Tag Archives: vinyl record

Reviews

$7500 Phono Cartridge Supercharges Record Players

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STOW, OHIO, June, 2024 — Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its new top-of-the-line phono cartridge, the AT-ART1000X Direct Power Stereo Moving Coil Cartridge. Hand built in Tokyo, Japan, the AT-ART1000X builds upon the engineering excellence of the previous rave-reviewed AT-ART1000 with improvements in design and materials, and threaded mounting holes for easier installation.

Innovative New Design

Unlike conventional moving coil cartridges, the AT-ART1000X’s Direct Power System places its dual moving coils on top of the stylus tip rather than at the base of the cantilever, enabling the cartridge to deliver extraordinary fidelity with greater musical detail. The AT-ART1000X’s coils are now rectangular rather than round, which positions more of their surface area in the magnetic field. This provides improved reproduction of record groove modulations, along with a higher output voltage for better signal-to-noise ratio and an expanded low-frequency range.

“By placing the moving coils, which convert the motion of the stylus and cantilever into electrical signals, directly on top of the stylus, the effects of the cantilever’s length and material type are minimized,” noted Yosuke Koizumi, Audio-Technica Cartridge Engineer. “This design and the additional refinements we’ve made to the AT-ART1000X achieve a new level of sonic realism, with remarkable resolution, tonal and spatial accuracy, and dynamic impact.”

Pure Copper Coils Make A Difference

Each of the AT-ART1000X’s two moving coils is made of 20 µm diameter PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) wire, hand-wound in eight turns to create a 1.1 mm x 0.6 mm (0.043 in x 0.024-inch) rectangle. The coils are contained in an ultra-thin 25 µm (0.98 mil) special film and housed in an 0.5 mm (0.020-inch) gap of the powerful magnetic circuit (smaller than the previous 0.6 mm gap), enabling each coil to generate a higher 0.22 millivolt output with a 3.5-ohm coil impedance, despite having a non-magnetic core.

The AT-ART1000X employs a special line-contact stylus and solid boron cantilever for superb accuracy in tracking the record groove.

The support base for the magnetic circuit, stylus and cantilever is made from titanium. The base, and the cartridge’s aluminum housing and hard plastic cover all operate together to disperse any internal resonances that would otherwise affect sound quality. In addition, a special coating protects the magnetic circuit from corrosion. The musical result is rich, natural full-bodied reproduction of vocals and instruments, with weight, presence, and depth, presented on an expansive soundstage.

The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X Direct Power Stereo Moving Coil Cartridge is now available at US$5,499.00/ CAD$7,574. For the Silo, Jamie Bobek.

Reviews

Geology Studio’s Open 45 Credenza Optimizes Streaming & Vinyl Listening Experience

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Geology Studio’s Open 45 Credenza in white oak

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Geology Studio’s Open 45 Credenza is an innovative, locally crafted, all-in-one listening credenza specifically made for enthusiasts of vinyl record collecting and streaming. Streamers can neatly dock iPads, iPhones, and headphones alongside digital listening gear now.
The Open 45 Credenza also promotes the use of your vinyl collection. Many record collections are hidden from sight in cabinets, stacked anonymously on a shelf, or stored too low to reach comfortably. The inspiration for the OPEN 45 is the idea of keeping your records in sight and ready to play, allowing you to spend time enjoying the fidelity of your vinyl.

“I’ve had a record player since I was a kid, my record collection spans the spectrum from the Ghostbusters soundtrack I got when I was 9 to Zeppelin to Sir Mix-a-Lot and everything in between. I’ve carried this collection around for years and rarely played it.” 

“I was on a mission to figure out how to help people like myself engage with their music collections. This piece is the result of that effort,” says designer Adam Friedman.   Made to promote the use of your record system and streaming devices, the Open 45 allows the minimum amount of steps to get your music playing.

Slotted interior allows for movable divider panels
Shelves can be moved to suit your setup
Cord channel runs entire length of unit for hidden cable management
Available in standard 5’ and 7’ Lengths.
Custom lengths available upon request
Legs available in matte black, brass finish or custom finish

“I’d been neglecting my records because the storage was inconvenient – out of view and not very accessible. In talking to friends and clients, I discovered I wasn’t the only one with this issue. The 45-degree angle of the Open 45 design is a feature informed by function.  Bringing albums into view in an organized and accessible way allows people to enjoy their collections and display them with pride, even the Ghostbuster soundtrack.

Everyone has their unique setup – explore the flexibility of our modular platform. Shelving sits atop and can be moved around, offering an easy way to customize your setup. A discrete cord channel runs the length of the piece, keeping only the things you want to see on display,” Friedman explains. 

Standard setup includes the following components:

  x1 Large Shelf 22” W x 19” D
  x4 Divider Panels
  Available in 27” and a low 21” Height

Custom Woods and Finishes Available
Walnut is the standard option. White Oak is a popular custom option, but most custom wood requests can be accommodated. The base is metal and is typically lacquered in a black or plated brass finish, though this is highly customizable as well. “There’s a high level of precision that goes into this piece because of all of the miter cuts. If your tools aren’t lined up perfectly, the end product won’t come together.” Geology Studio is run by a husband and wife team, Adam and Vanessa Friedman.  

Each piece is thoughtfully developed by Adam, designer and craftsman and every piece is hand built by local artisans. The finished products you see are a final iteration of many takes. Geology Studio builds and rebuilds to fine tune the design and comfort level.

”The meaning and value of an object reveals itself over time, reflecting the consideration and patience invested in the design process. It is in this process I seek to design objects that listen, effortlessly adapting to the changing needs of a home and the people in it.”

Geology finds inspiration by seeking new ways to see, feel and experience the everyday world.  For the Silo, Virginia Chavez.

“I was on a mission to figure out how to help people like myself engage with their music collections. This piece is the result of that effort,” says designer Adam Friedman.

Sci-Tech

Audio-Technica Wowed by Response to Limited-Edition Release of “Sound Burger” Portable Turntable

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To commemorate the company’s 60th anniversary, Audio-Technica released a limited-edition Sound Burger portable turntable this past November – four decades after its original debut. A-T never imagined the overwhelming response the release would generate.

That limited-edition AT-SB2022 retro red Sound Burger sold out in a matter of days worldwide – faster than anyone projected.

The Sound Burger will return in spring 2023.

Inspired by the response and acknowledging the loud chorus of fans who were not able to purchase the limited-edition model (but were still hungry for Sound Burgers), the company has announced that the Sound Burger will return in the spring of 2023.

“The response to the 60th anniversary limited-edition model of the Sound Burger portable turntable was nothing less than extraordinary,” said Gary Boss, Director of Marketing. “We heard loud and clear the frustration of those who hoped to buy one of these turntables but were unable to do so. While the new model coming in the spring will not feature the 60th anniversary numbered badge, color and packaging of the limited-edition version, it will be more widely accessible. We hope Sound Burger fans will be just as excited about this new model and that it will inspire the next generation of analog enthusiasts.”
 


Love at first listen, the Sound Burger is an affordable entry-level machine in terms of both features and price. For those who are new to vinyl records, it is a doorway to a deeper knowledge of analog music.

Thanks to its Bluetooth® connection and compact, lightweight design, the Sound Burger is the perfect partner for parties, picnics, or condensed living spaces. It easily connects to Bluetooth headphones or speakers for up to 12 hours of wireless record listening.

The Sound Burger offers high-quality sound reproduction with a belt-drive system that plays 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records. To achieve both portability and stability, the tonearm employs a dynamic balance system in which stylus pressure is applied via a spring. In addition, a high-precision DC motor maintains stable rotation. Accessories include a 45 RPM adapter, RCA audio cable (3.5 mm male to dual RCA male), and USB cable for charging (USB Type-A / USB Type-C™). The stylus on the Sound Burger can be upgraded with the higher quality ATN3600L (sold separately).

Reviews

Three Thousand Dollar Cartridge Reveals All That Vinyl Records Offer

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Audio-Technica Introduces Its ART Series AT-ART20 High-End Phono Cartridge  

STOW, OH, June, 2022 — Audio-Technica recently reached out to The Silo and announced the introduction of its AT-ART20 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge, the latest in A-T’s ART Series of high-end phono cartridges. The AT-ART20 utilizes Audio-Technica’s magnetic-core design to achieve extraordinary musical realism. Complementing its superlative vinyl playback performance, the AT-ART20 has a striking, distinctive contoured appearance.

“Our goal in creating the new AT-ART20 was to capture the full expressiveness of the original recording,” said Bob Peet, Audio-Technica Global Product Manager – Analog Products. “

To that end, the AT-ART20 embodies technologies and know-how that are the result of our 60 years of experience in phono cartridge design and manufacturing.” 

The AT-ART20 (SRP: US$2,900 / CAD$3,760) delivers expansive, detailed sound with unmatched imaging and dynamics. The AT-ART20 utilizes the advanced manufacturing and polishing techniques that have been developed in the eyeglass industry of Sabae City in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture. The cartridge’s body features graceful curves with a flowing, organic design that has never been previously achieved. The body is made of precision-machined titanium combined with an aluminum cartridge base and an elastomer under cover, a selection of materials that provides significant resonance reduction along with lower mass. The cartridge body has threaded mounting holes to facilitate installation. 

The AT-ART20 features dual moving coils aligned in an inverted “V” shape which provides optimal channel separation for superior stereo imaging and wide dynamics. The front yoke of the magnetic circuit is 0.6 mm thicker than previous designs, to improve magnetic flux density and increase the output efficiency by more than 15 percent to 0.55 mV. 

The cartridge employs a nude special line-contact stylus with a solid boron cantilever just 0.011 inches (0.28 mm) in diameter, to extract a remarkable amount of information from the record groove. The boron cantilever is connected to the armature utilizing a stepped-pipe construction, which provides increased rigidity and improved strength with decreased resonance for a purer audio signal with clearer, more detailed sound.

The AT-ART20’s tip reinforcement plate is made of titanium, which reduces overall mass and improves the cartridge’s high-frequency performance, which extends to 50,000 Hz. 

The Audio-Technica AT-ART20 Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge is now available. Contact us on where and how to place your order.

Reviews

PS Audio Shipping New Stellar™ M1200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

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Boulder, Colorado, May, 2020 – PS Audio recently announced it is shipping its new Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier. Designed to deliver extraordinarily clear, detailed and musically accurate performance, the monoblock M1200 features an all-new hybrid design that combines a tube input stage with a customized ICE Edge output stage and delivers 1200 watts (into 4 ohms, 800 watts into 8 ohms), to effortlessly reproduce the most dynamic musical passages as well as the subtlest musical details.
 
The M1200 was designed by Darren Myers, the engineer who created the acclaimed Stellar Phono stage and other PS Audio products. The M1200 employs a 12AU7 vacuum tube at its input, chosen for its optimum gain and voltage characteristics in the circuit, and for its ability to preserve the most delicate nuances of the amp’s input signals. The 12AU7 is the identical tube used in PS Audio’s flagship BHK Signature amplifiers, chosen after extensive listening and performance tests.
 
The ICE Edge output stage is a new type of high-current Class D design, offering extremely low total harmonic and intermodulation distortion with high headroom and linear performance across the frequency range. As Darren Myers explained, “other output modules can exhibit non-linear phase and impedance issues at the frequency extremes. The ICE Edge design eliminates these problems thanks to patented circuitry and feedback techniques.” Myers continued, “Although it can deliver massive amounts of clean power into even the most demanding loudspeaker loads, the M1200 sounds equally good at lower volumes.”
 
Like every PS Audio product, meticulous attention has been paid to parts quality and construction. The M1200 has a sleek, elegant appearance that matches other Stellar Series components and is available in silver or black.
 
The PS Audio Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier will be available in June 2020 at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $5,998 per pair. Pre-orders are currently being taken.
 
M1200 Features at a Glance: Zero-loss vacuum tube input stage and custom ICE Edge output stage. Fully balanced circuitry, RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs. 1200 watts RMS into 8 ohms, 600 watts into 4 ohms, stable to 2 ohms. Greater than >1100 damping factor for exceptional loudspeaker control. High-efficiency operation. Dual, solid copper, plated output binding posts facilitate bi-wiring, 12-volt input trigger, 27 lb. each; 17″ wide by 3.75″ high by 12″ deep (13″ with connectors)

About PS Audio
Founded in 1973, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.
 
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