Stereophile Magazine - April 2025

In this issue

Grimm Audio LS1c active loudspeaker system by Rogier van Bakel
Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer D/A processor by Herb Reichert
J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme turntable by Ken Micallef
Technics SC-CX700 active loudspeaker by Kalman Rubinson

The Voxativ Hagen2 Monitor loudspeaker

I think I just found the perfect Herb speaker. It uses a hand-crafted 5\" wide-range driver with a cone made from Japanese calligraphy paper. It rolls off around 50Hz at the bottom and 30kHz at the top. It has no crossover. Its cabinet is made of MDF that responds loudly when I tap it with my fingernails. Inside is what its designer calls a “short horn,” which appears to harmlessly disperse back-cone energy while adding energy below the driver’s cutoff frequency. Mainly, though, it’s a perfect Herb speaker because it is naturally phase coherent. And sparkplug fast. And completely unmuffled.

10+ mins

Youth movement

Paul Klipsch was a genius,” Roy Delgado told me recently, with the sound of genuine amazement in his voice. “Me, I’m just a tinkerer.”

10+ mins

The Loricraft PRC6i record cleaning machine and the WallySkater v2.1 Pro

In my last Spin Doctor column, I gave an overview of my experiences cleaning records over the last 50-plus years and the advances in record cleaning technology over that time. My review of the HumminGuru NOVA ultrasonic record cleaner focused on that increasingly popular approach to record cleaning, using ultrasonic cavitation instead of scrubbing the record with a brush. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in that half-century of playing around with audio gear, it’s that it can be a mistake to embrace a new technology just because of its newness, dismissing what came before as obsolete. The vinyl record itself is a good example of a technology discarded as obsolete, then embraced again by new (and old) generations. You can add vacuum-tube amplifiers, analog tape, and much else in our hobby to that list.

10+ mins

Grimm Audio LS1c ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

It's not unusual for audiophiles to have fond childhood recollections of the old family stereo, but Eelco Grimm's memory of his dad's audio system probably stands alone.

10+ mins

Wattson Audio Madison LE Streamer

After it was delivered, I weighed the box containing Wattson Audio's DAC-equipped Madison LE Streamer on my bathroom scale.

10 mins

J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme, KV9 Max Zirconium

In his review of the J.Sikora Initial turntable, Stereophile's resident artist/sage Herb Reichert wrote, \"Extended bathing, lighting candles, making tea, and preparing food are ritual work forms that prepare my senses to accept both pleasure and illumination.\"

10 mins

Technics SC-CX700 ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER

The usual Specifications box (below) is a nuts-and-bolts listing of the electrical and physical properties of the Technics SC-CX700 loudspeaker, who made it and where, and a widely varying amount of information about their electrical and acoustical performance. The information comes from the included literature, available downloads, and whatever I could find on the manufacturer's website.

10+ mins

Cambridge EXN100 STREAMING D/A PROCESSOR

Each soloist seemed to pop out to the front, between the two speakers (of course), their life force emerging over decades, grooves, and digital bits.

9 mins

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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!