The test consists of swapping out various interconnects between the outboard crossover of the Marten Coltrane Supreme loudspeakers and the Audio Kegon amps that handle the frequencies above 100Hz. Picutred you can see the gray Audio Note Sogon interconnect in place.

The Acrolinks.

The Acrolink interconnect up close. These connectors are massive, and I believe this the only connector they come with. Very substantial and secure fitting things they are.

These are the two Nordost Valhalla interconnects side by side.

Part of this test was for us to see… hear… the difference between these two connectors. Was it all just hype?

We are not so sure about these connectors. They seem to pick up ground loops like nobody’s business. It is possible, and quite frequently the case, that:

* they are on too tight or too loose, in which case they either appear to be broken (aka no sound comes out) or

* they generate a large ground hum because they are not grounded at all (the area of contact on the target connecting post is dirty? or perhaps they are just too loose), or

* they pick up a small ground loop hum because they are only partially grounded (perhaps the connector is so thin that it needs its own shileding….?)

The WBTs up close

We love these old connectors. You put them on, they stay on. They feel secure. They don’t wear out after many, many uses.

The Audio Note Sogon interconnect

The Audio Note Sogon interconnect

The Shootout.

From one extreme to the other:

*** The Acrolink 7N-DA6100 - $4995 ***

Very clean. the cleanist sounding of this bunch (but not as clean as the Jorma Design Prime, at $2K more!). Very detailed and lovely air. Midrange is clean with perhaps a little too quick on the top of the note attack and on the decay. Bass is good.

*** The Nordost Valhalla with the WBT connectors - $4000 ***

Rounder than the Acrolink, more body. Also more veiled than the acrolink. Smoother because of it but there was also a whisp of a feeling of the music struggling to get out.

*** TheNordost Valhalla with the old Neutrix ***

The midrange frequencies are more laid back, a little more veiled. A little less midi- and micro dynamics in the midrange as well, compared with the WBT solution.

How subtle is the difference? In my mind I keep thinking 10% - whatever that means. I think it means that if the WBT was 100% better than it would be twice as good. In the midrange. In terms of these attributes.

In this test we did not get the dreaded ground loop hum with the WBT and we did prefer the WBT solution. The slight increase in resolution and slightly more presense in the midrange - was nice, and appreciated

*** The Audio Note Sogon - $2725 ***

The midrange was quite similar to the Vahalla in terms of detail and resolution, but with more color and subtle harmonic content. The bass was a little muddier than the other cables but a little more natural. The highs not as prestine as the Acrolink, and similar to the Valhalla in quantity but a little more natural in quality - i.e. not so much going for the ability to spotlight each detail in the treble, which I know many people like (including us, sometimes ), but instead makes the details more integrated into the overall sound stream.

For this system, in its current state of break in (its making good progeess, finally) with the all Audio Note front end, we left the Sogon in place. It made the system much more musical to listen to, at least at this time.

There is a 5 meter Valhalla interconnect (Neutrix) between the linestage and the amps.

Swapping this out for, say, Sogon, or Acrolink even, would *probably* make the sounds of the various setups with these various cables more reflective of the underlying strengths and weakness of these cables.

[Is this always true? That a system cabled throughout with just one kind of cable will always highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of that cable? I know many manufacturers and dealers say you MUST use just their cable for your whole system to get best results. And I can agree with this if their cable is way better than what is currently in the system.

But what about using various cables as ’spice’? I know that the word ‘tone control’ is a pejorative thse days, but until we get the perfect wire, all cables, including the lauded Belkin power cords, will be tone controls, like it or not. And so, taking this reality into account, I propose we must carefully, and consciously, spice our system with various cables lest we get something that tastes salty, …or like poop ]

Looks like we got to miss the last snow-punch here, being a wee bit too North for it.

Ah..hhh gee. That’s …just …too …bad.

After all that shoveling, I just keep saying to myself, to the tune of the Christmas carol: ‘Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow’

“Let it Melt, Let it Melt, Let it Melt”.

[This is the official poop. The previous post will be redirected here. Still think the burgundy metallic is going to be the “cat’s meow” … after the gloss black, anyway ]

CES 2007 and THE SHOW - Jan. 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th

Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) will have static and
active exhibits on display again at CES 2007 in Las
Vegas. Please stop by and see our new and existing
products on display and in use by industry leading
companies. Representatives from HRS will be available
for technical and sales consultation.

Our rooms at CES and THE SHOW are as identified below.
We will have the new production SXR frame in the
Asthetix, Shindo, and the HRS static rooms. This new
audio stand frame was designed to be a very high
performance frame designed specifically for use with
our reference level M3 Isolation Bases. The SXR is a
sister model to our reference level MXR frame. The SXR
has a similar engineering approach as the MXR but was
design to be very cost effective for use in low profile
systems. The SXR like the MXR will also be available
is single and doublewide versions. The SXR is also
available in amp stand configuration (1 shelf), which
will be featured in the Asthetix and Vendersteen Rooms.

We will also have a bird’s eye maple version of our MXR
on display in our static room. This is a custom MXR
finish that a few lucky customers have enjoyed over the
past year but we have never displayed this finish at a
show so please stop by and see this unit in person.
The birds eye maple MXR will also include the new
billet machined aluminum cable organizer system
designed for the MXR series frames. This MXR option
was design to allow organization and controlled routing
of signal cables and in particular have the ability to
support the weight of network box cables like that
produced by MIT. Other features at CES this year will
be a new burgundy metallic finished MXR in the BAT room
and a gloss black MXR in Vandersteen room. Rockport
Technologies is using a MXR-1921-3V (shorter 3 shelf
version of MXR) in our mahogany finish over at THE
SHOW.

Harmonic Resolution Systems Inc. - Static Display
Venetian Tower 29-201

Active rooms using Harmonic Resolution products are:

Rockport Technologies - T.H.E. Show
St. Tropez All-Suite Hotel - Room 1104
455 E. Harmon Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 369-5400

Asthetix - Venetian Tower 29-221

Balanced Audio Technologies - SandVenetian Bassano 2704

Shindo and DeVore Fidelity Ltd. - Venetian Tower 29-327

Vandersteen Audio - Venetian Tower 29-203

Everything is currently unplugged, of course, in response to last nights storm and the storm expected tonight…

But there have been a few changes in the last few weeks…

Acoustic Zen Adagio loudspeakers, driven by Audio Areo Capitole amp and Audio Aero Captole Reference CD player

Kharma Mini Exquisite loudspeakers (with Soundlab Ultimate 1 speakers looming in the background), Lamm ML1.1 amps, Lamm L2 Linestage and Emm Labs CD / SACD CDSD SE transport and DCC2 SE DAC

Closer… That is a HRS MXR equipment rack.

Marten Coltrane Supreme loudspeakers, Audio Note Kegon amplifiers, …

…Audio Note M10 linestage, Audio Note DAC 4.1x Balanced DAC and CDT3 transport. Walker Proscenium Gold Signature turntable. That is a Rix Rax Grand Hoodoo equipment rack.

Marten Design Coltrane loudspeakers, Lamm ML2.1 amplifiers, Audio Aero Prestige CD / SACD player and linestage, Brinkmann Balance turntable and Lamm LP2 phono preamplifier. Acoustic Dreams equipment rack.

We spent the morning shoveling most of the way out… Let’s see what happens with tonight’s storm.

Hey, at least we are keeping in shape!

A Very Special CES Invitation

Globe Audio Marketing and Brinkmann North America cordially invite you to a very special presentation during the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 8-11 January 2007.

This invitation only demonstration will take place in a private estate with an audio listening room similar in scope and size to what might be found in a normal listening environment. Comprising a WLM active loudspeaker system, Audio Aero Capitole CD player and the Brinkmann Audio Balance and LaGrange turntables, the Brinkmann 10.5 and 12.0 tone arms, the Brinkmann/EMT Titanium phono cartridge, the Brinkmann Mono amplifiers and Marconi line stage and the world debut of the Brinkmann Edison vacuum tube driven phono stage, as well as the Breuer Dynamic tone arm and Nirvana Audio cables. Demonstrations will take place in the afternoon and evening hours during the CES Show and will include a light dinner and product discussion.

This demonstration is in addition to the exhibition at Consumer Electronics Show in the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino suite 29-320 where the WLM loudspeakers Diva, Audio Aero Capitole CD player, a Brinkmann LaGrange turntable, Brinkmann 12.0 tone arm, the Breuer Dynamic tone arm and the North American debut of the RCM Bonasus vacuum tube integrated amplifier will be shown.

Contact Information:

Jody Hickson, Globe Audio Marketing
Email: info@globeaudiomkt.com

Lawrence Blair, Brinkmann North America
Email: information@brinkmann-usa.com

We got another 14 inches this evening, and it is supposed to snow in the Denver area all night and an even heavier snow is due to hit again tomorrow, as I understand it.

It is a little windy, which is good, from my perspective, as it shakes the snow off the trees before it can get too heavy, before the weight causes the tree limbs to break and take out the power. This is a heavier snow than last time, and the lights have flickered several times.

Power is a nice thing on a snowy night like this….let me tell you.

Still, I think we’ll go unplug all the gear,… hate for a spike to come through here….

Hope all you other locals are doing OK … and of course all you lucky enough to be having a NORMAL holiday…

I guess all of this is kind of fun, in a “now we’re really in for it, let’s see what happens!” kind of way….

Here is the latest, mostly purloined from Triode and Company:

System One - Primarily Level Three
NEW! CD2.1x/II - The return of the one-box cd player to the Audio Note line-up
CDT3, DAC 4.1x Balanced
TT Two, Arm Three Vx, IO1, S4
M3 Phono pre-amp
Conquest Silver mono amps
E/SPe HE speakers with new hemp cones in Apple veneer cabinets

System Two - Primarily Level Two
NEW! CD1.1x - Top Shelf Performance for Everyman
TT One, Arm One, IQ3
OTO SE Phono integrated amp
J/SPe speakers

and

AN-La25/BW speaker cable
AN-Vx10/P interconnect
AN-C10/GP-AG interconnect
SOGON15/XLR-AN-P interconnect

Kind of going in the affordable direction this show - interesting to see how that works out.

We have the reviewers who eschew anything in the top half of the price range (mostly online reviewers), and those that prefer to write about the best and only the best, mostly in the print magazines. And Audio Note does really well at both extremes, which should mean that ALL of them should be writing about Audio Note equipment, right?

Reposted here.

December 26, 2006

The ML3 Signature Power Amplifier

LAMM INDUSTRIES, INC. is proud to introduce its crowning achievement, the ML3 Signature power amplifier. The ML3 is a single-ended amplifier with a separate power supply utilizing a very powerful direct-heated triode GM70 (plate dissipation 125W).

The ML3 continues the fine tradition that began with the Lamm ML2 single-ended amplifier, and takes it to unimagined heights of performance attainable only now.

The ML3, along with the renowned Model ML2.1 amplifier, is practically the only single-ended amplifier on the market capable of reproducing the entire range of audio frequencies. The ML3’s midrange is beautifully rendered, along with a natural and extended bass, and unparalleled high frequency reproduction, up to now only available in our ML2, ML2.1, and ML3 models.

The ML3’s innovative circuitry enables a recreation of the original spectral balance and harmonic structure of the recorded material without loosing a strand of low-level detail or nuance. Another unique aspect of the design enables the ML3 to recreate a three-dimensional soundstage without boundaries or limitations, while maintaining an extraordinary transparency of perceived sound. The ML3 truly demonstrates what a properly designed single-ended amplifier can do.

Technical Aspects in Brief

The ML3 is a 32 Watt, no overall feedback pure class-A single-ended amplifier. It’s built on one of the most sophisticated power supplies ever used in audio, and its most prominent features are:

* Separate plate and filament transformers
* Six filter chokes
* Six rectifier tubes
* Highest quality film capacitors used in high-voltage power supply feeding the output stage
* Refined soft-start and delay circuits
* Option for turning the amp on/off controlled via Lamm preamplifiers

While the ML3 has no overall loop feedback, the amplifier features an option allowing the user to introduce small amounts of local feedback in the output stage. You can choose between two levels of feedback: NFB1 and NFB2, which differ in their levels. This allows for three feedback options: No feedback, NFB1 or NFB2.

A multi-turn trimming potentiometer, accessible through a special opening in the amplifier’s chassis, along with a set of test points, allow the user to adjust and measure the plate current of the output tube via an external voltmeter.

Absolutely unique custom-made output transformers, along with our unique output stage and sophisticated power supply, allow the ML3 to drive most real-world speakers yielding tremendous sonic impact and stability under the most dynamic conditions. Although the ML3 can drive most speakers, their full potential is best realized with high-efficiency speakers of 92dB and higher.

The design goal of the ML3 was to use best modern technology and processes in a style reminiscent of equipment from the golden age of vacuum tubes. Each amplifier is carefully constructed and handcrafted of the finest materials and world-class parts, some of which include military-graded DALE metal film resistors, PRC wirewound resistors, CADDOCK power film resistors; BOURNS multi-turn potentiometers; CORNELL DUBILIER and UNITED CHEMI-CON electrolytic capacitors, ELECTROCUBE, ROEDERSTEIN and ELCON film capacitors; HAMMOND chokes; gold-plated NEUTRIC and FISCHER connectors; military-graded low-noise long-life vacuum tubes.

Special attention was given to designing the plate and filament transformers that have no mechanical contact with either the transformer cover or the chassis, and are suspended in a special encapsulant that almost completely absorbs even residual mechanical vibrations. This plays a significant role in assuring absolutely unique clarity and micro-resolution.

Tube Complement:

* One 12AX7/ECC83
* Four 6N30P-DR / 6H30П-ДP (cyrillic)
* One GM70 / ГМ70 (cyrillic)
* Six 12AX3/12BE3

The ML3 is designed to function on AC line voltages throughout the world — 100/120/220/230/240 V — and can be internally adjusted without elaborate modifications.

Suggested retail price (preliminary): $126,290.00/pair

See you at the Venetian at CES, Suite 34-309!