We look back at 2025. For Alpha Audio a somewhat quieter year, but not for your editors. This is Yung’s retrospective.
Le Son LS10 mkII MC moving coil phono cartridge
A low output moving coil cartridge with a head shell especially for the Technics SL1200 turntable. On both the Primare R35 and the Grimm PW1 phono preamplifier, a very impressive cartridge that draws us into the music and does so in a very natural way. We reviewers are usually restless as we listen and look for what is wrong. This cartridge made us to play records endlessly and not think for a moment about anything other than listening to music.
Grimm PW1
A logical sequel to Le Son, this top-notch phono preamp from Grimm. It is above all the speed and thus the timing that has this Grimm make every element sing. Because that’s the beauty of it. The Grimm PW1 gets the most out of a cartridge without adding a colour of its own. And that is very clever.
ATC SCM20A pro active studio monitor
A nearfield studio monitor in the living room? Yes, it can be done! That’s what this active speaker, which has been on the market since 1990, proves. It proves once again that a good technical concept has a long shelf life. British ATC -fortunately- does not go along with the reflex to launch new products. If it’s good, it’s good. And this SCM20A is an incredibly accurate workhorse in the studio (read the review) but can also provide pure listening pleasure in a not too large living room.
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II in ear monitor
Experience the thrill of 20 (10 per side) balanced armature drivers with this top-of-the-range model from Kiwi Ears. And how does it sound? We found it an experience incomparable to over-ear headphones, even if they are very fast and precise like electrostats and planar magnetic drivers. It is a completely different way of listening as well as preparing. For instance, it is very important to try to select the right ear buds (‘tips’). Turning in the IEMs properly also matters a lot. Your ear canal is your listening room, to put it plastically. The Orchestra II IEMs are impressive precision instruments.
Kora TB200 integrated amplifier
Colleague Martijn received the Kora for a review. In the editorial app, we were inundated with life-changing experiences this amplifier brought to him. We then paired the TB200 with Tannoys SGM15 in Leiden and TADs in Haarlem. Both totally different speakers, in almost every respect. We can conclude that in all three listening rooms, the Kora managed to make the speakers sound comme il faut; as they should. Again, we experience timing, speed, spaciousness, quietness, overview.