I examined the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Seven's measured behavior using Stereophile's loaner sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com); I also used my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain for some tests. With three output-transformer taps and two output operating modes (triode and ultralinear), the DiaLogue Seven offers six choices of how it can be used. I performed a complete set of measurements from each tap in triode and ultralinear modes, but have published here only a limited selection of the…
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The British speaker manufacturer PMC Ltd. has built a professional client list seemingly as extensive as its almost mind-numbingly broad line of speakers. The i series alone includes 12 models, one of which is the DB1i ($1929/pair).
PMC user-endorsers include artists like Brian May of Queen and Robbie Williams (the latter more popular in the UK than in the US), among dozens of other celebrities listed in the company's sumptuous, full-color brochures—Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Coldplay, Kraftwerk, Brian (sic) Ferry, Prince, etc.—though whether these artists actually own PMC…
The DB1is sounded best about 9' apart, 8.5' from my listening position, and somewhat closer to the front and side walls than I'd had the Wilson MAXX 3s. I figured a little boundary reinforcement couldn't hurt the diminutive PMCs. They sounded best toed-in so that their tweeter axes converged behind my head.
A period of adjustment
There was one, of course, in going from the Wilson MAXX 3s—6'-tall behemoths capable of 20Hz performance, almost floor-to-ceiling soundstage height, and especially realistic dynamics—to the little PMCs, but it was shorter than you or I might have imagined.…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, biwirable, transmission-line loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" (27mm) Sonolex-dome tweeter, 5.5" (140mm) a doped paper-cone woofer with a cast-magnesium basket. Crossover frequency: 2kHz. Frequency range: 50Hz–25kHz. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m.
Dimensions: 11.4" (290mm) H by 6.1" (155mm) W by 9.2" (234mm) D (plus grille). Weight: 9.9 lbs (4.5kg).
Finish: Black Ash, Cherry, Natural Oak, Walnut.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: 12403, 12404.
Price: $1929/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 90.
Manufacturer:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Ariston Icon turntable & tonearm, Shure M97xe cartridge.
Digital Source: Meridian Sooloos Music Server, Musical Fidelity V-DAC D/A converter with V-PSU power supply.
Preamplifier: darTZeel NHB-18NS.
Power Amplifier: Music Reference RM-200.
Integrated Amplifiers: Scott LK-72, Musical Fidelity A1 Collector's Series.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3.
Cables: Interconnect: Discovery Cable Essence. Speaker: Discovery Cable Essential.
Accessories: NHT speaker stands, Symposium Rollerblocks & platforms,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The quasi-anechoic measurements were all performed using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. The PMC DB1i's voltage sensitivity is specified as 87.0dB/2.83V/m; my estimate of this was 86.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is within experimental error of the specification. The PMC's impedance remains above 7 ohms for almost the entire audioband, dropping to a minimum of 6.3 ohms at 250Hz (fig.1). Though the electrical phase angle is occasionally high, this is always when the impedance is also high, thus minimizing any drive difficulty. This speaker will…
Robert J. Reina wrote about the PMC DB1i in April 2010 (Vol.33 No.4):
Following Mikey Fremer's favorable review of the PMC DB1i bookshelf loudspeaker in the December 2009 issue, Messrs. Fremer and Atkinson asked that I give the DB1i ($1929/pair) a listen to hear how it compared with other affordable bookshelf models I've recently auditioned. For the most part I agree with Mikey's findings. "The PMC DB1i is a cannily designed, musically satisfying minimonitor," he concluded, adding "along with a response that was subjectively smooth for such a small two-way, the DB1i was among the least…
Sidebar: Bob Reina's Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV, Rega Planar 3 turntables; Immedia RPM, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Koetsu Urushi, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, Creek Destiny CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 110.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek Destiny.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Excite X12, Linn Majik 109.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator. Speaker: Acarian…
Stereophile is happy to start off another year, only one issue behind our published schedule. For most magazine subscribers, this would seem a confession of weakness; underground aficionados will, however, know what I'm talking about. We did in fact publish eight issues last year, but the first one happened to be Volume 6, Number 6 (the last issue in that volume), so that puts us still one behind. Ambitiously, I predict we'll get out nine (count them, 9) issues in 1985 and catch up with our schedule.
Without a doubt, 1984 has been Stereophile's most successful year. We reviewed 114 major…
DEBBIE HARRY: Def, Dumb and Blonde
Sire/Red Eye/Reprise 9 25938-1 (LP), -2 (CD). George Tutko, Mike O'Hara, engs.; Mike Chapman, prod. AAA/AAD. TT: 63:57
Sire/Red Eye/Reprise 9 25938-1 (LP), -2 (CD). George Tutko, Mike O'Hara, engs.; Mike Chapman, prod. AAA/AAD. TT: 63:57
It's all too easy to see Debbie Harry reprising the Gloria Swanson role in Sunset Boulevard, or rehearsing a real-life remake of Nick Lowe's macabre obit to Marie Provost, a reclusive silent film star who outlived her moment in the sun and ended up a snack for her penned-in pooch ("Marie Provost," 16 All-Time Lowes, Demon Fiend CD20). Which raises the issue of comebacks, and the difference between the talent of a creative artist as…