I looked only at the main left and right outputs. To my surprise, the McCormack offered a lower maximum output level from SACD than it did from CD or DVD-Audio: 1.99V vs 2.35V. This is a difference of almost 1.5dB, which, if not compensated for, will mess up any direct comparisons of SACD and DVD. In addition, the UDP-1's output inverts signal polarity, which will be a confusing factor in comparisons with other players. McCormack doesn't specify the output impedance; I measured 319 ohms across most of the audioband, this rising to 500 ohms at 20Hz. As long as the…
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Kalman Rubinson wrote again about the UDP-1 in March 2005 (Vol.28 No.3):
I was stunned when John Atkinson's measurements of the McCormack UDP-1 universal disc player showed that its digital playback of DVD-Audio and SACD discs was not significantly better than its playback of "Red Book" CDs. In fact, JA told me, the UDP-1's digital performance was not substantially different from that of a $150 Pioneer DV-578A-S universal player he'd bought for reference. But I'd been charmed by the UDP-1's sound, which I'd ascribed to the improved power supply for the audio stages and to McCormack's…
"Moi? You want moi to review a French audio product?"
The phone call shocked me—a brickwall SFP (Scull French-Pass) filter usually restricts the flow of such products from moving beyond Jonathan Scull's JMlab-guarded gates. But here was Stereophile's senior editor making me the offer.
"YBA pig about it?" he acknowledged. "Franc-ly, I'd never have assigned it to you, but I've got some bigger fish to French fry this month."
De Gaulle of da guy!
A few weeks later, after clearing customs, two large, battered cardboard containers arrived looking like whatever…
The Cosmos communicated music's inevitable flow with a relaxed precision that was seductive and absolutely addictive. The midrange had a creamy smoothness while never sounding thick, sluggish, or cloying. Nor did the richness of the midrange presentation obscure transient detail. Where my reference Nu-Vista 300 sounds a bit lean and lacking in bloom, the Kora blossomed in a most beguiling way. Live recordings, like Miles Davis' Live at the Blackhawk (Columbia C2S 820 "six-eye"), delivered their full atmospheric and musical potentials. Before the first note was played, I could sense the air…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Class-A triode vacuum-tube monoblock power amplifier. Output power: 100Wpc into 6 ohms (18.5dBW). Frequency response: 7Hz-50kHz, -3dB. THD: 0.07% at 1W, 0.3% at 50W. Voltage gain: 26dB into 6 ohms. Slew rate: 3µs. S/N ratio: 100dB, balanced input (no reference level given). Input impedance and sensitivity: not specified.
Dimensions: 17½" (448mm) W by 5 7/8" (150mm) H by 14 5/8" (452mm) D. Weight: 46 lbs (21 kg).
Price: $4795/pair (December 2001); $5500/pair (January 2002); no longer available (2004). Approximate number of dealers: 11 (2001).…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Simon Yorke turntable, Graham 2.2 and Immedia RPM2 tonearms, Lyra Helikon LE and Helikon Mono cartridges.
Digital sources: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 3D CD player, Marantz SA14 SACD player.
Preamplification: Hovland HP-100 preamplifier, Pass OnoX and Manley Steelhead phono sections.
Power amplifier: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300.
Loudspeakers: Sonus Faber Amati Homage, Audio Physic Avanti III.
Cables: Phono: Hovland Music Groove DIN/RCA, RCA/RCA. Interconnect: Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway II, Yamamura Millennium 6000,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Stereophile Guide to Home Theater editor Thomas J. Norton used to dread measuring tube amplifiers when he was this magazine's technical editor. I know how feels, the Kora Electronic Concept Cosmos proving a little temperamental on the test bench—three of its 1A output-tube fuses blew at various times during the testing, and one of the 6AS7G tubes suddenly glowed brighter than it should have. After I turned the amplifier off, let it cool down, then turned it on again, this tube had no further problems, however.
The Cosmos had identical sensitivities from…
The plumber's here, and he says we need a new hot-water heater because the one we have now isn't maintaining the correct water temperature, and because it's been in use for nine years. "And the thing is, this is a five-year heater." I responded by repeating his last six words, only louder, and with decorations. And I couldn't help thinking: I've had phono cartridges that lasted longer than that. And none of them have attacked me in the shower when my wife flushed the toilet, either.
It's reasonable to expect five years or more out of a good cartridge, especially if you keep it and your…
Given the above, you should know what it takes to use the DV10x5 in that setting. In particular, because the new Dyna is taller than the average phono cartridge—almost 19mm from the surface of the record it's sitting on to the top of its mounting platform (15mm is about average)—there's no escaping the fact that the owner of a Planar 3 absolutely must reposition the tonearm in order to raise it slightly, relative to the platter, to bring the stylus angle within spitting distance of the ideal.
Luckily, this is easy to do: Remove the arm, place one or two standard Rega shims (available…
And most of all, it made Guided by Voices' Bee Thousand (Scat 35) sound messy and fun, which it is. What else is there?
The only other thing that comes to mind is the issue of vinyl noise, be it steady-state (groove grunge) or not (tics and pops), said performance being a function of stylus profile, stylus condition (the extent to which it's been properly polished), and the cantilever's ability to shrug off rather than store resonant energy. Here the DV10x5 gets a solid "Good" rating: It was better than all the MM cartridges I know and even some of the MCs, pricier ones included,…