Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system with a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the KLH Model Three's frequency response in the farfield and an Earthworks QTC40 mike for the nearfield response of the woofer, both microphones used with an Earthworks preamplifier. I measured a different sample than those auditioned by Robert Schryer; its serial number was 20220401101.
The Model Three's excellent manual includes a lot of useful advice on optimizing the balance of the speaker. A diagram indicates that with the Model Three sitting on its stand, the listener's…
The Topping DM7 DAC ($599.99) is a high-resolution, eight-channel DAC that supports PCM and DSD sources but will not handle any of the common Dolby/DTS codecs. It employs the highly capable and respected ES-9038PRO DAC chip, ESS's flagship. It has just one input, and it's USB. Its eight analog outputs are fully balanced, but they are TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) phone jacks, which are more widely used in pro audio; most audiophiles will require adapters. Finally, it includes a master volume control and individual channel gain controls (all with 0.5dB resolution), but the finicky up/down buttons on…
The purity delivered by—or via—the DM7 recurred again and again, and often it was a surprise. The album An Unexpected Mozart (Harmonia Mundi HMM90239697, auditioned from a 24/96 download) is aptly named not only because of its surprising instrumentation (including, in addition to voice, mandolin, harpsichord, and organ, also glass harmonica and musical clock). And not—or not only—because in addition to pieces by Mozart, this album named for Mozart includes contributions from Haydn and C.P.E. Bach. Nor is it just because it is performed, under the direction of Louis-Noel Bestion de Camboulas…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: 8-channel D/A processor with remote control. Input: 1 USB-B, supports 16–32 bit/44.1–192kHz (PCM), DSD64 via DoP, DSD64–128 (Native). Outputs: 8 balanced ¼" phone jacks (TRS), 12V trigger I/O. Output impedance: 100 ohms. Maximum output level: 4.0V RMS at 0dBFS (4V Mode), 5V RMS at 0dBFS (5V Mode). Frequency response: 20Hz–40kHz, ±0.1dB. THD+N (A-weighted): <0.00009% at 1kHz. S/N ratio (A-weighted): 130dB at 1kHz. Noise (A-weighted): <1.5µV RMS. Dynamic range (A-weighted): 130dB. Crosstalk: –143dB (1kHz). Channel balance: <0.3dB. Power…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital sources: Oppo Digital UDP-105 universal disc player, Custom Intel/Win11 music server running JRiver Media Center v29, Roon and DiracLive. exaSound s88 Mark II, Okto dac8 PRO D/A processors. QNAP TVS-873 NAS.
Preamplifiers: Coleman Audio 7.1SW for balanced-source switching. 3 Topping Pre90 preamps for buffer/line drivers.
Power Amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, NAD C 298.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima2 Studio with IsoAcoustics Gaia I isolation feet. Revel Performa3 f206 for surrounds. Two SVS SB-3000 & one SB-2000Pro subwoofers connected via…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Topping DM7 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system, repeating some measurements with the higher-performance APx500. I fed data to the DM7's USB input with my MacBook Pro, running on battery power, and used ¼" TRS-XLR adapters for feeding the Audio Precision's balanced inputs. As the Audio Precision analyzers are two-channel devices, I performed a complete set of tests with the DM7's channels 1 and 2 analog outputs, repeating some of the tests on channels 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8.
Apple's AudioMIDI utility indicated that the Topping DM7 accepts 24-…
It's time to address a snarky rumor, a persistent urban legend surrounding music fans who care about listening in the highest quality sound possible. It's been posited from time to time that quality gear and heavy, quiet LP pressings go better with a certain intoxicant—that you have to get high to truly have the fullest possible listening experience.
I repeat all this with a broad grin. No judging here, live and let live, to each his own, etc. But it's that, er ... supposed mystical connection between getting high and music appreciation that Craft Recordings (a division of Concord…
How healthy is the hi-fi market? One widely reported silver lining of the pandemic was increased sales of anything to do with home entertainment, including hi-fi. Recently, though, inflation has broken out and the stock market tanked. Higher prices all around—from shipping and logistics to necessary parts and raw materials—added pressure from all sides.
How are these factors impacting hi-fi sales? Is the hi-fi buying binge over? To find out, I spoke with several industry folks, mainly dealers and manufacturers.
Among many diverse opinions, there was one thing everyone agreed on:…
One of my favorite comments by an actual participant in rock history is from Bonnie Raitt: "I miss Little Feat like I miss being eight years old." That remark was included in the liner notes for the Feat's 1981 album Hoy-Hoy (Warner Bros. 2BSK 3538), which was released two years after front man Lowell George's passing in 1979. The original group began recording in the latter 1960s and continued to the end of the '70s, when analog tape technology was at its peak. Following George's passing, after a pause of some years, surviving members of the band re-formed and continued to tour and record…
Patches was the first to exit the car, sporting a nose like an overripe tomato. Amid the sawdust-and–tiger-dung smell that wafted through the bigtop, he nimbly extracted himself from the multicolored Mini Cooper, face beaming with vows of slapstick and mischief. Patches gestured behind him, to Chuckles, who emerged with floppy shoes the length of baguettes. Next to squeeze out of the Mini were Bozo, Klutzy, Wiggle, Dinky, Cletus, Peewee, Pinhead, Joey, Sparkles, and Poppy—all wearing baggy pants in shouty hues and huge smiles applied with grease paint. I shuddered with delight. I was 8.
…
