Herb Reichert

CES 2016

Craft from Audio Craftsman

Herb Reichert Jan 08, 2016

His name was Thom Pahmer and he broke all my rules: It was 10am the first day of the show and I walked in to his empty room, I introduced myself, "Good morning. My name is Herb Reichert and I covering the lower cost part of the High End for Stereophileand I am especially interested in stand-mounted speakers." Mr. Pahmer looked at me crossly and said, "These are NOT stand mounted speakers!" I pointed at what I thought was a stand and he says, "The speakers are bolted to themit is all one unit." I asked about the retail price and he told me, $5500/pair.

CES 2016

Technics: The Force Awakens in Las Vegas

Herb Reichert Jan 07, 2016

The reemergence of Technics on the world audio scene is, I believe, the biggest audio news of 20152016. I reviewed their SB-C700 stand mounted monitor speakers in the January 2016 issue and they already feel like my 2016 nomination for Stereophile's Product of the Year; but obviously it is still way early. Nevertheless, Technics is back with two lines of stylish excellent sounding equipment...

CES 2016

Herb Arrives in Las Vegas

Herb Reichert Jan 07, 2016

Delta flight 2820: At 497mph the ambient noise in the cabin averaged 94dB and registered 101dB peaks. That is at least 40dB louder than a candlelit night in my listening room. Artur Schnabel brings it up to (at most) 90dB and the loudest I have ever played Led Zep on the Magnepan .7s is 102dB. Now, I can't wait to rinse that crazy engine noise from my ears and hear some clean clear beautifully toned hi-fidelity music at maybe 103dBor more! But these clear-sounding components must be moderately pricedbecause I am a cub reporter and new products that cost less than $5k is the assignment I volunteered for.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Technics Premium Class SB-C700 loudspeaker

Herb Reichert Dec 22, 2015

I listen carefully as Michiko Ogawaformer Technics engineer, renowned classical and jazz pianist, and current director of Panasonic's Technics divisionspeaks these words: "In honor of our 50th anniversary, we at Technics are determined to blaze a new audio path and deliver new and emotionally engaging musical experiences for another 50 years." (my emphasis)

Gramophone Dreams Headphone Reviews

Gramophone Dreams #7

Herb Reichert Dec 02, 2015

The golden rays pouring in through the left oculus transport a tiny child carrying a cross: ". . . the devil was vanquished, as if he had just swallowed the bait in the mousetrap." In his essay "'Muscipula Diaboli,' The Symbolism of the Mérode Altarpiece," the late art historian Meyer Schapiro explains how every object, every surfaceeven the smoke, light, and volume of spacedepicted in the famous triptych by Robert Campin (ca 13751444) is a coded symbol explicating the mystical underpinnings of Netherlandish Protestantism.

Budget Component Reviews Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

GoldenEar Triton Five loudspeaker

Herb Reichert Nov 24, 2015

With each review I've written for Stereophile, I've redoubled my efforts to choose my adjectives prudentlyto curb my penchant for overstatement. I've been feeling a need to speak more concisely and maturely about what my ears, mind, and heart experience while listening to music through a component that's new to me. So today, at the start of this review, I ask myself: What adjectives must I use to describe the character of GoldenEar Technology's new Triton Five tower loudspeaker ($1999.98/pair)? Which words will best use our shared audiophile lexicon to give you a working vision of what I experienced?

Integrated Amp Reviews

Parasound Halo Integrated integrated amplifier

Herb Reichert Oct 30, 2015

Like baking bread or watering my garden, playing records in my monk's cell is an expression of my devotion to living mindfully. It is part of my search for identity and comfort. It shows me how my thoughts, feelings, and poetic imagination fit in with yours, Keith Jarrett's, and everyone else's. The only problem: Often, the stereo components that most enhance my experiences of devotion and identity are not those that I can sincerely declare to be the most accurate or neutral.

Budget Component Reviews Gramophone Dreams Phono Preamp Reviews

Gramophone Dreams #6

Herb Reichert Oct 15, 2015

I used to get invited to these highly secret audio soirées, held in a basement workshop at the end of a dark, garbage-filled alley in Manhattan's Chinatown. There was no street addressonly a wire-glass window in a metal doorand if you didn't know the password (ie, if you weren't carrying some type of audio amplification), you weren't allowed to enter. That said, sometimes nonmembers were allowed to attend, but only when a member needed help carrying monoblocks: There was no parking nearby.

RMAF 2015

The 2015 RMAF: Postscript

Herb Reichert Oct 11, 2015

After I thought I had finished posting our coverage of the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, I realized I still had a number of photos taken by Herb Reichert for which we had no accompanying text. So here are some brief notes from Herb to accompany those pictures.John Atkinson

RMAF 2015

Herb Reichert's Final Day at RMAF

Herb Reichert Oct 09, 2015

During these shows, I tend to move through the halls like an invisible force is pushing me. For each room I take a picture of the sign, walk in and do a fast calculation about where to get the best photo of the setup. Then I introduce myself to the proprietor and ask for a sheet with prices and the names of the gear being demonstrated. Then I listen, collect more data, and ask a few questions. After about the second or third question I say, "Thank you. Bye . . . gotta go! I have 50 more rooms to cover." Rolling, rolling, and rolling . . . keep them doggies rolling. But always I try to make time for people in the halls who say they read my writings. Two of those readers I chatted with asked if I had heard the new Spatial Hologram M4 loudspeakers ($1295/pair). They thought the Spatial room had the best sound at the show. I admitted I hadn't. Promised I would. And, I am glad I did.