APC AV S15BLK: $730 w/battery backup ★
The S15BLK is a comprehensive power source, conditioner, and controller that features extensible external power and isolated EMI/RFI filtration for each of its outlet banks. Voltage regulation is accomplished electronically and without the hysteresis or rebound problems of slower, motor-driven compensation. Protected even the heaviest of KR's loads while also eliminating gray colorations and intermittent chassis vibration. "The S15 made the bridged eVo6 into an even better power amplifier—a super amp." (Vol.28 No.9 WWW)…
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Powerline Accessories
Signal Processors
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BSG qøl Signal Completion Stage: $2395
The qøl Signal Completion Stage is a remote-controlled, solid-state signal processor with four pairs each of RCA and XLR analog inputs and two pairs each of RCA and XLR outputs. With the qøl activated, JA invariably noted a larger overall sound, with a greater impression of the ambience surrounding performers, increased image depth, and better layering within that depth. From JA's measurements, it appeared the qøl process is basically a variant of the well-known Blumlein Shuffler technique. "You must audition the…
Recording Equipment
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Sound Devices Model 722 portable audio recorder: $2775 ★
JM raved: "The coolest, most desirable piece of audio hardware I have encountered in a dog's age." The Model 722 is designed as a rugged, high-performance, foolproof, battery-powered portable stereo recorder for electronic newsgathering and video- and film-sound recording. However, with its line-level XLR analog inputs, onboard A/D converters, 40GB hard drive, and headphone amp, the 722 can also serve as a personal stereo. Offers 24-bit recording at up to a 192kHz sample rate. "The apotheosis of…
Miscellaneous Accessories
AI Technology ELGR-8501: $86.47/0.5oz.
AI Technology's ELG-8501 is thermal grease made of more than 80% silver. JM uses a light smear on the mating surfaces of wall-wiring connections to prevent oxidation. He warns: "Never use any kind of silver paste on audio connections such as RCA plugs or amplifier speaker terminals." (Vol.36 No.10 WWW)
Atlantic Technology WA-5030: $399
The WA-5030 wireless audio system comprises the WA-50-t, a transmitter module with USB and two-channel analog inputs; the WA-5030-r, a 30Wpc receiver with two-channel…
Interconnects
Audience Au24 SE: $1190/1m pair
Audience's latest interconnect uses an RCA plug of tellurium-copper alloy with a single, small contact point, meant to reduce the formation of eddy currents. Compared to Audience's Au24 e, the SE version offered superior detail, clarity, timing precision, and image focus, said BD. Au24 e owners can upgrade to SE status for $220. (Vol.36 No.12, Vol.37 No.2 WWW)
Audience Au24e: $990/1m pair, unbalanced; $1595/1m pair, balanced ★
The updated version of Audience's Au24 uses the same conductors, materials, and construction as the…
While rock and roll may never forget, at least that’s what that now silver fox Bob Seger once told us, the fact is that being past 25 and still playing rock and roll can be damned hard on old flesh. I remember Neil Peart (RUSH nation bow thine heads!) complaining about how draining it is to be a rock drummer at an advanced age. Course when you have 3,000 drums and have to bash a gong or a tubular bell every other beat, it does take a toll.
While he’s not quite in the same league as le roi du drum excess, Barrence Whitfield has for the past four decades been a rock ‘n’roll true believer.…
Much as shopping for records in Paris or Berlin or London sounds magical, a recurrent dream of stores stuffed with rare records at bargain prices and new stuff that’s never jumped across the pond, New York City is and may always be the record shopping capital of the world. How did Mr. Berry put it: “Anything you want we got it right here in the USA.”
New York’s preeminence as the place to search for old and new vinyl, (or CDs from any era if that’s your thing), was brought home to me last weekend when after a tasty brunch at the venerable Hope & Anchor bistro/joint, and before…
One look at Gig Harbor Audio's events for September makes you stop and wonder. This month, the store, located near the water in the picturesque town of Gig Harbor, WA less than an hour from Seattle, began the month with a live concert by homegrown band, Rokkerbox, which benefitted for the local food bank. Next on the schedule are a three-hour "Social Media Basics" workshop with Tiffany Burke (September 20), a weekly hour-long "Disc After Dark" all-ages listening party (September 22), and a PTSD Healing Summit (September 25). With not a single presentation by an industry heavyweight, and lots…
John Atkinson wrote about the Black in October 2015 (Vol.38 No.10):
"You don't know what you've got till it's gone," sang the young Joni Mitchell, but she was wrong. When I packed up the Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty preamplifier and pair of MX-R Twenty monoblocks, after having reviewed the latter for our August issue, I was well aware that this was the best amplification system I had experienced. The question was, how was I to replace them? I had some new amplifiers on deck for review, but as I still had in-house Bel Canto Design's three-piece, $50,000 Black system, which Michael Fremer…
Saturday, September 26, 10am–5pm: Advance Electronics (1300 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Canada) will hold its 2nd Annual Record Sale, featuring hundreds of new and used records, a special turntable trade-in offer, and educational seminars.
From 10:30am to 1pm, Simaudio's Costa Koulisakis will present his company's new personal listening products, including the Moon 430HA DAC/headphone amplifier. Meanwhile, at 11:30am and 2pm, AudioQuest's Frédéric Pinsonneault will host Shared Listening Evaluations on AQ's NightHawk headphones, JitterBug USB filter, and a selection of analog and digital…