In digital audio, time waits for no one—and so it…
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Whether one was surprised, in 2010, by the success of Peachtree Audio's iDecco may have more to do with age than anything else. My peers and I wondered, at first, who would want their high-end integrated amps to come bundled not only with digital-to-analog converters but with iPod docks, of all things; at the same time, younger hobbyists wondered who in the world still wanted their integrated amps to contain phono preamplifiers. (Respect for the elderly, myself especially, prevents me from adding "and mono switches.") Color me chastened.
It seemed to me that the decco65's tube buffer had slightly less sonic influence than the one in the iDecco: The newer amp took on less sonic warmth from its use, though the tube buffer did seem to add to its spaciousness and sense of scale. On the other hand, the solid-state buffer delivered tighter, cleaner bass, with less exaggeration of the decay components of notes—with no apparent penalties. Thus, all of the comments that follow are based on my use of the decco65 without its tube being activated.
Listening
My first impression of the Peachtree decco65, according to my listening…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier with built-in D/A converter and USB interface. Line-level analog inputs: 1. S/PDIF digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 1 optical. Sampling rates supported: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176, 192kHz. Word lengths supported: 16, 24. Jitter: 3ps measured at master clock. Main amplifier output power (<0.5 % distortion): 65Wpc into 8 ohms (18.1dBW), 95Wpc into 4 ohms (16.8dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–50kHz ±0.1dB. Headphone amplifier output power: 100mWpc into 8 ohms. Headphone amplifier output impedance: <30 ohms. Preamplifier…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Artemis TA-1 tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT TSD 15 70th Anniversary pickup heads; Miyabi 47, Denon DL-103 cartridges.
Digital Sources: AudioQuest DragonFly USB DAC; Apple iMac G5 computer with Apple iTunes v.11.0, Decibel v.1.0.2 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten, Hommage T2 step-up transformers; Leben RS 30EQ phono preamplifier; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Peachtree decco65 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 both analog and digital inputs. To test the decco65 as a digital processor, I took the measurements from its Preamplifier Output jacks.
Hooking up my MacBook Pro to the Peachtree's USB input, I used the Apple USB Prober utility to identify the decco65 as "XMOS USB Audio 2.0," XMOS being the supplier of the USB data-receiver chip. Operational mode was confirmed as "isochronous…
Register to win a set of V-Moda M-80 Headphones (MSRP $230) we are giving away.
According to the company:
Masterfully tuned by a legion of legendary musicians, producers and DJs, M-80 packs unique materials, professional acoustics, natural noise isolation, ultimate ergonomics and military-level ruggedness into a design 53% smaller than its now legendary, over-ear sibling, Crossfade LP. M-80's first-class materials are virtually indestructible including a steel frame, STEELFLEX headband, interchangeable brushed metal shields, durable microfiber suede and replaceable memory…
I started this Payday Albums project in January. By February, I’d already fallen behind. So, let’s play catch-up:
Today’s payday. These are the albums I bought.
Payday Albums: 2/1/13
FaltyDL: Hardcourage (LP, Ninja Tune)
Chromatics: Night Drive (LP, Italians Do It Better)
Solange & Blood Orange: True (LP, Terrible Records)
Lee Gamble: Dutch Tvashar Plumes (LP, Pan)
Nosaj Thing: Home (LP, Innovative Leisure)
Vessel: Order of Noise (LP, Tri Angle)
Christopher Owens:…
I remember my first real encounter with the Logitech|UE 900s noise-isolating earphones ($399.99). I broke them out riding the B35 to catch the Q to someplace I don’t remember.The UE 900s’ braided cables unraveled gracefully as I lifted them from their burnished black carrying case.
While tilting the 900s forward, I inserted each earpiece into my ear canals gently. The earpieces are equipped with “earloops”, cable infused with surgical stainless steel that makes them flexible. Plastic sheaths encircle the braided wire extending from each side containing the earloops. With the earloop, you…
There's been a lot of concern expressed about the difficulties experienced by bricks-and-mortar audio retailers, and I guess these concerns are well founded, but some retailers continue to not only survive but thrive.
One such retailer is American Sound of Canada, located in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill. Owned and managed by Angie Lisi (known to all her customers as just "Angie"), American Sound was founded in 1970, and has recently opened a second location a few miles up the road, called Angie's Audio Corner, specializing in their higher-end lines. Angie's very capable assistants…
It's not just the first audio show in Chicago in 14 years, since Stereophile's Hi-Fi ’99 at the Palmer House. It's also the first in a millennium where computer audio is changing every aspect of the music and audio industries.
Nor is it a minor effort. AXPONA Chicago, which runs March 8–10 on five floors of the Doubletree by Hilton O'Hare Airport, promises 90 separate exhibit rooms, 74 table displays in approximately 30 different booths presenting 100 or so brands, and equipment from over 400 manufacturers. Dealers exhibiting number 26, with 15 from Chicago, and others from New York,…