Following in the footsteps of Pro-Ject recently, Revox is revamping two of its analog products in a special edition in partnership with metal singer Alice Cooper.
B77 MkIII tape recorder Limited to 25 units worldwide, the B77 MkIII analog tape player-recorder becomes black and red for an exclusive partnership, without changing any components dedicated to tape playback. Designed above all for the studio, the device retains its XLR inputs and outputs, and still features headroom limited to 0.002 mm. This version is signed and numbered by Alice Cooper.
New T77 turntable In the same collection, but produced in twice the number of units (50), the T77 turntable becomes a new reference in its own right. Inspired by the T700, it too takes on black and red colors (notably the palet), and sees the appearance of the hard-rock singer’s head and a specific plate on the front panel. Made in Germany, this turntable incorporates a phono preamp designed exclusively to read MC cells. It uses electronic speed control and a metal arm with carbon-fiber tube. The cell included is an Ortofon Quintet Black S, and once again, the product is signed and numbered by Alice Cooper.
In both cases, a meeting is planned for buyers with the hard-rocker, but they will have to fork out 8 950 € for the T77 beforehand (compared with 3 750 € for a T700), and no less than 27 950 € for the B77 MkIII in this limited edition, compared with 15 950 € for the classic version.
Already in its 3rd generation, and almost 4th if we include the minor modifications of the S2e version, the Px7 from Bowers & Wilkins has undergone a major evolution.
Joined several years ago by the Px8, the Px7 has been extensively redesigned in relation to the S2 and S2e, taking into account user feedback. This begins with a visual request, which makes the S3 much more graceful thanks to much shallower earcups, for a total dimension that drops from 189 mm to 177 mm (i.e. 1.2 cm smaller).
The Px7 S3 is made of fabric, to avoid leather for a younger generation often averse to animal skin on products. The earcups have also been redesigned, and the microphones have been repositioned – eight in all, compared with six previously – to make them more audible to callers.
The full-range drivers are still made of carbon, but their contours have also been redesigned to better fix the membrane internally, and thus limit the vibrations induced on the sound. The magnet has also been modified for greater dynamics, while ANC and Bluetooth Lossless benefit from the latest-generation chips.
Launched in three finishes, the Px7 S3 shares with the S2e the classic Anthracite Black, but darkens the blue for a beautiful Indigo Blue version, to which is added a classy Canvas White. The European price rises to 429 €, compared with 299 € for the S2e and 499 € for the Px8.
Accuphase is used to making changes every five years or so to its integrated products and CD/SACD players, and now it’s surprising us with the announcement of the C-57.
Exactly five years after replacing its C-37 with the C-47 in May 2020, Accuphase is once again revamping its balanced phono preamp with redesigned and further improved boards. Four 25 V / 15,000 μF electrolytic capacitors are still used per channel to filter the current from two large, shielded transformers. But most of the surrounding components have been redesigned, as have those of the MM/MC phono circuit, which remains perfectly symmetrical.
The internal structure has been redesigned too, and is a marvel of rigor, with three distinct dividers across the width, plus two further walls at the front and rear to manage front panel information and outputs. The front panel has been redesigned, again in a purely symmetrical fashion. It loses two round buttons and finds only three rectangular ones in the center, below the display panel, but gains a thumbwheel, much more practical for selecting the output impedance levels of the cells.
The dimensions remain unchanged, as does the weight of 14.8 kg, identical to that of the C-47. The champagne color also remains the only one available, as do the walnut side panels, proof of the aircraft’s luxury, even more attractive in this new version. It remains to be hoped that the price will also be virtually stable, the C-47 being sold in Europe for 9 590 €.
