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Integrated amplifiers are hot. I don't mean in the literal sense—although having a preamplifier and stereo power amplifier in the same chassis usually results in higher running temperatures—but in the metaphorical one. Once viewed as the type of component that no serious audiophile would consider buying, integrated amps have made a comeback in popularity and prestige. Consider: the October 2006 "Recommended Components" issue of Stereophile listed 29 integrated amps, whereas the October 2011 issue lists 40. Stereophile's 2010 Amplification Component of the Year award went to an integrated amp…
First, with the GoldenEar Triton Twos in the system, I turned on the ProLogue Premium, waited five minutes, and played track 3 of the Chesky Records Jazz Sampler & Audiophile Test Compact Disc, Vol.1 (Chesky JD37). I listened carefully, noting all the little sonic details, stopped the CD, and left the room for an hour. I then went back to the listening room—where the system had been on all this time, but without playing music—and listened to the same track again. (The volume control was not touched.) My conclusion—which those who want double-blind controls are free to ignore—was that…
When I compared the ProLogue Premium with the CD-player interconnects plugged directly into its CD inputs vs into one of the CAT's line-level inputs, the output of the CAT driving the ProLogue's amp section directly, the differences were not great but were significant. The tonal balance remained much the same, but with the CAT doing the preamplification there was a definite improvement in what I might call finesse—the percussion instruments in track 3 of the Chesky test CD were clearer and more distinct, but also more delicate, and with no added edge or harshness. Double-bass notes were…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed, remote-controlled, stereo integrated amplifier. Tube complement: four 12AU7, four EL34 or KT88. Inputs: 4 pairs RCA, 1 pair HT bypass. Outputs: 4 and 8 ohm transformer taps. Maximum output power: 35Wpc with EL34s (15.6dBW), 40Wpc with KT88s (15.9dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–30kHz, ±0.5dB. THD: <1% at full power. Signal/noise: 89dB. Input sensitivity: 300mV. Power Consumption: 300W.
Dimensions: 14.5" (370mm) W by 8" (205mm) H by 15.5" (400mm) D. Weight: 46.3 lbs (21kg).
Serial Number of Unit Reviewed: 1004798 (auditioning);…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: Ayre Acoustics CX-7eMP CD player.
Preamplifier: Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 Renaissance.
Power Amplifiers: Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7, Audiopax Model 88 Mk.II.
Loudspeakers: Avantgarde Uno Nano, GoldenEar Triton Two, MartinLogan Montis.
Cables: Interconnect, Speaker, AC: Nordost Valhalla.
Accessories: PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 5, Arcici Suspense Rack, PolyCrystal amplifier stand, Nordost Sort Kone TC, Totem Acoustics Beak (on GoldenEar Triton Two), Furutech RD-2 CD demagnetizer.—Robert Deutsch
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 unit shipped to me for measurement—serial no.10115729, a different sample from the one auditioned by Robert Deutsch—was fitted with EL34 output tubes; I made sure the bias switch on the amplifier's left side panel was set to the appropriate bias position for that tube.
Maximum voltage gain into 8 ohms was on the low side for an integrated amplifier, at 36dB from the 8 ohm output…
As Jason Victor Serinus mentioned last week, T.H.E. Show Newport Beach is now being held at two hotels—the larger Hilton (T.H.E. Show Newport West) and the Atrium (T.H.E. Show Newport East), shown here.
Today’s weather was absolutely gorgeous—80 degrees, sunny, and with low humidity—and because both the Hilton and Atrium offer so much natural light, moving from room to room was always pleasant. In that sense, this show is somewhat like a smaller scale Munich High End Show—the wealth of sunlight and air is just as good for the gear as it is for us, and puts…
There's live entertainment from noon to 6pm, daily, at the poolside bar. Isn't that great? Shouldn't every hi-fi show be set around a pool?
Here we see two old pals, Stereophile's John Atkinson (left) and Scull Communications' Jonathan Scull, walking toward the pool for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Not sure whose idea it was to put gigantic scissors in Michael Fremer's hands. Luckily, everything worked out. No CDs were harmed and the red ribbon was cut, marking the start of the 2nd annual T.H.E. Show Newport Beach.
From left: Bob Levi, president of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audiophile Society; Stereophile's John Atkinson; Mr. Analog Planet, Mikey Fremer; Positive Feedback's David Robinson; and The Absolute Sound's Robert Harley.