Stereophile Magazine - December 2020

In this issue

Stereophile’s 2020 Product of the Year Awards
Our reviewers select the year’s best products in seven categories and choose the best overall.

The Classical Voice—Finding Your Way In
Jason Victor Serinus is your guide to the glories of classical singing, from an audiophile perspective.

CANADA: PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO

I was shocked and greatly saddened by the news of the passing, at age 68, of Brian W. Russell, president and co-founder (along with his brother Chris) of Bryston Ltd. Established in 1973, Bryston’s first product was a power amplifier for the professional market.

1 min

SAT's remarkable XD1 record-player system

Let’s begin by discussing what SAT’s XD1 Record Player System is not: It is not a Technics SP-10R in a sci-fi–inspired plinth—although the XD1’s engine does begin life as the SP-10R’s basic drive system, which is stripped down to a handful of essential components, reimagined, reengineered, and rebuilt to much higher mechanical standards.

10+ mins

The First Watt F8

I spent my childhood summers on the Reichert family farm near Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, where, inside the red 1880s barn, my uncle Harold played 78rpm records for his cows.

10+ mins

Gryphon Essence Mono

POWER AMPLIFIER

10+ mins

MBL NOBLE SERIES N31 CD PLAYER–D/A PROCESSOR

In Stereophile’s February 2018 issue,1 I reviewed the MBL Noble Line N31, a baroque-styled CD player and D/A processor from German manufacturer MBL.2

6 mins

GOLDENEAR BRX

When I first started writing for Stereophile, John Atkinson brought me a speaker to review. The shipping box was really beat, and it had some other reviewer’s name on the UPS label. After a few days of trying to get it to sound good, I speculated that John and at least one other reviewer already knew this speaker did not sound good. Flummoxed, I wrote JA a simple email (he likes simple emails), “Is this a test?” He replied, “Everything is a test.”

9 mins

Alta Audio Alyssa

At first look, our November 2020 review of the standmount loudspeaker ($5000/pair) from Alta Audio1 appeared to be a thorough vindication of the Stereophile method of reviewing, combining measurements with a subjective listening journal. John Atkinson’s measurements were generally fine, but he uncovered “strong discontinuities in the impedance traces at 174Hz and 291Hz [that] imply the presence of resonances.” They could only be internal airspace resonances, since he found the Alyssa’s cabinet to be admirably inert.

8 mins

LOOKING BACK AT FLEETWOOD MAC

TWO REISSUES SHOW THAT THE BAND WAS GREAT BEFORE IT WAS FAMOUS.

9 mins

Deja Lou

It’s déjà vu all over again in New York City. 1988: The bankrupt Fear City NYC of the 1970s had given way to the go-go ’80s, with many missing the fruits of the Wall Street boom. AIDS ravaged the city, unabated, and a rash of violence and crime fueled by the crack-cocaine epidemic made for a grim underbelly of urban blight and neglect.

7 mins

Something's coming

So, what’s “this thing of ours”?

4 mins

Read all stories from Stereophile

Stereophile Magazine Description:

Stereophile is a monthly magazine that reviews audio equipment, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, and digital audio players. It was founded in 1965 and is one of the most respected audio magazines in the world.

The magazine's reviews are known for their meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to neutrality. Stereophile also publishes articles on a variety of other topics related to audio, such as listening room acoustics, recording techniques, and music history.

Stereophile is aimed at a wide audience of audiophiles, from casual listeners to serious enthusiasts. It is a popular resource for anyone who wants to learn more about audio equipment and how to get the best sound possible.

Here are some of the things you can expect to find in Stereophile Magazine:

* Reviews of the latest audio equipment
* Articles on audio technology and techniques
* Interviews with audio engineers and musicians
* Features on audio history and culture
* Tips and advice on how to get the best sound possible

Stereophile Magazine is the perfect resource for anyone who is interested in high-quality audio. Subscribe today and start enjoying your music the way it was meant to be heard!