This allowed me to both clearly hear faults in recordings and, having…
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But inserting the K-5xeMP into my system was a pleasant surprise, in that much of what I had appreciated about the much-higher-priced preamps had been preserved. In particular, the palpability of images and the sense of musical flow that had so impressed me with both the Simaudio P-8 and the Ayre KX-R was present with the K-5xeMP. Its deathly quiet backgrounds allowed the K-5xeMP to step out of the way of the music. Although it's become an audio-reviewing cliché, the Ayre's "blacks" were indeed blacker than the norm.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state, remote-controlled line preamplifier with: 2 balanced inputs, 2 unbalanced inputs, balanced and unbalanced outputs; 66-step FET-switched volume control with 1dB step size; integral Ayre power-line RFI filter; and Theater mode. Frequency range: DC–200kHz. Maximum voltage gain: 4dB unbalanced, 10dB balanced. Maximum input level: 4V RMS unbalanced, 8V RMS balanced. Input impedance: 20k ohms unbalanced, 40k ohms balanced. Output impedance: 55 ohms unbalanced, 110 ohms balanced. Power consumption: 10W.
Dimensions: 17.25" (440mm) W by 4.75…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP & DX-5 universal players; G4 Mac mini running OS10.5.8, iTunes 10, Pure Music 1.74; Shuttle PC with dual-core AMD Athlon processor running Windows 7, Foobar 2000, Adobe Audition 3.0; dCS Debussy D/A converter.
Preamplifiers: Ayre Acoustics K-5xe, Parasound Halo JC 2, Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8.
Power Amplifiers: Classé CTM-600, Lamm M2.2 monoblocks; Musical Fidelity AMS100, Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth P3ESR, BBC LS3/5a, Thiel SCS4T, Audience Clairaudient 2+2, Linn Majik 140.…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Ayre K-5xeMP using the Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue), as well as my vintage Audio Precision System One. The maximum gain into 100k ohms was very slightly smaller than specified, at 9.8dB (balanced and unbalanced inputs to balanced output) and 3.8dB (unbalanced input to unbalanced output). Both balanced and unbalanced inputs preserved absolute polarity, the balanced XLR jacks being wired with pin 2 hot. At all frequencies, the input impedance was to specification at 20k ohms per phase—ie…
The video for Helado Negro's "Regresa" is like a snapshot of my awesome life: Taxidermy, dancing, making out, and Spanish vocals. The only things missing are meatloaf and Brussels sprouts.
Canta Lechuza by Helado Negro is out now on Asthmatic Kitty Records. You can read my review in our June issue (page 141).
On Thursday, June 16, Zentripetal Duo performed live at DeVore Fidelity's Monkeyhaus.
It’s not unusual to enjoy great music at DeVore Fidelity’s Monkeyhaus, but that music usually comes from LPs, loudspeakers, and tube amplifiers. Last night was a different story: While we did listen to music on the hi-fi, we were also treated to the special, comforting sounds of live, unamplified music. Zentripetal Duo (violinist Lynn Bechtold and cellist Jennifer DeVore) played three pieces—Gene Pritsker’s C17H21NO4 (the molecular formula for a drug popular among hipsters, baby boomers, and…
Far be it from me to surrender these column inches to the whims of a manufacturer.
That said, there's ample reason to break with tradition and offer the thoughts of an obscure English company called LFD, whose products may already have tripped your surveillance wires. In their "Charter to Product Commitment and Traditional Values"—which can be read in its entirety on Frohmusik's website and is signed by Bews and Hawksford (see below)—the people of LFD suggest, in so many words, that they will not manufacture goods outside of their native England; that their design work is guided by…
The Phonostage LE can be configured to provide appropriate gain for moving-magnet (39dB) or moving-coil (53dB) cartridges. Phonostages are sent into the world configured for 53dB, but 39dB can be selected by opening the chassis and removing, with desoldering braid or such, a pair of solder links at the rear-center portion of the PCB.
Early in its stay here, I used the LFD Phonostage LE in its factory-default high-gain setting, driving it with EMT TSD 15 and Ortofon SPU moving-coil pickup heads. Thus configured, the Phonostage delivered very good sound and music, with a pleasant perk:…
More listening
More surprising news: It turns out that LFD makes two phono preamps. For $1795, one can buy their Phonostage LE Special: the standard model upgraded with multistrand PC-OCC input wiring, multidiameter silver output wiring, upgraded (and considerably taller) viscoelastic isolation feet, and, most significant, a power transformer that's more than twice the size of the original.
More surprising news: It turns out that LFD makes two phono preamps. For $1795, one can buy their Phonostage LE Special: the standard model upgraded with multistrand PC-OCC input wiring, multidiameter silver output wiring, upgraded (and considerably taller) viscoelastic isolation feet, and, most significant, a power transformer that's more than twice the size of the original.
A sample of the Phonostage LE Special was sent to me earlier this year by Gene Rubin of Gene Rubin Audio, so that I could compare it with the regular Phonostage LE. The verdict: Whether or not it…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state phono equalizer and preamplifier. Input pairs: 1. Output pairs: 1. Frequency range: 5Hz–80kHz. Input impedance: 47k ohms. Input capacitance: 150pF. Gain at 1kHz: 39dB (MM), 53dB (MC).
Dimensions: 5.4" (140mm) W by 2.3" (60mm) H by 9.6" (245mm) D. Weight: 20 lbs (9.1kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: 115 (LE), 111 (LE Special).
Price: $1295. Approximate number of dealers: 10.
Manufacturer: LFD Audio, 23 Coppins Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 3HP, England, UK. Tel: (44) 1255-422533. Web: www.lfdaudio.com. US distributor…