McIntosh: News

McIntosh supports LCD Soundsystem at Brixton McIntosh has proudly supported James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem with the provision of a £17,495 McIntosh MC1.25KW 1-Channel Solid State Amplifier for the band’s six-date O2 Academy Brixton (London) residency (June 27-29; July 1-3) which celebrated their 20th anniversary. Songs from the eponymous ‘LCD Soundsystem’ (2005), ‘Sound Of Silver’ (2007) and ‘This […]

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POWER LINES: The dedicated ones

Paul McGowan: If you’re serious about building a high-performance audio system you have to pay attention to the AC power. It’s a constant theme with me because power is the foundation of our systems. There aren’t many great structures standing on weak foundations. Power Plants solve many problems but they need a head start. One […]

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BATTLE OF THE BOXES

PS AUDIO / Paul McGowan In my post about Dr. Suess and HiFi, I mentioned the work on loudspeaker enclosures by British engineer Leslie Bucknell while at the company my father worked for, Stromberg Carlson. Bucknell’s approach to loudspeaker design was to create a speaker enclosure that would eliminate distortions that occur because of cancellations […]

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Quill

FIDELITY RESEARCH TONEARMS: Overrated nostalgia or … timeless classics?

I’m trying to get a handle on what’s up with these arms. It seems there isn’t alot of info available outside of the most desireable FR-64 and -66 series, though the FR-14s seem to command a bit higher prices. From what I can find: The -24, -34, -54 and -64 were contemporaries, with the -34 […]

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AUDIO INSIDER

SPEAKERS: It is, after all, an illusion

The center image of a two-channel system is known as the phantom channel for a good reason. It is an illusion. It doesn’t actually exist. Once you realize the center channel is completely dependent on setup, room, and speaker placement, it becomes a lot easier to purposefully do whatever it takes to enhance the palpability of your […]

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LEEMA ACOUSTICS: News

The Welsh specialist, founded by two ex-BBC sound engineers, will be throwing the covers off the highly anticipated new Quantum line, a four-strong range which has been several years in the making. Entirely designed, engineered and built in the Welshpool factory in Powys, Wales, the Quantum line comprises the new Electron CD player, Positron streamer, […]

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MARANTZ / ROWLAND: Classic 9 + Rowland Coherence, hot pins on XLR connectors.

Can I use other tubes than the EL34s on the Marantz 9s? The amps themselves and the manuals are marked with those specific tubes. So I don’t know if tube rolling would create problems. If you feel it’s technically possible and advantageous, what would you recommend in connection with the Quads?  Also, a phase issue […]

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LEEMA & AUDIO-T: News

Following Leema Acoustics’ June 2022 announcement of the forthcoming Quantum range, the Welsh hi-fi manufacturer has teamed up with Audio T, Cardiff, to host a special Quantum demonstration event, ahead of the official launch later in the year.  Audio T Cardiff, together with Leema Acoustics’ UK distributor MIAN Audio, will be showcasing the new Quantum […]

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MICHELL ENGINEERING: Gyro to Orbe upgrade; is it sensible in this system?

Can you advise me in my quest to enhance my current hi-fi system please? It looks like this: Michell GyroDec + Rega RB600 + Sumiko Blue Point Special cartridge. The phono stage is a Clear Audio Basic MM/MC. Loudspeakers are Linn Ninkas and CD player a Linn Genki. The power amp is a Linn LK140 […]

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PS AUDIO: Why haven’t these (switch mode power) supplies been used to better advantage?

Paul McGowan … Perhaps the single biggest reason to use a switch mode power supply (SMPS) on a power amplifier is that the output of a properly designed one is more like perfect DC than that of a conventional supply; and not just by a little bit. Conventional supplies switch back and fourth between plus […]

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THE ESSENCE OF SOUND: An interview with an audiophile

From the archives: Audiophiles are a fastidious bunch.  They’re audio perfectionists who are constantly on the prowl for the latest gear to appease their ears.  What sounds “fine” to one person, sounds like fingernails down chalkboards to an audiophile. But there are few audiophiles who could claim they have a way to enjoy high quality […]

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