We first spotted Music Hall’s beautiful Ikura ($1195, including cartridge) back in January, at the Consumer Electronics Show. The ‘table, which ships with Ortofon’s excellent 2M Blue cartridge, will finally be available in early 2014. Word is that Mikey Fremer will receive the first sample and that old Sam Tellig wants a shot at it, too, but you can be sure that I’ll get my turn. Music Hall’s sexy Mooo Mat platter mat ($75) is made of real cowhide bonded to a piece of…
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Familiar sights in the Music Hall room: stacks of LPs, beautiful women, Roy Hall, Leland Leard, and the Ikura turntable.
Photo: Roy Hall
First comes the anticipation, that initial jet of warm water, that miraculous searching, finding the sweet spot, then heaven on earth as it cleans and caresses. As if by magic, warm, soothing wafts of air gently and sensuously dry my tush. I had forgotten just how wonderful Japanese toilets can be.
It was 5am in Tokyo. I was on my way to Hong Kong, but my ticket demanded a change of planes. Haneda Airport was empty, save for a woman driving a golf cart. She offered me a ride to the other side of the airport where some restaurants were. As we drove off, the cart…
Sidebar: Sonic and Musical Gems from Richard Rives Bird's Playlist
J.S. Bach, Goldberg Variations; Ito Ema, piano. M•A Recordings MO24 (LP, CD, gold CD). It's no longer just the "Gouldberg" Variations." This is a fabulous performance, and possibly the best audiophile piano recording.
Dave's True Story, Sex without Bodies, Chesky JD164 (CD). Remarkable clarity—a really fun recording.
Peter Gabriel, 3, Classic PG-3 (200gm LP; also available on CD, InterScope 493622). If you want a really great rock album that covers the full range of both macro- and microdynamics, this is…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Well Tempered Reference turntable with Sumiko SHO cartridge.
Digital sources: Melior by Museatex and PS Audio Lambda 2 CD transports; Randy Tomlinson–modified JVC XLZ-1010, Marantz CC-48, and Marantz CC-65SE CD players; Parasound D/AC-2000 and Theta DS Pro Basic III DACs; Genesis Digital Lens.
Preamplifiers: Threshold T-3i, Cary SLP 94P, Audio Research SP14, Parasound P/LD-2000, Creek OBH-12.
Power amplifiers: Threshold T-100 (as monoblocks), Parasound HCA-1000A, AudioPrism Debut Mk.II, Cary Audio 805c.
Cables: Nordost SPM,…
Shayne Tenace is a cigar smoker, like me. So once we meet up at shows, we know smoke is in the works! But first, business.
Shayne's gorgeous-looking Burmester system included a Top Line 151 MK2 Musiccenter CD player/network ($30,000), a Top Line 088 preamplifier ($37,000), and a Reference Line 218 power amplifier ($60,000). The amplifier was driving a pair of B38 loudspeakers ($35,000/pair). A 948 power conditioner ($12,000) completed the array.
Honestly, this kind of shiny, solid state componentry is not usually my thing. There wasn't a turntable in sight, much less tubes or…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier. Power output: 85Wpc into 8 ohms (19.3dBW), 120Wpc into 4 ohms (17.8dBW). Maximum current: >30A. THD: <0.05%, 20Hz-20kHz. Frequency response: 3Hz-25kHz, -1dB. Power amp slew rate: >50V/µs. Voltage gain: >50. Input sensitivity (passive line): 525mV line-level input for 50W. S/N ratio: >105dB. Channel separation (line input at 1kHz): >55dB. Moving-magnet sensitivity and impedance: 3.5mV at 47kW. MM S/N: >70dB. Moving-coil sensitivity: 750µV at 1kW. Power consumption at idle: <40W. Power…
Sidebar 1: Description
Specifications: Digital processor, with infra-red remote control, capable of operating in three modes: "Type 0," Digital Control Center with digital source selection and digital volume control (1dB step size); "Type 1," Digital Resolution-Enhancement Device with user-selectable input/output data-word lengths, gain, and dither/noise-shaping (five algorithms available); "Type 2," Digital Mastering/Multimedia Processor. Digital inputs: three electrical S/PDIF (RCA); one S/PDIF optical (TosLink); one AES/EBU (XLR). Digital outputs: one AES/EBU (XLR); one S/PDIF (RCA).…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Remote-controlled, solid-state integrated amplifier with five line inputs, one tape loop, switchable preamp output & power-amp input, two pairs of speaker terminals and a headphone jack., Maximum output power: >100Wpc into 8 ohms, both channels driven (20dBW); >200W into 4 ohms, one channel driven (20dBW). Maximum output current: >25 amps. THD (no level specified): <0.05%, 20Hz–20kHz. Frequency response: 3Hz–80kHz, –1dB. Voltage gain: 33.6dB (48x) with passive preamplifier, +3dB +6dB +9dB with built-in gain stage. Input sensitivity:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Rega Planar P25 turntable, RB600 tonearm, Grado Statement Master cartridge.
Digital source: Sony SCD-777ES SACD player, California Audio Labs CL-20 DVD/CD player, Musical Fidelity A3 and Arcam DiVA CD92 CD players.
Preamplification: Blue Circle BC23 phono preamplifier; Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista, Blue Circle B3 Galatea, VTL 5.5.
Power amplifiers: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300, Mesa Baron, VTL MB-450.
Integrated amplifiers: Mesa Tigris, Musical Fidelity A3, Linn Classik, Simaudio I-5.
Loudspeakers: Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rod…
In my review of Polk Audio's RT25i loudspeaker (September 2001, Vol.24 No.9), I was mightily impressed with Matthew Polk's execution of this $320/pair design. Although it has since been replaced by the RT27i, with slightly modified cosmetics and a different tweeter, the RT25i remains my favorite loudspeaker costing less than $500/pair.
Since that review, I've often wondered how Polk might fare with a speaker at a higher price. I'd been very impressed with Polk's demonstrations of their flagship LSi line at the Home Entertainment 2001 and 2002 shows, so when I learned that the…