Monthly Archives: August 2016

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Pioneer A-50DA review

Audio & Video, , , , , , , ,

It’s a brave soul who enters the stereo amplifier market looking to make a lasting impression.

At £700/$1050, the integrated Pioneer A-50DA has the build quality, features list and the heritage to make a bold stand. But it faces tough competition from the likes of Arcam, Cambridge Audio and Rega.

The A-50DA’s closest rivals are two Award-winners: the Cambridge CXA60 (£500/$750) and the Arcam A19 (£595/$892,5).

The CXA60 is more affordable and the A19 doesn’t have an integrated DAC, so in effect, the Pioneer sits somewhere in between those two.
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Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/50da/review

 

 

 

Dell Precision 3510 Review

Dell Precision 3510 Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , ,

The perfect workstation is powerful enough to emulate desktop performance and portable enough to be taken anywhere. The $1,868 Dell Precision 3510 (starting at $999) comes close to being that ideal machine, but it has weaknesses that may make you consider alternatives. It brings plenty of power, thanks to its quad-core CPU and AMD FirePro W5130M GPU. But it’s heavier than some competing machines and hot enough that you won’t want to use it on your lap, making it a strong desktop replacement that works best on your desk.

Design

The Precision 3510 is a spartan monolith, a large hunk of black plastic that doesn’t hint at all of the power that lies beneath it. The lid, which attracts a ton of fingerprints, is decorated with Dell’s logo but is otherwise plain.


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Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-precision-3510

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project Watch Review

Wearables, , , ,

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project reference 311.32.42.30.04.001 was the limited edition Speedmaster watch model that Omega introduced at Baselworld 2008. It happens to have one of the most interesting “limited-edition stories” among the modern limited-edition Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches, in my opinion, and it happens to look really cool. I’ll readily admit that my purchase of this watch began with an initial interest when it first debuted, but I didn’t get it until several years later. Lucky for me, I was able to get the last unsold new one here in the US that Omega had. I’ve heard that recently The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project has become a collectors’ favorite, with prices incrementally increasing at auction.

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I don’t like to have the same watches as everyone else, even if there is a good reason to have those watches. I’m never shy about suggesting to people that getting an Omega Speedmaster is a good idea, but for me, I like to wear the ones that are a bit less common. Moreover, I have a soft place in my heart for white-dialed sport watches – and if you haven’t noticed, there aren’t too many of these in the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch family.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project Watch Review Wrist Time Reviews
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https://www.ablogtowatch.com/omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-alaska-project-watch-review/

 

Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS lens officially announced

Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS lens officially announced

Cameras, , , ,

Samyang has officially announced the 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS lens for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.

The new optic will deliver a full-frame equivalent of 52.5mm when mounted on APS-C cameras and 70mm when mounted on MFT cameras. The bright f/1.2 maximum aperture allows users to isolate their subject from the background and enables hand-held shooting in low-light conditions.

The Samyang 35mm f/1.2 ED AS UMC CS will include nine elements in seven groups, using two aspherical elements and Samyang’s ‘Ultra Multi Coat’ technology.

Samyang-35mm-f_1.2-ED-AS-UMC-CS-lens-for-APS-C-mirrorless-cameras…
Read full post here:
http://www.dailycameranews.com/2016/08/samyang-35mm-f1-2-ed-umc-cs/

Sony VPL-HW45ES 1080p SXRD Projector Review

Sony VPL-HW45ES 1080p SXRD Projector Review

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

What is the Sony VPL-HW45ES?

The HW45ES is Sony’s latest budget SXRD 1080p projector aimed at the home cinema market and replaces the excellent VPL-HW40ES and also sits below the new VPL-HW65ES in the Sony HW line-up. It has an identical design to those models using the same chassis and layout, but updating the technology inside to improve black levels and overall picture quality over the outgoing HW40ES.

As the industry is moving to 4K Ultra HD resolutions with wider colour gamuts and High Dynamic Range, why would you still pay just under £2,000 for a 1080p only projector with Rec.709 colour? Well that will be very much a personal choice, but for projectors it is going to take a long time to change to the new standards and see prices falling. This is because the projector market is a very small percentage of the overall display sales in the UK and with a smaller market it takes longer to develop and implement new technology at reasonable costs.
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https://www.avforums.com/review/sony-vpl-hw45es-1080p-sxrd-projector-review.12810

Asus GX800 Hands-on Review : A Water-Cooled Gaming Beast

Asus GX800 Hands-on Review : A Water-Cooled Gaming Beast

Computers & IT, , , , , ,

“That looks like a f***ing space cruiser!”

“WTF is that thing?”

“That’s not a laptop, it’s a space engine!”

“Who, why? What’s it do? What’s it doing right now?”

“This thing is weird.”

Those are just a few things my co-workers said when they saw a prototype of the Asus GX800 on my desk, the first gaming laptop with its own water-cooled dock.

Now, I’ve seen a lot of fantastical things during my career as a tech journalist that rarely make it to market. So when I saw the Asus GX800 at this year’s CES, I immediately sent it to the Isle of Vaporware in my mind. But I was pleasantly surprised to find this ginormous machine occupying my desk, like Zuul taking over Dana Barrett’s body in “Ghostbusters.”
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Read full post here:
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/asus-gx800-hands-on

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Xbox Design Lab Review: Is This Custom Controller Worth It?

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

Whether you love or hate the Xbox One, you have to give Microsoft some credit for giving gamers lots of choices when it comes to controllers. Last year, the company introduced its ultrapremium Elite Wireless Controller, and now, you can customize your own version of the revamped, standard wireless gamepad, which is being rolled out alongside the slimmed-down Xbox One S.

But should you shell out $79 for one? Our customized pad certainly looks as good as we hoped it would back when we ordered it, and it even has a few technical benefits over the older Xbox One controller. While other, more expensive customization shops let you get much more creative, the Xbox Design Lab offers plenty of tools for creating a great-looking Xbox One controller at a decent price.
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Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/xbox-design-lab,review-3812.html

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ZTE Axon 7 Review: Affordable Flagship Greatness

Phones, , , , , , , , , ,
The term “affordable flagship” is inescapable these days, thanks to a crop of low-cost unlocked devices that can hold their own among the iPhones and Galaxies of the world. ZTE’s $399 Axon 7 is one of the latest handsets to join that crowded bunch, and it’s easily one of the best.

With a stunning aluminum design, a vibrant quad-HD display and a sharp, feature-rich camera, the Axon 7 will consistently have you wondering how a phone this great costs just $399. The Axon 7 is one of the most impressive affordable flagships you can buy, but its middling battery life keeps it from dethroning the OnePlus 3 as the king of sub-$400 phones.
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Read full post here:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/zte-axon-7,review-3815.html

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Oak & Oscar Sandford GMT Watch Announced

Wearables,

As a follow up to their very limited and entirely sold-out Burnham, Oak & Oscar has announced the Sandford, a handsome Swiss-powered GMT sport watch. Offering a similar appeal and aesthetic to that of the Burnham, the Oak & Oscar Sandford continues the brand’s design-focused and reservedly rustic style in a watch with an independent 24-hour hand and a crown-controlled internal rotating bezel.

Oak & Oscar Sandford GMT Watch Announced Watch Releases

Oak & Oscar Sandford GMT Watch Announced Watch Releases

In a fitting tribute for a GMT watch, the Sandford was named after Sandford Fleming, who was instrumental in the development of the Canadian railway system and the early adoption of standardized time zones. The watch is 40mm wide in either brushed steel or charcoal PVD finishing with 20mm lugs and a cuff-friendly thickness of just 12mm. The Sandford sports a double-domed and anti-reflective sapphire crystal and, with both signed crowns being of the screw-down variety, water resistance is a welcome 100m.
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Read full post here:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/oak-oscar-sandford-gmt-watch/

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Audi SQ7 review: An insane sports car of an SUV

Cars, , , , ,

When Audi first launched the SQ7, a lot of people laughed. It was expensive and huge in size, perhaps a little out of character on the UK’s roads. But that SUV made its mark, popular for its luxe finish and the size, including the seven seats, in a category that’s seen no shortage of competition.

The new Audi Q7 launched in 2015, accompanied by the plug-in hybrid version, the Q7 e-Tron for those concerned about emissions. But now, for those not so concerned about emissions, and wanting power, power and yet more raw power, comes the Audi SQ7.

This is Audi’s super SUV. Loaded with performance stats that read like a sports car, spacious enough to live in, dripping in quality – the Audi SQ7 hides some quite delightful surprises.
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Read full post here:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/cars/reviews/audi/138322-audi-sq7-review-an-insane-sports-car-of-an-suv

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Paradigm Prestige 75F Floorstanding Speaker System Review

Audio & Video, , , , ,

Paradigm Prestige 75F Introduction

Paradigm Prestige SeriesParadigm is a well-known, highly-regarded speaker company out of Mississauga, ON Canada. Canada is home to a disproportionate number of superb speaker companies, including Energy, PSB, Mirage, Totem and others. Paradigm speakers have been justifiably highly-reviewed for years, consistently landing on various “Critics’ Choice” and “Product of the Year” lists.

We decided to take a look at one of their mid-priced Prestige Series speakers. Note that “mid-priced” is a relative term here. The Prestige Series consists of three floorstanders—the 95F, 85F and 75F—two 3-way center speakers, a multi-directional surround, a compact bookshelf model and two powered subwoofers.
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Read full post here:
https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/paradigm-prestige-75f-floorstanding-speaker-system-review

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New Sinn DIN 8330 Certified Aviator Watches

Wearables, ,

What defines a “dive watch?” If you look for the most literal interpretation, you’re likely to find ISO 6425, which outlines a strict set of internationally defined guidelines for functionality, durability, and legibility, ultimately governing what can and cannot be officially referred to as a true “dive watch.” Along those same lines but for aviator watches, Sinn has just announced the introduction of DIN 8330 – a new German industry standard spearheaded by the watchmaker, and anchored by a trio of new pilot watches, purpose-built and officially certified to be functionally safe and reliable in the cockpit. Debuting the certification are the Sinn 103 Ti IFR, Sinn 103 Ti UTC IFR, and the Sinn 857 UTC VFR watches.

New Sinn DIN 8330 Certified Aviator Watches Watch Releases
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Read full post here:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/sinn-din-8330-certified-aviator-watches/

 

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Rega Planar 1 review

Audio & Video, , ,

In an era of change, not even Rega’s best-selling turntable is immune to the desire for a fresh approach.

Yet, despite a considerable list of tweaks to the original Planar 1, the British company’s signature sound is definitely going to remain.

And with the new Rega Planar 1, change is unquestionably positive. It begins with the new RB110 tone arm, with precision bearings and automatic bias adjustment; combined with a tracking weight whose ideal position is already marked for you, it means you can set up faster than a cabinet minister’s resignation.
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Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/rega/planar-1/review