Analog Sources: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B phono cartridge.
Digital Sources: Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP & DX-5 universal players; Apple 2.7GHz i7 Mac mini laptop running OS10.7, iTunes 10, Pure Music 1.86; Shuttle PC with Lynx AES16 soundcard & dual-core AMD Athlon processor running Windows 7, Foobar 2000, Adobe Audition 3.0; Musical Fidelity V-DAC II, Benchmark DAC1, Logitech Transporter, Mark Levinson No.30.6 D/A converters; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 USB A/D converter. Empirical Audio Off-Ramp 4…
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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 PSB Imagine Mini's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield and spatially averaged room responses. With its ¼" capsule, the Earthworks mike is small enough to not significantly affect the tuning of the port when used for a nearfield measurement.
As expected from its small size, the Imagine Mini is not very sensitive, my estimate coming in at 85.5dB(B)/2.83V/m. This is a couple of dB lower than average, but within experimental error of the…
We've all read about how bookstores, appliance stores, and other bricks-and-mortar retailers are suffering with the increasing domination of Internet sales. That got me thinking about audio dealers. I've always believed that one can't really make an informed purchase of audiophile equipment without hearing it in a system properly set up by and at at a serious audio retailer. Here in New York City, we're blessed with six first-rate audio dealers in Manhattan alone, with more in the suburbs. I estimate that 90% of the products reviewed in Stereophile can be auditioned at a dealer or two within…
I liked the sound of jazz double bass through the Emotiva. Throughout Anat Fort's A Long Story (CD, ECM 1994), Ed Schuller's instrument sounded big and boomy but natural, and Paul Chambers' bowed solo on the aforementioned Coltrane track was appropriately warm, the instrument's natural wood sound shining through. The Emotiva's bass continued to impress me with classical music. In the most frenetic passages of Antal Dor†ti's reading of Stravinsky's The Firebird with the London Symphony (LP, Mercury Living Presence SR90226), instruments were perfectly placed on a wide, deep soundstage, and…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Floorstanding bass-reflex loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" silk-dome tweeter, two 5.25" blended-cone woofers with butyl surrounds, copper-clad pole-pieces, aluminum shorting rings, cast frames. Crossover frequency: 2.7kHz. Frequency response: 49Hz–22kHz, ±2.5dB. Sensitivity: 86dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms.
Dimensions: (with base) 38.5" (990mm) H by 8.5" (220mm) W by 9.5" (245mm) D. Weight: 31 lbs (14.1kg).
Finish: Black Satin Lacquer.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 0841142 010204, '231.
Price: $559/pair. Approximate number of…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV, Rega Planar 3 turntables; Immedia, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Koetsu Urushi, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, Creek Destiny CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D, Creek Destiny phono stages; Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 110.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek Destiny.
Loudspeakers: Epos M5i, Dynaudio Excite X12, Wharfedale Diamond 10.1.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Emotiva XRT-5.2's frequency response in the farfield; and an Earthworks QTC-40, with its small, ¼" capsule, for the nearfield responses. I left the grille off for the measurements.
My estimate of the XRT-5.2's voltage sensitivity was 87dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is typical of two-way designs. The Emotiva's plot of impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle against frequency (fig.1) indicates that its impedance stays above 6 ohms for much of the midrange and treble, and that the…
I spotted this familiar magazine in the lobby of the hospital where, just last Saturday, my sister gave birth to a healthy, handsome boy.
It was our March 2007 issue—someone needs to renew the hospital’s subscription. Flipping through its pages was like taking a walk back in time. I remembered falling in love with Rega’s Brio 3 integrated amp and Apollo CD player; I remembered carrying the Joseph Audio RM7XL loudspeaker into our conference room and photographing it for the review; I remembered helping JA measure the Pioneer S-1EX loudspeaker, carrying it up the stairs and falling…
In my August column, page 43, just before I have a blast with the $400/pair Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45 loudspeakers, I discuss a few letters I’ve recently received from readers, asking if I’m satisfied with reviewing “lower-end” gear.
Am I satisfied?
I explain that I’m very satisfied reviewing affordable gear. In my mind, “low-end” is synonymous with “low-quality.” And that’s not what “The Entry Level” is about. “The Entry Level” is about high-quality gear, high-quality experiences, sharing the love of music and the love of life with family and friends.
…
Congrats to Josh Ray and Urban Fidelity for reaching their Kickstarter goal. With the funding necessary to get off and running, Urban Fidelity seems poised to make a big debut at this year’s Rocky Mountain Audiofest. In pictures, they're gorgeous, but I can’t wait to find out how these speakers really look and sound.
But at just $399/pair ($299/pair, if purchased before August 8), they seem like a bargain: floorstanding loudspeakers, made in the US, featuring several unique designs by independent artists.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I would say that even if we…