Description; Stereo/bridged-mono class-AB power amplifier. Inputs (per channel): one XLR (balanced), 1 RCA (single-ended), switchable. Input impedance: 10k ohms (balanced and single-ended). Gain: switchable 29dB or 23dB (200W, 1kHz into 8 ohms). Input sensitivity for rated outputs, stereo and bridged: 5.2V and 2.4V (balanced inputs); 2.65V and 1.3V (single-ended inputs). Continuous output power, stereo: 200Wpc into 8 ohms (23dBW), 320Wpc into 4 ohms (22dBW), 450Wpc into 2 ohms (20.5dBW); bridged: 650W into 8 ohms (28dBW), 950W into 4 ohms (26.8dBW). Damping…
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On the first page of the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 4.2 Welcome Guide, Radiant Acoustics founder Peter Lyngdorf states, "The first thing you'll notice when listening to these speakers is the absence of distortion."
Seeing that, my brain responded: I hope not. When I listen to records, the first thing (or things) I want to notice is, who is singing what song and where might they be singing it?
I say this without cynicism. I understand that an engineering-focused company is likely to frame the virtues of their products in technical terms. But when I sit down to listen, I want the…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured a different sample of the CH Precision C10 from that auditioned by Jim Austin; mine had the serial number 0X651902. The power supply was the same one that he had used; its serial number was 0X651904. I carefully followed the instructions in the manual to connect the processor chassis to the external power supply with the four umbilical cables, one for each channel's analog circuitry and one for each channel's control circuitry. The umbilicals were long enough that I could keep the power supply chassis on the floor, well away from the processor.
I…
Way back in my ignorant youth I thought that Pablo Records, the label of jazz producer/promoter legend Norman Granz, was where jazz artists went to fade away, where they were put out to pasture. I thought the black discs inside Pablo's black-and-white jackets, which depicted jazz greats tracking sessions in their twilight years, couldn't compete with the music of younger jazz guns. I didn't want to hear medium-tempo swing grooves in cocktail-softened blowing "jams," or moldy standards like "Satin Doll." I wanted flamethrowers. Blazing jazz-rock tempos. Acetylene solos scorching my eardrums.…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Lars Risbo, the man behind Purifi's range of innovative drive units, is not only the brand's co-founder but also the designer of the legendary TacT Millennium amplifier, one of the first genuinely digital class-D amplifiers to emerge in the 1990s and forerunner of the Lyngdorf models of today. That ability to think "out of the box" is equally evident in Lars's approach to improving the mechanical and electromagnetic parameters of the classic moving-coil driver, realized here in these small-cone, extended-stroke woofers. Called Ushindi (Swahili for victory…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable with EMT 912-HI tonearm and EMT JSD 6 moving coil cartridge; Sorane SA-1.2 tonearm with Dynavector XX2A, Audio-Technica ART20, Denon DL-103, and Hana Umami Blue moving coil cartridges. SunValley EQ-1616D, MoFi MasterPhono, Prima Luna EVO 100, and Schiit Stjarna phono stages; EM/IA SUT 103.
Digital sources: dCS Lina with Master Clock, HoloAudio Spring 3 KTE, and Denafrips Terminator Plus DACs; TEAC VRDS-701T, Sparkler Audio S515t, and Shanling ET3 CD transports.
Preamplifier: HoloAudio Serene…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way standmount loudspeaker. Drive units: waveguide-loaded custom AMT tweeter, 4" PURIFI Ushindi mid-woofer (PTT4.0X04-NLC-02). Two 4" PURIFI Ushindi passive radiators (PTT4.0PR-NF2-01). Crossover frequency: 2.3kHz. Frequency response: 40Hz–22kHz ±3dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 78dB/2.83V/1m. Cabinet: 15mm MDF with 12mm aluminum front baffle. Recommended minimum amplifier power: 60W.
Dimensions: 6.46" (164mm) W × 10.24" (260mm) H × 7.64" D (194mm). Weight: 12.3lb (5.6kg).
Finish: Black or White Gloss (6-layers lacquer),…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: SME Model 35 turntable with Series Vi tonearm and Lyra Etna λ Lambda phono cartridge.
Digital Source: Innuos Statement NewGen & Innuos ZENith Next-Gen server/streamers, Wattson Emerson Digital streamer, CH Precision C1.2 D/A processor.
Preamplification: Line: Pass Laboratories XP-32. Phono: Pass Labs XP-27, Sutherland Big Loco.
Power amplifiers: Pass Laboratories XA60.8 monoblocks, CH Precision M1.1.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Carbon, Cinnamon, & Coffee USB; CAD USB…
David Sokol
STEVIE WONDER: Songs in the Key of Life
Motown 374 630 340 2 (2 CDs). 1976. Stevie Wonder, prod.; John Fischbach, Gary Olazabal, engs. AAD. TT: 104:42 Staggering as it is, Stevie Wonder was barely 26 when he released this musical monolith, a 21-song exploration that bridged the pop and soul worlds with compassion and spirituality, was the rage in the mid-'70s, and continues to sound utterly fresh today. Although Wonder was already a major star (this was his 16th album, after all), the scope of Songs earned him a spot beside Dylan, Lennon, and McCartney as one of the…
STEVIE WONDER: Songs in the Key of Life
Motown 374 630 340 2 (2 CDs). 1976. Stevie Wonder, prod.; John Fischbach, Gary Olazabal, engs. AAD. TT: 104:42 Staggering as it is, Stevie Wonder was barely 26 when he released this musical monolith, a 21-song exploration that bridged the pop and soul worlds with compassion and spirituality, was the rage in the mid-'70s, and continues to sound utterly fresh today. Although Wonder was already a major star (this was his 16th album, after all), the scope of Songs earned him a spot beside Dylan, Lennon, and McCartney as one of the…
David Vernier
BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Britten the Performer
Fauré: La Bonne Chanson, Op.61. Purcell: Five Songs (realized by B. Britten). Schubert: Three Songs. Schumann: Liederkreis, Op.39.
Peter Pears, tenor; Benjamin Britten, piano
BBC Music BBCB 8006-2 (mono CD). 1958-59/1999. Ivor Walsworth, prod.; Derek Horsman, remastering eng. ADD. TT: 74:58 We are very fortunate to have such priceless musical treasures as this document, recorded live, of one of this century's most fruitful and mutually inspiring artistic partnerships. That something very special is going on in these…
BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Britten the Performer
Fauré: La Bonne Chanson, Op.61. Purcell: Five Songs (realized by B. Britten). Schubert: Three Songs. Schumann: Liederkreis, Op.39.
Peter Pears, tenor; Benjamin Britten, piano
BBC Music BBCB 8006-2 (mono CD). 1958-59/1999. Ivor Walsworth, prod.; Derek Horsman, remastering eng. ADD. TT: 74:58 We are very fortunate to have such priceless musical treasures as this document, recorded live, of one of this century's most fruitful and mutually inspiring artistic partnerships. That something very special is going on in these…