Walk the halls, corridors and sound rooms of High End Munich 2023 with Tracking Angle editor Michael Fremer, with particular emphasis on turntables, phono preamplifiers and cartridges on the present.
The publish Michael Fremer’s Day 2! | High End Munich 2023 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
From Fremer: Day one began with a 7 AM breakfast assembly with Mark Döhmann and his group to catch up and focus on turntable information—his and what had been introduced we’d see on the present. Was price getting up early for. The solely present appointments/occasions I had on my schedule was a panel dialogue with engineering nice Jim Anderson and his spouse and “Tonemeister” accomplice Ulrike Schwarz, this time not about his work with Patricia Barber. Instead the dialogue was about analog versus digital and I used to be there as a participant not as a moderator.
At High End, these panels are sometimes not properly attended as a result of everyone seems to be busy doing enterprise, particularly on press days one and two, however we had just about a full home and the dialogue was full of life, informative and quite a lot of enjoyable. i feel it might need been recorded.
Though analog protection is the principle focus, among the many most wonderful gadgets I noticed and heard was the Alieno 250D LTD MK2—a push pull 300B tube amp (not a hybrid) with a claimed output of tons of of watts per channel! You’ll see that within the video. Enjoy!
The publish Michael Fremer’s Day 1 Analog Show Coverage | Munich 2023 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
From Fremer: Day one began with a 7 AM breakfast assembly with Mark Döhmann and his workforce to catch up and talk about turntable information—his and what had been introduced we’d see on the present. Was price getting up early for. The solely present appointments/occasions I had on my schedule was a panel dialogue with engineering nice Jim Anderson and his spouse and “Tonemeister” accomplice Ulrike Schwarz, this time not about his work with Patricia Barber. Instead the dialogue was about analog versus digital and I used to be there as a participant not as a moderator.
At High End, these panels are sometimes not properly attended as a result of everyone seems to be busy doing enterprise, particularly on press days one and two, however we had just about a full home and the dialogue was full of life, informative and an excessive amount of enjoyable. i feel it may need been recorded.
Though analog protection is the primary focus, among the many most wonderful objects I noticed and heard was the Alieno 250D LTD MK2—a push pull 300B tube amp (not a hybrid) with a claimed output of a whole bunch of watts per channel! You’ll see that within the video. Enjoy!
The submit Michael Fremer’s Day 1 Analog Show Coverage | Munich 2023 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Tom Martin interviews VP of Sales John Pravel on Luxman’s debut of the PD-191A turntable. We study concerning the PD-191A intending to interchange the long-running Luxman PD-171 collection, its heavy aluminum platter, its complementary tonearm, cartridge, and extra…
The put up The NEW PD-191A Luxman Turntable | AXPONA 2023 Preview appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
The submit 2023 Editors’ Choice: Best Tape Decks appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
“If you haven’t heard it, then you definitely don’t have a bleepin’ opinion!”
Or far saltier phrases to that impact have been among the many first I heard from Ivor Tiefenbrun, the take-no-prisoners-or-BS founding father of Scotland’s Linn Products, Ltd.
This was roughly 1977 or ’78. I used to be a mere pup, barely 20, who’d landed a job at one of many Bay Area’s greatest high-end audio retailers, and Ivor was touring the States conducting supplier coaching and proselytizing all issues Linn.
Tiefenbrun’s gauntlet throw-down was directed at folks—and again within the Seventies there have been loads of them—who insisted that, so long as a turntable had no discernable wow, flutter, or different measurably operational flaws, document gamers made no actual contribution to the sound of an audio system. In different phrases, so long as they spun records roughly precisely, all of them sounded the identical; cartridge alternative however.
Today this simplistic notion appears ludicrous, as ever since that point the turntable’s paramount position in an analog-based audio system has been thought of apparent. And although Ivor wasn’t the one one preventing the battle, his was arguably the loudest and most passionate voice, and for that and the revolution in LP playback that continues to today we owe him our gratitude. (Tiefenbrun is an inductee to this journal’s High-End Hall of Fame.)
My then job’s biggest enjoyable got here from demonstrating Ivor’s level to prospects. Our store had a number of turntable setups, permitting prospects to check numerous manufacturers geared up with the identical cartridges. It is perhaps a Denon direct-drive or one among Rega’s early Planar belt-drives, however after a number of backs-and forths with the identical musical choice, the Linn invariably gained the competition because of its well-known potential to speak the emotion of the music—or put merely, that well-known “toe-tap-ability.” I even recall some after-hours listening periods spinning a vulgar English comedy LP; and positive sufficient, what may need appeared merely crude and offensive on different gamers was rendered a lot funnier (if nonetheless filthy) on the LP12.
But getting an LP12 to carry out to its fullest potential wasn’t a straightforward process. Tuning its comparatively primitive, three-point sprung suspension in order that the platter would bounce easily and uniformly straight up and down with no lateral wiggle required each a magician’s contact and the endurance of a saint; one thing the shop’s proprietor possessed however that I, and many of the employees, by no means fairly mastered.
Of course, this solely anointed the Linn with a good higher aura and desirability.
Soon the LP12’s supremacy could be challenged by the likes of SOTA, Oracle, Pink Triangle, and others, with the unique Goldmund Studio taking the crown for some time—and at $5k the direct-drive Goldmund additionally shattered the period’s value ceiling. (It’s fascinating to notice that that’s roughly $18,000 in at the moment’s cash, which might make that Goldmund a relative bottom-feeder in at the moment’s ultra-high-end world.) But by means of all of it, Linn has stored urgent ahead, ever refining its unique idea, in addition to morphing into the soup-to-nuts audio producer we all know at the moment.
It had been years since I’d heard a brand new Linn, and so I eagerly accepted this evaluation project to meet up with the newest from this traditionally necessary firm’s signature product.
As such, it was one thing of a flashback when Jeremy Bicknell of Basil Audio—who graciously drove to my San Francisco house from his store in Saratoga to ship the unit—unboxed Linn’s newest and most reasonably priced Sondek, the Majik LP12 ($5130 for the bundle as reviewed).
If I hadn’t recognized higher, I may simply have mistaken this LP12 to be a classic Linn, so uncanny a resemblance to the unique the Majik seems to be.
In some ways the present incarnations of the LP12—there are three tiers: Majik ($5130 as reviewed), Selekt (beginning at $14,560), and Klimax (beginning at $30,970)—are certainly very like the Sondek of previous. But as with the Porsche 911, an analogous look doesn’t imply that expertise hasn’t superior over the following half-century. (Linn additionally supplies nifty improve paths for individuals who begin with the Majik and need to step up over time. Like automakers, the web site even helps you to “construct your personal.”)
But as I recommended, what stays of the legacy is critical, most particularly with the entry-point Majik.
Like the unique, the Majik LP12 options Linn’s traditional picket plinth (presently out there in quite a lot of wooden and end choices), a sandwich-construction aluminum subchassis, a two-piece platter, a black felt mat, a laminated armboard, and a rocker energy swap. As up to now, you even want to suit an adapter to the motor pulley to play 45rpm records. There’s additionally that strikingly acquainted three-point sprung suspension system, which nonetheless calls for the endurance of a saint to tweak, tweak, tweak, in order that it floats freely.
It must be famous, nevertheless, that the precision of those part components is considerably greater than these discovered on a Linn of previous, as the corporate has constantly upgraded its Glasgow manufacturing unit’s manufacturing and machining capabilities.
Along with the standard of components and building, probably the most vital enhancements to the Majik embody Linn’s patented single-point Karousel bearing and the internally mounted low-noise energy provide. (Also good, the Karousel bearing will be fitted to any Sondek ever made.)
But for a few of us, what made dwelling with the unique Sondek a problem remains to be unchanged. That three-point suspension has at all times been extraordinarily delicate to footfall. This is doubly true if, like me, you occur to stay in a home with suspended wooden flooring. For instance, when Jeremy visited to put in the ’desk, make sure the suspension didn’t jiggle like a bowl filled with jelly, and fine-tune the VTA, he would possibly as properly have been strolling on eggshells. So jumpy was the Majik on my Finite Elemente Spider rack that I feared a broken cartridge or worse.
Jeremy was a trooper, gingerly stepping to and from the Majik as he homed in on the specified VTA; however the subsequent day I rejiggered my system in order that the Linn was sitting on a a lot decrease and considerably extra inflexible platform. If this didn’t totally clear up the problem, it went a major manner towards minimizing footfalls as a difficulty. For Linn homeowners, and people considering a purchase order, light-weight and inflexible help items are the important thing to happiness (in addition to avoiding blown woofers).
Those acquainted with the Clearaudio vary of ’arms will acknowledge the Krane ($1790 when bought individually), because it was developed by Clearaudio in partnership with Linn in order that its “efficient size and offset angle…guarantee full congruity with all Linn cartridges and different associated LP12 parts and equipment.”
A static-balanced design, the Krane “is hand assembled with high-quality, precision aluminum and stainless-steel parts. It includes a polished tungsten and sapphire vertical bearing with twin ceramic horizontal bearing meeting, each of that are long-lasting and supply very low friction/rotational mass.”
The Krane additionally features a laser-etched scale for correct and repeatable VTA adjustment and an azimuth adjustment mixed with a hard and fast offset angle to make sure “excellent alignment of the cartridge and stylus.”
I may glean comparatively little details about the Adikt. Linn calls it “an environment friendly and reasonably priced moving-magnet (mm) configuration…a really perfect start line for any high quality vinyl playback system, and its efficiency is greater than a match for a lot of costly moving-coil (mc) designs.”
This, as you’ll learn beneath, is for my part both wishful pondering or promoting hyperbole.
My preliminary listening session with Jeremy the day of set up proved to be troubling. Perhaps sensing my lower than enthusiastic response, he knowledgeable me that Adikt cartridge was model new and could be a lot improved after 30 hours of break in. So, for the following week I didn’t hear however merely stored replaying the perimeters of a clear LP I didn’t thoughts abusing a bit till I’d added up the hours.
Eager to leap again in, and having simply obtained Analogue Productions’ reissue of Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus, my listening notes learn: “Bass has some naturalness and zip. Brass some first rate separation. No depth although. The stage is flat and has little sense of air. The famed Linn toe-tap-ability is likewise little in proof. I’m baffled.”
Moving on to Cecile McLoran-Salvant’s otherworldly tackle Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” (from her newest, Ghost Song), I used to be happy by the Majik’s heat and tonal richness, however once more disenchanted by its veiling, lack of air and transparency, rolled off prime and backside frequencies, and easy lack of the verve, drama, and pleasure I’m used to from this document.
Likewise, on the current Giles Martin-mastered version of The Beatles Let it Be, “Two of Us” was so veiled it sounded as if the ’desk have been enjoying behind a curtain, the underside finish lacked snap and definition, guitars have been a muddle, as have been vocals and dynamics.
Granted, my reference analog gear—Basis 2200 Turntable, Vector 4 ’arm, and My Sonic Lab Signature Gold moving-coil cartridge—retails for one thing like six-times the value of the Majik. But returning to play these LPs on that rig confirmed that I wasn’t dropping my thoughts—or listening to. Moreover, I’ve in contrast different much less dear turntables on this similar system—such because the Rega P6, which I deemed worthy of a TAS Product of the Year Award—in opposition to my similar reference LP setup, and I used to be each capable of discern why they have been wonderful, in addition to respect why they might not have performed in the identical league as that Basis configuration.
Although it’s tough to put in writing this, I used to be extremely disenchanted by the sound of the Majik LP12/Krane/Adikt mixture. My hunch is that the Adikt was holding issues again right here, and perhaps it was not merely a hunch, as a result of after I’d completed my listening periods and the Majik was now not in my house, Linn introduced an improve to the Majik within the type of the Koil moving-coil cartridge ($1060, bought alone). Developed in collaboration with Audio Technica, I’m informed it’s based mostly on that firm’s OC9 design, with a number of Linn-specified adjustments made, particularly to the suspension. As Linn says, “This provides prospects a chance to make their first Sondek LP12 improve straight off the bat.”
I remorse not having the chance to check the Adikt and the Koil, as a result of though it’s a reasonable few-hundred-dollar uptick in value, I think it’s far more than that on the efficiency entrance. Perhaps sooner or later both I or one other TAS author could have that likelihood.
Actually, what could be actually cool could be to sit down down at a Linn dealership to make not simply that comparability, however to listen to precisely what stepping up by means of the varied Linn fashions yields in sonic enchancment.
Given my respect for this iconic firm, I urge anybody keen on a Majik to learn my phrases as a snapshot of that ’desk’s sound as I skilled it, and to hunt the sort of listening session I discussed to listen to for himself what Linn’s newest is able to.
Type: Belt-drive, suspended turntable
Speeds: 33.3, 45rpm (adapter included)
Dimensions: 17.5″ x 5.5″ x 14″
Weight: Not out there
Price: $5130 (as reviewed) with Krane tonearm and Adikt mm cartridge
LINN PRODUCTS LTD.
Glasgow Rd.
Waterfoot, Glasgow
G76 0EQ
linn.co.uk
The publish Linn Products Majik LP12 Turntable appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
2023 AXPONA broke records with over 9000 attendees, 200 rooms, 500+ manufacturers, and a number of product introductions. Additionally, I observed an elevated variety of showgoers within the variety of girls, youthful aged audiophile/audio curious people, and folks of shade. The present organizers are shifting in the fitting route by increasing the pool of attendees, which I’m certain added to the 20% improve in attendance this yr. With 200 rooms to see, there isn’t a method I may handle to go to all of them. The objects that I used to be conscious of, from contacts or press releases obtained, had a good shot of being visited. If I missed a number of, which I’m certain I did given the scale of the present, I provide my apologies. Let’s take a look at a number of the new product introductions I discovered.
DS Audio Grand Master EX cartridge
Improving on the Grand Master, the Grand Master EX ($22,500) provides a unified one-piece diamond cantilever/stylus. That’s proper, the micro-ridge stylus and the 0.22mm cantilever are one steady diamond reduce, with out the standard bonding required for nearly all different cartridges. This advantages the cartridge with higher structural stability, extra correct transmission of groove modulation in addition to extra exact alignment of stylus to cantilever since it’s a one-piece diamond. Paired with the Grand Master EQ (optical cartridge equalizer), Clearaudio Ref Jubilee ’desk with Universal 9” tonearm ($30,000), D’Agostino Momentum HD preamp ($42,500) and M400 MvX amps ($79,950), and Wilson Alexx V audio system ($145,000) related with Transparent cables, with all parts sitting on Bassocontinuo Revolution X racks, the sound was a lot improved. Playing Lady Blackbird’s “Blackbird” observe from the Black Acid Soul LP revealed good vocals, clear and clear bass, drums, and piano. Save for a little bit of bass bloat (because of room points) and a slight breakup at one level on a vocal crescendo, the system produced satisfying sound. Look for a evaluation of the Grand Master EX in a future concern.
exaSound s82 Mark II Streaming DAC and Roon Server
The exaSound s82 Mark II Streaming DAC and Roon Server ($7599) was paired with the VAC Master preamplifier ($38,000) and Master 300 amplifier ($42,000), and Gershman Acoustics Studio XdB audio system with built-in bass-trap stand ($12,000) and Cardas cables. On an “Autumn Leaves” observe, the sound was clear on vocals with subjectively fast and nimble bass. The s82 Mark II options the ES9038PRO DAC (DSD512, DXD as much as 352.8kHz, PCM and MQA to 384kHz), unbiased single-ended and balanced output levels, headphone amplifier, inside quantity management, asynchronous USB streaming, galvanic isolation, low-jitter sign paths, selectable reconstruction filters, twin exterior energy provides, and an Intel i5 powered Roon server module with further server assist for UPnP, HQPlayer, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Tidal, Qobuz, and YouTube. The s82 Mark II presents an entire all-in-one Server, streamer, and DAC answer with a high-quality headphone amplifier.
Kalista DreamPlay Twenty-Twenty turntable and DreamPlay XC CD/SACD Player/DAC
The Kalista DreamPlay Twenty-Twenty ’desk ($54,000) and XC CD/SACD participant/DAC ($79,000) had been paired with a full set of Karan Acoustics electronics: LINEa preamplifier with exterior energy provide ($41,000), PHONOa phono preamplifier with exterior energy provide ($38,000), and POWERa mono energy amplifiers ($106,000). The audio system had been the exact same Vimberg Tonda Ds I reviewed within the pages of TAS in Issue 320. Connecting the system had been Crystal Cable Art Series’ Van Gogh and Da Vinci traces. Additional grounding was tied to the system utilizing the Entreq Olympus Infinity Ten floor field ($12,000). The DreamPlay XC options CD/SACD transport, native DSD as much as 256, PCM, DXD as much as 384kHz, Ethernet and Wi-Fi streaming, Ethernet, coax, I2S, and USB inputs, AES/EBU outputs, a built-in DreamPlay XC D/A converter, RCA and XLR analog outputs, and an exterior energy provide. Unfortunately, the Twenty-Twenty turntable part of Kalista’s web site was unavailable for specification retrieval on the time of this writing. Using both Kalista supply (analog or digital), the sound exiting the Tonda D was glorious whether or not taking part in classical music through silver disc or spinning vinyl taking part in Lady Blackbird. The soundstage was expansive, the presentation had truthful readability, and instrument/vocal timbres had been spot on and as practical as I bear in mind the audio system sounding throughout my evaluation.
Innous Pulsar Network Music Player
The Innous Pulsar Network Music Player ($6899) was launched at this present. Paired with a Magico A5, a Vinni Rossi BRAMA built-in amplifier, an MSB Premier DAC, a PS Audio P15, and Kimber Kable cables. The Pulsar encompasses a bead-blasted anodized aluminum chassis, 300VA toroidal transformer, inside PhoenixUSB Lite reclocker, optimized USB output, and twin, unbiased CX voltage-regulator modules. Brief listening within the above configuration yielded a complete system sound that was gentle and crisp in timbre.
Oracle Reference 1 Tonearm
The Oracle Delphi Reference ’desk ($13,920) hosted the Reference 1 tonearm ($6000) and Lyra Atlas Lambda cartridge ($11,995). This mixture was paired with the VAC Statement Phono ($80,000), VAC Statement Linestage ($80,000), and VAC Statement 452 amplifiers ($75,000 every), driving Acora Acoustics VRC audio system in Pearl Granite ($218,000 est.). All cables had been sourced from Cardas. The digital front-end contained the Aurender N30SA ($25,000), Aurender MC20 ($30,000), Lampizator Horizon DAC ($50,000), and Oracle CD 2000 MK IV ($13,500). The Reference 1 tonearm is a 4-bearing design that options VTA, anti-skate, and azimuth changes, a silicone trough for ’arm damping, a carbon-fiber armtube, 20g efficient mass, an end-of-record auto-armlift, 223mm pivot-to-spindle distance, and an efficient size of 240.3mm. In-room sound was excellent to glorious relying on the music tracks performed. Considering the large room measurement, this method did surprisingly properly.
VPI Avenger Direct Turntable
The VPI Avenger Direct ’desk ($36,000) internet hosting a Lyra Etna (non-lambda, $8995) was paired with the VTL Signature Phonostage ($15,000), VTL Line Preamplifier Series III ($35,000), VTL MB-450 Series III Signature mono amps ($30,000 pair), and the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two ($155,000) related with a full loom of high Nordost merchandise (cables, energy, isolation units, community swap, and many others.). The different supply on this system was the dCS Rossini Apex DAC ($32,800) with Rossini Master Clock ($10,850): which sounded excellent taking part in a stay BSO efficiency of Shostakovich’s 11th symphony. Vinyl playback was top-notch with the system taking part in Lady Blackbird, Duke Ellington’s Jazz Violin Sessions, and the wonderful Rossini L’Italiana in Algeri sinfonia.
Lumin
Lumin confirmed three new merchandise: the U2 Network Music Transport ($5000), T3 ($4990) streamer/renderer/DAC, and the U1-X Network Music Transport. A number of of the U2 and Y3’s options embrace an all-new processor, devoted USB output, linear energy provide, fiber community enter, DSD512 and PCM 768kHz playback, MQA decoding, and LEEDH quantity management. The U1-X combines the options of the U1 digital transport with the X-1 energy provide that’s mentioned to yield improved sound staging, element, heat, and total presence. The system was paired with the Lumin XAMP ($13,990) and a set of Matthew Bond cables.
SME 60 Turntable
The SME 60 was proven for the primary time at AXPONA 2023, though already reviewed by Michael Fremer in Issue 333. Most of the options are lined in that evaluation. The SME 60 with VA Series tonearm is a piece of engineering precision and creativity geared in direction of bettering on SME’s legacy designs. Based on all indications offered throughout a proof of the design, the product is a hit. Listening to the SME 60 with VA ’arm in a system with AVM 8.3 Phono ($13,995), AVM 8.3 preamp ($18,385), AVM 8.3 amplifiers ($44,995/pr.), and Canton Reference 3K loudspeakers ($13,995) related with Kubala-Sosna cables, confirmed the analog front-end to be quiet and managed whereas tracing the groove with ease.
SonoruS ATR10 mkII Tape Deck
Scott Walker Audio confirmed the brand new SonoruS ATR10 mkII tape participant ($32,500). This unit is a plug-and-play, turnkey reel-to-reel tape deck. After the unique ATR10 was launched over a decade in the past, the brand new mkII mannequin options up to date electronics and redesigned mechanical elements. The output options tube playback electronics which are mentioned to supply glorious “dynamic vary and low bass authority with minimal coloration.” Other options embrace the compact chassis of the ATR10 mkII, DC Coupled Stabilized Loop Gain Technology, regulated tape stress of provide reel and take-up reel, 7.5ips and 15ips velocity choice, IEC and NAB EQ, captive NAB spindles, motor-assisted quick breaking, library wind, and optical chief tape detection. In system, the ATR10 mkII was feeding the VAC Master Preamp ($30,000), VAC Master 300 iQ amplifiers ($42,000 ea.), and Von Schweikert Ultra 7 loudspeakers with Shockwave V-12XS subwoofer ($16,500) related with Masterbuilt Ultra cables. Brief listening to the ATR10 mkII taking part in SonoruS Holographic Imaging tapes confirmed promising efficiency. I want to discover this tape machine’s efficiency additional.
Other turntable debuts embrace: The AMG Giro MkII, Technics 1500C White ($1299), and Luxman’s PD-191A ($12,495). Bel Canto premiered the BLACK DAC System ($40,000) that features three analog inputs with one being an mm/mc phonostage. The new and improved Spin-Clean report washer ($79) with snap-in curler, wedge-fit brushes, and simple clear basin was additionally proven.
Axiss Audio launched a brand new model of the Yuki AP-01 turntable ($TBD) from Japan. This unique-looking, all-metal turntable was on show the primary day of the present. I managed to get an image of it however didn’t take heed to it on that day. When I returned, the Yuki AP-01 was on static show with no cartridge. Unfortunately, that meant no listening to it or observing its operation. However, there was one thing else of curiosity on this room. That merchandise was the Gauder Acoustics DARC 200 loudspeakers ($149,000). Being conversant in Gauder Acoustic’s Berlina RC 9, which I reviewed in April of 2016 (TAS 262), I used to be intrigued with the DARC 200. The speaker takes the Berlina rib building to new heights with the implementation of aluminum as an alternative of a dense fiber materials. In addition, the crossovers and drivers are new and have been improved through the years. The speaker options some adjustability by way of linear bass output stage and selective increase/reduce between 30Hz–60Hz (typical downside areas for a lot of rooms). Driven by a full suite of Accuphase electronics or alternately a full suite of Soulution electronics and sourced by a Transrotor TT with Airtight Opus 1 cartridge, the DARC 200 audio system sounded very promising and simply confirmed the subjective user-preference-based distinction between the 2 units of electronics: one leaning in direction of wealthy and heat whereas the opposite being faster and having barely extra perceived low-level decision. The efficiency was satisfying sufficient to foresee a evaluation of a DARC loudspeaker within the close to future.
Belgium based mostly firm, AM Belgium nv, has been in enterprise since 1969. The firm has in-house functionality to make repro and report tape heads for skilled and business tape decks. For sure fashions of the tape heads that AM Belgium shares, the shopper can order the correct different head in a single amount. For different substitute heads that aren’t stocked, the minimal order varies from 5 to 10 heads relying on whether or not the corporate has the substitute head design from a earlier order or it’s a new substitute head design. AM Belgium additionally presents relapping and reconditioning providers.
Best Sound (cost-no-object): A tie. The Wynn Audio room with Vimberg Tonda D/Karan Acoustics phono, preamp, amp, Kalista digital supply and turntable with Xquisite cartridge, and Crystal Cable Da Vinci wiring, and the Stenheim Reference Ultime Two with VTL phono, preamp, amplifiers, dCS DAC, and VPI turntable with Lyra cartridge.
Best Sound (for-the-money): The full Yamaha Flagship HelloFi Series 5000 system. While the fee was increased than some lower-priced choices on the present, this was the perfect sounding system on the lowest price that I heard.
Most Significant Product Introduction: The new and improved Spin-Clean Record Washer equipment for brand spanking new and budding vinyl playback audiophiles to begin cleansing their records.
Most Significant Trend: Diversity at AXPONA 2023. I noticed extra children, girls, and folks of shade than at earlier exhibits. The present organizers are increasing their attain. This is an efficient factor for the trade and our passion.
Most Coveted Product(s): Gauder Acoustics DARC 200 loudspeakers, SonoruS ATR10 mkII tape participant, and Kalista DreamPlay XC SACD/CD Player/DAC.
The publish The 2023 AXPONA Show: Andre Jennings on Analog and Digital Sources appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
In the third installment of My Luncheon w/ Andre and Fremer, the 2 talk about making ready for AXPONA, navigating rooms, mono vs. stereo cartridges, and extra…
The publish How Do You Prepare for AXPONA 2023? | My Luncheon w/ Andre Episode 3 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
You are cordially invited to attend an unique webinar!
Join vinyl icon Michael Fremer, Editor-at Large of The Absolute Sound and Editor of TrackingAngle.com as he moderates a distinguished panel of consultants who will discover the various points associated to correctly cleansing and preserving vinyl recordings.
Panelists embrace:
Jeff Coates, Marketing Director, Fine Sounds Americas
Dr. Charles Kirmuss, Founder, Kirmuss Audio
Mark Mawhinney, President, Spin‑Clean International
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind occasion!
The submit The Fundamentals of Record Care appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
The following is a press launched issued by Luxman America.
BALLSTON SPA, New York | April 05, 2023 – Vinyl followers have new motive to rejoice as Luxman America introduces the eagerly-anticipated PD-191A analog participant. “So many music lovers have advised me how a lot pleasure they get from the PD-171A,” mentioned Jeff Sigmund, president. “This new participant is greater than a worthy successor. It breaks totally new floor in performance, circuitry, mechanics and sound high quality.” The PD-191A incorporates an all-new tonearm, drive system, file mat and PWM/PID rotation velocity controller. Other key options embrace Luxman’s underslung chassis design with 15 mm aluminum prime plate and a large, 5.2 kg aluminum platter. The PD-191A obtained its Japan-market debut in September and is now obtainable for pre-order in North America at a urged retail worth of $12,495.
“We are proud to have collectively developed our utterly new LTA-710 tonearm with Japan’s analog audio specialists, SAEC,” Sigmund mentioned. To hint the best particulars of the file groove, the brand new tonearm encompasses a vertical knife-edge bearing that delivers wonderful preliminary sensitivity. An efficient size of 10 inches (256 mm) not solely minimizes monitoring error, but in addition improves damping towards floor vibration. Tracking error is held to +1.07° to -1.52°. In addition, this static stability arm options adjustable anti-skating and as much as 22 mm of peak adjustment permitting for a variety of phono cartridges to be utilized. The provided Luxman common headshell options D.U.C.C. (Dia Ultra Crystallized Copper) wiring, with lengthy copper grains for very good conductivity.
While the PD-191A presents the comfort of an all-in-one participant with built-in tonearm, Luxman anticipates that demanding music lovers might also wish to use the turntable with different tonearms. For this motive, the corporate will introduce accent bases for third-party 9 to 10-inch tonearms and an exterior second tonearm base for lengthy 12-inch arms, beginning with the basic SME-3012.
In vinyl playback, even refined platter velocity variations trigger musical pitch to waver, undermining readability. To combat this, the PD-191A goes to extraordinary lengths to take care of fixed platter velocity. Luxman’s distinctive sine wave/Pulse Width Modulation energy provide offers ultra-stable direct present to the DC brushless motor. This turntable maintains right velocity by way of subtle Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) management and programming. A excessive efficiency reference clock for velocity correction, utilizing a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) oscillator, with wonderful temperature traits, is deployed. The motor drives the skin flange of the platter by means of a brand new belt that isn’t solely uncommonly broad, but in addition presents lengthy service life because of new EPDM belt materials.
The last guarantor of rotational stability is the 5.2 kg (11.4 pound) platter itself. The platter acts as a flywheel with extraordinarily excessive second of inertia, 0.7 t·cm2, to suppress even minuscule velocity variations. A platter this heavy requires bearings able to sustaining extraordinarily excessive stress. Luxman engineers specified polyether ether ketone (PEEK) thrust bearings and brass radial bearings for effortlessly easy rotation and lengthy life. As a results of these exhaustive measures, wow & flutter is lower than 0.04%, weighted RMS. In this fashion, the PD-191A delivers musical pitch with phenomenal accuracy.
Because phono cartridges function by changing movement into voltage, they’re notably weak to microphonics – voltages brought on by the impression of sound waves. The cartridge merely can’t distinguish between the specified movement of tracing the file groove and undesirable microphonic movement. Luxman engineers carried out a rigorous technique to guard the music from microphonics. It begins with massive, rubber isolator toes, fastidiously chosen for very good damping and wonderful temperature traits. Each isolator presents unbiased peak adjustment. Next, the PD-191A incorporates an underslung suspension construction, by which the primary electrical and bearing elements are connected to the 15 mm thick aluminum alloy prime plate, which succeeds in reaching each excessive rigidity and damping efficiency. Inside the participant, particular rubber damping mounts isolate the chassis from two inner sources of potential vibration: the motor and energy transformer, that are in flip mounted on a 3.2 mm metallic backside panel. To present a last degree of safety, the PD-191A presents a vibration-absorbing particular rubber file mat. While these chassis options are undoubtedly costly, they yield music replica of the very best order.
The PD-191A embodies Luxman’s signature craftsmanship with exemplary match and end. The aluminum platter is precision machined, which leads to a chic diamond-cut visible sample. The rosewood completed base contrasts with the hairline aluminum prime panel, which has a strobe window and separate velocity changes for 33-1/3, 45 and 78 rpm. Other options embrace a 16-mm, large-diameter heart spindle; provided EP adaptor; plus removable output and IEC energy cables in order that house owners can substitute or improve to aftermarket cables. The gold-plated AC energy enter is turned 180° to raised help extra-heavy cables. An elective acrylic mud cowl is 4 mm thick and incorporates spring and cam help hinges.
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