Description: Stereo power amplifier using JFETs and MOSFETs. Inputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA). Outputs: stereo pair of Furutech binding posts. Power output: 25Wpc into 8 ohms (14dBW), 50Wpc into 4 ohms (14dBW). Peak current: 10A (200W peak into 2 ohms). Bandwidth: DC to –2dB at 100kHz. Input impedance: 47k ohms. Voltage gain: 20dB. Distortion: 0.1% at 25W, 8 ohms, 1kHz. Noise: <50µV output, unweighted, 20Hz–20kHz. Damping factor: 500. Slew rate: 100V/µs. Idle power draw: 2.0 amps at 120VAC (240W).
Dimensions: 17" (430mm) W by 6" (150mm) H by 17.3" (…
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Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: AMG Giro G9, MoFi Electronics Ultradeck turntables/tonearms; AMG Teatro, EMT TSD 75, Hana EL, Koetsu Rosewood Standard, MoFi Electronics MasterTracker cartridges.
Digital Sources: Mytek HiFi Manhattan II, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DACs; Integra DPS-7.2 DVD player (used as CD transport).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23, Bob's Devices CineMag 1131, Dynavector SUP-200, Lounge Audio Copla JFET-MC step-devices; Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III RIAA, Parasound Halo JC 3+, Tavish Design Adagio phono preamplifiers; Linear Tube Audio microZOTL2.0, Pass…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the Pass Laboratories XA25 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It"). Before performing any tests, I ran it at one-third its clipping power (see later) into 8 ohms for an hour. At the end of that time, the top panel was warm, at 102.3°F (39°C), and the heatsink fins were hotter, at 122.2°F (50.1°C). The gain at the speaker terminals was to spec at 20.4dB, and the output preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting).
The XA25's unbalanced input impedance was the specified 47k ohms at low and middle…
"Joe Walsh was in a band before the Eagles?"
Yes, oh yes, Walsh not only had a very successful solo career in the mid-to-late 1970s, in the days of "Rocky Mountain Way," but he also played in a band, now rapidly fading into history, called the James Gang.
Formed in Cleveland in the late '60s, the JG went through a number of lineup changes until becoming a trio in 1968. Signed to ABC Records that same year, they released their debut, Yer Album, in 1969. While that album did moderately well, it wasn't until their second effort, James Gang Rides Again —like the first produced by Bill…
Jordi Savall, the gifted viola da gamba player and ensemble founder who, together with his late wife, soprano Montserrat Figueras, infused early music with inestimable life and color, has released his 16th high-resolution musical history book for Alia Vox. As one might expect from an artist dedicated to promoting music as the great unifier, the 37 tracks, copious illustrations, and five comprehensive essays on the two-hybrid SACD set, Venezia Millenaria 700–1797, along with its copious illustrations and five comprehensive essays in six languages, explore the history of the water-surrounded…
Chances are, if you're a regular Stereophile reader, you're already a fan of tenor saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh. How so? Because our astute crew of writers, editors, and all-round trendsetters have their collective fingers on the pulse of music that matters. Stereophile Contributing Editor Fred Kaplan reviewed Sabbagh's 2015 vinyl release, The Turn, bringing his honed insight to bear on a recording he describes as "spectacular. Sabbagh's sax floats palpably between the speakers, Ted Poor's drumkit crashes and sizzles . . .Ben Monder's guitar sparkles or wails. . . and Joe Martin's bass plucks…
Bax: Symphony No.5 in c sharp
London Philharmonic Orchestra; Raymond Leppard, conductor.
Musical Heritage Society MHS-1652 (LP, From Lyrita SRCS-58).
London Philharmonic Orchestra; Raymond Leppard, conductor.
Musical Heritage Society MHS-1652 (LP, From Lyrita SRCS-58).
Sir Arnold Bax (1883–1953) completed his fifth symphony in 1932 and dedicated it to Sibelius. Its first performance was conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1934. Have any of our major orchestras ever played it? Not to my knowledge, and after over 40 years, it's about time. At least we have it on disc now, in addition to The Garden of Fand and Tintagel. Lyrita has even more Bax in their catalog.
By now, Raymond Leppard's name…
Someone interested in buying a digital/analog converter today must make tough choices. Not only are there several competing technologies to choose from—multi-bit, 1-bit, hybrid—but every converter also has its own musical signature. When someone buys a converter, they're locked in to both the technology and the sound.
Counterpoint Electronics has addressed this dilemma with their DA-10 digital processor. The DA-10 is actually a "mainframe" into which different DAC boards can be installed. If a new, better DAC comes along, you can pop out the old one and put in the new. Or if you…
Treble performance was also good with the AD1862. I noticed similar lacks of grain and hash with the AD1862 and the CS4328. The treble was a bit on the forward and immediate side, but was never aggressive or annoying. This forwardness was offset by the treble's pristine quality—there wasn't the typical layer of grunge overlaying high frequencies, which instead sounded clear and natural. This allowed the DA-10 to resolve lots of treble detail without sounding overly etched or analytical. However, I would have preferred a slightly less immediate treble presentation in my system.
I'd…
Sidebar 1: System
Most of the DA-10's auditioning was done with the Audio Research LS5 preamplifier (and the ARC BL2 Balanced Line Driver) and the new ARC VT-150 all-tube monoblock power amps. I also used the Krell KSA-300S power amp. Loudspeakers were Thiel CS3.6es connected by AudioQuest Sterling cable.
CD transports were the PS Audio Lambda and a Mark Levinson No.31. Digital interconnects included AudioQuest Optical Pro II (ST-type), Aural Symphonics Digital Standard coaxial, and a new impedance-matched digital interconnect called DataStream Reference, from a company called…