The brochure asks, "Have you heard of YAKUSUGI Cedar?" No. I had never heard of Analog Relax, either. If you have heard of it, you're at least one step ahead of me.
Analog Relax, the brochure says, is produced by ZOOT Communication (footnote 1). On the company's website I learned that in Japanese "zoot" means "always." ZOOT Communication President Yasushi Yurugi is also a big Zoot Sims fan. He…
The Audio Relax EX1000 (on the Schröder arm, with the OMA K3 arm/turntable) feeding the Arion Mk.II—even loaded at 100 ohms (the cartridge's 15 ohm internal impedance would suggest at least a 150 ohm load)—produced a dazzling presentation that enhanced and intensified the best qualities of both to produce among the most enticing vinyl-…
In the early 1970s, my hometown—Chicago—was a hotbed of blues. I discovered the blues in high school via the Rolling Stones, and I began to frequent the city's blues clubs as a college student, at first while still underage. From Theresa's, the South Side tavern where Junior Wells performed, I progressed to the West Side, where on weekends I would head down Madison Street to see Howlin' Wolf at Big Duke's Blue Flame Lounge.
Crudely drawn erotic silhouettes adorned the walls of the Blue Flame,…
"Herbie! Have you tried the Mola Mola? Come on man, what's taking you so long? Is Putzeys's DAC better than my MSB? Or the dCS Bartók? Or the HoloAudio May?"
I don't mind—I like it when people pester me about products they're excited about. That type of revved-up, need-to-know anticipation is what…
Curious to experience an even bigger, more direct and forceful presentation and a little more Mola Mola bass, I replaced the Falcons with Harbeth's M30.2 monitors and played my favorite fun soundtrack, Alexander Desplat's Isle of Dogs (16/44.1 FLAC, ABKCO/Qobuz). That led quickly to a moment where I kicked myself for not playing the Harbeth speakers more than I do. Driven by…
In the 1970s, analog-centric audiophiles particularly praised the Technics SP-10, the world's first direct drive turntable. Created by Matsushita engineer Shuichi Obata in 1969, the SP-10 and its successors became the standard in vinyl playback for American radio stations during that heyday of broadcast radio. Because of its powerful motor, the SL-1200 became the spinner/scratcher of choice among hip hop DJs soon after…
"Response Optimizer," the site continued, "measures the frequency characteristics of the…
Description: Two-channel "digital" integrated amplifier with phono stage and remote control. Output power: 150Wpc at 8 ohms, 300Wpc at 4 ohms (both 21.8dBW). Input sensitivity: Line 200mV for full output; MM phono (MM) 2.5mV; MC phono 300ÊV. Input impedance: Line inputs, 22k ohms; MM phono, 47k ohms; MC phono, 100 ohms. Frequency response: Line, 5Hz–80kHz (–3dB); MM phono, 20Hz–20kHz (RIAA deviation ±1dB); MC phono, not specified; Digital, 5Hz–80kHz (–3dB). Recommended load impedance: 4–16 ohms. Analog inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 2 single-ended (RCA), 1 phono RCA…
Analog sources: Thorens TD 124 turntable, Jelco TS-350S 9" tonearm, Clearaudio Concept MC cartridge, Sculpture A Mini Nano Step Up.
Digital sources: Asus laptop running Roon, Tidal.
Preamplifier: Shindo Allegro.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Integrated amplifiers: Ayre EX-8 2.0, E.A.T. E-Glo I.
Loudspeakers: Canton 7K, DeVore Fidelity O/96, Klipsch Forte IV.
Cables: Interconnect (RCA): Triode Wire Labs Spirit II, Shindo Laboratory. Digital: AudioQuest Forest. Speaker: AudioQuest Robin Hood. AC: manufacturers' own.…
I started testing the sample of the Technics SU-R1000 that KM had auditioned, serial number GJ1001007, with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It). However, while I was performing the small-signal tests, the amplifier turned itself off. The temperature of the black grilles on the amplifier's top panel, which cover the internal heatsinks, was 127.9°F/52.9°C. I wondered if the amplifier had over-heated. According to the manual, "one of the unit's safety devices may have been activated. Press the unit on/off button to the Off position.…