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dCS Rossini Player & Rossini Clock Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I measured the dCS Rossini with my newly recalibrated Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). As well as test CDs and the Audio Precision's serial digital outputs, I used WAV and AIFF test-tone files sourced via USB from my MacBook Pro running on battery power and played with Pure Music 3.0. I began the testing with the first sample, but continued with the second sample. The Rossini Clock was used for all tests.

Apple's USB Prober utility identified the Rossini as "dCS Rossini Player USB class 2" from "Data Conversion Systems…

Prima Donna Leontyne Price in all her Remastered Glory

Just in time for the holidays and the soprano's 90th birthday, Sony Classical has gifted every confirmed or budding opera lover amongst us with Leontyne Price: Prima Donna Assoluta. Filled with 10 of Price's finest complete opera recordings, which were set down in her prime years of 1962-1972, the box's hi-rez remasterings (all remastered at 24/96 PCM, save for Madama Butterfly, which was remastered in DSD) are superb.

While many of Leontyne Price: Prima Donna Assoluta's opea sets are also available individually as hi-res downloads—I've found Price's Carmen, Madama Butterfly, her second…

Musicians As Audiophiles: Dan Weiss

Drummer/composer Dan Weiss has wide-ranging musical tastes, superb skills, and a rocking little Rega-based system in his cozy Brooklyn, New York apartment. Dan has drummed with many jazz greats, but it's his own projects that have generated the greatest interest. He's a thinking musician's musician, one who astutely assesses the pros and cons of every situation. Dan doesn't enter musical projects or hi-fi scenarios lightly.

When considering his first major stereo purchase Dan listened to many combinations of turntable/CD player/amplifier/speaker(s). When choosing headphones, he queried…

Devialet Opens First Standalone US Store in SoHo, NYC

This past Friday, November 17, critically acclaimed French audio startup Devialet officially opened the doors to their first US standalone store right here in SoHo, NY (footnote 1). This store joins five other standalones globally (Paris, London, Berlin) and, as of yet, no future plans of additional US locations have been disclosed.

On Thursday, November 16, the eve of the official opening, I attended the shop's exclusive launch party to get a firsthand look inside. It was a very "New York" party. Waiters (who are probably models/actors) carrying truffle puffs and scallops, wine (none of…

Ida Levin RIP

I am sad to report that, 19 years to the day after I recorded her performing Schulhoff's Sonata for Solo Violin for Stereophile, Ida Levin passed away on Friday November 18, after a lengthy battle with leukemia. She was 53. Our condolences to her family, her fellow musicians, her students, and to all who, like me, were thrilled by her playing.

At the recording session, Ida played the demanding Schulhoff Sonata with passion and fire. As the Nagra-D's reels turned and I followed the score, I was struck by how privileged I was to be able to witness a true virtuoso in action, breathing life…

A Jazz Thanksgiving in New York City

It's Thanksgiving week, which means that if you're in New York City, you can (and should) go see two of the best jazz bands at two of the best jazz clubs. Maria Schneider's Jazz Orchestra is playing at the Jazz Standard through Sunday (except for Thanksgiving Day). Jason Moran's Bandwagon trio is playing at the Village Vanguard through Sunday (including Thanksgiving Day).

If you can't make it, listen to Schneider's latest album, her career masterpiece, The Thompson Fields, and the Moran trio's last album, Ten, or, online only, his solo recital, The Armory Concert.

Audio Research Reference 6 line preamplifier

The last time I reviewed an Audio Research component—it was the VTM200 monoblock amplifier in January 2001—my hair was mostly dark brown. The wait since has been not of my choosing, but that's now flux under the circuit board. Since then, much has happened to both me and to the Audio Research Corporation, a long-lived company for which the descriptor "legendary" is well deserved.

William Z. Johnson founded ARC in 1970, in Minneapolis (the company later moved to Plymouth, Minnesota). He passed away 41 years later, on December 10, 2011. In an interview published in the August 1994 issue…

Audio Research Reference 6 line preamplifier Page 2

That may offend the sensibilities of those purists who demand absolute accuracy, but in audio, there's really no such thing. Nonetheless, at the very least, a preamplifier should be wideband, linear, and produce low amounts of distortion and noise.

But can everything be measured? The months I spent enjoying the Audio Research Reference 6 told me that what William Z. Johnson said in 1994 holds true today. As I write this, I have no idea how the Reference 6 has performed on John Atkinson's test bench, though its published specifications indicate: an exceptionally wide frequency response…

Audio Research Reference 6 line preamplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Remote-controlled, fully balanced, tubed preamplifier. Tube complement: six 6H30P dual-triodes, one 6550WE, one 6H30P. Frequency response: 0.4Hz–200kHz, +0/–3dB at rated output. Voltage gain: 12dB balanced, 6dB single-ended. Hum and noise: 1.7µV RMS residual IHF-weighted noise output with gain control set to "1" (109dB below 2V RMS balanced output). Distortion: <0.01% at 2V RMS balanced output. Output impedance: 600 ohms balanced, 300 ohms single-ended. Recommended load: 20k ohms minimum resistance and 2nF maximum capacitance. Input impedance:…

Audio Research Reference 6 line preamplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Acoustic Signature Ascona, Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn (with Castellon stand) turntables; Acoustic Signature TA9000, Kuzma 4Point, SAT tonearms; Audio-Technica ART-1000, Lyra Atlas & Atlas SL & Etna & Etna SL, Miyajima Labs Zero (mono) & Madake, Ortofon A95 & Anna cartridges.
Digital Sources: Audio Alchemy DDSPro CD transport; Simaudio Moon Evolution 780D streaming DAC; Lynx Hilo A/D–D/A converter; Meridian Sooloos Media System; Pure Vinyl, Vinyl Studio software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon MC-10L & MC-16L…