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In at least one key respect, the Duette Series 2 was the spatial opposite of the well-known Quad ESL-63 (footnote 3) and other speakers that encourage nearfield listening. While the Quads are known for creating the illusion that center-fill information is originating from a place behind the plane of the loudspeakers themselves, the Duettes pulled the center forward, and at the same time allowed more distantly recorded instruments and voices to sound as if emanating from places behind the enclosures. I found the Duettes' spatial performance in this regard satisfying—an observation that must…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Remote-controlled line preamplifier. Analog inputs: 6 balanced (XLR). Analog outputs (all balanced, XLR): 2 main, 1 Aux. Other inputs/outputs: Boulder Link Ethernet and IR mini-plug. Maximum voltage gain: 20dB. Gain range (configurable): –100 to 20dB in increments of 0.5dB. Frequency response: 0.02Hz–300kHz, –3dB; 20Hz–5kHz, +0.00/–0.03dB. THD+N, 2V output, 20Hz–5kHz: 0.0008% (–102dB); 0.001% at 20kHz (–100dB). Crosstalk, L–R or R–L: –134dB or better, 20Hz–20kHz. Crosstalk, adjacent inputs: –134dB or better, 20Hz–20kHz. Input impedance: 333k ohms.…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, port-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" doped silk-dome tweeter, 8" paper-cone woofer. Frequency response: 33Hz–21kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 92dB/W/m. Impedance: 4 ohms nominal, 4.35 ohms minimum.
Dimensions: Speaker: 18.5" (470mm) H by 10.5" (267mm) W by 16.1" (239mm) D. Weight: 45 lbs (20.4kg). Stand: 21.6" (555mm) H by 11.8" (302mm) W by 18.6" (476mm) D. Weight: 65 lbs (29.5kg).
Finishes: Many: Upgrade finish, add $3000/pair; custom finish, including paint matching, add $3500/pair.
Serial numbers of units…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable, Cobra tonearm, Castellon stand; Kuzma 4Point tonearm; Lyra Atlas & Etna, Ortofon Anna, Kiseki PurpleHeart, Miyajima Labs Zero (mono) & Madake cartridges.
Digital Sources: Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D DAC/transport; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter; Lynx Hilo A/D-D/A converter; Meridian Digital Media System; Pure Vinyl & Vinyl Studio LP-ripping software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon MC-10L & MC-16L step-up transformers; Ypsilon VPS-100, Lamm LP 2.1 Deluxe phono preamplifiers;…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Thomas Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU-A & SPU 95th Anniversary & CG25i, Miyajima Premium BE Mono II, EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Halide Designs DAC HD USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer with Audirvana Plus 1.5.12 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T2 step-up transformer, Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne monoblocks, Shindo Haut-Brion.
Integrated Amplifier:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Boulder 2110's electrical performance with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). As set up for the review, the volume control operated in accurate 0.5dB steps, the 2110 preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting, with pin 2 of the XLR jacks hot), and its maximum gain was exactly 20dB, as specified, for both the balanced and unbalanced inputs. The input impedance was very high, at an estimated 170k ohms (the specification states 333k ohms, but the voltage-drop method I use is not accurate for…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
For a welcome change from my usual routine, I drove 250 miles north, into snowy upstate New York, to measure Wilson Audio's Duette Series 2 in situ chez Dudley. I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wilson's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield and spatially averaged room responses. The amplifier used for the quasi-anechoic responses was the solid-state Musical Fidelity 250W monoblock that I bought 10 years ago to use for all my speaker measurements. For the in-room response…
Firmware v.1.2.1 Measurements, from March 2015 (Vol.38 No.3)
Art Dudley received the v.1.1.4 firmware upgrade for PS Audio's PerfectWave DirectStream ($5999) toward the end of his time with this superb-sounding, DSD-capable D/A processor, so was able to write only a brief report on the change this made to the review sample's sound. "For those who've waited for a computer-friendly DAC that offers, with every type of music file, the best musicality of which DSD is capable, the PerfectWave DirectStream may be in a class by itself," he concluded. In my own auditioning of the PS Audio with the…
There is no beauty like simple beauty. And what often sounds simple on paper, stringed instruments and a single voice for example, can actually make for a very complex and intriguing work of art. Here a variety of string textures, played by Mark Rogers on tricone resonator, lap steel, and a hundred year old mandolin among other instruments, entwine with his wife Mary Byrne’s baritone guitar and unaffected voice in stark and persuasive ways. This record, their debut as a duo, was recorded live to 2 inch tape in Brooklyn at Galuminum Foil Productions, with minimal overdubs. The sound, much like…
GoldenEar’s Triton One speaker got a rave review from Bob Deutsch in Stereophile’s February issue and on Wednesday March 11, North Carolina audiophiles will be able to take a listen for themselves. GoldenEar’s Sandy Gross (above), will be appearing in person to present the Triton Ones at Audio Advice, 11409 Carolina Parkway, Pineville, NC 28134. The event will be from 5–7pm.