Gear
The equipment behind the sound — reviewed, tested, and obsessed over.
CharlesAudio covers the hardware and software that shapes how music is heard and made. From amplifiers, DACs, and headphones to speakers and cables — honest reviews from a listener who cares about what things actually sound like, not just what they cost.
Latest gear reviews & features
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Rega P3 – a legend
The Rega planar 3 turntable rightly deserves its legendary status. I have the delight to borrow one for a short while and I am shocked. Let’s back up. My turntable is a Technics SLQ-303 direct player, loving maintained since 1981. The gold ring E3 cart has been a very solid performer and vinyl has been… Continue reading
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Eigentakt IET400A
Bruno Putzey the designer of the Purifi IET400A power amplifer module has spent his career designing and perfecting Class-D amplifers. From his pioneering days at Phillips, then to Hypex where enormous volumes were shipped. At Purify he achieved the goal of making something incredibly complex simple. The “Eigentakt” IET400A is one of the lowest distorting… Continue reading
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Bowers & Wilkins 804d4
In May 2024 I was lucky enough to get a great deal on an ex-demo pair of Bowers and Wilkins 804 d4s. I first heard them at the Bristol HiFi show with their big brothers the 801d4s in a 5.1 system. The build quality is outstanding. Made from multiple layers of beech wood custom bonded… Continue reading
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My first great speakers: B&W 685 s2
Bowers and Wilkins, in many experts opinion, offer some of the finest loudspeaker systems in the world. The recently upgraded Bowers & Wilkins 800 diamond series is arguably the pinnacle of loudspeaker technology with ultra-stiff enclosures, continuum cones (upgraded Kevlar) and diamond based tweeters. I heard a demo of the 800s at the Bristol… Continue reading
