Description: Solid-state, monoblock power amplifier with proprietary "class-I" output stage. Inputs: 1 unbalanced (RCA), 1 balanced (XLR). Outputs: 2 pairs binding posts. Maximum output power (20Hz–20kHz, at <0.1% distortion): 500W into 8 ohms (27dBW); 1000W into 4 ohms (27dBW). Frequency response: 10Hz–20kHz, ±0.1dB. Input impedance: 100k ohms balanced, 50k ohms unbalanced. Voltage gain: 26.8dB. Output impedance: not specified. Input sensitivity: 2.89V input for full output. Signal/noise ratio: 85dB ref. 2.83V RMS (1W at 8 ohms). Power consumption: not…
search
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, & Castellon turntable, tonearm, & stand; Wave Kinetics NVS Reference turntable; Graham Engineering Phantom Supreme II, Kuzma 4Point, Durand Telos tonearms; Lyra Atlas & Titan i, Miyajima Labs Premium BE mono cartridges.
Digital Sources: MSB Platinum Data CD IV & Diamond Platinum DAC IV CD player & D/A converter & Platinum Studio A/D converter; BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-drive recorder; Meridian Digital Media System; Pure Music software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
To perform measurements on the Mark Levinson No.53 Reference, I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before testing one of the monoblocks (serial no. 9800004396), I ran it at one-third its rated power into 8 ohms for 60 minutes, which thermally is the worst case for an amplifier with a class-A/B output stage. As the No.53 both uses a switching output stage and is very much more efficient at turning power from the wall into voltage and current to drive the…
Helm's Impossible Symmetry—one of my favorite records of 2012.
In the January 2013 issue of Stereophile, I list my 15 favorite records of the year (p.53). Here is an expanded, slightly more detailed list.
Note: Due to the timing restrictions of our January 2013 issue, which went to press in the beginning of November, this list is mostly limited to records that were released through October 15, 2012: There are probably another dozen or so LPs that would have otherwise made this list—Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and Andy Stott’s Luxury Problems are two…
Editor's Note: We were saddened earlier this month to learn of the death on December 7 of loudspeaker manufacturer Brian Cheney of VMPS, from prostate cancer. He contributed this review to Stereophile almost a quarter-century ago.—John Atkinson
The single-brand, self-contained music system has been popular at both ends of the price spectrum. A few hundred dollars at Macy's gets you a rack chock-full of offshore electronics, big speaker boxes, one plug (for the AC outlet), and—bingo!—instant music. Or, call your local Cello specialist and spend 60 times that amount, to roughly the same…
Specifications
Description: digital home music system.
Dimensions: 63" D by 38" H by 56" W. Weight: 330kg. Clearance height for dustcover: 67".
Price: $7355.
Manufacturer: Yamaha Intl., 6660 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620. Tel: (714) 522-9240. Source: dealer loan. Web: www.yamaha.com/musical-instruments/keyboards/.
In order to get in the right mindset for the Dallas Wind Symphony's first ever Christmas CD, Horns for the Holidays, from Reference Recordings and recording engineer Keith O. Johnson, you have to understand something about Dallas. The last time its residents saw snow on Christmas Eve, there were 357 vehicular-related fatalities, all caused by people slamming on their brakes in disbelief. The "traditional" American or European Christmas is, to them, a distant idea that, on its way to Texas through the cornfields of Kansas, has taken on unusual proportions. Think Christmas trees as tall as oil…
It's once again time for holiday-gift recommendations. These 12 go roughly in order of ascending price, from the very affordable to the rather unaffordable. To be included, a gift had to strike me as being exceptional in quality while also representing excellent value for money. But by "excellent value for money" I don't necessarily mean low-cost; I mean a high return on investment.
12. Requiem for a Pink Moon: $19.98
The idea of classical bass Joel Frederiksen and Ensemble Phoenix Munich's putting together an Elizabethan tribute album to British singer-songwriter Nick Drake (1948–…
Each guitar is the subject of a two-page spread that includes Arnold's history of the guitar and of his connection with it, and two or more photographs by Fritchie. There is often a smaller close-up of one feature of the guitar, and always a large image of the guitar in an environment. One of the smart things they did was to let each guitar take the stage alone—no people appear in the landscape shots. People would have drawn the eye and mind away from the guitars and their unseen makers.
The guitars range from an 1840 Parlor Guitar made by Nicholas Henry in Mirecourt, France, to a 2008…
1) The Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr.'s first day home.
For the qualities I most value in a music system—impact, substance, texture, color, and, above all, the ability to play lines of notes with a realistic sense of momentum and flow—the venerable Garrard 301 and similar well-made turntables with powerful motors and idler-wheel drive are the sources to beat. Unfortunately, good-condition samples of the Garrard 301 and 401, the Thorens TD 124, and any number of exotic EMTs have become scarce and ever more expensive.
Yet there exists an alternative that offers a great deal of the 301's…