In the Executive Lounge, a new Pure Fidelity Symphony turntable ($21,995) with a DS Audio W3 cartridge ($5000) juiced the new EMM Labs DS-EQ1 V2 optical equalizer ($12,500), with digits relayed via a new Bel Canto Design Black DAC ($40,000), balanced by an Innuos ZEN NG server ($12,000).
The Pure…
At the heart of this soothing sonic assemblage was a Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC ($3800) feeding a Linear Tube Audio LTA Z40+ integrated amp (from $7650), which in turn drove the exquisite MC Audiotech TL-8 loudspeakers ($15,000-$17,000/pair). Wolf Servers and ArgentPUR Cables completed this refined, sophisticated ensemble.
A Merason Reuss DAC ($6000) and Innuos Pulsar streamer ($8000) rolled out the digits while the new Qualiton 300B integrated amplifier, a lovely push-pull amp delivering 25Wpc via two 12AX7EH Gold, four 12AT7EH Gold, and four 300B EH tubes ($11,000) drove the new QLN One v7 standmount loudspeakers ($12,000/pair), using a proprietary 5.5” mid-woofer and a 25mm “wide surround” tweeter.
Conditioning and cabling consisted of a…
What I noticed most during the review period was the extraordinary volume of data the 701T was vacuuming off those pits and lands and turning into music. As I have gotten to know it better, what I've noticed most is how the 701T sorts and delivers all that data…
MQA via JPS Labs in binaural
I only own one MQA recording, but it's a doozy. It's on a CD, and surely one of the most real-sounding live recordings I've encountered.
Inside the Moment is a luxuriously packaged Chesky Records production (Chesky Records CD JD397) of Camille Thurman singing and playing saxophone, recorded live at New York's Rockwood Music Hall with a B&K binaural head feeding an MSB A/D converter, engineered and mastered via the sharp, wise ears of Nicholas Prout.
Before I acquired this spectacular CD, I'd only experienced MQA via streaming on Tidal…
Description: Two-channel D/A converter, streamer, line-level preamp, and headphone amplifier. Digital inputs: two coaxial (one S/PDIF, one BNC), two optical (TosLink), one USB, one Ethernet (RJ45). Analog inputs: stereo pair balanced (XLR), stereo pair single-ended (RCA). Audio outputs, line-level: stereo pair balanced (XLR), stereo pair single-ended (RCA); headphone: single-ended (¼" stereo), 4-pin balanced (XLR). Other: clock sync input. 12V trigger in/out, RS-232 serial port (control). Frequency response: 5Hz–80kHz, +1/–5dB. THD: 0.002%. S/N ratio: 108dB (1kHz…
Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analog Blackbird turntable with Sorane SA1.2 tonearm with a Benz Micro Gullwing SLR moving coil, or Nagaoka MP-200 moving magnet. Plus, EMT 912-HI tonearm with EMT's JSD6 moving coil.
Digital sources: Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC, HoloAudio May Level 3 and Spring 3 KTE DACs, dCS Lina DAC with Master Clock; TEAC VRDS-701T transport, Onkyo C-7030 CD player.
Preamplifiers: HoloAudio Serene line preamp; PrimaLuna EVO 100 and MoFi MasterPhono phono stages.
Power amplifiers: First Watt SIT-4, Parasound Halo A 21+, Elekit…
I performed a full set of measurements on the TEAC UD-701N using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I started the testing by examining the performance of the UD-701N's DAC. I used the coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs, both of which accepted data sampled at rates up to 192kHz, and USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro running on battery power. I also connected the UD-701N to my network and installed the TEAC HR Streamer app on my iPad mini. The app doesn't appear to allow access to the processor's settings, however; it's just for playback including the usual…