While awaiting that shipment, I reinstalled my Pass Labs XA200.8s so that I could review recordings without pain. But when the Passes now sounded bad as well, I went into a full panic. Check the connections, check the ground . . . everything checked out except my composure.
Many days later, but before I'd settled…
Description: Solid-state, MOSFET monoblock power amplifier. Inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 1 unbalanced (RCA). Outputs: 2 pairs binding posts. Power outputs: 400W into 8 ohms (26dBW), 700W into 4 ohms (25.4dBW), 1100W into 2 ohms (24.4dBW). Frequency response: 0Hz–500kHz, –3dB. Input impedance: 3k ohms, 100pF (balanced); 37k ohms, 100pF (unbalanced). Damping factor: >1800 at 10kHz, >10,000 at 100Hz. Intermodulation distortion (SMPTE 100Hz and 20kHz, 4:1): <–110dB at 50W into 4 ohms. THD+N: <–106dB, 1kHz at 25–700W into 4 ohms. Signal/noise: >125dB.…
Digital Sources: dCS Paganini SACD/CD transport & Rossini DAC (6V output) & Scarlatti clock; Oppo Digital BDP-93 NuForce Edition universal BD player; Apple MacBook Pro computer with Intel i7, SSD, 8GB RAM; external hard drives, USB sticks.
Power Amplifiers: Pass Labs XA200.8 (monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Diamond (FireWire, Ethernet), Kubala-Sosna Elation!, Nordost Odin 1 & Odin 2 & Valhalla 2 (USB). Interconnect, Speaker, AC: Kubala-Sosna Elation! (all), Nordost Odin 2 (…
I measured one of the Audionet Max monoblocks (serial no. 9.16.20) with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before doing any testing of a power amplifier, I precondition it by running it at one-third its specified power into 8 ohms for 60 minutes with a 1kHz tone: This power level results in the highest thermal stress on the output devices of an amplifier having a class-B or -AB output stage. The Max turned itself off after 42 minutes, its front panel displaying the message "SEVERE ERROR OVERHEATING." The Audionet's top panel…
If you can't laugh at that, you've lost your sense of humor—even acknowledging that, oddly, convenience is the raison d'etre of some recent phono preamplifiers—including Dan D'Agostino Audio's Momentum and the CH Precision P1, both of which offer multiple, switchable, configurable inputs saved in memory. Today's well-heeled vinyl…
Would I be judging the record's sound or the Téssera's? No way of knowing until I played the same album through a reference phono preamp. But Tom Nola had recorded the session on July 27,…
Description: Tubed phono preamplifier: Tube complement: four 12AX7/ECC83, two 12AU7. Gain settings: 40, 45, and 50dB, MM mode; 60, 65, and 70dB, MC mode. ) Loading options: 47k ohms, 68k ohms, MM mode; 1000, 800, 700, 500, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, or 50 ohms, MC mode. MM capacitance: 220pF. RIAA accuracy: within ±0.5dB. Noise: –90dBu ref. maximum output. Output impedance: 150 ohms.
Dimensions: 17" (432mm) W by 5.5" (140mm) H by 15" (381mm) D. Weight: 25 lbs (11.35kg).
Price: $12,000.
Manufacturer: Zesto Audio, 3138 Calle Estepa, Thousand…
In their solo projects and in the North Mississippi Allstars, they are dedicated traditionalists and modern proponents of the kind of music that was celebrated in the new T Bone Burnett, Robert Redford, and Jack White film and music project, American Epic.
While Cody…
Here's the shocker: this album was recorded in 1950. That is not a typo. It was recorded 67 years ago. It was Ellington's first "long-playing" album…