Tuesday, July 31, 2012

EnKlein Aeros Interconnect













The Aeros interconnect is made from a double “stiletto” construct that is an evolutionary step for EnKlein. The stiletto architecture was first introduced with the Amphora phono cable.

Aeros is constructed with our proprietary sealed air tubes to maintain an atmospheric balance not affected by changes in barometric pressure or humidity. Each fine silver conductor is hedged by type 1 copper for an internal barrier, reducing the noise floor and increasing air in the upper octaves and a controlled, deeper low end. Pairing with our proprietary thin film passive shield creates an environment for your music to thrive.

Terminations: fine silver RCA or Delrin encapsulated silvered pin XLR.

Pricing of $6200 (1 meter and $3100 each additional meter).

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Vintage: Barclay Digital Gold F1 cd transport

















Price was around €30,000 when it was available about 10 years ago.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

FM Acoustics Vintage Preamps - part 4

To fill the gap between 155 and 266 FMA released 255 in 1998 and 245 in 2003.

155 was released earlier in 1998.

255 price in 2002 was CHF 27000 and 266 CHF 50000, 155 CHF 8200.































255 was replaced by 255II in 2006.

FM Acoustics Vintage Preamps - part 3

In 1992 FMA finally released an preamp which was at the same level as their amps.

The fully balanced 266 at the price of CHF 36000.






























266 was produced for 14 years before it was replaced by 266II in 2006.


Specs
CMRR - 100dB
S/N - 120dB
Bandwidth - 1Hz-2MHz
Input impedance - 100k
Output impedance - 10 ohm
Output stage max cable length - 1000m+
Max input/output voltage - 9V/19,5V
Rise/Fall time - 300 ns
Weight - 7kg


From Bert Whyte - Audio Magazine in 1992

After extended listening with the FM 266, I was impressed in much the same way as I was by its companion FM 811 power amplifier, which is to say that its absolutely effortless dynamic music expression could take me from hushed string pianissimo to awesome fortissimo orchestral tuttis instantaneously. There was no lag or delay, no sense whatever of any kind of com pression or limiting due to circuit inadequacies.
The full gamut of orchestral dynamics was present with a verisimilitude equaled only by the live concert experience. You expect a truly clean signal from equipment of this caliber, but I was amazed at the low-level sounds or, when there were rests in the music, at the utter silence.

The FM 266 was utterly and absolutely sonically transparent, with not even a vestigial hint of hum or a single noise artifact.
I've used balanced equipment for many years in my recording activities, and the stunning performance of the FM Acoustics 266 preamplifier made the case for a balanced system more convincing than ever.

FM Acoustics Vintage Preamps - part 2

In 1989 came the 244 series.

3 versions - A with MC phono, B with MM phono and C line level.

Prices in CHF
A - 16000
B - 13500
C - 11000

The sound was very good, but not at the same level as the FMA amps.
But later a module upgrade was available, which offered much better sound - upgrade price CHF 1500.













































FM Acoustics Vintage Preamps - part 1

FMA's first preamp came out in 1982; the 240.















Only unbalanced input and outputs.
Pictured is a special version with balanced out.
















Also a gold version was available.

Viard Audio Design Platinum HD speaker cables




























Viard Audio Design is proud to introduce a totally new concept in speaker cables, called Platinum HD, an absolute reference. Aimed for the most ambitious stereo systems, it is the fruit of a long development with even higher specifications than the famous Silver HD line.

From mono-wire to bi-wire, including active or passive multi-amp systems, all the combinations are allowed thanks to an exclusive system of interchangeable « heads » that always deliver the ideal link for the optimal listening performance.

Beyond the usual cables, the Platinum HD line is a real concept without compromise: the mix of a thorough selection of refined materials, and intense listening sessions on the most prestigious systems in the world. Each parameter was optimized:

-Transmission line separated for bass and treble frequencies, each benefiting of its dedicated section for optimal performance

-Mono-wire and bi-wire interchangeable heads with beryllium copper springs

-Star wiring with effective shielding against electro-magnetic interferences

-Unique jacket structure made with an outer screen of supple leather alternated with aluminum rings turned in the mass, cancelling any microphonic effects and vibrations.

The Platinum HD line is a genuine flagship, a statement for the Viard Audio Design brand that demonstrates the workmanship and passion of the Team whose goal is the ultimate musical performance through innovation and attention to details.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Hartvig TT Signature Turntable





























Thales Simplicity and Ikeda 9TT















Prices

TT Signature
$28,400 High Gloss Black
$29,300 Real Wood Veneer
$29,700 Wood With Inlay

Battery Supply
$5,400 High Gloss Black
$5,900 Real Wood Veneer
$6,200 Wood With Inlay

Extra Arm Tower
$2,600

Friday, July 13, 2012

Onedof turntable with Kuzma 4Point tonearm and Lyra Atlas
















In the review of Onedof turntable in July issue of Stereophile fitted with 4Point tonearm M. Fremer wrote:
"It produced an experience like listening to open-reel tape, with imaging and soundstaging stability superior to those of any arm I've heard, including Continuum Cobra.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Meitner MA-2 Integrated Playback System























$11000

Key Features & Specifications:

Advanced slot-loading transport for Red Book CD playback
Supported sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz at word lengths up to 24 bits through all 4 digital inputs:

1 x USB
1 x AES/EBU
1 x TOSLINK S/PDIF
1 x COAX S/PDIF

DSD streaming over USB (DoP 1.0 specification)
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 the waveform
MDAC™ discrete dual differential D-to-A conversion circuit
MCLK™ high-purity master clock that establishes new benchmarks in jitter performance

Multifunction infrared remote control
USB service port for future software upgrades
RS232 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 140mm
Weight: 9.0 kg/19.8 lbs net with remote control

Musical Fidelity M6 Dac
















£1999

Release date - October 2012

Brochure

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Audio Consulting R-evolution Stealth Turntable















$150,000

The Stealth consists of two elaborate designs where its innards (34 cm diameter), are made out of a heavy and vibration treated cylinder. The latter is made of wood, sand and bronze bell (bronze from the cow’s bell makers in the Swiss Alps).

It’s a direct drive, motor with a 8 kg shaft and a 2 kg wooden platter. This is one of few turntable that uses wood as platter. The outer ring is made out of one single CNC milled donut of 80 cm, single piece of American walnut wood that’s been dried for 20 years after cutting.

After CNC milling there’s intense labor by Swiss artisans  that require a full four days. Finally, after more than 10 layers of special bees-wax is applied only then is the Stealth near completion.The inner and outer parts have no mechanical connection, thus avoiding mechanical feedback loops typical of the platter-cartridge-arm-platter type.

The Stealth uses a powerful direct drive motor with two separate battery power supplies. Incredibly, it only consumes one watt when rotating and uses only sophisticated electronic parts and a silver wire MC step up transformer.

The Stealth is large. So large in fact, it comes equipped with the same Accurion/Halcyonic Vario 60 active vibration control system specifically designed for electron microscopes.