Digital Sources: Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer with Intel i7, SSD, 8GB RAM; Apple iMac desktop computer with 3.4GHz Intel Core i7, 12GB RAM; G Drive 4TB external hard drive; Oppo BDP-93 NuForce Edition universal BD player; Benchmark DAC-1 USB DAC. M2Tech HiFace 192kHz Digital Audio Interface.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Focus 110A.
Cables: Digital Interconnect: Nordost Odin 1 (BNC with RCA adapters). Analog Interconnect: Nordost Heimdall 2 (USB) & Odin 1 (RCA). AC: Nordost Odin 1 & Odin 2 & Valhalla.
Accessories: Nordost Thor power…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Dynaudio Focus 200 XD's frequency response in the farfield; and, for the nearfield frequency responses, an Earthworks QTC-40, which has a ¼" capsule and thus doesn't present a significant obstacle to the sound.
I measured the Dynaudio at its analog input. As the Focus 200 XD is a powered speaker, my estimate of its voltage sensitivity can't be directly compared with those I publish for conventional speakers. But with a pink-noise input at 115mV RMS, the 200 XD's rotary…
Picture your typical high-end audio manufacturer.
It can be a spontaneous, self-generated hybrid of black shapes, brushed metals, and varying wooden finishes. You need not limit yourself to a single component or a single manufacturer. Whatever comes to mind first, really.
Got it?
Now picture the exact opposite of that.
That, reader, is Oswalds Mill Audio.
I first learned of Oswalds Mill Audio's (OMA's) existence a couple months ago, when I received an email from Jonathan Weiss (founder & CEO of OMA) inviting me to visit their showroom in Dumbo (…
Friday, September 30, 4–8 pm and Saturday, October 1, 4–8 pm, Lavish HiFi (1044 4th Street, Santa Rosa CA 95404) are presenting special listening events featuring the premiere of GamuT's new flagship speaker, the Zodiac. Featured guests will be GamuT's chief designer, Benno Baun Meldgaard, and US president Michael Vamos.
John Atkinson reviewed GamuT's RS7 loudspeaker a year ago and was impressed by what he heard. Space will be limited, so call (707) 595-2020 to RSVP or via Facebook for Friday or for Saturday.
Has it really been more than seven years since I reviewed Bel Canto's REF1000M monoblock? According to the Bel Canto website, that model, based on Bang & Olufsen's ICEpower class-D modules, is no longer available. But now, like so many manufacturers, Bel Canto has adopted for its new models the NCore class-D module from Hypex—although the REF600M monoblock ($4990/pair) is not Bel Canto's first product to use it . . .
Last year, Michael Fremer reviewed Bel Canto's nearly all-digital Black amplification system, which comprises one ASC1 Asynchronous Stream Controller (essentially a…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state, class-D monoblock power amplifier. Input: single-ended RCA or balanced XLR. Output: one pair WBT NextGen five-way binding posts. Power output: 300W into 8 ohms (24.8dBW), 600W into 4 ohms (24.8dBW). Peak output current: 27A. Minimum load: 2 ohms. Voltage gain: 27dB (single-ended or balanced input). Frequency response: 0Hz–50kHz, ±3dB, all loads. THD+N: 0.003%, 1W, 1kHz, 4 ohms. IMD (CCIF): 0.0003%, 1W, 14/15kHz, 4 ohms. Input impedance: 100k ohms (RCA), 200k ohms (XLR). Input voltage for max output: 2.3V RMS Output noise (RMS, A-…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Oppo Digital BDP-105 universal BD player, Baetis XR2 PC-based music server, exaSound e28 multichannel D/A processor, QNAP TS569L NAS.
Preamplifiers: Audio Research MP1, Parasound Halo P 7.
Power Amplifiers: McIntosh Laboratory MC303, NAD Masters Series M22, Parasound Halo A 31.
Loudspeakers: Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3.
Cables: Analog Interconnect: AudioQuest Earth/DBS balanced, Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA/XLR). Digital Interconnect: AudioQuest Vodka (HDMI) & Carbon (USB). Speaker: AudioQuest Oak/DBS biwire. AC:…
I have been an advocate of small speakers since I began using BBC LS3/5a's in the late 1970s, continuing through Celestion SL6es in 1981, Celestion SL600s and SL700s in the late '80s, and B&W Silver Signatures in the mid-'90s. Yes, I do like accurate and extended bass reproduction—but you need a big speaker to be able to provide that, and, as the late Spencer Hughes, founder of Spendor, once remarked, "big speakers have big problems." I don't see the point of extending a speaker's low-frequency performance if the result is compromised soundstaging and midrange reproduction. And there is…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I performed a full set of measurements on the Bel Canto Design e.One REF600M, using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). As the REF600M uses a class-D output stage, ahead of the analyzer I used Audio Precision's auxiliary AUX-0025 passive low-pass filter, which eliminates noise above 200kHz that might otherwise overload the SYS2722's input circuitry.
The Bel Canto's voltage gain into 8 ohms measured 26.9dB from both its unbalanced and balanced inputs, though the latter result was obtained with the Audio Precision's…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker with integral stand. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) diamond-dome tweeter, 6.125" (155mm) laminated paper-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 1.8kHz with first-order filters. Frequency response: 47Hz–50kHz, –3dB (near wall). Sensitivity: 83.5dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (7 ohms minimum). Maximum SPL: 106dB. Recommended amplifier power: 50W solid-state, 80W "digital" (class-D), 30W tube (8 ohm tap).
Dimensions: 38" (965mm) H (on integral stands) by 10.5" (267mm) W by 9.75" (248mm) D. Weight: 56 lbs…