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I examined the Cary CD 306 SACD Professional Version's measured behavior using Audio Precision's top-model SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue), as well as, for some tests, our Audio Precision System One and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer.

The Cary's maximum output level from its balanced jacks was 5.9V with both CD and SACD data; it was 2.93V from the unbalanced jacks. Both sets of outputs preserved absolute polarity; ie, were non-inverting. (The XLRs are wired with pin 2 hot.) The output impedance was…

After I'd been happily listening for a few months to the Marantz SA-11S2's warm, detailed, emotionally involving sound, John Atkinson sent along Cary Audio Design's CD 306 Professional Version SACD player ($8000) that he had reviewed in November 2008 (Vol.31 No.11). He suggested I use it as a benchmark against which to evaluate the Marantz. Direct comparisons of the players' sounds proved enlightening and constructive; the differences remained consistent through the playing of a wide variety of CDs and SACDs. In…

Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, & Castellon turntable, tonearm & stand; Graham Phantom tonearm; Lyra Titan i, Koetsu Coralstone Platinum mono cartridges.
Digital Sources: Musical Fidelity kW DM25 CD transport & DAC, Marantz SA-11S2 SACD player, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder.
Preamplification: Manley Steelhead, Einstein Turntable's Choice phono preamplifiers; darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Musical Fidelity kW monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson MAXX 2.
Cables:…

Then I got a phone call from HeadRoom's Tyll Hertsens. "Dude! You have got to hear the rewiring job we've done on the '701s. We hardwire a four-conductor Cardas cable directly to the drivers, eliminating at least two solder joints—then we put a Cardas ¼" plug on the end…

Description: Cable upgrades for AKG and Sennheiser headphones.
Price: AKG Fatpipe: $322/10' set terminated with a ¼ plug, $285/5' set terminated with an 1/8" miniplug. Sennheiser upgrade: $222/10' set with ¼" plug, $185/4' with 1/8" miniplug.
US Distributor: HeadRoom Corporation, 2020 Gilkerson Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715. Tel: (800) 828-8184, (406) 587-9466. Fax: (406) 587-9484. Web: www.headphone.com.

"That's why I called you," Schuurman said. "I know you were impressed by the Cayin HA-1A (footnote 1). Vincent is also manufactured in China, but it's designed in Germany. Vincent, in turn, is a branch of Thorens. You're going to be impressed with its build quality."

I was.

Paint your palette blue and…

Perhaps they'll listen now
The Cayin HA-1A, which sort of started this whole thing, was still on hand, so it seemed only natural to compare it to the Vincent. Both have…

Description: Hybrid headphone amplifier with two line-level inputs, one ¼" headphone output and one pair of RCA preamplifier outputs. Tube complement: two 12AX7B. Frequency response: 20Hz–50kHz, ±0.5dB. Nominal output power: 400mW into 300 ohms, 1.75W into 32 ohms. THD: 0.1% max (1kHz, 100mW). Input impedance, 47k ohms. Input sensitivity: 600mV for maximum output. Signal/noise ratio: >90dB.
Dimensions: 10.4" (265mm) H by 6.2" (160mm) W by 8.2" (210mm) D. Weight: 8 lbs (3.6kg).
Finishes: Black, silver.
Serial Number Of Units Reviewed: 20050415079,…

Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe universal player; Simaudio Moon Evolution SuperNova CD player.
Headphone Amplifier: Cayin HA-1A.
Power Amplifier: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300.
Headphones: AKG K701, Cardas AKG K701/Fat Pipe cable; Sennheiser HD-650, Sennheiser HD-650 Cardas Cable mod.
Loudspeakers: Definitive Technology Mythos STS.
Cables: Interconnect: Audience Conductor. Speaker: Audience Conductor.
Accessories: Furutech eTP-609 distribution box, APC APCS15 AC line conditioner; Furutech RDP panels, RealTraps Mini & Mondo Traps.—Wes…

I measured the Vincent Audio KHV-1pre using Audio Precision's top-model SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com) for most of the tests, with some use made of the magazine's original AP System One. Both the preamplifier and the headphone outputs preserved absolute polarity; ie, were non-inverting. The maximum gain assessed at the preamp output jacks was 17.1dB; this increased to 25.8dB at the headphone jacks. Both figures are higher than required for real-world listening, meaning that the volume control will be used mainly at the lower end of its range, as WP found.…