Robb Report Audio Awards 2024: The 41 Best Headphones, Earbuds, Speakers, Turntables, and More
Pronouncing anything the “Best of”—whether it’s an automobile, a wine, or a stereo system—is as much about personal taste as it is about price and specifications. In the spirit of our inaugural 2023 Audio Awards, the Robb Report editors have compiled this group of recommended components based on the high value, quality, and performance each delivers compared to the very best and most costly available. While lunatic-fringe audiophiles (and that includes some from these ranks) regularly audition so-called state-of-the-art gear, we take particular pleasure in recommending those components whose performance far outdistances their price tags. While you won’t see any $800,000 loudspeakers or $500,000 turntables here, we guarantee that all the components listed will acquit themselves admirably when performing the task for which each was designed, even against the “big guns.” While some brands are household names, we have also been quick to share special products whose footprint has never been seen in a big box store. Especially worth seeking out, think of these as a “secret handshake” between audiophile friends.
Best Floor-Standing Loudspeakers: Sonus faber Stradivari G2
The Stradivari Second Generation evolved from the original Stradivari, launched in the early 2000s, and features a wide front baffle, which is partially responsible for this speaker’s organic, natural, and full-bodied sound. A pair of 10-inch woofers go down to 25 Hz, while the six-inch, Neodymium magnet midrange driver handles the lion’s share of the sound for which the Italian manufacturer is famous. From 160 Hz to 2,200 Hz, this driver is the speaker’s heart and soul, aided in its role by a one-inch soft-dome tweeter. Though relatively sensitive at 92 dB, a high-current amplifier with at least 100 watts will go a long way toward making the Stradivari G2s sing. As with every Sonus faber loudspeaker, the wooden cabinetry is exquisite beyond belief. —Robert Ross
Best Loudspeakers for Design Obsessives: Songer Audio S1
A tour de force of technology, craftsmanship, and unbelievably lifelike sound, this 47-inch-tall tower is a dream come true for lovers of low-power tube amps. Amazingly, it uses only one driver, mounted at ear-level in a 120-pound bass-reflex enclosure constructed in a choice of hardwoods and embellished with polished brass details. There is a magic to the sound because of this speaker’s handmade, full-range transducer and the way that it reproduces music with the speed, transparency, and impact of a real performance. A time-aligned point-source, the response across the frequency spectrum is coherent in a way that no multi-driver system can be. Non-fatiguing and transparent, the sound can be compared to Quad 57 electrostatics, but with much greater weight and presence. For the music lover who wears “made to measure.” —RR
Best Stand-Mount Loudspeakers: Aretai Contra 100S
Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for product design in 2022, the smallest member of the Contra family combines sonic, aesthetic, and engineering principles that embody what designer Janis Irbe calls “the Northern Sound concept—the crisp and vital freshness of a winter morning surrounded by the generous and robust vastness of Nature.” However you characterize the sound of the Latvian-made loudspeaker, it comes with prodigious bass down to 30 Hz, thanks to a rear-firing six-inch woofer that complements its front-firing twin. The novel waveguide for the neodymium tweeter extends response to beyond 25 kHz but importantly replicates a deep, wide soundstage. These are serious speakers, with optional bi-wiring/bi-amping capability, and vacuum-tube lovers will appreciate the valve-friendly impedance and sensitivity of the Contra 100S. —RR
Best Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Graham Audio LS3/5A
When space is as precious as perfectionist sound, there are few if any loudspeakers more satisfying than the shoe-box-sized LS3/5A. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s original mini-monitor is a true audio icon and has remained in production since the first one was made in 1975 under license from the BBC. Since then, more than a dozen manufacturers have built the little giant slayer, and today, one top choice is Graham Audio’s Chartwell LS3/5A. Set up for nearfield listening on a desktop or bookshelf, the two-way design uses a five-inch Bextrene-cone midrange/woofer and a .75-inch mylar-dome tweeter. They don’t play at ear-bleeding levels and don’t go much below 70 Hz, but for tonal accuracy and their ability to sound like real voices and music, this classic product should be a part of every audiophile’s life experience. —RR
Best Bang-for-the-Buck Loudspeakers: JBL L100 Classic
The JBL L100 came on the scene in 1970. Those of us old enough may remember the Memorex print ad showing a guy in a Le Corbusier chair with his hair blown back by a single L100, implying that Memorex tape created a simulacrum of a real performance. While the Quadrex foam-grilled icon blasting the longhair is probably junk today, it’s possible to buy a vastly improved (but identical-looking) version of JBL’s enduring icon more than half a century later. The L100 Classic’s all-new 12-inch woofer, 5.25-inch midrange, and 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter improve on every aspect of the original’s sound, yet express the same youthful exuberance that pumped Stones, Hendrix, and Cream into smoke-filled dorms way back when. Buy a pair and go back in time. —RR
Best Wi-Fi Loudspeakers: KEF LS60 Wireless
Still the choice for those seeking exceptional sound and clean design, the KEF LS60, a floor-standing loudspeaker with about the narrowest form factor imaginable, has everything including the streamer built into it. Digital and analog sources can be plugged into the back panel of the master speaker, allowing this full-featured system to serve up superior sound, thanks largely to the Uni-Q front driver that delivers an incredibly coherent “point-source,” yet evenly one dispersed throughout the room. Impressive bass response comes from four 5.25-inch woofers in each enclosure, and 1,400 watts of Class D amplification shared between both speakers. Architectural colors for cabinets and drivers make these the perfect choice for midcentury design-types. —RR
Best Portable Wi-Fi Loudspeaker: Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level
Life is too short to bring bad design into one’s home. Thankfully, there is an antidote, and it sounds fantastic. Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Level offers an immense portable soundscape and versatility to match. Only slightly larger than a legal pad and about two inches in depth, this Bluetooth-enabled Wi-Fi speaker streams music with rich, room-filling sound. Battery operated, the Level stands up, lays flat, or hangs on a wall. It can be carried from room to room, and, because it’s dust and splash-resistant, can even take its talents outdoors. Whether it’s the primary system for a smaller space or a musical sidekick for leisure listening, this is a sonic and aesthetic overachiever in the world of wireless speakers. We named it “Best Portable” last year and still, nothing does it better than the Beosound Level. —RR
Best Portable Digital Audio Player: Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T
Astell&Kern’s digital audio players (DAP) are pocket-sized devices capable of storing and playing high-resolution music or media files. The A&ultima series of flagship players reproduce the ultimate high-res sound for use with headphones or in-ear earphones, like the company’s $4,999 Novus. The just-released SP3000T is based on the acclaimed SP3000 but adds the warmth and delicacy of tube amplification with A&K’s Triple Amp System, which allows users to customize their sound profile using tube amplification, a digital op-amp, or a hybrid combination of both tube and op-amps. The integration of dual Raytheon mil-spec vintage vacuum tubes creates an authentic analog sound, while the screen can display digital VU meters for added nostalgia to the musical journey. All three modes are available when using the 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm outputs.
Best Wireless Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony name may lack the glamour of some of the other brands on this list, but the Japanese electronics giant have repeatedly put out some of the best overall headphones you can buy over the last few decade. Of those, our pick is the current flagship over-ear model, the WH-1000XM5. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and much sleeker than the majority of their peers. They also offer active noise cancellation that it is a very clear step up from their predecessor, the also-excellent WH-1000XM4. Their best feature, though, is their audio quality. From the moment you turn them on, these cans sound superb, whether you’re a fan of classical, pop, or house. Even if their sound profile is a little bass-heavy for you, Sony’s easy-to-use app has an equalizer that’ll allow you to tweak settings to your heart’s content. The WH1000XM5 also offer excellent call quality and a useful voice-activated awareness mode—which pauses music and turns on the exterior microphones when someone is speaking to you—making them well suited to both work and play. —Bryan Hood
Best Wired Headphones: Focal Clear MG
It’s easy to be skeptical of some of the claims that audiophiles make. With budget and mid-priced headphones sounding as good as they do these days, is premium audio really worth the significant jump in cost? Just take a listen to your favorite album on Focal’s Clear MG and you’ll understand why sound snobs are so adamant about the difference between their gear and everything else. The French brand’s over-ears sound so pristine that you’ll understand what all the fuss is about within a song or two. Sure, they cost significantly more than some of the other cans on this list, but you won’t care one bit once you start noticing new details in a record you’ve already devoured dozens of times before. There aren’t many headphones that will give you the sense that you’re listening to an artist perform live every time you press play—but the Clear MG will. —BH
Best Headphones for Audiophiles: Meze Empyrean II
Because a $12,000 electrostatic headphone rig may not be every music lover’s cup of audiophile tea, we can be thankful for the new Meze Empyrean II. While hardly inexpensive, these Romanian-designed-and-built headphones are as satisfying to listen to as they are comfortable for long listening sessions. The aluminum housings are precision CNC-milled aluminum, with black metal grilles whose pattern of arched perforations recalls a fine Art Deco motif. The drivers, which use a planar diaphragm sandwiched between two perforated, fiberglass-infused pieces of lightweight ABS, are two reasons the sound of the Empyrean II is so natural, detailed, and impactful. The frequency response is, almost literally, off the charts, extending from a subterranean eight Hz and spiraling to a (literally) unheard of 110,000 Hz. Altogether, the Empyreans hit the headphone sweet spot and beg the question, “How much better can headphones get?” —RR
Best Designed Headphones: Apple AirPods Max
It’s no secret that the vast majority of headphones look pretty much the same. But not the AirPods Max. The over-ear version of Apple’s ubiquitous wireless earbuds has been one of the best-looking options on the market since its introduction earlier this decade. The stylish cans have the clean, streamlined look we’ve come to expect from the brand since the mid-aughts, with the added bonus of coming in a wide array of colors. The headphones’ smooth anodized aluminum cups don’t just look (and feel) good, they also that rotate independently of one another to keep pressure balances on your head, which is crucial since they are on the heavy side. Design and color options aren’t the only thing that separate the AirPod Max from the company’s earbuds—they also deliver excellent, well-balance audio performance regardless of what you’re listening to. Noise cancelling is fantastic, and their ease of use, especially if you already use other Apple products, just cannot be beat. —BH
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Sometimes you just need to block out your surroundings. Whether you’re trying to focus on a particular task or just need some peace and quiet, it’s always a good idea to have a dependable pair of noise-cancelling headphones nearby. No company has proven itself more reliable on this front than Bose and its newest flagship over-ears, the QuietComfort Ultra, take things to a new level. These things can block out—or at least greatly quiet down—basically all environmental noise allow you’re likely to come across on a daily basis. You may still hear that jackhammer down the block, but it won’t be anywhere near as annoying. They also offer Bose’s typically solid audio performance and significantly better transparency than their predecessors, the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Add in a pleasing makeover and one of the best pairs of headphones just got better. —BH
Best Gaming Headphones: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Buying headphones for gaming is little different than buying them for basically any other activity. They need to sound good, of course—the last thing you want is to miss someone sneaking up behind you during a tense death match—but they also need to be lightweight and comfortable enough to accommodate marathon gaming sessions. That’s what we like so much about Razer’s BlackShark V2 Pro headphones: You’ll basically forget you’re wearing them. They also have a quality plug-in mic, so you can communicate with all the members of your team—or talk a little trash—without any noticeable lag. Just as important as all this, though, might be how normal they look. Gamer-focused gear has a tendency stand out a little too much, but not the BlackShark V2 Pros. In fact, with the exception of their serpentine logo and mic, they look just like any other pair of premium headphones. You might not even mind being spotted in them during your morning commute. —BH
Best Headphones for Travel: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
You’ll want a pair of headphones that can do it all if you’re constantly on the go. The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 falls firmly into this camp. The Danish audio experts’ top-of-the-line cans offer some of the best sound you’ll find at their price level. Custom titanium drivers produce audio that is rich, lively, and, most important of all, detailed. An array of exterior microphones and an active noise-cancellation chip make constant adjustments so you can actually hear what you’re listening to, even in noisier environments like a train car or airplane cabin. Both volume and noise cancellation levels can be adjusted via dials conveniently worked into each cup. They also have lambskin earpads, leather headband, and an aluminum frame available in a rainbow colors (chestnut brown might be our favorite) so you’re guaranteed to travel in style. —BH
Best Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
It’s amazing what a few key tweaks can do. The new Ultra QuietComfort Earbuds aren’t all that different than their immediate predecessors, the QuietComfort Earbuds II, but they offer better call quality and a new immersive audio mode. The two upgrades may not sound like much in isolation, but are actually game changers that fix two of the ‘buds most apparent flaws. Unsurprisingly, this year’s model continues to deliver the solid audio performance you expect from a Bose product. Purists tend not to love audio processing, but Immersive Sound adds life and depth to pop and electronic music. The earbuds’ biggest virtues, though, remain their fit and noise cancellation ability. A variety of comfortable tips and wings provides a seal that can be hard to get from other in-ear headphones. Noise cancellation, meanwhile, remains superlative whether you just need some quiet or want to better focus on the detail of your favorite sonata while riding the subway. —BH
Best Sounding Earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
It can be easy to forget these days, but most people buy headphones (whether in- or over-ear) to listen to music. And when it comes to earbuds, there aren’t any that sound than the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 right now. The German outfit’s latest feel like an evolutionary leap forward, finally delivering the warm and precise sound the brand is known for in a pair of earbuds. It doesn’t matter what kind of music you love, be it alt-country, bebop, neo-classical, grime, or house: Each recording sounds the way its producer intended it to, which is no mean feat. There’s more to these earbuds than superlative audio quality, though. They also feature feature a redesigned antennae that improve connection reliability—which was a significant issue of their predecessors—and call quality been given a boost. And when you’re more concerned with blocking sound out than listening to anything, their noise cancellation is solid. They’re also lightweight and comfortable, which is good news if you feel like listening to a particularly epic double album. —BH
Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony’s latest flagship earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, offer the company’s best noise-cancelling performance. Even on a noisy subway you’ll be able to listen to your favorite song or podcast without trouble. But you won’t just hear them clearly: You’ll also be able to make out all the detail you would listening in a quiet room, whether it be the quaver in someone’s voice or the texture of a guitar solo. These in-ear headphones utilize a redesigned array of six microphones and two processors to take in and then block out the most distracting parts of the world around you. We were most impressed by how well they blocked out wind, something anyone who’s tried to take a call while walking can tell you that most earbuds struggle with. Part of the reason they’re so adept at blocking out unwanted noise is that they’re smaller than their predecessors, the WF-1000XM4, and come with foam ear tips, which makes it easier than ever before to get nice snug fit. Add in Sony’s typically excellent audio quality and you have yourself one of the better all-around pair of earbuds you can buy.—BH
Best Earbuds for Working Out: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Here’s the rare pair of earbuds (or headphones, if you want to broaden things) that feel like something completely new. Bose’s new Ultra Open Earbuds are like nothing we’ve tried before. Rather than fitting them into your ear canal like you do so many other earbuds, you simply clip these onto your earlobes. The ear-clinging design is unorthodox, but it works shockingly well. The small speaker on each bud projects music into your ear that you can still hear perfectly well while being aware of your surroundings (though it does mean you may have to turn the volume up in loud areas). This makes them particularly well-suited for working out in public, especially if you want to be aware of that car coming up behind you on your run. Don’t worry about the Ultra Open earbuds slipping off, either. The clip mechanism is as secure as it is comfortable, and you can wear these for hours without experiencing any discomfort. —BH
Best-Designed Earbuds: Beats Studio Buds +
Sometimes simplicity is the truest elegance. The latest version of Beat’s Studio Buds are easily the most streamlined earbuds currently on market. Unlike their corporate cousins, the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro, these don’t have stems, and it’s actually hard to tell you’re even wearing in-ear headphones when you have them in. Even the case looks slick, especially if you opt for the transparent pair (which, if you ask us, you definitely should). State-of-the-art design isn’t all about looking good, though. These earbuds are extremely lightweight, so they’re comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. Even the touch controls are intuitive, as is using them with any Apple device. Sound quality isn’t spectacular, but it’s better than solid whether you’re listening to music or making calls, which will do for most of us. —BH
Best Earbuds for Travel: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
At first listen, it can be easy to wonder why Apple’s AirPods Pro are as ubiquitous as they are. The second iteration of the ultra-popular earbuds sounds good but by no means stellar. The same goes for their noise-cancelling technology and fit. What is singular about them, though, is an ease of use that no other headphone—except their bigger sibling the Airpods Max—can claim, especially if you’re already part of the Apple ecosystem (as many of us are). Simply pop the Airpods in and you’re connected to your iPhone. They don’t have multi-point, but even switching between devices is a breeze (just open up the Bluetooth menu and click). Traveling is stressful enough, so why not pack a pair of earbuds that you’ll be able to connect to any of the devices you’re bringing with you with as little fuss as possible? —BH
Best Earbuds for Sleep: Soundcore Sleep A10
The Soundcore Sleep A10 may look like earplugs, but they’re actually fully functional earbuds. They’re slimmer and lighter than any other in-ear headphones we’ve tried out, making them comfortable even for side-sleepers (something that anyone who’s fallen asleep wearing a pair of AirPods Pro can tell you is not always the case). The Sleep A10 feature wings so that they stay put, as well as Twin Seal ear tips that passively block noises that could wake you up—even if you sleep next to someone with a tendency to snore. They don’t have active noise canceling, but the Soundcore app comes packed with ambient soundscapes to help drown out nighttime disturbances. Our favorite feature, though, is that—unlike many of their peers—you can use these sleep earbuds to listen to your own music or podcasts via Bluetooth if that’s what you need to drift off. You can also use the app to track your sleep patterns. —BH
Best Soundbar: Sennheiser Ambeo Max
Sennheiser’s powerful virtualization technology allows the Ambeo Max soundbar to deliver room-filling audio without the need for extra surround speakers or a subwoofer. Sennheiser uses the included microphone to scan your room and calibrate output from its 13 side-, front-, and upward-firing speakers to create the best Dolby Atmos or DTS:X experience offered from a single unit. You get four HDMI (one eARC), optical, and RCA inputs, plus Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity that supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. All that sound comes in a very tall package, so you’ll want to use the Ambeo Max with a wall-hanging television to avoid blocking the bottom of your screen. —James Barber
Best Soundbar for Home Theater: Samsung HW-Q900C
Samsung’s HW-Q900C soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo offers 7.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos True HD and DTS:X sound via its dedicated center channel and front-, side-, and up-firing speakers. Samsung supports Alexa and its own Bixby protocol for voice control, while users can play music using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Airplay 2. Audiophiles can play back hi-res WAV and FLAC music files. If you also own a Samsung television that supports the company’s Q-Symphony feature, the HW-Q900C can use the TV’s speakers as part of its audio array. The SpaceFit Sound Pro functionality analyzes your living room and optimizes output to fit your space, while adaptive sound features can emphasize dialog. —JB
Best Surround Sound System: Sony HT-A9 With SW5 Subwoofer
Sony offers a remarkably immersive home theater experience with this wireless four-speaker and subwoofer system. Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology uses a series of sound pulses to read your living room and create up to 12 phantom speakers. When paired with a Sony Bravia, the television speakers can act as an additional center channel. The system supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby True HD, DTS:X, and DTS Master Audio, and also does an impressive job with immersive 360 Reality Audio music tracks from services like Tidal, Amazon Music, and Deezer. Each speaker weighs just over 1.5 pounds, making the HT-A9 system one of the most easy-to-use systems available for an Atmos home theater. —JB
Best Smart Soundbar: Bose Smart Ultra
The Bose Smart Ultra soundbar supports Amazon Alexa, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi in an all-in-one unit that offers Dolby Atmos playback with a single connection to your television. The soundbar has nine built-in speakers and can be upgraded later with a Bose subwoofer and surround speakers. Bose has designed a noise-rejecting mic system that allows Alexa to pick up voice commands even if you’re blasting a movie at full volume. Its Voice4Video technology expands Alexa’s capabilities, allowing the user to control a television or cable/satellite box with just their voice. The Smart Ultra supports Spotify Connect, while the Bose app adds support for the Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, and Sirius XM streaming services. —JB
Best Portable Soundbar: Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) offers a startlingly wide soundstage in a soundbar that measures just over two feet long. Sonos has managed to package Dolby Atmos sound for movies, as well as Dolby Atmos Music, in a six-pound unit that’s barely larger than most portable speakers. The Sonos app will connect to your favorite music services. In addition, if you have an iOS device, you can use Sonos TruePlay, which analyzes the room and adjusts the sound output for the best possible performance. The Sonos Beam also supports Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. —JB
Best All-in-One Audio System: Andover-One Turntable Music System
Andover delivers outstanding audio quality in a small-footprint system that minimizes vibration, allowing a turntable to sit atop a powerful 270-degree stereo speaker array. The company uses Pro-Ject components for its turntable and a carbon-fiber tonearm along with an Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge. Two-way Bluetooth supports AAC, aptX, and aptXHD, allowing users to stream music from a phone to the speaker or stream vinyl to wireless headphones. The Andover-One, powered by a 150-watt Class D amplifier, comes with multiple analog and digital inputs to connect CD players or music streamers as well as an output for an optional subwoofer. In addition, users can add a custom stand that stores up to 100 record albums. —JB
Best All-In-One Wireless System: Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
If living with an imposing audio system is not your style, and the music is all that matters, then take a deep breath and embrace the Mu-so 2nd Generation. Naim’s slim all-in-one system spreads a sound field whose full-range presence belies the elegant form factor that could be a miniature architectural model of a Bauhaus residence. It’s hard to believe that so much powerful sound can come from such a simple-looking—and simple-to-use—component. As the perfect complement to a hard-earned martini at 5:01 p.m., the Mu-so could become a happy habit, a sonic relaxer that brings tranquility to the end of a hectic day. —RR
Best Turntable With Arm & Cartridge: Luxman PD-191A / LMC-5 Cartridge
While a dedicated vinyl lover can easily allocate 10 times as much to a turntable, the new Luxman rig proves that excellent value and near-state-of-the-art performance can prevail without diving headlong into the vinyl abyss. The Japanese manufacturer’s most ambitious turntable spins three record speeds (33, 45, and 78 rpm) on a heavy aluminum platter. The thick aluminum plinth achieves maximum rigidity, while the motor and power supply are mounted on a rigid bottom plate to isolate the tonearm and cartridge from transmitted vibration. A sophisticated tonearm developed jointly with SAEC, one of Japan’s most respected tonearm manufacturers, uses knife-edge bearings and features an effective arm length of 10 inches to further reduces cartridge tracking error. Add the optional acrylic dustcover and Luxman’s LMC-5 moving-coil cartridge for a turnkey turntable solution. —RR
Best Retro-Modern Turntable With Arm & Cartridge: Thorens TD 124 DD 140th Anniversary / Ortofon SPU 124 140th Anniversary Cartridge
Park any new supercar next to its 50-year-old ancestor and chances are, the old-timer will command more attention than its contemporary counterpart. In the audio world, products such as the Thorens TD 124 DD are simply timeless, while delivering performance that will embarrass most brand-new turntables. The 140th Anniversary Edition adds a copper platter and other refinements, mechanical and aesthetic, to last year’s choice. It looks strikingly similar to the company’s original TD 124 made from 1957 to 1967, yet the DD differs in using a direct-drive motor rather than idler-drive design. Its tonearm appears identical, too, though is much improved, as is the available Ortofon SPU moving-coil cartridge that brings so much life—with force and impact—to LP playback. —RR
Best Bang-for-the-Buck Turntable: Technics SL-1200GR2
Anybody old enough to remember when the Rolling Stones’s Exile on Main Street was new in 1972 may remember that the original Technics SL-1200 came out a few months later. Both album and turntable were all the rage, and the Technics was the first quality direct-drive turntable that a penurious college student could afford. It went on to become a favorite of DJs, and now, the SL-1200GR2 brings a familiar look to a vastly improved design, recently updated as the GR2. Its rock-solid speed accuracy, robust chassis, and sophisticated S-shaped magnesium tonearm make the 21st century SL a no-brainer for LP lovers on a budget. —RR
Best Home Theater Receiver: McIntosh MHT300 Home Theater Receiver
Last year’s pick of the McIntosh MX123 processor and MC257 multi-channel amp are still great choices for movie and surround-sound systems with the space and budget to let the dinosaurs roam. Less capacious entertainment venues will appreciate an all-in-one component like the MHT300 Receiver. Featuring 7.2 channels (expandable to 7.2.4), it delivers 150 wpc into four ohms and 120 wpc into eight ohms with all seven channels driven. That means every loudspeaker gets enough juice to make explosions, machine-gun fire, and screaming psycho-killers come to life in the comfort of a condominium. Dirac Live Room Correction and near-infinite connectivity allow users to fine-tune the sound from multiple sources. And when it’s time for something less stimulating, users will enjoy the built-in FM tuner for enjoying free, over-the-air radio broadcasts. —RR
Best Solid-State Integrated Amplifier: Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier
Recognized as among the finest audio electronics on the planet, a full-house D’Agostino system driving equivalent loudspeakers can easily crash through the $2 million barrier. And yet, the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier harnesses the essence of D’Agostino’s Relentless and Momentum Series in a single-chassis component that delivers 250 wpc with a full-function line stage, one whose sound is every bit as detailed, seductive, and musical as the Momentum separates. When it’s equipped with the optional phono stage and digital streaming modules, one need only add top-tier speakers and a turntable to build a minimalist, state-of-the-art digital and analog system that, while not inexpensive, could be regarded a bargain for those seeking the very best. —RR
Best Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier: Western Electric 91E
As we said last year, extolling the sonic virtues of the 300B vacuum tube to someone unfamiliar with this amplification device is like explaining how a truffle is unlike any common mushroom. Just as that precious fungus is a gustatory revelation, an amplifier using the 300B offers a rich, multi-layered audio experience with sound as seductive as it is addictive. Western Electric invented the 300B in 1938, and the company, resurrected in 1996, soon began to remanufacture the legendary tube. The Western Electric 91E integrated amplifier is a SET (single-ended triode) design that delivers double the power of traditional 300B amps and makes any but the most power-hungry loudspeakers sing to the heavens. The component’s exquisitely machined chassis reminds us that audio gear can be jewelry, too. Until someone does it better, this is the integrated tube alter of choice. —RR
Best Bang-for-the-Buck Integrated Amplifier: Moon River 404 Reference Integrated Amplifier
Moon River Audio was introduced to Robb Report readers in the October 2022 issue, and now the 404 Reference cements this Swedish manufacturer’s claim to building the best integrated amplifier for the price. Distinguishing the Reference from the 404 Standard are its vastly improved power supply—doubled in capacitance—and the unit’s ability to drive virtually any loudspeaker with its relatively modest 50 wpc, proof once again that specifications don’t tell the whole story. Features like a tape monitor loop, stereo/mono switch, and a versatile MM/MC phono module offer added “army-knife” functionality. Like good Scandinavian furniture, the Moon River’s classic, understated design will endear it to those who like to look at, as well as listen to, a fine component. —RR
Best Solid State One-Brand Separates: Mola Mola Makua Preamplifier / Lupe Phono Stage / Perca Stereo Amplifier / Tambaqui DAC
Made in the Netherlands and named after one of the ocean’s most unusual fish, Mola Mola has been building class-defining solid-state gear since 2011. The handiwork of famous designer Bruno Putzeys, Mola Mola’s take-no-prisoners approach to sound has earned the company accolades in the audio press. Similarly, the build quality of these dramatically shaped, half-sized-chassis components rivals the very best at any price. The amplifiers, with no sonic signature of their own, use Putzeys’s Class D NCORE technology, while particularly notable are the Tambaqui DAC and Lupe Phono Stage, antipodal sources that aim at—and hit—the same perfectionist mark. —RR
Best Vacuum Tube One-Brand Separates: Linear Tube Audio Microzotl Preamplifier / Ultralinear+ Amplifier / Aero DAC
Audio gear using vacuum-tubes continues to attract acolytes in much the same way that an LP spun on a turntable can seem more alive, fleshed out, simply real. LTA tube-based gear is clean and clear, plus it sounds as if a veil has been removed, preserving only the nature of music itself. That’s because physicist David Berning, who invented ZOTL (Zero hysteresis Output Transformer-Less) tube architecture in 1996, eliminated audio output transformers because of the restrictions they impose on amplifier performance. This topology allows LTA amplifiers to have a flat frequency response from eight hz to 50 Khz, nearly impossible with an output transformer. Relatively efficient loudspeakers of will sing like never before in a system whose design aesthetic is as beautifully minimal as its performance is overwhelmingly impressive. —RR
Best Digital Music Server/Streamer/DAC: Aurender A20
In the computer Stone Age, it was often said that “Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM.” And today, a sure audiophile decision is choosing Aurender as one’s digital streaming component. Throw in a world-class DAC and you have the A20, Aurender’s all-in-one digital source that has made many a music lover jettison their CDs and LPs. Whether one calls it the lazy person’s way of reaching musical nirvana, or just a “smarter source,” the Aurender’s tank-like build and impeccable sound quality put it into digital’s top-tier, enhanced by a user interface that is intuitive and reliable. Music collectors with large CD libraries will want the A30 ($19,999), which rips your CD collection and has 10 TB of internal hard-drive storage. —RR
Best Audiophile Cables: RSX Technologies Benchmark Series
For thoughtful music listeners with open minds and sufficiently resolving systems, good cables do indeed make an audible sonic improvement. One needn’t spend the price of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class to get there, either. Sanity prevails with RSX Technologies’ Benchmark Series cables, which provide a stem-to-stern solution for every component in the system. Designed by cable-industry veteran Roger Skoff of XLO Cables fame, the Benchmark series includes ER-11 Line Level, ER-31 Phono, and ER-41 Digital Interconnects in various lengths and terminations. The ER-61 Speaker Cables use flexible, 11+AWG Litz-variant geometry solid copper conductors terminated with gold-plated banana plugs. Many audiophiles contend that a component’s power cord—especially for the amplifier—is the most important cable connection of all, and the ER-20 Power Cord, at just $200, delivers audible improvement well beyond its modest price. —RR
Best Audio Racks: Solidsteel HY Series
Finding just the right support for audio components is a challenge. The best can be as costly as the gear itself, while inexpensive racks don’t usually provide the sturdy structure, stability, and vibration isolation needed, especially when stacking three or four shelves high. Solidsteel is an Italian brand whose racks have stood the test of time, not just with their practical performance but with aesthetics befitting the best gear placed atop their thick shelves. Machined steel legs and damped shelves in black, wood or even marble complement any environment, and allow users the freedom to adjust height based on clever extensions to individual legs. The HY (Hyperspike) Series hits a sweet spot.
