At an estimated 89.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, the big Pioneer's voltage sensitivity was both significantly higher than average and a little higher than the specified 88.5dB. My measurement is close to being within experimental error of the specification, but there is no doubt that the S-1EX will play loud with lower-powered amplifiers. However, its impedance drops to 3.6 ohms in the upper bass (at 115Hz), and there is a demanding combination of 4.36 ohms magnitude and –50° capacitive phase angle at 88Hz (fig.1). As most music has considerable energy in this frequency region,…
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Recommended Components Addendum
FM Tuners
A
Day-Sequerra FM Reference Signature Modification: $1680 (+ cost of tuner)
David Day's Signature Mod effectively addresses this ultimate FM tuner's cathode-ray tube's tendency to burn out. Switching circuitry has been added to allow the CRT to turn off when not needed. The Signature Mod also replaces the tuner's incandescent bulbs with longer-lasting LEDs, and uses hand-matched, low-group-delay filters for lower distortion and better channel separation. LG noted punchy, quick bass response, a deeper soundstage, and a more transparent…
Back in 2000, when Lyra introduced the Helikon moving-coil cartridge, which replaced the then six-year-old Clavis D.C., the company inexplicably retained the Clavis D.C.'s retail price of $2000. This was inexplicable because the Helikon's revolutionary design was new from the ground up, and because audiophiles—like most, if not all, consumers—perceive price to be a reflection of quality and performance.
If you think otherwise, consider "In Tuition Game, Popularity Rises with Price," a December 12, 2006 New York Times article about how good but lower-priced schools actually lose…
The recommended range of vertical tracking force (VTF) is 1.65–1.75gm; Lyra suggests the lowest force "that still allows good tracking of normal music LPs." In other words, don't obsess about getting your Skala to track ludicrously overmodulated test grooves. Instead—unless you actually prefer listening to test records—concentrate on the music. (And as long as I'm on my audiophile soapbox: Don't "experiment" with high tracking forces that exceed the manufacturer's recommendations but are sometimes suggested by misguided online tweakers or, worse, professional reviewers.)
A cartridge…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Moving-coil phono cartridge with solid boron cantilever and natural diamond, line-contact (3 by 70µm) stylus. Frequency range: 10Hz-50kHz. Channel separation: 35dB or better at 1kHz. Internal impedance: 5.5 ohms. Output voltage: 0.5mV (5cm/s, zero–peak, 45°). Compliance: ca 12 x 10–6 cm/dyne at 100Hz. Recommended tracking force: 1.65–1.75gm. Recommended load: 100 ohms to 47k ohms.
Weight: 9gm.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: K046F.
Price: $3200. Approximate number of dealers: 60.
Manufacturer: Lyra Co. Ltd., 3-53-14-102 Daita, Setagaya-…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Kuzma Reference XL turntables; Graham Engineering Phantom, Continuum Audio Labs Cobra, Kuzma Airline tonearms; Lyra Titan i & Helikon, Air Tight PC-1 cartridges.
Digital Sources: Musical Fidelity kW DM25 DAC & transport, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder.
Preamplification: Blue Amp MC 42, Manley Steelhead phono preamplifiers; Musical Fidelity kWP preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Musical Fidelity kW monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX2, Peak Consult El…
It must be difficult for makers of audio equipment to decide how to best exhibit their products at events such as the annual Consumer Electronics Show. If you're doing a demo, you want it to impress audio journalists and potential dealers, and sometimes just playing music is not enough: you need something extra. A few years ago, Joseph Audio put on a demo, supposedly of their top-of-the-line floorstanding speaker, during which Jeff Joseph removed a cloth that had been draped over what was assumed to be hotel-room furniture. Under that cloth were the speakers that were actually playing: Joseph…
Selecting suitable electronics for a $1200 pair of speakers presents a bit of a dilemma. You want to use something that people likely to buy this speaker are likely to be able to afford, but you don't want the speaker to be handicapped by limitations in associated equipment. As it happened, I'd recently finished reviewing the PrimaLuna ProLogue Three preamplifier and ProLogue Seven amplifiers (December 2006), which are superb performers at a relatively affordable price (about $4000 for the preamp and pair of monoblock amplifiers). With the Prelude's claimed 91dB sensitivity, the ProLogue…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, magnetically shielded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units (all aluminum-magnesium alloy): 1" dome tweeter, two 3.5" cone woofers. Crossover frequency: 3.5kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB. Frequency response: 35Hz–28kHz. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Recommended power: 10–300W.
Dimensions: Sample 1: 40" (1025mm) H by 5" (130mm) W by 8" (205mm) D. Weight: 25 lbs (11.4kg) each net, 60 lbs (27.3kg)/pair shipping. Sample 2: 39.2" (1005mm) H by 5.8" (150mm) W by 8" (205mm) D. Weight: 26 lbs (11.8kg) each net, 62 lbs (28.2kg)/pair…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: PS Audio Lambda II CD transport, Perpetual Technologies/ModWright P-1A/P-3A digital processors, Monolithic Sound P3 power supply, Mystic Reference I2S cable.
Preamplifier: PrimaLuna ProLogue Three.
Power Amplifiers: PrimaLuna ProLogue Seven monoblocks, PS Audio GCC-100c.
Loudspeakers: Avantgarde Uno.
Cables: Digital: Illuminati Orchid AES/EBU. Interconnect: PS Audio xStream Statement. Speaker: Nordost Valhalla. AC: PS Audio xStream Power.
Accessories: PS Audio P-500 AC regenerator; Bright Star Little Rock (atop CD transport…