Description: Digital-to-analog converter with HDCD$r decoding. Inputs: Coaxial on RCA jack, AES/EBU, ST-Type optical, TosLink. Digital output: S/PDIF on RCA jack. Analog outputs: Balanced on XLR jacks, unbalanced on RCA jacks. Conversion: UltraAnalog 20-bit dual DAC. Filtering: 8x-oversampling. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.5dB. THD: <0.1%.
Dimensions: 17" W by 9" D by 2.5" H. Weight: 15 lbs (shipping).
Serial number of unit tested: 523292536.
Price: $2295 (1995); no longer available (2016). Approximate number of dealers: 110.
Manufacturer…
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Sidebar 3: Specifications
Sidebar 1: Review Context
This is the first equipment review I have done in Stereophile's updated dedicated listening room. First, however, a word or two about what this room is and is not. It is not the location where all of Stereophile's listening tests are done. Practically all of our reviewers do their listening in their own homes. When I arrived in Santa Fe, only Dick Olsher used the Stereophile listening room. Robert Harley had also used it temporarily last year when he was waiting for his new home, with its dedicated listening room, to be completed. Since it appeared that I would…
Sidebar 2: Measurements
The impedance magnitude and phase angle for the Signet SL280 are shown in fig.1. The double peaks in the magnitude plot below 100Hz are typical of a reflex tuned cabinet. Note that the minimum impedance of the system is just below 7 ohms (at about 150Hz), indicating that no competent, appropriately powered amplifier (into 4–8 ohm loads) should have any difficulty in driving the Signets.
Fig.1 Signet SL280, electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed) (2 ohms/vertical div.).
Fig.2 shows the impulse response. The ringing in the tail of…
Sidebar 3: Specifications
Description: Two-way dynamic loudspeaker. Drive units: 1" aluminum-dome tweeter, 8" woofer. Frequency response: 35Hz–25kHz ±2dB. Sensitivity: 89dB/W/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (4 ohms minimum). Amplifier requirements: 20W minimum. Power handling: 200W.
Dimensions: 25" H by 9.75" W by 12.75" D. Weight: 35 lbs each.
Price: $900/pair (1990); no longer available (2016) Dedicated stands (ST-280): $160/pair. Approximate number of dealers: undisclosed.
Manufacturer: Signet division of Audio-Technica US, Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224: Tel: (330…
First, The Audio Salon (Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit F1, Santa Monica, CA 90404) is hosting a special event Saturday, April 16, from 4pm–8pm. Nagra's CEO, Pascal Mauroux, Hi-Fi Director, Matthieu Latour, and US Sales and Marketing Manager Rene Laflamme, will be hosting the US premiere of the Nagra HD amplifier and will be playing HD files from Nagra's vault. RSVP to (310) 863-0863 or via email to MaierShadi@gmail.com.
Second, Evolution Audio & Video (5341 Derry Avenue, Suite S, Agoura Hills, CA 91301) on Friday April 15 (noon–6pm) and Saturday April 16 (noon–5pm) will…
First things first. Yes, Dave Douglas named his new album, Dark Territory, after my new book of the same title. This may seem odd: my book is about the history of cyber war; Douglas' album is a deep-dive exploration of improvisation, composition, and technology in the risky corners of jazz and electronica. But in an email sent out by his self-owned label, Greenleaf Music, he explains that both works are about "similarly mysterious murky waters of underground activity" and that he found my title fitting because, like the characters in my book, he and his band are "playing through a similar…
The least-expensive Wilson speaker and the most-expensive Vandersteen speaker go head-to head in the May issue, accompanied by reviews of PS Audio's affordable DSD DAC, Schiit's high-value Ragnarok integrated amplifier, Vandersteen's unique monoblock amplifier, and Luxman's high-performance EQ-500 phono preamplifier.
With Michael Fremer on vinyl playback, Art Dudley on a rebuilt Naim amp, Kal Rubinson on surround sound, and Steve Guttenberg polling speaker designers on how close they are to achieving "accuracy," our 140-page May issue has something for everyone.
Even before 10am had rolled around on opening day, eager audiophiles were obtaining badges in the lobby of the Westin O'Hare. It looked like a very promising start.
Steve Davis, who founded AXPONA in Jacksonville, FL eight years ago, was just finishing up Friday morning's press briefing while people were already lining up in the lobby. Among other things, he led us on a tour of the new Manufacturer's Showcase, in which 26 manufacturers and distributors set up passive displays of premiering and recently released products. Even in this, its first year, the showcase ran short of…
Once Pro Musica Chicago discovered that one of the electrical outlets in their room was severely handicapped, as it were, and switched to another, the VTL TL5.5 preamp with phono stage ($10,500) and VTL S200 power amp ($12,500) delivered eminently neutral sound. On a classic recording of Falla's Three Cornered Hat, the presentation had all the midrange weight, warmth, and fullness I've come to expect from VTL gear. The sound was wonderful.
Storeowner Ken Christiansen, whose True Stereo recordings for NAIM are highly prized, used Chord Co. balanced interconnects ($500) and Super Lumina…
At every audio show I visit, there's always more live action, more vivo, more hormones, and surely less gray hair in those large rooms where people exhibit headphones, sell new and pre-owned LPs and CDs, and put on static displays of products that are just coming on the market. AXPONA was no exception, with their lobby-level Ear Gear Expo, Manufacturer's Showcase—which was stocked with excellent food and beverages for the show's opening party—and Marketplace.
Because the energy is so strong, I always feel drawn to these rooms, and once there, I lose time, spend money, and feel young again…