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Putting my customary preamplifier, the Krell KRS-2, to one side, the references used for this review were the $635 Audio by Van Alstine Super PAS (reviewed in October 1998), and the $659 PS Audio 4.6 (reviewed in September 1988 by Tom Norton) used with its normal external power supply, not the $469 M-500 upgrade. For reference purpose, the RIAA response of the PS 4.6 is Flat through almost the entire audio band, with a well-extended bass response, though it starts to roll off at the top of the top audio octave.

Power amplification was provided either by…

Fig.1 shows the frequency response of the complete preamplifier, measured via the phono inputs with the tone controls out of circuit. This is commendably flat between 40Hz and 30kHz, with any error within the tolerance of the inverse network. There is a faint hint of lift between 3kHz and 16kHz, however, which may tie in with the subjective nature of the treble. Integral infrasonic filtering curtails the response below 25Hz, this sensible in view of the less-than-ideal turntables likely to be used with this inexpensive component. The measured response rolls off…

Description: Solid-state preamplifier with four line-level inputs, one phono input switchable between MM and MC, two tape loops, one video loop, and bass and treble controls. Specifications: Frequency response (phono): 40Hz–100kHz ±0.2dB. Frequency response (line-level): 4Hz–100kHz +0 –3dB. Input impedance: 47k ohms in parallel with 100pF (MM phono), 180 ohms in parallel with 100pF (MC phono), 24k ohms (line). Output impedance: 1200 ohms (main). Maximum output level: 10.75V RMS into 1M ohm. Sensitivity (phono): 2.5mV RMS input for 1V output (MM), 260uV RMS input…

Do I still think that the preamplifier is the sonic heart of a system? 'Fraid so. Nothing that I heard while conducting these budget-priced preamplifier reviews caused me to shift from my position (stated in the November 1987 "As We See It") that when it comes to acting as a wide-open window to the music, every facility and function added to a basic preamplifier detracts, even if slightly, from the ultimate sound quality. If I had no money limitations, I would be forced to choose something like the Mark Levinson No.26 to get the best sound from LP (that is, if I ever…

One measure of…

"Their system sounded so realistic," Escreet recalled from his Brooklyn apartment, where he lives with his girlfriend, vocalist Teresa Lee. "It gave a lot more clarity to the recordings. When I'd go around to Matt and Jana's apartment, music through their system sounded focused and warm. It sounded like…

In electronic music, the sounds of musical instruments, natural noise-makers and electronic signal generators are recorded on tape, modified by running them at higher- or lower-than-normal speeds and manipulating their tonal content, and then combined in rhythmic and tonal patterns to create entirely new forms of music.

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Sure, why not? Go ahead and send me the DAC, I thought. I'd love to hear what something covered in audio fur…

Wolfgang Muthspiel of Austria has been active and respected on the European scene for 30 years. But like so many of the best European jazz musicians, he began to get famous only when he began recording for ECM: His Travel Guide (2013) and Driftwood (2014) were…

It's one thing to hear Mozart's sonatas performed on modern instruments. Arkivmusic.com, for example, lists 53 recordings for one of the three sonatas in Faust and Melnikov's…