Enjoy the Music.com Audiophile News

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11 / 06 / 09

Grant Fidelity's new Reference Tube CD-1000 player (aka Impression II, $3200) features careful circuitry layout to achieve high-end audio sound quality. All main sections of the player (power supply to tube and solid state circuits, tube analog output, tube headphone amp, CD drive) are strategically placed in the four corners and the middle of the player in isolated aluminum chassis to avoid unwanted interference with each section as it relates to another. Completely separated left and right channel pair of BB PCM1794 D/A converting IC chip and ten OPA2604 / OPA 604 for IV converting and low pass filtering are employed. Also within this high-end design is the Sanyo DA11VZ CD drive and Nikon high grade capacitors as key components. The servo system uses Toshiba's TA2125AF, 2157F and TC94A14F as the servo system. For analog amplification, a set of EH 6922 drive the unbalanced output, plus there is a set of transistor unbalanced output and a set of transistor fully balanced output to choose from. Other outputs includes S/PDIF digital coaxial, TosLink optical, AES/EBU XLR. For headphone users, analog output is provided for using an EL84 tube. There is also a defeatable upsampling with three optional frequencies: 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/96kHz and 24-bit/192kHz. The aluminum chassis has anti-vibration isolation for five key components. Dimensions are 17 x 14 x 7 (WxDxH in inches) and overall weight is a very substantial 50 lbs. A polished stainless steel finish is available at extra cost of $380.

JoLida's JD 1000RC stereo integrated amplifier produces 100 wpc and includes a remote control. Selecting from one of the four inputs can be chosen from the front panel while there is fixed and variable outputs. Custom wound audio transformers have a core of German grain oriented silicon steel and the secondary can be configured for a 4 or 8 Ohm loudspeaker load. Internal components include ALPS audio potentiometer, gold plated RCA input jacks, audiophile grade carbon composite grid resistors, high-speed soft recovery diodes and poly tin coupling capacitors. The built-in E-Z biasing system ensures performance while needing minimal effort from the user. Frequency response is from 8 Hz to 80 kHz at full power output with a distortion of less than 1 percent. Tube complement is four matched pairs (8) of 6CA7/EL34 for power output, a pair of 12AX7 for preamplification and a pair of 12AT7/ECC81 as power drivers. The output tubes are operated in ultra-linear (Class AB). Dimensions are 17x15x7.5 (WxDxH in inches) and the unit weighs 62 lbs.

11 / 05 / 09

HDtracks, founded by multi Grammy-nominated jazz and classical composer and inventor of new sound technology David Chesky as the world's premiere high-resolution music store, is exclusively offering Keith Jarrett's newest release Paris/London: Testament in 24-bit/96kHz audio. Over the past forty years, Keith Jarrett has come to be recognized as one of the most creative musical forces of our time. ECM Records is a standard-setting record label that has released over a thousand albums spanning many idioms. Testament is the first ever high-resolution release from either twentieth century musical icon. Keith Jarrett's solo piano recordings have redefined the role of the piano in contemporary music. His improvisations effortlessly span and seamlessly blend an impressive spectrum of musical idioms - classical, jazz, ethnic, gospel, folk, blues and pure sound. With the advent of Jarrett's Testament in 24/96, listeners will be able to delve into Jarrett's musical consciousness with unprecedented nuance and intimacy.

11 / 04 / 09

Boston Acoustics, a loudspeaker specialist founded 30 years ago, has launched their Reflection Series that features advanced tweeter technology and high-gloss black lacquer cabinets. The Reflection Series loudspeakers consist of six models that range from small monitors to floorstanders plus center channel and a subwoofer. Boston Acoustics designed Reflection's Super Linear Plane (SLP) baffles to significantly reduce acoustic diffraction. Super-shallow grilles use an invisible magnetic attachment and create a seamless alignment with the baffle plane. The Extended Wide Bandwidth (EWB) tweeter borrows many of the same performance attributes found in Boston Acoustics' flagship VS line. this driver exhibits stabilized linear motion, lower distortion, improved dispersion, power handling, and clarity. Engineers accomplish this by utilizing a special central diaphragm termination (creating a dimple) and rear chamber venting. All Reflection models incorporate new Fiber Ceramic Copolymer Material (FCCM) Woofer cones. These cones are made from a composite of fiber and ceramic materials impregnated in a proprietary copolymer. By combining these multi-composite cones with Boston's Deep Channel Design, woofers produce a smooth response over the entire operating range. The RS 230 and RS 260 (pictured) bookshelf models feature 3.5 and 6.5 inch woofers (respectively) and are claimed to "produce incredible sound for bookshelf speakers their size." The powerful RS 244C's unique configuration features quadruple 4-inch woofers and enables it to perform perfectly with full size, full range floor standing speakers while maintaining a slim and attractive profile. The RS 334 floorstanding speaker, featuring four high performance 4-inch woofers, packs all the performance of a full-size tower speaker in a slender and elegant cabinet. Finally, the 500-watt (1000-watt peak) RPS 1000 powered subwoofer includes a 10-inch woofer and dual 8-inch passive radiators. All models include widely spaced, gold plated binding posts, and the RS 260, RS 244C and RS 334 also include a second set for bi-wiring or bi-amping. Pricing is as follows:

RS 230 compact bookshelf $249.99 each
RS 260 bookshelf $399.99 each
RS 244C center-channel $499.99
RS 223 compact LCR $399.99
RS 334 floorstanding $699.99 each
RPS1000 subwoofer $899.99

Homewide audio multi-zone audio specialist Sonos is now selling their new ZonePlayer S5 ($399), an all-in-one wireless five speaker music system. The S5 wirelessly plays music from the Internet and users iTunes collection in any room. The unit features five integrated speakers and five dedicated digital amplifiers so each driver has the freedom to deliver top quality sound via special DSP programming. The unit can be controlled by either of the two remote control offered by Sonos, an iPod Touch or iPhone, or from a MAC or Windows computer. The Sonos system provides for wireless expandability for up to 32 separate zones and each can be playing different music sources from Internet radio to a music collection on a computer or NAS drive. In addition, Sonos released Sonos Software v3.1 that includes Twitter functionality. Technical specifications of the S5 include:

Five Class-D digital amplifiers
Five drivers: two tweeters, two 3-inch midrange and one 3.5-inch woofer
Volume/Mute control - Quick-access controls on the top of every S5
Two Ethernet port switch
Headphone connection via 1/8-inch jack
Analog audio input via 1/8-inch jack for iPod, CD player, TV, etc.
Audio formats supported: MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA, AAC (MPEG4), Ogg Vorbis, Audible (format 4), Apple Lossless, FLAC (lossless) and uncompressed WAV and AIFF files.
Support for 48, 32, 24, 22, 16, 11 and 8 kHz sample rates
Music Services: Last.fm, Napster, Pandora, Rhapsody 3.0+, SIRIUS Internet Radio
Internet Radio pre-loaded with 25,000 stations
Operating systems supported (for stored files): Windows XP SP2 and higher; Mac OS X v10.4 and higher; NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices supporting CIFS
Wireless connectivity via SonosNet 2.0, a secure AES encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless mesh network
Power supply is AC 120/240V, 50-60Hz, auto-switchable
Dimensions: 8.5 x 14.4 x 4.8 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 9.15 lbs.

11 / 03 / 09

Musical Laboratory* is now offers revision three of the company's Maedup monoblock amplifiers that produce 38 watts. Like their Bosangwha monoblocks, these power amplifiers are based on the classic and legendary sounding LM3875 and are said to deliver the "warmth and bloom normally associated with tube designs while still retaining the dynamics and transparency of the chip". Each monoblock is powered by a physically separate power supply, with the amplification circuitry housed within high-gloss lacquered boxes. Colors available include black with Zen purple highlights and purple macramé knots, black with red highlights with red macramé knots or black with black macramé knots. Features of these amplifiers include child-proof locks decorated with traditional colorful macramé knots, white LED power indication, high-speed PCB substrate, hand-picked vintage and exotic resistors in the signal path, highest class audio capacitors and proprietary high-purity silver gold foils using air dielectric in the signal path.

Jade Audio has announced their Reference Solid Gold, Reference Solid Gold/Platinum interconnect and the Hybrid and Reference Solid Gold speaker cables. The Reference cables all use 99.99 percent pure solid gold or 99.99 percent pure solid gold and platinum wires. The reference line uses no gold plated silver thus no silver haze in the interconnect link. The Reference Solid Gold is made with multiple strands of 30 gauge pure solid gold wire in cotton sleeve for the positive conductor. The negative conductor consists of multiple strands of 30, 28 and 26 gauge pure solid gold wire in cotton sleeve. pricing is from $3300 with Bocchino B-11 RCA connectors or $4500 with Bocchino BAXLR XLR connectors. Jade Audio's Reference Solid Gold/Platinum has positive conductors of multiple strands of 30 gauge pure solid gold wire in cotton sleeve and a negative conductor of multiple strands of 30 and 28 gauge pure solid gold wire and multiple strands of 30, 28 and 26 gauge pure solid platinum in cotton sleeve. Pricing is $3400 with Bocchino B-11 RCA connectors and $4700 with Bocchino BAXLR XLR connectors.

11 / 02 / 09

Enjoy the Music.com's November edition of our Review Magazine is now available and packed with five World Premieres, one North American Premiere and many music reviews plus viewpoint think pieces! Those thirsting for more show coverage, we have posted quite a few more RMAF 2009 event reports plus have an interview with Chesky Records and HDtracks founder David Chesky!

Viewpoint
In This Issue....
Industry Notes And Streaming Thoughts
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 121
Audience AU24 AC Power Cable And High Definition Downloads
Article By Dr. Bill Gaw

Manufacturer Article
A Few Moments With David Chesky
Composer, musician, Chesky Records and HDtracks...
Interview By Nels Ferre

Cool Vintage Video!
Now Presenting Ella Fitzgerald

Show Reports
More, more, more RMAF 2009 Reports!

Equipment Reviews
World Premiere!
JohnBlue TL66 Monoblock Tube Amplifiers
They reproduced music. It is just as plain and simple as that.
Review By Tom Lyle

World Premiere!
Monarchy Audio SE-100 Delux MK2 Monoblock Amplifiers
A revised edition of a fifteen year production run.
Review By Anthony Nicosia

World Premiere!
Opera-Consonance LP6.1 Turntable And TP988 Arm Combination
An Analog Rig for Everyman?
Review By Nels Ferre

World Premiere!
Tekton Design S12 Subwoofer
Achieving greatness at a very reasonable price.
Review By Rick Becker

World Premiere!
Lawton Audio LA7000 Headphones
Each pair are unique, almost artisanal in execution and finish.
Review By Linden Park

North American Premiere!
Manley Labs Stingray iTube Integrated Amplifier
Possibly the perfect integrated amplifier for the whole family.
Review By Nels Ferre

Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
The Crown Prince of quality.
Review By A. Colin Flood

Music Reviews
Classical Music
Pianist Angela Hewitt's new complete recording of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.
Review By Evan Shinners

Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle from Valery Gergiev on LSO Live.
Review By Wayne Donnelly

Ludwig Van Beethoven String Quartets performed by the Tokyo String Quartet
Review By Phil Gold

Marin Alsop deliver the best recording yet of Leonard Bernstein's Mass.
Review By John Shinners

Delightful Handel organ concertos in great performances with excellent sound
Review By Wayne Donnelly

Love the violin? Then check out virtuoso violinist James Ehnes.
Review By Phil Gold

Shostakovich's long-suppressed satirical opera The Nose.
Review By Joe Milicia

Definitive performances of Shostakovich's first and last symphonies.
Review By Wayne Donnelly

Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass, Blues, Etc.
Angela Easterling Blacktop Road
Review By Steven Stone

Gina Villalobos Days On Their Side
Review By Steven Stone

Andrea Wittgens In The Skyline
Review By Steven Stone

Various Bluegrass, Blues And Jazz Albums
Reviews By Steven Stone

Rock, Pop, Funk, Techno, Punk, Metal, Etc.
My Dinner With Jimi
Review By Steven Stone

See the November 2009 edition of our Review Magazine by clicking here.

10 / 30 / 09

Looking for some 'killer' Halloween tunes? HDTracks has The Essential John Carpenter for high resolution digital download available right now. John Carpenter is known for his successful career as a horror and suspense film director, but much of the dramatic music heard in the films was also penned by Carpenter himself. This album features recordings of his own compositions - including the spine-chilling minimalist themes from the Halloween and Assault on Precinct 13, along with additional themes by other composers that were featured in Carpenter’s films. Track listing is as follows:

1 Escape From New York - Main Title (Mix 1)
2 Halloween - Theme (Mix 1)
3 Halloween - Haunted House
4 Starman - End Titles
5 Big Trouble In Little China - Pork Chop Express
6 The Fog
7 Assault On Precinct 13 - Main Title
8 Assault On Precinct 13 - Julie's Theme
9 Christine - Bad To The Bone
10 Halloween II - Main Title
11 The Thing
12 Dark Star
13 They Live
14 Prince Of Darkness
15 Escape >From New York - Main Title (Mix 2)
16 Halloween - Theme (Mix 2)
17 Village Of The Damned
18 Starman - End Titles

The BPI , established in 1973 and is the representative voice of the UK recorded music business with members consisting of the UK's four major record labels and hundreds of independent music companies, has reported that 2009 has already become the biggest ever year for UK singles with more than 117 million sold to date. Driven by a strong release schedule and a burgeoning range of online music services in the UK, new data from the Official Charts Company shows that sales of single tracks in 2009 have now surpassed the previous all-time record of 115.1 million, set in 2008. The total of 117 million has been reached with 10 weeks of trading, including the vital Christmas period, still to run in 2009. Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive said, "We've witnessed an astonishing transformation of the UK singles market during the last six years, with digital downloads rapidly overtaking sales of CD singles and cassettes to dominate the singles scene. Unlike the albums market which is overwhelmingly dominated by CD sales, the UK Top 40 is now almost entirely comprised of digital singles. During this year, 98.6 percent of all singles have been retailed in digital formats. More than 389.2 million single track downloads have now been sold in the UK since the launch of the first mainstream online stores in 2004.

10 / 29 / 09

dcs, a British company dedicated to the design, engineering and manufacture of the best performing digital audio components possible, now offers their Paganini Upsampler ($10,499.) that is as close as possible in performance to the company's Scarlatti (($13,499) yet at a more accessible price. The Paganini range has a similar feature set to Scarlatti with the main differences being in the chassis, transport mechanism and the remote handset. These differences mean little is lost in the resulting musical performance and we think Paganini has a very special kind of magic. The patent pending Paganini Upsampler or digital-to-digital converter (DDC) converts digital audio data at one sample rate to a higher sample rate, providing listeners with higher levels of performance from any industry standard digital source, including PC/Mac and Media Servers. Upsampling to progressively higher sample rates, claims dcs, makes progressive improvements to fine detail, sound stage depth and image separation. This means the sound quality increases as you upsample CD data first to 24/88.2, then to 24/176.4, then to DSD. All of the Paganini products benefit from our ‘soft' approach to programmable logic, which allows new software to be loaded from a dCS update disc to add new features or adapt to changes in digital formats. The Paganini Upsampler's USB interface operates in "asynchronous" mode (NOT to be confused with asynchronous rate conversion), where the Upsampler synchronises the audio by providing a feedback pipe to the PC/Mac. The computer then is effectively locked to the Upsampler, which can have a much more accurate clock and much lower jitter.

10 / 28 / 09

Paradigm just announced their Special Edition SE1 and SE3 loudspeakers, which consist of an elegant and powerful hybrid of the Paradigm and Paradigm Reference product lines. The Special Edition collection is said to embody the best of both worlds from Paradigm Electronics by combining elements from the affordable audiophile-quality Paradigm line and higher-end Paradigm Reference line. The SE series features the SE1, a bookshelf speaker, the SE3, a floorstanding model and the SE Center and SE Subwoofer, all outfitted with stylish real wood veneer cabinets. Paradigm Special Edition (SE) speakers, with soft edges, clean lines, state-of-the-art technology, compact dimensions and real wood veneer cabinets are a stepping stone to the world of high-end audio for budget conscious consumers. Like the Monitor Series, the SE line will boast Paradigm's SuperDrive technology, which combines very high efficiency with very high output and ultra-low distortion. Each driver represents a best of breed hybrid mix that includes high frequency drivers from the Paradigm Monitor Series and mineral-filled polypropylene bass/midrange drivers handed down right from the Paradigm Reference Studio Series. With a reasonable footprint, this collection provides real wood veneer finishes for customers seeking sophisticated appearance at a competitive price.

Specifications:
SE 1 Bookshelf
Two-driver 2-way bookshelf/stand-mounted:
5.5" M-ICP mid/bass, 1" H-PTD dome
Estimated $299

SE 3 Floorstanding
Four-driver 2.5-way floorstanding:
Two 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene bass,
5.5" M-ICP mid/bass,1" H-PTD dome
Estimated $696

SE Center
Four-driver 3-way center channel
Two 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene bass,
3.5" M-ICP midrange, 1" H-PTD dome
Estimated $499

SE Subwoofer
Bass Reflex Single Driver Design
10" Driver with CAP Carbon / Aramid Fiber Polypropylene Cone
900 watts Dynamic Peak / 300 watts RMS Sustained
Paradigm's Proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Design
Comprehensive Range of Input and Control Facilities
USB Port for use with Paradigm's Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) Room Correction
Estimated $699

10 / 27 / 09

HDtracks, an online music store that provides true high-resolution music, now offers Muddy Waters' The Lost Tapes for high resolution digital music download. These recently discovered performances showcase a true blues legend at the height of his powers. The songs are culled from two live appearances in 1971 by Muddy with a heavyweight ensemble of back up musicians. Without a doubt this i a must-have for the blues lover and of course Muddy Waters enthusiasts! The track listing includes:

1 Honey Bee
2 Hoochie Coochie Man
3 Walking Thru The Park
4 Trouble No More
5 Just To Be With You
6 She's 19 Years Old [intro]
7 She's 19 Years Old
8 Long Distance Call
9 Mannish Boy
10 Crawlin' Kingsnake
11 Got My Mojo Working

TACET has many new releases including the Auryn Series XXIV with Auryn's Haydn: op. 50, String Quartets · Vol. 7 of 14 op. 50, nos 1 - 6 as a two CD set. Also available is a new DVD-Audio with Auryn's Haydn op. 33 in TACET Real Surround Sound. This week the DVD-Audio with Beethoven Symphonies nos. 5 & 6 (DVD-A D164, also on SACD S164) is said to rank "among the first" of a truly illustrious collection of famous recordings. This brings us to the third new October release of Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F major, "Pastorale" op. 68 by the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a 180 gram vinyl LP release and naturally produced in tube only, without any semiconductor in the signal chain. TACET offers many other classical music titles that are available on CD, vinyl LP, SACD and DVD-Audio.

10 / 26 / 09

Enjoy the Music.com has yet again updated our our sixth annual RMAF 2009 show report with event coverage by Tom Lathrop. His extensive over 4,300 word report in not to be missed! Within his report he says, "I attended an interesting presentation in the Nordost room by Roy Gregory... they've been doing for the past year, trying to come up with a way to measure the effects that cables, power conditioners, and vibration isolation can make in an audio system.... This is very much a work in progress, but it seems to be the first objective evidence that power cables, power conditioning, and vibration isolation can make a measurable difference in audio equipment. Hopefully it will lead to a better understanding of the causes of these differences, and better ways to measure those differences." Read Tom's complete RMAF report by clicking here.

Enjoy the Music.com has a world premiere of Hi-Fi World's Volume 19 Number 10 (December 2009) including the compete editorial and table of contents. This issue features reviews of the B&W CM9, Digital Do Main B-1a Japanese power amplifier, Musical Fidelity AMS35i pure Class A integrated smplifier, Brennan JB7 plug and play hard disk based music system, Harman Kardon HD990/HK990 digital disc spinner and integrated amplifier...The editorial by David Price says, "Remember 1999, and the feverish fin de siècle mood of that moment? Amazing isn't it, to think that we're now ten years on from talk of 'millennium bugs' and MP3s? Back then, all the media talk was of Napster and the menace MP3 presented to the music industry, whilst Dixons started stocking the Diamond Multimedia Rio, with a whopping 64MB of memory! Quirky as all this sounds now, life ten years ago wasn't so dramatically different, and nor was hi-fi." To see the entire table of contents and read the complete editorial click here.

10 / 23 / 09

Enjoy the Music.com has just posted the November 2009 edition of The Absolute Sound (Issue 197) featuring the complete table of contents and editorial! This edition features their high-end audio buyers’ guide, with mini-reviews of top picks in every category and every price. Other articles include Fourteen Ways to Improve Your System, A Music Lover's Guide to Computer-Based Music, a Guide to Better Bass and much more! Within this issue's editorial by Robert Harley titled An Embarrassment Of Riches he writes "Getting back to the value of today's gear, high-end-product designers have made enormous strides in discovering circuits, parts, and techniques for delivering great sound at lower prices. The modern high-end audio industry really came into its own in the 1970s, having evolved from the "hi-fi movement" of the 50s and 60s. Consequently, many of today's great designers have been refining their craft for several decades." You can see the table of contents and read the complete editorial by clicking here.

Telarc's label Heads Up has released University of Calypso that is filled with wonderful sound and great music. Steel pan master Andy Narell joins forces with guitarist/singer Relator to explore the role of jazz in vintage calypso. It has been over 50 years since a major calypsonian went into the studio with a group of jazz players (featuring special guest Paquito D'Rivera). Andy Narell has been playing calypso music from Trinidad since he was barely tall enough to reach the pan! Now, with the release of University of Calypso Narell joins forces with calypso legend Relator to explore the role of jazz in vintage calypso. The track listening is as follows:

1. Gavaskar
2. Love in the Cemetery
3. Food Prices
4. Pan in Harmony
5. Eating Competition
6. Steel Band Music
7. My Pussin
8. Sugar For Pan
9. Hold Onto Your Man
10. Peddlars
11. Bottle and Spoon
12. Take Yuh Meat Out Meh Rice
13. Pan On Sesame Street
14. Ugly Woman
15. My Brother Your Sister

See more industry news by clicking here.