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Beyond all that, and because I don't own a standalone tubed phono preamp—although I've had a loaner sample of the excellent solid-state Linn Linto here for an unconscionably long time—I wanted to add another such product to the mix, to strike a comparison that some readers might find reasonable and maybe even useful. I hit on the idea of borrowing a broken-in sample of the EAR 834P from its importer, not only because I know and admire the EAR "house sound," but also because it's a successful and popular thing. And it is. So I did.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed phono preamplifier. Tube complement: one 6N1P, two 12AX7, two 5687. Frequency response: 10Hz–42kHz, ±0.5dB. Input impedance: 47.5k ohms. Output Impedance: 1300 ohms at 1kHz. Voltage gain: 52dB. Maximum output voltage: 40V RMS. Total harmonic distortion: <0.2% at 1kHz, 2V RMS output.
Dimensions: 6.5" (165mm) H by 8.5" (220mm) W by 14.6" (375mm) D. Weight: 24 lbs (10.9kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: 0007.
Price: $2890. Approximate number of dealers: 17.
Manufacturer: Artemis Labs, 260 Marvista Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106. Web…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable, Naim Armageddon power supply, Naim Aro tonearm; Well Tempered Record Player; Brinkmann EMT Titanium, Linn Akiva, Lyra Helikon Mono, Miyabi 47, phono cartridges; Tamura TKS-83 moving-coil step-up transformer.
Digital Source: cartonless Sony SCD-777ES SACD player.
Preamplifiers: EAR 834P, Linn Linto phono preamplifiers; Lamm LL2, Juicy Music BlueBerry Xtreme preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Lamm ML2.1 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Nordost Valhalla. Speaker:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Measuring the performance of phono preamplifiers can always be problematic because a signal generator is not a phono cartridge. Even with the wide variety of grounding options offered by my Audio Precision System One measuring rig—its generator outputs and analyzer inputs can be independently grounded or floated—as well as the options of grounding or floating the AC lead of the device under test, or running a separate ground lead from the unit's chassis to the analyzer chassis, the occasional component refuses to cooperate. Such was the case with the Artemis PH-1…
When reviewing affordable speakers, it's critical to have benchmarks and comparisons for various price points. Inexpensive speaker designs are exercises in tradeoffs and compromises, especially for the least costly products. In all of my reviews, I try to compare the speaker in question with other designs close to the review sample's price, chosen from my list of previously reviewed speakers. From time to time, if a speaker particularly impresses me, I ask the manufacturer if I can keep the speakers around a while longer, so that it can serve as a comparison reference for a certain price…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way acoustic-suspension bookshelf loudspeaker. Drive-units: &190;" aluminum-dome tweeter, 2" aluminum-dome midrange cone, 6.5" polypropylene-cone woofer. Crosssover frequencies: 800Hz (symmetrical 12dB/octave), 3.2kHz (symmetrical 18dB/octave). Frequency response: 45Hz-20kHz ±3dB. Sensitivity: 86dB/2.83V. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 13.75" (350mm) H by 7.5" (190mm) W by 10.375" (265mm) D. Weight: 17 lbs (7.7kg).
Finishes: High-Gloss Black, Special Dark.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: 0100 000001-26, 0100 00022-26.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Aurum Beta S cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss, Creek CD53 Mk.II CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350SE.
Loudspeakers: NHT SB3, Epos M5, Nola Mini.
Cables:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The NHT Classic Three's voltage sensitivity was significantly lower both than average and than specified, at an estimated 83dB(B)/2.83V/m. However, its impedance was generally higher, dropping below 6 ohms only in the lower midrange and above the audioband (fig.1). The minimum value was 4 ohms between 120Hz and 170Hz, but there is also a combination of 5.5 ohms and –46° electrical phase angle at 94Hz that will demand a goodly amount of current from the partnering amplifier.
Fig.1 NHT Classic Three, electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed…
What, exactly, is one to make of a speaker named "Reference"? An easy answer might be that it will be expensive. Another easy answer is that someone might be being overly optimistic or downright deceitful. Ambitious? Certainly.
Of course, it's also possible that a company that calls its flagship speaker a "reference" is just telling it like it is. (Stop laughing—it could happen.)
While Canton Elektronik's Vento Reference 1 DC is unquestionably expensive at $30,000/pair, its name owes a lot more to fact than to brag—and, as insanely priced luxury goods go, it just might be a…
I was ready to hear a big difference with the Krell Evolution gear, but as much as I'd hoped to get better sound with a dedicated line, I didn't anticipate it being so obviously better. Even when I thought I was getting top-of-the-heap sound, the Ref 1 was capable of revealing even better when it was fed even better. That's what a "reference" is supposed to do, innit?
While knowledge may provide a useful point of reference, it cannot become a force to guide the future
In my auditioning, I found the Vento Reference 1 DC responded best to a firm hand. It's specified at 88.5dB…