search

I measured the Constellation Performance Centaur II 500 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before I test an amplifier, I precondition it with both channels driving a 1kHz tone at one-third power into 8 ohms for an hour. At the end of that time, the Constellation's enclosure was hottest toward the rear of the top panel, at 101.3°F (38.5°C).

The voltage gain at 1kHz from the speaker terminals into 8 ohms measured 25.9dB for both balanced and unbalanced signals, and 12dB for the Direct input. All sets of inputs…

Jeffrey put on an album by the late R.L. Burnside, a country-blues singer and guitarist. A repeated acoustic-guitar phrase appeared from the direction of the speakers—an up-tempo, rhythmically driving sound that seemed physically whole and real,…

I've been on a major…

Description: Two-channel, class-D integrated amplifier with DAC. Inputs: 2 pairs single-ended (RCA), 1 pair single-ended (RCA) MM phono, 2 pairs TosLink, Bluetooth. Outputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA), subwoofer; two pairs five-way binding posts, speaker; ¼" stereo jack, headphones. Dynamic power: up to 210W into 2 ohms. THD, 20Hz–20kHz: <0.03% (100mW–40W, 8 and 4 ohms). Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.3dB. Continuous output power: 50Wpc into 4 or 8 ohms. Voltage Gain: 47dB digital, 37dB analog. Input sensitivity, 40W into 8 ohms: 250mV. Signal/noise: >…

Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S & Stogi turntable & tonearm; Thorens TD 124 Mk.I turntable, Jelco 350S tonearm; Denon DL-103, Hana EL, Ortofon Quintet Bronze cartridges.
Digital Sources: Apple MacBook computer running Audirvana Plus; LG BD550 Blu-ray player (as transport); Halide DAC HD, PS Audio NuWave DACs, Western Digital T2 Mirror Drives (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 MC step-up transformer, Lounge Audio Copla MC step-up, Heed Audio Quasar phono preamplifier; Shindo Laboratory Allegro preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo…

"So, Herb—looks like these speakers are going to get a bad review."

"Why's that?"

"You told me you didn't like shiny speakers."

I grinned. "You're right, I don't—especially when they're heavy, and sparkle like a custom low-rider."

"Those Legacys you're looking at are finished in what they call Black Pearl, which is a pearlescent process…

I measured the NAD C 328 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Because class-D amplifiers emit relatively high levels of ultrasonic noise that would drive my analyzer's input into slew-rate limiting, all measurements were taken with Audio Precision's auxiliary AUX-0025 passive low-pass filter, which eliminates noise above 200kHz.

Looking first at the line-level analog inputs: With the NAD's volume control set to "0.0dB," the maximum voltage gain at 1kHz into 8 ohms measured 25.6dB from the speaker terminals and 1.…

The Studio HDs reproduced the momentum and intense artistry of Hahn's playing, but diminished her violin's rich tones and unique textures. I hoped a tubed power amp would help.

With the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium
The…