This may seem like a detail for IT specialists, whose PCs run on Linux rather than MacOs or Microsoft, but the fact that the French network playback platform Audirvāna is available under this software is actually of great importance. While few PC users run Linux, this software is one of the most used to create interfaces in the professional world… and therefore those of streamers and NAS from many manufacturers.
Thanks to this development, the ‘Core Player App’ under Linux no longer needs a PC interface, so UPnP-compatible devices running under Linux can be managed directly from the Remote Audirvāna, available on Android and iOS, i.e. from the smartphone or tablet, without the need for a PC or Mac computer upstream, as is the case today. Ultimately, this will enable the manufacturer to develop even more new partnerships, such as offering Luxman an interface superior to Lumin to manage its new NT-07 network transport (VU FR article #53/ENG #11), or to handle a potential Ferrum streamer – already a partner – if the brand presents one soon, without the need to develop its own software to enter the streaming market.
By the way, Audirvāna has just extended its list of partners to include, in addition to those already in existence, KEF for its Wireless speakers, THX Onyx, Sonore and Vermeer Audio.
Technical Audio Devices Laboratories announced the TAD-C700 Pre-Amplifier as the newest addition to its top-of-the-line Reference Series of HiFi Audio components. The C700 incorporates a slew of technical refinements and enhancements to achieve a new level of performance, replacing the C600, TAD’s critically acclaimed flagship pre-amplifier released in 2011.
Immaculate preamplification circuit
The TAD-C700 boasts a high-performance, single-stage current-feedback amplifier in its flat amplifier section. The minimal use of amplifying elements enables the C700 to amplify every musical nuance faithfully. Furthermore, a dedicated output amplifier circuit provided to each of the two line outputs prevents signal branching and interference of connected equipment from deteriorating sound quality.
Fully balanced circuitry and dual-mono construction design
The C700’s fully balanced circuit topology amplifies positive and negative signal waveforms individually from input to output, in order to suppress even the smallest amplification errors between positive and negative signals, as well as between left and right channels. The wire length and dressing are identical between positive and negative signal paths and between both channels, to achieve an ideal signal path from input to output. Furthermore, the dual-mono construction design of circuitry achieves maximum symmetry to provide identical amplification, both electrically and mechanically, to positive and negative signals and to both channels, which results in a near-perfect stereophonic sound reproduction.
External power-supply unit
The C700’s power-supply unit is physically separated from the main amplifier unit. This design prevents vibration and magnetic flux leakage from the transformer from adversely affecting mechanical sections and audio circuits of the main unit. To increase the purity of power supply, the internal coil of the transformer is directly connected to the power supply circuit, minimizing the contact points with leading wires. Moreover, the terminals for directly connected coils, mounting terminals for motherboards, and clamping screws are all made of oxygen-free copper coated with non-magnetic materials to eliminate even the slightest magnetic distortions. A powerful toroidal transformer with a 400VA power rating, not uncommon in power amplifiers but unheard of in pre-amplifiers, powers the audio circuit to achieve greater signal transition performance. The entire power supply is housed in a rigid cast-aluminum monocoque chassis to suppress unwanted vibrations effectively.
Outstanding vibration control
The C700’s main amplifier circuit is mounted on a sturdy 33mm thick sub-chassis weighing 15 kg, made from pure aluminum ingots, to achieve outstanding vibration control that minimizes the effect of vibrations from speakers. The use of pure aluminum ingots provides a stable, low-impedance ground path, contributing to high-purity reproduction of music.
Custom-made parts and components
TAD’s custom-made electronic volume control circuit boasts ladder-resistance switching, achieving exceptionally precise attenuation performance and an ultra-low distortion of less than 0.0005% at 1 Vrms input. In addition, the power circuit employs TAD’s custom-made electrolytic capacitors, as well as large-capacity, ultra-low-distortion film output coupling capacitors to achieve a wider low cut- off frequency range.
Synchronous control of multiple C700 pre-amplifiers
A master C700 pre-amplifier can synchronously control several slave C700s connected to its “Master Out” jack. This enables two C700s to provide a dual-mono configuration for monoaural power amplifiers like the TAD-M700, and a multiple number of C700s in a setup with decoder and amplifiers to deliver multi-channel or immersive sound reproduction on highest performance levels.
Recording output and pass-through mode
The C700 is equipped with a dedicated recording output that bypasses the selector circuit to directly output incoming audio signals. It also has a pass-through mode that outputs input signals from a pre- out jack without changing the signal level. A monitor switch is not available on the C700 to eliminate any chance of switching elements adversely affecting sound reproduction.
Availability and recommended retail prices (incl. 19% VAT):
The Reference Series C700 Pre-Amplifier will be available in Europe from July 2024 at a suggested retail price of 69.000 Euro through highly qualified retail partners.
Experience the new C700 Pre-Amplifier and the whole range of TAD Reference Series speakers and components at Munich HIGH END Ashow in Room C113, Atrium 3.
PMC Active twenty5i series and Active upgrades get European debut at High End, Munich next week!
PMC will using the High End, Munich, for the European debut of its new Active twenty5i series. The four, two-way, models provide an optimised solution for music lovers looking for PMC’s studio quality sound, with its ultra-high resolution and clarity, from a fuss-free system that dispenses with the need for external amplification.
An active upgrade will be offered to existing owners of two-way twenty5 and twenty5i speakers – 21, 22, 23 and 24 so they can also benefit from higher resolution, control, and transparency with a simple-to-install active upgrade pack.
Building on the company’s 30+ years of manufacturing class-leading studio monitors with active amplification, the Active twenty5i series brings the same approach to PMC domestic audio systems for the first time. With integrated electronics and perfectly matched amplification, the Active twenty 5i models enable a superb performance without requiring a separate power or integrated amplifier. All the user needs to do is add a pre-amp or a streaming device to create a complete high-resolution system.
Each drive unit in the Active twenty5.21i, 22i, 23i and 24i models is directly coupled to a dedicated and perfectly matched 100w power amplifier, designed to control the driver with grip and precision. In circuit before the power amplifiers is a custom designed analogue crossover, which splits the frequency bands of the incoming line-level signal, from the balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA inputs, and ensures each amplifier is only amplifying the signals appropriate for its drive unit. The design of the crossover has been computer modelled and is specific to each model, with finely tuned roll off curves to ensure the perfect integration of each drive unit, excellent dispersion and low distortion. Pre-amplification, filtering and a dual-band power limiter, for non-invasive driver protection, guarantee studio quality performance with a pure, natural, authentic sound.
Existing owners of the PMC twenty5 and twenty5i series models don’t have to miss out on the active revolution, with the launch of the simple-to-install active upgrade. All the owner, or their hi-fi retailer, needs do is to remove the existing back panel and its integrated crossover and replace it with the new input/crossover/amplification back panel, which is connected to the speaker’s drive units with a single multi-pin plug. The entire start to finish installation should take no more than five minutes.
The replacement active amplification module is designed to work with all two-way models in the twenty5 and twenty5i series. Its crossover network has a unique setting for each model, ensuring the flawless integration of the drive units. A simple ‘model selector’ connector is plugged into the socket that corresponds to the model of speaker, to ensure the correct crossover settings are applied.
Oliver Thomas, commercial director, and head of design, explains the thinking behind the new Active series and upgrade kits, “Active amplification allows for superior control of the drive units within a loudspeaker, for absolute precision of their musical reproduction. It improves transient response through increased damping factor and reduces colouration for greater resolution and detail.” He continues, “Our active studio monitors, that create much of the world’s best music, have been built around our in-house designed amplifiers and active crossovers from day one and benefit from over 30 years’ experience. It is the best way to power a speaker and we know our audiophile customers are going to love the huge improvements in performance they will experience when they make the switch.”
The Active twenty5i series will be demonstrated in Room D106, Atrium 3.
For nearly four decades, Totem Acoustic has been a world leader in combining the utmost in spatial restitution while maintaining an expansive, musically dynamic and involving sound field. This accurate, three-dimensional expansiveness and musical liquidity can be augmented via a smaller chassis design as we have proven through our storied history.
The new Totem LOON as its namesake implies, has an entrancing, hypnotic and mystical ability to transmit sound in a fluid and completely engaging manner. Like a Loon, transferring not only sound but a mysterious, sonic energy that endlessly engages… transferring deep emotion, speed and balance within a quasi-full range sound experience.
In the words of chief designer Vince Bruzzese, “The LOON monitor offers a very uncomplicated placement, virtually a Plug n’ Play loudspeaker that yields great sonics even when listening from over 45 degrees off-axis. Bass is deep and tight, yet not exaggerated, with an excellent impact and decay all from a very small cabinet. Furthermore, there is absolutely no sense of boxiness in the sound and voices never sound congested.” The LOON produces full bandwidth sound even at low volume, all the while with astonishing imaging. Raising the volume never impacts the accurate scale of the music. This profoundly musical transducer sounds fabulous with all genres of music, offering an exceptional foundation for classical music.
Ported 2-way design
1” laser etched textile soft dome tweeter and 5.75” woofer with copper clad voice coil.
Introduced in September 2022, the Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 series currently includes three floorstanding speakers (702 S3; 703 S3; 704 S3), three bookshelf speakers (705 S5; 706 S3; 707 S3) and two center channel models (HTM71 S3; HTM72 S3). Today, it’s expanding upwards, gaining Signature models, but as with the 800 series recently, where only the large 801 D4 floorstanding and 805 D4 bookshelf were entitled to this Signature treatment out of the seven 800 Diamond models, only three 700 models climb into this category.
Presented in a beautiful midnight blue like the 800 Signature models, the 700 Signature is also available in a classy wood cabinet. Among the floorstanders, only the largest 702 S3 becomes a Signature. This three-way speaker features improved motors on the midrange and bass drivers, better capacitors and terminals, and a more open tweeter grille, like the one developed for the 800 Signature series. The price has risen from $6,999 to $9,000 per pair, an increase of 29%.
Among the compact models, it’s obviously the largest that gets the Signature version, i.e. the 705 S3, which also sees improvements to the bass-midrange drivers, terminal blocks (four if you want to bi-wire!), capacitors and tweeter grilles. The largest center speaker, the HTM71 S3, undergoes exactly the same treatment in its Signature version. In terms of price, the 705 S3 is up from $3,399 to $4,500, and the HTM71 S3 from $2,499 to $3,300; an increase of 32%. It remains to be seen whether quality will evolve as much.
