SUMMER	2005
Page Two

New Stuff

 

MBL: Is there a more transparent speaker? If there is I haven't heard it.
         MBL speakers have a way of reproducing music that separates them from all others. The unique MBL Radialstrahler drivers are the heart of MBL designs and a key factor contributing to their amazing performance. It took ten years of dedicated work by a team of German professors, engineers and technicians to design and refine the Radialstrahler driver. This amazing device represents a truly new way of reproducing sound. These drivers possess speed, clarity and the ability to resolve low-level information while creating a holographic soundstage like no other. Lightning fast, but not bright. Remarkable clarity, but not analytical. Tremendous air and space, but with excellent focus and the ability to precisely localize of instruments and players. What more could you want? Once you've lived with the MBL's, it's hard to own anything else. It happened to me, so be careful.
      The latest speaker from MBL, the model 116, is eye candy to be sure, but this beauty backs up the good looks with sound that is down right addictive. Finish quality is immaculate and attention to detail is exemplary, qualities we’ve come to expect from MBL. The 116 is a four-way design using two 8" aluminum cone internal subwoofers, two 5.5" woofers, the delicious MT-50 Radialstrahler midrange and an HT-37 Radialstrahler tweeter. Frequency response is 32Hz - 33kHz. The numbers don’t begin to describe the magical qualities these speakers possess. Hear them and you’ll be lighter by $20790. Black or silver Piano gloss.
       The entry to the MBL speaker line is the 121. With this speaker you can experience the incredible speed, transparency and soundstaging found throughout the line, but with a bit less bass. It’s a truly remarkable monitor. $10999.
        MBL is famous for their loudspeakers, understandably so, as they are some of the best in the World. The MBL electronics, however, go relatively unnoticed. Very few realize that the electronics are just as remarkable as the speakers, something I’ve come to realize that after sampling several of their components.
         I was speaking with a well known manufacturer (who will remain nameless) of some of the best tube electronics around, when we got off on the subject of solid sate gear. I was surprised when he said MBL made the best solid state electronics in the world! That’s a pretty strong statement, but I’d have a hard time arguing the point.
         Whether you are considering speakers or electronics (including CD players), put MBL on your must audition short list.

CABLE TOWERS: For years audiophiles have known that elevating their cables improves performance. Though we’re not sure exactly why the practice is beneficial, there are a number of probable contributors. The most plausible explanations focus on the areas of vibration, static electricity and magnetic fields.
        Decoupling the cables from the floor reduces structure-borne vibrations that can decrease focus and cause audible “smearing.” Static charges present in carpet (and other flooring materials) couple to the cable, resulting in increased background noise and grain. We also know that an electromagnetic field surrounds every cable, especially AC cords. Separating cables from one another reduces the interaction of these magnetic fields and improving performance in the process. Most all systems will benefit from this tuning tweak, and will realize improved detail, air and transparency.
        A number of designs have been offered over the years, each with its own combination of strengths and weaknesses. The new Cable Tower Support brings together the best qualities of its predecessors while adding new beneficial features of its own. Unlike other products, the Cable Tower Support has been specifically engineered for audio/video applications. Its unique construction is unlike any other cable support to date and has four patents pending.
        Tests results support the superior performance properties, showing reduced stray capacitance to ground figures and the lowering of insertion capacitance.
         If you haven’t yet experimented with this tweak, it’s high time you did. Cable Towers makes it easy. A set of four is $99.

MUSICAL FIDELITY: Due in any day are the new 3.5 Series integrated amplifier and CD from Musical Fidelity. Priced at $1599 each, the A3.5 pair will represent the entry to the line and are positioned just below the extremely popular A5 components ($2500 each).
         Rated at 150 watts per channel into 8 Ohms (240 at 4 Ohms with 50A of peak current delivery), the A3.5 integrated amplifier features dual power supplies for the amplifier section (one for each channel) and a third supply dedicated to the preamp circuit. The A3.5 uses exactly the same topology as the A5, but with 3dB less power (125 watts instead of 250). Tonal signature, soundstaging and overall character are almost identical, with the more powerful A5 adding a greater level of control and drive. There are five line inputs, a home theater bypass and a preamp output for complete flexibility.
         The 3.5 CD player is equally impressive. Musical Fidelity believes the digital section of this machine is its claim to fame and offers a true 24 bit 95 kHz dual differential DAC with eight times up-sampling and a particularly low corrected jitter specification of 170 pico seconds. The beefy machine weighs in at a hefty 21.8 pounds.
         Even though it will be a little while before these guys arrive, I thought I'd give you a bit of tease and an early call for pre-orders if you'd like to be first in line. 

WAVAC: WAVAC gear is prized the world over for its incredible performance, forward thinking design and jewel-like build quality. Their single-ended, directly heated triode topology preserves the essence and nuance of music by its sheer simplicity, careful execution and painstaking parts selection and matching. You'll hear the delicacy and micro-dynamics normally associated with great SE designs, but with an improved openness, air and high frequency speed that is uncommon among single ended amplification.
         Under current audition here is the MD-300B (we especially like it with the TJ Mesh Plate 300B Premium tubes mentioned elsewhere in this issue - shown in photo). This classic integrated design features three inputs and a passive volume control circuit. The single 300B output tube produces nine glorious watts of single-ended magic. Ok, it’s not a powerhouse, but you’d be surprised by the wide range of speakers it will drive. We’ve been enjoying the amp with a pair of Totem Forests. Maybe not an ideal match on paper, but man-oh-man, does it ever sound good! So unless you’re after room shaking thunder and pin-your-ears-back volume, the MD-300B will happily mate with a quite a number of speakers on the market. $7500
         Uncomplicated, straightforward circuit design combined with extremely high quality parts and exquisite fit and finish - that's WAVAC. 

ESSEX AUDIO: You’ve heard Essex, but you’ve not heard of Essex. Let me explain. Though Essex has been manufacturing subwoofers for a number of years, their name is anything but a household word. Reason being, they’ve been designing and building subs for other firms. Companies such as REL and Rega, to name a couple, have tapped Essex for their design prowess. You’ve heard REL and Rega woofers, so you’ve heard Essex products.
         Now Essex has decided to offer their products, under their own name, in the U.S. market. You’ll be glad they did!
         The company produces three models, one to fit most every budget and need. The SW-1 uses an internal 120 watt amplifier to drive a long-throw 10" driver. The SW-2 employs a 12" driver pushed with 150 watts and the SW-3 uses two 12" in an isobaric arrangement powered by 300 watts. A range of crossover, phase and volume adjustments on each model allow it to be contoured for most any environment and blend with any loudspeaker. Each model is available in a satin black Ash or natural Cherry finish. The SW-1 is priced at $995, the SW-2 goes for $1495 and the SW-3 is $2995. Check them out.

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