The Absolute Sound

The Absolute Sound is the world’s preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.

The Absolute Sound

Letters

Summary Judgment

FUTURE TAS

In Memoriam

Magico Swings for the Fences • The Mighty M9

Celebrated Audio Reviewer Michael Fremer Returns to The Absolute Sound • Welcome Back, Michael!

OUR MAN IN MUNICH

THE ABSOLUTE SOUND’S 2022 GOLDEN EAR AWARDS • The Absolute Sound’s Golden Ear Awards is the annual feature in which our staff and freelance writers choose those components that stand out from the competition. Some of these components are longstanding references that have withstood the test of time. Others are newfound favorites destined to become classics. In either case, the products selected for a Golden Ear Award are special. Unlike our Editors’ Choice Awards (a compendium of every product we recommend, chosen by consensus of the senior editorial staff), Golden Ear Awards allow each writer to express his or her individual views on which components are truly great—and why. The diversity of products selected here reflects not just the industry at large, but also each writer’s quest for the absolute sound.

DS Audio DS 003 Optical Phono Cartridge • A Grand Master for One-Tenth the Dough

Acoustic Signature Maximus Neo Turntable, TA-1000 Tonearm, and MCX3 Cartridge • A Remarkable Achievement

Totem Acoustic Element Fire V2 Loudspeaker • Punching Above Its Weight

Critical Mass Systems CenterStage2M Audio Feet • Success At Last!

NuPrime Audio Evolution STA Power Amplifier • (Class) D-Lightful

Aesthetix Mimas Integrated Amplifier Redux • Further Thoughts

Canor Audio AI 1.10 Integrated Amplifier • Superlative Integrated

Gradient 1.4 Loudspeaker • A Unique Approach

LUMIN P1 NETWORK PLAYER/PREAMPLIFIER AND L1 DISK DRIVE

Manufacturer Comments

ANN WILSON’S FIERCE HEART • Finding Solo Bliss Within Her Very Soul

Evolution of a Storyteller • Mark Knopfler’s Early Solo Career on Vinyl

TALENT IS AN ASSET, AND SPARKS APPEARS TO HAVE IT • New Slate of Reissues Explores the Aughts

Goodwill Hunting • Crate-Digging for Holy Grails and Hidden Gems

ROCK ETC

MUSIC JAZZ

CLASSICAL

Q&A