The volume control output transformer, "painstakingly designed and optimized," is custom-wound at Ypsilon on an amorphous double-C core, itself chosen via listening tests. The impedance of the output stage, which is hardwired with fine, custom-drawn silver wire, is around 600 ohms. The active stage is essentially a small, single-ended amplifier.
However, there is more to know about this microprocessor-controlled circuit, which features both active and…
Description: Tubed preamplifier with remote control, transformer-operated volume control, and switchable passive mode. Tube complement: 6CA4, C3m. Inputs: 5 unbalanced line-level (RCA), 1 unbalanced (XLR). Outputs: 1 unbalanced (RCA), 1 unbalanced (XLR), 1 buffered Tape Out (RCA). Frequency response: 9Hz–100kHz, –3dB. THD: not specified. Signal/noise: not specified. Channel separation: not specified. Maximum output: not specified. Input impedance: 50k ohms. Output impedance: 150 ohms.
Dimensions: 15.6" (400mm) W by 7" (180mm) H by 16" (410mm) D. Weight: 55…
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, Castellon turntable & tonearm & stand; ">Graham Engineering Phantom II tonearm; Ortofon A90 cartridge.
Digital Sources: Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player–DAC, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, Meridian Sooloos music server, Pure Music software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon VPS-100, Einstein Turntable's Choice phono preamplifiers; darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Musical Fidelity Titan.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3.
Cables…
I primarily measured the Ypsilon PST-100 Mk.II using the Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue). The maximum volume-control setting in active mode was "37"; the control operated in 1dB steps from "37" to "34," in 1.5dB steps from "33" to "16," in 2dB steps from "15" to "11," and in 3dB steps below that level. In passive mode, the maximum setting was "31," but with the control steps following the pattern set in active mode. The voltage gain into 100k ohms in active mode was 11.1dB from balanced input to…
First up is Winging It: Piano Music of John Corigliano. Performed by Ursula Oppens, who has achieved legendary status as a new music virtuoso, the CD includes the world premiere recording of Winging It (2008), which the Pulitzer Prize-…
This is bracing music, with complex rhythms, brooding harmonies,…
Nicolas Jaar’s Space Is Only Noise, Jannick Schous’ Act of Shimmering, a nice-looking reissue of John Cage and David Tudor’s Indeterminancy: New Aspect of Form in Instrumental and Electronic Music, the split 12” from Grouper and Inca Ore, Amon Tobin’s “Surge” remix 12”, and another 12” featuring awesome remixes of Radiohead’s “Little by Little” (by Caribou) and “Lotus Flower” (by Jacques Greene).
With all those records beneath my happy arm, I gave up my place on line, smiled at the newsstand display, and snapped this…
It pours from your loudspeakers and into the room.
I wanted to see the band perform live during their recent stop at Le Poisson Rouge—I had tickets, too—but I had to paint some…
Jesse Winchester has been silent for seven years now, and we needed some mint-julep–voiced cowboy to write and croon such smooth, fluid, irresistible songs, no sharp edges and none needed, thanks. Thank God Lyle Lovett stepped in; we could have done much, much worse.
It would have been hard to better Lovett's eponymous 1986 debut LP (MCA 5748), a remarkable combination of state-of-the-art contemporary country songwriting, singing, and…