Analog source: VPI TNT Mk.IV turntable, VPI JMW Memorial 12" tonearm, Grado Reference cartridge.
Digital source: Wadia 830 CD player.
Preamplification: Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 phono preamplifier, Adcom GFP-750 line stage.
Power amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.20.6 monoblocks, VTL Ichiban, VAC Renaissance 70/70.
Loudspeakers: Thiel CS7.2.
Accessories: MIT Z-Systems, PAC Super IDOS, and Nirvana AC isolation and AC delivery systems; Nordost ECO3 and Music Fidelity DiskSolution CD treatments; ASC and Echo Busters room-treatment products; Bright…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
The roadster's throbbing rumble became a roar as the tachometer soared above 4 grand. Like a giant hand, its thrust jammed me back into the seat. Racing along low to the ground, feeling every curve and bump, I began to understand: the automotive virtues of smoothness and insulation had been swapped for firm road grip and the ability to transmit to the driver each jolt and curve in the surface below. Long before I'd climbed into the driver's seat of Porsche's Boxster S, I had known about its low-end snort and speed—the main reasons I was considering a lease—but I had not known about its…
The rear panel has two special outputs (one 5-pin DIN connector, one 4-pin removable screw terminal) to trigger power for other units and for specific input selections. Just above are two RS-232 serial ports for future automation and control functions. The MC-1's main output panel has three pairs of standard stereo amplifier outputs for the front, surround, and rear speakers, as well as single jacks for the center and subwoofer channels. Just above that is the S/PDIF input subpanel, which has five coaxial RCA connectors and three optical connectors for digital input signals. Three stereo…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state digital audio/video controller with 8 sets of line-level analog input; 8 composite (RCA) and 8 S-video video inputs; 5 coaxial (RCA) and 3 optical (TosLink) digital inputs; 3 digital expansion ports for 24-bit/96kHz PCM digital audio. Outputs: Audio line-level: 8 main RCA (Front L/R, Center, Sides L/R, Rear L&R, subwoofer), 3 stereo pairs (2 record, 1 Zone 2). One coaxial digital audio output for digital-to-digital recording. Video: 3 composite (RCA), 3 S-video; 1 monitor, 2 record. Surround-Sound Processing: Dolby AC-3, THX, DTS.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital source: Krell MD-1 CD transport, Theta Carmen DVD/CD and Denon DVM-3700 DVD players.
Preamplifiers: Krell KBL, Mark Levinson ML-7A with L-2 phono section.
Power amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.334, Bryston 9B-ST.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima Salon, Mirage HDT-FCH-1 and HDT-RB-1, Velodyne HGS-18 powered subwoofer.
Video display: Sony 27" SNY-KV27V55 Trinitron direct-view monitor.
Cables: Interconnects: Digital: 75 ohm Silver Starlight and Ultralink Digital Pro coax. Analog: Bryston, Krell Cogelco Yellow, PSC Pristine R30 silver-alloy (all…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
With such a versatile component as the Lexicon MC-1, it's hard to know what to measure first. But as almost everything it does in terms of ambience regeneration and surround-sound processing can be assessed only by listening to the result, I concentrated my examination of the MC-1 in terms of its basic signal-path functionality. All the measurements were performed with the Lexicon set to 2-Channel mode, the tone controls set to flat, and with the left and right front analog output jacks putting out full-range signals.
As the Lexicon performs all its…
In his 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne presents the enigmatic Captain Nemo, commander of the great submarine Nautilus, as powerful, charismatic, and mysterious. On first meeting Nemo, the narrator, M. Aronnax, notes, "I made out his prevailing qualities directly: self-confidence—because his head was well set on his shoulders, and his black eyes looked around with cold assurance; calmness—for his skin, rather pale, showed his coolness of blood; energy—evinced by the rapid contraction of his lofty brows; and courage—because his deep breathing denoted great power of lungs." All in all…
The Nemo's exterior is of black anodized aluminum. The wide, deep, U-shaped chassis is formed from 0.063" stock into panels to which are attached the frontplate and back panel, and which serves as a platform for the two MW180-based amplifier chassis inside. At 92 lbs, the Nemo is somewhat lighter than the Krell and Mark Levinson stereo amps used for comparison listening, and doesn't have those amps' sharp external heatsinks to complicate the job of handling and lifting it. Besides the common AC mains input, the Nemo's rear panel sports an XLR connector for signal input, and a second,…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state monoblock amplifier. Rated output power (20Hz–20kHz,<0.5% THD): 600W into 8 ohms (27.8dBW); 1200W continuous into 4 ohms (27.8dBW). Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.4dB. S/N ratio: >115dB (ref. 1W). Input impedance: 55k ohms balanced (only balanced input available). Total harmonic distortion: <0.001%, 1kHz, half power, 8 ohms. Maximum peak current: >150A. Noise: <150µV (with input shorted, 400Hz–30kHz). Voltage gain: not given. Input sensitivity (for 2.83V output): 41mV. Input sensitivity (for full output): not given.…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Linn Lingo power supply and Ittok tonearm, Spectral moving-coil cartridge.
Digital source: Krell MD-1 CD transport, Adcom GDA-700 D/A processor.
FM tuners: Day-Sequerra FM Reference Classic, Rotel RH-10, Magnum Dynalab MD-102, Model 205 Sleuth RF amplifier.
Preamplification: Krell KBL preamplifier, Mark Levinson ML-7A preamplifier with L-2 phono section, Margulis and Duntech MX-10 moving-coil preamplifiers.
Power amplifiers: Krell KSA-250, Mark Levinson No.334, Bryston 7B-ST monoblocks, Bryston 9B-…