Digital Sources: Apple MacBook Pro computer (2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD) running OS 10.6.4, iTunes 10.0.1, Sonic Studio Amarra Computer Music Player 2.0, Songbird 1.8.0, or XLD; Oppo BDP-83 universal player; Sooloos Music Server (Control Ten, TwinStore x3); Benchmark DAC1 USB D/A converter.
Preamplification: Integra DTC-9.8, Lexicon MC-12 preamplifier-processors.
Power Amplifiers: Classé CAM 350 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: MartinLogan Prodigy & Descent subwoofers (2).
Cables: USB: Cardas Clear. Digital: Cardas Neutral…
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Sidebar 3: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 4: Measurements
I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system to perform the measurements on the HRT Music Streamer Pro (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It,"); for some tests, I also used my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer. As source, I used my Apple MacBook computer running OS10.6 and Bias Peak Pro 6 to play WAV files of the various test signals I use.
The Music Streamer Pro uses the Texas Instruments TAS1020B USB receiver chip, 390which is hi-rez capable, mounted…
It's an early Sunday morning in Jersey City, and I'm sitting on the old orange couch, keeping myself warm with a cup of coffee, wondering which record to play next. The mellow fall sun is peeking through my white cotton curtains, casting happy shadows throughout my listening room.
It's been a couple of hours since I dismantled my hi-fi. The Rega P3-24 turntable now rests quietly on my bedroom dresser. Beside it are the DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3 loudspeakers. The Exposure 2010S integrated amplifier is vacationing in my Uncle Omar's system. The Furutech Evolution cables and interconnects…
Like other lower-priced models in Rega's line, the RP-1 is basically a plug-and-play design: Setup couldn't be simpler. I placed it atop my Polycrystal equipment rack, making sure the turntable was level. The RP-1's bias slider is preset to accommodate the 1.5–2gm tracking weight of the factory-fitted Ortofon OM5e cartridge. The turntable is designed so that all the user need do is install the included balance weight at the end of the RB101 tonearm, then rotate the weight until it's as close as possible to the stop point. This is extremely simple to achieve—there's no guessing or measuring…
Stephen Mejias reviewed Moon i3.3's phono stage in February 2011 (Vol.34 No.2):
In our November 2010 issue, Erick Lichte did an outstanding job of evaluating the sound of Simaudio's Moon i3.3 integrated amplifier (base price, $3300; fully loaded, $4000), listening to CDs through both single-ended and balanced inputs as well as testing the Sim's coaxial inputs and USB input. However, because young Erick has yet to discover the life-changing joys and pure ecstasy of vinyl, he was unable to evaluate the i3.3's optional phono stage (add $300 to base price). Vinyl lover that I am, I jumped at…
Stephen Mejias' Associated Equipment
Analog: Rega P3-24 turntable with RB 301 tonearm, Rega Elys 2 phono cartridge, and Rega drive-belt upgrade. Boston Audio Design Mat 1 platter mat.
Phono Preamplifier: NAD PP 3.
Integrated Amplifier: Exposure 2010S.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3.
Cables: Furutech Evolution.
Accessories: Furutech e-TP60 power distributor, Polycrystal equipment rack.—Stephen Mejias
John Atkinson remeasured the NuForce CDP-8 in February 2011 (Vol.34 No.2):
"The NuForce CDP-8 is a remarkably good CD player, one of the best I've heard in years," summed up Wes Phillips in his November 2010 review of this slim, attractive-looking CD player from California company NuForce. However, when I got the $1500 CDP-8 on my test bench, I found some serious shortcomings in its measured performance. The player's level of background noise and the spectrum of that noise were related to the signal—this is called "noise modulation," and human hearing is sensitive to it. In addition, the…
I had a quality hang the other night with friend and musical hero of mine, the great Willie Nile. As always Willie was a powerhouse of energy and enthusiasm going as far as singing me several new songs (and keeping time by banging his rings on the table) at a table in a crowded subterranean bar in Manhattan. It’s always wonderful when life and karma and any and all forms of omnipotence (or not) coalesce and a genuinely good and deserving person finally has good things happen to them. In Willie’s case rock and roll fame, which in many ways thankfully eluded him in the 1980s, has now begun to…
I know it's stupid of me, but I can't avoid feeling that, through a simple shared experience, I know these girls. So, when I see this video, I can only smile and feel proud.
Because, like a good fan, I pre-ordered the Vivian Girls' new album, Share the Joy, I can download the entire thing in MP3 form (320kbps, DRM-free) right now. And that is what I'm going to do.
The March 2011 issue of Stereophile is now on newsstands. This is a powerful, action-packed issue, and we come at you from several directions with in-depth equipment reports on a wide range of products.
Fred Kaplan strikes first with a review of Simaudio’s Moon Evolution 700i integrated amplifier. John Atkinson follows with a review of the powerful (700Wpc into 8 ohms at clipping) Classe CT-M600 & CA-M600 monoblock power amplifiers. Up next is Bob Reina, our budget audio guru, with a rave review of the overachieving Marantz CD5004 CD player. Art Dudley gets down and…