Best Integrated Amps Series: Esoteric F-01 Class A Amplifier
Some products that we review do special things that are almost immediately obvious in a controlled environment like we use for testing. Some products also present a challenge to our preconceived notions of what works in audio. The Esoteric F-01 integrated amp does both. Let’s take a look.
This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/
6 Major Problems of Believability: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-six-major-problems-of-audio-believability/
00:00 Esoteric F-01
00:51 Overview
04:13 Sound Quality
07:55 Voicing
10:43 External Power Supply
12:16 Features
14:07 Summary
Tom's reference system:
Aurender N20 Streamer/Server
Roon Nucleus server
Mac Mini (M2) server
Wiim Pro server/DAC
Bluesound Node server/DAC
Topping D70 Pro DAC
dCS Lina DAC/Master clock
Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module
MSB Premier DAC
J Sikora Initial Max turntable
Technics SL-1210G turntable
Kuzma 4Point 9” arm
J Sikora KV12 tone arm
DS Audio 003 cartridge
Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge
Hana Umami Blue cartridge
Hegel V10 phono preamp
Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp
DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer
PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps
MBL N51 integrated amp
Audio Research 160S power amp
Magico A5 speakers
Perlisten S7t speakers
Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables
Shunyata Omega digital cables
Shunyata Venom power cables and director
Audioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner (for analog)
Audioquest Niagra 7000 power conditioning
Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers
Rediacoustic bass traps
PSI Audio AVAA active traps
Salamander racks
Solidsteel Turntable rack
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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
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Bricasti M21 Platinum Series DAC/Streamer
Robert Taylor reviews the versatile yet simple Bricasti M21 Platinum Series DAC, with its sleek, timeless platinum faceplate.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/r210s/
00:00 Bricasti M21 Platinum Series DAC
00:38 Specs & Design
02:23 Reference Equipment
2:49 Sound Quality
08:48 Summary
Newsletter: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theabsolutesound
Substack: https://www.theabsolutesound.substack.com
Robert's Reference Equipment:
VPI Classic signature turntable
Technics SL1300G turntable
DS audio 003 Optical cartridge
Ortofon MC Quintet Mono cartridge
Synergistic Research Voodoo server
Synergistic Research router
Synergistic Research network switch
DCS Bartok Apex edition DAC
Macintosh C2700 Preamp
PS audio Stellar gain cell Preamp/DAC
DS Audio 003 phono energizer
Parasound JCM 250 Power Amps
PS Audio M700 Power Amps
Wilson audio Watt Puppy Speakers
Magnepan LRS Speakers
Synergistic Research SRX interconnects,speaker cables and power cables
Synergistic Research Foundation XL Interconnects, speaker cables, and power cables
Synergistic Research Power Cell 14 Power conditioner
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
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Best Speakers Under $50k Series: Sound Lab G7-7C Review
This one is different. The Sound Lab G7-7C speaker is just under 7 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 4 inches thick. There are no conventional speaker drivers inside. From the right perspective, it contends for the best speaker in the world. And while $49,500 per pair isn’t inexpensive, in a world where the top speakers are often priced at $400,000 or $800,000 per pair, the Sound Lab might be considered a bargain. Let’s check out the details. Because details matter.
This video is sponsored by: https://www.javahifi.com
00:00 Sound Lab G7-7C
01:46 Overview
07:24 Sound Quality
16:09 Voicing
21:53 Summary
Tom's reference system:
Aurender N20 Streamer/Server
Roon Nucleus server
Mac Mini (M2) server
Wiim Pro server/DAC
Bluesound Node server/DAC
Topping D70 Pro DAC
dCS Lina DAC/Master clock
Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 with Alpha USB Series 2 input module
MSB Premier DAC
J Sikora Initial Max turntable
Technics SL-1210G turntable
Kuzma 4Point 9” arm
J Sikora KV12 tone arm
DS Audio 003 cartridge
Benz Gullwing SLR cartridge
Hana Umami Blue cartridge
Hegel V10 phono preamp
Musical Surroundings Phonomena III phono preamp
DS Audio 003 optical cartridge energizer
PS Audio BHK 600 mono power amps
MBL N51 integrated amp
Audio Research 160S power amp
Magico A5 speakers
Perlisten S7t speakers
Wireworld Platinum Electra speaker and line cables
Shunyata Omega digital cables
Shunyata Venom power cables and director
Audioquest Niagara 3000 power conditioner (for analog)
Audioquest Niagra 7000 power conditioning
Rediacoustic diffusers and absorbers
Rediacoustic bass traps
PSI Audio AVAA active traps
Salamander racks
Solidsteel Turntable rack
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
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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EverSolo DMP-A10 Music Streamer and DAC Review
Today we're diving deep into what might be one of the most tech-focused streaming decks to date: the Eversolo DMP-A10. This isn't just another incremental upgrade, as we often see, this is Eversolo's flagship statement piece, turning heads with its features and hardware, priced at around $3,999.
00:00 EverSolo DMP-A10
01:00 Specs & Design
03:13 Connectivity & Features
05:32 What's Inside?
07:07 Room Correction
09:02 Sound Quality
13:24 Is it for you?
14:17 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
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
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Soulnote E-3 PHONO EQUALIZER Review
Robert Taylor reviews the impressive, hefty Soulnote E-3 phono equalizer.
00:00 Soulnote E-3
00:39 Specs & Design
2:29 Sound Quality
08:36 Conclusion
The Absolute Sound’s Review Methodology: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-absolute-sounds-review-methodology-first-principles/
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
Copyright 2025, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved
The Absolute Sound is the world’s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music. Since 1973, TAS has set the standard for quality audio and music journalism, helping to shape the industry and guiding audio enthusiasts and music lovers to components and recordings that faithfully reproduce the sounds one might hear in a good concert hall.
The Absolute Sound is a monthly print and digital magazine, an online destination for those interested in better sound, and a community of audiophiles and music lovers.
For a Brief History of The Absolute Sound:
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