search

The fundamental listening tests involving The Mod Squad Line Drive were carried out in a system consisting of the VTL 100W Compact monoblock amplifiers driving Celestion SL700 loudspeakers, though I also used the combination for all the loudspeakers that I tested for this and the next issue of Stereophile. In addition, the pair of Thiel CS1.2s reviewed by Larry Archibald in this issue spent a considerable amount of time in my system.

Line-level source components included my stock Revox A77 for master tape replay, CD players from The Mod Squad and…

The only measurements relevant to the Line Drive are the crosstalk between channels and its input and output impedances, which will affect compatibility with source components and interconnect cables. The input impedance on all inputs is a lowish 8200 ohms, which could lead to a lightweight bass with high–output-impedance, capacitor-coupled tube preamplifiers. The Line Drive's output impedance will depend on the volume control setting; the resistance of the conductive-plastic track between the wiper and ground and the wiper and the signal input will be in parallel…

Description: passive control unit with five line-level inputs, two tape loops, and two main outputs. Input impedance: 8200 ohms. Output impedance: variable according to volume-control position, reaches a maximum of approximately 2100 ohms not including impedance of selected source. Channel separation: 86dB (20Hz), 83dB (1kHz), 72dB (20kHz).
Dimensions: 16.5" W by 10.75" D by 2.5" H. Estimated weight: 3 lbs.
Price: $400 (1987), $500 (1989), $900 (1989, Deluxe version); no longer available (2009). Approximate number of dealers: 115.
Manufacturer: The…

The fundamental listening tests involving The Mod Squad Phono Drive were carried out in a system consisting of the The Mod Squad Line Drive Deluxe VTL 100W Compact monoblock amplifiers driving Celestion SL700 loudspeakers, though I also used the combination for all the loudspeakers that I tested for this and the next issue of Stereophile. In addition, the pair of Thiel CS1.2s reviewed by Larry Archibald in this issue spent a considerable amount of time in my system.

Line-level source components included my stock Revox A77 for master tape replay, CD…

The Phono Drive had a measured output impedance of 60 ohms from its direct-out sockets, and an even lower 50 ohms from its line stage. Neither outputs should have any difficulty driving long or highly capacitive interconnects. The input impedance of the line section I measured to be 11k ohms; again, no problem except with some antique tube components or the Mk.I version of the CAL Tempest CD player, which had a 5.6k-ohm output impedance.

The gain structure of the Phono Drive appeared to be around 20dB from the MC headamp, followed by 44dB at 1kHz from the…

Description: Dedicated MC/MM phono preamplifier, with separate line-level amplifier with volume and balance controls. Measured specifications: Frequency response (phono): 5Hz–110kHz, –3dB. Frequency response (line): DC–85kHz, –3dB. Output impedance: 60 ohms at 1kHz (phono direct); 50 ohms (line out). Input impedance: 45k ohms (MM); either 10, 20, 40, 100, 200, 1000, 47k ohms, or user selectable (MC); 11k ohms (line). Phono Sensitivity: 5mV RMS for 775mV output (MM); 0.5mV RMS for 775mV output (MC); 125mV RMS for 775mV output (line). S/N ratio ref. 775mV out (…

It seems fair to say that—like those who have a strong…

For many years, music fan, singer-songwriter, and cantankerous artiste Ryan Adams paid homage to what felt right. With his first band of note, the Raleigh, North Carolina–based Whiskeytown, he played a twangy fiddle-and-pedal-steel country-rock birthed on the altar of punk rock and liberally raised with respect for the songwriting and soul of performers like Gram Parsons and Jagger-Richards. Slowly but…