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Audio Research Reference phono preamplifier Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

The review sample of the Reference phono preamplifier came to my lab via the manufacturer, where they resolved what had been the cause of the occasional noise problem noted by Michael. I reinstalled the tubes and let it break in for about four hours before I did any measurements.

Voltage gain was slightly higher than specified, at 50.9dB (Low Gain inputs) and 71dB (High Gain). Both are relatively high figures, implying good compatibility with low-output moving-coil cartridges. Depending on the overload margin, however, there might be some problems with…

Audio Research Reference phono preamplifier Audio Research Tube Damping Rings

Sidebar 4: Audio Research Tube Damping Rings

Audio Research Corp. has a very focused design philosophy: rigid design parameters and standards, with listening evaluations being the final critical step in the design process before a new product is released. The company is also not beyond developing its own stable of accessories, if it's determined that the accessories currently available in the marketplace don't meet ARC's standards. ARC released their proprietary interconnects (still available on custom order) a decade ago, and now offer for separate sale the tube damping rings that…

Linn Akiva MC phono cartridge

The observation has been made, often and well, that audio writers are out of touch when it comes to judging value for money. For one thing, we get to live with exotic gear for months at a time, without spending a penny. For another, when we do decide on a more permanent upgrade, we usually get the opportunity to buy at wholesale—at a so-called "industry accommodation price," extended to us because, after all, we are a part of the industry.

I try not to be too cynical—about pricing, at least. It helps that very expensive products tend not to interest me as much as more affordable ones (…

Linn Akiva MC phono cartridge Michael Fremer November 2003

Michael Fremer wrote about the Akiva in November 2003 (Vol.26 No.11):

Linn's mum about the provenance of the $2995 Akiva cartridge, but I suspect Lyra (formerly known as Scan-Tech), who manufactured Linn's earlier Arkiv cartridge. The three-screw mounting system (now also used by Rega) makes installation and alignment of the Akiva's rigid alloy body foolproof. The Akiva has a ceramic-coated boron cantilever and a line-contact stylus. Its output is 0.4mV (1kHz at 3.54cm/s); Linn recommends loading with a minimum of 50 ohms and using a tracking force of 1.6-1.9gm. Mine was set for the 1.…

Linn Akiva MC phono cartridge Specifications

Sidebar: Specifications

Description: Low-output moving-coil phono cartridge with line-contact stylus. Tracking force: 1.6-1.9gm. Pin type: "flying wire." Recommended load: >50 ohms. Separation: better than 30dB at 1kHz. Channel balance: 0.5dB at 1kHz. Output: 0.4mV at 1kHz at 3.54cm/s.
Weight: 7.4gm.
Serial number of unit reviewed: Not noted.
Price:$2995.
Manufacturer: Linn Products Ltd., Floors Road, Waterfoot, Eaglesham, Glasgow G76 0EP, Scotland. Tel: (44) (0)141-307-7777. Fax: (44) (0)141-644-4262. Web: www.linn.co.uk. US distributor: Linn Products Inc., 8787 Perimeter…

B&W Signature 800 loudspeaker

I once got a fortune cookie that read, "Ask and ye shall receive. This includes trouble." A few years back, shopping for speakers, I inquired about reviewing the B&W Nautilus 802, but it was too soon after Wes Phillips had reviewed the Nautilus 801 for Stereophile. So, other auditioning and reviewing (and buying) other speakers, I asked again, and again was met with deferral. Recently, out of the blue, B&W offered the Nautilus 802—then, in the next breath, asked if I'd rather have the Signature 800s.

Boy, would I! Aside from the obvious attraction of auditioning B&W's top-of-…

B&W Signature 800 loudspeaker Page 2

Taste is personal, but I can't avoid commenting on the appearance the OTT Signature version, which adds drop-dead-gorgeousness to the already handsome Nautilus cosmetics. The beautifully finished tiger's-eye maple veneer embraces the S800's curved vertical surfaces, and the gleaming, metallic-flecked, charcoal-gray tweeter and midrange modules nestle comfortably into a bed of charcoal, English Connolly leather.

Set up approximately where the Revel Ultima Studios had been and with very little toe-in, the S800s were generally well-balanced from the get-go, except for a little tizziness in…

B&W Signature 800 loudspeaker Page 3

Despite this low-frequency excellence, the S800 didn't sound like a big loudspeaker. I attribute this to its complete lack of the midbass ripeness so common in big speakers and pretenders. In my relatively ordinary room, the S800 was fairly flat all the way down to near 25Hz, when the lift due to room gain and other room interactions could finally be seen in the ETF and TacT measurements. For all intents and purposes, unless the music had substantial low-frequency content, the S800 was no more full or "bassy" than a decent small speaker.

Consequently, the naturalness of the S800's…

B&W Signature 800 loudspeaker Page 4

Sometimes, on my way to work, the bus stops to let an elderly couple board. He heads immediately for the seat behind the driver, but she always pulls him to the other side, saying, "It's better for you, Morris." Sure enough, her choice of seat has more visibility and legroom, but for some reason Morris is more comfortable in his favorite spot.

I review and analyze audio equipment, so the Signature 800's surgically revealing transparency, huge dynamic range, and lack of tonal character throughout the audible range are probably "better" for me. The Revel Ultima Studio, however, is just…

B&W Signature 800 loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Three-way vented-box loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) metal-dome tweeter, 6" (160mm) woven-Kevlar FST midrange cone, two 10" (250mm) paper-Kevlar cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 350Hz, 4kHz. Frequency response: 25Hz-50kHz, -6dB; 32Hz-42kHz, -3dB; 37Hz-23kHz, ±2dB on reference axis. Dispersion: within 2dB of on-axis response over 60 degrees horizontal or 10 degrees vertical. Sensitivity: 91dB SPL (2.83V/m). Harmonic distortion (second and third harmonics, 90dB/m): <1.0%, 45Hz-20kHz; <0.5%, 50Hz-20kHz. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 3 ohms…