High-End Audio Industry News
02 / 26 / 10
Transmission
Audio, a Sweden-based company that designs and manufactures their ribbon systems in-house, now makes available their
"Clip-On" ribbon tweeter unit due to popular demand according to the
company. This unit can be coaxially mounted into most 5, 6.5 and 8 inch wideband drivers on the market to
enhance the uppermost frequencies. The unit comes with its own impedance matching transformers and crossover while a universal X-Mount mesh will soon follow in order to
facilitate easy installation. The powerful neodymium magnets are arranged in such a way that they do not overly obstruct the widerange driver of the users choice. Overall length is 75 mm and total width 19 mm. The Clip-on ribbons will be delivered in matched pairs.
KR Audio Electronics'
is now selling their new Kronzilla DXL dual monoblock amplifier (pictured) and
new Kronzilla SDi 35 stereo integrated amplifier. The new Kronzilla DXL dual monoblock
amplifier uses a pair of TI610 in push-pull configuration to produce 140 watts. Output impedance is 4 or 8 Ohms with a frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (-3dB) using zero feedback. Each monoblock weighs in at a hefty 81 lbs! The new Kronzilla SDi 35 stereo integrated amplifier uses a pair of TI610 tubes in triode to produce 35 wpc. Output impedance is 4 or 8 Ohms while frequency response is from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (-3dB) using zero feedback. There are four stereo inputs via RCA with an input sensitivity of 0.75VRMS.
Bring a friend as the unit weighs in at 110 lbs.
Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the KR Audio 300B Balloon Triode Tube (click
here),
KR Audio VA340 integrated amplifier (click
here) and the KR Audio Kronzilla DX monoblock amplifier (click
here).
02 / 25 / 10
Vitus
Audio MP-P201 phonostage ($60,000) is part of the company's Master Piece Series and offers a variety of adjustments. Inputs and outputs are stereo RCA unbalanced and XLR for
balanced. The entire unit is fully balanced from input to output and non-balanced signals on input are converted to true balanced within the first stage in the amplification. All active
gain stages are modular and shielded for lowest possible noise floor while RIAA correction is 100% discrete and based on shunt filter topology (no capacitors in the signal path). There is a subsonic filter capacitor using Danish Duelund Coherent Capacitors (copper is standard though silver available on request). A total of seven additional steps of voltage regulation bring the grand total of voltage regulations of 13 per rail per channel. Load resistance can be adjusted via the RC-010 remote control and gain may be set based on output voltage that is also controlled from the RC-010 remote
control.
The S
W Speakers, a company that avoids the traditional box shape and chooses to employ smooth surfaces without corners or sharp edges, now offers their Magic Flute
(€60,000) as the result after many years of acoustic study and engineering calculations carefully studying one unique loudspeaker design. S W Speaker's goal is to produce the most accurate and high fidelity loudspeaker using state-of-the-art components and
manufacturing. The Magic Flute is optimized to produce extremely accurate fluctuations in air pressure and thus the result of their unique enclosures, one for each driver. Using carbon-fiber enclosures highlighted with aluminum trim, each enclosure houses a
specially customized driver from Seas. Crossover components are from Jantzen Audio, internal wiring is by Jorma Design and the loudspeaker binding posts are from WBT. This four-way bass reflex design includes a Seas Excel T25CF002
Millennium 25mm soft dome tweeter, a pair of Seas Excel W15CY001-E0015 146mm mid/woofers, and Seas Excel W22EX001-E0022 220mm woofer. Sensitivity is 89dB/W/m and crossover frequencies are at 440, 1500 and 4300 Hz. Due to using carbon fiber, each unit weighs in at a mere 44 lbs. The S W S Magic
Flute is available in clear
carbon fiber natural finish or any RAL color.
02 / 24 / 10
Audioengine
W2 ($119) has lowered the price of their premium wireless adapter for Apple's
iPod. User can easily send music wirelessly from their iPod to to any music system with CD quality stereo sound yet no reduction in audio quality via a 2.4MHz system. The sending unit plugs
directly into the bottom of the iPod and transmits the data digitally to the receiver. No batteries are needed as the sender is powered by the iPod's battery and the receiver may be powered by a USB port and includes a USB to AC adapter. Users can add extra receivers to other audio systems around the house and "hop" between each. The AW2 Receiver is unobtrusive and easily fits on the back of virtually any stereo system.
Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the audioengine A5 powered monitors (click
here), the smaller A2 powered minimonitor (click
here) and their W1 wireless audio adapter system (click
here).
MIT Cables, with over 25 years of design expertise by Bruce Brisson who licensed to Monster Cable certain technologies including Bandwidth Balanced, Phase Correct and Time Coherent windings, continues to innovate and deliver with the company's new MIT Oracle MA-X loudspeaker cable ($34,999).
MIT Cables' Oracle MA-X features Adjustable Articulation Response Module (A.A.R.M), this providing users control of articulation between the amplification and loudspeaker. It is engineered to optimally transport the harmonic structure of a musical piece between the source and the load throughout the entire audio bandwidth. According to MIT Cables, until MA Technology, speaker cables couldn't maintain complex and consonant tones between their input and output because simple cable, or poorly designed 'black box' networked cables, scramble the harmonics. These types of cables dynamically discriminate against the magnitudes of the harmonics while simultaneously changing the intervals/pitch between notes of the music. The harmonics then are no longer equidistant between themselves (think of the 100 cent interval between the two piano keys) or to the fundamental/tonic of the music. When this occurs within a cable, consonant intervals that were pleasing to listen to, become dissonant, or unpleasant to listen to. MA Technology, released in 2007, was the first cable that was engineered around the criteria of maintaining harmonic integrity when transporting music between the input and output of a system's components. The new Oracle MA-X speaker cable with
A.A.R.M. now takes this another step further. The MA-X not only contains 105 poles of articulation, but also gives the audiophile a means of "fine tuning" articulation, thereby helping to maintain equidistance between the music's harmonics, preserving pitch, and insuring the consonance of the
music. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the MIT Oracle loudspeaker cable
(click here),
MIT Oracle V3.2ic interconnects (click
here) and MIT Cable's Oracle AC1 power cable (click
here).
02 / 23 / 10
Enjoy the Music.com
has a world premiere of Hi-Fi World's
Volume 20 Number 2 (April 2010) including the compete editorial and table of
contents. This issue includes reviews of the dCS Paganini, Roksan K2 CD
player, Chapman T8 speakers, Monitor Audio PL200 plus Paul Rigby rounds up
eight sub-£2000 power amplifiers to audition and test.... and much more. The
editorial by David Price says, "Another major moment of course was the
launch of Compact Disc. As per time honoured tradition, Japan and the United
States got it before the UK, but by autumn the format was here in earnest.
It's funny to say so now, but for most people it was a case of 'shock and
awe'. We marvelled at its futuristic looks, laser light beams, flashing LEDs
and digital displays. By contrast, LP was just so old hat. I
too was seduced, and became an early adopter with a first generation Yamaha
CD-X1 machine. My friends were jealous, but the more I listened, the less I
liked it. I soon decided it wasn't like listening to real music and sold it,
and couldn't bring myself to buy another silver disc spinner for another
decade..." To see the entire table of contents and read the complete
editorial click here.
Lamm
Industries' new LL1 Signature preamplifier ($42,000 per pair) is a direct replacement for the LL2 preamplifier.
It features upgrades and modifications as compared to the LL2 that includes the addition of a built-in remote on/off for LAMM amplifiers and the introduction of the attenuation for gain reduction by 15 dB. There are also various new parts and new knobs combined with slight changes in schematic diagram. It employs a pure Class A operation from input to output; all stages are single-ended. The preamplifier's audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier. This rectifier, together with a choke-containing filter, allows to practically get rid of the hum and buzz and, in the end, to ensure the verity of dynamic range without coloration. Other features include three inputs, one tape loop, two sets of outputs, front panel muting switch, attenuator for gain reduction by 15 dB, built-in remote on/off for
Lamm power amplifiers and protection circuitry coupled with automatic mute at turn on/off. The new Lamm Industries monaural line level preamplifier model LL1 Signature is the
ultimate statement from the company. The LL1 Signature has been designed to complement the ML3 Signature amplifier, and this combination in a system
is claim to represents a "match made in heaven". In principle, this unit is a single-stage
that basically represents the shortest possible signal path. The preamplifier contains four very linear low impedance triodes paralleled into a single inverting gain stage. The LL1 Signature employs a pure single-ended Class A operation with no overall feedback applied. Also featured are specially selected high-transconductance dual triodes 6N30P-DR in the signal path and TKD stepped potentiometers for volume
control. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Lamm Industries LP2 phono preamplifier
(click here)
and Model L2 Reference line-level preamplifier (click
here).
02 / 22 / 10
Naim Audio, founded in 1972 in England with a passionate and committed interest in music that has driven them to design and manufacture a wide range of audio equipment available, has announced their release of the newest software update
(free) for their line of music servers. The new software will introduce a host of new capabilities for the servers, as well as ensure long-term stability and reliability. Specifically, the update will enable users to use Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives as a location for their ripped music. Assigns and prioritizes the storage locations on the network where the customer wishes their HDX / NS0x to store music, be it the HDX / NS0x's internal storage or a NAS drive. Then, when they rip a disc it will be automatically stored in bit-perfect quality in the location of their choice. HDX / NS0x will also know when the chosen location is full and default, in order of priority, to the next location with available storage. The update also includes the ability to control their HDX / NS0x via an iPhone or iPod Touch. Naim has written an application that offers full control of their HDX & NS01 and control of zone 1 for NS02 & NS03 models. The application, called HDX Remote (and only contains references to HDX but is relevant for NS0x models also), will only work with HDX / NS0x models that are running the Version 1.5 update. HDX Remote will be available to purchase at the Apple Store on February
26. For those with NaimNet or NetStreams' DigiLinX systems, v1.5 now includes a transcoding function in the Server. Therefore, although NaimNet room amps only support WAV and MP3 (room transport is by 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV only), music in most other formats including Apple Lossless and .aiff, is converted in real time and appears on all NaimNet menus and plays in all rooms. There is also enhanced iTunes support -- an application note included with v1.5 software shows how easy it is to import playlists into NaimNet from
iTunes.
Qsonix
has begun shipping their version 2.6 software update ($600) that is available to all existing users and product
models. This upgrade includes numerous feature enhancements and user interface improvements throughout the system, including Track/Song Composer browsing and search, GUI and cosmetic enhancements including new buttons, menus and fonts, new album views, including composer and track encoding details, web interface improvements and more. Version 2.6 adds support for the optional "Performance Audio Pack" upgrade that delivers third-party external USB DAC (Digital to Analog Converters) capabilities, .WAV Uncompressed CD ripping and import and playback of high-resolution 24-bit audio. These enhancements open the gate for discerning audio listeners to take advantage of the increasing number of mid and high performance USB DAC's appearing in the market as well as the benefit to enjoy the ultimate music experience with high-resolution audio from online music sources such as AixRecords.com, Itrax.com,
HDtracks.com, Linnrecords.com and others.
Music Industry
News 10 Years Ago
As
many of you remember, the RIAA sued MP3.com for making available copyrighted
music available to the public. MP3.com only allows such music to be available
to known owners of the original software (hence, those who have paid for fair
use of the music). A new countersuit by MP3.com filed in San Diego Superior
Court late Monday singles out RIAA President and Chief Executive Officer
Hilary Rosen. "Since inception, MP3.com (MPPP) has faced the increasingly
aggressive tactics of the RIAA and its leadership," said Michael
Robertson, chairman and chief executive officer of MP3.com. "We have
recently learned that Hilary Rosen was speaking to equity analysts about the
RIAA's New York lawsuit three days before it was filed. While she was doing
this, her lawyers were at MP3.com learning about our My.MP3.com technology.
The next day I met with her in Washington to engage in an open discussion
about business models for bridging our respective interests. Little did I know
that she was more concerned about talking to equity analysts about our stock
price." RIAA spokespeople could not be reached for comment.
02 / 19 / 10
HDtracks, an online music store by Grammy nominated David Chesky that provides true high-resolution music via digital download, is now featuring
Interpol. A name generally associated with international espionage, covert operations, and distant ports of call. Yet since Interpol, the band, swept up listeners with their 2002 Matador debut
Turn On The Bright Lights, the moniker has gained new associations as well. It still carries global recognition. For the past few years, one could hardly open a magazine, turn on a radio or television, or step into a nightclub, without hearing Interpol's dark, gripping songs or seeing their countenances. Despite this high level of media exposure, the quartet never lost the tension and complexity that won them acclaim
worldwide.
Australian telco, AAPT, has joined with record label EMI Music to launch a unique music service, the first of its kind in
Australia. The service features unlimited broadband and home phone line rental bundled with a music
subscription ($100 per month). This gives customers access to a massive catalogue of music with unlimited streaming to a wide spectrum of music lovers. Customers can subscribe to the music service as part of a new AAPT 24/7 unlimited super fast broadband package or as an addition to a variety of AAPT's existing value-for-money broadband plans. EMI Australia's new digital platform, The In Song,
is included as is $50 worth of music downloads every month. Customers will have access to
over one million songs from multiple labels including artists such as Robbie Williams, Lily Allen, Jet, Norah Jones, Keith Urban, Madonna, Gabriella Cilmi, Eskimo Joe, Evermore, Green Day, Britney Spears, Kings Of Leon, Jessica Mauboy, Foo Fighters and thousands more. Subscribers can stream music 24/7 with no caps and no throttling
plus and create their own playlists with their favorite songs. Existing AAPT broadband customers are able to add the Music package (unlimited music streaming and $50 monthly music downloads) to their existing plan for just $17.99.
02 / 18 / 10
Germany's High End Society 2010 Show will take place from May 6 through 9 at the MOC in
Munich. As Europe's largest and most important consumer electronics high-end audio and video event, the world's leading suppliers of high-quality entertainment electronics will again be putting their crown jewels on display. Started in 1982, after two decades located in Frankfurt/Main, this is the oldest and largest trade fair for high-quality electronics products that has been held in the Munich Operation Center
(MOC). The modern architecture
and infrastructure of the MOC event venue in the North of Munich provides a pleasant atmosphere, short routes between sites and optimum presentation options for highly exclusive products. The first day of the show is for trade only, then the remainder is open to the public and open from 10am to 6pm. Cost is
€20 with pre-registration (the badge is valid for all days) and single day passes are
€10 for one person or €20 family ticket (for 2 adults and up to 3 children).
Enjoy the Music.com have reported on the past ten consecutive years f
this event, which can be seen by clicking here.
Harbeth
and their USA importer Fidelis AV
now offers the new P3ESR loudspeaker ($2195 in cherry and $2395 in rosewood or maple).
The all-new RADIAL2 coned Harbeth P3ESR is the company's ultimate mini monitor and the latest in a lineage that stretches back twenty years to the original Harbeth P3... and even further to the BBC's pioneering LS3/5A. A generation of home users and studio professionals has relied on these Harbeth minis to fill even the smallest room with a full, warm, natural sound. The P3ESR is the culmination of the designer's four-years research into upgrading the Harbeth mini. From the new removable back panel for improved cabinet damping to the radically new bass unit yielding a wide smooth frequency response, every detail of these astonishing loudspeakers has been thoroughly honed and
optimized. The objective has always been to create the genuine Harbeth sound in miniature: the P3ESR (R for RADIAL) is that much closer to reality. The P3ESR's performance flows from the integration of the cabinet, drivers and crossover. Harbeth's world exclusive RADIAL2 cone technology has been lifted from the larger Harbeths and is now at the heart of this new-generation P3ESR. Designed and made by Harbeth UK, the new RADIAL2 equipped 5-inch bass/midrange driver (a first for Harbeth) offers the hallmark clarity and naturalness of the larger
Harbeths. A new variant of the P3 family's well proven 19mm tweeter compliments the wholly new woofer and its open-weave protection keeps little fingers away but lets the fine musical details flow through. Designed for 'free-field' use, the optimal bass-mid-top balance is achieved when the speakers are away from walls and on suitable stands at about tweeter-ear
height. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Harbeth P-3ES2 (click
here), Monitor 30 loudspeakers (click
here) and Monitor 40 (click
here).
02 / 17 / 10
Audiophiles are getting closer to that Star Trek ideal of simply speaking to your stereo and it will play your music as
Avoca Semiconductor VIP
offers a family of voice interface platform solutions that support voice-enabled user interfaces in electronic
products. The Avoca VIP Music Edition ($3990) is a music control system that turns your music collection into a Digital Music Library and provides Voice-enabled control of the Library. A wireless controller with large screen called the Avoca MC provides a portable browsing list of your music library, by genre, artist, album, or track. By touch or by voice, it allows you to get the most out of your music investment. With Say it-Play it Software you can choose "Play artist", "Display by album", "Play Genre_____", "Queue _____", and many other simple and intuitive voice commands. You, your friends and your family can use the system because it is based on the latest phonetic recognition algorithms that have been tested and proven in other applications such as in-vehicle navigation and telephone name
dialing. The main unit supports 24-bits/192kHz and 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz with outputs being S/PDIF RCA or
stereo RCA jacks. A built-in CD player will rip music
lossless to retain audio quality of your CD collection. Internet Connection is via RJ45 Ethernet socket or
WiFi.
Going from out of this Star Trek world to into your home,
Pet Acoustics is offering the world's first sound system specifically designed for your animal
companion. They say that Pet Speaker will transform your personal music library into pet-friendly tunes that soothe and relax dogs, cats, horses, etc. Innovative Pet Acoustics iPhone Application plays music specifically composed to reduce a pet's stress, anxiety, and aggression caused by their reaction to sounds Founders of Pet Acoustics Janet Marlow and Sam Laufer (Laufer Teknik) have designed a 'revolutionary' speaker system said to be designed for your pets' delicate hearing. With their acute sense, our pets can hear frequencies that are both much higher and much lower than what the human ear is capable of hearing. Sounds outside of an animals normal comfort range can startle or cause discomfort to our pets. Designed to eliminate these unsettling frequencies, My Pet Speaker features an Omni directional speaker with a 4" drive unit and cone reflector which disburses the music in 360 degrees recreating how animals hear in nature. Pet Acoustics says that by producing limited frequencies and featuring a soft bass design for listening comfort, your pets will not be startled or disturbed by jarring volumes and piercing sounds that put them on alert. My Pet Speaker keeps these alarming frequencies within the comfort range of your pet's hearing. This allows you to use your entire music library to fill you and your pets' environment with a sense of calm and relaxation. This unit works with any music device, including mp3 player, CD player, iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPod that include a 3.5mm output jack. Frequency response of this system is from 200 Hz to 12
kHz and the unit includes its own amplification.
02 / 16 / 10
Enjoy
the Music.com has just posted a
World Premiere of the March 2010 edition of The
Absolute Sound (Issue 201)! This edition of The Absolute
Sound features many equipment and music reviews including their
Editors' Choice Awards. Equipment reviews in this issue include the Teac Reference PD-H600 CD player and AG-H600NT stereo internet receiver, Soundsmith Strain-Gauge phono cartridge/preamplifier, the Volent Paragon VL-2 and Verity Audio Finn loudspeakers and much more.
Within Andy Quint's editorial titled The Last Listening Room
he says, "Years before, my first dedicated audio space -- the first “listening room” that wasn’t also a bedroom or a living room -- was in the basement of a rented house. The furnace was in a corner and had to be silenced before each listening session. A No-Mahler-Between-Halloween-and-St. Patrick’s-Day rule was adopted specially for me. The drop in ambient temperature throughout the rest of the house during, say, the 80 minutes of the Resurrection Symphony was deemed unacceptable by others, specifically my wife. Not good for our two-year-old, she felt for some
reason." You can see the
complete table of contents and editorial of TAS by clicking
here.
Pass Labs, a longstanding audio innovator renowned for its unique high-performance
products has introduced their new SR-2 fullrange floorstanding loudspeaker ($18,000 in Cherry, and $21,000 in Madrone or
Ash). As the company's third loudspeaker, the new SR-2 is a compact 3-way version of the SR-1 and has been optimized to make the best use of smaller, more acoustically demanding environments that may not support large floorstanding speakers. Like the SR-1, the SR-2 uses highly efficient Nextel series drivers from Seas of Norway, with each speaker system containing one 7-inch midrange driver, one 10.25-inch long excursion woofer, and a 1.1-inch HEXADYM magnet tweeter. All the drivers feature very long excursion diaphragms, low mass, underhung voice coils and substantial copper faraday rings in the motor assembly, characteristics that assure very low, non-linear distortion, high dynamics, excellent transient response, and predictable performance. In addition, each speaker element and crossover is hand wired, inspected and tested in Pass Labs' Foresthill, California factory, guaranteeing it receives the company's meticulous personal attention to quality control. Like its predecessors, the SR-2 leverages the ability of dedicated, active electronics to enhance and complement the performance of its passive components, making it compatible with a wide range of power amplifiers. It offers considerable flexibility in selecting complementary amplifiers and crossovers, from totally
passive to active
quad-amplification. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed various Pass
Laboratories' products including their new
XP-15 phono preamplifier, XA30.5
stereo power amplifier, Aleph
X2.5 preamplifier, X250
amplifier and Aleph
30 plus the Volksamp
Aleph 30 amplifier and First
Watt Model F1 amplifier.
02 / 15 / 10
Enjoy the
Music.com's February midmonth update of our Review
Magazine is now online and includes three new articles.
Daily News: Audiophile news updated each
weekday!
The BAS Speaker
iPod Touch Audio Performance
Article By Alvin Foster And Stephen H. Owades
Sound Practices Magazine
Fellow Travelers
Editorial By Joe Roberts
Dinkin' Around
Tech tips and other unsolicited advice.
Article By Dan Schmalle
See the February 2010 midmonth Review
Magazine by clicking here.
British Audio-Visual Dealers Association
(BADA), formed in 1982 as the UK's only Hi-Fi and Home Cinema retailers' trade association with over 80 high-end shops represented and 20 associate members that includes manufacturers, distributors and members of the press, now offers three new training courses to aid the
industry. The first of these is the Visioncraft course, the follow up to the successful Demcraft course. Visioncraft has been designed by ex-Yamaha employee Terry Murphy as a hands on practical grounding in the art of system planning, wiring, set-up and demonstration of home cinema systems. As computer network connectivity is becoming ever more common on home entertainment systems with Blu-Ray players, Freesat boxes, AV receivers etc., BADA has decided to launch a networking course, Netcraft, written and presented by Geoff Meads. Retailers and installers of equipment designed to connect to the customer's existing network need to be clued up in how these work and how to integrate products with them. Netcraft covers the anatomy of a home network, understanding TCP/IP, configuration settings, integration of home entertainment devices. Lastly, the new Marketing for Retailers course written by MBA marketor Ian Williams explores "what is marketing?". It aims to dispell the myths that it is just advertising and showing what the marketing process is, why it is important, what the Customer Lifetime Value is, and the implementation of strategic and tactical marketing. The course includes real world tips that attendees can go away with and implement in their businesses. Its overriding aim is to demonstrate how the use of marketing techniques can improve the profitability of the business.
02 / 12 / 10
Audiophiles can now get the only truly high-resolution drum and percussion album to test the abilities of their high-end audio system. Steven R. Rochlin, a classically trained musician since 1974 and editor of
Enjoy the Music.com, has released his first album titled
THTST. After nearly two decades of being away from the recording studio, Steven
unleashed his musical expressiveness and captured his new solo album using only a pair of ultra-precise, hand matched laboratory-grade microphones. On
THTST
there are no overdubs, 'destructive' devices or techniques so as to deliver the true purity and absolute sound of a real drumset within your listening room. As one would expect,
this recording provides a dynamic range from the soft sounds of studio wind chimes to
woofer and amplifier testing deep bass of a large gong bass drum. THTST
includes a wide variety of percussion and drum styles using an extensive assembly of musical
instruments. "After many years of hiatus
from the recording studio, this is my first venture back into laying down
tracks" said musician Steven R. Rochlin. "Am sure drum and percussion enthusiasts will listen to this album and be amazed at the
wide variety of music styles from exotic to the all-out no-holds-barred drum
solo. Due to the stunning dynamics plus harmonic accuracy of this recording,
every audiophile should get this album to test their system. Due to the expansive dynamics, ultra-wide frequency range and
having been recorded in high-resolution, this truly is the most comprehensive test recording of this genre in
decades.
Audiophiles should get THTST
to hear if their system is capable of reproducing one of the most challenging
instruments to reproduce accurately. Of course what matters is that listeners enjoy the music." The album is available for download in high definition 24-bit/96kHz FLAC, 16/44.1
AIFF and 320kbs MP3 format from
HDtracks.
EgglestonWorks, a Memphis company in the birthplace of Blues and Rock 'n Roll with innovation passed down through two generations that focuses on understanding how sound created by live musical instrumentation,
unveiled a bold new version of the highly acclaimed Savoy loudspeaker dubbed the Savoy Signature ($52,000). "We see the new Savoy Signature as borrowing more from the Ivy than the
Standard Savoy in terms of the crossover design and overall voicing", says EW president Jim Thompson. "We've employed several of our trademark crossover designs in this model and feel it is now closer to the Ivy in performance than ever before." Visually, the Savoy Signature looks much like the new Andra III
that previously debuted. The Savoy Signature will feature aluminum side plates, aluminum baffle plates, new carbon fiber midrange drivers and the highest quality automotive-grade paint. The aesthetic statement the speaker makes is understated elegance, while also something that will demand a second look. Frequency response is 18 Hz to 24 kHz (-3db) with a sensitivity of 87dB/W/m at 8 Ohms (5.4 Ohms minimum). The driver compliment includes a 1-inch cloth dome tweeter, a pair of 6-inch polypropylene double magnet midrange drivers, a pair of 6-inch Carbon Fiber double magnet midbass drivers in an isobaric configuration and four 12-inch compound-loaded drivers that are
individually housed. Dimensions are 15 x 24 x 59 (WxDxH in inches) and each one weighs in at
375lbs.
02 / 11 / 10
PMC,
founded in 1990 by Peter Thomas off the BBC and Adrian Loader as a UK based manufacturer of professional and audiophile speaker systems, just released their AML2 ultimate no compromise nearfield ATL (Advanced Transmission Line)
monitor. The AML2 supersedes the legendary AML1 and takes the AML monitoring concept to new levels of audio transparency with an array of significant technical improvements that further improve its already unassailable resolution. These include new micro engineered, improved power supply board, enhanced cabinet structure and new eye catching cosmetics. The upgrades amount to a drastic reduction in both electrical and mechanical noise reducing distortion to unparalleled levels. Extensive blind listening tests proved the new lower noise OAM1 boards that that feature within EQ circuit and replaced the original DOA's proved their worth with improvements to the soundstaging and separation in the mid and higher regions. The cabinet structure has been bolstered to include a thicker rear panel and the hefty power supply board is now supported with a series of large steel standoffs all of which reduces low level cabinet
coloration and improves the robustness of the AML2. PMC's AML2 includes a PMC 6.5-inch flat piston woofer that is constructed from a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb. This allows for large, controlled linear excursions capable of producing 33 Hz when teamed with a high compression version of PMC's ATL (Advanced Transmission Line). The PMC 34mm soft dome tweeter, complete with acoustic lens, produces the uppermost frequencies. The two drivers are integrated by hand built discrete, ultra low noise 24dB/Oct active crossovers and powered by audiophile quality Class A/B analog amplifiers. Both designs derive from leading audio electronics designers Bryston. Useable frequency range is from 33 Hz to 25 kHz, built in amplifier power is 100 watts for the woofer and 80 watts for
the tweeter. Also available from PMC is their SB100 Sub, which is a passive subwoofer/bass unit best suited for use as a dedicated .1 channel within an AML2 surround monitoring system. It features a larger PMC 10-inch flat carbon
fiber & Nomex piston driver in a heavily braced ATL cabinet.
Electrocompaniet
has three new products that includes their MAESTRO all-in-one audio-video system with Blu-ray and lots of new features, the Prelude BR-1 Blu-ray player and the Nordic Tone Model One reference speaker. MAESTRO, with this product Electrocompaniet combines its 35 years of experience in making high-end audio systems with the newest video and streaming technology. In addition to a Blu-ray drive, the unit will offer Audio/Video streaming, Internet Radio and a FM tuner. Options like an iPod Docking Station and DAB/HD radio will also be available. To power this system there is an integrated amplifier delivering 120 watts into three channels, as an option a 2 x 75 watts rear amplifier that can be wirelessly connected to the MAESTRO using a (RF) radio frequency link. All of these features are packed in a compact unit with a modern design. The cabinet is made out of
aluminum and can be delivered in multiple colors. Electrocompaniet's Prelude BR-1 is the first Blu-ray player from Electrocompaniet. In addition to an excellent picture this player will also play music from Blu-ray disks and CD's the way you will expect it from an Electrocompaniet product. Audio/Video streaming is also available. The Nordic Tone speakers, that attracted a lot of attention during the Rocky Mountains Audio Fest 2009 in October, will have its official release at CES this year. Combining the best elements from SEAS and ScanSpeak in a cabinet entirely made of cast
aluminum, that makes this speaker one of the very best from Electrocompaniet.
02 / 10 / 10
Bryston's
newest products were recently featured with Magnepan
loudspeakers plus on display with THIEL
at CES 2010. Bryston showcased their BCD-1 CD player, BDA-1 DAC, BP26 preamplifier, three flagship 28B SST Squared Series amplifiers, a 4B SST Squared for surround speakers and
Torus Power isolation. The demo will also featured high-resolution digital files from Reference Recordings and Chesky. The concept behind this
exhibit was to promote a new loudspeaker from Magnepan while highlighting the electronics from Bryston and Torus Power. The Bryston DAC, CD player, and Squared Series amplifiers have all recently won prestigious awards and
the recent event allowed both dealers and media an opportunity to experience these products first
hand. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the original Bryston 7B ST (click
here), the new Bryston 7B SST2 C-Series monoblock
amplifiers (click
here), the Torus Power Isolation Units (click
here), Magnepan's MG 3.6 panel loudspeaker (click
here) THIEL SCS4 monitors with SS1 SmartSub subwoofer (click
here) and the very limited edition THIEL CS2.4SE floorstanders (click
here).
Spiral
Groove, with cofounder and principal designer Allen Perkins who has engineered high-performance turntables since the 1980s, offers the new Spiral Groove Centroid tonearm along with the company's Reference Turntable the SG
1.1. The patented counterweight system of the Centroid tonearm helps to provide a new level of accurate vinyl playback by virtually eliminating the moment of inertia and it's negative effects on the phono cartridge says the company. Structural rigidity and the efficient dissipation of unwanted mechanical energy are hallmarks of the Spiral Groove tonearms. Three criteria have determined our choice of tonearm materials: low mass, high strength, and the ability to transfer energy quickly away from the cartridge. Spiral Groove employs advanced computer modeling to simulate the forces exerted on the arm as the cartridge tracks the record. Understanding these forces dynamically has enabled them to compensate for the forces mechanically. They call their approach Balanced Force Design and with it they have greatly improved tracking and optimized cartridge performance. The tonearm also provide precision in the overhang, VTA, azimuth, zenith, anti-skate control and tracking force, which are all easily adjustable. A supplied proprietary mirror setup gauge is included with each tonearm.
02 / 09 / 10
Advance
Acoustic, created in 1995 and owned by Advance Paris with research and development into consumer electronics, has released their MPP 202 stereo preamplifier and matching MAA 402 stereo power
amplifier. The MPP 202 preamplifier is the first separate element of the new 'Black Line' and incorporates all the company's newest elements and ideas. There are five inputs via RCA plus a PC input via
3.5mm stereo headphone jack for iPod-like devices. An unusual feature called 'Boost EQ' that is specifically aimed at smaller acoustic speakers and their inherent weakness with bass. This function is said to improve the recovery of the low frequencies while reducing the distortion that is inherent to this part of the audio spectrum. A universal remote comes with the MPP 202, frequency
response is from 10 Hz to 70 kHz, distortion is less than 0.04% and SNR is 90dB. The MAA 402 stereo power amplifier uses of an oversized toroidal transformer along with the associated high current bipolar power transistors to deliver 70 watts of power per channel in Class AB mode. The first 15 watts of power are Class A to avoid any switching and ensure high-end audio sound quality. The larger front meters are well lit, though the illumination can be turned off for those who desire enjoying the music in the dark. Input is via RCA jacks and output is via five-way loudspeaker binding posts.
Frequency response is from 10 Hz to 50 kHz with less than 0.1% distortion.
Pangea Audio, a
company with designs by engineer Jay Victor who holds nearly 40 patents for cable geometry and connector design, has announced the introduction of a premium quality high current AC power cable called the AC-9
(0.6 meter cable is $40 and 3 meter cable is $100). The Pangea Audio AC-9 has been designed specifically to deliver the high current required by audiophile devices such as power amplifiers, powered subwoofers and high-current-demanding AC line conditioners. The AC-9's combination of superior materials, advanced geometry, and noise-fighting shields helps to deliver the best possible performance from connected components at a cost far below competitive products. Although the AC-9 uses large-diameter conductors, it has also been designed to offer greater flexibility than other heavy-duty power cables, presenting less strain on the device's chassis while also being easier to work with in confined spaces. The Pangea Audio AC-9 features 99.99% purity OFC copper conductors for maximum conductivity, 9-awg construction facilitates high-current power delivery and a 5-way multi-gauge geometry optimized for 50/60 Hz AC power. Internally, th cable is counter-spiraled and double shielded to provide superior noise rejection and are terminated with special two-shot molded connector bodies with contacts that are 24K gold-plated.
02 / 08 / 10
AXPONA
(Audio Expo North America) is an audiophile show open to the public and will be held from March 5th through the 7th in Jacksonville,
Florida. Held at the Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel in downtown Jacksonville, this venue overlooks the beautiful St. Johns River, which is a 310-mile waterway that offers numerous recreational activities. With partner
Stereophile magazine, this event is a new organization whose mission is to further the faithful reproduction of music. Its outreach, by education and demonstration, is dedicated to the proposition that living with music is different and better than living without music. AXPONA seeks to bring together listeners and consumers, dealers and manufacturers, marketers and
distributors. Headquartered at the Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel, organizers hope this new and exciting exhibition will demonstrate state-of-the-art audio equipment to many people from around the world. A series of seminars is also planned with subjects that will include traditional reproduction technology and techniques plus emerging digital recording and playback methods. Thos who
purchase their tickets in advance will automatically be registered in numerous drawings including equipment, software, and other promotions provided by AXPONA and the
exhibitors.
Teresonic,
with over 20 years by founder and engineer Mike Zivkovic working towards sonic
perfection in loudspeaker design, now offers their new Magus Silver XR ($5985
per pair, customized stands are $295 per pair). This compact loudspeaker said to combine unique acoustic design and
ultra-high efficiency with pure silver coils for lifelike sound quality and
environmentally friendly audio. Silver, while being more expensive than
copper, is a superior at conducting electricity and aid in bringing this new
design to achieve an ultrahigh 100dB/W/m sensitivity. The 5-inch Lowther DX65
full-range driver is operated without a crossover. Magus Silver XR is the
first commercially available speaker to use the new Lowther DX65 speaker
driver with magnetic flux of 22,000 Gauss (or 2.2 Tesla). Specification
include 100dB/W/m sensitivity, a frequency response from 50 Hz to 22 kHz (±3dB)
and power handling of 2 to 100 watts. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed
the Teresonic Ingenium full-range single driver speaker, which can be seen by clicking
here.
02 / 05 / 10
Luxman Corporation, founded in 1925 when radio broadcasting started in Japan and has long offered high quality audio products and is now distributed by
On A Higher Note within the USA, is now selling their L-507u integrated amplifier and D-38u CD player ($6990 and $3990 respectively). Luxman's midrange integrated amplifier model L-507u is equipped with their original high-quality sound feedback circuit
called Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ODNF) in its latest upgraded version 3.0 and delivers Class AB output of 110 wpc @ 8 Ohms (200 wpc @ 4 Ohms). Low impedance is achieved by error detection circuits and
results in a greatly reduced distortion rate and improved signal-to-noise ratio (107dB). Other benefits include a high initial slew rate and ample rated output to drive the speaker system. The unit offers a wide range of functions including a switch for one-touch separation of preamplifier and power sections plus a
frequency response from 20 Hz to 100 kHz. There are four line inputs, a
phonostage, two tape loops plus bass and treble control and outputs for two
pair of loudspeakers. A wireless remote control is included for ease of
operation.
Also
new from Luxman Corporation
is their D-38u CD player that combines modern technology with vacuum tube
amplification.
Wrapped within a classic wooden enclosure, the D-38u uses the Burr-Brown
24-bit/192kHz compatible PCM1754 D/A converter to upsample the signal and
provide low-noise. An ECC82 (12AU7) within the analog output stage amplified
the signal to line level to feed a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. The
D-38u is the company's first in a series of CD players bearing the Luxman
legacy golden number "38". The front panel has a full display plus
headphone jack with its own volume control while the rear panel has digital
output via S/PDIF on RCA or optical TosLink while analog output is via a pair
of standard gold-plated RCA jacks. A wireless remote control is included for
ease of operation.
02 / 04 / 10
Organic
Acoustics offers a variety of acoustic panels (£149
to . The company wanted to promote fair-trade and the use of environmentally friendly materials so they use hemp in the making of their acoustic panels. The canvas used for the cover is 100% organic hemp, made in Europe using traditional methods to avoid pesticides and chemicals. The insulation is made with 80% hemp and 20% recycled cotton and it's density is 35kg/m3, which gives good absorption in the area of 150Hz and up.
Each Organic Acoustics panels will dampen both reverb and pre-echoes.
According to the company these panels "make the room sound smoother and calmer, it will mitigate ear fatigue and unmask any audio - music or speech."
The natural, untreated canvas cover has been designed so it’s easily removed from the frame and gives users the option to make it more
personalized if they so wish. Each panel was designed and are handmade by textile artist Emelie
Fras.
Magnepan, an innovative manufacturer of world class
planar speakers since 1969, has announced their new MG 1.7 full-range quasi-ribbon design ($1995 per pair). The MG 1.7 is a departure from Magnepan's 40 year history of using planar magnetic drivers for the
bass or lower midrange. The use of quasi ribbon technology down into the lower midrange and bass will provide a new level of coherence. The MG 1.7 also boasts a quasi ribbon super tweeter with a wider "sweet spot" and one step closer to the delicacy and detail of Magnepan's true ribbon design. A new styling with wrap-around aluminum trim on the MG 1.7 is also a departure from Magnepan's more conservative cosmetic styling. The standard wood trims of the MG 1.6 are available upon special order. The total design concept for the MG 1.7 results in a speaker that measures exceptionally well on all the
standard criteria, but more important, sounds even better according to the company. Magnepan and their friends at Bryston
had another "Magnepan-Bryston Magic Show" at THE Show during CES 2010 in the Flamingo's Bryce Boardroom. Magnepan
demonstrated the new 1.7, CCR (along with the CC Speaker Stand), Magileplanar DW 1 Woofer, motorized MMC 2 on-wall system and the Mini Maggie with the new matching Mini Maggie
Woofer. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Magnepan MG 3.6 (click
here) and senior editor Dick Olsher recommended the popular model MG1.6
within his Y2K Audio System article (click
here).
02 / 03 / 10
Telarc International and
Heads Up International, divisions of
Concord Music
Group, have been honored with two Grammy Awards by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
(NARAS). The awards are for their excellence in performance and production and
engineering with a Best Contemporary Jazz Album by Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate
plus Best Surround Sound Album with Transmigration. Other important awards
the company has won include the French Grand Prix du Disque and Diapason d'Or; Japan's Record of the Year; Germany's Audiophile CD of the Year; and Gramophone Magazine's 2004 Label of the Year. Although it began as a classical-only label, Telarc now boasts a catalog of more than 1000
recordings ranging from classical and classical-crossover to jazz, contemporary jazz, Americana, pop and blues.
For nearly 20 years Heads Up International has been successfully carving its niche in the world of contemporary instrumental music. Heads Up artists and releases have consistently landed on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz, Traditional Jazz and World Music charts, and have garnered numerous industry awards, including Billboard's Contemporary Latin Jazz Album of the Year, the AFIM's Independent Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year, seven Grammy Awards and numerous nominations. Heads Up was also the winner of
Jazz Week's Radio Programmers Album of the Year Award for two consecutive years, and Gibson Guitar's Best Female Jazz Guitarist. In addition to the awards and accolades, Heads Up artists have regularly captured the #1 slot in national radio
airplay.
Oracle Audio
now offers their new Delphi MK VI turntable, now in its 30th year of Delphi
production. This latest version was developed around the control of micro vibrations and micro calibration. The micro vibration can be introduced from the inside as well as from the outside. Key features include using the same AC synchronous motor and state-of-the-art drive electronics as for the MK V. By making the MK VI sub-chassis larger, Oracle Audio improved the weight distribution to offer a better overall balance and adaptability for many different tone arms configuration. The sub-chassis's central section is now larger thus the length of the legs going to the suspension towers is shorter. They also increased the rigidity of the tone arm mounting section by widening the tone arm mounting ring support by about 35 percent. The new MK VI bearing system maintained the six-point contact that was developed for the MK V yet the screw material has been replaced by a high performance material for better accuracy. The MK VI bottom trust plate is made of a
polyamide-imide (PAI) high strength plastic with the highest strength and stiffness of any thermoplastic. The net result is a better overall accuracy and an improved back ground silence. The Micro Vibration Stabilizer System is the single most significant and most efficient improvement made to the Oracle turntable since its creation 30 years ago. Oracle Audio's MVSS system represents the newest efforts in the elimination of the micro vibrations. Beside each suspension tower a small reservoir is secured to the acrylic base and they are filled with an extremely low viscosity Silicone fluid. Again, near the suspension housings a threaded stem is mounted to the bottom section of the sub-chassis, those are lining up with the Silicone reservoirs, a threaded lock nut and a tapered shape plunger will complete the mechanism. Adjustable feet are now made of Delrin to further reduce the high frequency energy transfer through the sub-chassis / tone arm / cartridge
combination. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Oracle Delphi MK V turntable with Oracle/SME 345 tonearm
(click
here).
02 / 02 / 10
Esoteric, as a 22 year old member of the TEAC group that has over 50 years of design and engineering expertise in audio products, has announced that in March they
will be offering their D-07 Re-clocker/pre-amplifier with 32 bit DAC and the RZ-1 combination integrated amplifier/CD-SACD player plus phonostage and 32 bit USB, S-PDIF DAC ($4800 and $6000
respectively). The D-07 is a dual mono D/A converter capable of 32 bit resolution throughout the signal path. The D-07 features a variety of digital inputs, including an AES/EBU input that supports Super Audio CD signal from ESOTERIC transports, and USB input for high quality 24-bit/96kHz music file reproduction. The new D-07 features high-definition functions that employ
state-of-the-art technology, such as format conversion for converting PCM digital signals to DSD, PCM up-conversion
(2x and 4x), and two digital filters (Including pre-echo reduction). WORD SYNC allows you to synchronize playback with other digital devices while a second PLL effectively reduces the jitter for digital devices without WORD SYNC function. The D-07 also has an attenuator for controlling the level of analog output. This can be combined with selector functions that are used for a variety of digital inputs, and allow the DAC to serve as a high-end digital preamplifier. The D-07 uses the Asahi Kasei
Microdevices Corporation’s AK4392 DAC device. All 32 bit processing is maintained throughout the unit, from the input I/F and the digital filter, to the Delta-Sigma modulator. Analog outputs include RCA, true fully balanced XLR, digital inputs include coaxial S/PDIF, AES/EBU XLR, TosLink optical and USB. There is a digital BNC input and output for WORD
SYNC.
Esoteric's
new feature-packed RZ-1 ($6000) is an SACD/CD transport, 32 bit DAC, a variety
of digital inputs with high resolution streaming media compatibility plus 100
watt per channel stereo amplification all within an elegant one-box design.
Inside the unit are a specially-designed ultra high-end TEAC Esoteric
transport, AK4392 chipset DAC, audiophile quality parts and a wide variety of
analog stages to handle an external analog line input and MM phono cartridge.
Digital inputs include 24-bit/192 kHz coaxial S/PDIF RCA and TosLink optical
plus the unit has a USB input for computer audio files. Users have choices of
how the digital signal is handled with a selectable 32-bit, 8x digital filters
that include FIR and short delay apodizing filter. There are both treble and
bass controls to shape the sound plus a sleep-timer function. Stereo
amplification produces 100 wpc @ 6 Ohms, frequency response is from 15 Hz to
65 kHz (+1/-3dB) while THD is 0.03%. Loudspeaker output is via five-way gold
plated binding posts and a multi-function wireless remote control is included.
02 / 01 / 10
Enjoy the
Music.com's February edition
includes an update to Superior
Audio with two world premiere equipment reviews plus two North
American premieres! New articles within our Review Magazine
includes four equipment reviews with a World Premiere USB digital audio
interface plus our CES / T.H.E. Show 2010 Top 10 Design Awards!
World Premiere!
Bryston 9B SST2 C-Series Amplifier
Quite simply in a class by itself.
World Premiere!
Oracle Audio Technologies CD 1500 MK III CD Player
Able to extract minuscule detail from my killer resolution test disc.
North American Premiere
Enjoy the Music.com Award Of Excellence
Pass Laboratories XP-15 Phono Preamplifier
I forgot about this phono preamplifier and enjoyed the music.
North American Premiere
Rossner & Sohn Canofer-S Phono Preamplifier
Reveling in the natural timbre of ensembles both large and small.
JH Audio JH13 Pro In Ear Monitors
Having loved and lost.
Pass Labs XA30.5 Stereo Power Amplifier
Won me over and plan to enjoy it for years to come.
See the
February Superior Audio magazine
by clicking
here.
Viewpoint
In This Issue...
Las Vegas Shows And The Audiophile Industry
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 124: Tweaks
Walker Audio High Definition Links, ER Audio Spatial Harmonizers, Shakti Stones and Caig DeoxIT Gold.
Show Report
CES / T.H.E. Show 2010 Top 10 Design Awards!
Equipment
Reviews
World Premiere!
M2Tech hiFace 24-bit-192kHz USB Digital Audio Interface
A journey into the world of PC audio.
North American
Premiere!
Waterfall Audio Iguascu EVO Loudspeaker
Fine sound and fine craftsmanship with these French beauties.
Klipsch Image S2 In-Ear Headphones
Pluggable buds are a solid value.
Vinylly Yours Virtually
Many Things Vinyl You Need To Know
Music
Reviews
Classical Music
Ludwig Von Beethoven Concerto for Violin in D major, Op. 61
Reference Recordings exciting performances of Benjamin Britten's early orchestral
music
A historically significant collection from the prime of pianist Shura Cherkassky's career.
Colorful concert-band arrangements from Australian composer Percy Grainger.
An exciting and beautifully sung Messiah.
Inspired Schumann chamber music from Marc-Andre Hamelin and the Takacs Quartet.
Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass, Blues, Etc.
Sam Bush Circles Around Me
Cliff Eberhardt
500 Miles: The Blue Rock Sessions
Trey Hensley It Is What It Is
Steep Canyon Rangers
Deep In The Shade
Various Bluegrass, Blues And Jazz Albums
See the
February Review Magazine by clicking
here.
Creek
Audio, a British company that since 1982 has been offering high-end audio products
deigned by Mike Creek and a team of electronic engineers, will soon be shipping their Evolution 5350 stereo integrated
amplifier. Filling the gap left by the Classic range, between the entry level Evolution 2 and the top of the range Destiny, this new unit borrows technology from both the Evolution 2 and Classic 5350SE and is styled to match the
Evolution 2 CD player and Evolution Tuner. Creek Audio has developed a completely new high current bi-polar power amplifier to enable it to produce 120 wpc @ 8 Ohms and drive low impedance loudspeakers (200 wpc @ 4 Ohms). Each power amplifier is now built as a module, using a high proportion of Surface-Mount components, on a double sided PCB, bolted to a massive 18 fin heatsink. This means both channels are identical and can be fitted and removed easily for servicing if required. The power amp topology includes a
cascode differential voltage amplifier and MOS-FET current drive stage feeding a double Darlington output stage with four high-current bi-polar transistors to produce a very powerful amplifier capable of driving the most demanding of loads, with high resolution and accuracy. DC stability is maintained by a servo amplifier that rejects DC and allows the amplifier to be coupled directly without capacitors. The Evolution 5350 includes an MM and MC phonostage and is operated from the front panel by rotary digital controls for input selection and volume control plus push buttons for Tape and Speaker selection, Mute and Power On/Off. Loudspeakers are connected by up to two sets of high current gold plated binding posts on the rear of the unit while there is a headphone socket on the front panel. Each unit weighs 21 lbs and
dimensions are 17 x 3.5 x 15.5 (WxHxD in inches).
Musical
Fidelity announced their new Antony Michaelson Signature (AMS) series that applies Class-A bias to the Titan circuit to achieve the
audiophile sound quality. Continuing in the Musical Fidelity tradition of innovation, the AMS-series features the new state-of- the-art fourteen tube Primo preamplifier, the 143 pound 50 wpc AMS50 power amplifier, the 35 wpc AMS35i integrated
amplifier and the 24-bit/192kHz Upsampling AMSCD CD player/DAC. With casework machined from solid aluminum, custom-extruded heatsinks, premium-quality parts plus every detail coming together to make the AMS-series the most refined and well-built product ever to be produced by Musical Fidelity. Also new is the M6 and M3 range of products and are
descendants of the mighty Titan. The M6-series features the dual-mono, 200 wpc M6i integrated amplifier, 24-bit/192kHz upsampling M6CD CD player/DAC with USB input (pictured), M6PRE fully-balanced preamplifier and the dual-mono bifilar-choke-regulated 260 wpc M6PRX power amplifier. Later this year Musical Fidelity expects to offer M-series D/A converters and an exclusive Class-A biased headphone amplifier.
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High-Performance Audio Reviews
