Description: Integrated amplifier with dimmable color display, remote control, dual-mono inputs and preamp circuits, output stage class-AB biased into class-A to about 10W, laser-trimmed volume control with 0.5dB increments. Line inputs: Four stereo pairs single-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR). Outputs: Two pair 4mm banana plug/binding posts; stereo pair line-level fixed on RCA, stereo pair line-level fixed on XLR; stereo pair line-level variable on RCA. Input impedance: 100k ohms single-ended and balanced. Power output: 160Wpc into 8 ohms (22dBW), 300Wpc into 4…
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Sidebar 1: Heinz Lichtenegger and Nu-Vista
The Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 is the latest component in what HeinzLichtenegger, CEO of Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH, parent company of Musical Fidelity, Pro-Ject, and other brands, describes as a complete range of Nu-Vista products dubbed "Nu-Vista by Musical Fidelity." His 45 years in the hi-fi industry have shown him, he told Stereophile, the benefits of launching complete series, with options at different price points.
The series started off with the flagship PRE preamp and the partnering PAS stereo amplifier, each with…
Sidebar 4: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Keel chassis, Karousel main bearing, Radikal motor control, Naim ARO tonearm, and Lyra Delos cartridge.
Digital sources: Naim UnitiCore network server and S/PDIF source; Roon Nucleus+; Naim ND555 Streamer-DAC with dual 555PS(DR) power supplies; Ariston CD transport.
Phono preamplifier: Naim SuperLine-SuperCap DR.
Line preamplifier: Townshend Allegri Reference.
Power amplifier: Naim NAP 250 (2023/4 series).
Loudspeakers: BBC LS3/5a 15 ohm (Marshall), FinkTeam KIM, Wilson Audio Specialties…
Get ready, analog lovers—RTM, the leader in premium reel-to-reel tapes, blank cassettes, and pro-grade recording accessories, is giving you the chance to win big. We’re excited to announce a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive $750 worth of Recording the Masters reels—winner’s choice! Whether you’re a studio engineer, musician, or dedicated audiophile, RTM’s advanced magnetic tape technology delivers the high-fidelity, durable sound you rely on for recording, mastering, and archiving. Now’s your chance to stock up on the best in modern analog.
SM900:
The SM900 is…
Shortly after the Berlin wall came down and the Japanese stock market crashed, my day job was to demonstrate expensive audio products at hi-fi shows all over Europe and America. That entailed surviving on espresso and Toblerone while driving a vintage Mercedes at high speeds 12 hours per day. After four hours of sleep, I was doing 12-hour days of DJ work that entailed choosing the next perfect recording to keep the audience facing forward, mesmerized—a borderline impossible task. To avoid shame and rejection, I always kept a few 7" 45s by groups like The Chambers Brothers or Booker T. and the…
Geez, they're big! The Arendal 1528 Tower 8, the premier model in Arendal's new 1528 loudspeaker line, reached higher than my chin and weighed roughly 200lb unpacked; you can add another 100lb or so for the shipping boxes and pallets. Sure, I've experienced such jumbo loudspeakers before, but never in my own listening room.
Available in either gray ("Basalt") or white ("Polar"), each imposing Arendal Tower employs four 8" custom-designed aluminum-cone woofers crossing over to a 5" carbon-graphene composite-cone midrange driver at 420Hz. The midrange driver gives way to a 28mm (1.1")…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured one of the Arendal 1528 Tower 8 loudspeakers, serial number 1521BA251552, with DRA Labs' MLSSA system, a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone for the farfield frequency behavior and dispersion, and an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield responses. I measured the 1528 Tower 8's impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle with Dayton Audio's DATS V2 system.
Arendal specifies the 1528 Tower 8's anechoic sensitivity as 89.5dB/2…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
I performed a full set of measurements on the LAiV Harmony µDAC using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. The coaxial S/PDIFand optical TosLink inputs both accepted data sampled at rates up to 192kHz. Apple's AudioMIDI utility revealed that the USB port accepted 32-bit integer data sampled at all rates from 44.1kHz to 1536kHz! The USB Prober app identified the Harmony µDAC as "LAIV Harmony DAC" from "LAIV Audio" and indicated that the USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode. I used optical S/PDIF data for the testing as well as USB data…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, ported or sealed (user option) floorstanding loudspeaker. Enclosure material 28mm high-density fiberboard (HDF). Drive units: four 8" aluminum-cone woofers, 5" carbon graphene-cone midrange, 28mm lithium-magnesium-dome tweeter with waveguide loading, controlled directivity, and acoustic lens. Crossover frequencies: 420Hz and 2.8kHz. Frequency response: 42Hz–20kHz ±2dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 89.5dB/2.83V/1m. Max SPL (full bandwidth signal) 118dB peak, 112dB RMS, 20Hz–20kHz. Recommended amplifier power: Up to 1000W.
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Sidebar 1: Alvin Chee and Vinshine Audio
LAiV's sole worldwide dealer is Alvin Chee of Vinshine Audio in Singapore. I've known and worked with Alvin since 2020, when I reviewed the original Denafrips Terminator and Ares II DACs. I can say without reservation that he is one of the nicest, most straight-talking, truth-telling, word-keeping, deliver-on-time audio people I've met.
I felt badly for Mr. Chee when, in 2024, Denafrips pulled its products from Vinshine and began selling direct (footnote 1). I felt bad because, while Denafrips makes high-quality, high-value converters that…