thought they were. Is this inviting or distracting? Tune in to find out. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audio Tom’s Listening Room: https://youtu.be/To3yKpFUMNI?si=...

When it comes to bass performance in hi-fi playback using the conventional setup of two speakers, there are three major problems that are difficult to overcome without beginning to integrate separate subwoofers. Bass extension, room modes, and overall frequency balance. In this video, I’m not going to focus too much on the first problem, as this isn’t always a problem with just two speakers. Many...

YG Acoustics Ascent is the second from the top model in the company's new peak series, and it's priced at $23,800. This represents a significant departure their first speaker to use a hybrid cabinet construction rather than their signature all aluminum enclosure. What makes the ascent particularly interesting is it incorporates the same driver technology as GS Reference Series speakers, while achi...

Streamers and Digital to Analog converters are the key source for modern high-end audio systems. For most people at least, if for no other reason than the availability of nearly the entire catalogue of recorded music. And ease of use. And low cost. What can be confusing is the degree of sonic difference between various streamers – devices that request music from a streaming service and convert the...