Digital sources: dCS Vareèse five-piece music system, dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport; EMM Labs DV2i DAC, Meitner MA3 Integrated DAC; Innuos Nazaré Music Server and PhoenixNET network switch; Small Green Computer Sonore opticalModule Deluxe (2); Broadcom/Avago AFBR-5718PZ 1GB SX-SFP, Gen 5 Fiber Optic modules (2); Nordost QSource linear power supply (2); Sonore Audiophile Linear Power Supply; Synology 5-bay 1019+ NAS with Ferrum Hypsos linear/switching hybrid power supply; ASUS AX6000 and RT-AX88U Pro mesh routers and Netgear Nighthawk modem; Apple 2023 iPad…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Description: Tubed, fully balanced class-AB mono amplifier with 20A IEC connector, autobias, fan-speed control, tube hour meter, and monitor. Tube complement: Three matched pairs KT170 (Power Output positions V1-6), two 6H30 (Gain stage V7 and regulator driver V10), one 12AX7/ECC83 (Gain stage V8), and one 6550 (Regulator V9). Inputs: One pair XLR (balanced), 1 pair RCA (single-ended). Outputs: 4 and 8 ohm. Power output: 330W @ 1kHz 0.92% THD+N 10Hz–80kHz unweighted; 1W @ 1kHz 0.013% THD+N 10Hz–80kHz unweighted. Frequency response: (–3dB points at 1W) 5Hz–99.5kHz. Input sensitivity: 2.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: J.Sikora Standard Max Supreme turntable with KV9 tonearm and Aidas MC Tru-stone Gold Web cartridge.
Preamplifiers: Sugden LA-4, Rogue RP7 (line). Tavish Audio Design Adagio, Manley Chinook (phono).
Integrated amplifiers: Riviera Labs Levante, Unison Research S6 Black Edition.
Power amplifiers: Air Tight ATM-1 2024 Edition, Doshi Audio Evolution Stereo Amplifier, Rogue Audio Stereo 100, Elekit TU-888 monoblocks.
Cables: Interconnects: AudioQuest Pegasus and Firebird, Triode Wire Labs Spirit II (RCA), "Spirit 75" S/PDIF (RCA/…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: 2.5-way, reflex loaded, floorstanding loudspeaker with solid bamboo, plywood, and composite enclosure. Drivers: one proprietary 0.75" (19mm) textile-dome tweeter and two 7" (178mm) paper cone woofers. Frequency range: 28Hz–38kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB/W/1m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 37" (940mm, not including feet) H × 8.5" (216mm) W × 13.75" (349mm) D. Weight: 55lb (25kg).
Finishes: Cherry, Mahogany, Mink.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: S915B112 (both).
Price: $9990/pair. Approximate number of US dealers: 20. Warranty: 5…
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The Eversolo Play features a CNC-machined aluminum chassis paired with a 5.5-inch…
Greg Takesh's GT Audio Works Giulietta Bellissima planar ribbon speakers and OB subs, in their US debuts, are handmade in upstate New York, where he even makes his own drivers.
His CAF system consisted of a Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i9 music server ($4000); a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe music streamer ($5350); a LampizatOr Genya DAC ($18,995); a Trafomatic Audio Tara 30A SET amplifier ($79,000); and WestminsterLab Rei class-A monoblocks ($37,900/pair), accompanied by an AnTek BP-1300 Balance Isolation Power Supply ($388) and assorted Magnan Audio cables. Oh, and the…
In years past, Fidelity Imports filled room upon room with the hi-fi equipment they distribute. This year, New Jersey dealer The Listening Room shared the load. Fidelity and The Listening Room compiled six systems in six—um—listening rooms full of hi-fi goodness.
In room 753, a Gyro SE turntable ($6499) with a Cusis cartridge and Rega RB3000 tonearm ($2445) fed a Grimm PW1 phono preamp ($5800) leading to a Grimm MU2 streamer/preamplifier ($20,600). The MU2's output passed—all connections were made with Viablue cabling—to a Kora TA 480 Class AB stereo amplifier ($19,999), which drove…
San Marcos, California's Audience debuted its new Audience ClairAudient Bellare Loudspeakers at T.H.E. New York International Audio Show in New Jersey last month. Here they were again in Rockville, with essentially the same system.
As Audience's John McDonald noted after the New York show, "The Bellare represents something new and very special when you consider all factors together, including the absence of disparate drivers and a crossover network in the ultra-critical 2.5kHz range where most speakers cross over. The drivers are both resolute like an electrostatic (or more so) as well…
Angie Lisi of American Sound Distribution always brings components that make my pulse race. Tube amps. Horn speakers. Turntables. What more could a music playback nerd ask for?
In the Regency suite, a Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 turntable ($6500) was paired with an Analog Relax EX500 cartridge ($5500). Analog was RIAA-corrected with an Esoteric E-02 phono stage ($9500). A Wadax Studio Player ($40,800) made digital music.
An Esoteric Grandioso C1X preamplifier ($45,000) and the 25Wpc Synthesis Roma 96DC mono amps ($8400/pair) drove Avantgarde Mezzo G3 horn loudspeakers ($…
"Here, we believe in challenging the status quo," states the landing page on the La Dolce Audio website. "We believe in thinking differently to create new ways of accomplishing the musical experience. We believe everyone should enjoy the best musical experience in their own home."
La Dolce makes tube amplifiers, Open-baffle kit speakers, "LDA Baby Baffle" speakers, current-drive amplifiers—whatever that strikes their unique fancy. Their Capital Audiofest (CAF) room was one of the most distinctive I saw and heard. "Audio Gear for Blue Collar Audiophiles," they call it.
The…