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I performed the measurements of the AirTight ATM-1E with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. Before I started the testing, I followed the instructions in the manual to optimize the bias for the four EL34 output tubes. There are two output transformer taps, labeled High and Low instead of the usual 8 ohms and 4 ohms. I performed a complete set of measurements at each of the taps. The attenuation controls (one for each channel) were set to the minimum for the tests, ie, to the highest gain.

The ATM-1E's voltage gain into 8 ohms was 29.4dB from the High tap and…

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…