1) Jenny Hval: Innocence Is Kinky (CD/LP, Rune Grammofon RCD/LP3142)
2) Daft Punk: Random Access Memories (CD/LP, Columbia 88883716862)
3) Kanye West: Yeezus (CD, Def Jam B0018653-02)
4) Aidan Baker: Already Drowning (LP, Gizeh GZH43LP)
5) Julia Holter: Loud City Song (LP, Domino WIGLP306)
6) Oneohtrix Point Never: R Plus Seven (LP, Warp WARP240)
7) Circuit des Yeux: Overdue (LP, Lewis + Lynn/Ba Da Bing 92)
8) Blood Orange: Cupid Deluxe (LP, Domino WIGLP322)
9) Sigur R¢s: Kveikur (CD…
The DiaLogue tube amplifiers from PrimaLuna have, at their heart, a clever idea of their own: an output circuit that is user-switchable between triode operation, in which the screen grid of a tetrode or pentode power tube is defeated by means of connection to the tube's anode; and Ultralinear operation, in which the screen grid of a tetrode or pentode carries a portion of the AC music signal, supplied by a tap on…
Description: Push-pull stereo tube amplifier. Tube complement: six 12AU7, four EL34, KT88, or KT120. Output power: 25Wpc (14dBW) in Triode mode, 42Wpc (16.2dBW) in Ultralinear mode, with standard EL34 power tubes (see text). Frequency range: 12Hz–75kHz. Input sensitivity for maximum power: 880mV. Input impedance: 100k ohms. Output impedances: 4, 8, 16 ohms. Signal/noise ratio: 94dB, unweighted. Total harmonic distortion: <0.1%.
Dimensions: 15.4" (395mm) W by 8.3" (210mm) H by 16" (410mm) D. Weight: 63.8 lbs (29kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed:…
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Thomas Schick tonearms; EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65, TSD 15 70th Anniversary pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Wavelength Proton, AudioQuest DragonFly USB D/A converters; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes v.11.0, Decibel v.1.2.11 playback softwares; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T2 step-up transformer, Shindo Laboratory Vosne-Romanee & Masseto preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Laboratory Corton-Charlemagne & Cortese, Fi 421A.
…
I measured the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium's performance using Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com). With two choices of output tube, each capable of being operated in Triode (green LED) or Ultralinear (red LED) mode, and with three output-transformer taps available, the DiaLogue Premium offers 12 different ways of being used, and is therefore 12 different amplifiers in one chassis. Because a full characterization of the behavior of each of those 12 amplifiers would…
Of the five Epos speakers I've reviewed, I have a soft spot for the M5i bookshelf ($899/pair). Ever since I reviewed it in the February 2011 issue,…
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, reflex-loaded loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) soft-dome tweeter, 5.85" (150mm) polypropylene-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 3.2kHz. Frequency range: 51Hz–25kHz. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 89dB/2.83V/m. Amplifier compatibility: 25–100W. Power handling: 100W, unclipped, speech and music.
Dimensions: 12.1" (310mm) H by 7.2" (185mm) W by 9.7" (245mm) D. Weight: 13.4 lbs (6.1kg).
Finishes: Cherry, Black Ash wood veneers.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 0911-1070 A/B.
Price: $1000/pair. ST15…
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV, Rega Planar 3 turntables; Immedia, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Koetsu Urushi, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, Creek Destiny CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D, Creek Destiny phono stages; Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 75.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek Destiny.
Loudspeakers: Epos M5i & M16i, Dynaudio Excite X12.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator. Speaker:…