Without a dedicated stand in Munich despite the presence of its management at the High-End Show, Accuphase presented at the same time in Japan its new C-2300 preamplifier. Closer to the C-2150 than to the C-2450 in look and lack of wood panels in the sides, this new product seems to replace both series in one. With the very high-end development of its integrated amplifier, topped by the E-5000 in AB class and the E-800 in A class, the Japanese company has to maintain the interest around its first separate elements, hence the redesign of its entry-level range with the arrival of the C-2300.
Very similar to the C-2150 stylistically, the line preamplifier only differs from it by the appearance of a thin golden border around the knobs, already seen on the recent integrated units. It maintains behind the possibility of adding two slots, when the C-2450 only offered a large space for the phono preamplifier block also used with the C-2850 or C-2900. At the same time, Accuphase introduces the new AD-60 phono card, updated to join the DAC-60 card, seen a year earlier.
The main feature of the C-2300 is the integration of a fully dual-mono typology, very close to the one of the C-2900. The famous AAVA volume control becomes “Balanced AAVA”, allowing an independent management of the left and right channels, for a noise reduction of 10% compared to the C-2450. The 4-band tone control (low 40Hz/125Hz, mid-low 500Hz, mid-high 2kHz, high 8kHz/20kHz) also improves the tone control. As for the rest, there are numerous RCA and XLR inputs and multiple possibilities for managing balance, bass, and gain, in addition to a revised headphone amplifier with a parallel push-pull output stage.
In Europe, the C-2300 will be released at a price of 11 490€, above the C-2150 (7 990€) but 500€ cheaper than the actual C-2450 (11 990€), which it surpasses in many points.
Key Features:
* Balanced AAVA” balanced volume control circuit
* Volume sensor mechanism for quiet and smooth operation
* 4-band tone control (low 40Hz/125Hz, mid-low 500Hz, mid-high 2kHz, high 8kHz/20kHz)
* Independent left and right power supplies and unit amplifiers
* 5 line inputs and 2 balanced inputs
* Memorable phase settings for each input terminal
* EXT PRE” input terminals (line/balanced) for connection to external preamplifier
* Gain switching function to adjust total gain (12/18/24dB)
* High-quality discrete headphone amplifier with parallel push-pull output stage
* Balanced AAVA” left/right balance adjustment
* Highly reliable logic relay control signal switching system
* Digital input board DAC-60 (optional) supports high-resolution playback via USB connection to PC
* Supports analog disc playback with the AD-60 analog disc input board (optional)
NAIT 50 is a remaster of the famous NAIT 1 integrated amplifier, released in 1983. The experts in Salisbury have carefully recrafted this iconic product with the legendary chrome bumper design from the Naim archives. With Naim’s class-leading modern technology and adding new features such as a headphone outlet, the NAIT 50 is the essence of Naim Audio.
Key points
Soft start power-up sequence, to minimise power-up inrush current.
Automatic shutdown after 17 minutes. Auto-off can be disabled.
New MM phono stage with discrete transistors for improved sound performance.
Aluminium construction using rectangular extrusion for a chrome bumper style.
5mm domed white LED power switch.
Aesthetically styled on the original NAIT 1, released in 1983.
Full linear integrated amplifier with 25W class AB power stage.
High-end manufacturing in the United Kingdom.
3 input selection buttons. Locking switches control 3 relays for input selection. This input selection has been significantly improved compared to NAIT 1.
Headphone output jack (6.35mm). This output uses a new preamp/headphone amplifier with a gain of 16dB.
Stand-by power 0.5W. Using two internal power supplies; one is a high quality audiophile linear type, based on a large toroidal transformer. The other is a highly efficient SMPSU for 0.5W power consumption in standby during standby mode.
Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce the TAD-D700 CD / SACD-Player as the newest addition to its top-of-the-line Reference Series of HiFi Audio components. The D700 incorporates the third-generation Ultra-High Precision Crystal Generator (UPCG) and a variety of other engineering refinements with a focus on the purity of musical expression.
Ultra-High C/N () Master Clock UPCG The D700 is equipped with TAD’s proprietary Ultra-High C/N Master Clock Circuit. To develop this circuitry, our engineers have refined the physical characteristics of the technology originally developed for high-speed digital communication base stations for achieving high C/N performance. A further tweaking has been made to the circuitry through a series of real-world listening evaluations with a discerning ear. The result is an unprecedented level of accuracy in reproducing signals read out from CD or SACD media, as well as signals fed from external digital sources. In the third-generation UPCG, the oscillator has been upgraded to one with SC-cut crystal to reduce phase noise and achieve even greater audio and C/N performance.
External power supply unit The D700’s power supply unit is physically separated from the main unit. This design prevents vibrations and leakage magnetic flux from the transformer from affecting the disc-drive unit and sensitive audio circuit inside 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 lead wires. In addition, terminals for directly connected coils, mounting terminals for motherboards, and clamping screws are all made of oxygen-free copper coated with nonmagnetic materials to eliminate even the slightest magnetic distortions. A powerful toroidal transformer with a 400 VA power rating – not uncommon in power amplifiers but unheard-of in disc players – 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.
Simplified analog audio circuit TAD’s relentless pursuit of simplicity has culminated in a newly developed current-feedback amplifier that is incorporated into an I/V converter with FET devices – hand-selected and paired by our certified artisans – in its input stage. This design enables an ultra-wide-range signal transmission, resulting in an unprecedented level of accuracy in signal conversion. Our attempt to eliminate magnetic distortion has taken a step further. The nonmagnetic, highly reliable carbon resistors used for feedback resistance contribute to a nonmagnetic signal path.
Parallel-connected Twin differential D/A-converters Parallel-connected twin Burr-Brown 192kHz/24bit D/A converters help dramatically improve audio performance characteristics, including greater signal-to-noise ratio, linearity, and dynamic range, as well as lower distortion. Audio signals are passed on in their purest form to the analog audio circuit, making it possible to reproduce even minute music signals, resulting in finely detailed and densely textured audio reproduction.
Silent CD / SACD transport mechanism with high precision disc loading The D700 boasts an upgraded CD/SACD transport mechanism to achieve even greater accuracy in signal reading. The sturdy disc transport mechanism comes with a high-precision loading mechanism that opens and closes the disc tray smoothly, thanks to built-in metal bearings. The pickup employs an infinite conjugate optics system that ensures both stable operation and high-precision signal readout. The rigid disc tray is made of meticulously machined aluminum to suppress vibration and has a vibration-dampening black coating to prevent the diffusion of a laser beam and achieve greater accuracy in signal readout.
Robust low-center-of-gravity construction The main unit is housed on a sturdy double-layered chassis made of an extra-thick cast-aluminum base with three-point support spikes and a 6 mm-thick copper-plated steel chassis to achieve a low-center-of-gravity construction. This design suppresses vibrations to minimize their effect on the mechanism and audio circuit sitting on the chassis.
Availability and recommended retail prices (incl. 19% VAT): The Reference Series D700 CD/SACD-Player will be available in Europe from May 2023 at a suggested retail price of 49.000 Euro through highly qualified retail partners.
Technics announces a new-finish version of the successful and highly acclaimed SL-1500C direct drive turntable system. In addition to standard silver and black, this fully featured turntable system will now be available in luxurious matte white.
“From our experience with Limited Edition models, we have seen a high demand for additional colour versions of our designs, especially for turntables. Many clients look for stylish colour alternatives, reflecting the minimalistic design language of modern contemporary interiors”, says Frank Balzuweit, Senior Product Manager at Technics Europe.
Balzuweit adds “The new clean white tone underlines the SL-1500C’s pure and simplistic aesthetic, employing only needed on a turntable”.
Despite its minimalistic construction, the SL-1500C offers outstanding functionality, usability, and a wealth of features for vinyl lovers.
For an easy setup, a high-quality Ortofon 2M Red MM pickup cartridge comes pre-mounted to the head shell, which only needs to be fixed to the tonearm via the simple bayonet lock. Meanwhile, an automatic tonearm lift prevents unnecessary wear of the stylus and vinyl at the end of playing a record, ensuring your precious LPs remain in pristine condition.
For maximum connection flexibility, the SL-1500C is equipped with a conventional phono output with an integrated phono EQ, so it can be connected to other audio components without the need for a dedicated separate phono amplifier.
The basic technical genes of the SL-1500C-W represent the excellent reputation of Technics as manufacturer of premium audio turntables. The iron-coreless direct drive motor, in combination with the sophisticated motor control ensures ultimate rotation stability for a classic, smooth vinyl sound.
The two-layer platter with a solid two-layer chassis based on aluminium diecast and the high-sensitivity S-shaped aluminium tonearm ensure high vibration damping and an accurate tracking process for the ultimate in analogue music enjoyment.
WANDLA embodies the best design Ferrum can create at a very accessible price point. they drew inspiration from Formula 1 racing, where every detail matters and perfection is the only option. With WANDLA, they believe they have achieved that same level of excellence and attention to detail. they meticulously implemented hundreds of innovations – large and small – to optimize every component of the DAC, resulting in a rich, detailed, and transparent sound with an incredibly low noise floor that lets every nuance shine through. And like a fine-tuned racing car, WANDLA delivers an exhilarating experience.
Under the hood
WANDLA has at its heart their proprietary ARM-based platform, SERCE. Running Ferrum’s software, SERCE processes all incoming digital data streams. Their ARM processor singlehandedly performs the tasks of five chips and creates the shortest possible signal path for the audio-optimized USB, ARC, I2S, coaxial S/PDIF, and optical S/PDIF ports. Behind the conversion stage, their engineering team implemented an advanced new current-to-voltage converter and an output stage that benefited from their experience developing the OOR and ERCO. Based on HYPSOS’ hybrid design, multiple internal supplies power both analog and digital sections to minimize interference and noise and maximize channel separation.
Crowd-sourcing the best Dynamic Digital Filtering: unique to the Hifi community
The powerful dual-core ARM chip can do much more than manage WANDLA’s functions. First, to give people a real choice, at launch a set of five great sounding digital filters will be accessible, three of which reside in the ESS DAC. But the power of SERCE, WANDLA’s beating heart, offers even greater opportunities. They wanted to add their own digital filters to bypass the ones in the DAC. They asked famous digital filter maker HQ Player to initially develop a set of two exclusively for Ferrum. To offer WANDLA users greater choice and more inclusion in the process of customizing their WANDLA, more special digital filters can be unlocked after launch once they engage via their socials. They dubbed this new and innovative way of their customers’ interaction with their digital filter settings Dynamic Digital Filtering or DDF. This process will create a new community of digital filter specialists: people interacting with them and their WANDLAs in search of the best possible, tailormade sound. This collaboration between the users and them will be unique to Ferrum, the DA converter category, and the Hifi community. Ferrum will release an auto-updater application for Mac and PC to facilitate firmware updates.
It’s also a preamp!
In addition to being a top-notch DA converter, WANDLA doubles as a premium preamplifier with a full-function IR remote. They have implemented two new digitally controlled attenuators for volume control: selectable analogue or digital. WANDLA has a truly balanced topology, and they took their modified IC amplifier and power section designs to the next level. In addition to the six digital inputs (USB-C, coax, optical, AES, ARC, and I2S), there is one unbalanced analogue input. This input bypasses all digital processing to remain faithful to the highest-quality analog sources. Both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs and a configurable trigger are provided. As one would expect from Ferrum, there are two DC power inputs (FPL and 5,5 x 2,5mm DC pin) to connect WANDLA to the supplied power supply or HYPSOS.
Made for HYPSOS
Of course, WANDLA plays beautifully right out of the box, using the power supply we carefully crafted to feed its unique electrical topology. But its musicality can be even higher when paired with HYPSOS power system. Using their proprietary FPL cable, HYPSOS can perform its magic deeper into WANDLA circuitry than any other power supply today.
Want to know more about Ferrum, WANDLA, or digital filtering? Please surf to www.ferrum.audio at your convenience or interact via phone, e-mail, or social channels.
Specifications Ferrum WANDLA flagship DAC/PREAMP
Operation: Fully balanced, proprietary IC power amp
DAC chip: ESS Sabre ES9038PRO
DAC resolution: 768k/32bit, DSD 256
Digital inputs: – AES/EBU (up to 196kHz/24bit, DoP 64)
– Optical S/PDIF (up to 96kHz/24bit)
– Coaxial S/PDIF (up to 192kHz/24bit, DoP 64)
– USB-C (up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD 256)
– ARC (up to 192kHz/24bit), TV input with CEC
– I2S (up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD 256), PS Audio® compatible
MQA: decoder and renderer (on all digital inputs)
Analog inputs: RCA
Analog input Vmax: 9,5V RMS (2 – 3,5V RMS recommended)
Analogue input imp: 47kΩ
Line outputs: balanced XLR; unbalanced RCA
Volume control: analogue with bypass option / digital for DAC operation only
