SECRETS is pleased to announce the Best of Awards for 2018.
The Editorial Team spends several weeks debating and considering, which is challenging, as every year SECRETS has an opportunity to review great products across the many audio and video components and some products are truly outstanding. It is to the outstanding products that we award the SECRETS Best of Award.
Every year we are asked why we do not award a product in every conceivable audio and video component category. Simply, it is our practice to carefully consider the award nominations across all A/V component categories. Consequently, we do not award a product in every possible component category. Our categories change from year-to-year. Also, we do not attach a “recommended” stamp as we publish reviews throughout the year, although we have been asked to consider. And our reviewers are pretty candid about their views about products: if they really like the product, that opinion is reflected in the product highlights and review conclusion.
In 2016 we added our SECRETS “Thumbs-Up Award” which highlights the products that we recommend, in addition to the Best of Award recipients. The 2018 SECRETS Thumbs-up Awards recognize the products that we found to be excellent and which we, as SECRETS, would recommend to any buyer. So the SECRETS Thumbs-up Award is SECRETS Recommended!
In 2018, we considered many more video products, projectors and displays, focusing on the UHD/4K product offerings. Also, SECRETS evaluated an increasing number of “vinyl” products, including turntables, phono preamplifiers and cartridges. We anticipate that this trend will continue into 2019.
SECRETS reviews and admires many products that do not receive awards. Just check out the reviews and the opinions of the SECRETS reviewers: we have the pleasure of reviewing many outstanding products.
In 2018 we have awarded the “Product of the Year” to the very deserving Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeakers.
SECRETS has not awarded the Bad Ass Award in 2018. This award is not given out every year and is reserved only for products that test outrageously well. John Johnson, Editor-in-Chief, initiated the first SECRETS “Bad Ass Award” in 2010. This award is selectively conferred on products that have intense output, ultra-low distortion, substantial build quality and/or extreme engineering. So the “Bad Ass Award” is given to the product that is outstanding and clearly evokes a Bad Ass response from our team…“you just know it when you see it!” Maybe in 2019?
At SECRETS, a “Product of the Year” is a product that not only sets the bar for its category, it is a product that we believe will inspire real innovation and progress from its competitors. We consider new technologies, performance and value; and when a component excels at all three, we afford it this prestigious recognition.
Paradigm Persona 7F Loudspeaker
The Paradigm Persona 7F is one of the most enjoyable speakers that I’ve had the pleasure of auditioning in my home. Beyond being a visually arresting example of fine industrial design, they are also sonically satisfying reproducers of music and a worthy addition to the top tier of Paradigm’s offerings. There is no doubt that Paradigm pulled out all the stops with this one, with the beryllium drivers, advanced cabinet design, and other technologies that they refined over the years. They were looking to make a statement, and boy, did they! If you are itching for a pair of be-all-to-end-all speakers, you owe yourself a listen to the Paradigm Persona 7Fs. Outstanding is an understatement!
Carlo Lo Raso, Senior Editor
Enjoy and consider the SECRETS Best of Awards for 2018!
Pass Labs XP-17 Phono Preamplifier
The PASS Labs XP-17 Phono Preamplifier is a true reference-class product that is capable of a very high level of neutral analog playback. And for the price of $4,300, I see it as a true bargain in the realm of high-end audio equipment.
Todd Cooperider, Writer
Revel Performa M126Be Bookshelf Speaker
The Revel Performa M126Be speakers are some of the highest quality small speakers I’ve encountered. They represent a great deal of design and construction expertise, creating a synergistic whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Between the extremes of a large, horn-loaded stage monitor, and a delicate electrostatic, the M126Be cleaves to the detailed and accurate side.
Glenn Young, Writer
Benchmark Media DAC-3 DX
The Benchmark DAC3-DX DAC is designed for recording and mastering studios, but it is a great product for consumer use as well. Its clean, low distortion analog output and flexible setup controls will bring the studio to your home audio system.
John E. Johnson, Jr., Editor-in-Chief
Focal Clear Headphones
Not cheap by any means, but the FOCAL Clear headphones perform like much more expensive headphones. These are a high quality speaker system for your ears, to listen to in a home environment playing excellent source material through high quality electronics. They are a tremendous value for the asking price.
Mel Martin, Writer
HIFIMAN RE-800 In-Ear Monitors
Compared to other top shelf IEMs, the RE-800s are moderately priced. You can spend plenty more money on IEMs if you want. But you’d be hard pressed to do better than the RE-800s ability to present detail and resolution and give you a fully integrated timbre throughout the full frequency spectrum.
Chris Groppi, Senior Editor
Pass Labs INT-250 Integrated Amplifier
The Pass Labs INT-250 may just be the best integrated amplifier in the world. If you’re an audiophile who wants the best, but also wants a simple, streamlined music system with core electronics you buy once and leave alone, the INT-250 is for you. It is the best sounding preamp-amp combination I’ve ever had in my listening room.
Chris Groppi, Senior Editor
Martin Logan Outdoor Living System
I was in no way expecting that an outdoor system could make me forget my high-fidelity indoor audio system. That was until I installed the MartinLogan Outdoor Living Series system in my own back yard. This system uses multiple satellites and an excellent subwoofer to evenly fill you space with full-range audio that can stand up to the sound quality you get from even very fine indoor systems. This is not hyperbole on my part. I wish all our readers could experience the MartinLogan Outdoor Living sound first hand for themselves.
Jim Clements, Co-Editor
NAD M17 V2 Surround Sound Preamp Processor
The M17 V2 is truly a reference-level product and with support for HDMI 2.0 and Dirac Live room correction, it appears ready for the future. It requires an investment of both money and time, but I promise you, the results are worth it. It doesn’t just deliver great sound, it provides a great experience. The NAD M17 V2 Surround Sound Preamp Processor receives my highest recommendation.
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
JVC DLA-RS640 Ultra HD HDR Projector
The JVC-RS640 is premium-priced but offers the best image quality I’ve seen from any projector to-date. The real reason to buy the RS640 is for Ultra HD Blu-ray. Once you see it, you won’t care about the cost.
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
BenQ HT2550 4K Ultra HD HDR DLP Projector
The BenQ HT2550 Ultra HD DLP Projector has no equals at its chosen price point. For $1499 you get Ultra HD, HDR, and fantastic picture quality in a compact package.
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
NAD T 758 V3 AV Surround Sound Receiver
The NAD T 758 V3 delivers world-class Dirac Live room correction, Dolby Atmos, and clean neutral sound for just $1300. It easily tops this segment in quality and features. The NAD T 758 V3 AV Surround Sound Receiver earns my highest recommendation.
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
Next Level Acoustics Fusion Reference Soundbar & CI-HV10 Subwoofer
The Fusion Reference Soundbar costs less than most high-end bookshelf speakers but easily exceeds them in quality. If you want high-end audio from a soundbar and sub combo, look no further than the Next Level Acoustics Fusion Reference Soundbar and CI-HV10 Subwoofer. In this class, they are unbeatable
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
Emotiva BasX S12 Subwoofer
Multiple subwoofers will improve the bass in your listening room. The most cost-effective way to do this is to purchase several less expensive – but good quality – subwoofers. The Emotiva BasX S12 subwoofers, at $399 each, sure did an excellent job in my listening room. I encourage all of you to give this a try for yourself and see how well multiple subs may work in your setup.
Jim Clements, Co-Editor
Legacy Audio Foundation Subwoofer
The Legacy Foundation Subwoofer proved itself every day. It output infrasonic bass as well as bass that was in time and in tune with the music. This woofer has power to spare. It’s an all-around winner which even includes its fetching good looks!
Jim Clements, Co-Editor
GoldenEar Technology Dolby Atmos Speaker System
GoldenEar Technology has been knocking it out of the park for years now with the products they have been designing and manufacturing, and has been known as a value leader in the high end community. When you look at the all-star system we have assembled, it still carries a price of $16,700, which is a lot, but when compared to many other manufacturers’ gear at the high end level, it is an absolute bargain. Highly recommended!
Todd Cooperider, Writer
EAT B-Sharp Turntable
The EAT B-Sharp turntable is an excellent choice for people who are seriously looking to get into vinyl and are demanding something a bit better than average, without breaking the bank of course. It is a bold and refined design that provides you all the necessities and does away with the superfluous. This could easily be someone’s first and last turntable. And it looks…wait for it…Sharp!
Carlo Lo Raso, Senior Editor
Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon Turntable
The Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon turntable is a fine product. It is silent and smooth. The accompanying Sumiko Starling cartridge amazed me with its tracking capability and the amount of detail in the music that it gave. The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 phono preamplifier is a good choice for this particular turntable. The three-part system delivered very euphonic distortion that analog-lovers will very much enjoy. If you want to get this turntable, and you don’t already have a cartridge and phono preamplifier, this is a package that really works well.
John E. Johnson, Jr., Editor-in-Chief
Meridian Reference Two Channel Power Amplifier 857
The Meridian 857 is certainly one of the nicest looking amplifiers I have seen, and its power reserves make it both Beauty and the Beast. Kudos to the Meridian team for designing an amplifier that makes us want to reacquaint ourselves with our music. Meridian has created an amplifier that demonstrates their finest ideals for an audio product. The real trick was to add clean, unadulterated muscle that can turn the 857 into an astonishingly powerful mono-block. If this is their statement, I heard it loud and clear!
Jim Milton, Senior Editor
NHT C3 Bookshelf Speaker
The NHT C3 is a compact three-way bookshelf speaker with a dome midrange and acoustic suspension (sealed) enclosure. The C3 replaces NHT’s best-selling model Classic Three. NHT claims the C3 offers a modest sound quality improvement over the Classic Three, along with improved serviceability and sturdiness. NHT’s C3 Bookshelf Speakers really impressed me. They look great, sound great, and measure superbly. And in true NHT tradition, they accomplish all that at a very reasonable price.
Jay Haider, Writer
Bryston BDA-3 DAC
The Bryston BDA-3 is an exceptionally transparent piece of audio gear. It builds on the already impressive performance of the previous generation BDA-2 and bests its measured performance in most respects. It also improves on its predecessor’s feature set by having four HDMI inputs that allow DSD bitstreaming and two asynchronous USB inputs. This puts the BDA-3 in rarified company already.
Carlo Lo Raso, Senior Editor
VIZIO P65-F1 65” Ultra HD Television
VIZIO ups the HDR ante by adding 1000 nits brightness and greater coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut to its already-excellent P-series 65” Ultra HD television with the VIZIO P65-F1. Outside a premium OLED panel, the VIZIO P65-F1 offers some of the best picture quality currently available. Throw in a high value quotient, and this TV is a homerun.
Chris Eberle, Co-Editor
ELAC EA101EQ-G
ELAC’s EA-Series EA101EQ-G is a fantastic nerve center for any 2.0 or 2.1 channel system, thanks to ABC, plenty of power, and current drive to stay relevant through speaker upgrades, an excellent control app, and enough inputs for a fairly complex A/V system. The EA101EQ-G looks elegant but not too flashy, allowing it to fit into any number of home or office systems.
Jay Haider, Writer
E.A.T. E-Glo S Tube Phono Preamplifier
The EAT E-Glo S elevates the status of the phono preamplifier both visually and in performance. To most, $3,000 for a phono preamplifier may just be too much, given so many products for so much less, even counting the phono stage included in a good quality integrated amplifier or preamplifier. This I will tell you with a straight face, there is a difference sonically that once you hear how greatly the hybrid E-Glo S sounds and elevates your system, you may not think twice about the upgrade and cost.
Piero Gabucci, Co-Editor
McIntosh MC205 Five-Channel Power Amplifier
With classic McIntosh quality and sound, the MC205 five-channel amplifier brings the company to the modern-day, multi-channel world. The MC205 has the muscle to keep sounding good, regardless of power demands on any and all of its channels. There are plenty of inexpensive multi-channel power amplifiers available on the market, but few have the quality, reliability, power capacity, and reputation of the McIntosh MC205.
Glenn Young, Writer
ELAC Debut 2.0 Home Theater Speaker System
If your audiophile aspirations are being hampered by the realities of a tight budget, the ELAC Debut 2.0 speakers may be just the ticket to get you out of your lackluster sonic situation. These simply styled but thoroughly well-designed speakers, courtesy of Andrew Jones, provide you with several options for configuring everything from a simple desktop two-channel system to a full-blown ATMOS surround sound system. Whatever configuration you choose, you will be treated to first-class sound quality with an exceptional mid-range clarity and appealing treble performance at a price that is more than approachable. You no longer have any excuses to settle for less than stellar sound quality.
Carlo Lo Raso, Senior Editor
Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series 2 Speaker System
In surround applications, the 5.1-configured 700 Series 2 speakers demonstrated excellent timbre match for seamless speaker-to-speaker sound transition, creating a uniform sense of sound envelopment. B&W has created a winner in the 700 Series 2 Speaker System.
Yongki Go, Writer
dARTS 535 Surround System
The dARTS surround sound system comes complete with speakers, powered subs, and a very powerful 16-channel Class D power amp with built-in DSP that applies room correction via Audyssey MultEQ Pro. It was in fact the most well-rounded surround system I have ever reviewed. If I were getting ready to build a dedicated screening room for movies and music, then a dARTS system would be at the very top of my shortlist.
Jim Clements, Co-Editor
Royole Moon 3D Mobile Theater
The Royole Moon meets its advertised claims, with an excellent picture and sound to match. You’ll feel like you are looking at a large screen, and to top it off, the Royole Moon offers high quality noise reduction headsets to provide you your own head-mounted viewing room for travel or just privacy at home.
Mel Martin, Writer
AURALiC ARIES G2 Wireless Streaming Transporter
The ARIES G2 is a statement wireless streaming transporter from AURALiC that is among the best in its class in terms of features and sonic performance. Instead of just applying evolutionary upgrade, AURALiC seems to significantly revamp the product with cutting-edge transfer protocols, faster processing, enhanced isolation engineering, and a new chassis.
Yongki Go, Writer
Every year our SECRETS Movie Review Team reviews almost 100 movies and 2018 was no exception. We review movies released in Blu-ray format (not DVD) and in 2018 we added even more 4K UHD movies. More and more releases, old films as well as recent movies are becoming available with a 4K UHD version.
And in 2018 we have a tie for the Best UHD 4K movie….read on to see what two movies we are choosing.
Our Movie Review Team also decided to name the Best UHD Home Theater demo film of 2018 for its spectacular imaging:
Planet Earth II (UHD 4K)
Blade Runner 2049 (UHD 4K)
Darkest Hour (Blu-ray)
Lego Ninjago (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth II (UHD 4K)
Dunkirk (UHD 4K)
Ready Player One (Blu-ray)
Jason Crawford is the SECRETS vinyl reviewer and in 2018 continued his pace of “north of fifty” vinyl album reviews, annually. You won’t find any vinyl reviewer more knowledgeable and entertaining than Jason.
For 2018 Jason is honoring two albums as Best Reissue with the top choice going to Aretha Franklin: Aretha’s Gold, which he reviewed in late 2017.
Read on for the Best Vinyl selections…
Willie Watson: Folksinger Vol 2
Jason Crawford
Aretha Franklin: Aretha’s Gold
Jason Crawford
Prestige Allstars’ Tenor Conclave
Jason Crawford