Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Enjoy the Music.com has published Part 2 of its “Cables Galore” article, this time focusing on interconnects. The following balanced and unbalanced models were put up against a reference of the Nordost Valhalla ($4,300/pair):
- Atlas Cable Mavros Balanced Interconnect ($1,760/pair)
- The Music Cable Truly Balanced Interconnect ($320/pair)
- Dynamic Design Lotus Balanced Interconnect ($800/pair)
- Crystal Cable Dreamline Balanced Interconnect ($7,300/pair)
- EMM Cables Isopath Unbalanced Interconnect ($895/pair)
- Dynamic Design Heritage Unbalanced Interconnect ($2,000/pair)
- MIT Oracle V3.2 Unbalanced Interconnect ($2,999/pair)
Reviewer Phil Gold called this “One Tough Review,” and I believe him. He was looking for a bargain but ultimately determined you get what you pay for.
Read the entire article, then check out Part 1, which looked at “three sets of matching interconnects and speaker cables.” Also watch out for Part 3, which will deal solely with power cables.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
6moons has reviewed another component from Japanese maker Yamamoto Sound Craft. This time it’s the YDA-01 DAC ($2,450). Reviewer Srajan Ebaen gave this DAC a Blue Moon Award for “Liquidity, Speed, Tension and No Tubes” in the D/A Converter category. He summed up his impression by way of an analogy:
“First Watt goes digital.” If Nelson Pass did a D/A converter for First Watt, this is what you’d expect. Those familiar with his F3 – F5 amps can transfer their sonics to the YDA-01 for a very close approximation.
Read the entire review, then check out 6moons’ recent review of the Yamamoto A-09S tube stereo power amplifier (JPY 680,000-780,000).
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Stereo Times has published a review of the NSR Sonic Research Concerto D3 Sonata floorstanding speakers ($5,995/pair). These are striking in appearance (photo) and specs, with 20Hz–40kHz frequency response, 93.7dB sensitivity, and 5 ohms nominal impedance.
After considerable break-in time, reviewer Frank Alles commented on their resolution, natural reproduction of voices, excellent imaging, and wide sweet spot. He had some trouble with a somewhat forward lower treble, but ultimately concluded:
From the piano to the brasses and the strings, the D3’s will provide more crystal clear harmonic information and texture than any other speaker I’ve heard to date.
Read the entire review, then decide what color you want. Red, gray, and black are standard colors, or an extra $250 gets you any standard automotive finish. I’m thinking Ferarri Yellow would look nice in any living room…
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The SoundStage! Network, a collection of sites under publisher Doug Schneider and editor-in-chief Marc Mickelson, has posted an update. The following hi-fi equipment reviews are included:
Read the reviews, then check out the new GoodSound! review of the Elemental Designs A2-300, a $350 subwoofer that earned a “Great Buy” designation.
Note: If the Elemental Designs review is no longer on the page linked to above, you can find it in the GoodSound! archives. I know this is a pain, but I don’t want to make you wait until the review has a permanent URL before I post a link to it…
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
AVRev.com, aka Audio Video Revolution, has reviewed the Escalante Design Fremont full-range monitor speakers ($18,900/pair). These are big (photo), efficient designs that apparently go down to 18 Hz.
Reviewer Ken Taraszka, MD (?) liked the environmentally-friendly materials and techniques used to make them, but was struck by their huge physical dimensions:
They are actually the biggest monitors I have ever seen, and are quite frankly larger than many floor-standing speakers I have seen and/or reviewed.
In conclusion, Dr. Taraszka writes:
I think I have found my ultimate speakers in the Fremonts, and would encourage you to listen to them yourself if you want it all: timber, high and low extension, incredible detail, finesse and a dynamic range that will astound.
Read the entire review, then take a look at AVRev.com’s archive for more full-range loudspeaker reviews. The site has shifted its focus somewhat toward home theater in recent years, but it’s still worth a look.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
TNT-Audio, an ad-free web magazine based in Italy, has published an update with two new reviews:
If you’re wondering why a CD player from 2005 is being reviewed in late 2008, you may find your answer in Editor-in-Chief Lucio Cadeddu’s response to a recent question in the Reader’s Corner section:
Being a completely independent magazine allows us to review and publish whatever we want. No pressure from advertisers means complete freedom of speech.
Please keep up the good work, Lucio!
10 Audio has reviewed the Miyajima Shilabe MC phono cartridge ($2,800) and given it a perfect “10 LPs” rating. This is a moving coil cartridge that “weighs 10.4 grams, has an output of 0.23mV with a coil resistance of ‘about 16 Ohms,’ and a recommended tracking force of 2.5 – 3.2 grams.”
Reviewer Jerry S. compared its sound to two other highly regarded units, calling it:
… a cross between the speed, dynamics and micro-resolution of a Lyra Helikon SL and the warmth and harmonic development of a Koetsu Urushi.
Jerry summed up his impressions as follows:
The Miyajima Shilabe phono cartridge is closer to perfection than any cartridge I have previously experienced. It may be possible to surpass its outstanding performance, perhaps with a “Shilabe mk. 2â€. Until then, I am indeed a devoted fan.
Read the entire review, then check out Jerry’s review of the Koetsu Urushi, among other Koetsu models, from 2002.
DAGOGO, the strangely named but consistently well-written web site from publisher/editor Constantine Soo, has reviewed the Audio by Van Alstine (AVA) Ultra DAC ($1,599). This is a 16-bit, 4x oversampling design that employs two 6N1P tubes in a “transimpedence circuit.”
Reviewer Doug Schroeder questioned its “intentionally devised limitations,” such as the forced 16-bit mode operation and non-removable power cable. Compared to the tube-based Monarchy M24 DAC, Doug thought the sound was immediate and warm but lacking treble extension.
In conclusion, Doug writes:
The frustrating conclusion (frustration from what I perceive is holding it back) I draw in regards to the Ultra Dac is that it does perform at a very respectable level. In fact, it sounds amazingly good for a DAC with a toaster power cord and 16-bit processing.
Read the entire review, then check out Frank Van Alstine’s comment at the end. If you find yourself nodding in agreement, check out The Audio Critic, a site by fellow objectivist Peter Aczel. His articles attacking aftermarket power cords and other “tweako” products are always entertaining.
Positive Feedback Online has published its November issue. In addition to a variety of stories and articles, the new issue contains two new component reviews:
Also included are reviews of the Cable Research Labs Copper Series interconnects ($895/pair) and Marigo Audio VX Mystery Feet $699 (set of three), both by the always enthusiastic Robert H. Levi.
Of the mystery feet, Mr. Levi exclaimed:
I placed the VX Feet under my Cary SET Amp which was supported by Vibrapods and a very heavy wood shelf with thick foam dampening. YIKES! It transmogrified into a new amp. The VX Feet shocked me on first listening!
Intrigued? Check out the Positive Feedback Online archives for many (hundreds?) more reviews of cables and accessories.
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has reviewed the Electric Bamboo AC Line Purifier ($2,995). This device “has eight Hubble star grounded receptacles, four of which are designed for digital, the other four for analog.” Reviewer Jason Victor Serinus writes what can only be described as a painfully honest review. He compares the unit to his reference, the Nordost Thor:
But with the Electric Bamboo, I felt the highs somewhat damped compared to the Thor. It was as though the triangle on the opening section of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances had a curtain drawn over it, dulling and minimizing its impact. It rang less in space, and seemed to die off faster.
On the recommendation of the manufacturer, he changed interconnects and noted:
Not that I particularly liked what I heard, or thought it “better†than the sound with the Thor. It was just that, with highs dulled and colors more homogenized, the entire gestalt became more acceptable.
Finally, in conclusion, Jason states:
No grand conclusions here. Different strokes for different folks, different conditioners for different systems.
Read the entire review, then thank your diety of choice that there are earnest people out there who are willing to spend this kind of effort to evaluate cryogenically treated power strips. You gotta love this hobby!
