LATEST ADDITIONS

May 2026 Classical Record Reviews

Jason Victor Serinus, Stephen Francis Vasta May 22, 2026

Brahms: Trio Op.114; Tabea Zimmermann, viola; Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello; Javier Perianes, piano. Mahler: Symphony 9; London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski. Sean Shibe: Vesper. Elsa Barraine: Symphonies 1 & 2; Song-Koï; Les Tziganes; Orchestre National de France/Cristian Măcelaru.

Music and Recording Reviews

May 2026 Jazz Record Reviews

Thomas Conrad, Andrey Henkin, Ken Micallef May 22, 2026

Gabrielle Cavassa: Diavola; Miroslav Vitous: Mountain Call; Pepper Adams Quintet; Cecil Taylor Unit: Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Pleyel Concerts; Javon Jackson: Jackson Plays Dylan.

Music and Recording Reviews

May 2026 Rock/Pop Record Reviews

Phil Brett, Ray Chelstowski May 22, 2026

Deary: Birding; Bird Streets: The Escape Artist; Kula Shaker: Wormslayer; Miles Kane: Sunlight in the Shadows.

AXPONA 2026 News

Advance Paris at AXPONA 2026

Ken Micallef May 21, 2026

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Advance Paris owner Dimitri Peucelle about the company's latest gear at the show, including its new line of Nova integrated amplifiers.

Miscellaneous

Nordost QNet7 reclocking network switch

Jason Victor Serinus May 21, 2026

In the opinion of this hi-fi reviewer, the debate over the efficacy of audio-quality network switches should be over. As logic would dictate, when connections are made via a network switch, the quality of its inputs, outputs, oscillators (clocks), power supplies, and pathways affects the sound of everything downstream. It's clearly audible. Everything matters.

My Back Pages

An "Average Joe" Goes to a Listening Party

failynn May 20, 2026

The Thursday after AXPONA, I planned to go to a listening party, sponsored by our town's library and held at a local art gallery. I thought that for once I would expand my horizons and spend time with others who love music instead of sitting alone in front of my hi-fi.—Joe Lynn

AXPONA 2026 News

Ex Machina Soundworks and Danville Signal at AXPONA 2026

Ken Micallef May 19, 2026

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Ex Machina Soundworks' Dev Avidon and Danville Signal's Al Clark about the all-in-one Main Sequence System they demo’ed together at the show.

ReDiscoveries

ReDiscoveries #13: The End of the Road for Megadeth

Andrey Henkin May 19, 2026

After ignominious dismissal from Metallica shortly before that band's debut recording, guitarist Dave Mustaine could have easily become a Greg Walls–esque footnote in metal history. But his seething anger, easily audible in his subsequent discography, led him to retaliate by forming Megadeth, which, if not as lucrative as Metallica, was just as influential.

AXPONA 2026 News

Phasemation at AXPONA 2026

Ken Micallef May 18, 2026

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Axiss Audio's Steve Huntley and Phasemation's Hideki Sato and Shigeki Momoto about the gear shown in another one of the Axiss rooms at the show, including Phasemation MA-3000 monoblock amplifiers, a Phasemation PP-2200 cartridge, and a Reed Muse 3C turntable.

Integrated Amp Reviews

MOON by Simaudio 371 streaming integrated amplifier

Sasha Matson May 15, 2026

The origins of Canadian audio manufacturer MOON, from the company called Simaudio, stretch back to 1980, when audio engineer Victor Sima created his first designs. Sima's company became Simaudio Ltd. in 1990. Simaudio launched the MOON brand in 1997.