Wizard High-End Audio Blog

Review: Sonus Veritas Venice Phono Preamp

2012-01-28T21:52:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Review: Sound Application SA-1 AC Filter

2012-01-28T10:40:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Review: Pass Labs XP-25 Phono Stage

2012-01-27T18:03:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Review: Shindo silver cables

2012-01-27T09:06:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Boulder 3050 mono power amplifier - inside

2012-01-26T16:03:00.001+01:00

$195,000

• Massive Power Output. With an abundant reserve of power, the 3050 is the ultimate audio amplifier. It will produce 1,500 watts of continuous power into any load and requires a 240VAC mains feed. Peak output power is a staggering 6,000 watts. 5 encapsulated and potted toroidal transformers, 48 filter capacitors and 120 bipolar output devices ensure that voltage headroom is more than adequate, current delivery is instantaneous, damping is optimized and control of every driver in the loudspeaker is ideal. Distortion is 0.0006%, unheard of for an amplifier of this size.

• Distinctive, Modern Architecture. Despite their size, the amplifiers aesthetics are a dramatic step forward in audio component design. The exterior of a pair of 3050s is truly unique. Nowhere does the casework terminate in a 90-degree angle and no assembly screws are visible. Because every piece of metalwork is carved from a single block of aluminum dedicated to each finished unit, the amplifiers’ left and right chassis do not share any common exterior parts. Even the power buttons and LED indicators are new creations.

• Substantially Improved Noise Floor. Improvements in the circuit layout properties of electronics originally developed for the 1008 Phono Preamplifier led to further engineering advances in the 3050’s new circuit architecture. As noise is reduced, more low-level information from the recording is revealed and rendered more accurately.

• New 99H Gain Stage. A new, fully discrete, surface-mount gain stage evolved from Boulder’s own renowned 993 features prominently in the 3050. The new gain stage, dubbed the 99H (“H” for “high voltage”), utilizes +/-38V rails to raise the dynamic headroom of the gain stage to
unprecedented levels. All 99H circuitry is sealed in a beautifully machined, textured and heatsunk housing before being potted with a proprietary mineral and epoxy resin. Thermal stability and increased reliability are thus happy by-products of dramatically improved performance.

• Fully Balanced, Phase Isolated Construction. Outputs are fully-balanced and inputs are of instrumentation quality balanced design. Active output audio circuitry is separated for total isolation of mirror-imaged positive and negative phases. Attention to detail is, of course, well beyond expectations in a product of this level.

• Framed and Damped Circuit Board Mounting. Every critical audio circuit board in the new 3050 is framed in a custom machined, aerospace-grade aluminum housing rather than screwed to a plate. Vibration damping material is then sandwiched between the circuit board and the frame in order to eliminate even the tiniest mechanical resonances that could have any possible microphonic effect on the clarity of the musical output.

• Custom Granite and Stainless Steel Platform. Because of the tremendous weight of each 3050 (380 lbs./172 kg), every unit is shipped with a stable platform of alternating layers of black granite and polished stainless steel that is custom cut to the angles and dimensions of each chassis. This is no longer just an audio component, but art on a pedestal.

Review: Audionet EPC PSU for PAM G2 phono stage

2012-01-26T15:46:00.000+01:00

Read it in German here

ZenSati interview

2012-01-26T15:28:00.000+01:00

Hear it here

Voxativ 845 mono power amp

2012-01-26T15:16:00.001+01:00

Our flagship is the Voxativ 845 mono power amp. This is a complete new development and the base for a series of Voxativ high-end electronic components.

Output tube used in the new monos is the Elrog ER 845 from Dr. Klaus Schaffernicht. Distinctive feature of this tube is a CNC-milled graphite anode - the first major innovation in tube technology since 80 years.

Single Ended technology with high performance and new ideas. And of course: Handmade in Germany.

Please look forward to the matching Voxativ preamp that will have it's first presentation at the Munich highend show in 2012.

Technical Data :

Frequency Response : 20 - 20.000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio : 100 dB
Distortion : 1 %
Tubes : 1 x Elrog ER 845
Input Sensitivity : 500 mV
Input : 1 x line
Output : 8, 16 Ohms
Power Handling : 18 W
Power Consumption : 300 W
Colour : silver, gold
Dim W x H x D : 30 x 30 x 44 cm
Weight : 30 kg

Audio Research DSPre

2012-01-25T17:33:00.000+01:00

€7500

Tidal Impulse Amplifier

2012-01-25T14:51:00.001+01:00

The Impulse amplifier represents a major improvement over the predecessor in terms of naturalness and control.

If you want to bi-amp at a later stage, the active crossover-LPX is built inside.

Dalby Audio Design D7 Ultimate Preamplifier

2012-01-25T14:31:00.001+01:00

Dalby Audio Design

TONEAudio Issue 43

2012-01-24T21:31:00.000+01:00

Download issue 43 here

Lycan Audio Ulric subwoofer

2012-01-24T15:21:00.002+01:00

$15000

Christopher Mayer's Ulric subwoofer under the Lycan Audio brand has all the makings to answer the above with a yes.

Check out the specs. 24 x 38 x 34.5" sealed enclosure weighing 712lb/322kg. 18-inch 90lb woofer with anodized aluminum diaphragm, pure stainless steel voice coil, Titanium former, 11" spider, 3.2" peak-to-peak excursion and 7.400w of peak current handling. Anechoic response +/-1dB 17Hz - 150Hz, -3dB @ 14Hz, -10dB @ 9Hz. Max anechoic SPL 121.3dB. 90.1dB sensitivity at 60Hz.

The enclosure starts out as an 850lb slab of 36-sheet Baltic Birch whose internals get routed out into a broken-wall oval to end up with side walls ranging from 4.5 to 10.5 inches thick. The front baffle is massive aluminum. Amplification is via modified ICEpower.

Listening: The Sonus Faber

2012-01-23T21:11:00.000+01:00

Read it in Swedish here

Review: JE Audio VL 19 Balanced Line Stage

2012-01-23T14:17:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Review: Stein Music Master Class SP 1.1

2012-01-22T16:53:00.000+01:00

Read it in Spanish here

Jeff Rowland Model 725 mono amplifiers

2012-01-21T21:35:00.003+01:00

$28000 /pr

Precision machined from two single blocks of non-resonant aircraft aluminum, the Model 725 features a unique composite circuit architecture incorporating separate Class AB voltage and current gain blocks with no overall negative feedback.

The Model 725 features mil-spec ceramic circuit boards, high current copper bus bars, a power supply incorporating 4-pole capacitors and power factor correction, combined to deliver a life-like grain-free musicality of breathtaking transparency.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Machined Aluminum Chassis
Precision-machined chassis with integrated heatsinks, milled from a solid block of aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum, provides exceptional thermal heat transfer/dissipation, RFI/EMI shielding, and resonance control.

Ceramic Circuit Boards
All audio circuits are implemented on mil-spec, multi-layer, low dielectric constant, Rogers™ ultra-rigid ceramic circuit board substrate for extremely low energy retention and absorption. Large low impedance ground plane areas for extended internal star-grounding.

Composite Circuit Architecture
Unique composite circuit architecture incorporating separate Class AB voltage and current gain blocks with no overall negative feedback, delivers a sensuous grain-free musicality of unparalleled transparency and low level resolution.

Balanced Topology
Inherent cancellation effects of balanced topology implemented throughout all power and input/output circuits ensures greatly reduced distortion and noise under dynamic signal conditions.

High Current Copper Bus-bars
High current, dual polarity, ultra low impedance copper bus-bars distribute both power supply input current and signal output current, virtually eliminating intra-circuit EMI signal contamination, greatly reducing internal wiring, while increasing circuit board rigidity.

High-Precision Surface Mount Components
Extensive use of Lead (Pb)-free, low temperature coefficient, active and passive surface-mount components results in significantly smaller loop areas, reduced circuit capacitance and inductance, and introduces less noise than conventional leaded components.

Transformer-Coupling and Isolation
Transformer coupled input circuitry provides universal component compatibility and virtually eliminate ground loop noise and RFI/EMI. Transformer coupling ensures identical amplifier overall gain when using unbalanced input adapters.

Power Factor Correction
Power Factor Correction (PFC) in the power supply reduces AC line harmonic noise pollution and increases AC line power utilization to 99%.

High-Efficiency Switch-Mode Power Supply
Highly efficient, compact, light weight, 1500 watt DC switch-mode power supply provides optimum voltage regulation for all circuits and operating conditions, and allows for quiet operation over a wide range of AC mains power sources.

Parallel Binding Posts
Dual CE approved speaker output terminals require no tools for secure, low resistance connections, and allow for easy bi-wiring applications.

Flexible 20 amp AC Power
20 amp AC power inlet accepts a wide variety of after-market high-performance power cables.

Front Panel Standby Button
Illuminated front panel push-button switches the amplifier into standby mode (< 1 watt consumption).

Rear Panel Remote Jack
12V 3.5mm jack on rear panel permits amplifier power on/standby switching in remote and home theater applications.

Self-Leveling Supports
Removable 3-point self-leveling Delron chassis supports provide high frequency mechanical noise isolation.

SPECIFICATIONS

Output Power
330 watts @ 8 ohms / 650 watts @ 4 ohms

Frequency Response
5 Hz – 350 kHz

S/N Ratio
95 dB, ref. 1.0 watt @ 8 ohm load

Output Noise
< 55 µv, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, unweighted

Crosstalk
> 91 dB @ 1 kHz, 74 dB @ 20 kHz

Input Impedance
40k ohms

THD + Noise
0.004% @ 1 kHz, 8 ohms

Damping Factor
> 200, 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Overall Gain (Balanced or Unbalanced)
27 dB

Common Mode Rejection Ratio
> 90 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Absolute Phase Non-inverting
Pin 2 Positive

Inputs
Balanced (XLR)

Outputs
2 parallel binding posts

Power Consumption Idle
85 watts

Power Consumption Standby
1 watt

Amplifier Weight
54 lbs. / 24.5 kg (each)

Amplifier Shipping Weight
64 lbs. / 29 kg (each)

Overall Amplifier Dimensions (h/w/d)
5.75” x 15.5” x 16.25” / 146mm x 394mm x 413mm (each)

Perfect8 Technologies The Point MkII

2012-01-21T19:05:00.005+01:00

$115,000

With THE POINT MKII we have taken the original design to the next level. Refined it's performance and optimized it's design further.The natural beauty of THE POINT MKII will greatly enhance any sophisticated interior and simply deserve to be the center piece in your favorite space.

THE POINT MKII sports a new subwoofer enclosure that's been made smaller without any sacrifice in low frequency response.New 10” drivers perfectly matches the performance of the dipole panel with deep extended, super tight and ultra controlled bass reproduction. Featuring record low mechanical losses, significantly decreased distortion, increased excursion and ultra-stiff aluminium cones each driven by an oversized 10 kg magnet.

The new 10” drivers are matched by the absolute pinnacle of the latest DSP controlled, State of the Art Class D 800W subwoofer amplifier technology at 92% efficiency, now miraculously integrated into the glass subwoofer enclosure.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Sensitivity (2.83V): 85dB SPL @ 1m
Impedance: 4 ohms
Frequency response: 16Hz–26KHz +/- 1dB from target response.
Typical THD: < typically 0.2% throughout midrange at 96dB SPL
Radiation pattern: Monopole below 70Hz, dipole point-source above 150Hz, traversing cardioid in-between
Recommended power: Long term maximum power: 200W
Short term maximum power: 500W
Maximum Impulse Power: 1000W
Recommended room size: 15 – 100m²
Size (WxHxD): 296 x 1100 x 500mm
Mass (approx.): 80Kg / channel

Treble: Air motion transformer with extremely light and resonant free folded foil and powerful neodymium magnet system.Modified in-house to ensure freedom from structural vibrations and optimize radiation pattern.

Midrange / Upper Bass: 2 (per channel) x 7" proprietary Mg-Cones with ultra linear magnetic drive. Resonances and energy storage way outside pass band.

Subwoofer: 2 (per channel in force balancing arrangement) ultra linear super long stroke 10” drivers with extremely stiff aluminum cones and 10kg magnet motor each. Each cone driver is powered by its own 400W state of the art DSP controlled wide bandwidth amplifier resulting in a total system subwoofer power of 1600W integrated in the subwoofer enclosures.

Stahl~Tek at CES

2012-01-21T16:06:00.000+01:00

Peak Consult speakers and Vitus RI-100

Opus transport and dac

Digital bridge

The making of an 800 Series Diamond speaker

2012-01-21T15:31:00.000+01:00

See it here

Review: Kodo The Beat turntable

2012-01-21T15:08:00.000+01:00

Read it here

DALI Epicon 6 speakers

2012-01-20T14:14:00.000+01:00

€9000

Review: AURALiC Taurus headphone amplifier

2012-01-20T13:52:00.000+01:00

Read it here

Astin Trew Concord DAC 1

2012-01-20T06:42:00.000+01:00

The DAC 1 features asynch 24/192 USB as well as FireWire and I2S inputs. It has a 6922 buffered tube output stage for single-ended connections and solid state for balanced output. Price should be around $4,500-$5,000.

Krell S-550i integrated amplifier

2012-01-19T17:22:00.001+01:00

It has not only the usual unbalanced and balanced inputs, the S-550i also includes an iPod dock.

The volume control is a balanced resistor ladder, so channel tracking ought to be essentially perfect.

It's rated at 275 watts into 8 Ω and 550 watts into 4 Ω.

Price $5,000, S-550i should be available in March 2012.