LATEST ADDITIONS

T.H.E. Show 2019
Synergistic Research PowerCell AC Conditioner, McIntosh MC462 Amp, Elac Adante Speakers, Bluesound Streamer
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 08, 2019  |  79 comments
Scott Walker Audio staked out its own mini-empire at the Hilton Long Beach, occupying six of the hotel's largest suites on the third floor. The first one I encountered revealed the inimitable Ted Denney of Synergistic Research staging a pretty ballsy demo. Ted set up two identical systems in adjacent rooms, both with a McIntosh C2600 tube preamp ($7500) and MC462 Amplifier ($9000), Elac Adante AF61 floorstanding speakers ($4995/pair), Bluesound Node 2i streamer ($500), and Solid Tech Rack ($2600). The difference was that one system took advantage of a Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 UEF SE power conditioner ($2995), new Synergistic Research entry-level Foundation interconnect and speaker cables plus UEF Blue power cords ($4000), and a host of various Synergistic Research room acoustic products ($6500), which in my experience are quite effective if nonetheless baffling to many.
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T.H.E. Show 2019
ATC CD2 CD player and SIA2-100 integrated amp/DAC
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 07, 2019  |  8 comments
Small does not mean negligible. Especially when a system includes the first West Coast showing of ATC's new CD2 CD player ($2349) and SIA2-100 integrated amp/DAC ($3749).
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T.H.E. Show 2019
ATC SCM50SE Active Tower Loudspeakers and CDA2 MkII CD player/preamp/DAC, Cardas Crosslink Cables
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 07, 2019  |  3 comments
As one of the only companies to send out a press release prior to the opening of T.H.E. Show, ATC—along with its host, Lone Mountain Audio—earned pride of place in my "I can't possibly do them all" list of show coverage priorities.
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T.H.E. Show 2019
T.H.E. Show Preparations at the Hilton Long Beach
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 07, 2019  |  3 comments
It's Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Long Beach in Long Beach, California, and signs of T.H.E. Show, which opens on Friday, June 7, at noon, are everywhere in evidence.
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HistoricalReference
Farewell to the Paper Cone
Irving M. Fried  |  Jun 06, 2019  |  First Published: Sep 01, 1962  |  15 comments
Ever since the first electrical loudspeaker—a glorified headphone with a horn on it—was outmoded by the balanced-armature cone speaker, paper has been the standard diaphragm material for speakers reproducing low frequencies. The Rice-Kellogg moving-coil transducer replaced the balanced-armature driving system in 1925, but the paper cone remained. And although many improvements have since been made, were no more major changes in loudspeaker design for over 30 years!
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Digital Processor Reviews
Theta DS Pro Generation III digital processor
Robert Harley, Lewis Lipnick, Thomas J. Norton  |  Jun 06, 2019  |  First Published: Oct 01, 1992  |  1 comments
A visiting manufacturer recently expressed the idea that digital processors and transports are the worst value in high-end audio. He contended that, because they all sound bad, their differences and degrees of imperfection are meaningless. In his view, the very best digital differed very little from the worst. His advice? Buy a moderately priced CD player and enjoy your LPs.
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News
Santa Monica's Definition AV hosts Cambridge Audio, B&W
Stereophile Staff  |  Jun 05, 2019  |  1 comments
On Saturday, June 15, 10am to 6pm, Definition AV (2934 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403; 310 829 9888) will host an event featuring representatives from Cambridge Audio and Bowers and Wilkins and showcasing those companies' latest products.
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News
Graham Audio Launches the LS5/9f at Gig Harbor Audio
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Jun 05, 2019  |  25 comments
It’s a keeper. Those are the thoughts that stuck with me after listening to the British-made Graham Audio LS5/9f ($7999/pair), a two-way reflex loading loudspeaker that had its US launch at Washington state’s Gig Harbor Audio on Saturday afternoon, May 25.
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News
US Debut of AMG Viella Forte turntable
Stereophile Staff  |  Jun 05, 2019  |  0 comments
Audio Connection in Verona New Jersey welcomes Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings on Saturday, June 8, from Noon to 5pm for their 9th annual Analog Open House. Audio Connection will feature new products direct from the Munich High End show, including the first US showing of the AMG Viella Forte turntable.
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CD Player/Transport Reviews
Exposure CD Player
Martin Colloms  |  Jun 04, 2019  |  First Published: Nov 01, 1997  |  0 comments
Exposure owner/designer John Farlowe graduated from the UK's University of Sussex at the end of the swinging '60s. He put his B.Sc in electronic engineering to use at HiWatt, manufacturers of tube guitar amplifiers. His keen interest in pro audio, particularly in sound reinforcement for rock bands, led him to Midas (studio mixing desks and systems), where, as director and designer, he designed and built mixing desks and got together with the late Dave Martin of Martin Audio. They became heavily involved in sound systems for Pink Floyd. Midas desks and Martin speakers were used at many live venues, including those at London's Rainbow.
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