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Loudspeakers
GoldenEar T66 Loudspeaker
Review: Jamie Biesemans,  |  Feb 01, 2024
hfnoutstandingA refinement of GoldenEar's established Triton series, the new T range still combines an AMT tweeter, active bass and ABRs

When the Quest Group, known for the ubiquitous AudioQuest brand, acquired GoldenEar in 2020 it raised some eyebrows. Why would a company excelling at manufacturing and selling cables, often co-operating with speaker brands, wish to tackle the challenging loudspeaker market itself? And what would happen to the GoldenEar product range, which next to custom install and subwoofer models mostly consists of curious semi-active loudspeakers? The answer to that second question, at least, is the £6249 T66, the first arrival under GoldenEar's new ownership.

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Audiophile Vinyl
Audiophile: Vinyl, January 2024
Ken Kessler  |  Jan 30, 2024
This month we review: Thelonious Monk, Fleetwood Mac, Hawkwind and Kentucky Colonels.
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Audiophile Digital
Audiophile: Digital, January 2024
Ken Kessler  |  Jan 30, 2024
This month, we review: Kevin Ayers, Jefferson Starship, lvis Presley and The Art of HiFi.
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Rock
Rock, January 2024
Mike Barnes  |  Jan 29, 2024
This month we review: Gong, Beirut, Flamingods and Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers.
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Jazz
Jazz, January 2024
Steve Harris  |  Jan 26, 2024
This month we review: Veronica Swift, Mulgrew Miller, Shear Brass and Chris Botti.
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Classical
Classical, January 2024
Peter Quantrill  |  Jan 26, 2024
This month we review: Wegener, Henschel, ORF Vienna/Meister, Ensemble Resonanz/Minasi, Namur Chamber Choir/Alarcón and Linos Ensemble.
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Hi-Res Downloads
Hi-Res Downloads, January 2024
Andrew Everard  |  Jan 25, 2024
This month we review and test releases from: Dominic Miller, Jan Garbarek, Arild Andersen, Edward Vesala, Joe La Barbera Quintet, Maven Grace and Ricardo Dias Gomes.
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Network Audio Players/ServersOutboard DACs
Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Network-Attached DAC
Review: Mark Craven,  |  Jan 23, 2024
Pure in name and hi-fi heart, Matrix Audio's 10th anniversary Element X2 model loses its headphone amp but gains a pair of new, cutting-edge ESS Sabre DACs

While the list of 'legacy products' on Matrix Audio's website begins with the DA-100 Plus DAC, which debuted in 2006, the Chinese brand insists it only really began life in 2013 when it was registered as Matrix Electronic Technology Co. 'Before that, Matrix Audio existed in the form of a studio', says marketing manager Yang Tao. This explains why the literature for the new Element X2 Pure network DAC (and the sticker that graces the top of the unit) proclaims it a celebratory model, launched to mark the company's 10th anniversary.

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Integrated Amplifiers
Trafomatic Rhapsody Integrated Amplifier
Review: Ken Kessler,  |  Jan 22, 2024
hfnoutstandingThe latest addition to Absolute Sounds' boutique 'Ten' range – the Trafomatic Rhapsody from Serbia – is a single-ended, 300B-based triode tube amp rated at a mighty 20W

As far-fetched as this may seem, given that most post-Millennials have yet to embrace hi-fi, we are living in another audio 'Golden Age'. This isn't the place to rattle off a list of gems that have crossed my path just since the Covid moratorium ended, but the Western Electric WE-91B [HFN Feb '23], a trio of DeVore speakers [HFN Apr '21, Mar & Aug '23], and family of DS Audio optical cartridges [HFN Oct '21 & Oct '23] are among the many that beg my repeating of the homily, 'You've never had it so good'. Trafomatic's Rhapsody (M2-15 Anniversary stereo PSE 300B tube) integrated amplifier joins them, and emphatically so.

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Inside the Studio
Hook End Studio
Steve Sutherland  |  Jan 19, 2024
It was an historic house with a rock 'n' roll heritage, its elegant oak panels reverberating with the sounds of Morrissey, Pink Floyd and The Cure. Steve Sutherland has the story...

What is it with Jacks? Of all the folks in all the world, the J-men seem more prone than most to behaviour befitting the scallywag and scoundrel. Was it Brian The Ripper? Nope, it was Jack. When the gals in Ray Charles' chorus wanted that ne-er do-well man out of their hair, guess who it was they told to hit the road? Yup, Jack. When The Rolling Stones canned the dopey psychedelia and got their funk back on, who was it led them on a merry dance back to the dark side? Jumpin' Jim? Jumpin' Jeremy? Nope, it was Jumpin' Jack who had the Flash.

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