Klipsch Heritage Headphone Amplifier
Features A Hi-Res Audio DAC Klipsch has debuted their new stereo Heritage Headphone Amplifier ($499). Klipsch seeks to produce a true audiophile solution with mid-century design characteristics that drives headphones to deliver music in the cleanest, most efficient manner, for higher energy and dynamics. Klipsch's Heritage Headphone Amplifier is encased in formed aluminum with a genuine walnut veneer, giving it a nostalgic, vintage feel. Inputs and gain settings are controlled by weighted anodized aluminum switches and knobs for a quality and satisfying tactile response. Its analog switches operate through relays, delivering the lowest distortion in its class and advanced sound staging abilities. Klipsch's Heritage Headphone Amplifier is driven by a Hi-Res Audio high-performance ES9018K2M ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC capable of 192kHz/24-bit sample rates. For amplification, dual Class-AB TI TPA6120A2 amplifiers plus a minimal signal path minimizes crosstalk. In addition to its primary use as a discrete balanced stereo headphone amplifier, the Heritage Headphone Amplifier doubles as a digital analog processor for USB audio, optical, and coaxial inputs, making it an ideal desktop companion.
11 / 28 / 17
Johnny Cash Greatest Hits On 180 Gram
High Fidelity Audiophile Vinyl The very best of Johnny Cash's pop and country hits released on Sun Records during 1955 through 1961 is now available on
vinyl LP! As part of the 60th anniversary of the release of Johnny Cash's first LP in 1957, Sun Records and Charly Records are proud to present the very best of the iconic singer's 7-inch hit singles on Sun including: "I Walk The Line," "Cry! Cry! Cry!," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen", "Home Of The Blues" and many, many more. The album is the perfect entry in to The Man in Black's music from the essential blues and country music label.
Greatest Hits features 20 classic Johnny Cash hit songs newly remastered from the Original Sun Master tapes, mastered at half-speed for unrivalled sound quality. It is released as an LP pressed on 180g heavyweight audiophile vinyl complete with Sleeve Notes by Sun Entertainment Corporation President John A. Singleton.
You can buy
Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits on vinyl LP from Amazon at this link.
11 / 27 / 17
Perreaux 255i Integrated Amplifier With Optional DAC And Phono Stage Perreaux's new 255i
stereo integrated amplifier is the best integrated amp the company has ever produced. The 255i is designed to handle difficult speaker loads with ease via high powered MOSFETs that deliver 360 Watts rms into an 8 Ohm load (530 Watts rms into 4 Ohm). At the heart of this amplifier is a great power supply with three separate transformers feeding four independent power supplies. Perreuax's 255i's performance features a high damping factor. Their third generation microprocessor controlled balanced analog volume control to ensure a pure, unaltered analog signal path. AN internal headphone amplifier gives the user all the benefits of the 255i's engineering and design advances, with the convenience of headphones. For ease of bi-wiring loudspeakers and enhanced sound quality there are two sets of loudspeaker binding posts. For use with balanced sources there is XLR inputs that enable you to take full advantage of the benefits of balanced audio. A Home Theater
pass-through allows integration into a home theater/external system as a two channel power amp, then back to full a stereo integrated for music listening. You can also plug your iPod directly into the front panel for convenient connectivity. An RS232 serial port (RJ45) allows for other control/uses. Optional modules include USB DAC with 32-bit/384kHz upsampling and inputs include two coax, two optical and USB audio. Another optional module is an MM/MC phono stage that provides for either moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridge connection.
11 / 22 / 17
Legendary High-End Audio
Engineer / Designer Arnold Nudell Passes Arnold Nudell (1937 to 2017) has passed away from complications of pneumonia as his loving family laid him to rest on November 20th. As an aerospace engineer and one of the early founders within the high-end audio industry, Arnie was first know for his Infinity Systems brand of products. In July 1989 Arnold Nudell resigned as President of Infinity Systems, which he originally co-founded with another great high-end audio personality Cary Christie. In 2002 Arnie Nudell began designing loudspeakers for Genesis Advanced
Technologies, which have received multiple awards over the years. A
website is currently under construction
to properly memorialize his accomplishments as well as provide a platform for friends and devotees of Infinity Systems to post their remembrances. Below is an early video with Arnold explaining the Infinity IRS Beta Kappa speakers plus their special EMIT driver technology.
Industry News 15 Years Ago
Arnie Nudell Designs Loudspeakers For Genesis Advanced Technologies What is old is new again as a new company headed by longtime and highly respected
loudspeaker designer Arnie Nudell, Genesis Advanced
Technologies, will soon be
launched! Continuing the Genesis line of products, this new venture will soon be releasing new products that should reach stores worldwide. Many people remember Mr. Nudell from decades ago as the founder of Infinity (now owned by Harmon). In those days Infinity was one of the best, and some considered the best, loudspeaker of its time. While he will be the
chief designer of new products, CEO and Managing Director Gary Leonard Koh will take care of the business side of things. Mr. Nudell says "We have assembled an awesome team! You will see some of the old stalwarts; and will also see Genesis bringing new blood into the industry. I've always designed the best loudspeakers I could. With this team now, we will be able to make performance improvements to existing designs and come up with completely new ones, knowing all these efforts will be supported by a rock-solid business base." Mr. Koh has said in a prepared statement "We have a number of investors who will ensure that the new Genesis has the financial muscle to regain its position as the makers of the best loudspeakers in the world. Everyone involved has a passion for the product, and yet have the ability to bring
real-world business skills to the table to run this as a long-term business." The Genesis 501 full range
floorstanding loudspeaker and 928 subwoofer are being prepared for launch by Genesis Advanced
Technologies.
Meanwhile the APM-1 will be updated and is to be released within the next six months.
11 / 21 / 17
Capitol Records A Capitol Christmas Volume 2 On CD & Vinyl LP Capitol
Records' celebration of its 75th anniversary continues with the CD and vinyl LP ($14 and $25 respectively) release of
A Capitol Christmas Volume
2, a collection of 24 timeless holiday and seasonal classics sung by the label's unmatched list of legends. Available now digitally and on two CD, and December 1 as a double vinyl LP in gatefold cover, the album brings together some of pop music's most iconic holiday songs with extremely rare recordings originally issued in very limited release.
Volume 2's list of singers includes Glen Campbell, The Beach Boys, Wayne Newton, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mercer, The Louvin Brothers and many more, with each contribution lovingly chronicled in liner notes provided by compilation producer Jay Landers. As a fitting companion to last year's timeless collection,
A Capitol Christmas Volume 2 continues to mine Capitol's deep reservoir of holiday and seasonal standards sung by millions of celebrants each winter. The album features Wayne Newton's jubilant takes on the rockabilly Christmas classic "Jingle Bell Rock" and perennial favorite "Rudolph,
The Red-Nosed Reindeer," both originally released in 1966 on his first holiday album,
Songs For A Merry Christmas, three years after his debut record on Capitol. The album is showcased here with Campbell's exquisite rendition of the Elvis Presley-immortalized "Blue Christmas" and the lesser known "Old Toy Trains," which was written by his good friend Roger Miller and shows off a different side of the singer. Second only to the Beatles, The Beach Boys were Capitol's most popular recording act from the 1960s until the end of the decade. For their fifth Capitol release, Brian Wilson turned his attention to the holidays, asking Four Freshmen's arranger, Dick Reynolds, to write the charts for a 40-piece orchestra. The result was 1964's The Beach Boys'
Christmas Album that featured their sunny take on "Frosty the Snowman" and Wilson's original "Christmas Day," which marked rhythm guitarist Al Jardine's debut as a lead singer, both included here. This album spotlights some of the best of Capitol's Christmas recordings from the 1940s, 1950 and 1960s and transports listeners to a simpler
time. You can buy
A Capitol Christmas Volume 2 on CD and vinyl LP at this link.
Aries Cerat Genus SET High Performance Integrated Amplifier Aries
Cerat's new Genus single-ended triode stereo integrated amplifier (€15,000) is their answer to the challenge of making a small one-box unit that would carry the company's design philosophy. In development for quite a few years, with a footprint of 520mm x 530mm it is their most compact design to date! Aries Cerat's Genus integrated amplifier produces 25 Watts per channel, two channels, in Class A1 and can peak to 40 Watts during transients in Class A2. Genus takes key design ideas from Aries Cerat's Concero 25 monoblock circuit. It is effectively a small stereo SET amplifier driving a bigger stereo SET within one chassis. The input / driver stage is a small 0.7 Watt SE amplifier built around the Siemens E280F super triode and is loaded with a double c-core bifilar wound interstage transformer. This single tube stage is
said to offer maximum linearity and bandwidth for transparency. There are no coupling capacitors present anywhere within the circuit. Aries Cerat has employed their special proprietary AC link coupling technology that takes advantage of the secondary winding of the first SE amplifier to modulate the biasing circuits of the bigger 813 power output tube stage. AC link coupling technology is used inside all of Aries Cerat's bigger amplifier models. The four tubes have independent power supply units (PSUs) which are fed from a large 800VA
toroidal transformer. The PSUs carry their own choke filtered capacitor bank. The output stage power supply units use super capacitor technology. The two 813 directly heated triode (DHT) tubes benefit from triple passively filtered filament PSUs. Bias of both the driver and output tubes can be adjusted on the fly using a built-in bias meter, so you can tailor the sound to your taste. A self resetting soft start is used to slowly build up the high voltages present and protect the tubes
from any current surges at start up. Frequency response is from 11Hz to 60kHz and speaker impedance is user selectable from 1 to 16 Ohms. Inputs include four RCA unbalanced pairs and one set of XLR balanced pair, with outputs for loudspeakers plus a special headphone amp output.
11 / 17 / 17
Sonus Faber's Aida Flagship Reference
Floorstanding Loudspeaker Sonus faber
has just showcased their latest generation Adia large floorstanding speaker
system (€84,000 plus VAT). After six years from the introduction of the first grandiose Aida, Sonus faber pushes the envelope and presents the new Aida as the brand's flagship speaker poised at the pinnacle of its product range. Sonus faber's new Aida has been completely overhauled utilizing the most advanced electroacoustic developments yet retains all its timeless Italian class and elegance. This new '3 and 2/3 way' design features Stealth Ultraflex, which allows better bass extension while minimizing distortion and eliminating spurious vibration coming from the air passage inside the reflex duct. The typical lyra shape enclosure, as in the previous edition, is complimented by sonus faber's special Anima Legata system, plus Tuned Mass Dampers and a revision of the special Bow Spring suspension. This suspension system with their Zero Vibration Transmission system are designed to keep both the loudspeaker and the musical environment free from unwanted resonance and vibration. The D.A.D. Arrow Point H28 XTR-04 tweeter was first used within sonus faber's Lilium and, most recently, Homage Tradition Collection. The midrange is also promoted to a M18 XTR-04 enhanced with the avional-gunmetal basket, the most advanced midrange driver in the entire sonus faber catalog. Completing the new driver arsenal are the new specifically designed woofers: W22 XTR-12 with all-new powerful neodymium magnet motors and SW32 XTR-08 infra-woofer. Sonus faber says it is "probably the craziest subwoofer ever designed in sonus faber, equipped with Nano Carbon sandwich cone and a long-throw 4" voice coils, powered by a neodymium magnet motor". Another interesting design element is their cost-no-object project patented Sound Field Shaper technology – a unique system of attenuated rear-facing drivers allowing precise control of the dimensionality and perceived size of the soundstage. On the sonus faber Aida, this system is upgraded further utilizing the latest tweeter and midrange drivers. Overall frequency
response is 18Hz to 35kHz, sensitivity is 92dB/W/m, and it presents a 4 Ohm load nominal. Power handling is up to 1000 Watts. Dimensions are 68" x 19" x 31" (HxWxD) and weight is 727
pounds per pair. You can read
Enjoy the Music.com's world premiere review of Sonus Faber's Amati Tradition floorstanding loudspeaker at this link.
Audio Research VT80SE Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier Audio
Research's new VT80SE ($8900, tube cage adds $500) vacuum tube stereo amplifier seeks the widest appeal of music lovers worldwide. By combining world-class performance with flexibility and features like auto-bias, Audio Research's VT80 seeks to be an amplifier that is easy to take home and just forget as you enjoy your music collection again for the first time. According to the company, "The big change from the VT80 to the new VT80SE is upgrading the KT120 tubes to the higher performance KT150 output tubes. Everyone should know that we have been deeply enamored with the KT150 as we feature it in all of our other amplifiers, from the VSi75 to the REF 750SE. Its performance is unparalleled and its 3,000 hour average life allows years of uninterrupted listening. The VT80 was originally designed with the KT120, the predecessor to the KT150, but these two tubes are electrically interchangeable and the demand for delivering the VT80 with the KT150 could be ignored no longer. It is important to mention that the KT150 tubes supplied by Audio Research for all of our products are specially produced to our high standards, are tested and measured for quality control and assurance, and are burned in for 48 hours. Then using our 'Certified Matched' process, they are hand matched in sets with tolerances 10x tighter than standard off-the-shelf tubes, thus ensuring the finest audio quality
possible. With its auto-bias design, the VT80SE can also be used with KT120 or KT150 output tubes and the circuit will adjust immediately when a new tube is installed. Protective fuses are installed for each output tube and can be replaced if the need ever arises. What sonic improvements will you hear with the VT80SE? As our Warren Gehl said, 'More music!' Tonal color, detail, dynamic swing and purity are all improved, along with a bigger and more robust presentation. The music gets better, in every way. Aside from the beautiful curves of the KT150 tubes, the only other way to distinguish the SE from the original VT80 is by a small sticker on the rear panel. Nothing else needed to change. The existing (optional) ventilated tube cover can be used with the taller KT150 tube set, there is still sufficient space to breathe. Hear for yourself how good your system can sound with the new VT80SE, it will make a tube-lover out of anyone who loves
music." See Enjoy the
Music.com's review of the Audio Research L28 vacuum tube line stage and VT80
power amplifier at this link.
VPI Industries Cliffwood Moving Magnet Phono Stage VPI Industries has just launched their new Cliffwood phono stage ($500) for moving magnet (MM) cartridges. This moving magnet design is based on the company's Player circuitry, which employs a low noise op-amp design with a regulated linear power supply. Per it's namesake, the VPI Cliffwood phono stage is meant to be a compliment to their Cliffwood turntable. This provides customers the
opportunity to purchase both units to easily start their vinyl LP listening experience. VPI
Industries is focused on completing their entry level story for music lovers to have all the tools they need to listen to their favorite albums. A total of 44dB of gain is provided, with the cartridge loading being industry standard 47 kOhm
@ 180pF. Maximum input level is 125mV, with an input sensitivity of 3mV for 500mV output. VPI's Cliffwood MM phono stage has a frequency response from 17Hz to 75kHz with an outstanding RIAA accuracy of +/-0.18dB (100Hz to 75kHz). The Cliffwood MM phono stage will be available in both a black and clear silver finish, with an expected launch date of
mid-2018. For those curious about other VPI accessories, you can read
Enjoy the Music.com's reviw of VPI's MW-1 Cyclone record cleaning machine at this link.
11 / 16 / 17
Quadral Aurum A10S Wireless Streaming Stereo Amplifier Quadral
is combing state-of-the-art streaming technology with the exemplary acoustic merits of the Aurum amplifier in its new stereo A10S amplifier
(€3200). Just like its 'sister' products, the A10S is hand finished in Germany. With an exceptionally sophisticated Class AB output stage for distortion-free sound on one hand and Wi-Fi module, Ethernet and USB-A connection on the other, the new A10S combines the best of both worlds. Network players and amplifiers capable of streaming often offer flexible applications. Quadral's A10S takes a completely new path with 100 Wpc stereo at 8 Ohm and 180 Watt at 4 Ohm, it achieves tremendous power. Decoupled sections, outstanding low distortion and selected components show the company's impressive improvements in audio competence. With the Aurum app for Apple iOS and android, the integration of TIDAL, airable radio, airable podcasts means the A10S wants for nothing in terms of modern streaming features. Enjoying streaming in first-class Hi-Fi quality is even easier with the optional RC3 remote control. Two independent low dispersion power supply units and the large-scale transformer ensure top performance. An ultra-precise volume control down to 1dB increments and balanced XLR connectors further proves that even the tiniest details have been considered. That also applies to the variety of formats that the A10S can take perfectly in its stride. WAV, FLAC, ALAC, LPCM, WMA, MP3 and AAC can all be played back.
Industry News 10 Years Ago
The Tape Project Produces Great Reel-To-Reel Recordings The Tape Project, presented byPaul Stubblebine Mastering (PSM) in concert with
Bottlehead Corporation, have launched their Audiophile Music Series on
reel-to-reel tape! PSM and valve electronics experts Bottlehead Corporation now offer a series of analog releases for discerning audiophiles an analog tape. Slated for ten releases per year and sold primarily on a subscription basis, the 15ips (inches per second) half-track stereo, reel-to-reel recordings encompass a wide range of musical styles, the first of which include Classical, Jazz, Blues, Americana and Roots music. The company is recommending tape machines and specifications for playback, as well as offering its own specially modified tape decks with custom valve components from Bottlehead Corp. "The only two requirements for the music that we release are that the master must exist on analog tape and that the music be great" stated Paul
Stubblebine. "That it be music that moves the listener. That it be music that can stand the test of time, and continue to bring satisfaction for years," The first ten titles are:
1) The Number White by jazz singer Jacqui Naylor
2) Dave Alvin's Blackjack David
3) Arnold Overtures original music by Malcolm Arnold with the London Philharmonic Orchestra recorded by Grammy-Winning engineer and audiophile equipment designer Keith Johnson
4) The album that established Robert Cray as a strong new voice in the blues False
Accusations
5) Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos with the New Philharmonia Orchestra performing Albeniz - Suite Espanola
6) David Oistrakh and the London Symphony Orchestra with music by Bruch and Hindemith
7) Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra performing Exotic Dances from the Opera
(Saint-Saëns, Strauss, Rabaud)
8) Bill Evans Waltz for Debby live at the Village Vanguard in 1961
9) Mose Allison in 1959's Creek Bank engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
10) The incomparable Sonny Rollins in Saxophone Colossus.
Furutech NFC Booster: Ultimate Cable
/ Connector Damping System Furutech's
NCF Booster ($350 each, with additional extension shafts in 10pcs sets for $33) employs specially developed sound enhancing material for superior connector and cable damping. According to Furutech, "Not only does the Furutech NCF Booster Connector and Cable Holder lift audio cables off the floor minimizing their points of contact, it also reduces electromagnetic interference and excels at providing NCF damping support for connectors and cables at points of connection. The NCF Booster Connector and Cable Holder allows for the optimum alignment between connectors and sockets and eliminates static – boosting performance by allowing a more pure and clear signal. Developed by Furutech, NCF features a special crystalline material that has two 'active' properties. First, it generates negative ions that eliminate static. Second, it converts thermal energy into far infrared. Furutech combines this remarkable material with nano-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder for their additional piezoelectric damping properties. The resulting Nano Crystal² Formula, exclusive to Furutech, is the ultimate electrical and mechanical damping material." The top clamp unit is made from stainless steel block and audio-grade NCF nylon resin. The base unit features an audio-grade ABS resin body with slip-proof, shock-absorbing plate with counterweight. Overall dimensions are 94 x 99.7 mm with a base level height of 80 mm that extends to 140 mm as
needed. You can read
Enjoy the Music.com's review of the Furutech DIY power cable and power outlet at this link.
Australian Hi-Fi Magazine's
November / December Issue This issue of
Australian Hi-Fi features
reviews of the Sonus faber Chameleon B loudspeakers, GoldenEar Triton Two+ speakers, Pioneer A-70DA integrated amplifier, Lumin A1 network music player, AudioQuest DragonFly Red DAC / headphone amplifier, Focal Utopia & Elear headphones, EISA Awards 2017–2018 and much more.
Within his editorial Desperately Seeking Schematics, Greg Borrowman says "The recent closure of Canadian manufacturer Classé Audio, which had been owned by B&W since 2001, seems to have been the result of B&W being purchased in 2016 by EVA Automation, whose founder and CEO — Gideon Yu — is a finance specialist rather than a hi-fi specialist (he was once Chief Financial Officer at Facebook). I can't say I was particularly surprised at this turn of events, because I had always thought that Classé was a strange purchase for B&W, even as far back as 2001. At the time I thought that B&W was throwing a life-line to a struggling company partly because of the high quality of its products, but mostly because B&W's then-president, Joe Atkins (who was Canadian), was trying to help out a fellow Canadian."
See what's within this issue of Australian Hi-Fi at this
link.
11 / 10 / 17
Warning: Audio Driver Has Been Caught Installing Root Certificate Warning to audiophiles as the CERT Coordination Center lists products from Accuphase, AsusTek, Audio-Technica, Creek Audio, EMC, FiiO Electronics, HiFime, Intos, JDS Labs, McIntosh Laboratory, ShenZhen YuLong Audio, Stoner Acoustics, Sybasonic, and TeraDak Audio as
possibly being
affected. According to Eduard Kovacs of Security Week, "Savitech drivers used by several companies that provide specialized audio products expose computers to hacker attacks by installing a new root certificate into the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store in Windows. The USB audio drivers from Savitech, a company that offers application-specific integrated circuits for audio and video solutions, are used by several vendors." The article goes on to say, "Savitech used the "SaviAudio" root certificate as part of its effort to support the outdated Windows XP operating system, but the certificate is no longer installed by the latest version of the drivers released by the company... Installing such a certificate allows hackers who are in possession of the Savitech private key to impersonate online services, sign malicious software, and decrypt network traffic via man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. While this worst case scenario sounds serious, in reality, the risk of an attack is low as, hopefully, Savitech has taken steps to ensure that the private key cannot be obtained easily by malicious actors." Learn more about this at
Security
Week.
Industry News 15 Years Ago
CES High-End Audio Board's "It's All About Performance" Guide The Consumer Electronics Association
(CEA) High End Audio Board, comprised of executives from specialty audio
companies including Thiel Audio, Audiophile Systems, Ltd., Martin-Logan, Ltd., Conrad-Johnson Design, Parasound Products and
Krell, has made available their "It's All About The Performance" guide. This publication offers eight "rules of performance based selling" and can be downloaded
online. According to press release "The guide reinforces the eight golden rules of performance-based selling: (1) Get right to the demo; (2) Set the stage, set the mood; (3) Script the demo; (4) Sweat the details; (5) Practice, practice, practice; (6) Simplify the demonstration; (7) If it doesn't perform better, it isn't better and (8) Performance is defined by the customer." Gary
Warzin, chairman of the CEA High End Audio Board and president and CEO of Audiophile Systems, Ltd. said "Specialty retailers who can effectively demonstrate performance have a distinct advantage. A convincing demonstration of great performance establishes credibility and authority, weakens the competition and builds the emotional excitement that is essential to closing sales. Our plan is to make this a living document that can be updated with relevant ideas on an ongoing basis."
McIntosh Announces MC1.25KW Quad Balanced Power Amplifier McIntosh
Labs is proud to announce their MC1.25KW Quad Balanced Power Amplifier. ($12,500)
as the company's newest, and one of their most advanced, amplifiers for audio. Redesigned from top to bottom, it replaces the venerable MC1.2KW as McIntosh's most powerful single chassis monoblock amplifier. A simple glance at the 158 pound MC1.25KW may be enough to convey its power and performance capabilities. McIntosh's new MC1.25KW outputs 1200 Watts of power into a single channel with a nearly imperceptible total harmonic distortion of 0.005%. Full power output is maintained through 2, 4 or 8 Ohm speakers via McIntosh Labs' Autoformer technology. Updates and enhancements abound in the MC1.25KW include a 50% increase in filter capacity, which is said to improve the performance of low end frequencies as well as increasing dynamic headroom. The top of the amp showcases an updated yet unmistakable McIntosh industrial design that will fit right in with current McIntosh products or those made decades ago. Towards the rear of the chassis are four McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks that are made from high quality materials with excellent thermal conductivity properties. A polished stainless steel chassis rests on four new redesigned feet that feature a chamfered edge. Other updates include heavier gauge internal wiring, upgraded circuit components, and the addition of our eco-friendly power management system that will turn the amp off after a set amount of time when no input signal has been detected. The AC receptacle has been repositioned to provide additional clearance so a wider assortment of power cords can more easily be used. With all the changes and improvements made in the MC1.25KW, one thing that hasn't changed is the large, fast responding 11" McIntosh
signature blue Watt meter that accurately shows the amplifier's power output. Also unchanged is the signature black glass front panel with control knobs, illuminated logo, and aluminum end caps with handles. The front panel and meter have new direct LED backlighting for improved appearance and color accuracy. Other exclusive McIntosh features included in the MC1.25KW include Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, Quad Balanced design, Power Control and their patented Solid Cinch speaker binding posts. Both a balanced
XLR and unbalanced RCA output are included to make bi-amp'ing or tri-amp'ing speakers
easier. They may also be used to send the audio signal to a secondary system if the preamplifier does not have enough outputs or to connect a powered
subwoofer. Enjoy the Music.com has recently reviewed the McIntosh Labs McIntosh C2600
vacuum tube stereo preamplifier with DAC, phono stage and headphone
amplifier. We've also posted a review
of McIntosh Labs' MP100 Phono Stage With Analog And Hi-Res Audio Digital Output.
11 / 08 / 17
Gershman Acoustics New Reference Posh Floorstanding Loudspeaker The new Posh floorstanding loudspeaker ($129,000 per pair) from
Gershman Acoustics has been designed to provide the very best sound and build quality. Using 1" thick HDF wood to build a massive enclosure, special designer styling cues bring a lovely rounding and tapering the back of the enclosure. In addition to that massive build,
specially engineered 0.25" stainless steel panels further strengthen and deaden the enclosure from unwanted resonances. Gershman Acoustics' Posh crossover is constructed with point-to-point silver soldering and features top-of-the-line Mundorf MCapR Supreme Classic Silver-Gold/Oil signal capacitors. Sonically, Gershman Acoustics says this version from Mundorf truly stands out due to its wonderful natural singing and exceptional micro dynamics. For driver duties, high frequencies are produced by top-of-the-line Morel dome tweeter. This special tweeter is mated with an Accuton Cell 5" ceramic midrange. There are a pair of 8" aluminum alloy double magnet woofers (Gershman's design) to produce
accurate and deep bass. These woofers feature an aluminum cone to produce bass and mid-bass very cleanly, with low distortion down to 19Hz. Furutech internal and exterior gold plated connectors ensure reliability. For best speaker cable connection, Gershman Acoustics' Posh design incorporates the best gold plated Mundorf binding posts. The Posh loudspeakers are constructed with a totally new approach incorporating two entirely separate enclosures placed one above the other in such a manner that they blend seamlessly into one. Each loudspeaker has a double woofer enclosure placed on a very impressively custom designed Tip Toes, and an A-shaped enclosure. suspended above it by two solid steel structures, one on each side to suspend and completely separate the midrange and tweeter enclosure. Each loudspeaker is finished on all sides in high-gloss lacquer — a piano finish — and can't be missed for its beauty and elegance even by a casual observers. Gershman Acoustics' Posh
reference floorstanding loudspeaker may also be ordered in any custom color to meet you needs and decor.
11 / 07 / 17
Hi-Fi World's December
Issue Is Now Available Online Hi-Fi
World's December issue features reviews of the Spendor D9 loudspeakers, Rock Hi-Fi stands, Chord Hugo 2, Cowon Plenue 2 portable digital audio player, Leema Quasar amplifier, Exposure XM5 integrated amplifier, Teac X-2000m Open Reel, Audio Technica AT700 Series MM cartridges, plus coverage of the Indulgence Show 2017.
Within Noel
Keywood's editorial he says, "I suspect open-reel analogue tape recorders might be a future retro-revival niche though; Technics are about to launch a stunning looking SP-10R Direct Drive turntable and are getting right back behind analogue audio with serious product. Will they or others suddenly announce the introduction of a professional open-reel tape recorder aimed at music studios around the world – oh, and with a spin-off model for the home? I sense that open-reel is about to kick open its coffin lid and step out in new form. When it does we will be there taking pictures, applying a few measurements and telling you about how good high-resolution analogue can sound.
High-resolution analogue was expensive stuff confined to big studios and broadcasting organisations until digital took over. It is far less expensive now for everyday audiophiles – people who would just like to hear what is really on an analogue LP, rather than suffer a mangled version. Audio Technica recently introduced a range of hi-end pickup cartridges – the 700 Series – able to do just that, using sophisticated stylus tip shapes. Our review on p84 and following Feature explain how today's modern pickup cartridges bring you high-resolution from LP. I hope you enjoy what we bring you in another issue that combines the old with the new – and the old that is new!"
See what's within the December issue of Hi-Fi World and read the complete editorial at this link.
Gryphon Audio Introduces Their New Atlas Spike For Audio Gear Gryphon Audio Designs
of Denmark have earned universal praise for innovation in both electronics and loudspeakers and for their range of accessories, audio peripherals that go the extra mile in the refinement of any high-performance system. Early on, Gryphon dismissed the notion of vibration control via absorption/dispersion using soft materials to convert resonances to heat. Pads, springs, viscous damping, rubbery feet etc., typically provide a largely random mix of coupling and decoupling of the audio component to the underlying surface. And thus the all-new Gryphon Atlas Spikes employ effective mechanical earthing, to divert resonances away from vibration-sensitive components where they could do audible and visible harm. Extensive Gryphon research has shown that the size, shape and material of spikes can have significant influence on sound quality. Some materials actually store some of the energy that they are intended to transfer. But, because they are assembled from carefully selected parts made of Polyoxymethylene
(POM), aluminum and tempered steel, Gryphon Atlas Spikes create an evacuation path between the equipment and the outside world, acting as mechanical diodes, conducting energy in one direction only and blocking it the other way. These no-nonsense accessories, based on real science, include M4 screw threads for easy mounting under loudspeakers and adhesive pads for carefully balanced placement under audio components, regardless of total weight. The height of each Gryphon Atlas can be fine-tuned for perfect
leveling and experimentation with positioning directly under transformers or motors will reveal the optimum set-up, with across the board sonic improvements in such critical areas as bass firmness, soundstage focus and overall clarity and openness. Gryphon Audio Designs recommend Atlas spikes especially in conjunction with vibration-sensitive tube amplification, motor-driven components such as turntables and disc players and amplifiers with extensive internal wiring. Like every Gryphon product, Gryphon Atlas Spikes are designed by Gryphon founder and CEO Flemming E. Rasmussen and manufactured in
Denmark. See
Enjoy the Music.com's award-winning Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amplifier review
with 32-bit/384kHz & DSD DAC option at this link.
Hi-Fi+'s October Magazine
Features Many High-End Audio Reviews Hi-Fi+
Magazine's November 2017 issue features your views on all things audio plus Indulgence Show 2017 London
report. High-end audio equipment reviews include Naim Audio Uniti Core / Nova, Chord Electronics Hugo2, Kalista Dreamplay / DAC, VPI Industries Scout turntable and arm, Vitus Audio SS-103 stereo power amplifier, Gold Note PH-10 Phono stage, Devialet Expert 1000 Pro / Roon, Gutwire Perfect / Ultimate Ground, Ultrasone Naos portable headphone amp / DAC, and Ecosse Master Reference DCT interconnect cables.
Within his editorial A Ceasefire Between Analog And Digital Music Format Lovers, Alan Sircom says, "We have seen unprecedented change in the front-ends of our systems in recent years. CD waxed and waned, where LP had the opposite trajectory. As to 'non-physical media' we've moved from low quality MP3 to high-resolution PCM, DSD, and now MQA files, while even the way we acquire that music has shifted from 'own' to 'loan' as we moved to streaming services like TIDAL and Spotify. The usual narrative here implies massive shifts in the listening tastes of music lovers. It's like we all get an email every couple of months saying something like
"Hi! Music here. Stop listening to downloaded music and start streaming now." And we all obey. Seeing trends and patterns in the way we acquire and listen to music as concrete and universal change is extremely convenient for pundits and those of us with column inches to fill, but isn't a true reflection of the actions of the modern music lover."
See what's within this issue of H-Fi+ Magazine at this
link.
11 / 01 / 17
Enjoy the Music.com's
November Review Magazine Is Now Available Online Enjoy the
Music.com's November Review
Magazine is packed with three, or perhaps we'll call
it four, show reports plus five high-end audio gear reviews! We naturally
have Dave Hanson's excellent CanJam
@ RMAF report wrapped up, yet there's quite a bit of hi-fi
gear from RMAF 2017 now online; with more coming your way from
Kemper Holt! We've also started posting Rick Becker's extensive TAVES
coverage, which right now features 50 photos spanning 4 web pages. This
coming weekend's Capital
Audiofest is so successful that all exhibition rooms are sold out!
Our coverage will be coming online soon afterwards of course.
As for gear reviews, we
have the all-singing and all-dancing AirPulse Model-1 active speaker by Phil Jones.
Powered speaker with... everything! Gold Note's DS-1000 Streamer DAC with USB, S/PDIF
and optical inputs is the company's latest edition to their high-end
family. Grado Labs audiophile-grade PS-2000e 'phones bring bliss to Editor
Tom Lyle's ears. NAD's C 388 digital hybrid streaming integrated amplifier
ensures the latest tech with MDC cards. Tweakers
take note as HiFi-Tuning's Supreme Harmonizer may bring a gloriously different
aspect to your audio system. See
what's within this month's edition of Enjoy
the Music.com's Review Magazine at this link.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
What is old is new again as a new company headed by longtime and highly respected
loudspeaker designer Arnie Nudell, 
