Because Stereophile has already reviewed both the dCS Verdi SACD/CD transport (in April 2003) and the Purcell upsampler (in January 2001 and April 2003), I didn't feel it necessary to measure the Verdi La Scala, which incorporates the functionality of both units in one chassis. I concentrated, therefore, on the Delius D/A processor, feeding it DSD-sampled data from a Verdi transport and 16- and 24-bit LPCM data from a computer, using an RME Digi96/8 Pro soundcard and a TosLink S/PDIF connection. The Delius had no problem locking on to data sampled at rates up to…
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Several issues back, we reviewed rather enthusiastically a pre-production prototype of this preamp. The original was an unprepossessing-looking device on two chassis, interconnected by a 3' umbilical, with a squat little preamp box and an even squatter power supply with humongous cans sticking out the top. We averred that it sounded nice. The production model is so nicely styled and functionally smooth that we wondered if it might not be another Japanese product. 'T'ain't.
The Berning TF-10 is what may justifiably be described as a basic preamp with frills. it has no tone controls, but…
The high end is open, delicate and downright exquisite, sounding as if it has no upper limit. Instrumental timbres are reproduced flawlessly, without a trace of hardness or edginess, and depth, detail and inner definition are for all intents and purposes indistinguishable from that of the original program source. The low end is full and rich, yet as taut and detailed as the best we have heard from all-solid-state preamplifiers, and the entire middle range has that textureless liquidity we have only heard previously from tubed preamplifiers that fell short in various other ways. In other…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Hybrid (tube/transistor) basic preamplifier; 3 magnetic phono inputs, 5 high-level inputs including 2 Monitor, 2 Tape outputs, 2 Main outputs, tape cross-copy switch (1-to-2, 2-to-1), separate Input Source and Monitor switches, stepped volume control with vernier, remote Muting switch, 1 switched and I unswitched AC convenience outlet.
Dimensions: 19" W by 12" D by 3?" H, overall.
Price: $1395.
Manufacturer: Precedent Audio Products, Inc., 306 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 (1979). David Berning Co., 12430 McCrossin Lane, Potomac, MD…
Sidebar 2: Manufacturer's Comment
What can I say but "Thanks" for the fine review. I would also like to express my gratitude to Precedent Audio's Murray Zeligman, whose many hours of critical listening to pre-production prototypes contributed to the performance of the final production version of the TF-10.
Since initial production—one of which Stereophile had for testing—we made a minor circuit change which effects a very slight improvement in the reproduction of detail. That improved version is the one we have been delivering to our dealers.—David Berning
I recently came across a 1998 report, "Explaining the Computer Productivity Paradox," by Kevin Stiroh and Robert H. McGuckin III, that discussed the apparent fact that the widespread use of computers has not resulted in any significant increase in worker productivity. This is indeed a paradox, as my experience in the magazine business has left me with the opposite impression. We all do more, with less, than at any earlier time.
When I joined the English magazine Hi-Fi News, almost 26 years ago as you read these words, I was the junior member of an editorial and production staff of eight…
Following in the footsteps of my August 2005 review of the B&W DM603 S3, the second stop of the Bob Reina British Invasion Tour is the latest revamping of Wharfedale's affordable Diamond series.
My experience with Wharfedale speakers is limited. In my college days, my old MIT fraternity house (think Animal House with differential equations) was fairly evenly split between the Advent (footnote 1) and JBL camps, save for one colleague's large Wharfedale bookshelf speakers, which played Emerson, Lake & Palmer quite nicely at earsplitting volumes at 2am.
The last time I…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, magnetically shielded, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) soft-dome tweeter, 5" (125mm) Kevlar-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 2.3kHz. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms. Sensitivity: 86dB/2.83V/m. Frequency response: 50Hz–24kHz, –6dB. Recommended power: 20–100W.
Dimensions: 11.5" (296mm) H by 7.5" (194mm) W by 10.8" (278mm) D. Weight: 12 lbs (5.5kg).
Finishes: Cherry vinyl as reviewed; black and silver finishes also available.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 9100205C.
Price: $350/pair. Approximate…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Aurum Beta S cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss, Creek CD53 Mk.II CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek 5350SE.
Cables: Interconnect: MIT MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG,…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
As might be expected from its small size, the Diamond 9.1 is of below-average voltage sensitivity, at an estimated 85.5dB(B)/2.83V/m. However, its impedance plot (fig.1), other than a dip to 3.9 ohms in the lower midrange and a combination of 5.7 ohms impedance and –36° capacitive phase angle at 120Hz, indicates that the speaker should be fairly easy to drive.
Fig.1 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed). (2 ohms/vertical div.)
Some very slight wrinkles in the impedance traces between 150Hz and 900Hz imply…