Grey, Skylar: The Sexiest Name in Audio

Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey will be opposed to the name, Skylar Grey: That it isn't theirs!

JP 2016/11/30
www.hifiart.ca

The World's Best Audiophiles

Let's look at the World's Best Audiophiles. Jeff Fritz of UltraAudio.com Magazine previously offered The World's Best Audio System!  In the spirit of travel, we'll get into TWBA and see if we can get some advertising for your sight.

The above TWBAS system illustrates many of the elements of high fidelity. Amplifier stands. Diffusion panels. And a slung ceiling, admittedly low.

We will look at the people behind the cohesion.

The unheralded slungs such as Jean Yves Higga (France), Romey the Cat (USA), and contrast with the approaching gaith of Athur Salvatore.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/

JP 2016/06/12

JA

Given that we are interested in the Rega Planet (a $795.00 CD Player), and using the world stereophile in our lexicon, let's look at JA's stereo, the head of the movement, circa 1997.

Why would we want the Planet? We'll the Net Worth Of The Earth is $223T*, while the BioSphere 2 value should be $195Q+. Purchasing (and controlling) the entire thing for $795 USD is like buying it for two native sticks, and akin to a fire sale.

It's a funny planet. We'll look at JA's system to gauge our ability to review components in a Stereophile manner, and to see our needs in the present context.

Therein, you have the audiophile situation. The inability to control the outside world, and so thus the desire to make things cosier... wherein.

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment Digital Playback:

Mark Levinson No.31.5, Mark Levinson No.30.5, The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-1 and DAC-2, Myryad MC 100, Sonic Frontiers UltraJitterbug.
Preamplifiers: Mark Levinson No.380S, Nagra PL-P.
Power Amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.333, Pass Labs Aleph 3.
Loudspeakers: Paradigm Reference Active/20, B&W John Bowers Silver Signature, Thiel CS6.
Cables: AudioQuest AudioTruth Lapis X2 interconnect (single-ended), Madrigal CZ Gel-1 interconnect (balanced), Mod Squad Wonderlink I (S/PDIF), Illuminati Orchid (AES/EBU), Cardas Golden Cross and MIT MH-770CVT loudspeaker cable.
Accessories: Target equipment stands, Audio Power Industries Power Wedge 116 Mk.II and Power Enhancer.
Room Treatment: ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusors; walls lined with books, LPs, and CDs; Sonex foam on the ceiling at the primary reflection points.—John Atkinson

The Mark Levinson is ground breaking stuff. We prefer the No. 32 to the No. 380S as a Preamplifier. We last listened to it with Wison X1 Grand Slam Loudspeakers, and find it (reference) worth the pretty price, with exception of the Mark Levinson Home Theatre Processor, No. 40.  Only Sonic Frontiers with their Transport 3 CD Player and Processor 3 DAC had similarly great stuff of the day. You will find it over-exgineered and constructed above the contemporaries. We are surprised JA does not have the No.33 Monoblock Amplifiers (of 1994) in his set, which far surpass the No 333. The Alph 3 was sweet. - John Paul

Mark Levinson No. 31.5 Reference CD Transport ($9,495.00 USD) - Stereophile Review
Mark Levinson No. 30.5 Reference Digital Processor ($15,950.00 USD)
The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-1 ($449.00 USD)
The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-2 ($449.00 USD)
Myrad MC 100 CD Player ($1,200.00 USD)
Sonic Frontiers UltraJitterbug Processor ($500.00 USD)
Mark Levinson No. 380S Preamplifier ($6,495.00 USD)
Nagra PL-P Preamplifier ($9,500.00 USD)
Mark Levinson No. 333 Amplifier ($8,495.00 USD)
Pass Labs Alpha 3 Amplifier ($2,300.00 USD)
Paradigm Reference Active / 20 Loudspeakers ($1,600.00 USD)
B&W John Bowers Silver Signature Loudspeakers ($8,000.00 USD)
Thiel CS6 Loudspeakers ($7,900.00 USD)

Thus, a playback setup of $72,333.00 USD (ignoring cables, accessories and treatments) to review a $795.00 CD Player.

Today, ignoring inflation, that would buy us a Focal Scala Utopia 2 Loudspeaker in Gold and Carbon Finish. Equivocating that to JA's B&W John Bowers Silver Signature Loudspeakers (0.1105995 of system price), that would mean a system around it would be $581,675.38 USD.

The total system price (including Focal Loudspeakers) [$654,008.38 USD today].

$89,606.12 CDN = $72,333.00 USD [today]
$77,061.26 CDN + $12,544.86 CDN HST/PST

The last checked price of a Focal Utopia Scala 2 in Gold and Carbon was $70,000.00 (CDN).

hifiart.ca
JP 2016/06/23

It's a funny planet.

*It's A "0.6%" World: Who Owns What Of The $223 Trillion In Global Wealth
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-02/its-1-world-who-owns-what-223-trillion-global-wealth

+Value of the Earth (Replacement Methods)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_of_Earth

Russian Art

Given that we have posted an article on basement audio, previously, and one of the top sound system (...) is being installed in Russia, here is a lovely article by video on Russian Art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcBdIBMwMxI

JP 2016/06/11
www.hifiart.ca

JV

JV’s Reference System
Loudspeakers: Raidho D-5, Raidho D-1, Avantgarde Zero 1, MartinLogan CLX, Magnepan .7, Magnepan 1.7, Magnepan 3.7, Magnepan 20.7
Linestage preamps: Soulution 725, Constellation Virgo, Audio Research Reference 10, Siltech SAGA System C1, Zanden 3100
Phonostage preamps: Audio Research Corporation Reference Phono 10, Constellation Audio Perseus, Innovative Cohesion Engineering Raptor, Soulution 725, Zanden 120
Power amplifiers: Soulution 711, Siltech SAGA System V1/P1, Constellation Centaur, Audio Research Reference 250, Lamm ML2.3, Zanden 8120, Odyssey Audio Stratos and Khartago
Analog source: Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond Mk V, TW Acustic Black Knight, AMG Viella 12
Tape deck: United Home Audio UHA-Q Phase 12 OPS
Phono cartridges: Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement, Ortofon MC Anna, Ortofon MC A90, Air Tight Opus, Fuuga MC
Digital source: Berkeley Alpha DAC 2
Cable and interconnect: Crystal Cable Absolute Dream, Synergistic Research Galileo LE, Ansuz Acoustics Diamond
Power Cords: Crystal Cable Absolute Dream, Synergistic Research Galileo LE, Ansuz Acoustics Diamond
Power Conditioner: Synergistic Research Galileo LE, Technical Brain

JP 2015/09/29
www.hifiart.ca

Skogrand Cables: The ACA

There's something quite right, and yet off about Skogrand Cables. (SCI Markarian 421 - shielded - wine red). If you're going to have something between your speakers and your shit, it might as well look like something. Nordst got this with their Odin, and now Odin 2.

We noticed them first with their ACA Seraphim Skogrand Edition speakers, which seemed exceedingly off to us, based on the description, and corresponding visualogy.

ACA Seraphim Skogrand Edition speakers

How could this be a "true reference speaker" (The Absolute Sound). Is it even on par with the Audio Artistry Beethoven (http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/328/, $24,750.00 USD)? Score a Grand seemed more apt. for a description. ACA stands for the Audiophile Club of Athens, and we are only talking SEAS drivers here, folks for the tweeter. ACA for the mid and the bass. The frequency response is only slightly extended in the treble (25 kHz), and just approaching going low, in the bass (28 Hz). To be fair, the $45,000.00 USD / pair list price likely only overs the 14-layer gloss finish, Rosewood Standard, 260 lbs, and the cables inside. The rest of the speaker seems thrown on as an "after-thought."



JP 2016/06/18
www.hifiart.ca

JR

JP

Headphones:

Sennehiser CX-500, Sennheiser IE-80, Sennheiser IE-800, Sennheiser HD560, Sennheiser HD560II, Sennheiser HD650, Sennheiser HD-800, Alexander Wang Beats by Dr. Dre urBeats Gold Special Edition, AKG XS, AKG K375 (x8), AKG K550, AKG Q701, Atomic Floyd PowerJax, Astell & Kern AKR-01, Sony MDR-V6, Ferrari Calvino T250 (x2 Black, Tan), B&O H3 (x2 Grey, Gold), HiFiMan HE-300, Tumi Monster Inspriation, A-JAYS Five for iOS, Stax SR-Gamma, Stax SR-007 Omega II.

Gear:



"The cognizant audiophile. Rational may be going just a little too far."

JP 2015/05/22
www.hifiart.ca

PM

MM

CB