Acoustic Signature STORM Price (in Poland): 19 300 zł (deck only, arm is an option) Manufacturer: AS-Distribution GmbH Contact: AS-Distribution GmbH | Salacher Str. 88 D-73054 Eislingen | Germany tel.: 71 613-898-135 | fax: 71 613-898-137 e-mail: info@as-distribution.de WWW: www.as-distribution.deCountry of origin: Germany The Storm turntable from the German company Signature is a classic mass-loader, which means that no single component is decoupled from others. It weights 31 kg. Vibration damping is achieved via large mass. The base of the Storm is a round block of aluminum (45 mm thick) – its diameter is a bit bigger than the platter diameter. The turntable has three aluminum, adjustable feet. On the right-hand side in the back there is an arm base that is attached to the chassis with Allen screw on the track. Thus the armboard may be pulled out to accommodate 12 inch as well as 9 inch tonearms. You can use up to three arms on this deck at the same time. The main bearing is made of hardened steel with hard tungsten carbide ball at its base. The manufacturer claims that they managed to come up with a special design of this bearing so that the rumble is extremely low. The housing of the bearing uses sintered bronze inserts, which do not require any oil. The contact point of the above mentioned ball and the bearing uses a proprietary material developed by Acoustic Signature’s engineers called Tidorfolon. The 50 mm thick, weighting 2 kg platter has diameter slightly bigger than that of a vinyl record, but its edge is beveled which makes record exchange easy. The aluminum alloy used for the platter is of a very soft grade which improves its damping properties. To improve dampening even more there are 8 cut-outs close to the outer edge of the platter filled with brass bolts with rubber rings on both ends. Furthermore, the bottom of the platter is coated with resonance-reducing material. You could place a record directly on the platter but the manufacturer suggests using a leather mat delivered with the deck. It is a quite nice solution but you can achieve much better effects with the Harmonix TU-800EX. It’s pricy but worth every penny. The torque is transferred to the platter with a long, rubber (square shaped) belt from an aluminum pulley fixed on the motor axle. The motor is equipped with heavy, aluminum enclosure. The Storm uses a synchronous motor – 12 VAC. It is powered via a shielded cable delivering current from a special power supply called Alpha-S. It’s a small box with an aluminum front, two toggle switches and a red LED. One switch turns the device on, the other changes the speed. The motor is not too powerful so it helps to give the platter a bit of spin while turning on. Inside the box there is an electronic module converting AC mains voltage to DC current and a precision oscillator that produces a perfect sine wave at 12VAC to run the motor, resulting in a perfectly steady and constant platter rotation (via High Fidelity)
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Acoustic Signature STORM

  • Price (in Poland): 19 300 zł (deck only, arm is an option)
  • Manufacturer: AS-Distribution GmbH
  • Contact:
    AS-Distribution GmbH | Salacher Str. 88
    D-73054 Eislingen | Germany
    tel.: 71 613-898-135 | fax: 71 613-898-137
    e-mail: info@as-distribution.de
    WWW: www.as-distribution.de
  • Country of origin: Germany

The Storm turntable from the German company Signature is a classic mass-loader, which means that no single component is decoupled from others. It weights 31 kg. Vibration damping is achieved via large mass. The base of the Storm is a round block of aluminum (45 mm thick) – its diameter is a bit bigger than the platter diameter.

The turntable has three aluminum, adjustable feet. On the right-hand side in the back there is an arm base that is attached to the chassis with Allen screw on the track. Thus the armboard may be pulled out to accommodate 12 inch as well as 9 inch tonearms. You can use up to three arms on this deck at the same time. The main bearing is made of hardened steel with hard tungsten carbide ball at its base. The manufacturer claims that they managed to come up with a special design of this bearing so that the rumble is extremely low. The housing of the bearing uses sintered bronze inserts, which do not require any oil. The contact point of the above mentioned ball and the bearing uses a proprietary material developed by Acoustic Signature’s engineers called Tidorfolon.

The 50 mm thick, weighting 2 kg platter has diameter slightly bigger than that of a vinyl record, but its edge is beveled which makes record exchange easy. The aluminum alloy used for the platter is of a very soft grade which improves its damping properties. To improve dampening even more there are 8 cut-outs close to the outer edge of the platter filled with brass bolts with rubber rings on both ends. Furthermore, the bottom of the platter is coated with resonance-reducing material. You could place a record directly on the platter but the manufacturer suggests using a leather mat delivered with the deck. It is a quite nice solution but you can achieve much better effects with the Harmonix TU-800EX. It’s pricy but worth every penny.

The torque is transferred to the platter with a long, rubber (square shaped) belt from an aluminum pulley fixed on the motor axle. The motor is equipped with heavy, aluminum enclosure. The Storm uses a synchronous motor – 12 VAC. It is powered via a shielded cable delivering current from a special power supply called Alpha-S. It’s a small box with an aluminum front, two toggle switches and a red LED. One switch turns the device on, the other changes the speed. The motor is not too powerful so it helps to give the platter a bit of spin while turning on. Inside the box there is an electronic module converting AC mains voltage to DC current and a precision oscillator that produces a perfect sine wave at 12VAC to run the motor, resulting in a perfectly steady and constant platter rotation

(via High Fidelity)

Source: highfidelity.pl

Equilibrium Three & Four Luxury Loudspeaker Systems from Faerber Acoustics

Great looks, awesome sound, and a comprehensive sound engineer; just a few of the words, which would best describe the Equillibrium Three and Four series loud speaker systems. With a natural stone horn shaped speaker and Karlson coupler with bass units, all departments we just mentioned has indeed been looked into with great penchant, and discerning audiophile shouldn’t have issues falling for these sets. With choices for the finishing, it gives the buyer the extra edge to select just what they want, with the Three and Four series which also have their own specialties:

Equilibrium Loudspeaker system

Faerber Acoustic Equilibrium 3 speakers

As the name suggests, this was created as 3-way passive speaker system, which has a Karlson coupler but combines on to a single coaxial unit. Like other luxury fabrications, natural stone is known to have its own properties to treat different sounds by magnifying them in unique ways as compared to other fabrics. Technically speaking, this system has a couple 18-inch bass drivers with front folded horns, apart from coaxial unit comprising of drivers made of beryllium membrane for higher frequencies, and dynamic range amplifiers of 200 Watts. The Karlson Coupler used here is made of copper and belongs to the category of 1,200 Hz combined together.

Faerber Acoustic Equilibrium 4 speakers

Taking one step higher than the three series, this speaker system set uses a 4-way passive sound dispersion format, along with separate bass units; it’s low and middle frequency stone horns, combined with its middle and high frequency coaxial unit. However, the primary major difference in terms of technical features is the pair of 18-inch bass drivers which take up 200 Hz of strength each, and are physically heavier at 200 kgs per channel. Other than that, additions would include the stone horn amplifiers which are of 700Hz strength and the Karlson couplers of over 5,000 Hz each, made of copper, along with the controllable power amplifiers with full dynamic capacity with anything over 200Hz. On a more physical level, one would experience a slightly brighter quality of sound which is due to the frequencies emancipating at a slightly higher range than the audible sounds.

Faerber Acoustic Deep Peak Bass unit

For the discerning audiophile, the more precisely they reproduce their sound, the better. Hence, to cater to this variety of listeners, the company has a Deep Peak Bass unit as well, which are perfect accompaniments with the Equilibrium speaker sets. With the option of buying these in mirror gloss piano finish or matt stone finish the bass unit adds even more strength to the quality of sound from speakers. Its main strength is the 18-inch bass driver with front fold horn created with MDF wood. What you could choose for finishing is displayed below, and we must, they seem complementarily aesthetic to the speaker set.

(via Equilibrium Three & Four Luxury Loudspeaker Systems from Faerber Acoustics)

Wizard High-End Audio Blog: Pluto Audio 12A Standard turntable with 6A arm

AVID Diva II and Diva II SP Turntables

Where some manufacturers begin their product line at the bottom, deriving higher performance by refining initial offerings, AVID takes the opposite approach by utilizing the Acutus as a starting point. Designer Conrad Mas builds as many aspects of the Acutus into other ‘tables as economically possible. All models are centered around a W–shaped sub-platter design, which provides high structural rigidity without extremely high mass. The sub platter is cast with variable density aluminum that acts as a conduit to drain vibration energy away from the tonearm mount and main bearing. The results? A turntable line with a signature sound free of resonance-induced coloration. Resolution and dynamics improve as you move up the range.

AVID’s top ‘tables utilize precisely wound coils for suspension. Yet the Diva versions use elastomers, made from an extremely high-grade Sorbothane that, according to Mas, does not degrade. The Diva II shares the same sub chassis and motor with the SP model, incorporating a DSP-controlled power supply and two-belt drive system. Many belt-drive turntables use a low-torque motor to spin the platter, yet AVID takes an uncommon approach via a high-torque motor, yielding low wow and flutter and great speed accuracy. Both ‘tables measure 33.3RPM out of the box. The Diva II is the only AVID model that does not require a motor swap when upgrading to the SP version.

The platter is the most visible difference between the models. While a cork mat covers each, the Diva II uses a less-expensive composite MDF platter than the massive, machined aluminum edition on the SP. Both ‘tables arrive with the sub chassis pre-drilled for an SME arm.

MSRP: $1,995 and $3,995, respectively (both without tonearm)

(via AVID Diva II and Diva II SP Turntables)

Source: tonepublications.com

AMG V12 TURNTABLE Your vinyl has never sounded looked so good. The AMG V12 Turntable ($15,000) is the first turntable from Analog Manufaktur Germany, featuring a CNC machined 25mm aluminum plinth, a 16mm axle bearing, a CNC machined aluminum platter with a weighted rim, a Lorenzi 2 pulse, low-speed brushless motor, 33.3, 45, and 78 speeds, a belt drive mechanism, a twelve inch tonearm, and devastatingly handsome looks. The AMG turntable line was created by a group of audio industry experts to advance the art of vinyl playback. Werner Roeschlau, designer and driving force behind AMG, works with his son and other master machinists at their bespoke multi-story Bavarian factory located north of Munich. All machining is done in house, combining the latest Computer Aided Design and CNC machines with “classic analog” tools including custom lathes and drill presses. Their factory has been manufacturing key, precision parts for some of the world’s most highly regarded turntables for over a decade. This expertise in the design and manufacture of turntables led to the AMG line, premiering with the Viella 12. (via AMG V12 Turntable | Uncrate)
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AMG V12 TURNTABLE

Your vinyl has never sounded looked so good. The AMG V12 Turntable ($15,000) is the first turntable from Analog Manufaktur Germany, featuring a CNC machined 25mm aluminum plinth, a 16mm axle bearing, a CNC machined aluminum platter with a weighted rim, a Lorenzi 2 pulse, low-speed brushless motor, 33.3, 45, and 78 speeds, a belt drive mechanism, a twelve inch tonearm, and devastatingly handsome looks.

The AMG turntable line was created by a group of audio industry experts to advance the art of vinyl playback. Werner Roeschlau, designer and driving force behind AMG, works with his son and other master machinists at their bespoke multi-story Bavarian factory located north of Munich. All machining is done in house, combining the latest Computer Aided Design and CNC machines with “classic analog” tools including custom lathes and drill presses. Their factory has been manufacturing key, precision parts for some of the world’s most highly regarded turntables for over a decade. This expertise in the design and manufacture of turntables led to the AMG line, premiering with the Viella 12.

(via AMG V12 Turntable | Uncrate)

Source: uncrate.com

CordCruncher Headphones

CordCruncher Headphone is basically a set of earphones with an elastic sleeve for the cables, one end of which always remains within it. You can expose anywhere from 16 inches to 3.5 feet of cord. The left and right wires are held in an elastic sheath that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. It’s a fully funded Kickstarter project. If you pledge at least US$20, you will receive a pair sometime in May.

CordCruncher Headphohnes - 15 Second Demo from CordCruncher on Vimeo.

Here is a quick video showing how to use the CordCruncher Earbud’s elastic storage function in 15 seconds flat!

(via CordCruncher Headphones | Projects | Gear)

Transrotor ZET 3 (New Version) version with two motors Price : 26 500 PLN (ZET3 + SME5012) ǀ 38 000 PLN (ZET3 + SME5012 + Konstant M2 Ref. + second motor) Manufacturer: Räke Hifi/Vertrieb GmbH Contact:Räke Hifi/Vertrieb GmbH | Irlenfelder Weg 43 D-51467 Bergisch Gladbach | Germany tel.: +49 (0) 2202/31046 | fax: +49 (0) 2202/36844 e-mail: transrotorhifi@aol.com WWW: TRANSROTOR Country of origin: Germany Dystrybucja w Polsce: Eter Audio Text: Wojciech Pacuła Photographs: Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Krzysztof Kalinkowski The ZET3 turntable is a not-decoupled construction, with high mass, with the capability of using a single motor mounted to the plinth, or two motors, placed on optional, heavy cylinders placed on both sides of the turntable – standing on the same surface as the turntable. The plinth is made from two plates of acryl divided with a layer of aluminum. This creates a 45mm thick sandwich. The acryl is black, and the aluminum has its edge polished. The plinth is cut in a characteristic way – it looks like a four leaf clover. In the front two petals we have the support – bolted from above, big rings with a steel pin, screwed into the plinth. The third pin is on the back. The pins are spherical on their ends, and are placed in even bigger disks. The disks are glued to silicone rings. This is the only place where a springy element was used. In the middle of the plinth there is a wide and high (for a turntable) cylinder, weighing 4kg, which houses the inverted bearing of the platter. As I wrote describing the ZET1, it is interesting that the platter was mounted in such a way that the center of gravity is quite high, and usually it is different, the tendency is to put it as low as possible. The platter is made of aluminum – it is 72mm high and weighs 12kg (in the ZET1 it was 60mm and 10kg respectively). The bottom of the platter is not flat, but has concentric rings, which work as a flywheel. On top of the platter there is a layer of vinyl. The platter is supported on a small subplatter, which is made as one component together with the spindle. The discs are clamped with an aluminum component. As I wrote, I exchanged the clamp for the Pathe Wings PW-S620 clamp – it is better, it has its mass closer to the platter spindle and is much better looking. In the basis version there is one motor, synchronous (“double synchronic motor”), placed in a heavy element. In the version with two motors, those are placed on additional supports, placed in cutouts of the plinth. We get also a longer drive belt, which is placed on the platter and both motor pulleys. The motors are powered by a big PSU, the Konstant M2 Reference, which also synchronizes them. It also allows for an electronic speed change. The turntable weighs about 26kg and has the dimensions of 450 x 400 x 180mm. The turntable is equipped with a long, 12” Transrotor 5012 tonearm, which is an OEM version of the SME 312 tonearm, mounted to a metal arm board. This is subsequently bolted onto one of the petals. (via High Fidelity)
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Transrotor ZET 3 (New Version)

version with two motors

  • Price : 26 500 PLN (ZET3 + SME5012) ǀ 38 000 PLN (ZET3 + SME5012 + Konstant M2 Ref. + second motor)
  • Manufacturer: Räke Hifi/Vertrieb GmbH
  • Contact:Räke Hifi/Vertrieb GmbH | Irlenfelder Weg 43 D-51467 Bergisch Gladbach | Germany tel.: +49 (0) 2202/31046 | fax: +49 (0) 2202/36844 e-mail: transrotorhifi@aol.com WWW: TRANSROTOR
  • Country of origin: Germany Dystrybucja w Polsce: Eter Audio
  • Text: Wojciech Pacuła
  • Photographs: Wojciech Pacuła
  • Translation: Krzysztof Kalinkowski

The ZET3 turntable is a not-decoupled construction, with high mass, with the capability of using a single motor mounted to the plinth, or two motors, placed on optional, heavy cylinders placed on both sides of the turntable – standing on the same surface as the turntable. The plinth is made from two plates of acryl divided with a layer of aluminum. This creates a 45mm thick sandwich. The acryl is black, and the aluminum has its edge polished. The plinth is cut in a characteristic way – it looks like a four leaf clover. In the front two petals we have the support – bolted from above, big rings with a steel pin, screwed into the plinth. The third pin is on the back. The pins are spherical on their ends, and are placed in even bigger disks. The disks are glued to silicone rings. This is the only place where a springy element was used.

In the middle of the plinth there is a wide and high (for a turntable) cylinder, weighing 4kg, which houses the inverted bearing of the platter. As I wrote describing the ZET1, it is interesting that the platter was mounted in such a way that the center of gravity is quite high, and usually it is different, the tendency is to put it as low as possible. The platter is made of aluminum – it is 72mm high and weighs 12kg (in the ZET1 it was 60mm and 10kg respectively). The bottom of the platter is not flat, but has concentric rings, which work as a flywheel. On top of the platter there is a layer of vinyl. The platter is supported on a small subplatter, which is made as one component together with the spindle.

The discs are clamped with an aluminum component. As I wrote, I exchanged the clamp for the Pathe Wings PW-S620 clamp – it is better, it has its mass closer to the platter spindle and is much better looking. In the basis version there is one motor, synchronous (“double synchronic motor”), placed in a heavy element. In the version with two motors, those are placed on additional supports, placed in cutouts of the plinth. We get also a longer drive belt, which is placed on the platter and both motor pulleys. The motors are powered by a big PSU, the Konstant M2 Reference, which also synchronizes them. It also allows for an electronic speed change. The turntable weighs about 26kg and has the dimensions of 450 x 400 x 180mm.

The turntable is equipped with a long, 12” Transrotor 5012 tonearm, which is an OEM version of the SME 312 tonearm, mounted to a metal arm board. This is subsequently bolted onto one of the petals.

(via High Fidelity)

Source: highfidelity.pl

Tune Blocker Cable For iPhone and iPod

Do you find it annoying when iTunes pops up every time you plug in your iPhone, iPod, or iPad? You could tweak your iTunes settings so that it won’t pop up automatically when you plug in your device, or you could just get the Tune Blocker instead to make things a whole lot simpler.

The Tune Blocker is a cable that lets you hook up your device to your laptop or PC, but it comes with a switch that lets you toggle between charging and syncing to charging only. Another cool feature is that you can plug and unplug your device at will, without any warning messages. The Tune Blocker is available from ThinkGeek for $19.99.

(via Tune Blocker Cable For iPhone and iPod | GeekAlerts)

ZIK Parrot Headphones by Starck

The ZIK Parrot headphones are super-advanced Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headphones. The design won a Hot Stuff award at CES for its laundry list of unique features. For one, the entire earpiece acts as a touch panel for easy swipe control. They also feature Digital Signal Processing which creates their “concert hall effect”, making all your music sound like you’re in the front row at a live show. When you take them off they switch to standby mode automatically.

(via ZIK Parrot Headphones by Starck at werd.com)

Base Reference - from €900 Terpsicore Tonearm Bases Vinyl sound reproduction is achieved starting from a high quality capture of information. At present, there are many well manufactured plates, tonearms and capsules to choose from but we’ve added more control over positioning, resonance and synergy for both the Tonearm and capsule thanks to our TERPSICORE tonearm base. Whatever your plate, you can better incorporate the capsule and tonearm to achieve a more realistic musical experience. Our TERPSICORE tonearm base is compatible with all existing models. Base Reference Stand - from €3655 Base Reference - from €900 Base Reference - from €900 (via Wizard High-End Audio Blog: Terpsicore Tonearm Bases)
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Base Reference - from €900

Terpsicore Tonearm Bases

Vinyl sound reproduction is achieved starting from a high quality capture of information. At present, there are many well manufactured plates, tonearms and capsules to choose from but we’ve added more control over positioning, resonance and synergy for both the Tonearm and capsule thanks to our TERPSICORE tonearm base.

Whatever your plate, you can better incorporate the capsule and tonearm to achieve a more realistic musical experience. Our TERPSICORE tonearm base is compatible with all existing models.

Base Reference Stand - from €3655

Base Reference - from €900

Base Reference - from €900

(via Wizard High-End Audio Blog: Terpsicore Tonearm Bases)

Source: cybwiz.blogspot.com

Lawrence, KS – April 1, 2012 – MartinLogan, the world’s leader in electrostatic speaker technology, today announced plans to launch electrostatic speakers for mobile applications such as cars, trucks, and boats. This new platform of innovative products includes a recently developed application of MartinLogan’s legendary electrostatic audiophile-grade speaker technology designed specifically for mobile applications-VaporSound™.

(via MartinLogan’s VaporSound – Speakers You Can See Through | Geek Beat Technology News)

Source: geekbeat.tv

Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System The Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System is like a boom box for the current generation. And it helps teach you. This good looking music system packs in a bunch of cool features. Some features include Tempo Control, which allows dancers to adjust the tempo of any track without changing the pitch, Dance Cue which allows dancers to set a cue point anywhere in a song to go back to it easily. There’s also Auto Battle Mode where you can create group or 1-on-1 battles on the spot, complete with countdown and voice prompts. DJ Mix plays non-stop mixes by genre, complete with transition effects between tracks. Finally, Dance Boost emphasizes instruments like the hi-hat and bass drum for a more pronounced beat and makes it easier to hear. You get a lot for your money at just $299. from Amazon. (via Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System | GeekAlerts)
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Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System

The Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System is like a boom box for the current generation. And it helps teach you. This good looking music system packs in a bunch of cool features.

Some features include Tempo Control, which allows dancers to adjust the tempo of any track without changing the pitch, Dance Cue which allows dancers to set a cue point anywhere in a song to go back to it easily. There’s also Auto Battle Mode where you can create group or 1-on-1 battles on the spot, complete with countdown and voice prompts. DJ Mix plays non-stop mixes by genre, complete with transition effects between tracks. Finally, Dance Boost emphasizes instruments like the hi-hat and bass drum for a more pronounced beat and makes it easier to hear.

You get a lot for your money at just $299. from Amazon.

(via Pioneer STZ-D10 Steez Solo Portable Music System | GeekAlerts)

Source: geekalerts.com

Brinkmann Bardo The Bardo is Brinkmann’s second direct or magnetic drive turntable. It was preceded by the Oasis (which looks like the same design on a plinth) and has the same rather elegant drive system. The motor and the bearing are one piece, that is they are combined because they both need to be in the same place. This is obviously not new, Technics and many other Japanese manufacturers did something similar over thirty years ago but there is only one other example with audiophile aspirations. That example is the Goldmund Studio which is no longer produced but had a pretty strong reputation even in the context of that company’s exalted range. While the idea of putting the motor around the bearing would seem to be a logical thing to do in practice it’s not without difficulties. The main one is that electric motors ‘cog’, that is their rotation isn’t totally fluid but consists of a series of small jumps as the rotor is pushed from one coil to the next. Brinkmann has sought to combat this by placing the coils at 22.5 degrees to one another and having overlapping magnetic fields, this was found to reduce cogging and make for higher sound quality compared to a traditional 90 degree layout. The Bardo also has somewhat more substantial platter than direct drives of yore, it weighs 22lbs (10kg) and the inertia that this provides further helps to smooth out any remaining cogging. Interestingly the speed control system uses analogue electronics where a digital system would undoubtedly have been cheaper, but as you will have surmised Brinkmann is not about making things at minimum cost. The speed control is done with a strobe or tachometer under the magnet in the bearing/sub-platter, its voltage output is compared with a temperature stabilized reference voltage and feedback is used to align the two. A digital system would be simpler but its RF emissions were considered to be a hazard to sound quality. The bearing is a steel shaft that sits on a Teflon cup but the rest of the motor and subplatter is machined from aluminium, it’s an elegant assembly shown here. The parts of the turntable that you can readily see are finished to a superb standard in anodized aluminum, it’s a simple single beam construction with three adjustable feet and a single arm mounting. The latter is large enough to accept arms from nine to 12inches in length and Brinkmann makes two tonearms the 12.1 and the 10.5, the name indicating size. Both are based on the classic Breuer design and have gimbal bearings for both axis. The counterweight is a split type that can cope with a wide range of cartridges but the effective mass of 12g would appear to suit moving coils. As mentioned the company doesn’t make its own cartridges but has a variant of the EMT which it calls Ti presumably in honor of that tiny bolt. It also has a resonance optimized contact patch or mounting made with a sandwich of materials. It has a Van den Hul stylus and various other modifications as well as a medium to low compliance suspension. Its worth pointing out that the platter is normally supplied with an acrylic top surface but for a premium can be had with glass instead. It comes with a screw down clamp that’s made to the same high standards as the rest of the player but you need to route around in the box and find the component that sits under the vinyl to give the clamp something to dish over. Much like the the output channels the user manual fails to mention such niceties. There are two power supply options for this turntable and the more expensive metal cased version came with this sample. On/off and speed switching is achieved with the toggle switch under the plinth, the tip of which glows green when its up to speed (or red if you push down for 45rpm). The final part of the puzzle is a granite slab that Burmester supplies as an option and which provides a solid ground for the turntable. You don’t need it to use the thing but it’s relatively inexpensive and has a positive effect on the low end performance, adding gravitas and power that you don’t get even with a well isolated stand. This 1.25inch thick slab is supplied as standard in the US but it’s a £339 extra in the UK. (via Brinkmann Bardo (Hi-Fi 85) | AVguide)
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Brinkmann Bardo

The Bardo is Brinkmann’s second direct or magnetic drive turntable. It was preceded by the Oasis (which looks like the same design on a plinth) and has the same rather elegant drive system. The motor and the bearing are one piece, that is they are combined because they both need to be in the same place. This is obviously not new, Technics and many other Japanese manufacturers did something similar over thirty years ago but there is only one other example with audiophile aspirations. That example is the Goldmund Studio which is no longer produced but had a pretty strong reputation even in the context of that company’s exalted range.

While the idea of putting the motor around the bearing would seem to be a logical thing to do in practice it’s not without difficulties. The main one is that electric motors ‘cog’, that is their rotation isn’t totally fluid but consists of a series of small jumps as the rotor is pushed from one coil to the next. Brinkmann has sought to combat this by placing the coils at 22.5 degrees to one another and having overlapping magnetic fields, this was found to reduce cogging and make for higher sound quality compared to a traditional 90 degree layout. The Bardo also has somewhat more substantial platter than direct drives of yore, it weighs 22lbs (10kg) and the inertia that this provides further helps to smooth out any remaining cogging.

Interestingly the speed control system uses analogue electronics where a digital system would undoubtedly have been cheaper, but as you will have surmised Brinkmann is not about making things at minimum cost. The speed control is done with a strobe or tachometer under the magnet in the bearing/sub-platter, its voltage output is compared with a temperature stabilized reference voltage and feedback is used to align the two. A digital system would be simpler but its RF emissions were considered to be a hazard to sound quality.

The bearing is a steel shaft that sits on a Teflon cup but the rest of the motor and subplatter is machined from aluminium, it’s an elegant assembly shown here.

The parts of the turntable that you can readily see are finished to a superb standard in anodized aluminum, it’s a simple single beam construction with three adjustable feet and a single arm mounting. The latter is large enough to accept arms from nine to 12inches in length and Brinkmann makes two tonearms the 12.1 and the 10.5, the name indicating size. Both are based on the classic Breuer design and have gimbal bearings for both axis. The counterweight is a split type that can cope with a wide range of cartridges but the effective mass of 12g would appear to suit moving coils. As mentioned the company doesn’t make its own cartridges but has a variant of the EMT which it calls Ti presumably in honor of that tiny bolt. It also has a resonance optimized contact patch or mounting made with a sandwich of materials. It has a Van den Hul stylus and various other modifications as well as a medium to low compliance suspension.

Its worth pointing out that the platter is normally supplied with an acrylic top surface but for a premium can be had with glass instead. It comes with a screw down clamp that’s made to the same high standards as the rest of the player but you need to route around in the box and find the component that sits under the vinyl to give the clamp something to dish over. Much like the the output channels the user manual fails to mention such niceties. There are two power supply options for this turntable and the more expensive metal cased version came with this sample. On/off and speed switching is achieved with the toggle switch under the plinth, the tip of which glows green when its up to speed (or red if you push down for 45rpm).

The final part of the puzzle is a granite slab that Burmester supplies as an option and which provides a solid ground for the turntable. You don’t need it to use the thing but it’s relatively inexpensive and has a positive effect on the low end performance, adding gravitas and power that you don’t get even with a well isolated stand. This 1.25inch thick slab is supplied as standard in the US but it’s a £339 extra in the UK.

(via Brinkmann Bardo (Hi-Fi 85) | AVguide)

Source: avguide.com

Trafomatic Audio Kaivalya

For more power than is easily available from 2A3 and 300B direct-heated triodes, we offer the EL84-based Kaivalya mono amplifiers. This project began as a custom commission for an audio magazine editor. It is now a production item in our top White Range. The brief submitted for this project asked for 45-type refinement and speed, lower THD, higher linearity, more bandwidth and 25 watts of power.

Our solution was a class A push/pull pentode power section with four EL84/6P14P-EV and solid-state rectification. This stage is driven from a single-ended 12AU7/ECC82 driver. Interstage coupling by our own 11-section transformer with 38 windings eliminates coupling capacitors. Between driver and power stage, we apply a very minimal 0.3dB of local negative feedback for a significant reduction in harmonic distortion.

The minimalist signal path of five tubes and two transformers is accompanied by a very overbuilt power supply. It includes three 10H Trafomatic smoothing inductors for the G2, driver stage and high-voltage power supplies. There are custom Trafomatic standby, power and dual C-core output transformers, current-limiting overload transistors and a LM317T voltage stabilizer for the driver heater supply. The mono amplifiers are finished in high-gloss white lacquer for the copper-lined solid wood casing and four transformer covers. The screwless top plate with engraved tube markers, the terminal plate and the power knob are fine aluminum. Custom paint colors are available by request. An engraved plexiglass tube shield is lit from below with concealed white LEDs during operation and orange in standby. WBT speaker terminals offer 4- and 8-ohm connection. The input sensitivity is 3V to optimize volume range of a partnered preamplifier.

Specifications:

  • Output power: 25W
  • Class of operation: Push-Pull (class A)
  • Tubes complement:4x EL84 (6P14P-EV) , 1x ECC82 per mono
  • Inputs: Aux
  • Outputs: 4 i 8 ohms
  • Input sensitivity: 2.8Vrms
  • THD %: 0.03% - 1W/1KHz, 1% - 25W/1KHz
  • Frequency bandwidth: 10Hz(-1dB)-95KHz( -3dB)
  • S/N Ratio: 82dB
  • Input inpedance: 100K
  • Power consuption: 200VA
  • Input voltage: 230V/50Hz (100-120-220-240V available on request)
  • Size: 430x290x165mm
  • Weight: 20Kg

(Text via Trafomatic Audio - Kaivalya Images from 6moons audio reviews: Trafomatic Audio Kaivalya))

Stax SR-009 Electrostatic Earspeaker

For many decades the name Stax has been synonymous with top quality electrostatic headphones, and many discerning listeners have regarded their top models as among the best, if not the best, headphones presently available. Last year, however, Stax changed the game by releasing a new ultra-rare and ultra-expensive flagship model—the SR-009 electrostatic earspeaker ($5250). To appreciate what a quantum leap into the price/performance stratosphere this represents, consider the fact that Stax’s previous flagship model, the SR-007 Mk2, sells for $2650 (the SR-007 Mk2 will continue in the product line and be sold alongside the SR-009).

The SR-009 is the most costly headphone on today’s market, and there is frankly only one thing that can possibly justify its lofty price: performance, performance, and more performance. Does the SR-009 deliver the sonic goods? That’s the question and the unequivocal one-word answer is, yes! If any headphone can ever make a $5250 price tag seem warranted, this is the one.

Consider this headphone if:

  • You want a neutral, accurate sound with wide bandwidth, and you prize clarity and low distortion.
  • You’re the sort of person who really wants to know precisely what’s going in his or her audio system and/or favorite recordings. The SR-009 will give you “the truth and nothing but the truth,” and will do so with disarming ease and grace.
  • You believe, as does Mercedes-Benz, in a philosophy of “the best or nothing.” At this moment in time, we think the SR-009 is the finest headphone in the world. Period.

Look further if:

  • Down deep, you think only a “nutball” would consider spending $5250 on a headphone. But caution: Once you hear the SR-009 in action, you may discover that you are, in fact, just such a “nutball.”
  • You find the overall cost of an SR-009 system daunting (recognizing that SR-009-based systems can easily set you back $10k or more, once you factor in the price of an appropriate amp). Also look further if you aren’t prepared to spend some time finding your ideal amplifier match.

Ratings (compared to cost-no-object headphones):

  • Tonal Balance: 9.5 (some might discern a very slight region of emphasis in the upper midrange.
  • Clarity: 10
  • Dynamics: 10
  • Comfort/Fit: 9.5
  • Sensitivity: 9
  • Noise Isolation: 3 (Frankly, the SR-009’s do virtually nothing to block out external noise—perhaps the price we pay for their terrific transparency?)
  • Value: 8 – 10 (Depends on your frame of reference. Yes, it’s the most expensive headphone on the planet, but no, $5250 is not too much to pay for the finest headphone there is—and one that puts many five- and even six-figure loudspeakers to shame.)