Analog sources: Thorens TD 124 turntable, Korf TA-SF9R tonearm, Kuzma CAR-30 MC cart; J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme turntable, J.Sikora 9" KV9 MAX Tonearm, EMT JSD Pure Black MC cartridge.
Digital sources: HoloAudio May DAC, Sonore opticalRendu, Roon Nucleus+, Small Green Computer power supply, TRENDnet switch, Apple iPad mini.
Preamplifiers: Shindo Allegro line; PrimaLuna EVO 100 phono, Manley Chinook phono, Tavish Audio Design Adagio phono.
Power amplifier: Rogue Stereo 100.
Loudspeakers: Volti Audio Razz, Voxativ Ampeggio 2024, DeVore…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 3: Measurements
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…
NLH’s Aaron Sherrick was busy, yet oddly calm, as he sat and directed the action in the Executive Lounge. NLH’s Matt Early (an old friend of mine from Tower Records on 66th St. NYC) controlled the iPad, while Qobuz’s David Solomon offered support, emotional and otherwise!
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…
MC Audiotech's Mark Conti, ever the gentleman, even when confronted by a rabid reporter, unveiled a system of such sweet tone and dynamic might that it soothed my inner beast.
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.
Even if audio isn’t your thing, I always advise everyone within earshot to visit Jeffrey Catalano’s hi-fi rooms, the world over. ‘Cause more than a smart-witted audiophile, Jeffrey is a seasoned musician and experienced listener, his vinyl collection spreading to the many thousands. This man has serious taste in music, an influencer, you might say, of the highest degree. He’s a sonic seer, a tonal truth-teller, a man who can discern the subtle nuances of a recording that most of us miss. His systems are not mere machines, but musical instruments, capable of revealing the soul of a performance…
Mark Sossa, the best-dressed and best-mannered exhibitor at CAF 2024, under the banner of Well Pleased AV, had new gear to play for me and I was all ears.
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…
In Gramophone Dreams #88, I described the sound of TEAC's VRDS-701T CD transport as "dense and precise in a way I had never previously heard from digital." I went on to explain, "by 'dense,' I mean there was a tangible corporeality effected by seemingly infinite quantities of small, tightly packed molecules of musical information."
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…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
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…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
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…