During their stay here, the JPS Aluminatas all worked without a hitch. I should also…
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Weight was more of an issue with the speaker cables than the other Aluminata models: Their stranded termination leads were, of course, significantly more flexible than the rest of the cable; in my system, with the Quad ESLs raised somewhat inelegantly off the floor, the combination of heavy cables and floppy leads made hooking up a clumsier procedure than usual. Those WBT locking bananas weren't just a luxury, they were a necessity—without them, the Aluminata speaker cables disconnected themselves.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-core alloy conductors with granular aluminum shielding, configured as interconnect pairs, single-wire speaker cables, and AC cords.
Dimensions: Interconnect: 1m, 2m, 6m. Speaker cables: 8'. AC cord: 2m. Other lengths available.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: Interconnect pairs: 1m, 63068, 63069; 2m, 63066, 63067; 6m, 63070, 63071. Speaker-cable pair: 54353, 54354. AC cords: 32304, 32305.
Prices: Aluminata interconnect: $2999/1m pair with WBT locking phono plugs; $600 each additional 0.5m. Aluminata speaker cable: $6099/4' pair with…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable with Naim Armageddon power supply; Naim Aro tonearm; Miyabi 47, Supex 900 Super cartridges.
Digital Source: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: EAR 834P, Linn Linto phono preamplifiers; Lamm LL2, Artemis Labs LA-1 preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Quad II and Lamm ML2.1 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Nordost Heimdall & Valhalla. Speaker: Nordost Heimdall. AC: JPS Labs The Digital (CD players), Cardas Golden Reference (some other components).
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I can't remember a time when I wasn't concerned about power quality. I grew up around finicky, home-brew ham-radio gear and labs full of instruments, and with both, power-conditioning gear was standard fare. When I moved into high-end audio, it seemed obvious that power quality was important. As a result, I've experimented with a wide range of power-conditioning equipment, from simple ferrite loops to huge isolation transformers, and even exotic laboratory power supplies that could vary the voltage, frequency spectrum, and shape of the AC signal.
So when Audience introduced their…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: AC-line power conditioner with power-factor correction, RF/noise filtering, transient suppression, and 12 Hubbell high-conductivity power outlets. Current/voltage: 15A or 20A/130V, standard; 220V, 230V, 240V available.
Dimensions: 19" (483mm) W by 5" (127mm) H by 9" (229mm) D. Weight: 15 lbs (6.82kg).
Finishes: grained and satin-anodized aluminum silver or black chassis.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: none found.
Price: $3800. Approximate number of dealers: 100. Warranty: 10 years.
Manufacturer: Audience, LLC, 120 N. Pacific St., #K-…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Meitner CDSD & CDII SACD transport & converter, Simaudio Andromeda CD player.
Analog Source: VPI HR-X turntable & tonearm, Lyra Titan cartridge.
Preamplification: Sutherland PhD phono stage; VTL TL-7.5, Sutherland Direct, Placette Active line stages; Halcro dm10 preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: VTL Ichiban monoblocks & S-400; Halcro dm58 & dm88 monoblocks; Mark Levinson No.20.6 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia 1 & Sophia 2floorloudspeakers/">.
Cables: Stereovox SEI 600II…
Over the years, I have used and enjoyed in my audio system large, single-purpose components. Each of these chassis has had but one role: preamplifier, amplifier, digital-to-audio converter (DAC), etc. I guess I've been just a little suspicious of products with multiple functions crammed into a single small chassis; I've figured that the designer may have cut a corner that could affect the sound.
Which brings me to the topic of this review, the Bryston B100-DA SST, which is three separate components in one slim chassis: a DAC, a preamplifier, and a 100Wpc power amplifier. (An MM phono…
Returning upstairs, I remotely browsed my laptop's music folders via the Squeezebox until I found the My Music directory and the "Stereophile Music CD Test Program" playlist. During my audition of the B100-DA, I selected various tracks from this playlist from my listening-room chair, using the Squeezebox's handheld remote. I also used the free subscription to Pandora.com supplied with the Squeezebox to set up my own Internet radio station to play Keith Jarrett recordings over my system.
Setup
The B100-DA SST's chassis is slim, and smaller than that of the Bryston 4B-SST power…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel, solid-state integrated amplifier with optional internal DAC and MM phono modules. DAC: Inputs: 2 S/PDIF, 2 TosLink, activated by pressing A/D button on remote. Preamplifier section: Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.5dB. High-level sensitivity: 500mV. Noise: <100dB, 20Hz–20kHz, ref. 1V. Power amplifier section: Maximum output power: 100W RMS into 8 ohms (20dBW), 20Hz–20kHz (factory rating of unit reviewed: 137W, 21.4dBW). Power bandwidth: <1Hz to >100kHz. Polarity: noninverting. Input impedance: 50k ohms single-ended.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: Linn Sondek turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ittok tonearm, Spectral MC cartridge.
Digital Sources: Krell KRC-28 CD player, Sony SCD-C555ES multichannel SACD/CD player, Slim Devices Squeezebox and Roku Soundbridge M-1001 network music players.
FM Tuners: Day-Sequerra Signature 1, McIntosh MR-78.
Preamplifier: Krell KCT.
Power Amplifiers: Bryston 4B-SST, Mark Levinson No.334, Krell FPB 600c, VTL S-400.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL-989, Revel Ultima Salon, Velodyne DD-18, REL Studio III.
Cables: Digital coax: Wireworld…