Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Falcon Acoustics Reference GC6500R























The Falcon Reference Series represents a quantum leap in the use of new innovative technology for loudspeakers and is designed for the true audiophile. A no-compromise approach to quality and engineering was taken throughout the development program.

Falcon’s involvement in cone material development goes back decades, and it was clear to us that the incorporation of Graphene into loudspeaker cone material could give major improvements in driver response times, enabling the use of significantly lighter cones with greater rigidity and inherently better damping.

The result of this research is the Falcon Sonaweave™ Graphene Enhanced Nano-Platelet Cone, seen for the first time in the bass units of the Falcon GC6500R Reference. The cone is 60% lighter and thinner than conventional cones, significantly improved rigidity and improved damping compared to other conventional or composite cones, and a well controlled roll-off. The bass attack and recovery that these properties confer is apparent from the start.

Next we looked at the 2” dome horn-loaded midrange , and after extensive computerised modelling we selected an inverse Hypocycloid profile for the wave-guide with superb acoustic properties. We also re-engineer the unit in-house to give a significantly smoother response whilst reducing the already low distortion by a measured factor of -40%.

The ribbon tweeter is especially modified by Falcon to give an outstandingly smooth response, the precision engineered front plate is a major contribution in this.

Internally, the 3.2mm Laminated FR4 gold plated double side 2oz. copper tracking PCB, precision wound close tolerance Air Core Inductors, and Polypropylene Capacitors throughout mean a crossover with the best possible components throughout. Finally all internal wiring is run in 2.5mm TPE Insulation wire for maximum sonic accuracy.

The elegant cabinet is hand made in laminated 25mm MDF with an extra 9mm of damping throughout. in probably the best cabinet production facility in Italy. The 38mm Alcantara® covered front board is computer profiled for minimal diffraction. Internally, chamfered drive unit apertures reduces driver compression. The 18mm reinforced rear panel, Falcon profiled heat sinks and precision tooled back plate, together with finishes available of solid high gloss solid colours or a selection of contemporary veneers, a smoked glass top and metal work all made from precision ground MIC6 Top Grade Aluminium Cast Tool Plate by F1 ultra-precision engineers complete one of the finest cabinets available today.


Specs

Drive Units
3-way vented

2 no. Falcon Acoustics hand-moulded 180mm (7.0”) Sonaweave TM Graphene Enhanced Nano-Platelet Composite Cone bass units.

Inverse Hypocycloid Wave Guide Loaded 50mm (2”) Dome Midrange.

Custom Ribbon Tweeter with precision plate loading.

Cabinet
Italian manufactured handmade cabinet with laminated tooled 25mm sides with additional 9mm damping.

38mm Alcantara® covered front board, computer profiled for minimal diffraction. Internally, chamfered drive unit apertures to reduce driver compression.

18mm reinforced rear panel, Falcon profiled heat sinks and precision tooled back plate.

Natural wood banded veneers, smoked glass top.

Metal Work all made from precision ground MIC6 Top Grade Aluminium Cast Tool Plate.

Crossover
3.2mm Laminated FR4 PCB, gold plated double side 2oz. copper tracking. Precision wound close tolerance Air Core Inductors. Polypropylene Capacitors throughout.
2.5mm TPE Insulation internal wiring.

Freq. response
20Hz-40kHz

Impedance
4 ohms

Sensitivity
90dB/2.83V/m

Power handling
25-300W

Connector
4mm Custom-Designed nickel-plated binding posts

Dimensions (HxWxD)
120 x 25.5 x 40 cms

Weight
70kg each including plinth

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Ansuz Acoustics rack















With this new Ansuz Rack, we have united all our best experiences from working with resonance control in a High-End music system, and put them together in a high performing and functional rack system.

Doing the design for the Ansuz Rack, Michael Børresen has utilised all the best acoustic properties from geometry and materials to create a design that is simple and logical.

The Rack is created as a modular system, making you able to design exactly the the rack that fits your need for space.

The Rack can be adjusted to level the shelves perfectly, and you can add more Ansuz Darkz beneath the shelves - and even between each module.

Uprights comes in three heights: 30, 116 and 292 mm. The uprights is made from Titanium which, together with the aluminium construction creates an unique acoustic performance. Shelves are finished with black-stained aspen vurneer for minimal risk of scratching.

The Rack can be customised with various resonance enhancing coatings on the Titanium parts.


Delivery: September 2018

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Cypher Labs Prautes headphone amplifier






















































Designed by Coffman Labs and produced in collaboration with Cypher Labs, the Prautes is a limited edition analog headphone amplifier.  Combining vintage tubes, military technology, and hand made American components, we’ve sought to unlock an unsurpassed listening experience for the audio customer at an affordable and inclusive price.

Primarily intended for headphone use, the Prautes drives a wide range of headphone types and provides for impedance matching. It includes a very subtle bass boost feature, a line-out stage, and is also capable of powering small speakers. The controls are optimized for headphone output to offer revealing clarity, presence and an expansive soundstage—presenting your music with subtlety, image, accurate detail, and the excitement of live experience. The result is a legacy piece that is timeless and enduring.

The Prautes uses a 12AU7 tube gain stage to drive a pair of 50L6 or 25L6 tubes (note in product serial number) in push-pull mode. This provides for more power than needed for almost all headphones—and can drive high efficiency speakers with about 2 watts. Five separate output impedance settings are provided to match listening equipment, including 8 ohm speakers, standard headphones, high impedance headphones and In-Ear-Monitors.


Info

Review

Friday, May 18, 2018

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Ensemble at Highend 2018















































The new Massimo Fuoco integrated amplifier.

Friday, May 11, 2018

YS Sound YSS-182JP









































3 inputs (balanced)
A, B = 3+, 2-
C = 2+, 3-
2 outputs (balanced)
Frequency Response : 1Hz – 300kHz
Signal to Noice Ratio : > 135dB
Distortion : 0.0012%
Dimensions : 260(W) X 430(D) X 130(H) mm
Weight : 10kg

Gryphon Audio Zena Preamplifier























































Info

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Boulder 508 Phono Stage


















The 508 is the smallest, least expensive product in our product range and punches well above its weight, drawing its basic design from the iconic 2008 Phono Preamplifier.

Everything about the 508 points towards design efficiency: a chassis machined from a solid block, compact surface-mount design, a single pair of balanced inputs and outputs, a single RIAA EQ curve, simple MM/MC switching, and more.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

J.Sikora Phono Preamplifier in black








































Grimm Audio MU1 Music Player











We are delighted to invite you to our room E216 at the Munich High End show where we will introduce… the Grimm Audio MU1 music player.

You can take our word on it that this device is a new benchmark for audio playback performance. Please come by and have a listen to the MU1 with our LS1be and LS1a systems, and celebrate this grand event that reveals new horizons of high quality audio with the Grimm Audio brand.

For the first time the whole Grimm Audio team will be present, including our development team. Of course our complete product line is on show, including the brand new UC1 USB interface and SQM high end audio cable, and of course the CC1 and CC2 clock products and TPR budget cable. Plus… prepare for a very special surprise.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

J.Sikora Phono Preamplifier























World premiere! Our new product for the Munich High End Show!
J.Sikora Phono Preamplifier!


Construction:

Dual mono
Power supply unit in separated box
Ultra low noise JFETs on input and output
Single ended pure class A
No global feedback
Passive RIAA compensation

Gain:

MM - 45dB
MC - 65dB, 71dB

Input Load:

20Ω - 50kΩ (multiple options)
100pF - 900pF

Output Impedance:

1200Ω

RIAA Linearity:

+/- 0,3 dB (20Hz -20kHz)

Available in silver and black.

Merrill Audio Oganesson Power Amplifiers











































Connecting you to your Music so deeply they will touch your soul, that is the new line of the most advanced Power Amplifiers from Merrill Audio. This Crowning achievement took over 4 years of research, the use of the very latest technology, meticulous engineering and finest materials available. Using Merrill Audio’s proprietary ZXOL design, the new ELEMENT series of Power Amplifiers are an order of Magnitude better in every sonic character than their previous amplifiers and simply like no other and

A great many new technologies are used in the new ELEMENT series, code name Project Oganesson. This is named after the Oganesson element – the latest Atomic element added to the periodic table, OG with atomic number 118. The ELEMENT series of Amplifiers will start with the ELEMENT 118, as with Og 118, and continue with ELEMENT 116, ELEMENT 114 which will inherit this technology and advances in audio reproduction.

Using a zero feedback, open loop proprietary design, code named ZXOL from Merrill Audio, the Power amplifiers get the most details available and the fastest response. The open loop design takes advantage of the very latest exotic transistor technology using Gallium Nitride. Extracting and keep this accurate speed and huge amount of detail in the musical reproduction required a circuit board that has almost all its parasitic inductance and capacitance reduced to near zero. Using expertise developed over a decade the extra special Circuit boards were designed and a unique pure copper onboard heatsink for very fast thermal transfer and stability. The pure copper heatsink the power supply and amplifier weighs a hefty 16 pounds. Only the finest 0.1% tolerance components were used. Even the wire was specially selected silver plated OFC Teflon sleeved wire.

Live Music has both immediacy and power. Both require the power supply of a power amplifier to appear as an unlimited, immediate resource. Merrill Audio uses an LLC design for its power supply where a custom built transformer is designed as a precision inductor. With this design the power supply can instantaneously supply almost any current. The combination is the most revealing, fast, and exciting music reproduction you will hear, and will simply draw you emotionally into the music with its realism, clean, ultra-quiet background. All this is packaged in the ELEMENT 118 Power Amplifier Monoblocks. Beautifully engineered chassis that is accented with Rose Gold Acoustical Dampers and faceplate. A touch screen for ease of use and information is provided on the front. For your ears and your eyes.

The ELEMENT 118 Power Amplifier Monoblocks, has a huge reserve of power for extended transients, delivers very musical 400 watts into 8 ohms, 800 watts into 4 ohms and 1,600 watts into 2 ohms. Dual pure copper WBT speaker binding posts provide easy bi-wiring. 20A IEC AC inlet is used for a tight, excellent connection with heavy power cords. The ELEMENT 118 Power Amplifier Monoblocks are Acoustically isolated on Stainless Steel Outriggers on GAIA footers from Isoacoustics.

See the World premiere of the ELEMENT 118 Power Amplifier Monoblocks, priced at $36,000 from Merrill Audio at the Munich High End Show Atrium 4.2 E226 Room. Feel the emotion so deep it will touch your soul.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Ypsilon DAC1000























D to A Converter with discrete R2R, high quality resistors and fast logic.

It has AES, COAX, BNC and Optical Inputs, that accept PCM 192/24 and USB that accept PCM and DSD files. DSD files are routed to a dedicated converter.

Also there is an I2S Input with HDMI connector.

The analog stage uses a single-ended tube transformer coupled at its output. Includes a remote control.


DAC1000 SE

In the Silver Edition the resistors for the R2R are custom made naked foil resistors with virtually no drift with temperature and output transformer windings are with silver wire

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Wednesday, May 2, 2018