Every month Stereophile magazine offers authoritative reviews, informed recommendations, helpful advice, and controversial opinions, all stemming from the revolutionary idea that audio components should be judged on how they reproduce music.

AS WE SEE IT • THIS ISSUE: Whenever a story is simple, it’s probably wrong.

Stereophile

LETTERS • TAKE HEED! Unless marked otherwise, all letters to the magazine and its writers are assumed to be for possible publication. Please include your name and physical address. We reserve the right to edit for length and content.

INDUSTRY UPDATE • SUBMISSIONS: Those promoting audio-related seminars, shows, and meetings should email the when, where, and who to stletters@stereophile.com at least eight weeks before the month of the event. The deadline for the May 2021 issue is February 20, 2021.

ANALOG CORNER • THIS ISSUE: Mikey listens to midpriced phono cartridges from Phasemation and DS Audio, an upgraded phono preamp from Audio Research, and a monoblockfriendly power conditioner from Clarus Audio.

GRAMOPHONE DREAMS • THIS ISSUE: Herb considers a new high-end headphone/amp combo from German company T+A.

LINEAR TUBE AUDIO Z10E (A FOLLOW-UP)

R2D4’21 • RECORDS TO DIE FOR 2021

Moonriver 404 Reference • INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

MEASUREMENTS

Okto Research dac8 Stereo • D/A PROCESSOR

MEASUREMENTS

OKTO DAC8 PRO MEASUREMENTS

Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II • PREAMPLIFIER

MEASUREMENTS

Benchmark HPA4 • HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER / LINE PREAMPLIFIER

MEASUREMENTS

Volumio Primo • MUSIC PLAYER/STREAMER

MEASUREMENTS

BOOK REVIEW • THIS ISSUE: A book/CD collection of music made by independent women in the punk/post-punk era.

REVINYLIZATION • THIS ISSUE: A glorious, colorful 14-LP collection of peak Grateful Dead recordings from Vinyl Me, Please.

RECORD REVIEWS

RE-TALES • THIS ISSUE: An audio engineer sets up a hi-fi showroom in a studio.

MANUFACTURERS’ COMMENTS • THIS ISSUE: Representatives from DS Audio, Phasemation, Audio Research, Clarus Audio, Moonriver Audio, Zesto Audio, Benchmark Media Systems, and Volumio respond to our reviews of their products.

MY BACK PAGES • THIS ISSUE: Music can take you places.