July - August 2017 Archives - Positive Feedback

Equipment for Making Archival Digital Copies of an LP, Part 3: Graham Slee Revelation M Phono Stage

John Marks — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 22:58:56 +0000

This is the third installment of John Marks' very helpful series that guides our readers through various aspects and considerations for digitizing their LPs. In it, John...he of The Tannhauser Gate blog site...is seeking to help you by providing recommendations for quality components in a cost-effective way. Could other components be used? Of course. But by... Read More »

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Equipment for Making Archival Digital Copies of an LP, Part 2: Rega Research Ltd. Planar 3 Turntable Package

John Marks — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 19:00:02 +0000

Herein we have part two of our good audio friend John Marks, he of The Tannhauser Gate blogging fame, in which he continues his series on transferring and digitizing LPs in a cost-effective way. Many PF readers will find this series to be of assistance, as they seek to archive their valuable, but so very fragile, analog records.... Read More »

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3Divas

Marc Phillips — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:43:51 +0000

DIVA 3DCD-2017, CD $17.99, available at http://divajazz.com/sights-and-sounds/recordings/3divas_cd/ Should it matter that the music you're listening to is performed entirely by women? That's the problem I had right out of the gate when it came to reviewing this eponymous debut CD from three supremely talented jazz musicians—pianist Jackie Warren, bassist Amy Shook, and drummer Sherrie Maricle.... Read More »

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KR Audio P-135 Preamplifier

Brad Morrical — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:54:21 +0000

The little preamplifier that could? KR Audio is the now relatively well known Czech amplifier brand that made its name on very big, and big sounding, tubes and tube amplifiers. Who, in the audiophile world, doesn't know the fearsome name of the Kronzilla, with its awe-inspiring KR T1610 output tubes. While these are no longer... Read More »

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Core Power Technologies EQUI=CORE 300

Victor Chavira — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:35:22 +0000

Image courtesy of Tweek Geek Power conditioners are an essential part of a high fidelity audio system. The reproduction of musical sounds in our homes begins with AC power. Unfortunately, AC power is susceptible to all manner of electrical contamination that impedes audio components from sounding their best. Even dedicated sound rooms with independent wiring... Read More »

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Equipment for Making Archival Digital Copies of an LP, Part 1

John Marks — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:57:31 +0000

This is a fascinating new series from our good friend John Marks, editor of The Tannhauser Gate. In it, John proposes to provide a reasonably simple and affordable method for converting LPs to digital files for playback on computer-based systems. I think that his comments will be quite helpful for those of our readers here at PF who... Read More »

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Elac Discovery Music Server

Larry Cox — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 20:35:38 +0000

Computer audio is a little bit like Sauron's "Ring." It promises audiophiles control over their digital files, easier access to information about the music they are listening to and even dominion over the information from the overlord of information called the interwebs all from your throne, er listening seat. What's not to like? That's the lure. The... Read More »

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An Adventure in the Art of Tone with the Duelund Coherent Audio DCA Series of Tinned-Copper Cables, Part 1

Jeff Day — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 19:28:23 +0000

Back in Issue 88 of Positive Feedback I wrote about the Duelund Coherent Audio DCA16GA tinned-copper audio cable that I've been using for building interconnects, loudspeaker cables, and for the internal wiring of my Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers' Duelund CAST external crossovers. That was a scant seven months ago, and now due to popular... Read More »

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From Digital to Digital: Converting a Library from Spinning Discs to Network Based Audio with the Bricasti Design M1 Network Player

Michael Zisserson — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 22:52:47 +0000

Bricasti Design surpasses their already world-class performance with a new Network Player option for the M1 DAC. Since the Network Player provides an option for computer based media files that is not simply a game of swapping convenience for fidelity…It was apparent it was time to undertake the journey of computer-based, networked audio. Change is... Read More »

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World Premiere Review of the Grado Epoch Phono Cartridge

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 23:24:13 +0000

The Grado Epoch Phono Cartridge has become available this August, 2017, and takes its place as Grado's supreme cartridge offering. With my hands-on experience using the Grado Statement 1 and Statement 2, the Statement 2 being one of my five current references, cartridge advances are speedily continuing, and most advances mean more expensive. The Statement 2... Read More »

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Coming Up! Monterey Jazz Bash @ 60

Jim Merod — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 20:15:17 +0000

Monterey CA, September 15 – 17, 2017 One of this legendary jazz festival's most star-studded line ups will drive energy and sheer musical glory to its full height this fall in the comfortable expanse of Monterey's bucolic fairgrounds. Tributes to jazz heroes—Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and Sonny Rollins—will punctuate the weekend. Herbie Hancock... Read More »

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Segovia - The Blue Guitarist

Chip Stern — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 20:26:28 +0000

RADIO FREE CHIP Ourselves in the tune as if in space, Yet nothing changed, except the place - Wallace Stevens The guitar is a small orchestra. It is polyphonic. Every string is a different color, a different voice. - Andrés Segovia In January of 1987, Andrés Segovia embarked on what turned out to be his... Read More »

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Vintage SME 3009 Tone Arm Rebuild, Part 1

John Marks — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 16:11:03 +0000

In this exciting episode, our good friend and courageous audio guide John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate (http://www.thetannhausergate.com) announces his intention to take on a rebuild on the venerable SME 309 tone arm. But this project will be with a twist! For part one, and to find out what the twist is, read on, dear reader, read on...... Read More »

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Studio Electric FS1 Loudspeakers

Dan Schwartz — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 18:25:07 +0000

I've used the same pair of speakers for 22 years. (And they still surprise me.) They're nameless and were made for me by Richard Marsh: a pair of Dynaudio cabinets with Dynaudio drivers and crossovers built by Richard. He said I should call them DS-something—so how about Marsh/Dynaudio DS-1? He'd made a pair for himself,... Read More »

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Bill Evans Trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Claude Lemaire — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 17:59:05 +0000

Bill Evans Trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UD1S 2-002 Box (2017, June), #2103 of 3000. Originally released on Riverside – RLP 9376 (1961, Oct.) Category: jazz. Format: Vinyl (2x180 gram LPs at 45 rpm) Ratings Global Appreciation: 9.6 - Music: A (9.0) - Recording: 9.2 - Remastering + Lacquer Cutting: 10 - Pressing:... Read More »

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Impressions: The LA Audio Show 2017, My Portraits

David W. Robinson — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 21:55:04 +0000

David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of Positive Feedback. (Photograph by John Robinson) As time has gone by, I have become more and more interested in covering not only audio shows or events, but also the people there. And not as photojournalism, but as art. Real portraits made during the difficulties of audio show circumstances. Show reporting... Read More »

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First Listen to Grado Epoch Phono Cartridge: World Premiere Audition

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:33:03 +0000

Great news! John Grado and Grado Labs have come out with a brand new reference Grado cartridge, and were kind enough to send me a review sample for me to try and to report to our readers worldwide here at Positive Feedback. The Grado Epoch Phono Cartridge premieres in August, 2017 and is a cartridge of firsts! ... Read More »

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Dan Zimmerman Music Video: "It All Happened So Fast"

David W. Robinson — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 07:55:44 +0000

Those of you who have been reading Positive Feedback for a long while will likely recognize the name Dan Zimmerman. He is a very close friend and fellow sojourner with me, and we have many deep interests in common: film, painting, photography, videos, poetry, philosophy, Christian life and thought, and spirituality...the list is a long one.... Read More »

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Unique Innovation Technology Perfect Music Purifier (PMP) Interconnect Series, World Premiere Review

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 23:23:09 +0000

At the recent LA Audio Show packed with manufacturers—many known to me, but also many surprises—I noticed a table loaded with sharp-looking cables and manned by a gentleman I knew: Mitch Ko. His previous company, INEX, built the most fascinating and unusual cables on the planet: they were made of fiber optic cable and battery powered.... Read More »

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Stein Music Power System, World Premier Review: Powerbar 10 Signature, Highline Power Powercord, Super Naturals Gold Feet

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:55:33 +0000

The Stein Music Powerbar 10 Signature (US version) With a track record of doing the amazing and, occasionally, the impossible, Stein Music of Germany introduces a power distribution system that works effectively and elegantly in the most sophisticated systems. Holger Stein, Chief Engineer and CEO, is both an electrical engineer and physicist and has... Read More »

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Playback Designs Integrated Single Chassis Sonic Masterpiece: The IPS-3

Jim Merod — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 00:35:36 +0000

What? My first "hi fi" stereo box, in 1957, was an elegantly constructed Magnavox LP changer with a built-in amp-preamp feeding two inch mono speakers. All of this consumed a minimal internal and external footprint. The device sat on splayed legs to raise it to easy access. It made sound of some discernible sort resembling... Read More »

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Kimber Kable Axios USB Cable: World Premier Review

Robert H. Levi — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 22:30:43 +0000

Hot off the assembly line in Ogden, Utah, comes Ray Kimber's very latest thinking in USB cable design. With five other models listed, starting at $50, this tour-de-force design is a semi-affordable $900 for a meter. This is quite a deal compared to the multi-thousand dollar models I have heard, and generally out performs those... Read More »

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Koeppel Design Record Dividers

Danny Kaey — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 22:20:05 +0000

It was about fifteen, sixteen odd years ago that I fell into the "vinyl" trap. Sure, growing up mom and pop had records, mostly of the classical Deutsche Gramophone variety; my ten years older brother had vastly greater selections diving into classic rock, some jazz and avant garde pop, but even he probably never made... Read More »

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Doshi Audio V3.0 Tapestage: Choices, Choices, Choices

Myles B. Astor — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:36:40 +0000

To go reel-to-reel tape or high resolution digital? That was the question facing this basically all analog person some ten years ago. No, there wasn't a lot of tape software available at the time but the same held true for high-rez digital too. Not to mention that digital playback technology was (still is?) changing from... Read More »

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Impressions: The Sonoma Acoustics Model One Headphones [UPDATED]

David W. Robinson — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 23:23:15 +0000

[Readers who read this article before the afternoon of 7/20/17 should re-read this amended version. In it, I correct a misapprehension that I was under regarding how the Sonoma Acoustics Model One handles DSD sources. You'll want to see what I have to say.] I like headphones. Heck, I love headphones. Always have, going back to my... Read More »

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