By revising the circuitry of its digital sources, particularly the clock, Esoteric further enhances its most ultimate series. Upgraded to the SE version, the Grandioso P1X (CD transport with separate power supply), K1X (CD player with DAC) and D1X (double DAC monobloc) models now feature the improved “Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player” circuit, which further enhances jitter management, using OCXO clocks custom-built by the Japanese company. Introduced on the G1X preamplifier, this circuit takes the performance of the brand’s digital devices even further, thanks to a wider oscillation that gives digital signals greater volume and stability. At the same time, all three sources benefit from an overhaul of the auxiliary circuits and the feet under the chassis, for ever smoother, more realistic musical rendering.
Available now, the K1X SE, D1X SE and P1X SE can also be recreated from classic 1X versions, by updating them directly to the distributor, who will transfer them to the manufacturer’s factory for modification. While the prices of the new products are as high as ever, we have not yet announced any additional costs compared with the 1X versions, nor the price of modification from previous versions, as a quotation is to be requested directly from the distributor.
We hope to be able to tell you more later in the year, when we’ll have one of these devices back in our auditoriums!
Following the successful launch of the NU-VISTA PRE, NU-VISTA PAS, NU-VISTA PAM and the award-winning 800.2, the British brand is delighted to announce a new component in the NU-VISTA series by Musical Fidelity.
The Nu-Vista DAC offers highly acclaimed digital/analog technology, driven by state-of-the-art NUVISTOR TUBE analog technology. What’s more, the manufacturer placed the electronics for this product in a super-heavy, super-rigid NU-VISTA enclosure. This case was also necessary because the brand insists on using a maximum of DISCRETE circuits, which implies numerous components and large printed circuits.
Visually, the product blends in perfectly with the rest of the NU-VISTA range, thanks to the large, elegant control buttons and modern, high-tech display. For high-end connoisseurs looking for the ultimate percentage of performance, Musical Fidelity will soon be offering a superlative power supply as an option, similar to that of the reference NU-VISTA PRE/PAS/PAM. This Nu-Vista Uni power supply will be introduced in the first quarter of 2024.
Having recently launched the C-2300 preamplifier, replacing two series of preamplifiers in its own right, Yokohama manufacturer Accuphase is now renewing its power amplifiers, and at the same time presenting a new class A and a new class AB, both more robust than the previous series.
P-4600 Launched in July 2018, the P-4500 succeeded 2013’s P-4200, boasting 2 x 90 W at 8 Ω in class AB. Five months later, the A-75 was announced with 2 x 60 W into 8 Ω in pure Class A. Since then, integrated amplifiers have continued to grow, culminating in the E-800 (2 x 50W in class A) and E-5000 (2 x 240 W in class AB). So Accuphase needs to demonstrate a new interest to prefer separate components, which must inevitably move upmarket. The successors to the A-75 and P-4500 take 5 W respectively with the A-80 and 60 W with the P-4600, the latter peaking at 450 W under 2 Ω, compared with 360 W previously for the P-4500. Based on six parallel output stages per channel, the P-4600 also boasts an 18% noise reduction for a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 125 dB. Fully symmetrical, it improves its damping factor by 100, from 700 to 800.
A-80 For its part, the A-80 gains 5 W at 8 Ω, 10 W at 4 Ω and 20 W at 2 Ω. Also perfectly dual-mono, it reduces its noise by 7% compared with the previous generation, reaching a level of 16.1 μV, still 3.4 μV lower than the P-4600. Its damping factor is guaranteed to be on a par with that of the big A-300 mono block and the E-800, i.e. at least 1000, while power is developed by 10 MOS-FET output stages per channel in parallel. Numerous other improvements have been made to both products, and our first glimpse of the P-4600 impresses us with its contained power, which was higher than that of the E-5000 in our first musical impressions, despite the lower advertised data. We hope to be able to tell you more about it in our next test drives!
After years of intense research and development, the HD PHONO is finally available for discerning listeners of vinyl. It is the ideal complement to the HD range and the world-acclaimed HD PREAMP, HD DAC X and HD AMP monoblocks.
Nagra’s first phono stage was derived from the Nagra IV-S reel to reel microphone preamplifier stage. It later evolved into the phono section of the legendary Nagra PL-P preamplifier. Ever since, Nagra has worked and improved that original design with the creation of the Nagra VPS. In 2020, after years of extensive research and countless listening sessions, we introduced the Nagra Classic PHONO. It became a new reference in phono playback and achieved acclaim around the world by both press and critical listeners. It remains a benchmark in its class bettered only now by the HD PHONO.
The Nagra HD PHONO follows the introduction of the Reference turntable and Nagra MC-4 moving-coil cartridge. Both the Reference turntable and MC-4 cartridge are state of the art contenders in their own rights and proved to be major assets in the finalization and fine-tuning of the HD PHONO.
The HD PHONO is a two chassis design in which the delicate phono stage circuitry is isolated in its own CNC machined aluminum chassis.
The HD PHONO features a new generation of input transformers. Following the original VPS transformer and based on the Nagra IV-S microphone input transformers, the HD PHONO’s transformers are a fourth-generation design featuring 26 dB of gain. The new transformer’s core is made with Cobalt and is cryogenically treated over the course of several weeks to improve performance. The transformer itself is hand wound in a very delicate process requiring watchmakers’ type of skills.
A second chassis serves to house a massive supercapacitor external power supply. Supercapacitor based power supplies provide all of the advantages of battery-based power supplies with the added advantage of accepting and delivering charges much faster and with higher current load and cycle stability than battery-based power supplies. This power supply is based on those of the HD PREAMP and HD DAC X but features a number of innovations which make it even more silent with improved performance. Both chassis are suspended in a system incorporating a damped, constrained layer platform coupled to four isolator damped towers providing superior vibration resistance.
Features
Dual mono / class A tubes
4x EF806S, 2x E88CC
Custom-made input transformers with 26 dB gain featuring cryogenically treated Cobalt cores
Overall gain of up to 68.5 dB adjustable by +/- 6dB so 62.5 and 56.5 dB
RIAA, TELDEC, NAB 100µS, VICTOR EUR, VICTOR USA
2x MC inputs on RCA
1x MM input on RCA
1x option input for future custom transformers
Remote controlled loading system from no load to 390 Ohms by 5 Ohm steps
Separate power supply with supercapacitor module ensuring silent power
The new Nagra HD PHONO is shipping from Romanel and will be available through most of its retailers for a suggested price of US$ 87’500.
Swiss producer niedal audio lab announced today the launch of its long awaited Reuss DAC which will join Merason’s award winning converter line. CEO and brand owner DanielFrauchiger states “I am excited about the Reuss. Our passion for music drives us each dayand our new Reuss provides the purist musical quality and experience at an impressive price.A ‘must have’ for all Audiophiles”.The new Reuss’ namesake is inspired by the famous river in Switzerland where it’s fluidity ofsound merges with Merason’s DNA of “less is more” and where “the main focus is on music quality”.Following the successful DAC1 Mk II release, niedal audio lab has once again succeeded inproducing a sonically outstanding digital-to-analog model at an affordable price. The Reuss’ clean and neutral timbres, rich and energetic sound, distinctively deep and wide stage with precise localization and defined bass are just some of its outstanding qualities.
Available in black and silver, the Reuss has an elegant, sleek, and slim aluminum housing with a solid frontpanel grinded by hand. Made in Switzerland at their manufacture in Burgdorf in accordance with strict quality processes and controls.SMD components are primarily used as in the Merason DAC1 Mk II. The printed circuit board responsible for conversion and buffering has a 6-layer construction to prevent interference from occurring in the first place. All power elements are cooled directly via the chassis andthus remain thermally stable. Components have been meticulously selected based on their sound characteristics and measured performance with listening being the final arbiter. Theproven BurrBrown PCM1794A, one per channel, is responsible for the conversion to achieve the highest dynamic range.
As with all Merason products, the circuit topology is symmetrical, i.e. there are a total of 4 independent channels. The individual power supplies have a linear structure, with three transformers responsible for supplying power to the analog and digital circuits. The switching power supply, which is necessary for the standby mode, is completely deactivated during operation to eliminate possible interferences from the start. Available inputs are one SPDIF inRCA and in Toslink, one AES and one USB Audio Class 2.0.
The dimensions are 454 x 275 x 50mm³ and weighs 6 kg.
