search
The Chord's dynamic capabilities derived at least in part from its almost unnatural background silence. The SPM 14000 let music show itself against a background of unconditional quiet. Nothing about this background was "black," which suggests an absorptive quality that was completely absent. With the Chord, there was simple silence. Consequently, its resolution floor was exceedingly low, its microdynamic resolution marvelous. Keith Johnson's recordings of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring (CD, Reference RR-93CD) capture the fullest measure of the shape of…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state power amplifier with switching power supply. Maximum output power: 1000W into 8 ohms at 0.01% distortion (30dBW), 2000W RMS into 4 ohms (30dBW), >2800W RMS into 2 ohms (28.45dBW). Dynamic headroom: 1100W RMS into 8 ohms, 2200W RMS into 4 ohms. Frequency response: 10Hz–90kHz, –3dB (into 8 ohms). Voltage gain: 30dB. Signal/noise: better than –103dB, A-weighted ref. two thirds power. Output impedance: 0.03 ohm. Output inductance: 2.6mH. Stability: unconditional.
Dimensions: 18.9" (480mm) W by 12.2" (310mm) H by 26.3" (668mm) D. Weight…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: SOTA Cosmos Series III turntable, Graham 2.2 tonearm, Dynavector XV-1S cartridge.
Digital Sources: Classé Omega SACD/CD player, Plinius CD-101 CD player, Simaudio Moon Orbiter universal player.
Preamplification: Manley Labs Steelhead phono stage, VTL TL-7.5 Reference preamplifier.
Loudspeakers: Legacy Audio Whisper, Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia.
Cables: Phono: Hovland Music Groove 2. Interconnect: Acoustic Zen Silver Reference & Silver Reference II, Harmonic Technology CyberLight. Speaker: Nordost Valhalla, Shunyata Orion…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I preconditioned the big Chord SPM 14000 by running it at 172W into 8 ohms for an hour. (This is less than one third the specified power; see later.) The measured THD+noise percentage at the beginning of that period was 0.0108%. After 20 minutes, some high-order components appeared in the distortion waveform, still at a very low level, but these subsided at the 30-minute mark, with the final THD level at 0.015%, this almost pure third harmonic. The rear heatsinks were around 140°F (60°C) at the end of the hour, the side panels cooler than this.
The Chord's…
I have concluded that I am blessed.
Lounging around the house on a recent weekend, sipping wine and listening to music, the total experience of grape-infused musical involvement got me a bit teary-eyed, and I counted up my blessings. I have a perfect wife, two fantastic kids, and a job I enjoy that pays me more money than I need. (And no, I'm not stupid; my boss doesn't read Stereophile.) I have my health, and have enough musical talent that I can create my own music (though I wish I had more time to do so).
I'm also grateful that I can relax and listen to original vinyl…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted speaker. Drive-units: 1" aluminum-dome tweeter; 5½" four-layer paper-cone woofer. Crossover frequency and slope: 2.3kHz, second-order. Frequency response: 42Hz–20kHz, ±3dB. Minimum impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 86.5dB/m.
Dimensions: 14" H by 6.8" W by 9" D. Weight: 12 lbs.
Finishes: Black ash, mahogany wood veneer; add $100/pair for cherry or maple.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: RMM 3582 & 3583.
Price: $950/pair. T4S stands, $475/pair; P2 stands, $199/pair. Approximate number of dealers:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: VPI TNT Mk.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: 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.
Loudspeakers: Alón Li'l Rascal Mk.II, Alón Petite, NHT SB-3.
Cables:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Despite its diminutive size, the Totem Rainmaker was only just below average in its voltage sensitivity, at an estimated 86.5dB(B)/2.83V/m (though this will be due in part to its exaggerated treble; see later). Its impedance magnitude dropped below 4 ohms in the lower midrange, reaching a minimum value of 3.4 ohms at 170Hz (fig.1), which means a good 4 ohm–rated amplifier will work best with the speaker. The saddle at 39Hz in this graph's magnitude trace indicates the tuning of the rear-mounted port, while the fact that the height of the upper-frequency bass peak…
The Magnep1anar Tympani I that is the subject of this report is already an obsolete model, having been superseded by the Tympanis IA, II, and III that were unveiled at the CE Show in Chicago this past June. Since many of our readers already own Tympani Is, and dealer stocks of them are being sold at a substantial price reduction, the report should still be of interest. We will publish follow-up reports on the newer models as soon as they become available for testing.
The Magneplanar Tympani I is unique both in appearance and principle. The system looks like a pair of folding room-divider…
Steven W. Watkinson reviewed the Tympani IVA in August 1985 (Vol.8 No.6):
When describing "subtle" differences between similar components, it is difficult to express in words the actual magnitude of those differences. Simply describing what you hear is difficult enough; the English language emphasizes the visual and the emotional rather than the audible. This is why reviewers so often resort to visual imagery to describe what they hear. As Anthony H. Cordesman has pointed out, this combination of an inadequate language and the need to describe subtle differences frequently results in…