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NuForce Icon USB-input integrated amplifier Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I measured the NuForce Icon using Audio Precision's top-of-the-line SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com), an Audio Precision System One Dual Domain, and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer.

Looking first at the Icon's performance as an amplifier, it offered a low maximum voltage gain of 22.6dB into 8 ohms from its speaker outputs, 6dB from its line-output jack. The line and headphone outputs preserved absolute polarity (ie, were non-inverting), while the speaker outputs inverted polarity. The input impedance was a…

Hyperion HT-88 monoblock power amplifier

Remarkably, I set out to audition the Hyperion HT-88 amplifier ($2800/pair) over two years ago, only to be confounded by shipping errors, miscommunications, and, in the end, a stealthily defective tube. I almost gave up.

But in audio as in the I Ching, persistence pays: Happily, a pair of the Chinese-made Hyperion amplifiers has now performed glitchlessly in my home for weeks, where they've transcended their comparatively modest price in terms of not only sound but of musical character—a quality I associate with rare vintage amps and the best of today's artisanal products, and…

Hyperion HT-88 monoblock power amplifier Page 2

In recent weeks, the Hyperion HT-88s have performed without flaw in two different systems. They've driven those same Quad ESLs, now in my much larger living room (ca 21' by 27'), as well as the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE loudspeakers in the listening room described above. In both cases the amps were driven by my Shindo Masseto preamplifier (output impedance: 600 ohms), using either Shindo silver or Audio Note AN-Vx interconnects. For the most part I relied on the AC cords supplied with the HT-88s as standard equipment, although some aftermarket upgrades I tried had an audible effect. Speaker…

Hyperion HT-88 monoblock power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Single-ended, tubed monoblock power amplifier. Maximum output power: 18Wpc into 8 ohms (12.55dBW). Frequency range: 20Hz–43kHz. Input impedance: 50k ohms. Output impedances: 4, 8, 16 ohms. Signal/noise ratio: >88dB (no reference level quoted). Total harmonic distortion: 0.6%.
Dimensions: 13.25" (340mm) W by 7.8" (200mm) H by 13.25" (340mm) D. Weight: 41.8 lbs (19kg).
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: HP-4022809, HP-4022810, HP-4022719.
Price: $2800/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 7.
Manufacturer: Hyperion Sound Design, Inc., 1305…

Hyperion HT-88 monoblock power amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable with Linn Basik & Naim Armageddon power supplies; Thorens TD-124 Mk.II turntable; Rega Planar 3 turntable with Rega RB300 tonearm; Naim Aro, EMT 997 tonearms; Linn Akiva, Koetsu Black, Miyabi Mono & 47, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65, Shindo SPU, Ortofon SPU Synergy A cartridges.
Digital Sources: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player, Sony PlayStation 1 CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 & Standard, Tamura TKS-83, K&K, Koetsu step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto, Lamm LL2 Deluxe, DNM 3-D Primus…

Hyperion HT-88 monoblock power amplifier Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I used Audio Precision's top-of-the-line SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com) to examine the Hyperion's measured behavior; for some tests, I also used my vintage Audio Precision System One Dual Domain.

Art Dudley had been bothered by high levels of hum from two of the samples he'd been sent by Hyperion. He therefore broke off his auditioning to send me all three samples of the HT-88, so that I could try to track down the problem. I performed a complete set of measurements on all three amplifiers; in the end, I found a problem…

Music in the Round #34

Sometimes, I think life would be easier if I were an audio customer. If I didn't have to wait on the priorities of the electronics companies, I might have gone out and bought a Blu-ray player months ago. Had I done so, I would have been shocked to find that almost all BD players are released with fewer than the advertised number of features, and sometimes require firmware updates—sometimes even a return to the manufacturer—to have them installed.

The issue is important—some preamplifier-processors and A/V receivers can decode all of the high-definition audio formats, but many can't, and…

Music in the Round #34 Page 2

Parasound Halo P 7 preamplifier
When I first heard of Parasound's Halo P 7 preamplifier, at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show, I was excited: a high-end stereo preamplifier made by a respected company and designed to interface with a multichannel system. In addition, it looked great and was expected to have a list price of $2000. Now, almost three years later, the P 7 is finally available, and it delivers on every point.

Parasound's literature talks about the P 7 as if it is a multichannel preamplifier. It is, of course, but I think of it differently. First, it's purely…

Music in the Round #34 Contacts

Sidebar 1: Contacts

Denon Electronics (USA) LLC, 100 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041. Tel: (201) 762-6500. Fax: (201) 762-6670. Web: www.usa.denon.com.
DSPeaker, VLSI Solution, Hermiankatu 8B, G porras, 2 kerros, FIN-33720 Tampere, Finland. Tel: (358) 3-3140-8200. Fax: (358) 3-3140-8288. Web: www.dspeaker.com, www.vlsi.fi.
Parasound Products, Inc., 2250 McKinnon Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124. Tel: (415) 397-7100. Fax: (415) 397-0144. Web: www.parasound.com.

Music in the Round #34 Recordings in the Round

Sidebar 2: Recordings In The Round

SCHNITTKE: Piano Concertos 1–3
Ewa Kupiec, Maria Lettberg, piano; Frank Strobel, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Phoenix Edition 103 (SACD/CD)

Alfred Schnittke's three piano concertos could not be more different in size and mood, nor could they be more in common as essential Schnittke. The Piano Concerto (1960) is big and unabashedly modern, à la Prokofiev, with much weight and attitude. The Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra (1979) and the Concerto for Piano (4 hands) and Chamber Orchestra (1988) are smaller but not sweeter. All…