I measured the Stenheim Alumine using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. The Alumine's B-weighted sensitivity on its tweeter axis was 89.5dB/2.83V/m, which is both higher than average and within experimental error of the specified 90dB. The Stenheim's plot of impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle (fig.1) suggests that it is an easy speaker to drive, the impedance remaining above 8 ohms for much of the audioband and dropping to 5.5 ohms in the lower midrange. The phase angle is also fairly benign, meaning that, in conjunction with…
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As I’ve mentioned, I enjoy making connections between all kinds of seemingly disparate things and ideas, but I take special interest in finding connections between different musical genres or artists. I obsess over this game, as though finding common ground between Drake and Ryuichi Sakamoto—an easy example, but a valid one—will somehow make me a stronger person, make me more intelligent and attractive, allow me to better understand others, make the world a more beautiful place.
It’s in these connections that stories are made. And I love stories. Caught by the idea that…
Courtesy Neneh Cherry and The Thing
People have been understandably curious about The Cherry Thing, the surprising collaboration between Neneh Cherry and free-jazz monster, The Thing, scheduled to be released on June 19 by Smalltown Supersound.
For now, we can hear the band’s version of Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream.”
I love this song.
It’s wonderful—a gift, really—that something can be so soothing, such a lullaby, and also be so blindingly powerful.
Saturday–Sunday, April 14–15, 10am–5pm: Lyric HiFi (1221 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY) invites audiophiles to listen to an assortment of systems, interact with representatives from brands such as McIntosh, Focal, and Audio Research, and qualify to purchase demo units at 20% off, all part of The Show at Lyric HiFi.
Lyric co-owners Lenny Bellezza’s and Dan Mondoro’s fine-tuned listening rooms will host at least seven different systems. In renovations which cost nearly $500,000 (and that’s in 1982 dollars), architects and acoustical engineers sought to stifle the rumbles of the…
One drizzly, gray morning I found myself with an unexpected hole in my schedule and an unusual hankering for doughnuts. Since my move to Portland, Oregon, last August, people from around the country have told me that I just had to try the over-the-top creations over at Voodoo Doughnuts. So I donned my raincoat and walked through downtown Portland for one of Voodoo's fried, raised, and glazed treats. Once inside Voodoo's tiny storefront, I chose two confections: a maple-bacon bar (yep, they put a whole strip of bacon on top of a doughnut), and an Old Dirty Bastard doughnut with chocolate…
The Tung Sol KT120 is a relatively new tube. It's also among the most powerful tubes available, with a plate dissipation rating of 60W vs the KT90's 50W; a pair is said to be capable of delivering over 150W in push-pull configuration. I've been using KT120s in my Rogue M-180 monoblocks, and they've quickly become my new favorite output tube, offering much of the midrange magic of the KT88, but without the thickness I often hear from the latter. The KT120 also has the drive, punch, and dynamics of the KT90, minus the grain and leanness that tube often has. Oh, and the KT120's treble reminds…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed stereo power amplifier. Tube complement: four KT90s or KT120s, two 12AU7, two 12AX7. Fully tested, burned in, and auditioned at factory. Output power: 90Wpc (19.5dBW). Frequency response: 5Hz–50kHz, ±1dB. THD: <0.1% typical, <1% at rated power. Input sensitivity: 1.0V RMS for maximum output. Power requirements: 115/230V–50/60Hz (220–240V/50Hz option, add $100).
Finishes: Anodized Black, Natural Silver.
Dimensions: 18" (460mm) W by 5.5" (140mm) H by 17" (435mm) D. Weight: 50 lbs (22.7kg) net, 55 lbs (25kg) shipping.
Serial…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Bel Canto CD 2 CD player with VB-1 power supply; Bel Canto DAC 3.5 VB, Benchmark DAC1 & DAC1 HDR D/A converters; Sony Vaio laptop computer.
Power Amplifiers: Rogue Audio M-180 monoblocks.
Integrated Amplifiers: Mystère ia21, Manley Labs Stingray iTube.
Loudspeakers: Revel Performa F30.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX coaxial, Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU. USB: Cardas Clear. Interconnect: Sain Line Systems Pure (balanced & single-ended). Speaker: Kimber BiFocal X. AC: Sain Line Systems Reference.
Accessory:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
To take these measurements, I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com). The sample Erick Lichte shipped to me for measurement had its output transformer set for a 4 ohm load and was fitted with KT90 output tubes. Before performing any tests, I made sure each output tube was correctly set to 35mA bias current, using the top-panel meter. I then repeated the testing using KT120 tubes; as these were too fat to fit through the holes in the top panel, I removed the panel. (I…
The New York Audio and AV show (wait a minute: Doesn’t the A in AV already stand for Audio?) takes place at the famed Waldorf=Astoria from 3:00pm to 8:00pm today, from 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, and from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday). Yesterday I was weary from traveling (I arrived here by train from Philadelphia), so it wasn’t until this morning that I noticed the carpet pattern outside the door of my room: a William Morris-style bunny. I’m clearly in the right place.