Tom, how is it that TAS has not reviewed the Playback Designs flagship DAC or the Grimm Audio MU2 Dac/streamer? They seem to be universally praised by people who've heard them, and they are more budget friendly than many of the high-end DACs.
We’ll take a look and see if we can get either of those. Thanks for the suggestion. It may help to think about the math of reviewing to address your question. There are over 5000 high-end audio products on the market. On our video channel, we can review just under 100 per year. So something (a lot, actually) will be left out. Sometimes we choose to run the review in the magazine. Sometimes we skip a product because we weren’t impressed at a show or shows. Sometimes we skip over a product because we don’t understand the logic behind the it. Sometimes it is because the manufacturer isn’t at shows. Sometimes it is because the manufacturer doesn’t contact us to tell us about a new product (this happens a lot, and we’re not clairvoyant). Sometimes the manufacturer has a hard time with production and review samples aren’t available. This is a challenge for all reviewers in categories where there are many products and tech-driven lifecycles. So, we greatly value suggestions from viewers.
I wonder how many of these listings would fall under the "Ruthlessly Revealing" category. Magico and Burmester were always more musically satisfying than most brands, without inducing fatigue. Not sure about the others. (I haven't been too involved in the High End in the past 14 or so years, having settled on a system that I'm mostly happy with. My last extensive experience was the 2019 Florida Audio Expo, where I was surprised to hear much more musical systems, and much less ear fatigue than I had been accustomed to from the High end industry in decades past, so my comment is a question rather than an accusation).
In line with your experience, we have argued that high-end manufacturers abandoned the “ruthlessly revealing” sonic profile starting around 10 years ago. Now we have even more revealing product that is musically aligned, at least in many cases.
@@thomasmartin2219 Wow, that's awesome! I never liked the ruthlessly revealing sound, and have been pleasantly surprised at a couple store/manufacturer events, and FLAX, hearing gear that reproduced music with real detail and resolution, not overhyped highs. I was starting to think my hearing had deteriorated to the point that I couldn't hear the ruthlessness any more. I am so glad this is a real trend in high end audio, and thank you for your response.
Ruthlessly revealing appears to have been replace by "tilted upper mids" on the case of many brands, imo. A full and engaging midrange tonality is achieved by the rare few.
LOL a 20k DAC 🤣🤣 Getting the feeling this guy likes to sell expensive gear more because that's where the REAL margins are. Why would stock a 1k $ amp or speaker and make a couple hundred $ on it, when for the same space more or less, you can store a 10k $ one and make a few THOUSAND on the sale 😂
Excellent video. We at HiFi-Loft in NYC love the Boressen speakers.
Great list Tom.. thanks..
Yes, I just sent a msge. There is a device where cat5 cables plug into. What does that do for stereo. Thanks
I see you talking about the power problem. You also talk about PS Audio. They have power regeneration. Will that help with all the audio equipment
Tom, how is it that TAS has not reviewed the Playback Designs flagship DAC or the Grimm Audio MU2 Dac/streamer? They seem to be universally praised by people who've heard them, and they are more budget friendly than many of the high-end DACs.
We’ll take a look and see if we can get either of those. Thanks for the suggestion. It may help to think about the math of reviewing to address your question. There are over 5000 high-end audio products on the market. On our video channel, we can review just under 100 per year. So something (a lot, actually) will be left out. Sometimes we choose to run the review in the magazine. Sometimes we skip a product because we weren’t impressed at a show or shows. Sometimes we skip over a product because we don’t understand the logic behind the it. Sometimes it is because the manufacturer isn’t at shows. Sometimes it is because the manufacturer doesn’t contact us to tell us about a new product (this happens a lot, and we’re not clairvoyant). Sometimes the manufacturer has a hard time with production and review samples aren’t available. This is a challenge for all reviewers in categories where there are many products and tech-driven lifecycles. So, we greatly value suggestions from viewers.
@@thomasmartin2219 Thanks for the detailed reply. Certainly makes sense. Hoping TAS can make these reviews happen. Cheers.
Good job!
You forgot the Lumin P1. Which, BTW, I wrote the review of for TAS a couple years back.
Nicely made video as always .. any intention to review the kharma line of speakers anytime soon ?
Is there a model you’d suggest?
Saluti dall'Italia !!!
I wonder how many of these listings would fall under the "Ruthlessly Revealing" category. Magico and Burmester were always more musically satisfying than most brands, without inducing fatigue. Not sure about the others. (I haven't been too involved in the High End in the past 14 or so years, having settled on a system that I'm mostly happy with. My last extensive experience was the 2019 Florida Audio Expo, where I was surprised to hear much more musical systems, and much less ear fatigue than I had been accustomed to from the High end industry in decades past, so my comment is a question rather than an accusation).
In line with your experience, we have argued that high-end manufacturers abandoned the “ruthlessly revealing” sonic profile starting around 10 years ago. Now we have even more revealing product that is musically aligned, at least in many cases.
@@thomasmartin2219 Wow, that's awesome! I never liked the ruthlessly revealing sound, and have been pleasantly surprised at a couple store/manufacturer events, and FLAX, hearing gear that reproduced music with real detail and resolution, not overhyped highs. I was starting to think my hearing had deteriorated to the point that I couldn't hear the ruthlessness any more. I am so glad this is a real trend in high end audio, and thank you for your response.
Ruthlessly revealing appears to have been replace by "tilted upper mids" on the case of many brands, imo. A full and engaging midrange tonality is achieved by the rare few.
IMHO Good list with the exception of the PS Audio Amps; they don't belong in this list.
Some decent products, much snake oil.
Good for bragging right, though
so many names misspelled...
over 10k, speakers from Cessaro Horns.
One of a few companies where you get a value for your money.
“Top recommended products that exist for the sole reason of being expensive”
“The top comment that serves no purpose other than to see one’s own grumpiness”
Don’t like? Don’t buy / Don’t watch.
You're confused & ignorant.
Congrats!
TAS just did a Recommended under $1000 vid.
I used to say that when I was broke
Don't fall asleep presenting this list lol
Lol
This channel has lost all credibility if it ever had any after that insane fuse video.
LOL a 20k DAC 🤣🤣
Getting the feeling this guy likes to sell expensive gear more because that's where the REAL margins are. Why would stock a 1k $ amp or speaker and make a couple hundred $ on it, when for the same space more or less, you can store a 10k $ one and make a few THOUSAND on the sale 😂
Seriously. The whole DAC market is snake oil IMO.