Nevertheless, I went home obsessed with Tina's inspired singing and Spector's infamous Wall of Sound production.
I have forever lusted for Tina Turner . . . but now, my nerdy old reviewer self wanted to use this dense, soulful recording to bring back my teen testosterone,…
All I know for sure is that the new Abyss AB-1266 looks the same as the old, costs the same, weighs the same (620gm), and sounds only slightly different. I had both models here to compare.
Listening
The new and old Abyss headphones were voiced using a Woo Audio WA5 integrated/headphone amplifier, with 300B tubes, like the one I reviewed in the January 2017 issue. Therefore, to get the full measure of authorized Abyss pleasure, I used the Woo WA5 for most of my evaluations. I also…
It's been a while since we published a review of a Rockport Technologies loudspeaker. Michael Fremer raved about Rockport's Antares in August 2002, which at the time cost $41,500/pair. In September 2004…
Description: Three-way, reflex-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25.4mm) beryllium-dome tweeter; 6" (152.4mm) carbon-fiber, sandwich-composite–cone midrange; two 9" (230mm) carbon-fiber, sandwich-composite–cone woofers. Frequency response: 25Hz–30kHz, –3dB. Sensitivity: 88dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Minimum amplification: 30W.
Dimensions: 46.5" (1181mm) H by 15" (381mm) W by 24.5" (622mm) D. Weight: 220 lbs (100kg).
Finishes: Metallic gloss or high-gloss paint.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 1702L & R.
Price: $…
Analog Source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge.
Digital Sources: Aurender N10 music server; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; Arcam irDAC-II, Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty, Chord DAVE, PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream D/A converters; AudioQuest JitterBug, UpTone Audio ReGen USB cleaner-uppers; Mac mini running Vinyl Studio, Pure Music 3, Audirvana 1.5, Roon 1.3; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 USB A/D converter.
Phono Preamplifier: Channel D Seta L.
Preamplifier: Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty…
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Rockport Avior II's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield and in-room responses. A complication was that the 220-lb loudspeaker was too bulky for me to move it outside for the testing, or to lift it onto my computer-controlled turntable. I therefore had to do the quasi-anechoic measurements in my listening room, where the proximity of room boundaries led to more than usually aggressive windowing of the time-domain data, which in turn reduced…
When I came up for air after reviewing PS Audio's BHK Signature preamplifier for our June 2017 issue, there was still a pair of BHK Signature 300 monoblock power amplifiers ($14,998/pair) sitting on the floor of my listening room. (PS Audio had provided them to use while reviewing their preamp.) Also sitting there, next to the monoblocks, was a pair of DeVore Fidelity's Orangutan O/96 loudspeakers, their lovely wood baffles gleaming. (They're in for a Follow-Up.)
It was an intriguing match: The BHK…
I don't want to embarrass my friend, so in this story I will call him O., for Mr. Objectivity.
One day, O. and I made a little pilgrimage to hear a mutual friend's million-dollar audio system. We listened for hours: LPs, CDs, hi-rez files—you name it. At the end of the session, both of us…
Genuine artists seldom need fashion tips; and some, like mountain-music master Ralph Stanley, are always so damn fashion-forward that none of us will ever catch up. I know, 'cause I've spent my whole life imitating Dr. Stanley's personal style and attitude of gratitude. The cover photos on Ralph Stanley (CD, DMZ/Columbia CK 86625) will show you exactly what I mean.
While I still mourn Stanley's passing—he died in 2016—he remains an inspired minister in my Bed-Stuy church. So many times, his version of Hank Williams's "Calling You…