Jason Victor Serinus

Rotel Michi S5 power amplifier

Jason Victor Serinus Jul 01, 2022

Like an immense night bird aloft in the gold'n sky.
I should like to sail off towards islands of flow'rs
While list'ning to the perverse sea singing
In its old and bewitching rhythm.

It took some time to figure out why, in the middle of auditioning Rotel's Michi S5 stereo power amplifier ($7499.99) with the room-shaking opening of Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra, Ravel's far subtler and perfumed setting of Tristan Klingsor's lyrics from Shéhérazade came to mind.

News

John Quick Moves to Dynaudio

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 22, 2022

After a dozen years as General Manager of dCS Americas, well known industry veteran John Quick has joined Dynaudio North America with the title Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, Americas. Quick will work alongside Michael Manousselis, Dynaudio N.A.'s president, to develop and refine Dynaudio's sales channels, marketing efforts, and brand awareness across its home and professional audio offerings in the US, Canada, and Central and South America.

News T.H.E. Show 2022

T.H.E. Show 2022: A Great Show

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 17, 2022

Look into the faces of Jashan Bahl and Anmol. The boy, who is 5, came to the show with his dad because he loves music and instruments. He's wide-eyed, curious, and ready to learn. He is the future of high-end audio.

News T.H.E. Show 2022

High End By Oz: Thrax Trio Plus Verity and Vitus = Bliss

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 17, 2022

Given the legendary status of 300B tube-based amplification, this blog may surprise you. But in all my years at audio shows, I cannot recall more than one or two instances when I've been treated to a 300B-based product. If I'm wrong, then it's safe to say that those products did not leave a lasting impression. Since none of my audiophile buddies owns 300B-based electronics, that renders me, at this late stage of life, a 300B virgin.

Which made my half hour in the room sponsored by Oz Turan's High End By Oz even more enlightening...

News T.H.E. Show 2022

Scott Walker Audio Surprises with Estelon, Soulution, Synergistic Research at T.H.E. Show

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 17, 2022

First things first. This was one of the best-sounding rooms at T.H.E. Show. Given its sheer size, I have no question that some of the success was due to the various and sundry magical Synergistic Research accoutermentsI counted 10 so-called "Acoustic Room Treatment" devices and 5 Synergistic Power Conditioning devices (including Purple fuses)along with new Synergistic Racks (intended for internal use) and, no surprise, Synergistic Research cabling.

News T.H.E. Show 2022

MC Audiotech's forthcoming TL-12 loudspeaker

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 17, 2022

After I joined Emiko Carlin, Senior Vice President for T.H.E. Show, for our wrap photo op, she said, "What? You missed the opportunity to see MC Audiotech's new speaker?"

What the ever-delightful, tell-it-like-it-is and then some Emiko says, Jason does (within reason)...

News T.H.E. Show 2022

SVS Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speakers

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 16, 2022

Yes, it's a mouthful. And perhaps the name will change. But as for now, the new SVS Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speaker Pair ($800/pair), an active/passive self-powered combo whose 200Wpc driver amps are housed in one of the two speaker cabinets, is due out in mid-August. This is a fine-sounding alternative to a sound bar, complete with a 24/192 DAC and an active digital crossover. Connection will be either wired or wireless, with options including DTSS, Play-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, aptX Bluetooth. Play-Fi will enable listeners to stream 24/192 signals.

News T.H.E. Show 2022

Cake Audio: Verity, Vitus, CAD, Kuzma, Dynavector, Purist, and Ansuz

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 16, 2022

Ken Boyce's Cake Audio of San Clemente united many well-respected brands in a fine system that impressed many show goers. At the top of my "Wow, this is good" list were the lovely piano timbres on a 45rpm pressing of Eugene Istomin performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No.24, and good old Elvis' absolutely fabulous, prime voice, do-with-me-what-you-want rendition of "Fever." Not yet the overdone cynic of his later years, Presley perfectly gauged every single syllable and nuance in his surprisingly tasteful, no questions left to ask performance. Need I say that it would not have sounded half as mesmerizing if the gear had not been up to snuff?

News T.H.E. Show 2022

Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers with Thrax, Audio Research, Lampizator, and more

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 16, 2022

In a large, exceedingly difficult-to-tame room, Acora Acoustics SRC-2 loudspeakers ($37,000/pair) did a superb job with voices. I sat mesmerized, trying to figure out who was singing "Largo al factotum," aka "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, etc . . .," from Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

News T.H.E. Show 2022

Aaudio Imports: Wilson-Benesch, Ypsilon, Stage III, Stacore, HB Design, and Aurender

Jason Victor Serinus Jun 16, 2022

Once the volume was turned up, the fourth movement of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade filled Aaudio Imports' large space with exciting sound. Distinguished by appropriate bite and a solid midrange, the system also excelled on Ray Charles and Norah Jones' "Here We Go Again."