Amplifiers, CD, D/A Converters

Luxman L-550A II, Pure Class A, Integrated Amplifier

Luxman produced the world's first Class A integrated amplifier in 1981 - L-550.

Luxman introduced the L-550A and L-590A in 2005, since then we have celebrated our 80th anniversary with commemorative components that have reaffirmed Luxman's status at the pinnacle of high-end audio. In these latest integrated models, the gorgeous texture and three-dimensional performance of our original Class A amplifiers has been retained and further refined. For example, the amplifiers feature a new electronic selector switch, adopted from the input section of the C-1000f control amplifier; the internal circuitry has been revised to include customised OFC wiring and a high-speed Schottky barrier diode has been selected for the power source section; improvements that have notably enhanced the sound quality for greater musical enjoyment.

Chassis bases have superb vibration absorption in order to supress noise levels. The power transformer, electrolytic capacitors and amplifer output stage (see amp block below) are laid out so as not to interefere with each other. To reduce intereference further, the block construction isolates each section using shielding panels, and extensive internal filtering to reject magnetic flux interference.

Luxman holds many patents for audio engineering, amongst them is the application of Global Negative Feedback to the output stage, which while widely used throughout the audio industry, they no longer use themselves.

Luxman nowadays use a distortion reduction circuit called Only Distortion Negative Feedback (ODNF). This system works by isolating noise & distortion at the output from the music signal and sparingly applying negative feedback to suppress them. Conventional negative feedback systems can have an adverse effect on the music, introducing phase distortion. "The circuit features such an ultra-wide range, ultra- high slew rate and ultra low distortion that it does not use phase compensation for the music signal amplifying circuits." This new technology also ensures that need for a DC servo circuit is alleviated, again improving sound quality.

Both the L-590AII and L-550AII, feature the new high quality electronic selector switch, which is the heart of the C-1000f pre-amp (one of Luxman’s 80th anniversary commemoration models). The sound quality deterioration using the new electronic input switch is now minimal, while channel separation and crosstalk efficiency were raised substantially in comparison with the previous L-550A / L-590A. In addition the illuminated position indicator around the input selector knob, makes it much easier to view the selected position even from afar.

"This phonostage is quite the fastest, most dynamic unit, with the highest resolution one can buy! " Holger Barske

"…the Whest PS.30R easily plays at the same level as the best phonoamps in the world" Thomas Broszio

Already being hailed as one of the very best phonostages ever, the PS.30R is taking the world by storm. This is what the design criterion was for the design engineering team at Whest Audio. The only way to achieve this type of performance was to scale down a true reference, so the MC REF V was used as the platform.

Where the MC REF V uses what the design team call a 'buried discrete' differential input stage to achieve it's ultra low noise 1.2nV sqHz input stage noise level, the PS.30R uses an ultra low noise bipolar 'matched' input stage to achieve it's vanishingly low 1.0nV sqHz input stage noise level. This means that even using an MC cartridge like the Audionote Kondo IO-J with it's ultra low output level of just 0.15mV, is no problem for the PS.30R. At 72dB you'll have all the gain you need with absolutely no noise.

The 'hybrid' passive/active RIAA filter has been lifted directly from the MC REF V and used for it's accuracy and, more importantly, it's transparency. The output stage in the PS.30R was developed for the MC REF V and is used in it's fullest glory in the PS.30R to bring unprecedented levels of detail from the lowest harmonics to the highest levels of the frequency band. And because the output stage is totally discrete in design with an output impedance of only 50ohms at 1Khz driving a 600ohm load, it has no problem in driving long lengths of interconnects even if they are of relatively high capacitance!

The PS.30R also sports a true balanced output which is a first for a phonostage at this price point! If you run either a fully balanced audio system or broadcast studio you won’t be left in the dark. And finally, you get all the quality you expect from a Reference Whest Audio product at a non-Reference price! Because we wanted to make absolutely sure the audio quality from this product should match or better anything in it's price bracket the PS.30R employs Vishay metal film audio specification resistors, EVOX RIFA and Vishay polypropylene film capacitors, in-house hand selected and matched transistors, Panasonic low ESR and low impedance power supply filter capacitors, ultra low ts time rectifier diodes, low noise voltage regulators, … and the list goes on and on and on. Oh, and it’s hand built and assembled in the UK!

Technical specification

Specification

Model No.:
PS.30R
RIAA curve accuracy: 18Hz - 22Khz +/- 0.2dB
Frequency response: 5Hz - 65Khz -10dB /- 1.0dB
Working band:15Hz - 85Khz
THD+N: 0.006%
MM Gain 40dB
MC gain 50dB-72dB internally adjustable 6 steps.
Connections: Silver Unbalanced RCA, Neutrik XLR
impedance balanced
Connectors: Silver Audiophile
Unpacked weight: 4.5Kgs
Packed weight: 6Kgs
Dimensions:
430mm x 290mm x 78mm
490mm x 350mm x 150mm shipping
Operating voltage: 230VAC 50Hz or 115VAC 60Hz

Transferring your collection to digital? Do remember that the quality of your transfer is directly related to the quality of your turntable/ arm/ cartridge/ phonostage setup. Rubbish in - Rubbish out really does apply here. The whole range of Whest Audio phonostages are used by archiving libraries throughout the world because of their superb audio performance and ultra low noise levels which is essential when converting to digital.

If your phonostage exhibits just a small amount of noise outside of the audio band then THIS will also be digitised. Even the whestTWO can be used with 192Khz /24 bit soundcards with absolutely no problems. The combination of the whestTWO and 192/24 is a great vinyl-digital standard and one which we wholly recommend whether you are on a budget or not.

Not all phonostages are capable of being used for digitising, which is why the archivers choice is Whest Audio.

GM-50 is the most recent GRAAF creation, an integrated amplifier born to complete our production of the highest class. GM-50 includes in a single frame the features and the level of performance that in the past were an exclusive of GRAAF preamplifiers and power amplifiers. Construction qualities, sound performance and the highest finishing level are joined with the lower cost and the ease of use of an integrated amplifier. The "GM" monogram on the front panel is a synonimous of the greatest sound quality, until now exclusive for top level electronics like GRAAF GM-200 power amplifier and GM- 13.5 B preamplifier. The goal of GM-50 is to establish new quality standards between top class integrated amplifiers.

As usual for GRAAF electronics, GM-50 aestethics are very accurate even in the slightest details. They rely on the coupling of a massive 15 mm aluminium panel with a transparent crystal that allows the vision of the internal circuit. Led indicators show through the crystal the source selected by the user, making the front panel even more attractive. Large rotary knobs give a comfortable access to listening level control and source selection. They look solid and sturdy; the pleasant feeling given by their use is quite what the most demanding audiophile can expect of a GRAAF electronic.
The careful manifacturing and the plentiful sizing of the most critical components are suggested by a frame depth of almost 50 centimetres. GM-50 has also a remote control for on/off switching, source selection, listening level control and mute switching. The amplifier can manage up to six line sources: two of them with balanced outputs, the others with single ended ones. Two tape outputs are provided as well.

High quality binding posts allow the connection of a couple of loudspeakers. Elegance and refinement, joined with versatility and ease of use are just a preview for the exclusive GM-50 internal features. They have been considered with the greatest care in the aim to reach new limits for sound and quality in top-class integrated amplifiers. To attain this object some of the solutions typical of the OTL Series electronics, conceived by Giovanni Mariani, are used. The fully balanced configuration from input to output is between them. Its realization concerns the complete doubling of the electronic circuits, the only acceptable solution for the GRAAF quality standards, until now used only for very few electronics of higher cost. At the power switching, GM-50 enters in mute condition, until tubes reach the operating temperature.
The project of GM-50 integrated amplifier is based on a lay out of great simpleness, an essential rule to obtain the best sound quality. The first stage, for gain and impedance adjustment, serves the level control, in order to reach the most correct operation. Audio signal then enters a stage made of two differential circuits in cascade, with the second of them that works as the actual driver for the output stage. At this point the signals are compared each other and subject to a further level gain. Output stages are made from a push pull of KT 88 tubes, biased for A-AB Class operation. Each tube has its own automatic bias control system, a choice that allows to obtain the best performance in any operating condition. Another exclusive feature of the output stage regards the use of transformers with ground connected central end in the secondary windings. Such a solution is to have a true balanced configuration for the output stage. Also, this allows to obtain a balanced configuration for the feedback circuit. Usually, in audio amplifiers, the feedback circuit brings back to the input only a part of the output signal, in a point defined as comparison knot. With this solution GRAAF GM-50 has two comparison knots for each channel, allowing to have a balanced feedback net, more linear, precise and stable in its correction purposes. GRAAF GM-50 has a feedback rate limited to 6 dB only. http://www.graaf.it

A New Purist Tube Line Pre Amplifier
Artemis Labs LA-1

The Artemis Labs LA-1 Line Pre Amp combines the clean, accurate sound of a purist single-triode line amplifier with the convenience and reliability of a solid, well-built product. Special care is taken with all parts in the audio path, from the Goldpoint™ stepped attenuator to the Swedish output chokes by Lundahl. The sonic clarity and detail are outstanding.

http://www.artemislabs.com/LA-1-vacuum-tube-preamp.html

Artemis Labs PH-1 Phono Pre Amp

The Artemis Labs PH-1 Phono Pre Amp is the result of several years of perfecting a simple yet extremely high quality tube-type preamp. High quality parts are used throughout and the design is rugged and reliable. The sonic qualities: tonality, detail, smoothness, and presence are outstanding. The PH-1 is optimized for medium- to high-output cartridges, either moving coil or moving magnet.

http://www.artemislabs.com/PH-1-vacuum-tube-phono-preamp.html

LSA VS.1 MKII Signature Amplifier

The signature version takes the legendary sonic performance of the VS.1 Reference MkII to a new level of musicality. Every design element has been addressed to offer only the best in parts quality. The music is set against a pitch black background with incredible transient performance, sweeping synamics and lush free flowing ease in the midrange frequencies; making the VS.1 Signature MkII a world reference.

Audio Aero

AUDIO AERO, created in 1997, is the high end audio equipment division of Mazères Aviation Group, started in 1977. This group includes now 5 high-tech companies with main activities in aeronautics and racing industries.
The company is based in Toulouse (south-west of France), the “silicon valley” of aeronautics, located just near Airbus office and Aérospatiale plant.
AUDIO AERO products are enjoyed in more than 30 countries.All Audio Aero products are manufactured in our facilities by people with aeronautic certification to ensure quality and reliability.
AUDIO AERO has at it's disposal aeronautic industry testing equipment and we own complete audio specific testing devices (Audio Precision ATS2, Neutrik A2D)

"Passion for music is the reason why AUDIO AERO exists, while our slogan “Fly to the music” summarizes our area of France and our way of living, mixing art and aerospace industry."

Click here for specifications on the popular Prestige Monobloc amplifier

Orpheus Labs

After designing the ORPHEUS ONE digital to analogue converter, the ORPHEUS TWO multi-channel pre-amplifier and the ORPHEUS THREE mono and stereo power amplifiers, Orpheus Labs is working on extending the Orpheus Laboratories line. Expect to see new innovative and high performance products soon.

Available through My Kind of Music; for more information visit the manufacturer's site: http://www.orpheuslab.com/

E.A.R.

E.A.R. amplifiers are unequalled in their ability to deliver a pure rendition of the signal fed into them, free from the colorations and distortions of most amplifiers. Tim de Paravicini has been instrumental in investigating the role of ultrasonic resonances in amplifier circuits and their effect on transient response. He has also undertaken significant original research on the subjective effects of distortion. This research has not only facilitated the interpretation of amplifier measurements, but has shed light upon the correlation between measurements and sound quality. The results are easy to appreciate - E.A.R. amplifiers are among the most accurate amplifiers ever made.

http://www.ear-yoshino.com/products.htm

QUAD Classic

The history of Quad is one of technical achievement in the field of sound reproduction. It is a story that began with the Quad 1 amplifier which brought the benefits of 15 years and experience in professional audio and industrial products to the task of making the most accurate domestic audio amplifier of it's age.

A few years later, the product which set the standard for amplifiers was the Quad II Power Amplifier that was introduced in 1953, the year of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation and the year in which Mount Everest was finally conquered. This amplifier pioneered the principal of cathode coupling through the output transformer to reduce harmonic distortion to almost negligible levels. Such was it's clear superiority that this model remained in production for 18 years.

Three years later in 1956, Quad demonstrated the first true full-range electrostatic speaker. This remarkable product (know later as the ESL-57) used a virtually mass-less plastic film as a moving diaphragm between two charged plates. Compared to the loudspeakers of the time, the ESL free of unwanted colourations and distortions. This landmark product remained in production, virtually unchanged, for 28 years.

foundation research V6

The foundation research V6 is a tube line stage preamplifier, a single ended triode tube design much like that of the V5. The same painstaking attention to detail is apparent through it's musical integrity that belies it's deceptively simple appearance and raw elegance. The primary objective is to recreate the art of a musical performance: the V6 will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.

foundation research is a Canadian company that manufactures an impressive line of audio components. Among these products are the LC1 (ACPower Line Conditioner), the NL1 (Noise load), and other fine products like the V5 single-ended tube phono stage. The V5 uses extremely high-quality components and hand selected matched valve sets. The phono stage can accommodate both MM and MC cartridges. The V6 Linestage Preamp is an all tube linestage from foundation research.

Available through My Kind of Music