Michael Fremer over at AnalogPlanet.com will eventually have more, including video, on this beauty, but here are some brief facts for Stereophile readers.
The pricier SL-1000R will cost around $20,000 and is capable of accommodating up to three arms as shown in the photo. It has a much larger plinth than the less expensive SP10R, which will go for approximately half price or $10,000. The bigger table also sports a built-in S-shaped tonearm (the SP10R has no arm).
Both tables have a separate outboard control unit and power supply that provides precise control of the motor and…
Largish one-box streaming systems have taken off it seems, and I guess we shouldn't be surprised. First the Sonos and inexpensive Bluetooth systems took hold and then inevitably high-end audio saw an opportunity. Naim and Bluesound (among others) come to mind and we can now add Technics to the list.
Their new OTTAVA f is a gorgeous-looking device and started shipping last September for $999. Basically a three-way system in a box, there are two speakers, woofer, and a subwoofer, powered by 30 watts each for the left and right channels and 40 watts for the sub. Couldn't tell in show…
Earlier this year Anthem launched the STR Integrated Amplifier in a return to 2-channel, and representative Devin Zell explained that they have expanded that line this year with a 2-channel preamp and dedicated amplifier. The STR preamp goes for $4,000 and the STR amplifier goes for $6,000 and are available now.
The preamp has a moving coil and moving magnet preamp section along with custom RIAA filters to match anything pre-RIAA according to Zell. Also included is Anthem's well-regarded ARC room correction and options that make integrating one or two subwoofers in various configurations…
Given the dramatic drop in the number of high-end audio exhibits at CES, only two companies chose to occupy the huge, high-ceilinged suites on the Venetian Hotel's 35th floor. The first, Lamm Industries, from the quiet little hamlet of Brooklyn, NY (where John Atkinson also lives), threw caution to the winds with a system whose total retail price was $649,440.
There was much to admire about this system. Although it was far from the most transparent system I've heard, its sound was warm and inviting on every selection played. A CD pressing of an analog recording of the Hot Club of San…
Chord Electronics, distributed by Bluebird Music, took pride of place in two systems in their multi-chambered suite on the 35th floor. In the main system sat the Chord Blu Mk.2 CD transport ($11,788), Dave DAC ($12,488), CPA 5000 preamp ($20,000), and SPM6000 750W monoblock amplifiers ($50,000/pair). Kubala-Sosna Elation cabling ($28,000 total)—my undying thanks to Gregg Kubala for going on a heroic quest for a bottle of water to help yours truly reduce the discomfort of desert-induced dehydration—and Vienna Acoustics Liszt speakers ($14,998/pair) drew a darker sound from the same Lou…
Sitting next to its big brother DAC/transport combo, Chord Mezzo 75 amplifier (75Wpc into 4 ohms, $4995), and new Spendor A2 loudspeakers ($2395/pair) was the diminutive new Chord Qutest DAC ($1795). A replacement for the 2Qute, this DAC does not contain a headphone amp, uses the same FPGA as in the Hugo 2, has a cleaner power supply than its predecessor, and includes four filters and the ability to output three different voltage levels. Expect it in stores in February.
Although the Qutest was not in operation when I visited, what was active in the system exhibited very clear…
KEF has just upped the ante on the LS50W, the wireless version of its lauded LS50 bookshelf speaker, with the release of the LS50W Nocturne Special Edition ($2499.99/pair). Engineered by KEF Head of Acoustics Jack Oclee-Brown and sporting an eye-catching design by Dutch Designer Marcel Wanders—I regret that my photo fails to capture all the graphic detail on KEF's Uni-Q driver and cabinet—the LS50W Nocturne Edition will be available on January 15.
The LS50W Nocturne Special Edition features 2.4GHz/5GHz Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 aptX, and optical (Toslink) connectivity; includes a 192…
Master & Dynamic, known mainly for their headphones and earphones, recently launched their MA770 wireless loudspeaker ($1800 each). Designed by Sir David Adjaye, who also designed D.C.'s new Smithsonian Museum, the 35-lb speaker's cabinet is made from exceedingly inert composite concrete. Designed to operate solo as a stereo unit—two can be linked together via WiFi for a wider stereo image—the speaker contains dual 4" woven Kevlar long-throw woofers, a 1.5" titanium tweeter powered by 100W of class-D amplification, and anodized aluminum controls. Its stainless steel grille is removable,…
Replacing the mid-size chassis offerings from M2Tech that were originally targeted to desktop and secondary system use, the new Rockstar line is now intended for main systems as well. The Young MKIII preamp/DAC features include additional digital inputs and analog inputs and outputs, DSD 256, full MQA, and Bluetooth APTX .
In the photo: on top is the Young MKIII preamp/DAC ($1,699), in the middle the Crosby power amp (80 watts per channel 8 ohms at $1,299), and at the bottom is an optional external linear Van Der Graaf MKII power supply ($980) which can power up to four devices and do…
Lumin's popular D1 has been updated to the D2 (black unit on top in photo above) with several new features: internal switch-mode power supply (no more wall wart), dual-mono Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips, reworked board layout, and DSD 128 support. There is also SPDIF out and you can bypass the internal DAC.
Importer Mark Gurvey stressed that Lumin products are designed by commercial engineers, not consumer electronics engineers, and they have created products such as set-top boxes for the satellite industry. "They design Lumin products for full firmware, software and FPGA updating so that…
