The Exposure XVII's line-input impedance measured 7.6k ohms at 1kHz, a little less than the specified 10k ohms. This low value suggests that the XVII should be used with source components having as low an output impedance as possible. A value of a few tens of ohms is ideal, with a few hundred ohms a maximum practical value. The moving-magnet input impedance measured 47k ohms across the audio band. Moving-coil input impedance measured roughly 500 ohms at any audio frequency. (Exposure's spec sheet has a misprint in listing the MC input impedance at "470k ohms"; it…
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Sidebar 3: Specifications
Description: Solid-state preamplifier with integral phono stage. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.5dB. Input impedance: 10k ohms (line), 470 ohms (MC phono), 47k ohms (MM phono). Output impedance: 600 ohms (tape out), 3 ohms (main out). Inputs: five line, one phono. Outputs: two tape out, one unbalanced main out on RCA jacks, one unbalanced main out on XLR jacks.
Dimensions: 17.3" (440mm) W by 3.5" (90mm) H by 13.6" (345mm) D. Weight: 17.6 lb (8kg).
Price: $1495 (1994); no longer available (2019). Approximate number of dealers: 35.
Manufacturer:…
Etienne Charles: Carnival: The Sound of a People, Vol 1
Etienne Charles, trumpet, percussion; Brian Hogans, Godwin Louis, alto saxophone; David Sánchez, tenor saxophone; Sullivan Fortner, James Francies, piano, Fender Rhodes; Alex Wintz, guitar; Luques Curtis, Russell Hall, Ben Williams, bass; Obed Calvaire, drums; D'Achee, congas. With: Claxton Bay Tamboo Bamboo, Laventille Rhythm Section, other percussionists.
Culture Shock EC007 (2 LPs). 2019. Etienne Charles, prod.; Glenn Brown, Christian Burkett, David Darlington, Mark Wilder, engs. DDA. TT: 67:20
Performance ****
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Etienne Charles, trumpet, percussion; Brian Hogans, Godwin Louis, alto saxophone; David Sánchez, tenor saxophone; Sullivan Fortner, James Francies, piano, Fender Rhodes; Alex Wintz, guitar; Luques Curtis, Russell Hall, Ben Williams, bass; Obed Calvaire, drums; D'Achee, congas. With: Claxton Bay Tamboo Bamboo, Laventille Rhythm Section, other percussionists.
Culture Shock EC007 (2 LPs). 2019. Etienne Charles, prod.; Glenn Brown, Christian Burkett, David Darlington, Mark Wilder, engs. DDA. TT: 67:20
Performance ****
…
In his review in the November 2015 issue, Herb Reichert wrote that Parasound's Halo Integrated amplifier "has a recognizable sonic personality: easy flowing, mostly smooth, and decidedly mellow. . . . But don't worry—it's not milquetoast mellow or unwashed-hippy-stoner mellow. It is, instead, an everything's-under-control, don't-worry-now mellow."
I hoped to hear the Halo Integrated for myself. So when, for the March 2019 issue, I reviewed the Spendor Audio Systems A7 loudspeaker, which requires more power than my 20Wpc Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion amp can muster, I requested a loaner.…
Sidebar: Specifications
Description: 2.1-channel, solid-state integrated amplifier. Analog inputs: RCA (5), XLR (1), minijack (3.5mm). Theater/Sub: RCA (2), XLR (1). Digital inputs: optical, coaxial, USB. Headphone output: 3.5mm. Power output: 160Wpc into 8 ohms (22dBW), 270Wpc into 4 ohms (21.2dBW). Frequency response: 10Hz–100kHz, +0/–3dB.
Dimensions: 17" (437mm) W by 5.9" (150mm) H by 16.1" (413mm) D. Weight: 33 lbs (15kg) net, 44.9 lbs (20.4kg) shipping.
Finishes: Black, Silver.
Price: $2995. Approximate number of dealers: 200+.
Manufacturer: Parasound Products, Inc…
For sheer scale, perhaps the most impressive system I heard at the Munich High End show was in the room shared by Von Schweikert and VAC. The star of the show was—perhaps—the Von Schweikert Ultra Reference 9 loudspeaker, which sells for an impressive $200,000/pair. The Ultra series is, Von Schweikert says, a cost-no-object line. So far there are three speakers in the line: The 9, the $300,000 11, and the $90,000 55. Von Schweikert, of course, also sells more modestly priced loudspeakers; their VR-22 is under $3000 / pair.
I wrote, “for sheer scale.” Very likely, this system is capable of…
I have on hand a number of pairs of headphones. And I admit that I've lusted after the heavenly sounding, medieval-looking Abyss AB-1266 Phi headphones, and considered the MrSpeakers Aeon closed-back headphones. (I prefer the isolation from outside sounds provided by closed-back 'phones.) But from the moments I saw—and then heard—Meze Audio's 99 Classics, with their graceful style, balanced sound, and natural wood-grained glory, they had me.
Generally, I'm not a headphone guy. I prefer to experience recorded music at full scale and full dynamic range, with lifelike aural images dancing…
The curious genre of hip-hop called trap combines scurrying grooves with surreal, queasy melodies that seem created with pedestrian sampling software. More humble and personal than typical chest-pounding hip-hop, trap is all about trials and troubles relayed over beats infused with ennui. The 99 Classics presented trap artist Offset's "Red Room" with a midrange-heavy sound and believable soundstaging. By contrast, Awefekt's organic techno bounced between my ears with gentle force. All in all, when playing files, the 99 Classics never sounded tonally dull or spatially one-dimensional. If…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Circumaural, closed-back headphones. Drive-units: 1.6" (40mm) Mylar cones. Frequency range: 15Hz–25kHz. Sensitivity: 103dB/1kHz/1mW. Impedance: 32 ohms. Rated input power: 30mW. Maximum input power: 50mW. Detachable Kevlar OFC cable. Plug: 3.5mm, gold-plated.
Weight: 9.2oz (260gm) without cables.
Finish: Walnut earcups.
Serial number: Not noted.
Price: $309. Approximate number of dealers: 33. Warranty: 1 year.
Manufacturer: Meze Audio, Romania. Web: mezeaudio.com
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S & Stogi turntable & tonearm; Thorens TD 124 Mk.I turntable, Jelco 350S tonearm; Denon DL-103, Hana EL, Ortofon Quintet Bronze cartridges.
Digital Sources: Sony VAIA laptop computer running Qobuz, Tidal; Tascam CD-200iL CD player; BorderPatrol SE, AudioQuest DragonFly Red DACs; Western Digital T2 Mirror Drives (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 MC step-up transformer, Luxman EQ-500 phono preamplifier.
Integrated Amplifiers: Parasound Halo Hint 6, Schiit Audio Ragnarok.
Headphones: AudioQuest…