Wadax Hermes

HERMES is a universal streaming client and recorder that incorporates some unique pioneering features. Hermes can be installed in any system and it allows any music sources, analog or digital to be transferred to the media repository with better accuracy that Studio Master standards.

Fully custom server: In order to meet the extreme quality requirements, Hermes stream server core has been developed from scratch.


Custom coding: the reach the quality level desired and be able to apply the musIC process, a new custom coding was defined and is applied as a native coding format to which all media is translated.


Recorder: immortalize your analog LPs and Master Tapes without degradation, transfer your preferred media to the HERMES Net. Features analog and digital inputs to record music and deliver to the network hard disk, fast, safe and easy. - Flexibility: The server is placed on-board HERMES, so the storage element does not need to have on-board processing.


Ease-of-use: Hermes can be controlled by any web browser. An IPad native application is under development.


Build quality & Design: Hermes chassis is built from two solid blocks of 43 Kg aluminum. Industrial design by Ochoa y Díaz Llanos.


Universal: Hermes can be perfectly integrated in any system, however the best performance will be attained when connected to the Wadax system.


Weight: 35Kg / 77,16 Lbs
Dimensions (mm): H 115 x W 469 x D 341
Analog inputs: RCA, XLR
Digital inputs: USB, SPDIF, BNC, TOSLINK, WADAX musIC link.
Analog ouputs: RCA, XLR
Digital output: SPDIF, BNC, TOSLINK, WADAX music link.
Data link for repository: RJ-45.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Status: under development

Antelope Isochrone 10M Rubidium Atomic Clock

Antelope Audio, makers of the Zodiac DAC range, also specializes in audio control clocking devices.  Its Isochrone 10M is a Rubidium Atomic Reference Generator based on real atomic technology that is a staggering 100,000 times more accurate than the quartz oscillators used in most audio equipment. The 10M is designed primarily for studio use but will also appeals to computer audiophiles who just will not live with clock induced jitters.


Features

• Swiss-made Rubidium core with accuracy of 0.03 parts per billion
• Ultra-precise Atomic oscillator with stability of 1 second in 1,000 years
• Rubidium core is FEI 5660 Compatible Stanford PRS10 Equivalent
• Dual Redundant power supply with automatic switchover
• 8 BNC outputs of 10 MHz
• Compatible with any device that accepts 10 MHz reference
• Utmost ease of operation, just connect it and power it on
• Extremely sturdy mechanical construction
• Perfect match for OCX, OCX-V and Trinity
• US$5,995

Accuphase DP-900 transport and DC-901 dac

SACD Transport

Outputs - HS-Link and Coaxial

Weight 30 kg
Size - WxHxD - 47,5x15,6x39,4

Uses two ESS 9018 32 bit dac pr. channel

Digital Inputs - HS-Link, Coaxial, Toslink, AES and 24/192 USB.

External DSP input and Output - for DG-48

Weight 23,4 kg
Size - WxHxD - 47,5x15,6x39,4 cm

Release date - July 2011.

Price - 1,155,000 Y each

Brochure

Meitner Audio MA-1 DAC

$6750

MA-1 is the first product from Ed Meitner's new company

Uses MFAST™ asynchronous technology

Feed the MA-1 through any of its six inputs and the Meitner Frequency Acquisition System (MFAST™) instantly acquires the signal, buffers it, then strips jitter out completely. A high-speed asynchronous system,

it decouples input from output. MFAST™ ensures that you’ll enjoy pristine sonic clarity whether the incoming data stream is pure or anything but.

MDAT™: 2x DSD upsampling

From there, the signal goes straight into the Meitner Digital Audio Translator (MDAT™) which upsamples digital audio to 5.6 MHz, double the SACD standard sampling rate.

Our MA-1 features the standard-setting MDAC™ dual differential discrete D-to-A and MCLK™ high-purity master clock modules. Together, they’re music to our ears. Yours too, as an audition will quickly prove.

Key Features:

- Supported sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz at word lengths up to 24 bits through all 6 digital inputs:

- 1 x USB Class 2

- 1 x AES/EBU

- 2 x TOSLINK S/PDIF

- 2 x COAX S/PDIF

- MFAST™ asynchronous technology for instant signal acquisition, jitter-free performance

- MDAT™ signal processing technology:

- Provides 2x DSD upsampling for PCM playback

- Preserves phase, frequency and dynamic integrity of waveform

- MDAC™ discrete dual differential D-to-A conversion circuit

- MCLK™ high-purity master clock that establishes new benchmarks in jitter performance

- Sleek credit-card style remote control included for input switching

- USB service port for future software upgrades

- Serial port for wired remote control

- Power supply:

- Power factor corrected

- Universal 90V-260V, 50/60Hz

- Power consumption: max. 50W

- CE Approved

Stereo analog outputs: Balanced (XLR) and Unbalanced (RCA)

Output voltage (with 0dBfs input):

- XLR outputs: 4.6Vrms (+15.4dBu)

- RCA outputs: 2.3Vrms (+9.4dBu)

Output impedance:

- 300 ohms balanced (XLR)

- 150 ohms unbalanced (RCA) 

Dimensions W x D x H: 435 x 400 x 92mm

Weight: 7.43 kg/16.39 lbs net with remote control

WIdeaLab Aurender Series digital music storage and playback systems

WIdeaLab announced today the launch of their Aurender Series digital music storage and playback systems with up to 128GB solid-state drive playback and iPad user interface. "Aurender's clocks are based on ultra-stable TCXO or OCXO oscillators with an accuracy of under 5 billionth of a second. Along with proprietary reclocking FPGAs this guarantees signal accuracy for the digital outputs. The Aurenders can store up to 6TB of music in various uncompressed or lossless formats. All models are designed to be used with high-quality DACs and have AES/EBU, coaxial and optical outputs. Other features include Linux OS customized for audio applications, up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, a fanless design and a precision-machined aluminum case and parts designed to protect sensitive components from electromagnetic noise and vibrations. In addition the Aurenders have LAN and USB connections for transfer of music files from external storage devices or PCs. Expected retail prices are $4.600 for the Aurender A10 and $6.100 for the Aurender S10.

On A Higher Note

On A Higher Note is the US distributor for Audioaero, Luxman, Brinkmann, and Vivid Loudspeakers, and Philip O'Hanlon is its founder and president. Philip is also another guy that gets it. Music that is. Actually Philip O'Hanlon has seemingly mastered the art of music presentation and is one of hi-fi's more endearing characters. You really don’t want to leave while the bow-tied and nimble-footed Mr. O'Hanlon is spinning the tunes or telling stories.

To make matters better, the system we listened to was absolutely musically engaging to the extreme. It included the Vivid Audio G2Giya loudspeakers ($50,000/pair), Luxman M-800A class-A stereo amplifier ($19,000), Luxman E-1 phono stage ($4000), Brinkmann Oasis belt-drive turntable ($13,400), Brinkmann 9.6 tonearm ($4000), Brinkmann Pi cartridge ($2700), Audioaero La Source CD/SACD player also used as preamp ($44,000), with Crystal Cable in use throughout.

We listened to Lou Reed’s "A Walk On The Wild Side" on 12" 45rpm vinyl and Rokia Traoré’s wonderfully quirky version of "The Man I Love" and Peter Gabriel’s "The Boy In The Bubble," both on CD, and I wish I had had time for more.

The Audio Salon

LA retailer The Audio Salon was showing an impressive sounding system—Magico Q5 loudspeakers ($59,950/pair), Spectral DMA-360 monophonic reference amplifiers ($20,000/pair), Spectral DMC-30SL reference preamplifier ($10,000), and the Spectral SDR-4000 Reference CD processor ($19,000). Cable was from MIT.

The room was very dark, the Q5s were set up very far apart and the California Guitar Trio's version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" from their CD California Guitar Trio Rocks the West rocked my expectations, and I kept expecting (and kind of hoping) Freddie Mercury or his voice, would peer out from behind the curtain.

Precision Audio Video—Venture Audio—Weiss

Precision Audio Video is both a retailer and the US distributor for Venture and Weiss products. They were exhibiting the Venture Encore Loudspeakers ($46,000/pair), Venture V100A+ Reference monoblock amplifiers ($60,000/pair), Venture VP100 Reference full-function preamplifier ($28,000), Venture VP100P phono preamplifier ($26,000)—"which provides substantial higher quality for the vinyl analogue play back—a Spiral Groove SG1 turntable, with a Spiral Groove tonearm and London Decca cartridge. The Weiss Jason CD Transport ($24,000) fed a Weiss Medea DAC ($20,000) and all cabling was from Venture.

We listened to Eric Clapton’s "Tears in Heaven" unplugged on vinyl and the very nice guy from Precision A/V kept asking his associate to turn it up. One of the issues with demoing hi-fi in a huge ballroom is that it's difficult, or damn near impossible, to energize the room and fully engage the listener.

Audience The One

I got to hear both the Audience ClairAudient 2+2 loudspeaker ($5000/pair, reviewed in the July 2011 issue of Stereophile) and the diminutive ClairAudient THE ONE ($995/pair). Associated electronics and cables were also from Audience and included the Wavepower monoblocks ($14,000/pair), a class-D analog switching power amplifier that put out 200W into 8 ohms, the Wavemaster preamplifier ($13,000), and AU24e cables and power cords and an Adept Response Wavepower High Resolution Power Conditioner ($5000). The source was an Audience-modified Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray player, which was not for sale (priceless).

The Audience guys seemed to get no end of enjoyment watching people’s jaws hit the floor, the rug was littered with audiophile jawbones, when they played the single-driver ClairAudient THE ONE, which has nearly unbelievable bass performance for its size. Both speakers actually sounded big and solid with a nice fat midrange.

Digital Ear - Room 1

Retailer Digital Ear from Tustin, CA was all over this show. I had to keep checking my notes since I began to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day—"I'm in the Digital Ear room, again? But I just left." Room 1 was the Revel/Levinson room—Revel Ultima Salon2 speakers ($21,998/pair), Mark Levinson No.53 monoblock amplifiers ($25,000, the first-ever switching amp from Levinson), Mark Levinson No.326S preamplifier ($10,000), the No.512 CD/SACD Player ($15,000), with cabling from Transparent Audio. I felt this tiny room did not allow you to fully appreciate what you might hear if you were in a more appropriately sized room with this kind of gear. As is, I would not recommend the Revel Salon 2s—a JA favorite—for near-field listening.

LightDims – Tame Annoyingly Bright LEDs

Great for bright blue LEDs on components.

Lightdims

Audio Consulting Meteor MC Step Up Transformer

This new level of Silver Rock MC Step Up Transformer allows for the highest possible quality impedance match and voltage gain when using MC cartridges with phono preamplifiers. It uses unusual high tech magnetic materials together with Audio Consultings's own silver wire. Cotton insulated silver wire is used for the windings, while specific coil geometry is enabling further hum rejection.
The shape of the new Meteor cabinet is intended to increase immunity towards air born vibrations. It is made woods that are carefully dried. The transformer is assembled using wood only, while high tech shielding foils avoid interference with external magnetic fields.

The new “Meteor” Silver Rock MC Step Up Transformer features:

• High tech “Meteor” magnetic material
• Silver wire, cotton sleeved and cryo treated
• High tech shielding materials
• Wooden case for optimum vibration behaviour
• organic oil treatment of wooden case
• low loss RCA connection plugs
• Gain +20 dB, or +26 dB directly available through separate RCA connectors
• cartridge impedance: from 2 to 40 Ohms
• Price: CHF13'600.00

Audeeva Conbrio music server

Read about it here