Articles, Reviews and Measurements of Audio Products
Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 Review (CD Player)
Hello Everyone,
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 CD Player and Transport.
The ASR member @Thomas_A already did a mini-review of the same player, some time ago, and I was interested to try it by myself too, but it's not easy to find one at a decent price. Also, the one of @Thomas_A was a more recent revision 7, while mine is a revision 3, so that might be interesting to see potential differences.
Azur 604C V2 - Presentation
This version 2 uses two DACs WM8740 from Wolfson, instead of one in the 640C V1. This DAC was used in few players, almost all from the UK (Arcam, Rega, Cambridge, Linn, Rotel,..), and it's the one used in the...
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 CD Player and Transport.
The ASR member @Thomas_A already did a mini-review of the same player, some time ago, and I was interested to try it by myself too, but it's not easy to find one at a decent price. Also, the one of @Thomas_A was a more recent revision 7, while mine is a revision 3, so that might be interesting to see potential differences.
Azur 604C V2 - Presentation
This version 2 uses two DACs WM8740 from Wolfson, instead of one in the 640C V1. This DAC was used in few players, almost all from the UK (Arcam, Rega, Cambridge, Linn, Rotel,..), and it's the one used in the...
Yamaha C-2 Review (Vintage Preamplifier)
Hello Everyone,
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Yamaha C-2 preamplifier.
Yamaha C-2 - Presentation
The Yamaha C-2 is a vintage preamplifier that was available from 1976 to 1978. It was the little brother of the crazy expensive C-1 which I encourage you to lookup on the web.
Anyways, this more modest C-2 was not cheap as it would reach $3'000 is today's money! Despite the slim look, this is a relatively heavy one, at near 7.8kg (17.2lbs)
As you can see from the front face, it offers the essential:
From the above, we can suspect a good...
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Yamaha C-2 preamplifier.
Yamaha C-2 - Presentation
The Yamaha C-2 is a vintage preamplifier that was available from 1976 to 1978. It was the little brother of the crazy expensive C-1 which I encourage you to lookup on the web.
Anyways, this more modest C-2 was not cheap as it would reach $3'000 is today's money! Despite the slim look, this is a relatively heavy one, at near 7.8kg (17.2lbs)
As you can see from the front face, it offers the essential:
- MM and MC phono inputs
- Tone controls (no defeat button)
- A subsonic filter (too often forgotten in modern preamps)
- A mute button that reduces the output gain by 20dB
- Several modes of operation (mono, stereo, inverted polarity)
From the above, we can suspect a good...
Sony DVP-S9000ES Review (DVD-V, SACD & CD player)
Hello to everyone.
This is a review and test of the Sony DVP-S9000ES DVD-V, SACD and CD player. It was released at the end of 2000 and cost about $1,500.
Presentation
The Sony DVP-S9000ES is primarily a DVD-V player only capable of multichannel audio output through digital S/PDIF or optical Toslink output. Is has no Dolby Digital (except for down-mixing surround sound in stereo for the digital outputs) or DTS decoding capability. On the analogue side, it only has stereo outputs (two in parallel). Besides DVD-V, it is able to play CD Audio and, above all, SACD (only their stereo content though, without any possibility to access to multichannel content due to the lack of digital output for DSD data).
This player belongs to the very first generation of SACD players from Sony, which was introduced with the SCD-1 in 1999. It uses...
This is a review and test of the Sony DVP-S9000ES DVD-V, SACD and CD player. It was released at the end of 2000 and cost about $1,500.
Presentation
The Sony DVP-S9000ES is primarily a DVD-V player only capable of multichannel audio output through digital S/PDIF or optical Toslink output. Is has no Dolby Digital (except for down-mixing surround sound in stereo for the digital outputs) or DTS decoding capability. On the analogue side, it only has stereo outputs (two in parallel). Besides DVD-V, it is able to play CD Audio and, above all, SACD (only their stereo content though, without any possibility to access to multichannel content due to the lack of digital output for DSD data).
This player belongs to the very first generation of SACD players from Sony, which was introduced with the SCD-1 in 1999. It uses...
Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier & DAC Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the MISSION 778X integrated amplifier with DAC and phono stage functionality. It is on kind loan from a member and sells for US $799.
The 778X is attractive as it is unique. There is fair bit of heft to the (deep) unit. Usability is not great though. The rotary volume control turns off its LEDs after a bit so you don't know the current volume. The left input selector is oddly a rotary encoder so there is no specific click that is associated with any input. You rotate it until, after some delay, one of the input selector LEDs light up. The single red LED has similar usability issue in the way that it doesn't change color. Rather, it gets a bit dimmer when the unit is in standby.
Back panel shows rich functionality:
So much so that I just noticed it has digital out!
Due to extensive functionality, I am only going to run a...
The 778X is attractive as it is unique. There is fair bit of heft to the (deep) unit. Usability is not great though. The rotary volume control turns off its LEDs after a bit so you don't know the current volume. The left input selector is oddly a rotary encoder so there is no specific click that is associated with any input. You rotate it until, after some delay, one of the input selector LEDs light up. The single red LED has similar usability issue in the way that it doesn't change color. Rather, it gets a bit dimmer when the unit is in standby.
Back panel shows rich functionality:
So much so that I just noticed it has digital out!
Due to extensive functionality, I am only going to run a...
Orpheus Zero Review (CD Player)
Hello everyone,
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Orpheus Zero CD Player and Transport.
I already reviewed this CD player a year and half ago, and I realized it needed a significant refresh to align with my latest reviews. After quick alignment with @amirm, we agreed best would be to create a new review, to show how measurements have evolved under the positive influence of ASR members.
Orpheus Zero - Presentation
This is a Swiss made CD Player that was first released in 2005, at a very high price. In today's money, we would be talkin $10'000 retail price! It reads only the CD Audio (no, not SACD, sorry), and it was followed by an MKII version with a blue display. There was also a Transport only version named Orpheus One.
As you can see from the picture, it looks like a...
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Orpheus Zero CD Player and Transport.
I already reviewed this CD player a year and half ago, and I realized it needed a significant refresh to align with my latest reviews. After quick alignment with @amirm, we agreed best would be to create a new review, to show how measurements have evolved under the positive influence of ASR members.
Orpheus Zero - Presentation
This is a Swiss made CD Player that was first released in 2005, at a very high price. In today's money, we would be talkin $10'000 retail price! It reads only the CD Audio (no, not SACD, sorry), and it was followed by an MKII version with a blue display. There was also a Transport only version named Orpheus One.
As you can see from the picture, it looks like a...
Ascilab C8C V1.1 Measurement Update
I recently reviewed the Ascilab C8C active speaker:
I found the performance excellent but noticed a slight boost from 4 to 5 kHz which I easily corrected with EQ. Members also noticed that the directivity was not as constant in some area.
Company was quick to revise the equalization and crossover to better optimize both factors. Company will be able to update already sold speakers using remote access and Hypex FHD software so anyone wanting the upgrade, can easily get it.
Let's see the difference starting with our spinorama frequency response:
Given how good the response was before, the difference is hard to see so let me overlay the two on axis...
I found the performance excellent but noticed a slight boost from 4 to 5 kHz which I easily corrected with EQ. Members also noticed that the directivity was not as constant in some area.
Company was quick to revise the equalization and crossover to better optimize both factors. Company will be able to update already sold speakers using remote access and Hypex FHD software so anyone wanting the upgrade, can easily get it.
Let's see the difference starting with our spinorama frequency response:
Given how good the response was before, the difference is hard to see so let me overlay the two on axis...
Centrance DACport Pro Portable DAC & HP Amp Review
This is a review and measurements of the Centrance DACport Pro portable balanced DAC, monitor controller, and headphone amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $350 (discontinued?).
The recessed dip switches require a tool to adjust so if that is something you are going to want to change a lot, will be a pain. The volume on top is very nice as are the super bright LED bar graphs and clipping indicator. Rear side sports dual full sized XLR connectors which is a nice benefit over just about any consumer portable DAC & HP Amp. Build quality is very nice and there is little to complain about.
I have abbreviated the tests in the interest of time.
Centrance DACport Pro Measurements
Max output from the XLR connectors is 5.6 volts. I adjusted that down to 4 volts and got respectable results:
[ATTACH type="full" alt="Centrance DACport Pro...
The recessed dip switches require a tool to adjust so if that is something you are going to want to change a lot, will be a pain. The volume on top is very nice as are the super bright LED bar graphs and clipping indicator. Rear side sports dual full sized XLR connectors which is a nice benefit over just about any consumer portable DAC & HP Amp. Build quality is very nice and there is little to complain about.
I have abbreviated the tests in the interest of time.
Centrance DACport Pro Measurements
Max output from the XLR connectors is 5.6 volts. I adjusted that down to 4 volts and got respectable results:
[ATTACH type="full" alt="Centrance DACport Pro...
Kimber KS 1036 Silver RCA Cable Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Kimber Kable KS1036 "Silver" RCA Cable. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $4,520 for a pair (1 meter).
While I did not care for the cheap plastic box it came in, the cable itself has a bit of style with that loose wooden piece with their logo and model number. The wire itself is flexible and lightweight which I appreciated. What I did not care for was the WBT connector:
It is locking which is nice. But if you look carefully, there is only one metal tab that makes connection with the female RCA connection. The other two are rather flimsy plastic tabs that get pressed into the connector for the "locking" function. Without turning the outer shell to lock it, it is super loose. Even after locking, wiggling the Kimber cable caused...
While I did not care for the cheap plastic box it came in, the cable itself has a bit of style with that loose wooden piece with their logo and model number. The wire itself is flexible and lightweight which I appreciated. What I did not care for was the WBT connector:
It is locking which is nice. But if you look carefully, there is only one metal tab that makes connection with the female RCA connection. The other two are rather flimsy plastic tabs that get pressed into the connector for the "locking" function. Without turning the outer shell to lock it, it is super loose. Even after locking, wiggling the Kimber cable caused...
Palmer Orbit 11 Monitor Review (Video)
Yes, I am finally back, producing youtube video! This time with a video review of the recently tested Plamer Orbit 11 professional monitor:
Video, like all of my others is NOT monetized. So enjoy it without ads or interruptions. If you do like it though, please subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AudioScienceReview
Nothing new in there if you have read the review but hopefully some nuances that were not there in the text review.
This time with a video review of the recently tested Plamer Orbit 11 professional monitor:Video, like all of my others is NOT monetized. So enjoy it without ads or interruptions. If you do like it though, please subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AudioScienceReview
Nothing new in there if you have read the review but hopefully some nuances that were not there in the text review.