Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, Castellon turntable, tonearm, stand; Graham Engineering Phantom Supreme II, Kuzma 4Point tonearms; Miyajima Labs Focus mono, Lyra Atlas, Ortofon Anna cartridges.
Digital Sources: MSB Platinum Data CD IV & Platinum Diamond DAC IV CD transport & DAC & Platinum Studio ADC; BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder; Meridian Digital Media System; Pure Music software.
Preamplifier: darTZeel NHB-18ns.
Power Amplifiers: darTZeel NHB-458, Ypsilon Aelius (both monoblocks); Musical…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme turntable with KV9 Max Zirconium tonearm. Aidas Tru-Stone Gold Web phono cartridge.
Digital sources: Tascam CD player, HoloAudio May DAC.
Preamplifiers: Tavish Audio Design Adagio, Manley Chinook (phono). Rogue Audio RP-7, Shindo Allegro.
Power amplifiers: AirTight ATM-1 2024E, Rogue Stereo 100.
Integrated amplifiers: Unison Research S6, Riviera Labs Levante.
Loudspeakers: Voxativ Ampeggio 2024, DeVore Fidelity Super Nine, Volti Audio Lucera.
Cables: Interconnect: AudioQuest Pegasus,…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel, stereo, tubed preamplifier with external power supply. Vacuum tube complement: two 6CJ3 rectifier tubes, two 4P1L signal tubes, all new old stock. Inputs: 5 pair single-ended (RCA). Outputs: 2 pair single-ended (RCA). Input impedance: 40k ohms. Output impedance: 150 ohms. Frequency response: 20Hz– 20kHz, ±2dB. S/N ratio: >90dB. Maximum gain: 6.5dB/13dB (user selectable). Maximum output voltage: 4V RMS at 2V RMS input (low gain setting); 8V RMS at 2V RMS input (high gain setting). THD: <0.05%. Power consumption: 65W.
Dimensions…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Technics SL-1200MKV with KAB 3-speed mod, fluid damping and tonearm wiring; Hana SL MKII cartridge. Philips AF-887 with Shure M97xe cartridge.
Digital sources: dCS Bartók streaming DAC, Cambridge MXN10 streaming DAC, Oppo UDP-203 universal disc player.
Phono preamplifier: ProJect Phono Box RS2.
Line preamplifier: Benchmark LA-4.
Power amplifier: Benchmark AHB2.
Integrated amplifier: McIntosh MA6500.
Loudspeakers: Amphion One18, Bowers & Wilkins 808.
Accessories: Butcherblock Acoustics equipment rack, SME…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital sources: Moon 260D CD transport, iFi iDSD Diablo DAC.
Integrated amplifier: Grandinote Shinai.
Loudspeakers: Focal Aria K2 936, Dynaudio Contour 30i.
Cables: Interconnect: Kimber Kable 1016 (RCA). Speaker: Kimber Kable Monocle-XL (w/banana plugs). Digital: Kimber Kable D60 (RCA S/PDIF), AudioQuest Forest (USB). Power: Shunyata Research Black Mamba CX, LessLoss DFPC, DR Acoustics Red Fire Ultra.
Accessories: Shunyata Research Venom PS8 power conditioner; a component rack and a wood plinth stand (under turntable) whose brand names are…
Rega Research (footnote 1) sold more turntables in 2012 than in any of its previous 40-odd years of business, and is on target to do so again in 2013. How many turntables is that? I know but can't yet say.
Rega, along with most major makers of audiophile turntables, is participating in an ongoing project I've undertaken that I hope will reveal the true depth of the vinyl resurgence by counting the production of turntables, cartridges, and vinyl records industry-wide. So far, on the hardware side, only the purveyors of plastic turntables have balked. And while those sales numbers are high…
In ancient times, when I first ventured beyond playing files stored on a USB stick or NAS to streaming from Tidal and Qobuz, I ran a USB cable between a MacBook Pro and my DAC. For playback software, I alternated between Amarra, Audirvana, and—sometimes with a dCS DAC—dCS Mosaic. During a decade of upgrades from laptop and DACs with their own streamer software to dedicated server/streamers, some with proprietary music-management and playback software, one basic concern remained consistent: Was there a streamer (or streamer-software combo) out there that could improve musicality and the…
The surfboard
The Nazaré music server/streamer's chassis is simplicity itself. The striking front panel's 3D architecture includes a strongly accented indentation inspired by Nazaré Canyon's topography; it is illuminated by an LED when the unit is on. There are no front-panel controls. To turn the unit on and off, reach directly under the middle of the front panel and, upon encountering a smooth piece of vinyl, gently caress it. The panel is quite sensitive—a hard tap will not do—and seems to prefer certain touches and caresses over others. With patience, you'll find out exactly what…