Articles, Reviews and Measurements of Audio Products
Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Measurements (Streamer & DAC)
Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Measurements (Streamer & DAC)
Hey folks,
Here is a quick review, measurements-based, of the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer and DAC. It has been kindly loaned to me by @biglebowski. It was released in 2018 and is somehow quite popular in Europe. Actual MSRP in France is 1139€. This testing happened, coincidently, with the (terrible) review Amir just published for the CXA81 amplifier. Hopefully, the performance here does have nothing in common with the aforementioned.
The unit does have a bunch of digital...
Here is a quick review, measurements-based, of the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer and DAC. It has been kindly loaned to me by @biglebowski. It was released in 2018 and is somehow quite popular in Europe. Actual MSRP in France is 1139€. This testing happened, coincidently, with the (terrible) review Amir just published for the CXA81 amplifier. Hopefully, the performance here does have nothing in common with the aforementioned.
The unit does have a bunch of digital...
Ashly NE8250 Review (Pro 8-channel Amp)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Ashly NE8250 professional 8-channel networked power amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $2,386.
The look and controls are fine. It is going in a rack after all. Note that back connections are all phoenix blocks:
You can make your own cables or buy adapters (I made mine). There is a nice network UI interface and app.
Ashly NE8250 Measurements
All measurements are from channels 3 and 4. Let's start with our dashboard:
That is huge amount of harmonic distortion, placing the amp almost at the bottom of our SINAD list:
...
The look and controls are fine. It is going in a rack after all. Note that back connections are all phoenix blocks:
You can make your own cables or buy adapters (I made mine). There is a nice network UI interface and app.
Ashly NE8250 Measurements
All measurements are from channels 3 and 4. Let's start with our dashboard:
That is huge amount of harmonic distortion, placing the amp almost at the bottom of our SINAD list:
RCF AYRA PRO5 Review (Powered Monitor)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the RCF AYRA PRO 5 powered studio monitor (speaker). I purchased this new from Amazon for US $149 (each) including shipping.
The PRO5 looks serious enough although a bit busy for my taste. Like the waveguide for the tweeter which should make for more controlled directivity.
You have the standard controls here. It is bi-amped with dual class D amps (45 and 25 watts). My room is a bit noisy for this type of test but I put my ear close to the tweeter and I could barely hear a hiss.
Company advertises FIR filters and DSP correction.
Measurements that you are about to see were performed using the Klippel Near-field Scanner...
The PRO5 looks serious enough although a bit busy for my taste. Like the waveguide for the tweeter which should make for more controlled directivity.
You have the standard controls here. It is bi-amped with dual class D amps (45 and 25 watts). My room is a bit noisy for this type of test but I put my ear close to the tweeter and I could barely hear a hiss.
Company advertises FIR filters and DSP correction.
Measurements that you are about to see were performed using the Klippel Near-field Scanner...
Nordost Tyr 2 Review (USB Cable)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Nordost Tyr 2 USB cable. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $1,400 (no typo).
As you see, the cable doesn't look all that fancy but still has a premium feel to it. It highly resists rotating so when you try to align the USB cable, you may have to work hard at it. I think this is due to use of solid conductors.
I thought I start by quoting top line advertising from one of their resellers:
It would be wroth it if it did all of that....
Nordost Tyr 2 USB Cable Measurements
We don't listen to USB cables but rather, the analog output of our audio devices, in this case, a DAC. I usually use my Schiit Modi 2 DAC for USB cable testing because its USB implementation is poor and highly dependent on the computer activity and to a minor degree, USB cable...
As you see, the cable doesn't look all that fancy but still has a premium feel to it. It highly resists rotating so when you try to align the USB cable, you may have to work hard at it. I think this is due to use of solid conductors.
I thought I start by quoting top line advertising from one of their resellers:
It would be wroth it if it did all of that....
Nordost Tyr 2 USB Cable Measurements
We don't listen to USB cables but rather, the analog output of our audio devices, in this case, a DAC. I usually use my Schiit Modi 2 DAC for USB cable testing because its USB implementation is poor and highly dependent on the computer activity and to a minor degree, USB cable...
Marantz SA-10 Review (SACD Player & DAC)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Marantz SACD player and USB balanced DAC. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $7,499.
The industrial design is good although usability is poor with super tiny fonts for various settings (e.g. filter number top left). Disc tray opens and closed buttery smooth -- a requirement for highend transports. The remote control is shiny silver which is odd and is plastic on the back. Back panel shows the connectivity:
Nice to see support for USB audio as so many of these products live in the past without. The SA-10 is incredibly heavy at 40 pounds. It weighs more than their Audio Video Receivers with many channels of amplification! I guess it gives comfort to owners that they have bought something of...
The industrial design is good although usability is poor with super tiny fonts for various settings (e.g. filter number top left). Disc tray opens and closed buttery smooth -- a requirement for highend transports. The remote control is shiny silver which is odd and is plastic on the back. Back panel shows the connectivity:
Nice to see support for USB audio as so many of these products live in the past without. The SA-10 is incredibly heavy at 40 pounds. It weighs more than their Audio Video Receivers with many channels of amplification! I guess it gives comfort to owners that they have bought something of...