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As I noted in previous Re-Tales columns, audio dealerships that stick to outmoded models after the world has changed may find themselves in danger of extinction. Such conflict between old and new has been with us since the beginning of time, or at least since the internet became ubiquitous. But the pandemic and its economic stresses and stimuli have accelerated the pace of change. So, how are dealers, um, dealing?

One brand—or, rather, one two-branded company—is rolling out a new hi-fi retail chain, along with another option for dealers.

Single-…

As I write these words I am listening to a pair of PSB's new Synchrony T600 loudspeakers, which cost $7999/pair and were designed, like the T3, by a team led by PSB founder and chief acoustic designer Paul Barton. Also like the T3, the T600 houses…

Description: Three-way, reflex-loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive units: 1" (25.4mm) titanium-dome tweeter; 5.25" (133mm) woven carbon-fiber–cone midrange unit; three 6.5" (165mm) woven carbon-fiber–cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 450Hz (B3), 1.8kHz (LR4). Frequency response: 24Hz–23kHz ±3dB on-axis, 30Hz–20kHz ±1.5dB on-axis, 30Hz–10kHz ±1.5dB 30° off-axis. LF cutoff: 20Hz. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Minimum impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 89dB anechoic, 91dB room. Power handling: 20–300W recommended, 300W program. Supplied accessories: IsoAcoustic…

Analog source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge, Channel D Seta L phono preamplifier.
Digital sources: Roon Nucleus+ file server with its switching supply or an HDPlex linear power supply; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; MBL N31 CD player/DAC; Ayre Acoustics QB-9 Twenty D/A processor; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter.
Power amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Canton Reference 7K.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), AudioQuest Coffee (USB…

I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the PSB Synchrony T600's frequency response in the farfield. My reference axis for the measurements was level with the center of the midrange unit, which is 38" from the floor, slightly above the height of my ears in my listening chair. I used an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield and in-room responses and Dayton Audio's DATS V2 system to measure the impedance.

PSB specifies the Synchrony T600's anechoic sensitivity as 89dB, presumably for 2.83V at 1m. My B-weighted…

The one activity that distinguishes audiophiles from other music lovers is our practice of sitting in solitude and listening closely to music reproduced on a finely tuned playback system.

That is not to suggest that there's anything wrong with playing music in the background. But what's unique about us audiophiles is the seriousness of intent with which some of us sit in front of or among two or more speakers, or within a headphone soundfield, and focus intently…

Setup
For spinning vinyl, I used my Thorens TD 124 turntable with its Jelco 350S tonearm and Clearaudio Concept MC cart. Phono preamp duties were performed by the Sculpture A Mini Nano Step-Up (which extracted new richness, punch, and impact from my vinyl…

Description: Stereo integrated amplifier with class-AB output stage, headphone output, and remote control equipped with optional DAC with streaming capability. Analog inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 2 single-ended (RCA). Digital inputs: Coaxial (1) and TosLink S/PDIF (2), PCM to 24/192, DSD64 via DoP; AES3, PCM to 24/192, DSD64 via DoP; USB, PCM to 24/384, DSD up to DSD128 via DoP; Ethernet, PCM to 24/192, DSD64 via DoP. Outputs: 1 pair speaker binding posts; XLR and RCA preamp out; two 3.5mm balanced headphone outputs, one 6.3mm single-ended headphone output.…