Reference CD Player ($29,500 US), the CPA 3000 Preamp ($12,300) and the SPM 1050 Power Amp ($9,300).
The RED Reference is Chord's assault on the state of the art in digital reproduction. It's built on the success of the Blu drive and the DAC64, offering 176.4 kHz upsampling, selectable RAM buffer clock retiming and both 1024 and 4096 tap length filtering. A Philips CD Pro 2 mechanism sits at 45 degrees to allow front access even when placed in a stack, and you don't need a separate puck for this top loading mechanism - it's built into the lid. It requires a special knack to remove the CD from the unit, one I mastered in 10 seconds! The unit provides 64-bit 7th order noise shaping, 2048 times oversampling rates and improved pulse-width modulated elements. The RED's signal processing is implemented in Field Programmable Gate Arrays that can be changed by simply changing the EPROM memory chip, thus providing future
upgrades. A window set into the top surface of the player allows you to see the neatly laid out components (035.jpg). Chord claim a dynamic range of 120dB and a signal to noise ratio of over 110dB with a channel separation to match. Maximum output is on the high side at 3V rms unbalanced doubling to 6V balanced.
The CPA 3000 Preamp derives from the range topping CPA 5000 reference preamp and features Chord's latest Ultra High Frequency power supplies, a short signal path and an ultra low noise circuit. The rich feature set includes four sets of XLR inputs,
two sets of RCAs, a tape loop and fully balanced AV Bypass circuitry, giving a flexible system capable of high end stereo and capable of conversion for use in a multichannel AV system at the touch of a button. The SPM 1050 stereo power amp uses dual die MOSFETs and a 2KW high frequency switch mode power supply to produce 200 watts per channel into 8
ohms. You have to see the build and design details of these components in the flesh to fully appreciate them. Oh, and they sound great through the newly introduced Neat Momentum 4i speakers ($5,995) - did I mention that?
Linn is introducing the Majik LP12, the least expensive way to buy into the LP12 system and fully upgradeable to top of the line status when the money is available. You get the turntable, a Project Carbon Fibre arm and the Linn Adikt MM cartridge for $3750
Cdn.
So there's plenty of life left in two-channel audio, lots of innovation in both analog and digital components and most especially in speakers. I would encourage all of you to consider a trip up to Montreal for FSI 2009. Montreal's a great city - the food and the people are wonderful and if you bid carefully on Priceline, you may get the Hyatt Regency for $65 a night. Here's a few pictures to entice you to join me there.
Click here for FSI Expo 2008
show report homepage.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
