LP Playback: Linn LP12, Naim Armageddon Power Supply, Naim ARO tonearm, van den Hul Frog phono cartridge; LP12/Lingo/Cirkus/Ittok/Arkiv.
CD Playback: Audio Research CD2, Mark Levinson No.39, Meridian 508-24, Naim CD 3.5.
Phono Preamplifiers: AcousTech, Conrad-Johnson Premier Fifteen, Linn Linto, Naim Prefix.
Power Amplifiers: Accuphase M2000, Audio Research VT200, Cary CAD805C, Krell FPB 600.
Loudspeakers: B&W DM 302, B&W Silver Signature, Dynaudio Contour 3.3, EgglestonWorks Andra, Polk RT5, ProAc Response One SC, Aln Circe.
Cables…
search
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Sidebar 2: Specifications
Description: Powered "sub-bass system" with adjustable high-pass filter, DC-coupled, 300W RMS MOSFET amplifier, and "Acoustic Resistive Matrix" (ARM) drive-unit loading. Input connections: one XLR, one speaker level, two RCA. Gain control range: 80dB. Input impedance: 100k ohms (high level), 10k ohms (XLR, RCA), 600 ohms (balanced XLR). Phase: adjustable. Drive-units: two 10" (250mm) long-throw cast-chassis woofers. Enclosure resonant frequency: 20Hz. Enclosure volume: 72 liters. Frequency range: 14-120Hz (lowest frequency is both room- and system-dependent;…
Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.—Henri-Frédéric Amiel
Although French amplifier manufacturer YBA is known for its "only as big as it needs to be" design philosophy, founder Yves-Bernard André must have heard the call of the wild when he dreamed up these somewhat out-of-character superamp monoblocks. The Passion 1000 is relatively large—19" across its heavy faceplate, 19" deep (including the modest heatsinking at the rear)—and stands about 12" high on a trio of chunky round…
A relatively new CD that's freaking me out, it's so good, is Patricia Barber's Modern Cool (Premonition PREM-741-2). "She's a Lady" has an odd, gender-bending atmosphere and a plucky bass line; the harmonic richness and fecundity down below, mated with truly amazing speed and transparency, knocked me for a loop. The bongos in "Postmodern Blues" were vivid and alive with impact, sounding tremendously real. The very tautness of the skins stretched across the bongos' mouths was totally evident. (Like, where's Maynard G. Krebs when you need him?)
Notes: "The bass is so interesting, so full…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state monoblock power amplifier with RCA and XLR inputs, two pairs of output binding posts with different damping factors. Specified output power at 1kHz: 240Wpc into 8 ohms (23.8dBW), 380Wpc into 4 ohms (22.8dBW). Input impedance: 47k ohms. Sensitivity: 1.2V for 240W into 8 ohms.
Dimensions: 19" W by 12" H by 19" D. Weight: 143 lbs each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: AP002A/B.
Price: $16,000/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 17.
Manufacturer: Phlox Electronique, BP, 12 F-91440 Bures-Sur-Yvette, France. US distributor: Audio…
Sidebar 2: The YBA Passion 1000 Power Transformers
Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better.—Richard Hooker
The YBA Passion 1000's transformers are suspended and shock-mounted to reduce the transmission of vibration to the rest of the circuitry. They're also surrounded with mu-metal shields to improve magnetic isolation. While most manufacturers use toroidal transformers, Yves-Bernard André insists that double-C types sound best. The best comes dear, however; double-Cs typically cost three to five times more to fabricate than do toroids.
Yves-…
Sidebar 3: Associated Passions
They declaim against the passions without bothering to think that it is from their flame philosophy lights its torch.—Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade
The main evaluation system consisted of the JMlab Utopia speakers in company with the YBA Signature 6 Chassis preamplifier. I also enjoyed occasional blasts on the Nagra PL-P—a sound that made everyone sit up and notice. The main digital front-end was Theta's DaViD DVD/CD transport and DS Pro Gen.V 24/96 processor, along with the (finally updated to 24/192 spec) dCS Elgar and dCS 972 Sample…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
A full set of measurements of the YBA Passion was made using its unbalanced inputs, with selected measurements repeated in the balanced mode, as noted below.
Following its 1/3-power, one-hour preconditioning test, the Passion's heatsinks were hot, though not too hot to touch, and well within the normal range of temperatures usually encountered during pretest.
The Passion's input impedance measured 49.4k ohms (106.9k ohms balanced). The output impedance measured under 0.15 ohms at 20Hz and 1kHz, increasing to a maximum of 0.17 ohms at 20kHz. Voltage…
One memorable afternoon during HI-FI '97, Kathleen and my pudgy little self were hustling down the crowded corridors of San Francisco's venerable St. Francis Hotel, trying to make the Nagra press event. The Nagra suite was crowded with buzzing journalists, their anticipation palpable—the new Nagra PL-P preamplifier was about to enjoy its official debut. Suddenly the door to the demo room flew open. The vacuum created by the stampeding hordes nearly sucked the hors d'oeuvres off the table.
And there it was, cute as a button, resplendent with eight vacuum tubes, all visible through a clear…
Jumpering for joy
Before use, the PL-P's internal jumpers need to be set for the specific system. A good time to do this set would be after installation of the battery packs. Try to avoid drooling on the thick, gold-burnished circuit boards as we take a little tour through the PL-P's alluring innards.
Before use, the PL-P's internal jumpers need to be set for the specific system. A good time to do this set would be after installation of the battery packs. Try to avoid drooling on the thick, gold-burnished circuit boards as we take a little tour through the PL-P's alluring innards.
First, choose an RIAA EQ option in the phono stage, located on the left of the main circuit board. Remove the jumpers and the EQ curve will conform to a 1978 addendum specifying a -3dB rumble filter at 30Hz. Rumble is not a concern with the air-bearing Forsell Air Force One, so I…