I examined the measured behavior of the Bryston BDA-1 using the high-performance Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue), as well as, for some tests, my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain. To examine its performance as a USB DAC, I drove the BDA-1 with the USB 2.0 output of my MacBook running OS10.4.11, playing WAV files using Bias Peak 6.2. The Bryston identified itself to the host computer as "BRYSTON BDA-1." The BDA-1 offers two modes of operation: the audio data can be processed at their native sample…
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In the January 2010 issue of Stereophile I gushed effusively about the $450 Marantz PM5003 integrated amplifier. Not only was I impressed with the sound, build quality, and features of this very affordable component, but, intrigued by how it might be combined with other gear to build a complete entry-level system for about a thousand bucks, I began to ponder other entry-level components that might nicely complement it. My goal here, of course, is to inspire a new generation of young audiophiles. I felt a turntable would be a good place to start.
Even Michael Fremer is surprised…
When I played complex and difficult music, two things struck me. First, I would have expected a turntable fitted with such an inexpensive cartridge (the Ortofon OM 5E lists for $55) to produce some smearing with torture-test records, or at least a hint of mistracking distortion. But there was no trace of either with the Debut III, even in comparison with my Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge, one of the best-tracking cartridges I've ever heard. Second, I expected an entry-level turntable with a starter cartridge to have some minor irregularities of tonal balance. After several months of…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Turntable with prefitted arm and cartridge. Dustcover: yes. Nominal speeds: 33, 45rpm (78rpm available as an option). Speed variance: ±0.8%. Wow & flutter: ±0.12%. Signal/noise ratio: 65dB. Tonearm: Pro-Ject 8.6. Effective tonearm length: 8.6" (218.5mm). Effective tonearm mass: 9.5gm. Overhang: 18.5mm. Supplied counterweight compatible with cartridge mass: 3.5–5.5gm. Optional counterweights available for cartridge masses: 6–9gm, 1.5–3gm. Cartridge: Ortofon OM 5E moving-magnet. Downforce range: 10–30mN.
Dimensions: Lid open: 16.2" (415mm) W by…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge.
Digital Source: Creek Destiny CD player.
Integrated Amplifiers: Creek Destiny, Marantz PM5003.
Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Silver RS6, Epos M5, Paradigm Atom v.5.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator, CVT Terminator 2. Speaker: MIT CVT Terminator 2, Acarian Systems Black Orpheus.
Accessories: Various by ASC, Bright Star, Celestion, Echo Busters, Salamander Designs, Simply Physics, Sound Anchor,…
Revolver? More like evolver: 80 years after the first electrically driven record players became available, professional and amateur engineers continue to seek new ways to spin LPs with ever-greater steadiness and precision.
Greater isolation, too: During that time, designers have used a variety of things to keep unwanted vibrations from sullying the marriage of needle and groove, ranging from felt washers and rubber grommets to metal springs to elastic belts to nothing at all. A multinational company called Hanss Acoustics (footnote 1) is among the latest to try their hand at…
So I was doubly surprised that the Hanss T-30, which I used during the latter half of summer 2009, was supremely immune to footfalls. Normal foot travel never—and I mean never—displaced the stylus, or created even an untoward noise. Jumping up and down on the floor next to the rack made itself known as only a small and temporary variation in speed: a bit of warble, for want of a better word. The only way I could get the needle away from the groove was to lift the tonearm. Read into that what you will. I was impressed.
Happily, the Hanss T-30 played music well, too, with a consistently…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-speed belt-drive turntable with 2 AC synchronous motors, 2 tonearm mounts, 1 outboard power supply. Speeds: 33.3rpm, 45rpm. Wow, flutter, rumble: unspecified.
Dimensions: 24.8" (635mm) W by 8.7" (222mm) H by 17" (435mm) D. Weight: 83.2 lbs (37.8kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: A07093396.
Price: $4600. Approximate number of dealers: 5.
Manufacturer: Hanss Acoustics Co., Ltd., 1/F Kim Hing Mansion, 49-51 Kimberly Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Web: www.hanssacoustics.com. US distributor: The Lotus Group, 92B Hamilton…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Thorens TD-124 Mk.II turntable; EMT 997 tonearm; Shindo SPU, Ortofon SPU 90th Anniversary, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65, Miyabi 47, Grace F9E cartridges.
Digital Sources: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player, HRT Music Streamer+, Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB DACs (with Apple iMac).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 step-up transformer, Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Haut-Brion; Shindo Corton-Charlemagne, PrimaLuna DiaLogue Seven (both monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE, Wilson Audio Specialties…
In the beginning, I had a room adjacent to my office—a room filled with bicycles, hi-fi gear, and assorted crap I'd never gotten around unpacking since our last move. Feeling ambitious, I thought I might turn it into a guest room, and emptied it.
It wasn't a large room (15' L by 9' W by 7' H), and, looking at it empty, I realized that by the time I'd installed a queen bed in there, there wouldn't be tons of space left for any other function—and besides, how often did guests sleep over? So I did what any audiophile would do: I decided to turn it into a dedicated if economy-size…