Monday, March 31, 2014
Muraudio Domain Omni PX1
$58000
The Domain Omni PX1 is purpose designed for operation with audiophile grade power amplifiers. The audio signal is separated into low and high frequency channels with a precision passive crossover network utilizing the highest quality components including only air-core inductors and polypropylene film capacitors.
The PX1 can be bi-amplified if preferred or driven from a single amplifier. The PX1 is a nominal 8 Ohm system up to about 5 KHz with minimum impedance of 2 Ohms load at 20 kHz due to the capacitive load of the electrostatic panels. In music there is very little spectral power above 5-10 kHz and as such, the PX1 is fully compatible with 4-8 Ohm rated amplifiers. The audio step-up transformer delivering the critical audio signal to the electrostatic panel is a balanced-interleaved typology comparable to that used in the world’s finest tube amplifiers.
Specifications
Type
Passive Omni-directional Hybrid Electrostatic
ESL Transducer Configuration
3 x 120 Degree Continuous Curve
ESL Dispersion
360 Degree Horizontal x 16 Degree Vertical
ESL Membrane Area
5,000 cm² (active area)
ESL Membrane Type
Ultra thin tensioned Mylar film (3.8 µm)
Maximum SPL
105 dB at 2m on axis
LF Enclosure
Architectural anti-resonant aluminum casting
LF Alignment
Sealed (Qts 0.68)
LF Driver Area (Sd)
640 cm2 (effective area of all 3 drivers)
Crossover
450 Hz, LR4
Frequency response
30 Hz – 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB) Anechoic
20 Hz – 22 kHz Typical Room
Sensitivity
82 dB (1W/1m)
Impedance
8 Ohm (nominal)
2 Ohm minimum at 20 kHz
Input Power
500 W (RMS)
1000 W (program peak)
Power Input for ESL Supply
18 VDC, 300 mA (max)
Dimensions (H x Diam.)
1,443mm x 447mm (maximum envelope)
Weight
66 kg
Features
Dual 5-way gold-plated binding post
Bi-wireable/Bi-amp capable
Feet with non-marring polymer pads (no spikes required)
Soundstage
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Sonus Faber Ex3ma
€30000
Super Limited Edition for our 30th Anniversary.
Only 30 pairs will be avaliable.
Extrema’s story and its DNA.
After the success obtained with Parva, Minima, Electa and Electa Amator, Sonus faber wanted to use its experience and try a new ambitious project that would exceed limits and create a new reference. In 1991 Extrema came to light, a unique speaker with quite ambitious objectives. Extrema owes its name to its special loudspeakers, to the 6 dB/octave crossover, the first without capacitors in series to the signal, and to its particular cabinet designed to optimise component performance and the dampened rear passive radiator. Thanks to these characteristics it represented maximum development for a dynamic speaker and, because of this, a notable challenge for the most sophisticated electronic systems, as well as their ideal combination.
The re-birth of a myth and the celebration of 30 years of History.
Extrema is the most front-running project in the history of Sonus faber. It is a milestone on its development road, one of those maximum expressions in the design of acoustic speakers that has become a myth for all enthusiasts. The maximum possible performance and perfect sound reproduction were the factors that guided its development, both for design and in the electro-acoustic project. In its 30 years of history, Sonus faber has produced various successes, and it has developed greatly in technological research and the use of materials, but it has always remained faithful to its DNA and its traditions. This is why, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Sonus faber decided to pay homage to its most “extreme” project, remaining perfectly adherent to the intentions that characterised its creation, but integrating it with the new technological development, electro-acoustic research, design and material use frontiers.
THE SHAPE
The wiry shape of the speaker breaks on purpose the tradition of the soft lines that characterise Sonus faber products, and was obtained using a reduction process in which the volume was extracted from a block of rigid material. As marble under the skilled hands of the sculptor, the raw material has been broken to obtain clean cuts and tight surfaces. Extrema is for performance without compromises and its dynamic lines mirror its character and nature.
THE CARBON FIBER
Carbon, a very particular chemical element at the base of all the life on our planet, is present in nature in various forms, from the softest such as graphite to the hardest such as diamonds.Today used in multiple environments, from aeronautics to vehicles, medicine and sport, carbon is well known to Sonus faber, which experimented its characteristics when producing the Huayra sound system, the latest model of supercar made by Pagani Automobili from Modena.
THE CHASSIS
The complex mold with 6 elements used to create the speaker frame is made to measure, making the standard production of the object extremely limited, adding exclusiveness to the character of this loudspeaker that is already a cult object for the most enthusiastic collectors.
WOOD
The art of lute making has always been a source of inspiration for the design of many of Sonus faber most emblematic speakers; it is not by chance that all the precious elements of the Homage collection, from Amati to Guarneri and Stradivari are named after the most famous lute makers in history. The new Extrema pays an important tribute to this antique art by flanking, in close contact with the ultra-modern carbon chassis, sides of red spruce from Val di Fiemme, the wood of string instruments par excellence.
THE SIDES
The sound of wood has always been important for Sonus faber. In the case of the Extrema project, the fact that the supporting structure of the loudspeaker is made with a carbon monocoque make it possible to use wood as the pure resounding element, exactly as in the sound board of string instruments. The choice therefore had to be the resonant spruce from Val di Fiemme, the rare and prestigious essence of which violins are made.
BERYLLIUM AND DIAMOND Beryllium is an extremely rare and exclusive metal that is used in various high-technology industrial sectors, such as medicine, aerospace and experimental/applied physics. Beryllium also played an important part in the history of audio transducers, used for example in magnetic cartridges
THE MEDIUM AND LOW FREQUENCY
The 180 mm “Ultra dynamic linearity” mid-woofer designed by Sonus faber and equipped with a Neodymium motor, is the driver that reproduces the medium and low frequencies. A pure copper winding 6N is used on a coil support with control of the Lorentz currents. The magnetic motor, very linear and dynamic, has an optimised layout and a heat dissipator that also acts as a “mass damper”. The special diaphragm, which is personalised for Sonus faber, is obtained by means of a sandwich that uses nano-carbon hides and a special syntactic dampening foam to obtain maximum resolution.
THE HIGH FREQUENCY
Reproducing high frequencies is entrusted to a 30 mm transducer with mobile coil designed entirely by Sonus faber, implemented with a Sonus faber mechanical interface that optimises vibration management.The “Ultra dynamic linearity”, the result of the new Neodymium magnetic system, is optimised by the dome diaphragm of DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) Beryllium to obtain the maximum resolution possible in acoustic reproduction.
THE ULTRA LOW FREQUENCY AND ITS MANAGEMENT
The passive radiator is also fully designed by Sonus faber; the L’E.M.B.A.B.R (Electro Magnetic Brake Auxiliary Bass Radiator), according to Engineer Cadawas, has varied dampening. The flat piston diaphragm is optimised for this application, and is positioned structurally midway between the sandwich structures of the midwoofer cone and the “monocoque” structure. The basket is fully optimised to eliminate all resonance, thanks to the use of two high technologymetals (Ergal and Gun Metal) that are machined in CNC from the solid piece. The combination of these two metals eliminates any reciprocal resonance.
CROSSOVER IN AIR
The new Extrema uses a precious non-resonant Crossover in air with progressive slope, optimised by module and phase for the best space/time behaviour. The “paracross” topology is combined with best quality components that exalt the sound quality: Mundorf Supreme capacitor and Jantzen inductors. The crossover frequency is 2350 Hz, and the low frequencies can be dampened in 4 different ways, according to the listening room.
SYSTEM
2 way, low spurious vibration optimized suspension, E.M.B.A.B.R. (Electro magnetic Brake Auxiliary Bass Radiator), monitor on a dedicated stand loudspeaker system.
CABINET
The carbon fiber sandwich “monocoque”, inspired by the supercar cockpits, is the main chassis structure on which the cabinet is build up. Constrained-mode damped lateral “Val di Fiemme” harmonic fir (Violin wood) sides, hand selected, quality graded and oriented for carefully optimized resonances control. The innovative resonance control of the wood structure is obtained by a 3D thickness distribution in the shape. “New Era” avional (from “the Sonus faber” experience) exo-squeleton front and rear clamp structure.
TWEETER
A Sonus faber designed 30 mm moving coil driver, with Sonus faber’s vibration optimized mechanical interface. D.L.C. (Diamond Like Carbon) Beryllium dome diaphragm for maximum resolution.
MID-WOOFER
A Sonus faber designed 180 mm neodymium magnet system ultra dynamic linearity mid-woofer. 6N pure copper wire is used on a controlled “eddy current” former. The dynamically linear magnetic field motor has an optimized geometry and a mass damper heat sink.
PASSIVE RADIATOR
A Sonus faber designed race track shape E.M.B.A.B.R. (Electro magnetic Brake Auxiliary Bass Radiator) “Cadawas” variably damped passive radiator.
CROSS-OVER
Non-resonant “progressive slope” design, optimized amplitude/phase response for optimal space/time performance. “Paracross topology” topology. Cross-over: 2350Hz. Adjustable low frequency damping into 4 different level.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
40 Hz – 40.000 Hz, E.M.B.A.B.R included.
SENSITIVITY
88 db SPL (2.83V/1 m).
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
4 ohm.
SUGGESTED AMPLIFIER POWER OUTPUT
50W – 300W, without clipping.
LONG-TERM MAXIMUM INPUT VOLTAGE (IEC-268-5)
24V rms.
DIMENSIONS (HxWxD
434 x 282 x 560 mm.
WEIGHT
18,6 Kg each
DEDICATED STAND (HxWxD)
Dimensions: 661 x 360 x 460 mm.
Weight: 22 Kg each
TOTAL DIMENSIONS (HxWxD)
1095 x 360 x 560 mm
TOTAL WEIGHT
40,6 Kg each
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Aries Cerat Ianus hybrid monoblock amplifiers
3 Pillars of Audio Novelty
1.The active components used in the output stage, is something completely unique in the audio industry and not only the Technology used, is a blend of hollow state and solid state. This is not another tube-driving-transistor topology. The tube, mosfet along with special circuitry, are combined to form a new component, the Triode-fet.
The active component does behave like a tube, in aspects of linearity ,presence of internal resistance, yet at the same time having mosfet-like current capabilities.
2.The topology used in the Ianus mono-blocks are of unique design. The topology belongs to the Circlotron-esque family, but vastly improved, in terms of distortion, output impedance and reliability.
The topology is a Super-Symmetric Self Balancing inductively driven Circlotron. Zero feedback loops are used, either local or global.
3.The Ianus amplifiers may be the only Class A which does operate in strict Class A region for the entire power range, even in 4ohms loads.
Almost every other Class A amplifier on the market ,in the >100W region does only deliver 20-40W or Class A power,and half of that in 4 ohm loads. Most of the market’s top shelf “Class A” amplifiers are biased at 1-3 Amperes max, delivering 4-36W at 8ohms and 2-18ohms of true Class A power.
The Ianus output stage is biased at 10Amperes per channel, so it does never leave the Class A region, whatever the power output level,in 8 or 4 ohms load.
Input stage
The input stage consists of a transformer loaded E280F super-tube, and provides a true balanced signal to the output stage.
The transformer that is used to load the Siemens E280F,is of highest quality, and is specially winded to provide perfect balanced signal, without and phase-shift between the inverted and non-inverted signal, which is usually present in other methods of converting unbalanced signal to true balanced signal.
Power supplies
The monoblock amplifiers are built around four complete separate floating power supplies.40 high current ,high capacitance capacitors are used, and each bank is choke regulated, using four massive chokes. Each choke can withstand over 5 Amperes of Dc current, which dictates the use of very large cores. Size wise, each of the chokes compares to 1KV power transformers used by competitors.
The Pi filter used for noise reduction and energy storage, is carefully tuned to form a complete sonic black background, at the same time providing lighting fast energy storage for the output stage.
The Tube input circuits use their own separate choke regulated power supplies.
Specifications
Power at 8/4 ohm
140W/260W
Can drive down to 0.5 ohm
Zero feedback
Gain
33 dB
SNR
100 dB
Full power bandwidth
10Hz-70Khz
Damping factor
380
Idle power consumption per channel
450W-600W (depending on bias)
Idle current
6+6 Ampere (12 A per channel)
Tube count per channel
3 X E280F Siemens tubes
Dimensions
490mmW X 330mmD X 640mmH
Weight
85Kg per monoblock
Voxativ Vox Preamp and Mono Amp
We have saved no effort to develop this perfect matching unit for our mono power amplifiers.
A sonic revelation with a separate power supply and optional Siemens NOS tubes.
We are using a solid state rectification, no choke and a complete regulation of all voltages with tubes.
The way though is completely without any components except the output capacitors by Mundorf.
This is no preamp that is smoothing up everything. It is very dynamic and loves details.
Instead of a potentiometer we do have an attenuator with Vishay resistors and motor remote control.
Also implemented is an excellent MM phono stage that uses the 4 tubes on the right. For MC you can order a step up transformer manufactured by Lundahl.
Technical data:
Frequency Response
10 - 50.000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio
100 dB
Distortion
0,1 %
Tubes
Siemens, JJ
Input Sensitivity
100 kOhm
Input
3 x line , 1 x Phono MM/MC
Output
2 x Pre Out
Output Impedance
240 Ohms
Power consumption
150 W
Color
Aluminium, black
Measure B x H x T
45 x 18 x 44 cm
Weight
9 kg
Our flagship is the Vox mono power amp. This is a complete new development and the base for a series of Voxativ high-end electronic components.
Single Ended technology with high performance and new ideas. Assembled in Germany.
Technical data:
Frequency Response
20 - 20.000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio
85 dB
Distortion
1 %
Tubes
1 x 845
Input Sensitivity
500 mV
Input
1 x line
Output
8, 16 Ohms
Power Handling
18 W
Power Consumption
300 W
Colour
silver, gold
Dimension W x H x D
30 x 30 x 44 cm
Weight
30 kg
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Mastersound PF 100 Limited mono amplifiers
€30000 /pr
The PF 100 Limited is the culmination of the collective knowledge and experience of all those who work with MastersounD.
The total absence of feedback makes the Pf 100 fast, with imaging that is truly amazing.
Our new dual drive control system of the Pf 100 preamp section grew from our careful research.
Combined with our unique and powerful output transformer, 845 triodes working in Parallel Single Ended mode, the amplifier renders a genuinely engaging sound.
We use a semi-atomatic biasing system which once regulated will give optimal life to the final tubes.
Finally we use 24 karat gold connections on the Pf 100 circuit board. The capacitors are either manufactured by high quality for MastersounD.
Specifications :
Final mono tube amplifier, parallel single ended in class A
Output transformers MastersounD
No negative feedback
A selected quartet output tubes 845
Driver selected tubes : 3 x 6SN7 EH
Power output : 117 W
Frequency : 12 Hz - 45 kHz
Input sensivity : 1 V
Input impedance : 100 kOhm
Load impedance : 4 or 8 Ohm
Dimensions (WxHxD) : 56 x 27 x 47 cm
Weight : 52 kg
Mastersound PH L5 V2 preamplifier
€5000
Tube preamplifier + phono
Bandwidth: 1 Hz / 100 kHz – 0dB
Tubes: 3 x ECC 82 2 x ECC83
Input: 4 High level - 1 Phono MM
Output: 2 + 1 rec
Volume with remote control
Board with 24 k gold tracks
Only selecteds components
Dimensions: 42 x 12 x 39 cm (16,5 x 15,3 x , 4,7 in)
Weigth: 9 Kg. ( 19,8 lbs)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Setup: FM Acoustics XS-1 with Esoteric and Transrotor
XS speakers biamped with two Sfr 300,000 pairs 118 mono amps
FMA 268C preamp and 223 phono stage underneath
Transrotor Artus
.