2018 Writer's Choice Awards for Positive Feedback!
I've turned in my Writer's Choice Awards for 2018 to Dave and David at Positive Feedback, so you'll be hearing more about that shortly as they're published.
Here's a little preview excerpt:
"When I receive the message from Editors Dave and David that it is once again time for Positive Feedback writers to turn in our three Writers Choice Awards for the year, I reflect back on my year in audio, the products I've written about for Positive Feedback, and my long-term impressions about them."
"Having a limited amount of time to write about audio, I choose only to write about audio products that are innovative and that I think have the potential to be truly exceptional, as well as interesting for you to read about."
"That creates a personal drama for me as I down-select to three from a group of high-performance artisanal audio products that I have written about over the year, which each potentially deserve the recognition of a Writers Choice Award."
"Let me first recap my 2018 Positive Feedback reviews for you, then I'll down select, and tell you who my 2018 Writers Choice Awards will go to."
"The award candidates for 2018 are the Still Audio EL84 Integrated Amplifier (Issue 99), the Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge (Issue 98), the First Watt SIT-3 stereo power amplifier (Issue 98), the Soundsmith Carmen Mk II phonograph cartridge (Issue 98), and the Audio MusiKraft Denon DL-103 phonograph cartridge (Issue 95)."
Still Audio EL84 Integrated Amplifier
"The thought that kept coming to mind while I was reviewing the Still Audio EL84 integrated amplifier was “It just sounds like music”. I really enjoyed my time with the Still Audio EL84 integrated amplifier by Mark Still. The voicing is spot-on for my tastes, with a blend of audiophile-style sonics and musicality that is about as ideal as I've ever come across in an amplifier."
"The parts and build quality of the Still Audio EL84 are superb. I love its Fi-like appearance and artisanal nature. At $2895 USD the Still Audio EL84 is a remarkable bargain for a boutique handcrafted integrated amplifier with a superbly musical balance, and its fine craftsmanship means it’s an integrated amplifier you can treasure for the ages."
Review: Issue 99
Website: Still Audio
Email: Mark Still
Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III Phonograph Cartridge
"I love the way that Peter Ledermann has voiced his new Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge. The Zephyr Mk III is naturally warm, remarkably musical, sonically excellent, exhibits a vivid musical presence, is dynamically superb, is tonally beautiful, resolves lots of meaningful musical & sonic nuance, and exudes a high quality of construction."
"I also love the fact that I can get this level of performance from a phonograph cartridge without needing an expensive step-up transformer (SUT) to accomplish it - it's a satisfying and liberating feeling! The Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III is a bargain at $1500 USD for its über level of musical and sonic performance, and I think you will be mightily impressed by the Zephyr Mk III, just as I was. The Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III easily outperformed my reference SPU phonograph cartridge plus SUT at a fraction of their price."
Review: Issue 98
Website: Soundsmith
Email: Peter Ledermann
First Watt SIT-3 Stereo Power Amplifier
"Compared to other amplifiers I have heard in my home music and audio-video systems, the $4000 USD First Watt SIT-3 stereo amplifier by Nelson Pass is one of the best, if not the best, amplifier I have ever heard in terms of its artful balance of musicality & sonics, but perhaps most importantly it provided such a clear view into the artistry of the musicians and the emotional impact of their music that it was truly remarkable, and unmatched in that regard by any other amplifier in my experience. The First Watt SIT-3 made me want to get out all my favorite albums just to hear what new musical insights I might discover hidden within their grooves."
"Is the First Watt SIT-3 the best low-powered amplifier ever? It just might be. If you think you might want a First Watt SIT-3 of your own don't wait too long to decide, as they are a limited production item and only 250 of them will be built and offered for sale."
Review: Issue 98
Website: First Watt
Email: Bryan Stanton (Bryan fields all of Nelson's email)
Soundsmith Carmen Mk II Phonograph Cartridge
"I immensely enjoyed my time listening to Peter Ledermann’s new Carmen Mk II ($1000 USD), and I can easily recommend it for its enchanting and music lover friendly blend of live-like musicality and well-balanced audiophile-style sonics, which drew me into the music so easily that I quickly set aside my reviewing mindset and just settled into music listening for the sheer joy of the experience."
"Like the more expensive Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III, the Carmen Mk II has high-output so an expensive step-up transformer (SUT) is not needed. For anyone with a $1000 to spend on a new phonograph cartridge, the Carmen Mk II is the cartridge to buy, and its performance was every bit the equal of my SPU phonograph cartridge plus SUT at one-fifth the price!"
Review: Issue 98
Website: Soundsmith
Email: Peter Ledermann
Audio MusiKraft Denon DL-103 Phonograph Cartridge
"Guy Pelletier’s Audio MusiKraft Denon DL-103 ($579 USD) is a marvel of design excellence and tweak-ability. The fully adjustable Audio MusiKraft cartridge shell that replaces the stock Denon’s flexy flier shell elevates the performance of the beloved classic Denon DL-103 phonograph cartridge to new heights, and allows the listener to adjust its voicing to fit their musical fancy."
"I think the Audio MusiKraft Denon DL-103 is a brilliant product, and I hope that its powerful tunability features stimulate a revolution in realizing the importance of tunability in achieving one's ultimate vision of hifi performance."
Review: Issue 95
Website: Audio MusiKraft
Email: Guy Pelletier
Jeff Day’s Writers’ Choice Awards for 2018
"As always, this year's reviews have yielded an impressive line-up of artisanal audio products, and I can recommend each and every one of them to you for your future musical enjoyment."
"Whether it's Mark Still’s Still Audio EL84 Integrated Amplifier, Peter Ledermann’s Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III or Carmen Mk II phonograph cartridges, Nelson Pass’ First Watt SIT-3 stereo power amplifier, or Guy Pelletier’s Audio MusiKraft Denon DL-103 phonograph cartridge, each of these designers and their artisanal audio products are all worthy of praise and recognition for their lofty accomplishments, and they are tangible proof that high-performance audio around the world will remain vibrant and exciting for years to come!"
"So now for the drum roll announcing my three Positive Feedback Writers Choice Awards for 2018!"
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Ok, that's it for now. I'll let you know when Dave and David publish the Positive Feedback Writers Choice Awards for 2018!
As always, thanks for stopping by, and from my home to yours, may the tone be with you!
