Phono Stage: Moving-coil
I change phono cartridges often. Therefore, I'm always happy when an integrated amplifier includes choices of gain (40 or 60dB) and loading (100 ohms or 47k ohms plus 0pF or 100pF), as does the Moon Neo 340i D3PX. Simaudio uses active circuitry—as opposed to transformers—for the extra gain.
Unlike most phono stages, in…
Manhattan System
Digital Sources: Oppo BDP-105 universal BD player; Baetis XR2 PC-based music server; exaSound e28, Merging Technologies NADAC+ multichannel D/A processors; QNAP TS569L NAS.
Preamplifier: Audio Research MP1.
Power Amplifiers: Benchmark Media Systems AHB2, McIntosh Laboratory MC303, Parasound Halo A 31.
Loudspeakers: Bowers & Wilkins 800 Diamond.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (HDMI) & Carbon (USB), van den Hul Flat 180 (HDMI). Interconnect: AudioQuest Earth balanced, Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA/XLR).…
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier. Analog inputs: 1 XLR, 4 RCA, 3.5mm Media Player. Optional digital inputs: optical, 2 coaxial, USB. Optional phono inputs: 47k ohms input impedance (moving-magnet), 100 ohms or 47k ohms input impedance (moving-coil). Analog outputs: fixed, variable (both RCA). 1 pair speaker outputs. Headphone output: 0.25" phone plug. Rated output power: 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW), 200Wpc into 4 ohms (17dBW).
Dimensions: 16.7" (429mm) W by 3.5" (89mm) H by 14.7" (376mm) D. Shipping weight: 28.6 lbs (13kg).
Finishes: Black…
I performed a full set of measurements on the Masters Series M22, using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). As the M22 has a class-D output stage, for almost all measurements I used an Audio Precision AUX-0025 passive low-pass filter ahead of the analyzer, which eliminates noise above 200kHz.
The M22's voltage gain into 8 ohms measured 28.9dB from both its balanced and unbalanced inputs, and both inputs preserved absolute polarity (ie, were non-inverting). The unbalanced input impedance measured 23k ohms at 20Hz,…
Analog Sources: Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable, Ortofon 2M Black cartridge; Thorens TD 124 Mk.I turntable, Abis SA 1.2 tonearm, Zu Denon DL-103 or Jasmine Turtle cartridge; Technics SL1200 Mk.2 tonearm, SME M2-9 tonearm, Soundsmith Carmen or Shure SC35 cartridge; VPI Scout Jr. turntable, Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.
Digital Sources: Onkyo Integra DPS-7.2 disc player, Halide DAC HD DAC.
Preamplification: Intact Audio step-up transformer; Blue Horizon Ideas Profono, Schiit Audio Mani phono stages.
Integrated Amplifiers: Hegel Music Systems H160, Line…
I performed a full set of measurements on the Simaudio Moon Neo 340i using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It"). I looked first at the behavior of the optional digital-input board, using either S/PDIF data sourced from the Audio Precision via optical or coaxial links, or USB data from my Mac Book Pro running on battery power. To avoid overloading the power-amplifier section, I switched the loudspeakers off and looked at the signals at the fixed line-output jacks. The TosLink input locked to data with sample rates up to 96kHz, the…
But of course! Aardvark Boutique Audio, in Orangeville, Ontario. I was at the store's opening and the owner, Peter Wolter, had said, "Come and see us in six months and see how we're doing." That was last July, so the timing was pretty close to being right.
Orangeville, about an hour's drive from Toronto (where we live), is a charming little…
As part of his preparation for reviewing Merging Technologies' NADAC Multichannel-8 networked D/A processor in the March 2016 issue of Stereophile, Kal Rubinson talked with the Swiss company's Dominique Brulhart.
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Such were my concerns in the days following last November's New York Audio Show, where I first encountered High Fidelity Cables—an exhibitor that generated considerable (figurative) buzz by promoting the use of magnets in an audio system's interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords. Indeed, by the end of the first day, more than one showgoer had asked me, "What did you…