Tag Archives: preamplifier
High End Munich – May 18, 2023 – The distinctive new 300 Series contains the NSS 333 streamer, NAC 332 pre-amplifier. NAP 350 monoblock energy amplifier, NVC TT phono stage and NPX TT energy provide. Both the NSS 333 streamer and NAC 332 pre-amplifier can take pleasure in a efficiency enhance by including an NPX 300 energy provide. Designed and developed by Naim engineers in Salisbury, UK, the New Classic merchandise are on the forefront of innovation and know-how. Timeless, they’re fastidiously crafted and constructed to final. Sophisticated but easy to make use of, they’ll present years of listening pleasure.
“The new 300 Series is Naim at its purest – pushing the boundaries of what’s attainable, in service of the sound. With cutting-edge innovation, very good connectivity, daring styling and distinctive efficiency, we are able to’t wait so that you can see and listen to this wonderful vary,” mentioned Steve Sells, Technical Editor (Hardware) at Naim Audio.
NSS 333 HIGH RESOLUTION MUSIC STREAMER
At the guts of each good hi-fi system lies a great supply. The NSS 333 supplies a high-resolution streaming answer which does precisely that, in its help of top-rate file codecs from UPnP units and streaming companies.
Using the NSS 333’s inner DAC allows improved efficiency from different audio units inside your system, benefitting from common management throughout the Naim vary; all operated from the intuitive Focal and Naim App.
- Latest Streaming Platform – Stream all of your favourite radio stations and music from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz.
- Easy playback from all of your units by way of Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and top-quality Bluetooth.
- Works seamlessly with a spread of different Naim streaming merchandise, together with Uniti and Mu-so programs. Choose the identical tune in beat-perfect sync or play completely different music in several rooms.
- Superlative construct high quality and exquisite design, constructed to final.
- Full colour excessive decision 5.5-inch show.
- Place wherever – Balanced outputs for retained high quality over lengthy distance and rack mounting set up.
- Excellent distant management connectivity – Zigbee permits non-line-of-sight bi-directional management.
- 5W Standby – lowered energy consumption.
- Perfect accomplice for NAC 332 preamplifier and NAP 250 or NAP 350 energy amplifiers.
- Upgrade efficiency additional nonetheless by including NPX 300 energy provide.
NAC 332 HIGH-END ANALOGUE PRE-AMPLIFIER
Including quite a few parts derived from Naim’s flagship Statement S1 pre-amp, the NAC 332 is the analogue supply hub with out compromise, delivering the perfect in musical efficiency to your amplifier and loudspeakers.
It’s Naim’s most adaptable pre-amplifier up to now, permitting the connection of headphones and the NVC TT phono stage for distinctive vinyl playback. Optimized circuit topology supplies improved musical efficiency from all of your sources, managed by way of the handy distant quantity management and enter choice utilizing the Focal & Naim App.
- Dedicated preamplifier – much less inner noise for optimum sound high quality.
- Superlative construct high quality and exquisite design, constructed to final.
- Built-in premium headphone amplifier (1.5W pure class A).
- Connect your turntable utilizing the non-obligatory NVC TT phono stage.
- Connect different sources, equivalent to your CD participant.
- Closest preamplifier design to the Naim Statement (NAC S1).
- Superior parts – through-hole parts for increased high quality efficiency.
- Place wherever – Balanced outputs for retained high quality over lengthy distance and rack bay set up.
- Excellent distant management connectivity – Zigbee permits non-line-of-sight bi-directional management.
- Combines completely with NSS 333 streamer and NAP 350 energy amp.
- 5W Standby – lowered energy consumption.
- Upgrade efficiency additional nonetheless by including NPX 300 energy provide.
NAP 350 REFERENCE MONO-BLOCK POWER AMPLIFIERS
This state-of-the-art 175W mono-block design provides tailor-made functionality throughout a wide range of loudspeaker choices, from single to a number of amplifiers, and its inner cooling system permits for discrete placement inside your chosen atmosphere. High present supply for dynamics – peaking at 1.7kW into low impedances – drives even essentially the most demanding loudspeakers.
- State-of-the-art mono-block amplifier answer – every amp providing 175W with 1.7kW peaks.
- Superlative construct high quality and exquisite design, constructed to final.
- Temperature-controlled fan for discrete placement.
- The answer for essentially the most demanding loudspeakers.
- Best ever compatibility – true balanced XLR means simple connection.
- Versatile answer – from mono to a number of amplification answer (bi-amp, tri-amp and many others).
- Combines completely with NSS 333 streamer and NAC 332 preamplifier.
- 5W Standby – lowered energy consumption.
NVC TT & NPX TT REFERENCE MM/MC PHONO STAGE AND POWER SUPPLY
Enjoy your cherished vinyl assortment like by no means earlier than with this new Naim mixture – an evolution of the Naim Solstice Special Edition phono stage and energy provide pairing. The NVC TT is absolutely appropriate with transferring magnet and tailorable to your most popular transferring coil cartridge. It simply connects to the NSC 222 and NAC 332 pre-amplifiers, providing the easiest in elegant vinyl playback.
The NVC TT will be powered by the NSC 222 or NAC 332, or you may add the improve NPX TT energy provide for peerless efficiency and wider connectivity choices.
- Superlative construct high quality and exquisite design, constructed to final.
- Enjoy your cherished vinyl assortment like by no means earlier than.
- High high quality Phono stage for connecting any file participant you want (transferring magnet and transferring coil cartridges appropriate).
- Simple connectivity to NSC 222 and NAC 332.
- Fully tailorable to your most popular transferring coil cartridge: 16 selectable resistive values; 16 selectable capacitive values.
- Upgrade NPX TT energy provide accessible.
NPX 300 POWER SUPPLY – THE INSTANT UPGRADE
Previously introduced earlier this 12 months with the 200 Series, this devoted energy provide supplies an instantaneous efficiency improve for a spread of Naim Classic fashions, together with the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier, NSS 333 streamer and NAC 332 pre-amplifier.
Pricing:
NSS 333 streamer – $10,999 USD / $13,999 CAD
NAC 332 pre-amplifier – $10,999 USD / $13,999 CAD
NAP 350 monoblock energy amplifier – $8,499 USD / $10,999 CAD
NVC TT phono stage – $3,699 USD / $4,799 CAD
NPX TT energy provide – to be decided
NPX 300 energy provide – $8,999 USD / $11,999 CAD
The availability of the NSS 333, NAC 332, NAP 350, NVC TT, NPX TT and NPX 300 shall be accessible October 2023. For extra info please go to: https://www.naimaudio.com/product/vary/new-classic.
The put up Naim Audio Reveals the Latest Addition to its New Classic Product Range: The 300 Series appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
This AXPONA was simply essentially the most upbeat, finest organized, and nicely attended present outdoors Munich. But what actually made this 12 months’s occasion so heartening was the range of the attendees. The halls and exhibit rooms had been filled with younger individuals and {couples} in search of new methods to discover music. Fortunately, this present had loads of inexpensive merchandise for them to see and listen to, and with options and capabilities focusing on how they wish to entry music.
Here are my picks of essentially the most attention-grabbing new electronics on the present.
5 Most Significant New Products
PrimaLuna EVO 100 Phonostage
PrimaLuna, the corporate identified for delivering superb worth and excessive build-quality, has launched a “swing-for-the-fences,” all-tube phonostage with the EVO 100. Nearly all tube phonostages make use of a step-up transformer or transistor achieve stage on the enter earlier than the tube stage to maintain noise ranges low. Realizing 65dB or extra of achieve with simply tubes can lead to a poor signal-to-noise ratio. PrimaLuna has addressed this problem with a large all-tube energy provide that makes use of a pair of EL34s, a tube normally present in a power-amplifier output stage. The EVO 100’s tube complement contains 4 12AX7s within the entrance finish, a 6922 for extra moving-coil achieve, and a pair of 5AR4 tubes as rectifiers. The EVO 100 presents three achieve settings (52dB, 56dB, 60dB). The first manufacturing items simply began transport from distributor/retailer Upscale Audio. Price: $3695.
Aesthetix Pallena Preamplifier and Dione Power Amplifier
Aesthetix has a protracted historical past of constructing exceptionally musical merchandise, a practice continued within the new Pallena preamp and Dione energy amp. The Pallena is a totally balanced tube preamp with a switched-resistor quantity management primarily based on that of the Calypso preamp. An ideal characteristic is the flexibility to customise the Pallena to your wants or add functionality later. Specifically, you possibly can add an elective phono module with achieve and loading changes. These changes could be constructed from the entrance panel or distant management. A second module provides digital-to-analog conversion that helps as much as 384kHz/24-bit PCM and DSD64 and DSD128. The Pallena comes normal with a headphone amplifier, or you possibly can go for a totally discrete differential-input headphone amp. The modules are $1250 every.
The matching Dione energy amplifier is a hybrid design with a tube achieve stage and solid-stage output stage. The amplifier options zero suggestions and has differential balanced-bridged circuitry by means of the output stage. All inputs are supplied on each unbalanced and balanced jacks. The energy transformers are, unusually, wound in-house. Power output is rated at 160Wpc into 8 ohms and 320Wpc into 4 ohms.
The Pallena and Dione are priced at $6500 every and are a step up from the spectacularly nice Aesthetix Mimas built-in amplifier that’s Neil Gader’s reference.
Cabasse Abyss Amplifier
One of essentially the most outstanding demos at this AXPONA wasn’t with one of many present’s greatest methods, however with one in every of its smallest. French speaker maker Cabasse confirmed its Abyss “High-Resolution Connected Active Amplifier,” a 120Wpc built-in amplifier with built-in streaming. What’s particular concerning the Abyss is the DSP processing inside that may enormously enhance the sound of any speaker, most dramatically with fashions from Cabasse. The DSP means that you can inform the system the place your loudspeakers are positioned relative to room boundaries and the DSP will regulate the frequency response for smoother bass. You also can regulate the tonal stability with the integral tilt controls. But right here’s the most effective half: When used with a passive Cabasse speaker, the amplifier will interact a DSP program particular to that speaker to easy out response. The frequency profiles of a variety of Cabasse audio system are programmed into the Abyss; you simply choose which one to interact. The DSP filter has 30 bands, permitting for very exact adjustment. Non-Cabasse audio system profit from a generic DSP algorithm. In addition, the Abyss has a patented processing algorithm referred to as Dynamic Fidelity Enhancer (DFE) that analyzes the sign’s dynamics and degree in actual time and modifies the sign to revive the music’s dynamics and bass extension at low listening ranges. Price: $1795.
Naim NSC 222 Streaming Preamplifier, NAP 250 Power Amplifier, and NPX 300 Power Supply
Naim confirmed the brand new 200-Series, comprising the NSC 222 streaming preamplifier, NAP 250 energy amplifier, and NPX 300 energy provide. The NSC 222 options Naim’s personal streaming engine that helps each streaming platform, Internet Radio, UPnP servers, and can be Roon Ready. A front-panel show exhibits the album artwork. The new preamp is managed by the Naim App, which additionally supplies multi-room management over all of the Naim parts on the community. A high-quality headphone amplifier, inherited from the superb Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, is included. Price: $8999.
The NAP 250 energy amplifier carries the mannequin designation of an iconic Naim amplifier launched in 1975. This new sixth-generation mannequin is, after all, considerably up to date with the newest expertise and design. It advantages from some circuitry developed for Naim’s quarter-million-dollar Statement energy amplifier, together with discrete power-supply regulation and the similar transistors within the output stage. The NAP 250 outputs 100Wpc. Price: $8999.
Finally, the NPX 300 energy provide continues a long-held Naim custom of offering an improve path by means of a really high-quality energy provide in a separate chassis. The NPX is designed to enhance the efficiency of the NPX 222 by delivering exceptionally clear DC energy to the streaming preamplifier. Price: $8999. I’ve heard a number of demonstrations of Naim’s outboard energy provides, and the development in sound high quality was important every time. The three items within the 200-Series share similar styling for a unified look. They are additionally housed in superbly machined aluminum chassis with distinctive build-quality.
Balanced Audio Technology VK-80t
MoFi Distribution confirmed the brand new all-tube BAT VK-80t energy amplifier to rejoice BAT’s 25th anniversary. The VK-80t outputs 60Wpc from the high-current 6C33C-B output tube, the identical tube present in BAT’s flagship REX 3 energy amplifier. This tube has a better present capability that the 6550 discovered in lots of amplifiers. The enter stage is constructed round a 6H30 “SuperTube.” This new BAT could be operated as a stereo amplifier or a 120W monoblock. An auto-bias circuit simplifies possession. Available in black or silver. Deliveries of the $9995 unit start in Q2.
Auspicious Debuts
Air Tight ATC-7 Line Control Amplifier
The venerable Japanese artisanal producer debuted its reference linestage, the ATC-7 Line Control Amplifier. In growth since 2018, the ATC-7 is Air Tight’s assertion in linestages. The all-tube unit options three unbalanced and two balanced inputs, two pairs of 12AX7s, two pairs of 12AU7s, and a extremely superior new quantity management together with an modern energy provide. The styling harkens again to basic merchandise of the previous, with giant front-panel knobs slightly than a digital show. Much consideration was paid to the look and tactile really feel of the knobs; Air Tight wished to convey again the enjoyment of hands-on involvement in working an audio system on this age of touchscreens. In that spirit, the ATC-7 contains 4 separate changes for tonal stability, two for “Presence” and two marked “Bass Compensator.” These mean you can dial within the sound to your significantly loudspeakers, room, and style. The stability management is a pair of knobs (one for every channel) marked “Gain Trim.” As with all Air Tight merchandise, the ATC-7 is constructed by hand to the best normal.
Technics SU-GX70X Streaming Integrated Amplifier
Technics’ new SU-GX70X streaming amplifier is filled with a bunch of superior options. The amplifier is digital, which means it retains digital enter alerts within the digital area during the amplifier. Digital-to-analog conversion happens as a part of the switching output stage. The unit outputs 40Wpc into 8 ohms and 80Wpc into 4. It options Technics’ LAPC processing that “appears to be like” on the traits of the speaker the amplifier is driving and processes the sign to higher match the amplifier to the loudspeaker load. The SU-GX70X has two line inputs, mm phono, networking, Internet Radio, FM radio, Bluetooth, and each streaming service you possibly can think about. It additionally does DSD as much as 5.6MHz. An HDMI enter is included with Audio Return Channel (ARC) for straightforward integration with a TV. You can management the unit through the entrance panel, distant management, or app. Price: $1999, with availability starting in late July.
AVM CS 5.3 and CS 30.3 All-in-One, and PAS Preamplifier
Udo Besser of Germany’s AVM was available to indicate me the corporate’s new CS 5.3 all-in-one unit. The CS 5.3 is a community streaming amplifier with each streaming perform possible, HDMI enter for integrating with a TV, a phonostage with adjustable loading and achieve, and a whopping 330Wpc of Class D output energy. The CS 5.3 could be ordered as a hybrid unit with a tube enter stage at $12,800, or with a solid-state enter at $10,000.
If you don’t want that a lot energy, take into account the brand new CS 30.3 all-in-one, a part of the brand new 30.3 line that brings AVM’s expertise and build-quality to a cheaper price tier. The $5000 CS 30.3 is totally loaded functionally however presents 125Wpc of output energy. The 30.3 sequence comes with the identical superbly machined aluminum distant management as AVM’s high fashions.
If you have already got an influence amplifier and wish to add extra options to your system, AVM confirmed the PAS preamplifier, which is actually a CS 5.3 with out the facility amplification stage. Price: $8000 with tube enter stage.
All the AVM merchandise are supplied in black, silver, and chrome finishes, the latter carrying a small upcharge. Commendably, AVM has written its personal streaming engine software program and invested significantly in making a management app. I noticed a demo of the app and was enormously impressed by its energy, visible magnificence, and ease of use. The app has an ingenious graphic show for multi-room management of an AVM system with a number of parts all through the house.
Rotel Michi Series 2 Integrated Amplifiers and Preamplifier
After a protracted quiet spell, Rotel launched three formidable merchandise within the upscale Michi Series. The first of two built-in amplifiers is the Michi X3 Series 2. The X3 options greater than 90 element upgrades, ESS ES9028PRO DACs, and reengineered energy provides. This powerhouse delivers 350Wpc into 4 ohms and features a full complement of analog and digital inputs, in addition to an mm phonostage.
If you need much more energy, the Michi X5 Series 2 will present 600Wpc into 4 ohms thanks partially to twin, in-house-manufactured, shielded, low-noise toroidal transformers. The X5 additionally advantages from element upgrades and contains selectable mm or mc phono enter.
Finally, the Michi P5 Series 2 preamplifier options the ESS SABRE DAC tailored to “mono” mode for enhanced efficiency. It presents a full suite of analog and digital inputs together with MQA decoding, DSD as much as 4x, and mm and mc phono inputs. The X3 Series 2 is priced at $5799; the X5 is $7999; and the P5 is $4599. Availability begins in April.
WestminsterLab REI Class A Monoblock Amplifier and Quest Preamplifier
I noticed and heard an formidable new energy amplifier and preamplifier from an organization new to me, Hong Kong-based WestminsterLab. The compact amplifier, referred to as the REI, operates in Class A to ship 100W; but, the amplifier ran cool to the contact because of the VARI-BIAS expertise and heatsink design. The amplifier can double its output energy because the impedance is halved, all the way in which all the way down to 2 ohms. The direct-coupled, no-global-feedback circuitry is totally discrete and realized with hand-matched parts. The REI could be bridged for 400W. The minimalist industrial design is uncommon and delightful, realized with CNC-machined aluminum and carbon fiber. The matching Quest preamplifier is equally tweaky, with a dual-mono totally balanced design and a discrete stepped attenuator. Prices: $32,900 per pair for the REI, and $25,100 for the Quest preamplifier. WestminsterLabs merchandise are distributed by HearThis in Newport Beach, California.
SoTM sPQ-100 Phonostage
Korea’s SoTM, maker of dozens of high-tech digital parts for community streaming, launched its first phonostage, the sPQ-100. Housed in SoTM’s acquainted wedge-shaped chassis, the sPQ-100 presents banks of DIP switches for high-quality changes of the equalization curve. One place on every change is marked “RIAA” for setting the unit to accurately equalize for the worldwide normal. No pricing was introduced, however the sPQ-100 is predicted to promote for about $800 plus the price of one of many outboard energy provides supplied by SoTM.
Mola Mola Lupe Phonostage and Perca Stereo Amplifier
The acclaimed phonostage constructed into Mola Mola’s Makua preamplifier has now been become a stand-alone unit with its personal energy provide. The new Lupe options three single-ended inputs and one balanced enter, balanced and single-ended output, and a subsonic filter, all housed in a half-sized chassis. Unusually, the mm and mc levels are utterly separate; in most phonostages the mc sign merely goes by means of a further achieve stage. Any of the 4 inputs could be routed to the output to accommodate turntables with a number of tonearms. Price: $9850.
Mola Mola additionally confirmed a brand new stereo energy amplifier, the Perca. It delivers 150Wpc into 8 ohms and may double that score into 4 ohms. Price: $9850.
Leak Stereo 230 Integrated Amplifier
Talk a few legendary title from the previous. Leak confirmed, by means of its U.S. distributor MoFi Distribution, the brand new Stereo 230 built-in amp. The unit options mid-century-modern styling together with a brand new DAC part that gives full MQA decoding, DSD512, and decoding of any PCM sign. An HDMI enter with Audio Return Channel (ARC) permits the 230 to breed tv sound. An mm phonostage and devoted headphone amplifier are included. The 230 is Roon examined, however certification is pending. Power output is 75Wpc into 8 ohms, and 110Wpc into 4 ohms. Price: $1695
Robert Harley’s Best of Show
Best Sound (value no object)
I’ll title three methods, in no specific order.
Axiss Audio’s demo of the Gauder Akustik DARC 200 loudspeaker pushed by Soulution electronics with a Transrotor turntable and Air Tight Opus One cartridge. Spectacular dynamics, hard-hitting bass, fast, clear, non-fatiguing, and simply plain musical.
The Acora Acoustics VRC loudspeaker ($218,000) pushed by VAC Statement electronics sourced by an Oracle Delphi Reference turntable and cabled with Cardas all through. The sense of presence and immediacy was beautiful, as was the large three-dimensional soundstage.
MBL’s lately upgraded 101 Mk.II loudspeaker pushed by all-MBL entrance finish and electronics delivered the standard dose of MBL virtues—a shocking sense of lifelike presence, top-to-bottom coherence, enormous soundstage, and great bass extension and impression. Because of the 101’s omnidirectional nature each seat in the home was within the candy spot.
Best Sound (for the cash)
The Cabasse Rialto energetic loudspeaker. This small dice combines a concentric forward-facing driver with a rear-firing woofer, integral amplification, streaming, and even DSP room correction. You’ve heard the expression, “Just add audio system.” The Realto is, “Just add music.” The sound was stunningly nice for $4000 a pair. As a showgoer stated, “It’s scary good.” I couldn’t agree extra.
Most Significant Product Introduction
Magico S3. This new $45k speaker brings the sonic qualities of Magico’s flagship merchandise to its less expensive fashions. I’d have thought I used to be listening to one in every of Magico’s M-Series audio system.
Most Significant Trend
Great enhancements in app-based consumer interfaces. Once crude and clumsy, the most effective interfaces are quickly turning into slick and highly effective. Examples: Server-maker Innuos’ spectacular customized music-management system and AVM’s app management of its all-in-one methods with multiroom functionality. That form of software program growth is extraordinarily costly however delivers a superior buyer expertise.
Most Coveted Product
The Hill Plasmatronics plasma tweeter. Dr. Alan Hill, the physicist who invented the plasma tweeter 40 years in the past, was available to witness the primary public show of his driver in 4 a long time. The plasma driver, which has no diaphragm and thus no shifting mass, was paired with an Eminent Technology LFT-8c, crossed over at 1kHz. The sound was extremely lifelike and easy—essentially the most pure and sensible replica of upper-midrange and treble I’ve ever heard. Thanks to Tony Salsich, Joe Galanti, and Ron Hoering for spending the time, effort, and expense to showcase this outstanding expertise and landmark piece of high-end historical past.
The submit The 2023 AXPONA Show: Robert Harley on Electronics appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
The following is a press launch issued by Bryston.
Peterborough, Ontario | March 24, 2023 – Bryston (bryston.com), a number one producer of ultimate-performance audio electronics and loudspeakers for music and cinema programs out there by means of the best sellers worldwide, has introduced that the corporate will exhibit on the 2023 Montréal Audiofest, showcasing new merchandise together with the BP-19 preamplifier. The present is open to the general public and is being held on the Hôtel Bonaventure on March 24-26. Bryston shall be welcoming attendees in Room Outremont 2.
Hear New Products from Bryston
Show attendees shall be handled to the debut of Bryston’s BP-19 preamplifier, an ultra-high- efficiency design primarily based on the multi-award-winning BR-20 preamp. The BP-19 has been engineered for the devoted music fanatic, delivering lifelike performances, enhanced element, and a larger sense of dimensionality and dynamics from all recordings. The sign path includes a totally balanced design from input-to-output, utilizing an array of very tightly matched parts and a compact circuit structure. This design achieves the bottom potential noise and superior frequent mode rejection. The BP-19 is meticulously handcrafted in Canada and comes with Bryston’s legendary 20-year guarantee.
New T10 Series Loudspeakers
Bryston will even debut the brand new Model T10 Active loudspeakers in Montreal. The model new T10 sequence is comprised of three new floor-standing fashions (referred to as T10, Middle T10, Slim T10) and three new bookshelf fashions (Tiny T10, Compact T10 and Mini T10). The new sequence will embody each passive and energetic fashions and have new crossover networks and a glossy industrial design—all engineered and manufactured by Bryston in Canada.
The Montréal Audiofest attracts hundreds of audio lovers plus trade producers, distributors and retailers for a festive get-together celebrating the world’s best high-performance audio programs. The 2023 occasion will happen Friday March 24 to Sunday March 26 on the Hôtel Bonaventure Montréal.
Please go to bryston.com
The put up Bryston to Debut New Preamplifier and Loudspeakers on the 2023 Montréal Audiofest appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
In the movie Caddyshack, the character Ty Webb (performed by Chevy Chase) is an affable businessman and crack golfer who even performs properly when blindfolded. At one level, he undertakes to provide some free recommendation to the formidable teenage caddy named Danny (Michael O’Keefe). As the duo survey the course on the venerable Bushwood Country Club, Webb recites a saying that he fancifully attributes to the well-known Seventeenth-century Japanese thinker and haiku poet Matsuo Basho: “A flute with no holes in it isn’t a flute. A donut with no gap is a Danish.”
So, what does that make the Danish Gryphon Commander—a black aluminum two-chassis design with no exterior knobs or switches that primarily does virtually nothing to the audio sign? I’m no thinker, however I can attest that it makes the Commander not only a preamplifier however one thing of a magical instrument.
Your eyes will let you know a variety of the story. Put bluntly, the Gryphon Commander preamplifier is a commanding object. Its separate containers are related by three cables, that are the one slender factor about it. The hefty energy provide sits silently, whether or not in operation or not. So does the signal-processing chassis. No noise, no vibration, no nothing. Just obsidian silence. Quite a feat for a big energy provide that incorporates 4 custom-made 36VA toroidal transformers, two for every left and proper channel, that go a great distance towards rendering this preamp as potent as a variety of amplifiers. The energy provide can be able to powering a forthcoming phono- stage from Gryphon in addition to a digital supply. A considerable distant management with a rubber pad on the again to keep away from scratching furnishings controls the Commander, until you resolve to make use of your fingers and make use of the 4.3″ TFT capacitive touchscreen.
Situating the Commander in my {custom} HR-X stand required two folks to make sure that the preamp didn’t get dented or scratched or take a bit out of the stand itself. Fortunately, Jeff Fox of Command Performance AV in Falls Church, Virginia, and Anthony Chiarella, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Gryphon North America, had been each available to assist set up it safely. All the fuss proved to be well worth the effort. The Commander, which is the successor to the corporate’s earlier Pandora preamplifier, didn’t open up an auditory Pandora’s field. Instead, it provided a reminder of the significance of nice energy exercised with duty.
In the previous few years, I’ve listened to quite a lot of wonderful preamps, together with the Boulder 3010 and the Ypsilon PST-100, Mk. II. My present reference is the Swiss battery-powered darTZeel NHB-18NS, which features a phonostage. The Commander introduced its personal distinctive mix of attributes to the sonic desk. I didn’t solely take pleasure in listening to it; I reveled in its dynamic prowess and its means to resolve fantastic particulars, each of which will be traced to its superlatively low noise ground. Throughout my audition, the Commander did as little to change the sign emanating from digital or analog sources as I’ve ever heard a preamp do. It could be exhausting to consider a extra linear and immaculate part.
It might sound paradoxical, however the quiescence of the Commander was instantly audible. It offered silky black backgrounds on recording after recording. One CD that I very a lot loved listening to on the Commander, as an illustration, was a reside recording from December 2010 of the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass part enjoying all the pieces from Bach to Percy Grainger, from Gabrielli to Prokofiev. All the facility on faucet meant that the Commander was in a position to situate every instrument securely in its personal area. This was notably noteworthy, because it had been, on a spooky piece by the Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas known as “Sensemaya.” The tuba emerged from what appeared like prehistoric depths with an virtually voluptuous tone, conveying properly the instrumental rendering of the Cuban poet Nicolas Guillen’s saga a couple of ritual Afro-Caribbean chant that’s recited throughout the killing of a snake. And drumsticks had a extra authoritative and life like crack to them. Then there was the CSO brass’ rendition of Bach’s C minor Passacaglia and Fugue which vividly shows the clarion would possibly of the ensemble. The precision of soundstaging on Bach’s blockbuster work was actually marvelous, and the piccolo trumpets had a piping high quality to them that was wholly endearing.
Another factor all the facility of the Gryphon buys you is easy rest—not the soggy variety that you simply discover when collapsing right into a La-Z-Boy, however one thing a lot tauter and extra elegant. The sheer exactitude of the Commander meant that there was no sense of smearing or bloat, which translated into an enviable readability of musical line. This attribute was abundantly obvious after I streamed Roberta Flack, who made an abortive try at a profession as an opera singer then took R&B to new heights, singing “Jesse” or “I’m the Girl” on her traditional album Killing Me Softly. The Commander’s lack of grain and its iron-fisted management allowed it to spotlight the lilting and lissome high quality of her voice. Something comparable occurred on a Concord LP of the Warren Vache Trio known as Midtown Jazz. The elegant breathiness of Vache’s cornet enjoying on numbers akin to “I’m Old Fashioned” was by no means extra in proof on my stereo system. On Count Basie Remembered [Nagel Heyer Records], which options the New York All Stars enjoying reside in Hamburg, Germany, all the pieces snapped into place. When a preamp exerts the type of grip that the Commander does, it turns into rather a lot simpler to hint the interaction of an ensemble, in addition to its circulation. The rhythm turns into audibly snappier on swing music, because the devices, from piano to guitar, appear to cease and begin only a hair extra rapidly. The command of the Commander supplies that “you’re there” sensation that each one audiophiles in good standing are inclined to covet.
The would possibly of the Commander additionally signifies that it could actually distill the music to its essence, stripping away any digital detritus or encrustation. This got here dwelling to me whereas listening to the well-known German soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She made many recordings beneath the supervision of her husband, Walter Legge, who headed the classical music division at EMI/Angel. One such LP was a 1975 launch on the EMI label known as Songs I Love that I not too long ago picked up off eBay. Its very good high quality instantly displays the notoriously authoritarian Legge’s fastidious consideration to element (he was recognized, amongst different issues, as “the autocrat of the turntable”). Two notable songs on this recording are Schubert’s “To Silvia” and “Still Sea.” In her insightful memoir of Legge, On and Off the Record, Schwarzkopf observes, “Schubert didn’t soak himself in his poets; his nature was so filled with music, so wealthy in melody, that just about any piece of verse was sufficient to stimulate his creativeness.” Still, it virtually goes with out saying that these two songs, which set to music poems by Shakespeare and Goethe, traverse the very best inventive peaks, no matter Schubert’s inattention to poetry. In listening to them via the Commander, I heard an unprecedented stage of readability on the vocal traces and within the relationship between voice and piano that made it simplicity itself to comply with each the textual content and Schwarzkopf’s musical intention. In this regard, it jogged my memory of the mesmerizing transparency that I skilled when not too long ago visiting my buddy Ali Saad’s elaborate Avantgarde Trio setup in Beverly Hills.
More Schubert was on faucet after I reached for the Austrian baritone Florian Boesch’s 2012 recording of the Viennese composer on the Hyperion label. As you’ll count on, Hyperion did a bang-up job, however the Commander took it to a brand new stage by way of pellucid playback. It could be simple to confuse the calm that the Commander conveys with placidity. But that’s actually not the case in any respect. Rather, the reserve energy signifies that essentially the most delicate tonal shadings at pianissimo ranges—these umbratile passages that may be so haunting in classical music—are conveyed with stupendous constancy on songs akin to “Der Wanderer.” My consideration didn’t wander. On the opposite, on quite a few recordings I used to be impressed by the Commander’s means to seize the tonal shadings of quite a lot of singers.
As you’ll count on, the brute pressure of the Commander additionally signifies that it exerts a level of management within the bass that’s fairly uncommon. On jazz recordings, the place the recording of the standup bass can typically be slightly murky, the Commander reached proper down into the nether areas to clear issues up. And on numbers the place you simply rock out—Pharrell Williams’ Girl or Isaac Hayes’ Shaft—the Commander, in tandem with darTZeel 468 amplifier, offered a bass basis that was each richly sonorous and rock stable. On Williams’ hit music “Happy,” the cymbal within the background might hardly be crisper. What’s extra, there was merely no sense of bass bloat on numbers akin to “Gush,” the place Williams evocatively croons about “eager to get soiled, woman.” Suffice it to say that the efficiency of the Commander is all the time pristine.
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to explain the Commander is as a preservation machine. It preserves the sign about in addition to a Boulder preamp however provides a level of silkiness to the proceedings. And it’s received actual cojones. If you’re the type of individual that desires to go straight to the supply, as my colleague Jonathan Valin likes to say, then the Commander actually needs to be at your beck and name. Compared to the darTZeel preamp the Gryphon lacks a little bit of the supernatural musical circulation and midrange bloom that’s the hallmark of that preamplifier. But the Commander has superior dynamics, a decrease noise ground, higher management of the bass, and extra correct transient pitch definition. The Commander occupies a spot on the very apex of musical playback and casts a fascinating spell, whether or not or not you occur to be a devotee of the fabled Basho.
Specs & Pricing
Inputs: Four pairs XLR balanced, two pairs RCA single-ended
Outputs: Two pairs XLR balanced, one pair RCA single-ended
Input impedance: 18k ohms balanced, 12k ohms single-ended
Gain: 18dB
Frequency response: 0.1Hz–1.5MHz at –3dB
Dimensions: Audio/management unit, 18.8″ x 9.3″ x 17.9″; energy provide, 18.8″ x 9.29″ x 17.3″
Weight: Audio management unit, 67.2 lbs; energy provide, 84.2 lbs.
Price: $63,000
GRYPHON AUDIO NA Inc.
9 Lynn Court, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677, USA
Anthony Chiarella, Director of Sales & Marketing
(201) 690-9006 (workplace)
(201) 264-7217 (cell)
[email protected]
The publish Gryphon Commander Preamplifier appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Audible Illusions L3B
$5295
A purist design based mostly on a single Russian 6H23n-EB triode per channel, the L3A distills one of the best attributes of recent tube sound: exact transients, an in depth presentation, and pure but non-euphonic textures. It is its insistence on the sonic reality that defines it as a real reference line preamp. The L3A’s potential to retrieve the music’s rhythmic drive and drama makes it probably the most sonically persuasive line preamps in the marketplace. Audible Illusions’ greatest effort thus far and top-of-the-line line preamps DO has auditioned over time at any value: audible illusions on a grand scale! DO, 259
PrimaLuna EVO 400
$5295
The EVO 400 just isn’t solely PrimaLuna’s greatest line preamp providing ever, but it surely additionally holds its personal in opposition to ultra-high-end competitors. It’s laborious to flee the impression that it was designed from the bottom up on an influence amplifier chassis. It options huge and complicated energy provides, high-voltage regulation, unique passive components, and tube rectification through a pair of 5AR4s. Miraculously, it manages to mix the virtues of recent tube sound with the tonal heft and timbral realism afforded by classic tube preamps. If purity of expression and tonal realism are sonic priorities, get able to embrace the EVO 400. DO, 305
Atma-Sphere MP-3
$5590 ($6500 with LOMC phono)
This no-frills tubed preamp from Atma-Sphere is a must-hear for the purist music lover. Offering a crystal-clear, clean, and concise window on the music, the MP-3’s expansiveness is an ideal match for each tube and solid-state amplification. Balanced-only operation, phono non-obligatory. SK, 184
Aesthetix Calypso/Calypso Signature
$6000/$8500
The all-tube Calypso delivers many of the efficiency of Aesthetix’ two-box $13,000 Callisto linestage for a couple of third the worth. Sonically, the Calypso is characterised by extraordinarily good dynamics and dynamic nuance. Although the treble is clean and considerably laid-back, transparency and backbone are first-rate. Noise flooring is very depending on tube high quality, which has been variable. Competes with the megabuck preamps. The Signature model improves on the Calypso’s already terrific efficiency with an expanded soundstage, richer portfolio of instrumental textures, extra air, longer decays, and better-defined bass. AT discovered that the Signature model imparted a hotter forged to timbres. RH, 151; AT, 196
Pass Labs XP-12
$6100
The XP-12 line-level preamp forgoes dual-chassis extravagance however sonically you wouldn’t understand it. Music abounds with gorgeous orchestral layering and complicated three-dimensional soundspace vistas. There’s a stage of harmonic bloom throughout the spectrum, most notably within the infusion of resonance and decay cues round strings and winds. Anchored by the precision of Wayne Colburn’s single-stage digital quantity management from the Xs line, the XP-12 produced an nearly eerie sense of music spontaneously bursting forth within the right here and now. An outright discount. NG, 286
Lamm Industries LL2.1
$8490 ($8790, deluxe model)
This all-tube linestage preamp (with tube rectification) captures 80% of the sound of price-no-object preamps for a fraction of their price. Never in-your-face analytical, the LL2.1 frames particulars organically throughout the cloth of the music. Treble, bass, and transparency may be improved by utilizing the appropriate after-market tubes. DO, 198
McIntosh C53
$8500
McIntosh’s C53 preamplifier replaces an entire shelf-full of elements, rolling a state-of-the-art linestage, phono- stage, DAC, equalizer, and headphone amp right into a single elegant, albeit massive field, with no compromises in efficiency. With 16 inputs and three outputs, the C53’s connectivity is unequalled, its DAC supporting each widespread digital format, plus an ARC HDMI enter that appropriately decodes and mixes down film and TV sources for individuals who demand first-class AV copy by way of their two-channel setups. Its two phonostages are ok to obviate the necessity for separates. In addition to all this, the C53 gives battleship building and appears that simply radiate class, style, and elegance. One of PS’ reference preamplifiers. PS, 315
Aesthetix Janus/Janus Signature
$9000/$13,500
The Janus combines Aesthetix’ Calypso linestage with a scaled-down Rhea phonostage in a single chassis. The Signature model options upgraded components within the similar circuit. The models share quite a few qualities: velocity and element; a low noise flooring; exact rhythms; dynamics which are nearly reference-caliber; and a laid-back perspective. The quiet background and clean highs add as much as lengthy hours of wonderful, fatigue-free listening. AT, 196
MBL Cadenza C11
$9200
With civilized sonics, each ethereal and open, dynamics which are vigorous, and dimensionality and imaging which are distinctive, the C11 is a pleasure to make use of in live performance with different Cadenza gear, the place management and communication through Ethernet hyperlink is glitch-free. It can also be outfitted with probably the most sonically clear analog quantity controls (through a motorized potentiometer) that we’ve come throughout. NG, 228
Mark Levinson No5206
$9900
Part of the extra inexpensive (for Mark Levinson) 5000 Series, the No5206 sports activities a number of superior circuits and options. The dual-monaural sign path is direct coupled and pure Class A in operation. The audio path contains a single achieve stage mated to a digitally managed resistor-ladder quantity management. The No5206 is fitted with an integral DAC with MQA decoding and rendering and Bluetooth connectivity; the unit can deal with PCM as much as 384kHz/24-bit in addition to DSD as much as 11.2MHz. The No5206 even features a headphone jack with sufficient present drive to energy any ’telephones. The icing on the cake is an excellent mm/mc phonostage that includes a hybrid achieve expertise with an infrasonic filter and unusually complete cartridge-loading adjustment. The preamp is excellent with low-level passages, with decision restricted solely by the supply, not the preamplifier itself. AHC, 322
Pass Labs XP-22
$9975
The XP-22 is a big improve from the earlier mannequin on this slot. Based on new semiconductors and a brand new quantity management, the two-chassis XP-22 vaults the efficiency into one other league. The dual-mono energy provides function double-shielded toroidal transformers for even decrease noise. The output stage is extra sturdy, with the power to drive lengthy cable runs. The XP-22 is so clear that it improves upon the sound of operating a supply part instantly into an influence amplifier—not one thing each linestage can declare. Musically significant element and backbone are wonderful. If the recording possesses the knowledge, the rendering of area may be dramatic and dynamics startling. AQ, 316
Yamaha C-5000
$9999
Yamaha put some coronary heart and soul into its return to the audio deep finish. While the NS-5000 audio system and GT-5000 turntable are more likely to entice many of the 5000 Series consideration, the C-5000 preamplifier deserves its personal highlight. This totally balanced, solid-state preamp incorporates an exquisite, totally discrete phonostage with a large 80dB of potential achieve. There’s a sense of a sign unimpeded. The C-5000 doesn’t require a sonic counterbalance elsewhere within the system. It additionally occurs to be probably the most rewarding elements to simply put your palms on and use. An fascinating and distinctive possibility in high-end preamplifiers, particularly if a turntable is a vital a part of your system. AM, 308
The publish 2023 Editors’ Choice: Preamplifiers $5,000 – $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
The following is a press release issued by Kyomi Audio and Zanden Audio.
February 2023 – On Saturday, March 11th, 2023, in Addison, IL, Kyomi Audio and Zanden Audio will host an event exploring vinyl replay. We will demonstrate the effect of equalization and compare original pressings to famous audiophile ones. Zanden Audio’s 1200S phono stage, 3000mk2 line preamplifier and 8120F stereo power amplifier will be featured.
Since it was revealed that Mobile Fidelity’s highly regarded Ultradisc one-step records utilized a digital step in the mastering process, many audiophiles are wondering how they compare to the original all analog recordings. As part of the demonstration we will compare the Mofi Abraxas one-step to original pressings.
Many people believe that Mofi’s one-step Abraxas is the definitive recording. Michael Fremer suggested, “This might be the best record I’ve ever heard”. He compared it to other recordings of Abraxas, describing it as “mind-glowingly better than any of the other versions.” Join us for a day of music, and you will have the opportunity to judge for yourself. Is the Mofi one-step Abraxas the best pressing of Santana’s most enduring album?
Please RSVP Kyomi Audio at [email protected] or call (312) 513-2759 for more information.
The post Adventures in Analog: Chicago Area Dealer Event appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
This week Tom Martin discusses Audio Research’s SP-3a, his pilgrimage to Transcendental Audio, and the legacy the SP-3A left in its wake as it pioneered and pushed the hi-fi boundary.
The post Hifi History: The Classic, Tube-tastic Audio Research SP-3A Preamplifier appeared first on The Absolute Sound.