I consider it my stunning good fortune to have auditioned the Timbre Technology TT-1 DAC with three Totally Drop-Your-Sox transports: the Forsell Air Bearing, the C.E.C. TL 1 Belt-Drive Gold Robbie the Robot (well, it looks like a Japanese robot to us), and the "Champagne Wishes, Caviar Dreams" Esoteric/TEAC VRDS P2S, $7k the pop. In many ways, the Tale of the Timbre was also the Tale of Three Transports. One of the more amusing pranks I've enjoyed playing on acquaintances, both audiophile and otherwise, has been to play a CD on one of these benchmark…
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Sidebar 2: Measurements
The Timbre had a low maximum output voltage, measuring just 1.36V from the single-ended outputs marked "Main." The single-ended outputs labeled "Buffered" produced a whopping 6.7V, a result of the additional buffer amplifier driving this output. The balanced outputs had a maximum output voltage of 2.7V. Source impedance was a low 52 ohms from the "Main" outputs, 500 ohms from the "Buffered" outputs, and 104 ohms from the balanced outputs. The much higher output impedance from the buffered outputs is incongruous; Timbre suggests the "Buffered" output should be used…
Sidebar 4: Specifications
Description: D/A processor with 1-bit DAC and up to four inputs. Maximum output level: 1.5V RMS unbalanced, unbuffered; 7V RMS unbalanced, buffered; 2.7V, balanced. Measured output impedance: 52 ohms, "Main" outputs; 500 ohms, "Buffered" outputs; 104 ohms, balanced outputs.
Dimensions: 18.5" W by 3" H by 12" D. Weight: 22 lb.
Price: $3895 balanced; $3295 single-ended; factory upgrade to balanced configuration costs $800 (1994); no longer available (2019) Approximate number of dealers: 10.
Manufacturer: Timbre Technology, PO Box 566, 1600 Gypsy Hill…
Thursday, November 14, 6–9pm: Join Denver, Colorado's Soundings Fine Audio Video for an evening of Hi-fi awesomeness as they host friends and representatives from Boulder Amplifiers, Rockport Technologies, and Nordost Cables. Boulder's Rich Maes will present the worldwide debut demo of the Boulder 866 integrated amplifier. Come hear the debut and ask questions, and talk cables and Qkore technology with Mike Marko of Nordost. Come out and meet Josh Clark, the new owner of Rockport Technologies. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
On Thursday, November 14, from 5–9pm, the Innovative Audio Video Showrooms at 150 E. 58th St, NYC, will host Richard Fryer, the Founder and President of Spectral Audio, to celebrate their more than 40 years of producing state-of-the-art music components with the East Coast debut of the DMA-300SV Reference Standard Stereo Amplifier. We will be playing the complete Spectral SV system, including the DMC-30SV Reference Preamplifier and SDR-4000SV Reference CD Processor.
Visit the Innovative Audio website for more information. RSVP (required) by email or by calling 212-634-4444.
Please join Suncoast Audio in Sarasota, Florida, for the MBL X-treme Roadshow on Saturday, November 16th. Jeremy and Tara Bryan from MBL North America will present the 101 X-treme Radialstrahler loudspeaker system driven by MBL’s Reference Line Electronics. Call (941) 932-0282 for more information.
"There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind . . . the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds."—Duke Ellington
Before I became Stereophile's editor—when I still had time for such things—I would occasionally pack up a camera and some lenses, get in my truck, and drive, usually south, in pursuit of good images and sounds. I'd spend a couple of weeks on the road, stopping to take pictures whenever I came across a picturesque town or valley or an abandoned drive-in theater. I'd try to end the day in some city or town that…
New York, NY. On November 8, at the very small New York Audio Show, Paris-based music streaming service Qobuz announced that it has streamlined its subscription plans, lowered prices, and discontinued MP3 streaming. At a press event, Dan Mackta, Managing Director of Qobuz USA, said that Qobuz now offers “Studio Premier” subscriptions for $14.99/month or $149.99 for a full year. Studio Premier grants subscribers unlimited access to Qobuz’s catalog of more than 50 million CD-quality tracks and millions of hi-rez tracks up to 24/192. Qobuz will continue to offer its “Sublime+” plan ($249.99/year…
The Beatles: Abbey Road (3-LP Anniversary Edition)
Apple Corps/Universal Music Group 0602508007466 (3 LPs). 1969/2019. George Martin, orig. prod., Geoff Emerick, Phil McDonald, orig. engs.; Giles Martin, reissue prod., Sam Okell, reissue eng.
Performance ****½
Sonics *****
Apple Corps/Universal Music Group 0602508007466 (3 LPs). 1969/2019. George Martin, orig. prod., Geoff Emerick, Phil McDonald, orig. engs.; Giles Martin, reissue prod., Sam Okell, reissue eng.
Performance ****½
Sonics *****
Here are seven things you need to know about the three-LP, newly remixed—by Giles Martin and Sam Okell—and remastered version of Abbey Road, all of said re-ing done in honor of the album's 50th anniversary:
1) According to Universal, the remix was done from the original eight-track master tape, not…
On Friday, November 22, from 4–9pm, at Audio Advisors in West Palm Beach, Florida, Peter McGrath of Wilson Audio will be demonstrating the WAMM Master Chronosonic with the WAMM Master Subsonic Subwoofers. A wide variety of music will be played, including some of McGrath’s own recordings. Michael Fremer, senior editor of Stereophile and editor of Analog Planet, will be on hand to spin some of his very special vinyl selections.
Mat Weisfeld of VPI Industries will present the new Direct Drive Vanquish Turntable. The brand ambassador for SAT Tonearms will also be in attendance. Dave Gordon…