The Hi-Fi Kit
I feel very fortunate as a hi-fi writer that I am able to share with you about all the remarkable hi-fi kit that comes my way to write about.
We are truly in the greatest era of audio playback, a Golden Age of audio that surpasses all before it, almost all anyways!
This year the hi-fi kit that put me into a state of reverential awe were three-fold:
In Issue 140 of Positive Feedback I told you about the newly released Ortofon SPU GTX S moving-coil phonograph cartridge that combines both classic and modern design elements, to deliver a phonograph cartridge I consider to be truly magnificent.
The Ortofon SPU GTX S includes a custom miniature step-up transformer (SUT) inside the SPU body shell, allowing listeners to run the SPU GTX S cartridge directly into a moving-magnet phono preamplifier without the need for an external SUT, opening up easy access to that classic SPU magic for a new generation of listeners.
The GTX incorporates high-performance technology that has stood the test of time, like Alnico magnets, high-purity copper moving coils, and an aluminum cantilever, to deliver a big, bold, richly nuanced, liquid, and warm presentation that made the music irresistible.
I was so impressed I bought the review sample for use in my office system with my restored vintage Thorens TD-124 turntable. Highly recommended!
Ortofon link: https://ortofon.com/products/spu-gtx-s
Audio Note (UK) M8 RIAA Phono Equalizer
Audio Note (UK) AN-S8/L SUT
In Positive Feedback Issue 141 I had the good pleasure to tell you about my listening adventures with the stunning combination of the Audio Note (UK) M8 RIAA phono preamplifier and the AN-S8/L step-up transformer.
These impressive Audio Note (UK) “Level Five” components are extraordinary performers, with their all-silver circuitry and state-of-the-art internal componentry providing an abundance of musical information with remarkable resolution and clarity. That, combined with a holographic soundstage and imaging, a natural-sounding organic flesh-and-blood presentation of the music, effortless dynamics, unfailingly delivered a big, bold, dramatic, endearing, colorful, spine-tingling, and room-filling musical performance.
The Audio Note (UK) M8 RIAA phono preamplifier and the AN-S8/L step-up transformer are easily the finest components of their kind I’ve ever encountered, and their performance is at such a lofty level that it is a considerable challenge to articulate what this ultra-performing duo is capable of, as they transcend mere ultra-fi sound quality performance and dive deep into a realm that delivers music in an extraordinarily honest, convincing, real, live-like, and emotionally powerful way.
Unapologetically expensive, and worth every penny if you can afford them. I wish I could. I'll be buying lottery tickets in hopes for a little luck to come my way this Holiday Season!
I've been enjoying the M8 RIAA phono preamp & AN-S8/L combo with the heady Tomei 211 SET integrated amplifier in my Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers based system as part of the Audio Note (UK) review series here at Jeff's Place and Positive Feedback, courtesy of Peter Qvortrup.
It's been an amazing experience. This all Audio Note (UK) suite of electronics is a match made in heaven for my West's, and it is delivering the most impressive level of performance I've heard anywhere, ever.
I've been listening to the Christmas albums mentioned earlier as I write this article, and the performance level is so high it just blows my mind.
Most highly recommended!
The Duelund-Corona 832A Project
I said, "We are truly in the greatest era of audio playback, a Golden Age of audio that surpasses all before it, almost all anyways!"
When I said "almost all" I was thinking of the Duelund-Corona 832A Project with my vintage Altec 832A loudspeakers.
In Issue 141 Frederik Carøe (Duelund Coherent Audio) and I collaborated on "The Duelund-Corona 832A Project" where we built ultra-performance crossovers for a pair of beautiful vintage Altec Corona 832A loudspeakers using state-of-the-art pure copper Duelund CAST capacitors and inductors in the crossover circuit to deliver a level of musical performance that few contemporary loudspeakers can match.
The pure copper Duelund CAST capacitors and inductors are a performance marvel. They allow so much musical information to come through, so much musical nuance, such beautiful decay of notes, such rich harmonics, such an expansive sense of ambient space, such a vivid presence of flesh and blood musicians in my room, that it was absolutely jaw dropping in the way they delivered the music as a direct transference into my soul.
If you desire to take your current audio system to its next level of performance, I suggest you start your own Duelund crossover adventure. It's likely to be the best money you've ever spent on a system upgrade.
Oh, and there's just something special about those vintage Altec Corona 832A's ability to deliver a vivid sense of musical realism, particularly with the addition of the Duelund CAST crossovers, that few loudspeakers can match today.
I am so enchanted with this audio system's ability to deliver the essence of the music to me as a listener.
Ok that's all for now. Time to get on with the rest of my day.
From my home to yours, may this Holiday Season be your best ever!
As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
