Description: Tubed class-AB monoblock power amplifier. Tube complement: one 12SJ7 (input), two 12SN7 (driver), four KT150 (output). Inputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA), 1 pair balanced (XLR). Outputs: 1 pair binding posts. Output power: min. 160W into 4 ohms (19dBW) (other output options available by special order). Frequency response (1W): 10Hz–75kHz, ±1dB. Input impedance: 47k ohms (balanced, single-ended). Output impedance: 0.5 ohm. Damping factor: 10. Hum & noise: >90dB below 0dBW (1W) output (A weighting). Sensitivity: 1.4V (full output).
…
search
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: dCS Paganini SACD/CD transport & Scarlatti clock & Vivaldi DAC & Network Bridge; Apple MacBook Pro computer with Intel i7, SSD, 8GB RAM; Intel NUC7i7BNH with 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, running Roon; Linksys router with two TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet media converters, multimode duplex fiber-optic cable; external hard drives, USB sticks, iPad Pro.
Power Amplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression, Pass Laboratories XA200.8 (all monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia 2.
Cables: Digital:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Our review samples of Doshi Audio's Monoblock V3.0 amplifier were well traveled, having been shown at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver in 2017, and at AXPONA and Munich High End in 2018, before making their way to Washington and Jason Victor Serinus. Unfortunately, they then didn't survive their transcontinental trip from Jason's place to mine at the hands of UPS. Although the boxes seemed undamaged, they must have been dropped at some point: neither amp worked. Fortunately, Nick Doshi was able to drive up from Virginia to Brooklyn at short notice to repair…
"Any color, so long as it's black." That was the choice famously offered by Henry Ford to buyers of his Model T. Some makers of loudspeakers, notably GoldenEar Technology, follow the same dictum.
Not Focal. The Kanta No.2 ($9999/pair) is available with a cabinet finished in High Black Lacquer or Walnut veneer, with baffles finished in a variety of colors, including High Glass Carrara White and Gauloise Blue. The review samples had black cabinets and white baffles, which made me think of the two-tone cars that were the rage in the 1950s and '60s—and which may be coming back (footnote 1…
Focal's packaging includes a bright yellow sticker that warns: "The technologies in our loudspeakers require a running-in period." By "technologies," I think they mainly mean that beryllium tweeter. The word on the street about beryllium tweeters is that they require more break-in than the norm, and my experience supports that. I've been told that Audio Plus Services, Focal's US importer, normally breaks in Focal speakers by playing them at high volumes in a soundproof "bunker." However, due to a delay in the shipping of the speakers from France, and a misunderstanding about my need to have…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" (27mm) pure-beryllium, inverted-dome tweeter; 6.5" (165mm) flax-sandwich-cone midrange unit; two 6.5" (165mm) flax-sandwich-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 260Hz, 2700Hz. Frequency response: 35Hz–40kHz, ±3dB. Low-frequency point: 29Hz, –6dB. Sensitivity: 91dB. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 3.1 ohms minimum. Recommended amplification: 40–300W.
Dimensions: 44" (1118mm) H by 18.8" (477mm) W by 12.6" (321mm) D. Weight: 77.2 lb (35kg).
Finishes: High Gloss Black Lacquer (cabinet); High…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Acoustic Signature WOW XXL turntable & TA-2000 tonearm, Benz Micro ACE-SM cartridge.
Digital Source: PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player & DirectStream DAC.
Preamplifier: Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 Renaissance Black Path Edition.
Power Amplifiers: McIntosh Laboratory MC275 LE, PS Audio Stellar M700 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 II.
Cables: Interconnect, speaker, AC: Nordost Valhalla 2.
Accessories: PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 5 power conditioner, Nordost QB8 AC power…
Sidebar 3: Beryllium
Valued for its combination of light weight and rigidity—it's seven times stiffer than titanium or aluminum—beryllium is used in the production of tweeter domes and midrange drivers by a number of high-end speaker manufacturers, including Focal. But, unlike manufacturers whose "beryllium" tweeter domes are actually made of an alloy containing, according to some reports, as little as 2% of the element, Focal's beryllium cones and domes are 100% beryllium. The use of beryllium makes possible the extension of the frequency response of Focal's tweeter to 40kHz, while…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Focal Kanta No.2's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield responses. All the measurements were performed without the grilles, other than the perforated metal screen over the tweeter. The Kanta No.2's voltage sensitivity is specified as 91dB(B)/2.83V/m; my B-weighted estimate was a little lower, at 89dB/2.83V/m, but this is still higher than average. Focal specifies the nominal impedance as 8 ohms. The impedance does stay above 8 ohms through…
I've never aspired to owning a BMW 7-series, or a Martin D-45, or a Rolex Submariner: BMW's far less expensive 3-series models capture my imagination by bordering on the affordable, likewise Martin's D-18—and as long as I live, I'll never understand the appeal of expensive wristwatches. Bling's not my thing.
True to form, when I visited the Mytek display at High End 2018, in Munich, my attention was drawn to the brand-new Mytek Liberty DAC and its three-figure price: for $995, one could now own the equivalent of the original Mytek Brooklyn D/A processor, without that model's phono preamp…