Stereophile's Products of 2009

[gstriftos]

Oπώς κάθε χρονιά,απ το 1992 και μετά,τα προϊόντα της χρονιάς κατα το Stereophile.
Eδώ θα τα δείτε ,αναλυτικά

1)Ηχεία:
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3.($68,000)

Επιλαχόντες με αλφαβητική σειρά:
Aerial Acoustics Model 5B ($2200/pair)

DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine ($6500/pair)

Dynaudio Sapphire ($16,500/pair)

Hansen Prince V2 ($39,000/pair)

Harbeth M40.1 ($12,995)

PSB Imagine T ($2000/pair)

Thiel CS3.7 ($12,900/pair)

Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation ($20,995)

Verity Audio Sarastro II ($39,995)[α,ρε Diabol-Μάϊκ:138:]

YG Acoustics Anat Reference II Professional ($107,000)

 

[gstriftos]

2)Συνεχίζουμε με τα ψηφιακά

Έχουμε ένα dac,το Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB D/A converter ,$2500.
Ενα σύστημα,το dCS Scarlatti SACD playback system ($79,996)
Και ένα cd-player,το Meridian 808i.2 CD player ($16,995)

Επιλαχόντες,πάλι αλφαβητικά:

Ayre Acoustics CX7-eMP CD player ($3500)

Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 digital processor ($495)

Boulder 1021 disc player ($24,000)

Cambridge DacMagic D/A processor ($479)

Oppo BDP-83 universal player ($499)

Wadia Digital 170iTransport ($379)

Wavelength Cosecant v3 USB D/A processor ($3500)

Our Digital Sources category was the only race for which we could not determine a clear winner, and it seems appropriate that the award would be shared by three companies— Ayre Acoustics, dCS, and Meridian—that live on the cutting edge of design and are always interested in redefining the state of the digital art. The voting couldn't have gotten much closer than this, and we couldn't have been happier with the outcome: Though the Ayre QB-9 USB DAC received votes from the most number of writers (seven), the dCS Scarlatti SACD system and Meridian 808i.2 CD player each received four first-place votes, one second-place vote, and one third-place vote, which added up to the same total. It's also interesting that we've selected three unique products, each the result of a distinct vision. While the Meridian strives to squeeze the best from the familiar Compact Disc format, the Ayre is poised to reap the most from the future of high-resolution downloads, and the dCS system looks, at least for now, to be entirely future-proof.

The gorgeous Meridian 808i.2 uses a proprietary Resolution Enhancement algorithm and a new apodizing reconstruction filter to upsample CD data to 176.4kHz before feeding it to high-quality delta-sigma DAC chips. At levels approaching concert-hall volumes, the 808i.2 produced the correct scale and depth of classical orchestral works while avoiding any midrange congestion or treble hardness, and made John Atkinson a very happy audiophile. The impressive Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB DAC marries Gordon Rankin's Streamlength software for the Texas Instruments TAS1020B USB receiver chip to Ayre's new Minimum Phase (MP) digital reconstruction filter, while maintaining Ayre's philosophy of zero feedback and fully balanced operation. The result was a huge, physical sound from PC audio files that charged old songs with new life. Wes Phillips had his soul "psychedelicized," and JA was impressed by the way Ayre's asynchronous USB mode handled the grueling Miller/Dunn jitter test.

Finally, the ultracomplex, ultrasophisticated dCS Scarlatti is a four-box system comprising Transport, Clock, Upsampler, and a DAC employing dCS's patented Ring DAC topology and switchable reconstruction filters. This imposing system has an imposing price, but according to Mikey Fremer, it's worth every dime: "dCS has built a jewel of a system that will make you very happy for a very long time, no matter what the audio future brings."

 

[gstriftos]

3)Σειρά έχουν οι αναλογικές πηγές

Νικητής της κατηγορίας είναι το VPI Super Scoutmaster Reference rim-drive turntable ($8200).

Επιλαχώντες:

Benz Micro ACE phono cartridge ($700)

Koetsu Coralstone Platinum Mono phono cartridge ($15,000 :111

Miyabi monophonic phono cartridge ($2800)

Ortofon SPU Synergy A pickup head ($1850)

Ortofon SPU 90th Anniversary phono cartridge ($1899)

SME 20/12 turntable w/312S tonearm ($31,995)

Sony XDR-F1HD FM/AM tuner ($99.99)

It's surprising to note that the VPI Super Scoutmaster Reference Rim Drive turntable costs nearly $24,000 less than this year's worthy runner-up, the tank-like SME 20/12 'table with its arm. Though our reviewers awarded each turntable three first-place votes, the VPI earned a decisive victory with more votes overall. And while the difference in price between the two 'tables is staggering, it should come as no surprise that our writers were so impressed by the newest addition to VPI's Scout line

 

[gstriftos]

4)Μεταφερόμαστε στους ενισχυτές

Εδώ την πρωτιά κατακτά ένας προενισχυτής, ο Ayre KX-R preamplifier ($18,500)

Επιλαχόντες:

Benchmark DAC1 USB Pre D/A preamplifier ($1595)
Διττή συσκευή μιας και είναι κυρίως dac.

Boulder 865 integrated amplifier ($12,000)

Conrad-Johnson Classic SE preamplifier ($1750)

Nagra BPS phono preamplifier ($2399)

Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblock power amplifier ($8000/pair)

Pass Labs XA30.5 power amplifier ($5500)

Peachtree Nova D/A integrated amplifier ($1199)405

Simaudio Moon I-1 integrated amplifier ($1700)

Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 preamplifier ($15,000)

VTL MB450 Signature monoblock power amplifier ($15,000)

Put another way, only five of our 16 reviewers chose not to vote for the KX-R, and the majority of those who did ranked it as their top choice. While mention must also be made of the Peachtree Audio Nova D/A integrated amplifier, which won three first-place votes

 

[gstriftos]

5)Ακολουθούν τα αξεσουάρ:

Εδώ έχουμε τα ακουστικά Sennheiser HD800 ($1400)

Επιλαχόντες:

Channel D Pure-Vinyl LP-ripping program ($229),ένα πρόγραμμα μεταφοράς δίσκων βινυλίου σε υπολογιστή.

Keith Monks Audio Works Omni record-cleaning machine ($6495)

PS Audio Power Plant Premier AC regenerator ($2195)

Shure SE310 earphones ($300)

XTZ Room Analyzer program ($320)

The race for Accessory of the Year is one of the most interesting because it involves such a diverse cast of contenders. This year, the XTZ Room Analyzer (a favorite of multichannel man Kal Rubinson) and the Keith Monks Omni record-cleaning machine (a favorite of LP-loving Art Dudley) locked room modes with brush blocks in a tie for second place. But it was Sennheiser's HD800 headphones that stood apart from the pack

 

[gstriftos]

6)Κατόπιν οι επιλογές των συντακτών

2009 Editors' Choice


John Atkinson: Two solid-state preamplifiers, the Ayre KX-R ($18,500, November 2008) and the Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 ($15,000, September 2009), both which proved that it is possible to design an active component that lets through more of the music than a straight piece of wire can!

Jim Austin: DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine loudspeaker ($6500/pair, December 2007 & May 2009). Art Dudley got it precisely right when he spoke of the Gibbon Nine's "sheer humanity." This loudspeaker may be named for a nonhuman ape, but communicating human emotion, and the deep, human logic of great music, is what it does best.

Brian Damkroger: My "Hang My Name On Component" is the Pass Labs XA30.5 power amplifier ($5500, May & August 2009). I absolutely loved listening to music through the XA30.5, album after album and night after night. Absolutely, positively, and enthusiastically recommended

Robert Deutsch: Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 Renaissance preamplifier ($9995, November 2009). If I had to use just three words to name the attributes that make the latest version of the classic CAT special, they would be transparency, resolution, and dynamics

Art Dudley: Keith Monks Omni Record Cleaning Machine ($6495, May 2009). Are you rich? Do you have lots of records? Then a good record cleaning machine is not a luxury but a necessity. And if you're looking for the best, well, here it is.

Michael Fremer: Ypsilon VPS-100 phono preamplifier ($25,000, August 2009). Class A+. I haven't got over the Ypsilon and I don't expect to for some time. If ever.

Larry Greenhill: Snell Illusion loudspeaker ($50,000/pair, December 2008). The Illusion's dynamic capabilities are almost without equal. Its reproduction of orchestral music has a startling, dynamic, almost Technicolor quality that rapidly became addicting. Over the years, I've auditioned many Snell flagship systems; the Illusion is the most listenable, exciting, and satisfying Type A I've heard to date.

Jon Iverson: Oppo BDP-83 universal player ($499, July 2009). Superb-sounding Blu-ray player at a very affordable price.

Fred Kaplan: YG Acoustic Anat Reference loudspeaker ($107,000/pair, March 2009). I heard these only briefly in Wes Phillips' system, but they were the most natural, neutral, dynamic speakers I've ever heard. This was a bit disconcertingly so at first, but then I realized they sounded odd only because all other speakers I've heard sound at least a little bit colored by comparison

Erick Lichte: Benchmark DAC1 USB Pre D/A processor ($1595, March 2009). Hook up your computer to the Benchmark's USB input, your phono preamp to the analog input, add amplifier and speakers, and live happily ever after

John Marks: Luxman L505u integrated amplifier ($3700, April 2009). Luxman's entry-level but heavyweight integrated amplifier delivers sonic authority, tactility, centeredness, continuity, easefulness, soundstage size, image specificity—you name it—in spades. It's the difference between "This is pretty good" and "This is addictive."

Stephen Mejias: PSB Imagine B loudspeaker ($1000/pair, February, April, June, August, and October 2009). With bold sound and looks that belie its modest price, the Imagine B is just so easy to love. Every time I see this cute little thing, I want to hug it. Minding the drivers, of course.

Wes Phillips: Ayre KX-R preamplifier ($18,500, November 2008): Expensive, but exquisitely designed and constructed--and about as close to perfection as any component I have auditioned.

Robert J. Reina: Linn Majik 109 loudspeaker ($1590/pair, May 2009). This speaker has a level of high-frequency reproduction that far exceeds everything near its price. Its only shortcomings are those that you'd expect from a speaker this small: limited low bass and overall dynamics. Other than those, the Majik 109 effectively has no flaws that I can hear

Kalman Rubinson: It is a toss-up between two very different products, the "do everything well" Oppo BDP-83 ($499, July 2009) and, my essential companion, the XTZ Room Analyzer program ($320, November 2008 & November 2009).

Sam Tellig: The Radius Scuba Toothbrush is the product that has given me the most fun recommending all year, but if I am pressed to nominate an audio product, it is the Sony XDR-F1HD FM/AM digital tuner ($99.99, April 2009).

 

[gstriftos]

Και τελειώνουμε με 2 διακρίσεις:

Α)Οικονομικό προϊόν την χρονιάς:

Peachtree Nova D/A integrated amplifier

Επιλαχώντες:

Bel Canto USB Link 24/96
Benchmark DAC1 USB Pre D/A processor
Cambridge Audio DacMagic D/A processor
Musical Fidelity V-DAC D/A processor ($299; reviewed by Sam Tellig and John Atkinson, Vol.32 Nos.5 & 12, May & December 2009 Review)
Oppo BDP-83 universal player
PSB Imagine B loudspeaker ($1000/pair; reviewed by John Marks & John Atkinson, Vol.32 Nos.2, 4, 6, 8, & 10, February, April, June, August, and October 2009 Review)
Shure SE310 earphones
Simaudio Moon I-1 integrated amplifier
Sony XDR-F1HD FM/AM tuner
Wadia Digital 170iTransport

Talk about exciting. During this year's Spring Fever open house at Stereo Exchange, a leading high-end retailer in Manhattan, the scrumptious little Peachtree Nova was practically leaping into guests' laps. I was there. I saw. People wanted this thing. Badly. Seriously. Can you blame them? The nifty Nova combines an 80Wpc class-A/B power amplifier, a high-quality internal USB D/A converter, and a cool tubed line stage. It has eight inputs: five digital (one USB, two coaxial S/PDIF, two optical TosLink) and three line-level analog. If you wanted to, you could even stuff a Sonos Zone Player in its butt and listen to music all over the house. With its real-wood veneer wrap, rounded corners, and Eames-esque high profile, the Nova looks awesome. Plus, it sounds great: punchy dynamics, pointed articulation, impactful bass, and well-defined treble. Even John Marks liked it!

Β)Προϊόν της χρονιάς

Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB D/A converter
Ναι,τελικά και οι του Στερεοφαϊλ είναι τζιτιλαφρίκουλες!!:137:

Επιλαχόντες:

Ayre Acoustics KX-R preamplifier
Boulder 1021 disc player
Cambridge Audio DacMagic D/A processor
dCS Scarlatti SACD playback system
Meridian 808i.2 CD player
Peachtree Nova D/A integrated amplifier
Sennheiser HD800 headphones
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 loudspeaker
YG Acoustics Anat Reference II Professional loudspeaker

Though Wilson Audio's big MAXX 3 loudspeaker earned more first-place votes (four) than any other product in the running, the forward-thinking Ayre QB-9 led the pack with the most votes overall, to take the year's biggest prize. And Charlie Hansen and all the other hard-working, music-crazed kids at Ayre Acoustics should be doubly proud; their KX-R preamp took the bronze, trailing the Wilson by just two votes. Other products with at least one first-place recommendation were the Meridian 808i.2, YG Acoustics Anat Reference II Professional, Peachtree Nova, and the bargain-priced Cambridge Audio DacMagic D/A processor.

But it was the Ayre QB-9 that had Wes Phillips shouting hallelujah

 

[gstriftos]

Εμείς βραβεία πότε θα διοργανώσουμε;:138:

 

[frozenface]

2)

Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 digital processor ($495)

Ίδιο πράγμα με το Musiland δεν είναι αυτό?
Και ακριβότερο π.χ. από το DacMagic, έλεος...:445:

 

[frozenface]

6)
Sam Tellig: The Radius Scuba Toothbrush is the product that has given me the most fun recommending all year, but if I am pressed to nominate an audio product, it is the Sony XDR-F1HD FM/AM digital tuner ($99.99, April 2009).

:410: