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

Teach a Man to Fish

FUTURE TAS

Paganini: 24 Caprices for Violin. Maria Dueñas, violinist. • DG Digital. 2-channel CD, vinyl, and streaming

The 2025 Capitol Audiofest

Bluesound Node Icon Reference Music Streamer • Flagship Performance, Entry-Level Price

Lenbrook Chief Technology Officer Greg Stidsen on the Proprietary Qrono d2a Filter

Clearaudio Concept Signature Turntable • Music Takes the Stage

Onix Zenith XST20 Transport and XDA20 DAC • Music to the Forefront

DALI Opticon 8 Mk 2 Loudspeaker • Optimal Bass

Magic Beans Audio Speaker Measurement and EQ Suite • Want Some Magic Beans?

Devialet Astra Integrated Amplifier/Streaming DAC • One Box to Rule Them All

Auer Acoustics Versura V2 Loudspeaker • Built Like a Tank, From Tankwood

Air Tight ATM-3211 Monoblock Amplifier • Glorious Sound

SOULUTION 717 POWER AMPLIFIER WITH TIME ON YOUR SIDE

Manufacturer Comments

Some Things Never Change • Archival Carl Perkins Album Surfaces, But Its Mystery Endures

Steve Tibbetts • The Unique Recording Process of an Innovative Guitarist

50 BEST SOUNDING ATMOS MIXES • THE FIRST VERSION of our list of the best-sounding immersive mixes in the Atmos format ran in Issue 363. As noted at that time, periodic updates should be expected as the pace of Atmos releases continues to pick up, especially for popular music genres. We’ve expanded the number of titles a bit, added some newer ones, and retired a few. Fifty albums seems like a good round number and that’s what we’ll aim for, going forward.

MUSIC ROCK ETC

MUSIC JAZZ

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Q&A • Dietrich Brakemeier Acoustical Systems