Tom Martin interviews Kevin Deal of Upscale Audio and David Mccaffrey of Tannoy to be taught in regards to the Tannoy’s III LZ reinvention of the traditional Tannoy twin concentric design, its up to date cupboard, different specs, and extra…
The publish Classic Dual Concentric Design REINVENTED | The Tannoy Stirling III LZ Loudspeaker 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 in regards to the PD-191A intending to switch 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.
There’s few loudspeakers as placing and complex as Avantgarde’s Duo sequence. At AXPONA 2023 Tom Martin received the within scoop from American Sound Distribution Angie Lisi on the NEW DUO GT.
The put up Fully Active & Integrated Streaming Horn Speaker? | Avantgarde’s DUO GT appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Interviewing musicians is usually a multi-step course of. You attain out to a advertising rep who units up a time slot for a Q&A, after which you’ve gotten X variety of minutes to converse with somebody who’s squeezing you in between different interviews. Prior to the interview, you put together some questions.
There are different situations, nonetheless. Like this, instance: At 9 o’clock one morning, in a pre-caffeinated state, you’re ready in your first cup of espresso to chill down at a desk in a lodge when a well known musician you acknowledge begins strolling previous you.
Which is what occurred to me at this 12 months’s AXPONA.
The musician I assumed I acknowledged is a keyboardist, arranger, and producer who had an outsized presence on the CTI label throughout its heyday, is massive in Japan, has received two Grammys and been nominated for 18 others, recorded the theme track to Taxi, has been sampled by numerous hiphop artists, nonetheless excursions all over the world, and is at present recording for an audiophile label.
In different phrases, Bob James—however simply to be on the protected aspect I checked his title tag. Later that morning James was slated to signal his newest Evosound launch, Feel Like Makin’ Live, so it made sense that he was wandering across the constructing. So have been 9 thousand different folks, nonetheless, so the percentages of us bumping into one another have been slim.
I requested him if he’d like to speak for a minute, and we ended up chatting for 45 minutes. I informed him it appeared apropos he was attending the occasion, as he definitely is not any stranger to the audiophile group. Going again to an early interval in James’ profession, Rudy Van Gelder engineered many albums on CTI that concerned James as a frontrunner or contributor. To leap ahead just a few a long time, Evosound is an audiophile label based mostly in Hong Kong. As we began to speak, Bob James made it clear that he was conversant in The Absolute Sound, which is sensible, contemplating his dedication to good sound.
Our chat was fairly informal, and there have been instances when he requested me questions—about TAS, about AXPONA, about my report assortment. It seems each of us are vinyl lovers, and he even confirmed me a photograph of his report assortment, which is now housed in some custom-designed cabinets in his dwelling in Michigan. When I requested what he’d been as much as these days, James, who’s now 83, made it clear that he’s been doing fairly a little bit of touring.
“Unlike what I’d have anticipated at my age—most individuals take into consideration retirement or taking it simple, however music is my life,” he defined. “And I like performing. And whereas I’ve the vitality and the willingness to do it—it looks as if I say ‘Yes’ to issues extra usually than I did even up to now. So I’m doing loads of touring. I’ve a really younger band that performs with me. I like the problem of attempting to maintain up with them.”
His ideas then turned to AXPONA.
“I like studying issues about the best way different individuals are experiencing music,” he stated, and he spoke positively about “a complete trade like this, a conference like this, that’s dedicated to all of the totally different ways in which music will be heard in a extra life like method.”
He was interested in my function because the music editor of The Absolute Sound, and I informed him about that. His response?
“As you have been describing your world, I used to be realizing that primarily what I need to do is cry,” he stated. “You see, I’ve to confess to you that I’m now sporting listening to aids, and {that a} very basic a part of this world makes me unhappy as a result of I can’t recognize it. I get it, and there was a time in my life once I would have been having a freakish unbelievable time on this constructing. I’d have been going utterly nuts, and I’d have been talky talky talky about each side of it. Now that could be a reminiscence in my life.”
Needless to say, his decline in listening to has affected his recording course of.
“We have to talk a double language and now we have to translate for one another,” he stated about recording engineers. “I inform them what I would like him to make the music sound like though, once I’m going to be listening again to it, I received’t be capable of talk immediately in the best way that I’d have.
“I nonetheless need the music to sound good. That’s what I would like, however the very primary essence of it’s humbling, and that’s why I need to cry.”
But, I stated, his musicianship hasn’t diminished. After knocking on wooden, James stated, “I’m hanging in there. I’m hanging in there with the music and piano music, and a piano participant performs it along with his fingers, and his mind’s telling how loud to play every be aware. And if he’s enjoying Mozart, he’s received to play a sure means, jazz a sure means, a blue million issues.
“Then it begins to return into your world the place there’s a microphone and there’s an engineer. ‘How do you translate that?’ But even earlier than you get there, there are all these different variables—the piano itself, is it a Yamaha or a Steinway or is it a Fazioli? You can have one million conversations about that. ‘I choose the tone of the Fazioli, I choose the Steinway, and I choose laborious motion or smooth motion,’ however all of these issues are associated to what they sound like, and I say humbly to you—within the 70s I used to be so deeply into the distinction between a Yamaha and a Steinway and a Chickering and a Baldwin and doubtless on a blindfold check I may say, ‘That’s a Baldwin or that’s a Chickering or that’s a Casio.’ I knew the subtlety of the piano tone. I don’t have that any extra. But I’ve the reminiscence of it.”
“The essence of it, the world of it’s nonetheless my life, and once I go to the piano now, I’m trusting my fingers with a lifetime of whether or not this be aware goes to be a 34 velocity or a 35. My mates that take heed to me are telling me that I’m nonetheless enjoying piano the best way I used to though I’m not listening to a Steinway versus a Fazioli, I’m listening to a reminiscence of it.”
Understandably, James suggested me to keep away from rock concert events.
But you didn’t play rock concert events, I stated.
“No, however in my subject, 12 months by 12 months I may really feel the engineers, they went louder, louder, louder,” James stated. “I fought it so long as I may, however general, stage quantity in each occupation has gotten louder, louder, louder.”
I requested him about Japan, the place he has lengthy been a extremely revered artist.
“I’ve an extended historical past there,” he stated, “each audio and music and every little thing, and I’m completely happy that it’s a Japanese firm that I’m representing right now. Evosound has been nice to me when it comes to presenting my music in a high-end audio group and having the records be demo records for high-end. Ashley Whitfield, the president, could be very all in favour of having an artist on his label who makes music that could be very usually recognized with high-end audio.”
Although our dialog concerned, at instances, a good quantity of soul-searching, there was as a lot humor as there was gravitas, and our entire dialog handed in a light-hearted method. Repeatedly we talked in geeky record-collector phrases about our love for vinyl. I informed him that when I’ve a devoted vinyl listening session at dwelling, I are likely to favor small-group acoustic jazz, and I requested what he most well-liked in that state of affairs.
“Because my world is enjoying the stuff that you simply talked about, at dwelling fairly often I take heed to classical music,” James stated. “That’s my interest as a result of that’s much less my actual world. When I’m listening to jazz, I’m most likely going to be important.”
Suddenly our dialog took an sudden flip, as Nick Getz, the son of tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, walked previous us. Along with Abey Fonn, Nick mentioned the upcoming 1-Step of Getz/Gilberto launch at AXPONA at numerous factors that weekend.
“That’s Stan Getz’s son proper there,” I informed James.
“You’re kidding,” James stated. “I produced Stan Getz and performed with Stan Getz many instances.”
Nick Getz seems to be quite a bit like his father—similar hair, face, and construct, and he even feels like him when he talks—and it was nice enjoyable introducing him to somebody who labored with Stan when he seemed a complete lot his son does now. (Talk about déjà vu.) Bob James informed Nick Getz about working along with his father and the way a lot respect he had for him as a musician, and Nick was clearly touched by that.
After Bob James disappeared into the mass of individuals hoping to listen to as a lot high-end gear as doable, I began to course of our dialog that morning. Due to listening to loss, this veteran musician not will get the total expertise when he performs and records, however his dedication to music stays steadfast and he finds a technique to make it work. At an occasion the place distractions have been quite a few and alternatives to mirror have been few, that message didn’t get misplaced.
The put up You Never Know Who You’ll Run Into at AXPONA: A Chance Encounter with Bob James appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Chief Content Officer Tom Martin interviews T+A Electroakustic founder Siegfried Amft on their new flagship Solitaire S 540 Loudspeaker.
The publish The Solitaire S 540 Loudspeaker AXPONA 2023 Debut | T+A Electroakustic appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
From Fremer: AXPONA 2023 was a world occasion that places the present and eventually America on the world audio stage. The Consumer Electronics Show as soon as was that occasion however excessive efficiency audio is not a significant a part of that present.
Founded in 2009 by then retailer Steve Davis, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) for a few years was a regional present, the sparsely attended 2011 Atlanta present being an excellent instance. Shows had been additionally held in New York City, Jacksonville, Florida after which in 2013 on the O’Hare Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, at which era JD Events bought the present. The firm’s experience is occasion manufacturing and over time the present grew in measurement, stature and the all encompassing phrase “professionalism”.
Covid crimped AXPONA’s progress and naturally the present was canceled for a number of years. AXPONA 2022 was a return to type, although on a smaller scale than earlier than the pandemic.2023 introduced in a giant manner that AXPONA was again, greater, higher and extra worldwide in scope, with large names from all over the world exhibiting up, together with SME’s Stuart McNeilis, Crystal Cables’ Gabi Reynveld, Cyril Hammer, Dr. Roland Gauder, plus govt and design groups from Accuphase, Air-Tight Technics and Esoteric, amongst others. That was new.
The present ran on flooring 1-7, and 11,12,14,15 and 16 plus on the related conference heart. It was greater than anyone particular person might probably cowl and clearly I missed an important deal. To save time I skipped many rooms I’d usually cease in to say good day, together with Bluebird Distribution the place I’d have run into SME CEO McNeilis.
The Absolute Sound despatched a big contingent they usually coated it in a well-organized trend, assigning to every reviewer, a specific beat. Next 12 months, TrackingAngle will try one thing related however for this 12 months it was simply me and Ken Redmond. Our different writers had been for numerous causes unable to attend.
Looking via the information, and from speaking with different attendees I see I missed, in no explicit order, firms anybody protecting analog wouldn’t need to miss together with phono preamp producer Lejonklou, whose merchandise I’ve reviewed over time, Primaluna, which had a brand new phono preamp on show, I missed Doshi Audio, exhibiting with Joseph Audio—first time I missed that room—and I missed J. Sikora turntables, although I’ve coated their latest tonearm in a Capitol Audio Fest video together with their turntables. I missed complete flooring and so missed seeing some very acquainted faces and a few of their new merchandise.
On the opposite hand, I made a decision to broaden our protection to do extra with digital merchandise together with streaming DACs, and many others. In one room I heard a demo of a quickly to be launched CD participant that the producer was comfortable to check to a stream of the identical materials and sonically, the CD trounced the stream!
Per week earlier than the present I needed to pack up the Esoteric Grandioso T1 turntable, the evaluation of which I’d simply handed in to The Absolute Sound, to ship it off to the present. The directions advocate a minimum of two and ideally three folks to pack up the heavy turntable (the platter alone weights 42 kilos), however I had nobody to assist so I did it alone and managed fairly properly (I like to recommend Pilates to all you kids!).
A number of days later whereas loading up my snow tire wheels, I wrenched my again as I’ve by no means earlier than finished—by no means had again ache—after which one thing I disagreed with ate me, and between the projectile outcomes of that encounter and my again I nearly stayed residence, however glad I didn’t, although conducting a turntable set-up seminar with a wrenched again was no enjoyable, nor was it enjoyable that the turntable’s arm was equally “wrenched” and simply hung in house wherever I put it. Still, I made essentially the most of it and used the event to indicate the total home learn how to diagnose turntable points like those I had that day. I additionally ran a helpful pane dialogue on reissues.
The submit Even MORE Fremer at AXPONA 2023 | Show Report 2/2 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
There’s a purpose AXPONA is so well-liked. After all, how typically do you may have a possibility to listen to, for 3 days in a row, high-end stereo gear made by producers from world wide? That’s why over 9,000 individuals converged to a suburb in Illinois for the 2023 occasion, and that’s why, for 3 days, the elevators had been full of audiophiles working their means from room to room. Two hundred rooms generally is a bit daunting for one weekend, however attendees did their finest to cowl as a lot floor as doable.
While gear could also be the primary attraction at AXPONA, it isn’t the one recreation on the town. That would turn into clear to you if, like me, you had been standing round shortly earlier than the Record Fair formally opened on Friday morning. There will need to have been 100 individuals ready for these doorways to open.
And you’ll be able to’t blame them, as AXPONA gives a splendid alternative to get your paws on what are very often extraordinarily restricted editions of audiophile LPs, deluxe editions, uncommon vinyl, and new vinyl, together with imports. Some titles had been launched that very same week, and in lots of circumstances solely the early birds had been in a position to seize these titles earlier than they had been gone. Buying records at AXPONA can truly prevent some cash, as the choice for most individuals means buying LPs on-line, which provides transport prices—and by the point you find yourself with a tall pile of wax (as many individuals did) you’ve saved your self so much moola. Below you’ll see the multi-tasking Chad Kassem from Acoustic Sounds on the far proper, attempting to carry courtroom and promote bunches of records shortly after the Record Fair opened its doorways. He’s multitasker.
I returned to the Record Fair a number of instances throughout the occasion, and when issues slowed down a bit I had an opportunity to talk with totally different distributors. Lisa Rothe from Direct Audio instructed me that vinyl is changing into more and more well-liked with followers of mainstream nation, and an early fowl bought all of the present nation LPs from her, and presumably for resale. Lisa additionally knowledgeable me that MoFi’s 1-Step of Michael Jackson’s Thriller has been considered one of her best-selling titles:
Tyson Hall from Music Direct instructed me that though they stocked the heck out of the brand new 2-LP 45rpm vinyl of Warren Zevon’s Excitable Boy, finally they bought out of all their copies. Also sizzling off the press was MoFi’s 1-Step of Elvis Presley’s From Elvis In Memphis, a 1969 launch that noticed Elvis as soon as once more in prime kind.
Kevin Berg from Elusive Disc mentioned a very well-liked title was Saturday Night in San Francisco, which that was recorded the night time after 1981’s Friday Night in San Francisco however solely launched final 12 months on the Impex label. Song-wise there’s no overlap between the 2 nights, and Saturday options, amongst different issues, a scorching efficiency of “Meeting of the Spirits,” a John McLaughlin composition that initially appeared on the primary Mahavishnu Orchestra LP, The Inner Mounting Flame. Quite merely, Saturday Night in San Francisco is a will need to have.
It’s all the time good to see Delmark Records on the occasion, as they’re a historic label with previous and new blues and jazz titles and they hail from Chicago. The CEO of Delmark, Julia Miller is seen right here holding a reel-to-reel tape of the Junior Wells traditional, Hoodoo Man Blues.
AXPONA additionally gives an opportunity to fulfill musicians and advertising and marketing reps. Jazz singer and pianist Anne Bisson wore each of these hats this 12 months, performing a well-attended and well-received dwell live performance on Friday night time and signing copies of her audiophile vinyl throughout the day.
Along with taking part in harp, Isabeau Corriveau bought copies of her records within the foyer. Singer-songwriter Amber Rubarth carried out on Saturday night time. Also, Bob James signed copies of his dwell trio album Feel Like Makin’ Live, on the Hong Kong-based Evosound label.
The founding father of Impex Records, Abey Fonn, held some talks the place, together with Nick Getz, the son of Stan Getz, she mentioned an upcoming 1-Step of Getz/Gilberto. Abey was additionally a part of a panel dialogue with Shane Boettner from Intervention Records, Julia Miller from Delmark, Chad Kassem from Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions, and Michael Fremer. The group mentioned the do’s and don’ts of remastering—and they need to know, as they’re all within the trenches.
The sorts of discussions and experiences described right here actually helped spherical out AXPONA, as, in the long run, it’s our love for music that makes us need to hear recordings on great-sounding stereos.
The publish The 2023 AXPONA Show: Jeff Wilson on the Music appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Cynthia Blankenship, AKA, The Audio Belle, takes us on her private journey, together with her insights, discoveries, and ideas on AXPONA 2023.
The publish The Audio Belle At AXPONA 2023 | Show Report 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 seen an elevated variety of showgoers within the variety of girls, youthful aged audiophile/audio curious of us, and folks of shade. The present organizers are shifting in the appropriate course by increasing the pool of attendees, which I’m certain added to the 20% improve in attendance this 12 months. With 200 rooms to see, there isn’t any means I may handle to go to all of them. The gadgets that I used to be conscious of, from contacts or press releases acquired, 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 have a look at a few 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 lower, with out the same old bonding required for nearly all different cartridges. This advantages the cartridge with better 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 elements sitting on Bassocontinuo Revolution X racks, the sound was a lot improved. Playing Lady Blackbird’s “Blackbird” monitor 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” monitor, 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), impartial single-ended and balanced output levels, headphone amplifier, inner 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 help for UPnP, HQPlayer, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Tidal, Qobuz, and YouTube. The s82 Mark II provides a whole 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) have 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 have been the exact same Vimberg Tonda Ds I reviewed within the pages of TAS in Issue 320. Connecting the system have 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 wonderful whether or not enjoying classical music through silver disc or spinning vinyl enjoying Lady Blackbird. The soundstage was expansive, the presentation had truthful readability, and instrument/vocal timbres have been spot on and as sensible 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 contains a bead-blasted anodized aluminum chassis, 300VA toroidal transformer, inner PhoenixUSB Lite reclocker, optimized USB output, and twin, impartial CX voltage-regulator modules. Brief listening within the above configuration yielded a complete system sound that was mild 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 have 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 wonderful relying on the music tracks performed. Considering the large room measurement, this method did surprisingly effectively.
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 gadgets, community swap, and so on.). The different supply on this system was the dCS Rossini Apex DAC ($32,800) with Rossini Master Clock ($10,850): which sounded excellent enjoying a stay BSO efficiency of Shostakovich’s 11th symphony. Vinyl playback was top-notch with the system enjoying Lady Blackbird, Duke Ellington’s Jazz Violin Sessions, and the superb 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 embody 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 stated to yield improved sound staging, element, heat, and general 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 coated in that evaluation. The SME 60 with VA Series tonearm is a piece of engineering precision and creativity geared in the direction of enhancing on SME’s legacy designs. Based on all indications introduced 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 might be stated to supply wonderful “dynamic vary and low bass authority with minimal coloration.” Other options embody the compact chassis of the ATR10 mkII, DC Coupled Stabilized Loop Gain Technology, regulated tape rigidity 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 enjoying SonoruS Holographic Imaging tapes confirmed promising efficiency. I wish to discover this tape machine’s efficiency additional.
Other turntable debuts embody: 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 hearken 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 Akustik DARC 200 loudspeakers ($149,000). Being aware of Gauder Akustik’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 development to new heights with the implementation of aluminum as a substitute 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 when it comes to linear bass output degree and selective enhance/lower between 30Hz–60Hz (typical drawback 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 the 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 primarily based 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 industrial tape decks. For sure fashions of the tape heads that AM Belgium shares, the client can order the correct various head in a single amount. For various 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 provides 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 price was greater than some lower-priced choices on the present, this was the very best 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 reveals. The present organizers are increasing their attain. This is an efficient factor for the business and our interest.
Most Coveted Product(s): Gauder Akustik DARC 200 loudspeakers, SonoruS ATR10 mkII tape participant, and Kalista DreamPlay XC SACD/CD Player/DAC.
The submit The 2023 AXPONA Show: Andre Jennings on Analog and Digital Sources appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
If you may’t make it to Munich for an audio present, AXPONA is a really shut second. This was my maiden journey to the Chicago extravaganza, however even veteran attendees marveled anew at its sheer dimension, the demographic disparity of attendees, the presence of nearly each main high-end producer on earth (together with their prime designers and executives), and the plethora of purposely timed product introductions. Compared to Munich, AXPONA’s most obvious lack is an efficient apfelstrudel.
So, there I used to be wandering the ten flooring (plus a dozen ballrooms), looking for audio system below $30k, however discovering largely fashions priced properly under $10k. What was occurring? The trade had lastly realized that efficiently attracting a brand new, youthful, however much less prosperous clientele meant pricing its wares accordingly. Consequently—and I by no means thought I’d write this in a TAS present report—costs have been method down. New merchandise however, that was AXPONA’s greatest information.
Mission M770. This speaker, making its U.S. debut, represented a number of developments. First, it’s uncontestably cheap: simply $5k/pair, together with stands. Second, like introductions from Wharfedale, JBL, Janszen, KLH, Klipsch and Tannoy, the Mission is an up to date model of an outdated speaker—on this case, the M770 that initially bowed in 1978. At AXPONA, every little thing outdated was new once more. Not all these seductively priced reboots have been profitable, however the Mission had a dynamic alacrity and midrange immediacy that have been absent even in lots of costly high-end audio system.
Janszen Nine.Five. Another retro speaker that made the grade will get particular kudos for its willingness to play with the unique’s design. The Nine.Five takes its cue from the beloved KLH Model 9. But whereas the KLH was a full-range electrostatic, the Janszen is a almost full-range ‘stat. In the trendy model, which runs $21,900, the planar panel covers every little thing from 200Hz up. Below that could be a line array of six 8” dynamic woofers. At AXPONA the low-sensitivity speaker was underpowered by AGD electronics, so Beethoven’s 7th didn’t fare properly. However, on much less strenuous supply materials, comparable to Brubeck’s “Take Five,” the amps stored up and the audio system confirmed exceptional neutrality, convincing timbre, and wonderful imaging. On no event did I hear any discontinuity between the planar and dynamic drivers. Sometimes taking liberties pays off.
GoldenEar T66. The long-delayed revamp of GoldenEar’s famed Triton collection begins now, with this good-looking, below $8k/pair floorstander. The T66 marks the primary core-product introduction for the reason that firm was acquired by the Quest Group, which additionally contains AudioQuest. Compared to its predecessors, the T66 reveals noticeably superior industrial design and end. Featuring a ribbon tweeter and powered sub, the T66 sounded clean and luxurious when pushed by McIntosh tubed electronics. I’d like to listen to it with some good solid-state gear, however the T66 bodes properly for GoldenEar’s subsequent chapter.
Q Acoustics 5000 Series. This British model is extra acquainted to Europeans than Americans, however that will change with new distribution right here and choices like asserting a whole new line at AXPONA somewhat than ready for Munich. The 5000 collection ranges from $750–$2000, and each mannequin options expertise from the doubly costly Concept Series. At AXPONA, powered by the all the time good-sounding Soul Note electronics, the mid-range mannequin 5040 ($1499) displayed surprisingly excessive decision and dynamics for the worth. Even the cupboard was stunning.
MoFi SourcePoint 8. Designer Andrew Jones’ newest is a boundary buster. The SourcePoint 8 demonstrates simply how a lot audiophile-grade sound may be wrung from a $3k/pair of audio system. The SP8 is the newborn brother of the stellar SourcePoint 10—itself an unbelievable discount at $4k/pair—with the distinction being the woofer dimension. Both fashions characteristic Jones’ trademark concentric-driver method. The SP8 could surrender a smidge of bass extension in comparison with the SP10, however its low finish stays highly effective and tight. As with the SP10, The SP8’s imaging, decision, dynamics, and just about every little thing else are ridiculously good for the worth. AJ does it once more!
PureAudioProject makes open-baffle audio system that homeowners can modify by including or changing modules. For occasion, the midrange may be dealt with by the customer’s selection of a horn, coax, or full-range driver. The newest mannequin is the Trio 15, which features a pair of 15” woofers and the coax mid/hello for $8900/pair. Its sound at AXPONA was clean and soulful, with nice spatial dispersion. There have been no field colorations, due to there being no field.
Tannoy was yet one more model from hi-fi’s golden age that was sprucing up its outdated catalog. The Stirling LLLZ Special Edition ($12,500) relies on a 1967 design, however its elements trickled down from the flagship Kensington mannequin. Like many of those retro-inspired audio system, there are consumer changes; on this case, for tweeter degree and roll-off frequency. Tannoy supplied solely a static show of the Stirling, however the Kensington, which is bigger however has an identical specs, was enjoying. In the Tannoy custom, it sounded wealthy and sonorous.
Gershman XdB. The XdB is a stand-mount speaker with a distinction: the stand itself is a part of the system. As I perceive it, the stand capabilities as a bass entice, dissipating extra bass from the sealed enclosure. In one other departure, there’s an anti-vibration, mass-loading disc atop the cupboard. The audio system, $12k/pair together with stands, are rated all the way down to an impressively low 23Hz. At their AXPONA introduction, bass was shockingly prolonged and highly effective. The remainder of the spectrum was equally good, particularly by way of dynamics. A exceptional debut, particularly—I’ll say it once more—contemplating the worth.
JM Reynaud’s Orfeo Grande ($19,500) had its U.S. premier at AXPONA. The French firm’s new flagship mannequin employs a planar tweeter and dynamic mid and bass drivers, all of which built-in artfully. Paired with Jadis electronics, the combo sounded each bit as candy as you’d anticipate, however not overly so. There was a stunning diploma of instrumental physique and weight for such a small footprint.
Dynaudio pulled out all of the stops at AXPONA. The firm showcased three audio system: the Confidence 50, which galvanized JV; the Confidence 20, whose sound was such that it had no enterprise costing simply $13k together with stands; and the $11k Focus 50, making its first commerce present look. These are wi-fi, powered, 3-way, tri-amplified audio system with built-in streaming, room correction, and WiSA inter-speaker connectivity for low latency. Although I didn’t get to listen to the F50, I used to be impressed by its vary of assist for streaming platforms (Tidal, Roon, Spotify), wi-fi connectivity (Chromecast, exterior WiSA sources as much as 24/96, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth), and hardwired inputs (Ethernet, coax Digital, TosLink, analog). As befits a very fashionable speaker, every little thing is configurable and controllable through an app.
Canadian speaker firm Rethm launched the Maarga floorstander ($12,900). An lively speaker, the Maarga incorporates a 400-watt amp to energy its quad 7” isobaric woofers. Prana Fidelity showcased the ultimate model of its long-gestating Dhara stand-mount speaker ($9500/pair together with stands). Although squarely within the “nice” faculty of sound, the Dhara was by no means monotonous due to loads of rhythmic vitality. The crossover gives numerous choices for roll-off, resistor values, and so forth, all of that are user-switchable.
Ironically, simply throughout the corridor from the massive MBL omnidirectional system was a a lot smaller-scale—and much cheaper—execution of the omnidirectional method by Phillips Design. Making its world debut was the mannequin OH-16 ($4500-$6k, relying on end). The speaker consists of a coax mid/hello driver firing upward right into a dispersion cone, and a down-firing 12” woofer.
Martin-Logan selected AXPONA to launch a whole new line: the Motion Series. All the Motion fashions are hybrids, with AMT planar tweeters, fiberglass midrange drivers, and both aluminum or Kevlar/Nomex composite woofers, relying on mannequin. Prices vary from a mere $500 to $5500.
The Wharfedale Dovedale, one other speaker reborn from the previous, is a brand new entrant within the firm’s Heritage Series. The Dovedale hails from the 60s, when it might be bought as a package! The new model mimics the unique’s dimension and form. Each driver has its personal inside cupboard. Built within the U.Ok., the 3-way Dovedale prices $7k for a mirror-matched pair.
Another longstanding model, Definitive Technology, launched the brand new Dymension Series. Of best curiosity to two-channel audio followers would be the floorstanding DM40, 60, 70 and 80. They promote for $2–$5k/pair. Each mannequin is a bipole tower with an attenuate-able rear driver. The sound was pure and extremely coherent.
Paradigm’s new Defiance XR11 subwoofer ($4k) powers its 11” woofer with 1100 watts. The sub contains room correction and a by-product of the woofer used within the upscale Persona line. Phase, polarity, and degree can all be managed by an app.
Focal is changing its well-liked Chora line with a brand new collection dubbed Theva (the ‘h’ is silent). Designed for each home-theater and two-channel functions, the audio system vary from $1–$3k and boast upgraded cupboards, crossovers, and drivers.
Finally, the Devialet Mania is a tiny moveable sphere of a speaker. Barely bigger than a softball, Mania is lively, wi-fi, rechargeable (one cost lasts 10 hours), and helps Apple Airplay, wi-fi, and Bluetooth. Grab your telephone, a Mania, and a bottle of wine and have your self a picnic anyplace.
Best Sound (Cost no object): Among bigger rooms, I by no means felt the enjoyment of sonic and musical discovery as keenly as with the Acora/VAC system. Within smaller rooms, kudos go to the extraordinary new Magico S3.
Best Sound (for the cash): No contest right here. The MoFi SourcePoint 8 audio system pushed by a Hi-Fi Rose built-in amp/DAC/streamer value lower than $7 for an whole—and completely mind-blowing—system.
Most Significant Introduction: A tie between the MoFi SourcePoint 8, which exhibits simply how a lot terrific sound $3k can purchase, and the Magico S3 ($45k), which leverages the corporate’s newest design and testing expertise to create a brand new candy spot within the line.
Best Joke: In a packed elevator, Muzak wafting from the ceiling, an attendee quipped, “This is the perfect sound I’ve heard on the present.” The whole elevator exploded with laughter.
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