We look back at 2025. For Alpha Audio a somewhat quieter year, but not for your editors. This is Jaap’s retrospective.
They are here again! Alpha Audio’s top5 lists. I get to start and present my 2025 list. And that’s always tricky. Because: what are your favourites? How do you choose your list? Best price/quality? Best measurements? Honestly: my list is a sentient choice. Which products impressed me? Let’s get started. In no particular order.
Esoteric K-03XD SE
One of the products that has definitely impressed this year is the Esoteric K-03XD SE. What a player! It shows me that CD is anything but an ‘inferior’ medium. CD is rock and roll. If you have a decent collection, then it is almost a crime to get rid of it before trying this player. Wow.
Grimm PW1
Yes indeed: your author stepped into the world of vinyl this year. And he likes it very much! It is a totally different experience from streaming. A more laid back experience, more conscious… more fun actually. Does it sound better? Not necessarily. But it is fun. And like streaming, it can be taken to a VERY high level if you know what you’re doing. And the manufacturer, of course. And that is all right with Grimm! The Grimm PW1 phono pre-amp is an absolute gem. Fast, open, airy, detailed… everything feels balanced and, partly because of this, incredibly natural. And we love that at Alpha Audio!
Want to know more about the best record washer? Check out this test!
Kora TB200
What can I say? What a wonderful amp Kora has delivered with the TB200. It is so good that colleague Martijn bought one privately…. And that’s saying something! After all: he has – my opinion – surely the most critical ears of the team. In short: if it is Martijn Approved… then you’ll be fine…
Yeti Nextgen CNT
This year – and last year – I’ve had quite a few cables on the test bench again. Not 64 in one go fortunately, but spread out over the year I tested some. A fine candidate was the Yeti Nextgen cabon nano tube cable. This is an improved version though and it is audible. More refined, more balanced, more quiet especially. The downside of testing products like this is that it is very hard to go back again. But yes: such is life!
Matrix TS-1
Are beautiful streamers coming from China? Yes indeed! We know Matrix for some time, but boy, what a nice job this brand is doing! The Matrix TS-1 is an ‘entry-level’ Matrix. At least, if you look at the new line with the new design. The sound is fine: smooth, relaxed, insightful… But what struck me most during testing is that the software works so well! Everything just works… And most of it is just nice and intuitive. And so it should be. A lot of brands could take an example from this.
Bonus: Voice Victory Premium
Finally, something homegrown again: Voice Victory. This speaker brand’s entry-level set – the Premium – is a very fine speaker! The set has a surprisingly high fun factor and is reaching deep in bass as well. Definitely worth an audition.