Welcome to Best of High End in 2025 ! As we reflect on the past year, we’re excited to showcase the “10 Most Read Articles of 2024.” These articles not only captured your attention but also sparked meaningful conversations within our community. From trends in luxury living to innovative design inspirations, each piece highlights the essence of high-end culture that resonates with our readers. Join us as we revisit the stories that made an impact and continue to inspire excellence in our lives. Dive in and discover what topped the charts this year!
Dynaudio Evoke 20 review
The Evoke 20s are highly recommended, even if you consider yourself the most discerning of Goldilocks. That said, if you do find a home for these speakers, beware of envious family and friends, because you may be the one shouting one day: “Someone has been listening to my Evokes, and they’re still here!”
Revival Audio Atalante 3 review
The Atalante 3s truly represent the “best of high end” and have earned a place in my reference system. For their price, they come with my highest recommendation and are a must audition for anyone considering a standmount speaker in the 2.000 to 4,000 euro/dollars U.S. price range.
TCL 75QM851G 4K QD-MINI LED Smart TV review
If you’re in the market for a large-screen TV with great picture quality, gaming features, and smart TV capabilities, the 75QM851G is hard to beat, especially considering its price. It’s a strong contender for those looking for OLED TV performance but at a fraction of the cost.
Focal Aria 948 review
Bravo Focal! The French just raised the bar for this price segment. Get that first glance of the true high end experience we are all looking for! The Focal Aria 948 combines timeless design, above average build quality, stylish finishes, innovative technologies and staggering performance. It should be a go to choice on a very short list of speakers worth auditioning up until €5.000. Best of high end AWARD!
Ricable cables review
Ricable compares crafting high quality audio cables to being a master sculptor, because the goal is not in creating, but in removing, as the work of art is already enclosed in the piece of granite. With their Invictus line of cables they have done a tremendous job in removing excess “material” so the listener can get as close as possible to what the artist intended you to hear. In the weeks I took in auditioning their Invictus cables, I found they have succeeded in creating cables that can compete with the very best. What also sets Ricable apart from the competition is their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Unlike some other brands that prioritize flashy marketing gimmicks over genuine quality, Ricable’s focus is on building long-term relationships with their customers. You don’t need any further proof of that then Ricable’s no-nonsense lifetime warranty policy and their responsive customer support team. Competitively priced for the level of performance they provide, these are cables I highly recommend you audition, especially if you are pleased with your current speakers and amplifier, but wish to step up to that next level of audio nirvana. With Ricable’s 60-day trial period they have made it even easier to help get you there. From opening their scented boxes of cables, to connecting them to my system, I found Ricable made a truly memorable first impression on my sense of smell and, more importantly, a lasting one on my ears.
Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 review
Enthusiasts who are about to take their first steps in the world of high end just got very lucky. Lyngdorf turns the audio industry upside down with the TDA-1120. This small beauty packs a brick wall of digital power, RoomPerfect to compensate for your room acoustics and stands ready for every streaming method and/or platform. Setup and controls are straight forward and flexible. In fact this amplifier lets you focus on streaming, listening and enjoying your favourite music to the max. It’s unbelievable how Lyngdorf is able to trickle down its core technologies. Meet the new entry level reference!
Steinway Lyngdorf Model B review
Steinway Lyngdorf Model B is a very comprehensive system. It’s the embodiment of what high end represents. Fully. The design is breathtaking, the attention to detail leaves me speachless. This system is capable of reproducing the original recording space and unleash its full potential in 2.0 stereo. Steinway Lyngdorf discribes Model B as being ‘holographic’. All credit to the designer (Peter Lyngdorf in this case), not to the marketing departement. Steinway Lyngdorf Model B offers a magnifying glass, so get ready to hear how your music collection really sounds like. The level of power and persuasiveness in the bass is out of this world. Sure, you’ll need to make a big financal effort, but it will be the last system you’ll buy. It’s stellar.
Rega RP-10 review
At this point, it’s no longer a secret that I was truly impressed by the presence of this turntable. It breathes life into high-quality vinyl records and takes you back to a place that puts a smile on your face. The table emanates music, and this in a most natural way with an uncanny fluidity, deep and saturated timbre, topped with some great dynamics.
TCL QM8/QM850G QLED TV review
While the QM8 can’t quite match the image quality of the very best 4K sets in the market (viewing angles are limited and it doesn’t do a great job with upscaling low-resolution content), when you compare its features and price to other competitors, it comes out at the very top.
Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX power conditioner review
For those seeking to unlock the full potential of their systems, the PowerCell 8 SX stands out as one of the best power conditioners on the market, especially given its price. It made such a dramatic difference in my listening tests that I have added one to our reference system.
