WINTER	2009
Page Five

VPI: Available shortly will be the company's 30th anniversary Classic Turntable, which comes standard with the unipivot JMW-10.5i tonearm.
            The Classic Turntable uses new VPI pure copper wire, a solid plinth with black oak or walnut finish, a solid mounted AC synchronous motor, silent inverted bearing, and new isolator feet. The sound of the Classic Turntable is claimed to be "fast, clean, wide open, with deep powerful bass, and unequalled in speed stability." VPI took great care in this special design, with speed stability on par with a master tape, high noise rejection, a lack of random motion between the motor, platter, and tonearm plus an absolutely solid, non-resonating laminated one-piece chassis holding all components. Really solid construction evidenced by the 45 pound net weight.
            The Classic should be here soon, so be sure to check in for a full report on the sonic performance. $2499 Call for our special introductory pricing!

             Also new from VPI, the Scout II. On it VPI has replaced the acrylic platter with one made from cast aluminum and installed the new JMW-9HM tonearm. The arm on the Scout is excellent but is limited to higher compliance moving coils (above 12) or moving iron and moving magnet cartridges of higher compliance. The Scout II has a new higher mass tapered tonearm based on the very successful 12.7 arm, reduced in length but still having the full machined tapered arm tube and internal Delrin damping.  This new JMW-9HM is a better match for all moving coil cartridges.  The new arm has higher mass, greater damping, and works well with cartridges like the Shelter, Denon, and Grado.
             The Scout II will not replace the Scout, it will be in addition to it for those wanting the more massive arm and higher inertia platter and what they can bring to the table. $2499 - Call for our special introductry pricing!

SPENDOR: This respected line of British loudspeakers has a new Distributor. As a result, Dealers have been required to re-apply, and only a limited number have been accepted. We’re happy to report that we will be continuing our relationship with Spendor and are looking forward to some new and exciting products. Let’s talk about one of them.
            New models from Spendor are rare, so there’s a great deal of excitement surrounding the release of the SA1, their new flagship mini (priced at $1995pr). According to Spendor, the new SA “Is the most musical and revealing small loudspeaker ever created by Spendor.” Quite a statement considering the outstanding products that Spendor has produced over the years. Case in point is the S3/5R, a speaker that shares the same form factor (small, two-way mini monitor), though little else, as you will see.
            This 2-way infinite baffle (sealed enclosure) design has a new 15cm Spendor bass-mid drive unit and a new 22mm wide-surround hybrid tweeter. A meticulously refined crossover network with hi-grade electrical components and gold plated conductors integrates the drivers seamlessly.
            Audiophile wiring employing high purity silver plated copper conductors with halogen free dielectric is used throughout. Straight forward single-wiring to your amplifier via a pair of WBT binding posts ensures uncompromised performance and consistent sound.
            Structurally the SA1 combines the virtues of the ‘Classic’ Spendor thin-wall damped panel design with the considerable benefits of controlled, rigid bracing. The cabinet is constructed using three different panel thicknesses. Each panel is designed to have a specific resonant characteristic and the different natural resonances combine evenly to dissipate any vibration.
            Three luxurious new finishes are available including two hardwoods and a piano black lacquer. We chose the Satin Wenge finish and let me tell you, it’s simply stunning. Wenge has the warm, rich feel of Walnut with a bit of flair and hue borrowed from Rosewood. Gloss Zebrano, a lighter wood with striking grain that really makes a visual statement, is another great looking option.
            The exceptionally enthusiastic response from the new importer whetted my appetite for a taste of the SA1 and we promptly ordered a pair. Lucky for you they arrived in time for a listen before going to print with this issue.
            The smooth and seductive Spendor character was apparent right out the box, but I knew there was a lot more to come. I put my enthusiasm on hold and relegated the speakers to the obligatory 100+ hours of run in.
            Following a week of calisthenics with the IsoTek burn-in disc, the SA1’s were sufficiently exercised to warrant some serious listening. As with the 3/5R, the magic of this speaker is in the midrange. It’s smooth, relaxed quality is what makes the SA1 easy to enjoy for hours on end. I can also say that the new tweeter is cleaner and more refined than Spendor’s previous designs.
            The SA1 isn’t a speaker that will rattle windows, but bass is satisfying when reinforced by rear wall proximity. A bookshelf will no doubt be a popular destination for those with limited space, and with its sealed enclosure the SA1 is better suited to that environment than rear ported designs. Spendor fans rejoice! $2195.
            Announced for delivery in March are two new models, the A5 ($2595) and A6 ($3295). The A5 utilizes new drive units based on technology developed for the SA1 while the A6 borrows on knowledge gained during the development of the Spendor ST loudspeaker with its asymmetrically sculptured tweeter faceplate and refined 7” bass/mid driver. The new 6” and 7” drive units used in the two models have a magnesium alloy basket that support a long throw voice coil. The 0.8” and 1” wide-surround tweeters complete the driver array. As with other Spendor speakers, the unique linear flow reflex port allows the A5 and A6 to be placed in relative close proximity to rear walls with minimal interaction.
            The two-way, three-driver A5 stands just under 32” tall and features a 6” woofer, 6” mid/woofer and 0.8” textile dome tweeter. The A6 employs a 7” woofer and 1” tweeter mounted in an enclosure measuring 35”H x 7.68”W x 11.2”D. Finishes include Black ash, Cherry, light Oak and Wenge.   
            ^{Several reviews are already out in the British press, and the comments are incredibly enthusiastic. The respected Roy Gregory writes for Hi-Fi+: "...these speakers will bring real, live, breathing music into your home, just like hi-fi is supposed to." "Easy to use, easy to drive and easy to get the best out of, I love the A6s. They're GRRREAT!"
              The A5 was the group winner in a test by What Hi-Fi, beating out other speakers from Dynaudio, Dali and PMC. "In a group test with test with not one bum note, it's the all new Spendor's that take the glory. We can't praise them enough."}

PEACHTREE AUDIO: I stopped in at the Peachtree Audio exhibit after an invite by owner David Solomon. He introduced me to their new Nova, an integrated amp with Class A tube-based input (6922) stage mated to a stout 80 watt Class AB output stage. Much more than that, the unit features an ESS 9006 Sabre DAC with 24/96 up-sampling. It will decode virtually any data stream including MP3, MP4, FLAC, FF, WAV, Apple Lossless and others. There are host of digital and analog inputs allowing connection of virtually any source. The Nova has a USB input for your computer in addition to two coax and two optical inputs for other sources such as Apple TV, Squeezebox, Wadia iTransport, Airport, Sonos and XM or Sirius tuners. It also features three analog inputs for CD players, docking stations, tape decks or phono preamps plus fixed and variable line outputs for subwoofer or outboard amplifier. Home theater bypass is also included. As if that weren’t enough, there’s even a Class A Tube headphone output!
            The unique ESS Sabre DAC uses patented jitter reduction engine that re-clocks the signal before passing it through to a high resolution 24/96 up-sampling processor. Peachtree surrounds the DAC with 11 (!) regulated power supplies and transformer couple each digital input stage so noise associated with grounding and switching power supplies is eliminated.
            To demonstrate the capabilities of the Nova, Peachtree set up a rather surprising system. $70,000 worth of Boulder amplification and Aerial 20T speakers were fed by the line outputs from the Nova, which was receiving it’s digital signal from an Apple TV and PC. The sound was awesome! I know the Aerials and I have a pretty good feel for the Boulder amplification - they’re both incredibly resolved and easily reveal weakness in the source. I heard none. The quality of this little gadget is amazing, but even more amazing is the price, just $1199! It even looks phenomenal. The gently rounded edges of the lovely wood enclosure are finished in either gloss black or real Cherry or Rosewood.
            The Nova can be a wonderful foundation for a starter or second system, or the basis of the world’s best office rig. Just load your favorite songs onto your office desktop (or carry an iPod to work) and plug it into the Nova. Attach a small pair of speakers or a pair of headphones and recharge with some beautiful music. Peachtree offers a nice pair of matching mini speakers for just $599. Could there be a better small room, office, or dorm system for the money? I don't think so.

Tuning Tip

Getting the most from your system

Over the years I’ve found a number of ways to optimize system performance. I’ve distilled these tweaks into brief descriptions that I call “Tuning Tips.” I think you’ll find them helpful and insightful. Use them and I guarantee you will improve the sound of your system.

#18
Tighten speaker mounting hardware

              In their role of making sound, speaker drivers (woofers, midrange and tweeters) generate tremendous vibration. These vibrations not only excite the air to create the sound we hear, but are transmitted into the structure of the enclosure. Over time, the screws holding the drivers in place loosen due to this vibration. Once every six months or a year, it is a good idea to check the fasteners, and re-tighten as necessary, to insure tight coupling. It’s important to maintain equal pressure around the speaker frame. Do this by sequentially tightening opposing fasteners in a progression – first at 12 o’clock, then 3, 6 and 9.
             Be careful not to over-tighten! Quite commonly drivers are secured to the wood of the cabinet itself, which is often made from Medium Density Fiberboard (a compressed wood fiber material). MDF is relatively soft and easily stripped if too much force is used. Speakers using metal inserts in the cabinets will generally accept higher torques.
To be safe, I gauge the relative tightness of other fasteners first, then try to approximate this pressure on any that feel loose.
       While you are at it, have a look at the rear of the enclosure, checking the binding posts and any plate or cup that the binding posts might be mounted to. Make sure that all the fasteners are tight there as well.
         Note: Be cautious when using pointed metal objects (screwdrivers) close to drivers due to strong magnetic fields often present there.

 

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