Analog source: VPI TNT Mk.IV turntable, Immedia tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge.
CD players: California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II and Delta/Sigma II.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audible Illusions Modulus L1 line-stage.
Loudspeakers: Acarian Systems Aláon Circe, Aláon V Mk.II, Mission 731i.
Cables: MIT MI350 CVTwin Terminator and MI330 Shotgun interconnects, Acarian Systems Black Orpheus speaker cable.
Accessories: Various items from VPI, Sound Anchor, SimplyPhysics, ASC, Bright Star, TG Audio Labs.—Robert J. Reina
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The measurements of the Rotel RB-991 were made primarily in unbalanced mode, though selected readings were taken in balanced operation. Unless otherwise noted, the results discussed here refer to the unbalanced connection.
Following its preconditioning test, the Rotel RB-991 was very warm, but not unusually so for a high-powered amplifier. Its voltage gain measured 31.8dB unbalanced, 24.9dB balanced. The input impedance measured 36k ohms (45.2k ohms balanced). DC offset was a highish 22.1mV in the left channel, 13.1mV in the right. The RB-991 is…
KINGS OF LEON: Because of the Times
RCA (CD). 2007. Ethan Johns, prod., eng.; Lowell Reynolds, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 51:41
Performance ****½
Sonics ****
RCA (CD). 2007. Ethan Johns, prod., eng.; Lowell Reynolds, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 51:41
Performance ****½
Sonics ****
By their third album, most young rock bands have found that the evolution of their art is a lot harder than it looks. Not only do many lose focus after a successful debut, but the majority, even those who stay serious, make a record or maybe two, then suddenly find themselves out of material and ideas. Look no further than The Strokes for an example of a band stunted and badly in need of fresh energies and directions, their…
I began writing this essay on New Year's Day 2007. The passing of the old year reminded me that I am now in the 21st year of editing Stereophile, my 25th of being the editor-in-chief of a mainstream audio magazine, and my 31st of working full-time as an audio journalist. (Prior to joining Stereophile in 1986, I had worked for 10 years at British magazine Hi-Fi News & Record Review, the final four as its editor.) Back in the innocent 1970s, reviewers and editors generally picked and chose what products to review based on their own interest and what they felt appropriate for their readers…
My plan was to begin by revealing the highest sum I've paid for a wristwatch. It wasn't very much, and that would have been the point.
But when I sat down to think, as I often do while writing, it occurred to me that I've never actually paid for a watch: They've all been gifts. Working backward in time, there was the Swatch that my travel-agent wife brought back from a trip to the Virgin Islands; the very convincing fake Rolex that my mother bought for me during a trip to Bermuda; and the beautiful vintage Wittnauer that once belonged to my great-uncle Jack Dunphy, and which is now one…
Now let's talk about loans. As I've mentioned on a number of occasions, I usually keep review samples 60 to 90 days, depending on what my schedule looks like and how much running-in the product requires. Right now there are some interesting things on hand, waiting to be written up—including integrated amplifiers from Simaudio and Musical Fidelity, cables from JPS Labs, a newer and less expensive version of the Audio Note AN-E loudspeaker, and a new Rega turntable.
Some readers have a sharp and reasonable interest in products that are here for more than 60 to 90 days: long-term loans,…
One of the highlights of such annual events as the Consumer Electronics and Primedia Home Entertainment shows has been the demonstrations of loudspeakers from TAD, the professional division of Pioneer Electronics. Designer Andrew Jones is always generous in using recordings brought by visitors, and enthusiastic in explaining the technology behind these beautiful behemoths. Among these speakers' unique features are a beryllium dome tweeter mounted concentrically inside a beryllium midrange cone, and a cabinet built of stacked, carved horizontal sections, for incredible rigidity without using…
The S-1EX's large soundstage representation was wide and tall, though less deep than a warmer, richer speaker would make it, and at first I missed that depth. However, I have no way of knowing exactly how far behind the orchestra the choir stood during the recording of, say, Sibelius' Kullervo, by either Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony (SACD/CD, LSO Live LSO0574) or Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony (SACD/CD, Telarc SACD-60665). In the former, the entry of the men's chorus in Part 2 is thrilling, the deep voices spread broadly across the back of the soundstage just behind the…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, reflex-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 13/8" (35mm) beryllium-dome tweeter with aluminum voice-coil and concentric 5.5" (140mm) magnesium-cone midrange unit, two 71/16" (180mm) aramid-cone woofers with 2.5" (64mm)-diameter voice-coils. Port: 5" opening. Crossover frequencies: 400Hz, 2kHz. Frequency range: 28Hz–100kHz. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms. Sensitivity: 88.5dB SPL Distortion at 4W, 100Hz–10kHz: <0.7% second harmonic, <0.35% third harmonic. Maximum power: 200W.
Dimensions: 501/2" (1283mm) H by 165/8" (422mm) W…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Sony XA-9000ES SACD/CD player, Bel Canto PL-1A universal player.
Preamplifier: Bel Canto Pre6.
Power Amplifiers: Bel Canto REF-1000 monoblocks; Classé CA-3200, Mark Levinson No.433.
Loudspeakers: B&W 802D, JL Audio f113 subwoofer.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect: Crystal Cable Cinemax multichannel, AudioQuest Cheetah/DBS balanced. Speaker: AudioQuest Mont Blanc/DBS biwire. AC: JPS Aluminata.
Accessories: APC S-15, Environmental Potentials EP-2450 power conditioners.—Kalman Rubinson