HiFi Huff Reviews the Crescendo CHORUS: "The Biggest No-Brainer in the World of Hi-Fi"
- Laiv
- May 28
- 2 min read
A big thank you to Steve Huff of HiFi Huff for putting the Crescendo CHORUS through a thorough real-world test. With 166,000 subscribers and a reputation built on honest, no-nonsense audio and photography reviews, Steve brings a perspective that resonates with a broad audience of music lovers and gear enthusiasts. When he gets excited about a product, his community listens.
What makes this review stand out is how Steve tested the CHORUS. He ran a single unit in stereo mode first, then switched to a pair running as monoblocks, pairing them with the Crescendo Verse DAC as the front end. That under-$3,000 combination is exactly the kind of system we designed these products for, and Steve spent four hours in one sitting just listening and streaming from Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify. That kind of extended session says a lot about how engaging the CHORUS sounds.
His verdict? The CHORUS delivers transparency, speed, and resolution without the cold or sterile character that some amplifiers bring. Steve describes a touch of warmth in the midrange, a musical body that makes long listening sessions enjoyable, and a background so quiet he calls it "eerily silent." He ran the pair as monoblocks with his main speakers and found they powered them without a problem, delivering what he describes as 90 to 94 percent of what amplifiers costing many times more can achieve. That is a remarkable statement from someone who regularly tests gear at the highest level.
In the interest of honesty: Steve notes that a single CHORUS in stereo mode does not sound as majestic or expansive as the mono configuration. He also found that when compared directly to amplifiers costing nearly ten times the price, the soundstage shrinks and the last bit of immersion is not quite there. We appreciate that transparency. The CHORUS was designed to deliver serious performance at a price point that makes high-end audio accessible, and Steve's observations confirm exactly where it sits in the landscape.
Steve was so impressed that the CHORUS became the first product to receive an award under his new HiFi Huff award system, earning the Silver Award for superb value and performance. Coming from a reviewer who handles gear at every price point, that recognition means a great deal to us.
Watch the full review at https://youtu.be/3wc0a4z07lA. Steve's enthusiasm is contagious, and the review is well worth your time.
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Credit: Steve Huff
Creator @ stevehuffphoto.com and HiFi Huff YouTube channel