To provide some feel for how the Vendetta Research phono preamp measured in comparison with the Jeff Rowland Design Group Consummate, I ran the Vendetta through two tests: frequency response (fig.1) and THD+noise (fig.2). The latter was taken with a 5mV input at 1kHz and is largely noise. The RIAA response of the Vendetta, while not flatter than that of the Consummate phono stage on an absolute basis, has a slightly different curve. The Consummate's response shelves down 0.25dB below 1kHz, which could account, at least to a degree, for the preamps' sonic…
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Sidebar 2: Specifications
Description: MC-to-line-level preamplifier. Dual mono. Adjustable cartridge load: 10 to 200 ohms. RIAA accuracy: 10Hz-100kHz !q0.1dB. IM and THD: 0.01% at 3V out. Voltage Gain: Standard 62dB, optional 70dB.
Dimensions (each channel): 9.5" W by 6.25" D by 2" H (SCP-2 preamp), 4.75" W by 5.5" D by 3.25" H (SCP-1 power supply).
Price: No longer available. $1895/stereo pair (1988); $3000/stereo pair (1992).
Manufacturer (1988): Vendetta Research, San Pablo, CA 94806.
"Spread out."—Moe, addressing Larry and Curly
During the first weeks of 2005, the people who publish Consumer Reports magazine turned a new literary corner: They began testing condoms. So far, the CR editors have given their highest ratings to the Lifestyles Classic Collection Ultra Sensitive Lubricated, the Durex Performax Lubricated, and the Durex Extra Sensitive Lubricated—the latter because it "takes the most punishment," although that's not the way I'd have phrased it.
Well, that's it, then: Game over. As far as I'm concerned, product reviews in consumer magazines are now…
As to the latter: Well, yes, it's understandable that most or perhaps all reviews of such products will be positive, because those are the things we've sought out, aren't they? And no one in his or her right mind goes out of the way to seek awful things, dung beetles and vultures excluded. It's the ones we don't seek out that mess things up—or at least they do for me.
In 20 years of writing about domestic audio, I've never once been hassled or harangued by a company that any reasonable person would consider established. Yes, as mentioned above, my requests for review samples have been…
"Spread out."—Moe, addressing Larry and Curly
During the first weeks of 2005, the people who publish Consumer Reports magazine turned a new literary corner: They began testing condoms. So far, the CR editors have given their highest ratings to the Lifestyles Classic Collection Ultra Sensitive Lubricated, the Durex Performax Lubricated, and the Durex Extra Sensitive Lubricated—the latter because it "takes the most punishment," although that's not the way I'd have phrased it.
Well, that's it, then: Game over. As far as I'm concerned, product reviews in consumer magazines are now…
As to the latter: Well, yes, it's understandable that most or perhaps all reviews of such products will be positive, because those are the things we've sought out, aren't they? And no one in his or her right mind goes out of the way to seek awful things, dung beetles and vultures excluded. It's the ones we don't seek out that mess things up—or at least they do for me.
In 20 years of writing about domestic audio, I've never once been hassled or harangued by a company that any reasonable person would consider established. Yes, as mentioned above, my requests for review samples have been…
On the first morning in June I opened all the windows in my listening room and played Classic Records' LP reissue of Dvorák's Cello Concerto (RCA Living Stereo LSC-2490), with Piatigorsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The sunny weather put me in a fine mood, and so did the sound of my music system, which made me feel prouder than usual: Was ever a Linn record player more expertly adjusted? Wasn't I smart for keeping those Lamm monoblock amplifiers? Could a pair of Quads possibly sound better than mine?
While I reveled in the otherworldly realism of my hi-fi, a different…
The LL2's power supply starts with a custom-made Plitron toroidal transformer, feeding a rectifier tube (6X4) and subsequent choke-plus-cap filter. Voltages are maintained by a nonswitching, linear, solid-state series regulator (LM317K), chosen because Vladimir Lamm says that the use of switching devices for tube filament regulation brings increased levels of hum and a reduction in signal/noise ratio.
All the parts in the Lamm LL2 appear to be of extremely high quality, their expense made more acute by what the designer describes as an arduous process of hand-selection and hand-matching…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Tubed line-level stereo preamplifier. Tube complement: two 12AU7A, two 6DJ8, one 6X4. Inputs: 3. Tape loops: 1. Frequency response: 1.5Hz–400kHz, –3dB. Input impedance: 50k ohms. Output impedance: 250 ohms. Input sensitivity: 0.127V RMS, +2%. Rated output voltage, 20Hz–20kHz: 1.0V RMS. Harmonic distortion: <0.03% at 2V RMS. Phase inverting: No.
Dimensions: 19.25" (495mm) W by 5" (130mm) H by 13.75" (350mm) D. Weight: 20 lbs (9kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: E10091.
Price: $4990. Approximate number of dealers: 11.
Manufacturer:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable, Linn Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Miyabi 47 cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Lyra Helikon Mono cartridge; Linn Linto phono preamplifier.
Digital Sources: Naim CD5x CD player, Linn Unidisk SC universal player.
Preamplifier: Fi.
Power amplifiers: EAR 890; Lamm ML2.1 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL-989.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Nordost Valhalla, Linn. Speaker: Audio Note AN-SPx, Nordost Valhalla.
Accessories: Mana Reference Table, Reference Wall Shelf under turntables.—Art…