Analog Sources: Rega Research Planar 3, VPI TNT IV turntables; Immedia, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Koetsu Urushi phono cartridges.
Digital Sources: Creek Destiny, Lector CDP-7T CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage, Audio Research SP20 preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Audio Research Reference 75.
Loudspeakers: Epos M16i, Monitor Audio Silver RS6, Nola Viper Reference III.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
In an exhibit surprisingly free of whisky (unless I was too preoccupied to notice), Music Hall offered proof that you don't have to break the bank (assuming you have one to begin with) in order to get good sound. "Very smooth, nice, and pleasant," I wrote of the enjoyable music from the new Music Hall C-DAC 15.3 three-input DAC/CD player ($549), Creek Evo 50a 55Wpc integrated amp ($1195), and Epos Elan15 bookshelf loudspeakers ($1395/pair). The player contains two different DACs, a Burr-Brown for CDs and a Wolfson for external sources. Source was a computer playing Pure Music, and connected…
Sidebar 2: Associated Components
Analog Sources: Rega Planar 3, VPI TNT IV turntables; Immedia, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Koetsu Urushi cartridges.
Digital Sources: Creek Destiny, Lector CDP-7T CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage; Audio Valve Eclipse, Zesto Leto line stages; Audio Research SP20 preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 75.
Loudspeakers: Epos M16i, Monitor Audio Silver RS6, Nola Viper Reference III.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator…
I ended up cuing up Jumping the Creek, simply because it gives a shout out to producer Joe Harley. Good call. Jumping the Creek is a powerful recording—atmospheric, with a nice sense of space, powerful tenor sax and piano sound, and some of the tightest precision drum sound I've ever heard. And bass—rich, deep, taut, punchy acoustic bass.
The Vento 809 DC delivered it all with lithe grace. This was no heavy-handed speaker. In fact, I characterize it as light, agile, and accurate. When there was bass to deliver, however, the 809 delivered it with lots of slam. At other times, the speaker…
The VS.1's high-frequency performance revealed its most noticeable shortcoming, but it was a minor one. Although the high frequencies overall were detailed and uncolored, the extreme top end seemed to lack air and was a touch opaque. Not that this detracted from musical enjoyment on any recording. On all closely miked female vocals, sibilants were clear, crisp, and distinct. Keith Jarrett's piano on Radiance (CD, ECM 1960/1961) was revealed to have uncolored, delicate, and shimmering harmonics, with superb transient articulation. Tom Chiu's violin on David Chesky's Violin Concerto, from the…
Sidebar 3: Associated Equipment
LP Playback: Linn LP12 turntable with Naim Armageddon Power Supply, Naim ARO tonearm, van den Hul Frog phono cartridge; and Linn LP12, Lingo, Cirkus, Ekos, Arkiv.
CD Playback: Arcam Alpha 9, Meridian 508.24, Audio Research CD2.
Phono Preamplifiers: Conrad-Johnson Premier Fifteen, Sutherland PH-2000, Naim Prefix.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research VT200.
Integrated Amplifiers: Arcam Alpha 10, Creek 4330R.
Loudspeakers: B&W Silver Signature, REL Studio II subwoofer.
Cables: Siltech and WireWorld Gold Eclipse III interconnects, and…
Stanalog's George Stanwick was pleased as punch with Sugden's new Masterclass components: Masterclass Integrated Amplifier ($6500) and Masterclass CD Player ($5500).
The Integrated puts out 33 class-A watts per channel with bandwidth specified as 6Hz–300kHz!
All we know about the CD player is its price and that is has class-A output—and that it sounded great pumping Nickle Creek through a pair of Proac Studio 140s.
Finally, with cranked-up rock tunes, the PP 3 exhibited a strong sense of coherence, pacing, and rhythmic consistency, whether reproducing such simple arrangements as Ten Years After's "Love Like a Man," from Greatest Hits (LP, London LC 50008), or more elaborate, densely packed tracks such as Genesis' "Dance on a Volcano," from A Trick of the Tail (LP, ATCO SD-36-129). Listening to either of these tunes, I found it hard to sit still—I itched to twitch, grab a partner, and dance around the room. But my wife wasn't home, and neither of the dogs was interested.
Comparisons
I compared…
Some of the nicest analog playback I heard at the show came courtesy of GTT Audio, in whose suite the reliably well-dressed Philip O'Hanlon spun vinyl on a Brinkmann Balance turntable ($24,000, closest to camera) with Brinkmann 12.1 tonearm ($7500) and an Air Tight PC1 Supreme cartridge ($15,000). Of special delight were selections from Ray LaMontagne's God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise and advance pressings from the forthcoming LP reissue series, by Analogue Productions, of the Doors catalog. The rest of the system featured YG's Anat III Professional Signature speakers ($119,000/pair)…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Rega P3-24 turntable with Rega drive-belt upgrade, Rega RB 301 tonearm, Rega Elys 2 phono cartridge, Boston Audio Design Mat 1 platter mat.
Digital Sources: NAD C 515BEE & C 516BEE CD players.
Integrated Amplifiers: Creek Evolution A50, Croft Phono Integrated, Exposure 2010S, NAD C 316BEE & D 3020.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3, KEF LS50, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, PSB Alpha B1, Wharfedale Diamond 10.1.
Cables: Interconnect: Kimber Kable PBJ; AudioQuest Tower, Evergreen, Golden Gate, Big Sur. Speaker: Kimber Kable…