The Absolute Sound Podcast

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 the difference. This video is sponsored by: https://axpona.com/why-attend/?utm_source=TAS&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=2026 NADAC Review: https://youtu.be/ObKIIUHaOyo 00:00 PMG Signature Preamplifier 02:43 Overview 06:55 Sound Quality 10:54 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 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

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, well, details matter if you actually consider buying the equipment we review and you actually listen to the equipment you buy. 00:00 WADAX Studio DAC 01:14 Overview 02:10 Features 04:38 Sound Quality 13:00 Musical Examples 16:02 Summary

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 Final Thoughts 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. 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

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 Perlisten A3t 01:32 Overview 03:29 Sound Quality 15:24 Comparisons 16:32 Downsides 17:08 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 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

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, wireless systems, even a soundbar or a set of bookshelf speakers such as the Motion B100s. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/products/perlisten-audio-d8is-in-wall-on-wall-subwoofer-with-amplifier 00:00 Martin Logan - B100 01:19 Overview 02:58 First Impressions 03:48 Specs & Design 05:52 Sound Quality 10:51 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 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

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 & Design 05:54 Sound Quality 11:43 Technical Considerations 12:33 Is it for you? 14:50 Final Thoughts 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

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 sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com 00:00 NADC D & C 01:12 Overview 04:45 Sound Quality 11:53 DADC DAC 13:12 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 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

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 intriguing value proposition. This video is sponsored by: https://www.mofielectronics.com/ 00:00 ARC LS2 Preamplifier 01:33 Overview 02:28 Specs & Design 05:05 Set Up 06:36 Sound Quality 13:40 Compare & Contrast 15:10 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 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

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 & Design 05:25 Set Up 06:15 Sound Quality 11:39 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 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

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 products we’re looking at cost at review time. If, however, you are working on upgrades or just straight-up buying a system around $10,000 or so, these products might fit nicely. Let’s see what they offer. This video is sponsored by: 00:00 DAC Z10 and T8 02:13 DAC Z10 Features 09:50 Sound Quality 13:34 Voicing 16:00 T8 Streamer 20:26 Additional Important Thoughts 21:01 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 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

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 clarity and detail across various music genres. If you're an audiophile looking for your next pair of headphones, this review is for you! This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/collections/matrix-audio 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. 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

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 think, truly special, but since I try to avoid histrionics, I’m not going to attempt to express that with wild exaggerations or shouting. This amplifier will not alter audio history, transform your music or improve your sex life. This is however, a very good amplifier and a real bargain in the right system. As always, its particular sonic profile and capabilities may not fit your needs, so that must be kept in mind. Okay, let’s take a look at the Wattson Madison power amplifier. This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest8000/

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://youtu.be/JMHqM4ixlEM?si=wc6ZBl6WT293v9Sa 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

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-audio 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

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=e6D_49RWcZIUG5_h 00:00 Krypton3X 01:34 Specs & Design 05:21 Set Up 08:04 Sound Quality 20:22 Is it for you? 23:04 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 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

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 multiway speakers can play down to 25 Hz and, some argue, there isn’t much musically relevant information below this depending on the music you listen to. So, I spent a little bit of time experimenting with what a system sounds like if you mainly focus efforts on solving those two remaining issues: smoothing out room modes and tuning for a more desired frequency response. As it turns out, doing this brought some bass extension that I welcomed in my particular setup. This video is sponsored by: https://shunyata.com/product/everest8000/ 00:00 Bass Performance in Real Rooms 02:01 Overview 03:17 What Needs Solving? 09:32 Measurements 20:10 Conclusion 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

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 achieving a price point roughly half that of the comparable vantage model. 00:00 YG Acoustics Peak 01:33 Overview 02:36 Design 04:43 Driver Technology 07:20 Specs 08:15 Set Up 08:56 Sound Quality 12:20 Is it for you? 13:29 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 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

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 music files from network protocols to music file types – and various DACs – devices that convert digital signals to analog signals that amps and speakers use. They’re just computers dealing with files. Simple, right? Well, no, apparently. Which brings us to the Lumin T3X with QRONO and LEEDH technology. Right now, I’d rate this as the lowest cost way to get 95% of more of what digital can do. It isn’t inexpensive, but I think it is a benchmark that helps everyone think about audio system building and budgeting. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/introducing-perlisten 00:00 Lumin T3X 02:12 Overview 03:24 Features 09:36 Sound Quality 16:28 User Interface 17:57 Summary

The Bricasti M1 DAC has been a powerful mainstay for consumers looking for affordable yet high-fidelity precision since its debut in 2011. Bricasti is now introducing the Series II, looking to expand yet preserve what made the first edition so special. Does the Series II deliver? Tune in to find out. This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/pages/introducing-perlisten 00:00 Bricasti M1 Series II 01:58 Overview 02:38 Specs & Design 04:10 Reference Equipment 06:00 Is it for you? 08:16 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 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

Today I’m taking an inside look at possibly the most innovative company in the consumer audio space. I say this because today’s subject, Theoretica Applied Physics, is working on some of the biggest problems of audio believability, their results are quite successful in my experience, and the architecture they use is relatively low cost. Let’s take a deeper look. Learn more: https://www.theoretica.us/ This video is sponsored by: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter 00:00 Theoretica Applied Physics 00:56 Believability 03:38 Advanced Technologies 06:27 Problem 1 Part A 11:59 Problem 2 15:56 Problem 1 Part B 19:15 Problem 3 22:15 Problem 4 24:42 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 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