Building an Affordable Multi-room Audio System

Have you ever played air guitar to Guns’n’Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine”?  Or perhaps air drummed Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” like that infamous Cadbury gorilla?  Better still, maybe you’ve used the shampoo bottle in the shower as a microphone.  My friend – I’m afraid you’ve got the bug.  The music bug that is!  … Continue Reading

Naim Audio Launches New Products at Bay Bloor Radio

If someone asked you to predict the future of hi-fi a few years ago, would you be able to guess exactly what we would have today?  You might be able to predict some things but probably not everything.  Technology continues to advance at such a staggering pace that often it’s difficult to foresee what’s around … Continue Reading

MK Sound MK150THX 5.1 Speaker System

Have you ever wondered about what kind of audio systems professional studios use for engineering movie soundtracks?  MK Sound has long been a popular choice for professional studios and over the years has made its way into thousands of home theatres around the world. MK Sound speakers have been used for sound mixing and editing … Continue Reading

Monitor Audio Gold GX 5.1 Speaker System Review

If you have an exceptional memory, you might recall reading about the Monitor Audio Gold GX series speakers in these pages before.  I reviewed the GX200 floor standing loudspeakers ($4,995/pair) from this series back in the October/November 2011 issue.  The GX200 proved itself as a very capable speaker in my two channel system and offered … Continue Reading

ModWright Instruments KWA 100SE Amplifier and LS 100 Tube Preamplifier

Earlier this year, in the April/May 2012 issue of CANADA HiFi, Phil Gold reviewed the ModWright Instruments KWA 150 Signature Edition Amplifier.  He was so impressed by this amplifier that it ended up finding a permanent spot in his audio system.  His high praise of the amplifier also inspired us to bring in a couple … Continue Reading

Introducing Guyster – the guy’s guide to everything!

It gives me the outmost pleasure to introduce all readers of the CANADA HiFi magazine to a new project I’ve been working on for the last few months called Guydster – the guy’s guide to everything.  The Guydster website is portal where guys can learn about some of the hottest and most unique new products … Continue Reading

Bryston BDP-1 Digital Player and BDA-1 DAC Review

The ways in which we enjoy music have changed rapidly during the last few years.  The advent of the mp3 file format and portable digital music players revolutionized our ability to purchase and play music.  Adding a new album to your music collection today is as easy as a few taps of an iPhone screen … Continue Reading

Building a Dream Basement Home Theatre: A Reader’s Passion and Creativity Comes Together

A Sneak Preview of the 2012 Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show!

Do you enjoy listening to music or watching movies? Perhaps you’re thinking about setting up a home security system or some outdoor lighting? Have we got a treat for you then! The Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show (TAVES) is all about discovering new consumer electronics brands, products and entertainment media. It is also about educating … Continue Reading

Naim Audio Unveils New 2012 Components at Living Sound Stereo Launch Event

Yesterday evening, Naim Audio – the dream brand of many audio enthusiasts – held a new product launch event at Living Sound Stereo (www.livingsoundstereo.com), an audio retailer in Markham, Ontario.  This event was part of Naim Audio’s “The Future of Hi-Fi” tour, currently taking place at various audio retailers around the world. The … Continue Reading

Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD Upsampling Blu-ray Universal Player Review

The Cambridge Audio Azur 751BD is an evolution of the company’s highly successful 650BD universal Blu-ray player, a well-rounded machine that we’ve been using as a reference player in the CANADA HiFi lab since it first came out.  Technology advances rapidly and the 751BD player shows Cambridge Audio’s commitment to providing all the latest technology … Continue Reading

Bryston BDP-1 Digital Player and BDA-1 DAC

The ways in which we enjoy music have changed rapidly during the last few years.  The advent of the mp3 file format and portable digital music players revolutionized our ability to purchase and play music.  Adding a new album to your music collection today is as easy as a few taps of an iPhone screen … Continue Reading

Reev Designs Aatma Loudspeakers Review

As a publisher of a Canadian audio video magazine I’m always delighted to hear of a new Canadian manufacturer – especially one that presents itself as well as Reev Designs.  My first encounter with Reev Designs, which took place at the first Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show (TAVES) at the end of September 2011, seemed … Continue Reading

Monitor Audio Gold GX200 Speakers Review

My first encounter with the Monitor Audio Gold GX series speakers was at the Salon Son & Image, which took place earlier this year in Montreal.  It was their good looks that first attracted me, but it was the engaging sound presentation that inspired me to bring these speakers in for review.  The model demonstrated … Continue Reading

The Avengers – Watch the Official Trailer After the Jump!

One of my favourite childhood comic books has finally come to life!  The official Avengers movie trailer has just been released online and it kicks butt.  And to make things even better the soundtrack for the trailer is courtesy of Nine Inch Nails – another favourite of mine.  It sent chills through me the first … Continue Reading

Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne 5.0 Speakers and MilleniaSub Subwoofer Review

Let’s face it – most music lovers and movie buffs would like to own a set of full size speakers because they realize the benefits that large speaker enclosures bring to the performance table.  If you’re anything like me, you’d be quick to place full size speakers in every room in your house.  But reality … Continue Reading

2011 Salon Son & Image, Montreal, Coverage

The twenty fourth edition of Salon Son & Image (www.salonsonimage.com) took place at the end of March during an unexpectedly warm weekend in Montreal, Quebec. As last year, the event was held at the Hilton Bonaventure hotel in the heart of downtown Montreal. This annual event provides a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and … Continue Reading

Sinclair Audio Brighton Series

New Sony AV Receivers

Sony has just revealed a trio of entry level, 3D capable AV receivers which will go on sale this spring. The new models include the STR-DN1020, the STR-DH720 and the STR-DH520 7.1.
The flagship STR-DN1020 receiver is a gateway to streaming music with access to Internet audio services including vTuner when connected to an existing … Continue Reading

Apple Officially Announces iPad 2

Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave since the end of January, enthusiastically hit the stage yesterday in San Francisco to reveal the details of the second generation iPad. Starting at $499 US, the iPad 2 will be thinner than the iPhone 4, offers double the power of the first iPad and comes outfitted … Continue Reading