Michel Plante, who co-produces the show with his business/personal partner, Sarah Tremblay (see photo below), reports that the increase in attendance is directly related to outreach by their new PR agency.
"We expect 30% new people this year," he reports. "Our…
A new digital-to-analog converter from Abbingdon Music Research, the DP-777 ($4995), serves as a good…
Description: Tubed digital-to-analog processor with volume control. Tube complement: two 6H1n-EV, one 6H11P. Sampling rates supported: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz. Maximum word length: 32 bits. Digital inputs: 2 S/PDIF (coaxial/TosLink optical), 2 S/PDIF (XLR/BNC), 1 USB. Analog inputs: 2 line level (RCA). Analog outputs: 1 RCA, 1 XLR (single-ended). Maximum output voltage: >2V. Signal/noise: >100dB, A-weighted (no reference level given). Channel separation: >90dB. Dynamic range: >90dB. Harmonic distortion: <0.3%.
Dimensions: 17.7" (450mm…
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT TSD 15 70th Anniversary, EMT OFD 25 pickup heads; Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers.
Digital Sources: Wavelength Proton USB DAC; Apple iMac G5 computer with Apple iTunes v.10.2.2 & Decibel v.1.0.2 playback software; Sony SCD-777 SACD/CD player.
Preamplifier: Shindo Masseto.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne & Haut-Brion.
Loudspeakers: Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE, Quad ESL.
Cables…
I measured the Abbingdon Music Research DP-777 using 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," ); for some tests, I also used my vintage Audio Precision System One Dual Domain and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer.
The first thing was to decide which aspects of the DP-777 to measure. Unless I lost count, there are 193 different configurations in which this product can be used, and to perform a full set of measurements on each would take me several weeks.…
Though it includes two separate amplifier modules per chassis and can be run as a lower-powered stereo amplifier, I've seen the 9011 used only in pairs, as monoblocks, at shows and in owners' homes. I guess if you can afford to spend $60,000 for a power amplifier, you can comfortably double up to get the most from this…
Depending on your taste, the sound produced by the 9011s driving the MAXX 3s could be described as opulent, full, musical, and totally lacking in electronic artifacts—or as somewhat bland and/or boring. I prefer more punch on the bottom, more sparkle and transparency on top, and greater instrumental three-…
Description: Solid-state power amplifier usable as balanced monoblock or single-ended stereo amplifier. Rated power outputs, mono: 440W into 8 ohms (26.4dBW), 840W into 4 ohms (26.2dBW), 1390W into 2 ohms (25.4dBW). Rated power outputs, stereo: 130W into 8 ohms (21.1dBW), 210W into 4 ohms (20.2dBW), 330W into 2 ohms (19.2dBW). Frequency range: mono, DC–200kHz; stereo, DC–320kHz. Distortion: <0.001%, 1kHz at 50W into 4 ohms. Output current: 50A peak maximum. Signal/noise (no reference level given): mono, 114dB unweighted, 118dB A-weighted; stereo, 113dB…
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable, Cobra tonearm, Castellon stand; Graham Phantom II tonearm; Ortofon A90, Soundsmith Sussurro cartridges.
Digital Sources: Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player–DAC, Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D CD transport–DAC, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, Sooloos music server, Pure Music software.
Preamplifiers: Ypsilon PST-100 Mk.II with Ypsilon BC1 balancing transformers, MBL Reference 6010D, darTZeel NHB-18NS.
Power Amplifiers: Music Reference RM-200 Mk.II, Soulution 710, VTL MB-…