I listened to the Data Basic driving the PS Audio UltraLink, Adcom GDA-600, Meridian 263, and Mark Levinson No.35 processors. The processors fed an Audio Research LS5 preamp, which drove Audio Research's VT-150 tubed monoblocks. Loudspeakers were Thiel CS3.6es, connected by 8' runs of AudioQuest Sterling. Interconnects included AudioQuest Diamond, Monster Cable Sigma, and Expressive Technologies IC-1.—Robert Harley
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Sidebar 3: Measurements
The Data Basic's S/PDIF jitter measured from the RCA jack was very low, measuring 30 picoseconds with an input signal of all zeros, 36ps with a full-scale 1kHz sinewave, and 123ps when outputting a –90dB, 1kHz sinewave (footnote 1). Fig.1 shows the jitter spectrum with these three test signals. With music (fig.2), the Data Basic's jitter was 71ps (a very quiet passage—the first 30 seconds from Sheffield's recording of The Firebird Suite) and 42ps (with full-scale music).
Fig.1 Theta Data Basic, jitter in coaxial S/PDIF data signal, 20Hz–50kHz,…
Although, historically, Asian high-performance loudspeakers have not had much impact in the US (with the possible exception of the Yamaha NS1000), it is obvious from recent events that that situation might change. Some Japanese manufacturers are determinedly attempting in 1989 to scale the high-end heights. Onkyo, for example, launched an entire range under the Precise brandname, designed by that most idiosyncratic of talented Californian engineers, Keith Johnson, while Yamaha has licensed the Swedish ACE-Bass technology to produce loudspeakers that extend amazingly low in the bass for their…
At 200,000 tracks, maybe so—but it only occupies 800GB, so he's using compression. My meager 12,000 track library eats a little over 200GB, using ALC.
Via the OC Register's Tim Magnan. File this under "too much information." Also, keep out of the front rows.
An otherwise quiet afternoon is given an asterisk, a big fat exclamation point, by our sale of EVERY BACK ISSUE AVAILABLE.
Hey, that's cool. Some lucky dude out there is now the proud owner of about 200 back issues of our colorful magazine. To tell you the truth, I didn't think we'd ever sell a set.
I feel like celebrating. Let's go out for dinner tonight.
Whether it does or not, you know you're going to. Eskie lists 60 things worth shortening your life for. I must be boring—only about 10 appealed to me, although I did find #s 38 & 39 intriguing.
Les Edelberg writes: "First, wanted to thank you for the Jacques Brel link yesterday. He's always been one of my favorites and I still listen to my original vinyl copy regularly. I think this clip is even more powerful than the one you posted Monday."
He's not kidding.