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T H E G E R M A N H I F I M A GAZ IN E 

ISSUE #11 2017

❱ NEXT-GEN
»NOBLE LINE«
MBL’s CD/DAC
and amp:
classic style
meets digital
hi-tech

❱ MQA UNDER FIRE

The download boss
who’s not sold on
the new hi-resolution
»wonder format«

REPORTS: HOW ELAC’S REINVENTING ITSELF ++ ALL YOU

NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAINS CONDITIONERS +++ REVIEWS: DEVIALET’S
SMARTER PHANTOM ++ BRINKMANN’S NYQUIST MEDIA PLAYER ++ AKG’S
PRO-STYLE K 872 HEADPHONES – AND MORE!
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PHASE 3 is an extension to the traditional Burmester product lines, joining ultimate
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The Absolute Sound

Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH · 10829 Berlin · Germany · www.burmester.de

 EDITORIAL

SORRY, NO
COMMENT!
A few days ago I received a memorable email
circular from the ‘Director of Marketing’ of an
American high-end manufacturer. It was brief and
to the point: what he was requesting was that when
products were submitted for review, his company
should be notified of the results of the test before
publication.
It was a short enough email, but it confirmed to
me what I have known for some years ¬– that it is
open practice in some countries for some editorial
offices to supply their tests to the manufacturer in
Visit  us  at:
advance of publication, for review or correction.
facebook.com/stereo.hifi.magazine
It’s no secret – in fact some magazines even publish
‘feedback’ from the manufacturer or distributor in
the same issue as the review appears.
Yes, some say that this allows manufacturers to
correct any factual errors – for example of specifi-
cations – before the review goes to press, but it’s my
view that, by demanding this access, manufacturers
are trying to influence the test itself.
Give a product a less than enthusiastic review,
and the company could just suggest that the review
is withdrawn, or threaten no further products will
be made available for review unless things are
changed.
When this topic came up recently during a work-
shop and I emphatically stated that this question-
able practice doesn’t happen at STEREO, my
response was greeted by some present with a wink:
“Don’t try to hide it, we know better.”
So, once and for and in print: no manufacturer or
distributor sees a STEREO test of its product until
it holds the printed magazine or sees the online
publication. Yes, part of our work involves the
discussion of technical aspects of products with
the developers in order to obtain information, but
as far as our listening assessments and ratings are
concerned our line is simple – sorry, no comment!

Matthias Böde
[email protected]

All prices listed in this magazine are German retail

prices incl. VAT valid at the time of evaluation.

3 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 NU-VISTA CD PLAYER

State of the art design for

reference level reproduction
The Nu-Vista series is a passionate labour of love for all of us at Musical Fidelity.
We hope that at least you get a chance to hear this combo because we
consider it the ultimate expression of our art.

Experience it for yourself at your local Musical Fidelity dealer.

www.musicalfidelity.com +44 (0)20 8900 2866

 CONTENT

THEOREM AND PROOF

Brinkmann’s new Nyquist streamer/DAC draws
on 30 years of digital expertise to spectacular –
and sensational – effect

MBL N31 AND N51

The new ‘Noble Line’ CD player/
DAC and integrated amp have
traditional style and quality – but
inside they’re all-new

“I’M NOT GAMBLING

WITH MY CREDIBILITY”
So says HighResAudio’s Lothar Kerestedjian
about the MQA format – developer Bob Stuart
takes on his outspoken critics

5 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 CONTENT

THE PHANTOM
MENACE
Packing 4500W of amplifier
power, Devialet’s Phantom Gold
speaker is even more of a threat
to conventional audio systems

THE ELAC REVIVAL

Founded in the 1930s, ELAC has
seen some tough times in recent
years: under new boss Gunter
Kürten all that’s changing

CLOSED, BUT NO CIGAR

AKG thinks you’ll pay €400 more for a closed-
back version of its superb K 812 headphones:
having tried the K 872, we’re not so sure…

ABSOLUTE POWER
Can improving the quality of
your mains supply really make
your system sound better? We
discuss, listen, and decide

6 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 SHARE THE MUSIC YOU LOVE. ANYWHERE!

Express yourself
Available in three colours:

DALI SOUND WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

The DALI KATCH strikes the perfect balance between portability and
performance, offering true audio DNA in a handy, elegant design.

www.dali-speakers.com/katch Dark Blue ▪ Cloud Gray ▪ Green Moss

 HIFI EXCLUSIVE STREAMER /DAC

SAMPLING NYQUIST

For the new Brinkmann „Nyquist“, two specialists fully aware of

digital and analogue technology worked hand in hand. The result

can be seen - and heard.

S
cheibenkleister, this thing is good!” Team Brinkmann & Lück Named after the digital pioneer Harry
That very polite expletive – think Yet this was to prove just the overture to Nyquist, this product was made possible
“Sugar!” and you’re just about an experience that was to shift our stan- by intensive collaboration between
there – was my first impression when I dards for digital reproduction: the Helmut Brinkmann and Matthias Lück,
encountered Brinkmann’s brand-new Nyquist, handmade by Brinkmann at Lake who was a PhD in digital technology,
Nyquist streamer/DAC, and I’m pretty Constance, has a sound to drain all the worked on software development at Nokia
sure anyone will feel the same when they colours from your face, as the blood and most recently had the same task in
slot it into a familiar system. With 30 years rushes to the ears. Harman’s automotive division. But Luck
of digital history behind it, Brinkmann’s
digital device had already staked its claim.
For this first acquaintance, I’d used the
“Sounds and Silence” CD, filled with
introverted delicacies from ECM, into the
drive for gentle learning. Among the
tracks is “To Vals Tou Gamou”, an
extremely fragrant, delicately detailed
instrumental number written by Eleni
Karaindrous; ¬I’ve heard it a thousand
times, but never as it sounded via the
Nyquist, which created a dazzling, high-
ly-layered air-lock of vibrating tension
between the loudspeakers, much to my  The back view of the Nyquist, with the inputs integrated on the digital
surprise. module and the externally placed analog outputs

8 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 HIFI EXCLUSIVE STREAMER /DAC

 The digital electronics are assembled in

a screwed module, which can be exchanged
in case of updates.

The supplied metal remote

control allows switching
of inputs, phase reversal
and level changes. 

sampling-rate) played easily

and smoothly, and so it
proved with other MQA
titles. We controlled the
Brinkmann via a “Roon”
app, this ingenious software
with its endless information
about the music and the art-
TEST-COMPONENTS ists also being implemented.
CD PLAYER / STREAMER: T + A MP3000HV And everything here is easy: even a
D / A CONVERTERS: Accustic Arts Tu- module exchange was absolutely prob-
be-DACII, Chord DAVE, MBL1511F lem-free. Our test sample was supplied
is a high-end audio enthusiast at heart, without a LAN socket for Ethernet, but
PREAMPS: Accustic Arts Tube Preamp
and a passionate Brinkmann fan for more II-MK2, Amp II-MK3 switching over to the module with one
than 25 years: now he’s with the company, fitted took just one minute. Then connect,
LOUDSPEAKER: B & W 802 D3, Dynaudio
Nyquist is his début. switch on and listen as if nothing had hap-
Contour 60
It was clear to Lück that precision and pened. Simple!
Cables: Audioquest Diamond, van den
high-end thinking alone would not suf- The remote control not only changes
Hul Triaxial Prof. (digital), HMS Granfinale
fice: a buyer spending so much money the inputs, but also controls the volume
Jubilee (NF), In-Acoustics LS-2404 (LS)
wants to be able to reproduce all available across a 10dB range, which is handy if the
formats in all possible ways, and also have amplifier being used lacks remote control.
the reassurance that their investment is Also useful is the switchable signal phase:
futureproof. For this reason, the Nyquist’s Perfect in handling it’s amazing how may recordings have
complete digital electronics package, Currently, the device is fully up to date, been made or mastered in reversed phase,
including all inputs and interfaces, sits in not to mention being built in reso- so if a title appears to be somehow strange
a thick-walled aluminum box held in nance-free casework typical of Brink- or disagreeable it’s always worth trying
place with just two screws. Remove these mann, as is the thick 12kg granite slab on this 180-degree phase invert function,
and it can be taken out, to be modified or which it sits. The usual inputs are available
replaced. If there are new formats and / for digital signals – including USB from
or even better chips in the future, the PC or Mac – as well as network streaming,
Nyquist will simply grows with them. and everything from MP3 files to high-bit
PCM up to 32 bits / 384 kilohertz or quad-
DSD 11.2MHz can be accommodated.
The Nyquist is fed from this Almost more importantly, this ambi-  Sampling rates all the way up to 384 kilohertz
external supply unit with tious Streamer-DAC worked entirely are possible. Here it was 352 kHz.
powerful transformer  smoothly during our various series
of tests: there was no hanging or
stuttering, no communication
problems with our server or
any other nuisances – in fact,
nothing to spoil the joy of the  DSD files of any size are accepted - currently
modern media. Seemingly, in „Double DSD 128“.
Lück is ‘earning his keep’ in
this respect!
Even streaming MQA files – cur-
rently hotly debated by audiophiles –
worked out right away: the Dave Brubeck
Quartet’s famous “Take Five” in 176.4  Roon, TIDAL, MQA - the Nyquist has it all;
kilohertz (or four times the CD Finely adjustable headphone output.

9 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 HIFI EXCLUSIVE STREAMER /DAC

Helmut Brinkmann For this reason, the Streamer-DAC with

designed the analog the glass lid is the choice for those who
part of the Nyquist ... want to get a complete view of the music.
 Matthias Böde

... and Matthias Lück BRINKMANN NYQUIST

its elaborate digital To € 15,000
electronics. Dimensions: 42 x 7 x 39 cm (WxHxD)
 Warranty: 3 years
Contact: Brinkmann Audio GmbH
which could put everything back in good The inside story here could be a long Tel.: +49 8380 981195
www.brinkmann-audio.com
shape. Given that this can only really be one, not least taking in Helmut Brink-
judged be judged from the listening posi- mann’s analogue design, including the Boss Helmut Brinkmann and digital specialist
tion, the ability to make changes in this use of strictly pair-matched NOS (new Matthias Lück deliver a superlative device: in
way speaks volumes for Brinkmann’s old stock) Telefunken tubes, which is addition to a superb sound as a DAC, it also
attention to detail. wrapped around the digital core of the offers top-class streamer performance. Unfor-
tunately its price is also in the top league.
The Nyquist has eleven separate voltage unit. It’s technology already proven in the
stabilizers for the digital module alone, company’s reference Edison phono pre- MEASUREMENT RESULTS
and of course uses that magic audio ingre- amp, and it’s part of the reason the
dient, “selected components”. Individual Nyquist will leave you no change from
optimized signal paths are created for 15,000 Euros.
PCM and DSD signals, the latter being
handled in native form rather than being Without any artefacts
converted to PCM. In fact DSD is handled The Nyquist has an almost self-effacing
by a DAC of discrete construction after holistic quality to its sound, never calling
precise re-clocking, this all designed to attention to itself, but instead allowing the
preserve the openness and airiness of the music the flow to perfection. The delicacy Noise level digital zero  103 dB
DSD sound and being followed by gentle, and floating ease of the choir from Arvo Quantization noise spacing 0 dBFS  101 dB
exactly calculated analog filtering. Pärt’s “Da Pacem Domine” - again from Converter linearity at -90 dB  0.2 dB
In the PCM or MQA format, on the the “Sounds and Silence” set - was deliv- Output impedance Cinch  16 Ohm
other hand, the Nyquist operates at 352.8 ered with sufficient emotional fervor to Output voltage Cinch 0 dBFS  2,6 V
or 384 kilohertz depending on the sam- bring tears to the eye, the sonorous music Output Resistor XLR  32 Ohm
pling rate. This is handled by a powerful without any reference to its source. The Output voltage XLR 0 dBFS  5.1 V
16-core processor, also responsible for Brinkmann is completely free from any Distortion factor at -9dBFS  2.4%
MQA decoding and the re-clocking before sign of digital artefacts. Distortion Factor at -60dBFS  0.01%
the signal is passed on to a pair of ES9018S After a series of listening sessions – our Power consumption Stby / Btr  /52 W
Sabre DACs from ESS Technology. These reactions ranging between astonishment
are channel-separated, with eight D / A and admiration for the audiophile poten- LABORATORY COMMENT
converters, interconnected for the best tial of this exceptional device – as well as The measured table displays truly top results.
performance, working on each channel. numerous cross-checks, it’s clear the Particularly noteworthy are the high signal-
However, all the other benefits of the mul- Nyquist is able to set standards in terms to-noise ratio and low
Netzphase
tifunctional Sabre chips have been deac- of naturalness, extreme finesse and the am Testgerät output resistance,
which underlines the
tivated, in order not to lose a grain of way its handles voices, acoustic instru- stability of the stage. Powerful headphone
quality: even the variable clock frequency ments and orchestras. Its delivers an output suitable for high impedance designs
was fine-tuned to this goal, Lück speaking entirely three-dimensional image, and
EQUIPMENT
of the “myriad decisions and variables” what it can tickle out of the finest nuances
that had to be considered. is nothing short of sensational. Three digital inputs (S / PDIF, Toslink, AES /
EBU) plus interfaces for USB and Ethernet,
variable-level analogue outputs on RCA and
XLR, headphone output with fine-level volume
control, external power supply, remote control

SOUND QUALITY STREAMER 100%

SOUND QUALITY DAC 100%
PRICE/PERFORMANCE
 The analog circuitry is very similar to that ★★★★★
of Brinkmann‘s Phono-Pre Edison, STEREO‘s VERY GOOD
sole top reference in this product category.

10 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 The Foundation Comes First

Advancing the Science and Efficacy

of Power Conditioning
There are many approaches to reducing the noise associated with AC power—conditioner-
filters, regenerators, isolation transformers, battery inverters, and more—and all can
yield meaningful results. However, some of these techniques also cause ringing, current
compression, and non-linear (obnoxious) distortions. Some cures are worse than the
disease—some are not as good as plugging straight into the wall.
Niagara Low-Z Power Noise-Dissipation Systems address the many variables and forms
of interference that compromise the very foundation upon which an entire audio/video
system is built. When power is optimized, when a system’s foundation is a Rock of Gibraltar,
the system is able to deliver maximum articulation and emotional stimulation.
Niagara designer Garth Powell has devoted 20 years of intense research to furthering the
science of AC power. His exceptional ability to apply an insatiable thirst for knowledge,
a musician’s deeply personal passion for music, obvious brilliance, and many hard-won
insights is clearly evident in the products he creates.
AudioQuest invites you to experience the proof that Garth has successfully
advanced the art, the science, and the efficacy of power conditioning. We
believe that by adding a Niagara 7000 or Niagara 1000 to your system,
you’ll experience clarity, dimensionality, frequency extension, dynamic
contrast, and grip that your system was just waiting to reveal.
Sincerely, Bill Low

“The Niagara 7000 better resolved fine detail and threw a

deeper, more expansive soundstage…. Transients of the
struck notes sounded faster, less thick, more naturally
expressed through the Niagara, as did the length of the
notes’ decays.”
—Michael Fremer, Stereophile, February 2016
 R E P O R T M A S T E R Q U A L I T Y A U T H E N T I C AT E D

FOR & AGAINST

L
The MQA sound format, which othar Kerestedjian, head of the Ber-  „Hotel California“, streamed at „Master”
lin-based Highresaudio download quality from Tidal, MQA-decoded with Blue-
allows HiRes streaming with service, was initially euphoric about sound’s „Node 2“, the analog output then redi-
MQA, but now one of its sternest critics. gitized at 24/192 and analyzed with „MusicS-
handily compact amounts of He says files are often charmless after pass- cope“: Spectral content beyond 48 kHz is clearly
ing through the MQA process, and whether recognizable, and a cut-off frequency of 51.6
data, has plenty of advocates – they are actually from high-resolution mas- kHz (red line) detected.
ter files remains unclear. „We can not sell
but also critics, who argue it’s HiRes, if there is no benefit to
it,“ his credo says. KEYWORD Steep theses
neither loss-free nor accurate Kerestedjian checks classi- MQA: Xivero CEO Stephan Hotto
cal WAV or FLAC files with „Master Quality Authenti- agrees with the MQA criti-
when it comes to timing. We let the Xivero’s „MusicScope“ cated“ can compress – or cism. He is an expert in dig-
fold, as MQA would have
software to ensure they con- it – 192kHz HiRes files so ital signal processing and has
both sides have their say. tain clearly visible spectral they are hardly larger than one – very theoretical –
components beyond 20 kHz a CD track. A DAC with „hypothesis paper“, in which
integrated MQA decoder
– ie beyond the “brickwall” can fully restore the high he asserts:
filter used in CD mastering. resolution, even if the result ■ MQA is not lossless. The
With MQA files, however, this is not “bitperfect” – ie MQA encoder cuts the lower
identical to the input data.
software has no access at file bits of a 24-bit master to hide
level to the MQA-decoded the spectral components
signal, because that decoding only happens from the upper frequency bands beyond
in the DAC. To check those he would then 20 kHz.
have to pick up the analogue output signal ■ MQA distorts timing. In order to
and redigitize it - in real time. avoid the feared pre-echoes, MQA

12 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 R E P O R T M A S T E R Q U A L I T Y A U T H E N T I C AT E D

– presumably – is based on KEYWORD „brickwall“ filters – if the fre-

non-phase-linear filters, and aliasing : quency at which they act is far
changed phase changes timing. If the audio signal enough outside the audio spec-
contains frequencies
Moreover, according to Hotto, beyond half the trum, pre-echoes are not an
these filters are not sufficiently sampling frequency, issue at all. This is precisely the
steep-sided, their amplitude aliasing distortions advantage of HiRes files – that
occur. For example, a
frequency response drops pre- 30 kHz tone, sampled at the filters only act at very high
maturely, and they do not 48 kHz, would produce frequencies.
attenuate sufficiently in the a 48 - 30 = 18 kHz MQA mastermind Bob Stu-
interference.
blocking range, which could art vehemently rejects these
lead to aliasing distortions. allegations, saying that what’s
However, Hotto does admit that he important is not bit-accurate transmis-
relies largely on assumption, because no sion, but that the tonal result during
detailed information on the “inner life” playback corresponds exactly to the  CDs are now available with CD-Audio-MQA-
of MQA is available. But in any case, he sound at the time of recording. And, he encoded tracks: the first was released in Japan
pleads for phase-linear, steep-flanked says, the timing of the music signal is not on the Ottava label.

„THE EAR IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX SENSORY ORGAN“

the fact that our ear does not perceive her-frequency music signal decreases gre-
DR.-ING. actual sounds above 20 kHz, but can never- atly, MQA can pack the signal into a 24-bit
MATTHIAS LÜCK theless distinguish sound events that are / 44.1 (or 48-kHz) format, but with the
has promoted digital only 5 μs apart (at 20 kHz, a vibration premise of bringing the temporal resolution
filter technology and is 50 μs long). The temporal resolution of the original analogue signal with as few
is a developer at of our ear is therefore much higher than losses as possible to the analog output of
Brinkmann Audio. the frequency resolution. MQA optimizes the D / A converter.
the time resolution and thus achieves a „Lossless“ in the mathematical-technical
sense is not a process (PCM, DSD, etc.)
when one considers the entire chain from
studio to listening room. The use of filters

E ven with complex instrumentation

available, listening is essential in the
development of an audio device: the ear is
and signal processing in A / D and D / A
conversion means there are always some
losses.
a highly complex sensory organ. As manu- Our experience so far is that MQA has
facturers with a focus on the musicality and a positive effect on the musicality of
longevity of our equipment, we are obviously reproduction: depending on the recording,
skeptical about technical innovations, but a the gain is more or less large. In future,
friendly loudspeaker manufacturer and ana- more studios will probably gain experience
logue listener enthused to us in 2015 about  The pulse response of MQA (blue) is much with MQA, so further improvements can
of the amazing musicality of the playback at more precise than that of a conventional 192 be expected.
one of the first MQA demos. As a result, we kHz PCM transmission (red).
To describe sound quality or even proving
took a closer look at MQA and decided to it scientifically it is a difficult undertaking,
support MQA alongside conventional PCM so I can therefore only encourage anyone
and DSD significant improvement, also for example interested person to listen to MQA once, and
› The approach of optimizing temporal against a conventional PCM with a 192 kHz judge the gains in musicality for themselves.
resolution seemed promising and confirmed sampling rate (see diagram) Hearing is believing.
our experience: the temporal properties
of filters have a great influence on the LOSSLESS?
musicality of the reproduction MQA is already working in the studio to
› There is the prospect of improved sound optimize the temporal resolution during
quality for users of streaming services playback. It allows the signal processing
while maintaining compatibility with inf- in the D / A converter to be adapted
rastructure and devices that do not support individually to the processing used during  D / A converter with MQA decoder:
MQA. recording. Since the energy of the hig- Brinkmann Audio „Nyquist“.
MQA is based, amongst other things, on

13 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 R E P O R T M A S T E R Q U A L I T Y A U T H E N T I C AT E D

 The „Amarra Luxe“ software player www.stereo.de. And for the reasons why
will also be able to decode MQA. a high-end manufacturer, such as Brink-
mann Audio developer Matthias Lück,
distorted by MQA, but - on the contrary relies on MQA, see the box below.
- corrected.
For further details on Stuart, please see „Perceived quality“
the next page - and there more details on MQA critics argue more formally and

„THE MQA ENCODER CAN DETECT SIGNS OF UPSAMPLING AND OTHER ERRORS“
in the recording, such as incorrectly formatted
signal. How can HiRes download stores samples, inconsistent bit depth, or aliasing, as
Questions to ensure that they offer real HiRes content well as signs of upsampling or the presence of
BOB STUART, and no up-sampled material? audible watermarks. It also checks whether it
Meridian boss Bob Stuart: With the Bluesound devices or is a converted version for publishing on optical
and Mastermind the Audirvana software, it is already possible to discs or iTunes. If all these sources of error
behind the MQA analyze „MQA Core“ (up to 96 kHz sampling rate) are verified, the content is either accepted or
format. . at the digital level; otherwise the analog output rejected. If the MQA encoder is not secure, this
signal of the decoder is used. Moreover, it is can lead to the automatic downgrade of „MQA
precisely our goal at MQA that customers trust Studio“ to „MQA“.
the streams and downloads just as much as they
do CDs or Blu-rays, which can’t be changed on the
STEREO: Stephan Hotto assumes in his way to the end user. We are driving considerable STEREO: Critics underline that Warner‘s
„hypotheses paper“ that MQA uses apo- effort to find the real master and make the origin catalog is converted to MQA in a batch
dizing filters that „distort the phase of the transparent. process, with standard parameters used
audio signal,“ „reduce the resolution in the The best quality assurance is the digital „sig- and without analyzing the content or
time domain“ and even „produce aliasing“. nature“ of the artist or sound engineer. The MQA knowing the type of A / D converter used
How would you answer him? file guarantees that nothing can be changed on in the recording studio. Does Warner give
Bob Stuart: The „hypotheses paper“ is based the distribution channel: otherwise the „MQA“ you any information about the „history“ of
on an outdated concept, which was developed light in the decoder will go out. But we don’t a recording?
over 20 years ago. Sampling theory and hearing recordings based on parameters such as sampling Bob Stuart: This assumption is wrong. Anyone
research have made great progress: time and rate or bit depth: sometimes the version with the who was lucky enough to visit the enginee-
frequency are not mathematically equivalent to ring department at Warner Music is incredibly
the human ear, and encoding based on Fourier impressed: these people have all the information
t The blue dot guaran-
analysis doesn’t fully meet our perception pro- available at the click of a mouse to provide
cesses. MQA goes beyond the loss-free concepts tees the artist‘s „MQA
us with the original for the encoding process.
to deliver the highest quality. To quote Einstein: Studio“ version. The
For each master we can examine the complete
„We can not solve a problem by addressing it green dot means the file device chain, including A / D converters, and for
with the same approach of thinking that created is missing this authentication. recent recordings we even have fingerprints of
it.“ MQA does not use apodizing filters. MQA pre- the workstation used and of any analog transfer.
serves the same precision in the time domain as highest sampling rate isn’t the true master. What We’ve had similar experiences with other major
conventional PCM, but delivers significantly less are important for us are temporal resolution, labels, and independents like 2L.
temporal blur. Reducing this temporal „smearing“ noise stability and analogue blur.
means fixing an error, not adding a distortion. The STEREO: At MQA, how can you ensure that STEREO: Can you tell us when Universal
mastering community is largely agreed that the
the labels send you original recordings in Music will release MQA titles? And what
sound is simply clearer by this cleansing. The
their native sampling rate and upsampled about Sony Music?
MQA decoder avoids aliasing in the audio range,
files? After all, that‘s what’s guaranteed Bob Stuart: They’re working hard in the back-
to be pedantic!
by the „MQA Studio“ label. Can you tell us ground, but we can’t make pre-announcements
the difference between „MQA Studio“ and in the name of Universal, Sony, Merlin or other
STEREO: Stephan Hotto and Lothar Keres- simple MQA? labels.
tedjian from Highresaudio.de complain that Bob Stuart: We work confidently with the
labels to always get the unmodified, real master Bob Stuart has answered us much more extensively.
they can’t analyze the spectral content of
version. In addition, the MQA encoder analyzes We’ve published the complete text in the original
the decoded MQA signal because there (English) on www.stereo.de. You can also find detailed
is no access to the MQA decoded digital the file: it can detect technical or human errors
information on MQA at www.bobtalks.co.uk.

14 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 R E P O R T M A S T E R Q U A L I T Y A U T H E N T I C AT E D

theoretically: what they say is about „THE HIGHRES MARKET IS SENSITIVE“

native 96 or 192 kHz sampling rates,
which should be maintained, and „loss- exist which are license-free and can be
less“ transmission in the sense of „bit LOTHAR reproduced with 99.8% of commercially
perfect“. The MQA camp argues, on the KERESTEDJIAN available HiFi devices, such as WAV, FLAC
other hand, from the psychoacoustic is Managing Director of or ALAC.
side: the perceived sound quality is the download service It’s possible to talk about MQA returning
important, not how it’s achieved. And, HighResAudio. to the HighResAudio offering, if the codec
the supporters say, MQA is superior to is described honestly as lossy. Audiophile
the high-resolution original PCM signal, people are willing to pay for high quality,
because it corrects time errors that creep but this makes the HighRes market a
in to the A/ D converters at the record- sensitive one, wanting and needing to be

W ResAudio: We offer only native,

ing stage. e have a clear concept at High- served honestly – otherwise we lose all
Stephan Hotto does not like that credibility with the end customer. And I’m
assessment. Despite his criticisms, he not manipulated and pure HighRes music. not going to gamble with the credibility of
comes to the conciliatory conclusion MQA doesn‘t meet this criterion, at least HighResAudio.
that MQA is perfectly fine for streaming not if it is simply batch-encoded and no
services because it allows HiRes trans- one is checking or blessing the source files
mission with handily small file sizes and – which is the case! There are, of course,
bit-rates. For HiRes download services, exceptions, such as the productions of 2L.
however, he advises sticking to unmod- I have nothing against Bob Stuart and
ified FLAC files with 24 Bit resolution the codec, but he can’t sell something
and 192 kHz sampling frequency. as Highres that isn’t Highres, and this is
Both camps agree that it is important the case with MQA according to current
to get as close as possible to the original knowledge. Therefore, I have tentatively
masters and not to use any possibly removed MQA files with uncertain „his-
up-sampled or otherwise processed files tory“ from the range I offer until the facts
from second- or third-hand sources. But are clearly communicated.
while HighResAudio’s Kerestedjian MQA coding is used by streaming ven-  Still with MQA label, but not available in
dors to save traffic costs, but for downloads MQA, but only as original FLAC: Warner album
doubts the MQA files, Bob Stuart
it makes little sense. Alternative codecs with HighResAudio.
describes how much effort MQA makes
to verify the source of the files, and that
MQA is about guaranteeing that files on
the way from MQA encoder to the MQA
decoder can’t be manipulated by the end
user in any way.
And what’s our experience with MQA
here at STEREO? We heard the format
with the first available MQA decoders
from NAD and Bluesound, and con-
cluded that the sound is significantly
better than lossless playback in CD res-
olution. However, though the difference
is only noticeable with excellently-re-
corded albums, and files in original
24/192 PCM are, of course, a tiny bit
better. Whether MQA is therefore  Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Hotto
advantageous for HiRes downloads is studied communications
therefore debatable, even though stream- technology with a focus on
ing clearly benefits from the „Master digital signal processing,
Quality Authenticated“ process. and is the managing direc-  In a 44-page „hypothesis paper“, Hotto has laid out his
Ulrich Wienforth tor of Xivero GmbH. theoretical arguments against MQA.

15 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

Return of an icon.
MIRACORD 90
ANNIVERSARY

The motor is double-de- The tonearm is manufac- Aluminum platter

ELAC Miracord remains an iconic name coupled from the chassis tured in Germany and was weighing approximately
from the era of the long-playing disc. and therefore from the to-
nearm by rubber dampers
developed exclusively for
this ELAC turntable. An ex-
6.5 kg sits on a sub-plat-
ter whose hardened steel
and fabric spiders that tremely light carbon tube spindle rotates on an
Miracord 90 Anniversary have proven themselves forms the arm, while the 8 mm ruby bearing. The
ELAC revisits a golden era with in ELAC speakers. The
variable pitch control
remaining parts are made
of aluminum and brass.
spindle is axially guided
in two sintered bronze
a turntable to mark allows the speed to be bearing bushings.
its 90th birthday. varied by up to 5 %

ELAC Electroacustic GmbH - Fraunhoferstraße 16 - 24118 Kiel - Germany www.elac.com

H I F I E X C L U S I V E C D P L AY E R / D A C , I N T E G R AT E D A M P L I F I E R A N D S P E A K E R S

TAKEN FROM
THE LIMIT After a long development period, the N31 CD player/DAC and N51

integrated amplifier now launch a new generation of MBL’s midrange “Noble

Line”. Both fully embrace the current state of technology, while maintaining

the traditions of the Berlin manufacturer.

17 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 H I F I E X C L U S I V E C D P L AY E R / D A C , I N T E G R AT E D A M P L I F I E R A N D S P E A K E R S

W
ere I to be asked to describe
the essence of the new N31
CD player/DAC and N51 inte-
grated amplifier from MBL’s “Noble
Line”, I’d do no more than hand over the
heavy remote control. The object of beauty
shown above, with its rotating chrome-
plated ring for the volume control con-
sistent with its shiny surface, has a solid-
ity and finesse representative of the qual-
ity of the components it controls.
Approach it with your hand, and the
backlight glows up, indicating that its
ready to take instruction!
It’s a trick the remote handset shares  Extensive digital inputs and outputs mean the N31 is also a full-featured D/A converter.
with the 5in color TFT displays adorning
the front panels of the N31 and N51, this
striking feature giving the MBLs a modern displayed on the top panel, is surrounded optimized to take account of the effects of
look and reminding one of the large-for- by a glowing aura. When touched, it var- air turbulence and mechanical vibration.
mat screens now common in cars - includ- ies its brightness, as well as that of the
ing their gesture control. Tiny buttons display, in six stages, or turns both off Fine tuning by filter
next to the display let you navigate, with completely. The Power/Standby button is The digital inputs include two USB inter-
labelling next to them changing according likewise ringed with an illuminated glow. faces for PC or Mac, one of which is
to the functions or menu in use. The N31 plays CDs to reference stan- designed for high-bit signals up to 24 bits
dards, but is also a highly accomplished / 192kHz or „double DSD“ 5.6 MHz band-
Top player – and converter digital-to-analog converter. Close atten- width. A narrow strip at the bottom of the
Designed in black, with gloss white and tion has been paid to the circuit design for CD-Text-capable display indicates the
shiny metal detailing, the products of the both the digital inputs and outputs and received format, which is useful as bottle-
revamped „Noble Line“ are certainly the analog output section, and the necks in the computer chain can deliver
striking: the brand logo, proudly slot-loading disc transport has been a diminished sound. If you can see the
problem, rather than just having an
inkling from listening that something is
 The slot-in drive is shock-resistant. amiss, you can go into the computer set-
Vibration-damping foils in several pla- tings and put things right.
ces demonstrate the high degree of In addition, there’s a small symbol for
care and fine-tuning. the selected digital filter, of which the N31
has three on offer: our favourite, and that
of MBL’s Jürgen Reis, is „Minimum

 Questions about the concept of the N31? The

complexity of the boards arranged next to each
other for the analog and digital inputs and out-
puts demonstrate serious intent as a DAC as well
as a disc-player.

18 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 H I F I E X C L U S I V E C D P L AY E R / D A C , I N T E G R AT E D A M P L I F I E R A N D S P E A K E R S

TEST-COMPONENTS That’s almost it when it comes to adjust- since been further refined. Switching the
ability: unless those manufacturers offer- amplifier core may be, but the power sup-
CD PLAYER / D / A CONVERTER:
ing owners an almost limitless number of ply technology remains linear, removing
T + A MP3000HV
switchable parameters, MBL does (almost) the risk of RF interference from this
D / A-CONVERTERS: everything for you. DAC-geeks will note device affecting other components.
Brinkmann Nyquist, MBL1511F with appreciation that the class-leading A clever counter-coupling avoids non-
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER: T + A PA3100HV fully-balanced ESS Sabre 9018 is used, linearities in the high-frequency range,
PRE/POWER- AMPLIFIER: Accustic Arts around which Reis has constructed a com- which are unavoidable in connection with
Tube , Preamp II-MK2, Amp II-MK3 plex architecture in order to Class D Amps, due to the nec-
LOUDSPEAKER: B & W 802 D3, make the most of its quality. In KEYWORD essary output filters to match
Dynaudio Contour 60, MBL 116F addition to those digital filters, Minimum phase filter: the impedance of the connected
CABLES: HMS Granfinale Jubilee (NF), this also includes three-stage This digital filter loudspeaker. Our measure-
In-Acoustics LS-2404 (LS), Purist Audio jitter reduction. imitates an „analog“ ments confirmed the effect of
time behavior and is
Des. Genesis (NF + LS) In the N51 integrated ampli- therefore considered this measure.
fier, the mu-metal-encapsulated the favorite for A special feature is the ALPs
ring core transformer occupies naturally-produced
recordings.
potentiometer for the volume
Phase“. With this everything is in the most the front two thirds of the inter- control, placed close to the
beautiful order, the MBL sound being nal space, along with the power inputs in the interest of shortest
wide, extended and to the horizon in supply capacitor banks. On the other signal paths. Unlike most of his develop-
depth; „Slow Roll Off“ suits singer/song- hand, the power amplifier section is very ment colleagues, Reis does not rely on
writer-style music with its slightly more small, despite more than healthy output, resistor ladders, but is rather a supporter
comfortable, slightly rounded diction, thanks to its use of 360kHz switching of conventional potentiometers, to which
while „Fast Roll Off“ makes the bass stages, which are both space- and ener- he attributes a particular sonority and
impulses really hard-hitting, but at the gy-efficient, and generate very little heat. natural grace in the middle area. In the
expense of some superficiality in the mid- This „LASA“ concept („Linear Audio N51, the potentiometer it is moved by the
range. It’s crisp and direct, but at the same Switching Amplifier“), developed by Jür- adjacent stepping motor and is so precise
time somewhat disjointed – just the thing gen Reis, was seen for the first time in (see measured values) that the chip solu-
for techno, perhaps? 2012 in MBL‘s „Corona Line“ and has tion isn’t missed.

The hefty transformer is

located in the front part
of the amp, while the
powerful, efficient swit-
ching amplifier stages
on the cooling ribs
behind it require little
space. 

19 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 H I F I E X C L U S I V E C D P L AY E R / D A C , I N T E G R AT E D A M P L I F I E R A N D S P E A K E R S

 For bi-amping, there is a controlled

pre-output (pre-out); the loudspeaker ter-
minals jacks are „NextGens“ from WBT.

lightning speed, and both devices –

which can be connected via „Smart
Link“, which opens the door to further
functions and convenience – are also
meticulously refined. Combined with
the high-resolution radial radiators
they are able to envelop the listener in
a glamorous, yet precise, sound.
There’s no question: MBL‘s new
„Noble“ set draws on an abundant
sound and delivers a full experience –
The N51 also offers „Unity Gain, ensur- colourful and energetic basic tone, and albeit at a luxury price. And who can
ing that, with the N31 connected, its sig- sense of exuberance. In contrast to argue with that?
nal at the zero-decibel mark fully exploits direct-radiating loudspeakers, which like Matthias Böde
the considerable power of the amp already to place the event directly in the listening
smoothly starting clipping. If you need room, MBL‘s omnidirectional models
more amplification in the case of a low project the scale of the recording space
average level of the music, „Unity Gain“ into the room: whether the atmosphere
simply switches off. of a recording is that of a hall or a jazz
Another nice touch, and one often over- cellar, this system recreates it fully.
looked but essential for the best sound, Jürgen Reis, who has been developing
are the vibration-protected „NextGen“ the MBL products since 1983 and now
connections found here, from Essen com- has a wealth of experience in terms of
pany WBT. sonic finesse, has equipped the 116F with
a pair of 14cm bass units and two mechan-
A „strong“ appearance ically linked aluminium-cone 21cm sub-
The MBLs made a striking appearance in woofers, meaning the speaker produces a
the STEREO listening room, where we lot of energy.
hooked them up to the company’s 116F That woofers design means less of this
radial radiator speakers. We played each energy is lost to resonances in the MDF
unit alone for our edification against var- enclosure, meaning that more energy is
ious competitors, and both proved that, used to shift air: even though the bass
whether used together or severally, they section is supported with a rearward reflex  Close to the inputs is the classic carbon-tra-
delivered the “MBL sound picture”. We opening port, the housing remains sur- cked ALPs volume potentiometer, which is moved
love this presentation, with opulence, prisingly quiet, and you can hardly feel by the stepper motor.
movement under the fingers.
However, on our usual measurement,
which only takes direct sound into
account, the 116F sensitivity hardly
exceeds 80 decibels (see diagrams), so it
needs 10 times as much power as the
(admittedly high-sensitivity) Focal Mae-
stro Utopia.

From the fullness into the full

Neither the player/DAC nor the amp –
nor indeed the two combined – have the
smoothest sound, yet they touch the
audiophile nerve with their fluent timing,
a full yet flexible bass and plenty of musi-
cal tension, all the while seeming relaxed
and totally in control.
MBL‘s masterpiece: The The N51 certainly helps, with consid-  MBL developer Jürgen Reis with a
high-resolution radial radiator erable reserves it can mobilize with „Noble“ set in white and chrome

20 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 H I F I E X C L U S I V E C D P L AY E R / D A C , I N T E G R AT E D A M P L I F I E R A N D S P E A K E R S

MBL N31 MBL N51 MBL 116F ELEGANCE

Couple around €18,000
Dimensions:
30x123x43 cm
(WxHxD, with Hood)
Warranty: 5 years
Contact: MBL
Phone:
At €12,000 At €13,800 +49 30/23005840,
Dimensions: 45 x16 x46 cm (WxHxD) Dimensions: 45 x16 x49 cm (WxHxD) www.mbl.de
Warranty: 3 years Warranty: 3 years
Contact: MBL Contact: MBL Still a top loudspeaker with
Phone: +49 30/23005840, www.mbl.de Phone: +4930/23005840, www.mbl.de a fascinating spatial repre-
sentation and free-breathing liveliness.
The N31 is equally convincing as a DAC and The innovative integrated amplifier captiva-
tes with a noble look and is brimming with MEASUREMENT RESULTS
a CD player, with pronounced audiophile
instinct for gripping, authentic sound. High- power. But it’s no sledgehammer, but rather a
bit PCM and DSD files are also handled well paragon of behavior, with the sense of bright
Frequency response
by the MBL. colors and potency in the background, making
it a fine partner for any type of loudspeaker.
MEASUREMENT RESULTS
MEASUREMENT RESULTS
Impedance

impulse response
Quantization noise distance 0 DBFS  97 db
Output resistor cinch  100 ohm Continuous power (8 ohm/4ohm)  232 w/435 W
Output voltage cinch 0 dBFS  2.3 V KLIRRF. At 50MW/5w/1db pmax  0.008%/0.01%/0.01%
Noise distance Digital Zero  102 db Intermod. 50MW/5w/1db pmax  0.006%/0.004%/0.4%
Distortion factor at -60dBFS  0.6% Noise distance at 50MW/5w 7 9.1 db/97.7 DB
Linearity at -90dBFS  0.2 db Damping factor. At 4 ohm (63hz/1khz/14kHz) 100/90/62
Jitter 1.1  NS Upper cut-off frequency (-3db/4ohm)  52 kHz
Nominal impedance  4 ohm
Deviation from FS -60 ppm Talk about Line 1 > Line  2:73.1 db
Minimum impedance 4 ohms at  11060 Hertz
Reading-in  10 s Synchronization error volume at-60db 0.1 db
Maximum impedance 10 ohms at  870 Hertz
Power consumption Stby/BTR 20 W Stereo channel separation at 10khz 75.1 db
Medium sensitivity (2.83 V/m)  80.3 db SPL
Power consumption standby 0.8 W
LABORATORY COMMENTARY Power for 94 db (1 m)  21.3 watts
Power Consumption Idle  50
Lower cut-off frequency (-3 db)  35 Hertz
AC phasing High-class values prove the
LABORATORY COMMENTARY
on test unit technical claim of the N31. LAB COMMENTARY
The MBL shows no weak- Rich output is paired with
nesses and underlines the stability of the analogue AC phasing An amazingly linear frequency response with
on test unit low distortions and high
output stage in the relatively low output resistance. interference resistance, excellent all-round dispersion (dashed line),
while also positive are the effective channel separation with just a slight low bass emphasis and a
FEATURES
as well as the precise tracking of the volume control. little droop in the highest treble. Unusually
Five digital inputs and three digital outputs smooth, absolutely undemanding impedance.
(each light guide, symmetric, coaxial plus two FEATURES The efficiency is moderate, so for higher
USB interfaces), analog output in cinch and Six high-level inputs (5 x Cinch/1 x XLR), levels the 116F needs powerful amps. The
XLR, remote control, SmartLink connection including a „processor“ looping option for impulse response proves that the high, the
with advanced comfort functions, German AV applications, fixed and variable outputs, middle and the low work closely together
user manual „SmartLink“ connection, remote control, in time, with the bass following with a fast
German manual. swing.

SOUND QUALITY CD 100%

SOUND QUALITY DAC 98% SOUND QUALITY 98% SOUND QUALITY 95 %
PRICE/PERFORMANCE PRICE/PERFORMANCE PRICE/PERFORMANCE
★★★★★ ★★★★★
VERY GOOD VERY GOOD VERY GOOD

21 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 U-300 Integrated amplifier

In our opinion, music cannot be explained

it should be heard

Aavik Acoustics is a joint project between the designer behind the multiple If interested, please go to our website http://www.aavik-acoustics.com
award-winning loudspeakers of Raidho Acoustics and the high performance cables to see product data and reviews. On our website you will also find the list of world
of Ansuz Acoustics, Michael Borresen, and some of the best analog and digital wide dealers, feel free to contact one of them and book a demonstration.
designers that the world has to offer.
RC

RC
R

R
XL

XL
A

T CUR T CUR
REN REN REN REN
CUR T CUR T
DC DC
UT -O UT -O
-O UT -O UT
DC DC
TE

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MP

MP
MP

MP
TE

TE

U-300 Integrated amplifier P-300 Stereo power amplifier C-300 Preamplifier M-300 Mono power amplifier
RC

RC
R

R
XL

XL
A

T CUR T CUR
REN REN REN REN

www.aavik-acoustics.com
CUR T CUR T
DC DC
UT -O UT -O
-O UT -O UT
DC DC
TE

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MP

MP
MP

MP
TE

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www.ansuz-acoustics.com
© 2017 - Aavik Acoustics is a Danish Company, all products are made in Denmark
 NEWS

Sony Music set to press LPs again Tonearms

from AVID
A lmost 30 years ago, Sony Music closed
its last vinyl pressing plant in Japan, as
CDs had replaced the LP. However, the
demand for vinyl discs is now so great that
there’s shortage of pressing capacity, leading
Sony Music Japan to plan to start pressing
again. According to reports in the „ Nikkei
Asian Review „, a cutting facility is being instal-
led in a Tokyo recording studio, and Sony is
looking for the right people to operate it, the old staff having long since retired - they have
long since retired. Pressing will recommence in March next year, mainly producing
Japanese pop albums (both current and from the back catalogue), though Sony is also
looking for foreign orders.

Burmester integrates Qobuz

I n the course of July Burmester
started integrating the Qobuz
streaming service into all its net-
C onrad Mas, boss of British turntable
company AVID, has launched a trio
of tonearms for his products, with the
work products, to allow „Qobuz titanium tube of the top model, the
Sublime +“ subscribers to stream „Oxytone“, generated via 3D printing.
directly from the Burmester app in German prices are still to be set, but in
Hi-Res and download music England the Oxytone, Paroxytone and
tracks. A step-by-step release was Barytone models will sell for £5000,
planned for the various devices, £3000 and £1500 respectively.
with the intention of having www.avidhifi.com
Qobuz on all Burmester network
products by the end of July.
www.burmester.de
New record
Roon Server also supports player at Thales
Sonos, Airplay & Co. S wiss company Thales has launched a
new slimline turntable, the appropri-

F irst photos – or at least renderings

– have reached us from Roon
Labs of the planned „Nucleus“ music
ately-named TTT-Slim II. Like the model it
replaces, it offers battery-powered drive,
isolating it from mains disturbances, and
server, along with more details of adds to that a stabilizing flywheel. The
features. It will be able to feed not turntable sits on three elaborate ball-sha-
just „Roon-ready“ network players ped feet, and if you buy the TTT-Slim II
(now more than 60 partner brands), with the tangential pivoted Thales Easy
but also Sonos, Devialet AIR, tonearm, you get it for a special price of
Meridian and Squeezebox systems, 8990 Euro.  www.tonarm.ch
as well as AirPlay-ready devices.
Alternatively, you can connect a USB
DAC directly to the Nucleus server,
which is then controlled from the
Roon app for iOS or Android, Windows PCs or Macs. The „Nucleus“ model (around
US$1200) can manage music libraries up to 12,000 albums, and serve multiroom systems
of up to five zones, while the „Nucleus +“ (around $2000) will handle even larger collec-
tions and more zones, providing additional DSP features such as upsampling, etc. Both
models have ribbed cases for fanless operation, and 2 USB 3.0 ports and a Thunderbolt
3 socket. There’s also a slot for a 2.5in internal hard drive or SSD (not included in the
price), or the music can be stored on external USB devices or NAS units. Thanks to the
cooling rib housing, both models come without fans.  www.roonlabs.com

23 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 NEWS

T + A HV series gets colorful

If you’re spend a lot of money on
high-end devices, you might
want an individual look, which is
why T + A now offers its HV series
models as „HV Individual“, in the
full range of colors from the stan-
dard RAL shade-chart. Housing
parts, cover plates and heat sinks
can be lacquered in matt, satin or
gloss colors, and even the shade
of the printing on the front panel
can be selected individually. The housings of the standard units - all made of pure aluminum
- are usually finished in silver or titanium, with black heatsinks, but the new finishes can be
ordered from T + A immediately via its specialist dealers. The prices depend on the design
and type of painting.  www.ta-hifi.de

Streaming overtakes downloads

and physical media in the US
F or the first time in the history of the music industry, in
2016 streaming services generated more than half
of US recorded music revenue, according to figures
from industry association the RIAA. The lion‘s share of
this was paid premium subscriptions, turnover from
which more than doubled over the previous year, while
income from advertising-financed streaming grew only
26%. Overall, streaming revenues were up 68% on
2015 levels, while download sales decreased by 22%
and sales of physical media fell 16%. Vinyl sales were
up slightly (+ 4%), accounting for a significant 26%
share of all physical media sold.

2000W subwoofer
from B & W
T
he Bowers & Wilkins „DB“ subwoofer
series flagship, the „DB1D“ (4800 euros),
uses two 30 cm drivers arranged back to
back, thus cancelling out resonances and cabi-
net vibrations, driven with a 2000W amplifier.
The two smaller models – the DB2D (3700
euros) and DB3D (2650 euros) – share with
the top model the use of „Aerofoil“ cones, also
seen in the „800 Series Diamond“ speakers,
with a “wing’ shaped cross section adding
rigidity where it is most required, while minimi-
sing weight. „Dynamic EQ“ and „Room EQ“,
running on an app for Android and iOS, allow the subwoofers to be adapted to the room
and the installation location. The DB subwoofers are available in high-gloss black, satin
white and rosenut (walnut red).  www.bowers-wilkins.com

24 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

68x297mm_EMC-1.indd 1 02.09.2016 09:32:42
Lebenslänglich

www.mbl.de
 TEST HEADPHONES

HEAD OF
THE CLASS?

A
The AKG K 812 headphone is s a long-standing observer of the the drivers are the same, and you’ll look
hi-fi world, one is astonished in vain for differences in the headband
already a sumptuous pleasure at when a traditional manufacturer and details, even if the description sug-
such as AKG brings a new headphone to gests to suggest differences are there. In
1500 euros, but the company’s the market, which is very similar to a fact, only when you put on the new
model produced for years, but still carries model can you see – or rather hear – the
new closed-back brother, the a much ‘ambitious’ price tag. changes, in the clear insulation from the
outside world - an unmistakable sign of
K 872, is 400 euros more. Home and professional use closed-back headphone.
Look at the K 812 and the new K 872, Take another look at the ear-pieces,
Can that be right? and you might wonder what’s going on: and you’ll note that the porous, air

26 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 TEST HEADPHONES

permeable structure of the K 812 has With is no second TV, nor an “evacua-
given way to a hard back without holes, tion room” with a music system, a closed
sealing the rear of the drivers in, and headphone offers the solution: the music
external noise out. It should also be men- doesn’t leak from the headphones to the
tioned that the 812, which we have outside world, and the television sound
repeatedly used for comparisons, was no longer disturbs the music lover.
produced in Austria, while „the new“
model is made in Slovakia. Open closed
The drivers themselves are unchanged However similar the two siblings may
between the two: 53mm diameter, they seem, they are so different application,
us an extremely powerful neodymium and ultimately in sound, to the point that,
“motor”, which still delivers 1.5 Tesla of if you want to listen undisturbed at mod-
drive, while coil is double-wound, which erate levels, the K 872 is a definite alter-
should ensure a first-class impulse behav- native to the 812. Both resolve plenty of
ior. Both models have almost the same detail, meaning that 70s disco and radio
electrical ratings: high sensitivity of 112 music such as Evelyn Thomas’s „High
dB on the 872 is 110 dB on the 812, and Energy „or Inner Life’s „I’m caught up“
the impedance is 36 ohms, which is com- can get quite annoying, while the new
patible with most amplifiers. The weight model has more powerful bass.
is also identical, at 390 grams. Things were more pleasant with Johnny
The structure of hangers and headband Cash‘s „Hurt“, but the sound of the two
show no differences, but instead of the differs more clearly than would be
headphone stand included with the K expected from the many similarities. The  Unbalanced, but very soft and
812, there is only a hard plastic case - not closed K 872 sounded more sonorous and pliable upholstery pads, combined
suitable for the living room, but at the full-bodied, but sometimes to an exces- with the bracket construction,
most impractical and ultimately also less sive degree. The better the source and ensure good comfort.
valuable than the stand of the 812. amplification, up to our reference amp
There have always been intensive dis- from MalValve, the more questionable
cussions about whether a closed-back was the 872’s effect: with the more feeble
headphone listener in makes any sense output of the headphone jack on the the K 872 couldn’t provide a serious rea-
in the domestic landscape, or merely MacBook the 872 was in front, but with son for its acquisition. Since it is signifi-
brings with it disadvantages such as the MalValve there was hardly any doubt cantly more expensive and a headphone
warm ears. However, in an average living that the 812 took the prize. The result stand is not supplied, the suspicion
room environment the family might like with Natalie Merchant‘s „Sally Ann“ is remains that the semi-professional cus-
to watch TV, but the music-loving father similar - with the exception of the lower tomer is being exploited here.
prefers to spend the evening with music. ambient noise, used with the MalValve  Michael Lang

AKG K 872
Around 1900 €
Warranty: 2 years
Contact: Audio Pro
Tel.: +1 (888) 452-4254, www.akg.com
Top price, high-quality closed-back earphone.
High resolution. Clean, rich, sonorous sound
with powerful bass. Neatly built, very com-
fortable. Also works on portable products.
EQUIPMENT
Closed model, interchangeable three-me-
ter cable with Lemo plug, Screw-in adapter
from 3.5 to 6.3mm jack plug included;
Carrying case

SOUND QUALITY 91%

The cable with professional PREIS/LEISTUNG
Lemo plug is connected to ★★★★★
the left earpiece. GOOD

27 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

DSD IS THE NEW ANALOG.

„
Lindemann‘s Musicbook
makes even the
most discerning
music-lover happy.“
STEREO
„
It‘s a stone cold bargain -
buy one today.“
ENJOY THE MUSIC
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You simply have to hear
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„
Perfect timing and
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I cannot recall ever
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Everything you could
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Dispels any notions that
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HI-FI+

www.lindemann-audio.com
 COMPANY PROFILE ELAC

FROM
INVENTION TO
REINVENTION...
Once very big, not so long ago Elac found itself more or

less on the floor. Now, with inspired leadership, it seems the

Kiel company’s fortunes are again on the up.

G
unter Kürten has already had university shortly after the war. In the it’s of great importance to produce large
some interesting stops in his 1950s, the theme of music reproduction parts of its loudspeakers themselves in
hi-fi life, including roles at LG, began to be explored in the flourishing the Kiel factory halls. However, it has
Sharp and Denon but the challenge he republic, and in 1957 not only cartridges long been recognized that customers are
found when he joined ELAC, founded were produced, but whole record players. only willing to pay the additional price
in 1926, was new to him. However, the In the 1960s, the three German compa- for products made in Germany, rather
52-year-old has thrown himself into his nies – Dual, Perpetuum Ebner and Elac than in some lower-cost country, if they
firefighting task: turning the historic – cornered some 90% of the world mar- also have other advantages.
loudspeaker manufacturer into some- ket for record players, unimaginable as
thing future-oriented. that may seem today. Germany, United States,
In the 1930s Elac was a great employer However, the analogue technology sur- Far East
in Kiel: up to 5000 people worked for and passed its zenith, and loudspeakers In fact, when Kürten joined the com-
at the company. Starting with sonar tech- became increasingly important to the pany, it seemed to him that almost the
nology for seafaring, later on it moved company. Forays into TVs, radios and only selling-point was that “Made in Ger-
into pretty much everything that had to HiFi, in particular receivers, were not many” label, even though Elac used a lot
do with technology. Whole blocks of flats very successful, so in 1980 the decision of innovative technology in its loud-
in today’s Kiel university district were was made decided to concentrate solely speakers. Customers were increasingly
formerly owned by the company, before on speakers. less experienced in engineering, the spe-
the majority of the company premises “Made in Germany” was and is a cialist trade ignored the product to the
were placed under the supervision of the worldwide selling label, and so for Elac best of their ability, it was no longer fully

29 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 COMPANY PROFILE ELAC

 Air pump, record player, sonar unit -  Even TVs, receivers and clock  The showroom in Kiel's company headquar-
the past was not just HiFi. radios carried the Elac name. ters. The listening room is hidden in the oval.

on the radar of the markets and distrib- But that’s not all. In order to make a prime, Wilfried Werner, had been ‘reac-
utors - the company’s future looked any- name for itself quickly, with new tech- tivated’ (!) and given a young, successful
thing but bright. nology at a low price in the market, the team to develop the 2000 euro player.
Kürten, personally chosen by Manag- Discovery was the perfect way to create Remarkably not only the turntable
ing Director Wolfgang John to lead the a veritable, well-sounding and easy-to- motor unit, but also the tonearm is Ger-
company’s fate and by nature an optimist use streamer (1100 Euro) as well as the man-produced, with only the cartridge
and very enthusiastic, quickly developed small power amplifier EA 101 EQ-G for being imported – it’s an Audio Technica
a concept for a reboot of the company. around 700 Euro, which is also an abso- moving magnet model. What’s more, it
He soon realized that loudspeakers alone lute highlight in sound and features in seems Elac is almost certainly not going
would make it difficult to lead the com- its price class. These products, made for to rest with just the one model: it’s likely
pany into a secure future, so he rolled up a cost-conscious and / or younger audi- a family of record players will be built
his sleeves, sat down with his staff in Kiel ence, are designed according to Elac piece by piece.
and developed a strategy based on several guidelines in the Far East, with an expan-
pillars. Moving into new production and sion to complete the model series cur- Bonus Buy
business premises signalled a new begin- rently on the agenda. Kürten soon became certain that in the
ning, with development and production medium term, a separate electronics line,
of individual high-quality components Digital and analogue with which one can control the sound
and loudspeakers in Germany, as well as Analogue? Yes, you read correctly: from beginning to end, is unavoidable.
development at the Research Center in remembering their roots and their glo- And so he surprised us last autumn with
the USA under the direction of the rious past, the people in Kiel delivered the takeover by Elac of the very innova-
renowned loudspeaker developer in May this year the Miracord 90 Anni- tive but financially chronically weaken-
Andrew Jones versary record player, as a tribute to the ing US manufacturer Audio Alchemy.
Jones had already developed for TAD company’s 90th birthday. Even in this The first products from this liaison are
loudspeakers highly appreciated world- move Kürten was proved right, the orig- soon to be seen.
wide, and since he came on board Elac inally planned number of units selling
has also offered coax chassis without a out: in order to avoid novice errors in Secret of the tweeter
jet tweeter, and this in very moderate planning and production, the chief One of the most innovative Elac technol-
price classes. designer from the company’s analogue ogies is also among the most invisible:

 The Elac company building is dedicated to  Some pairs of Concentros  The Concentros are demonstrated with
the inventor of the AMT tweeter, Oskar Heil. await completion high-quality Burmester electronics.

30 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 COMPANY PROFILE ELAC

 The film of the jet tweeters is  16 operations are required to complete a jet  Various jet tweeters with copper and alu-
extremely thin and light. tweeter – it’s a job for specialists. minum foils after drying

the “Jet” tweeters, which are painstak- While other AMT tweeters make do not significantly in these regions – either
ingly produced in Kiel, are found in the with five or six folds, the expert hands of price or geography – before, that’s
company’s loudspeakers as well as in at Elac use 22 precisely aligned folds in certainly a compliment.
numerous top-class cars with Burmester the copper or aluminum foils to give So, for anyone thinking, “if only there
sound systems, where they deliver crisp them the best possible sound, this taking was a smaller and more affordable
high frequencies without sharpness and five minutes per tweeter, and after com- brother...,” the desire has been noted at
distortion. However, they are usually pletion, each individual one is measured Elac long ago. Prepare to be surprised.
hidden behind screens. for the harmonic distortion and fre-
The secret of this tweeter, which works quency response. About 3000 m2 of area
according to the principle of the “Air- Also completely in-house was the With the move to the company’s origin,
MotionTransformer” invented by Oskar design and construction of the Concen- an open corporate culture also began: the
Heil, is not only the hard work and the tro super-loudspeakers: developed from offices are glass, and viewed from a friendly
long-term development of the produc- the first drawing to the finished product atrium with a small coffee bar. The fact
tion processes, but also the ingredients. in Kiel, it is produced there by develop- that Elac is not only concerned about qual-
The films come from a European manu- ment manager Rolf Janke and his team, ity and production constancy, but also a
facture, as does the special felt, which is with each crossover carefully adapted to meticulous documentation of all the stages
delivered in a defined thickness and the individual requirements, and though of the work, as well safety and environ-
strength. Even the silicone glue, which the speaker weighs 175 kilos, it’s mental compatibility, is not least due to
is applied by machine, is not a standard designed to be unpacked and set up by Elac’s original ‘rock star, Thomas Werner.
kind but the best the market offers, with a single person - German thoroughness. The tour through the halls of the ISO cer-
around € 3 of glue used per tweeter set. The fact that the loudspeaker is not tified company also clearly shows that it
First-class ingredients only provide the necessarily produced for the German is a labor of love to convince visitors Elac
basic prerequisite to deliver the manu- market, with its pair price of more than is a company with a mission – to bring the
facturing tolerance required at Elac, of 60,000 euros, is eagerly accepted by Elac: name back to prominence on the national
only +/- 1 decibels – this meaning that demand is so great in Asia that we were and international HiFI markets, and leave
further selection or pair matching in able to admire an entire miniature series behind the shadows of the past.
speaker assembly isn’t required. nearing completion. For a manufacturer Michael Lang

 The legendary 4Pi ribbon horn, with its  The special chassis for the Concentro midrange  Elac doesn´t build the motors for the record
360-degree dispersion, is also built in Kiel. and bass drivers are designed for minimal distortion. players: they come from specialist Allied Motion.

31 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 TEST POWERED SPEAKERS

BEAUTIFUL &
INTELLIGENT

32 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 TEST POWERED SPEAKERS

Devialet’s Phantom is one of the most extraordinary hi-fi

products of the past decade – and not just because its striking

style. The new „Gold“ also sounds seductively good!

G
ood looks never hurt - who ever since the bass drivers, with their long
found someone too pretty, or travel designed to compensate for their
something too elegant? Yet since limited surface area, have to permanently
pictures were first released of Devialet’s fight against that resistance. To overcome
Phantom some four years ago, the prod- this barrier the Parisians took the only
uct has had to fight off accusations of possible path: if the slope’s too steep for
being “designer hi-fi”, more about style your car, get a bigger engine!
than substance, even though it sounds With 750 and 3000 watts, the first two
excellent and has “more going on under Phantom models were hardly feeble, but
the hood” than most hi-fi products. for the new “Gold” model, the amplifier
Ask Devialet CEO, Quentin Sannié circuit was re-worked and inflated to an
about this, as we did during our recent visit even more susbstantial 4500W, this enor-
to Paris, and he’ll explain that he Phantom mous performance implemented in a tiny The WiFi connector „Dialog“ makes the phantom
is not only a loudspeaker that meets the chip – Devialet’s “Analog-Digital-Hybrid operable entirely wirelessly, and further inputs.
highest standards, but also a technology V2” (ADH V2). Its signal processing is
leader whose internal systems inspired the fundamentally analogue, but the final
industrial design, not vice versa. power amplification is done in Class D, detail. In addition to pure frequency
the new generation having – in addition response equalization, this also includes
From ADH V2 to HBI to more power – lower distortion and a processes that throttle the power supply
The initial plan was highly ambitious, as the wider bandwidth than the amps in the of the bass drivers as soon as they are
intention was to build an active speaker of original Phantoms, making the Gold more likely stray into distortion.
limited size, yet able to develop a sound confident and clean. It’s easy to hear this in action: choose
until then only available from large floor- Parallel to the new ADH chip, the man- bass-heavy music like Daft Punks “Da
standing speakers. To achieve this, the engi- ufacturer has implemented its own D / A Funk”, and the punchy and transparent
neers decided to use a hermetically sealed converter with a resolution of 24 bits and Devialet will startle you with the way it
housing design, allowing the movement of 192 kilohertz, and also reworked the SAM powers the kickdrum and bass into the
the drive units to be optimally controlled, (Speaker Active Matching) correction room. Increase the level, and the speaker
the internal pressure acting as a brake. software, with which it is possible to con- continues ‘just getting louder’ for a
This creates a new problem, however, trol the drive units down to the smallest remarkably long time, and only then –
well beyond comfortable in-room listen-
ing levels – do you notice that it’s started
only increasing the level of the midband
and treble, regulating the bass gently
before it becomes unpleasant. What’s just
as impressive is that the speaker maintains
its overall balance, and the treble remains
velvety, even when working really hard,
thanks to both the SAM V2 processing
and a high-purity titanium tweeter.
However, the basic concept of the loud-
speaker has remained unchanged. The
Phantom is a flexible active loudspeaker
of the latest generation, and can operate
in mono or in pairs to give stereo, and
once the speakers have been powered up
for the first time, the free “Spark” App
recognizes all the Phantoms nearby and
The Devialet „Spark“ app lists all the sources, artists, albums and songs on the left. In the displays a screen where you can assign
large middle section you can see the selected playlist, and on the right it shows the current them to the desired room zone and its
title and the level control. purpose (mono / stereo). The boxes react

33 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 TEST POWERED SPEAKERS

stunningly beautiful three-leg “Treepod”

(around 300 euros / piece).

Jumping for Gold

In terms of sound, this clever speaker is a
full-bodied entertainer, its excellent tim-
ing giving it a jumping, punchy effect, and
almost explosive dynamics at medium
levels. With the Goldfinger soundtrack it
succeeds in placing the listener in the
midst of the huge big band, revealing
every detail of the instruments, while spa-
tially it impresses and the depth of the
image is also astonishing. That’s hard
Good disguise: The connections for current, network and optical digital data are well hardly surprising: after all this is a speaker
hidden on the case and the stand. It’s an accomplished design! designed to fill a room, not concentrate
on one tiny listening ‘sweet spot’.
with an almost hypnotic sound and occa- portables and connected computers/NAS The simple version? This revolutionary
sional pulsation of the bass driver, so you stores. As a child of the year 2017, its BT French design almost sounds better than
always know which Phantom is being receiver is of course AptX-compatible and it looks – and that’s quite something!
addressed and configured. reads the signals from Apple portables Carsten Barnbeck
The loudspeakers offer a LAN and an directly in the AAC format. You couldn’t
optical digital input. Via the optional ask for more!
WiFi connector “Dialog” (around 250 DEVIALET PHANTOM GOLD
euros) you can also control them wire- Plenty of accessories Couple rate: around 5480 €
lessly, the small box synching with up to The Phantom is tailor-made for a contem- Warranty: 2 years
twelve pairs and adding a further optical porary digital audience, and the design Dimensions: 25 x 26 x 34 cm (WxHxD)
input to the connectivity. Furthermore, lovers will also appreciate the accessories Contact: Devialet
the Gold offers Bluetooth as well as Air- catalog: in addition to the well-known en.devialet.com
Play and can access Spotify, Deezer, Tidal aluminum legs, there are now wooden Conclusion: Versatile active loudspeaker with
and the whole range of web radios, as well stands (around 400 euros / pc), wall hold- flexible connectivity, infectious sound and
as playing music from networked ers (around 200 euros / pc) and the breathtakingly beautiful design.
EQUIPMENT
THE THREE PHANTOM MODELS AT A GLANCE * Features: Active loudspeaker with integra-
ted level control, free remote app „Spark“
model phantom Phantom Silver Phantom Gold (Android, iOS, macOS, Windows), various
stands and wall brackets available, WiFi
connector „Dialog“ increases range and
Few price ** To € 3680 To € 4280 To € 5480
allows radio operation
Power (per speaker) 750 watts 3000 watts 4500 watts Connections: LAN and optical, Airplay, Blue-
tooth (AptX and AAC), Spotify Connct, Tidal
Max. Sound pressure (1 meter) 99 dB 105 dB 108 dB Sound formats: All common formats up to
bandwidth 16 to 25,000 Hz 14 to 27,000 Hz – 24/192 (no DSD)
D / A converter 24/192 24/192 24/192
Texas Instruments
DAC chip Devialet DAC –
PCM 1798
Digital input optical / coaxial -/• -/• -/• PRICE/PERFORMANCE
LAN / WLAN •/• •/• •/•

Bluetooth / Airplay •/• •/• •/• EXCELLENT

* Manufacturer‘s specifications ** including „Dialog“

34 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 TEST POWERED SPEAKERS

„THE PHANTOM IS ONLY THE

BEGINNING FOR US “
STEREO MET DEVIALET CO-FOUNDER QUENTIN SANNIÉ IN PARIS

STEREO: What gave the impetus to the bers: around the world, about 100 million the chip producer ensures that we can
development of the phantom? audio systems have been sold, including guarantee high quality, even when it’s
Quentin Sannié: HiFi is losing its impor- soundbars and the like already. Include the being produced in large numbers.
tance: there are still a few classic fans, total sales of products with sound output,
but they are getting fewer and fewer, including car hi-fi and TV sets, and you So you’re turning away from HiFi?
while on the other hand younger people arrive at three billion units sold, so HiFi in No way! HiFi, however, is undergoing
are no longer attracted – which actually a broader sense makes up just over three a gradual transformation: just think of
is strange, as more music is heard than per cent of the market. The current efforts all the products with voice control like
ever before. Our approach was therefore are aimed at establishing our technologies Amazon’s Alexa or the Apple family, and at
to develop a product to bridge the gap in this extended product area. some point we will even talk with our car
between generations. and get a feedback. All this has something
The work on the first Phantom began in So, a car? to do with sound and its reproduction, and
2012: we used all the core technologies of Probably not, and neither are we devel- our technologies can help improve the
the D-Premier amplifiers and additionally oping a TV – but we are working with experience. With ADH and SAM we are
designed the SAM concept, so we could partners in both segments, who have a well prepared for the future of music and
achieve a sound that satisfies even the great deal of know-how. SAM is proving sound reproduction.
most discerning high end enthusiast. At especially helpful in this co-operation,
the same time, the Phantom is prepared since we can adjust each loudspeaker
for modern listening: it has a D / A in software to suit its environment and QUENTIN SANNIÉ
converter and offers access to streaming application. This is particularly beneficial Co-Founder/DEVIALET
services, airplay, Bluetooth and much for the bass, which we can
more, which appeals to young listeners. protect early from distortion and
overload – in most cases, the full
Will the Phantom family expand? 108 decibels of the Phantom Gold
We’re currently pursuing other strategies: aren’t required.
we’rre planning to open a chain of stores
this year, our so-called “power stores”. In the end, this is about classi-
In the beginning, there will be ten shops cal technology transfer.
worldwide, of which three are in Europe – All of our developments were
in Munich, London and Paris. These serve directed from the very beginning:
as a test run, hopefully to be followed our technologies are entirely
in the foreseeable future by a lot more modular and can be easily
branches. We’re also refining our key transferred to other products.
technologies, and many of the innovations The focus is, of course, on ADH,
in the Gold result from improvements to our highly integrated amplifier
the former Phantom models. And another chip, which can be produced
focus is entirely new products, in which all at Foxconn: we are currently
these technologies can be integrated. breeding the third generation
of the module and want to push
Can you give us an example? the development with 60 new
I can’t reveal anything concrete yet, so I engineers over the course of the
prefer to answer with a number of num- year. The close co-operation with

35 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 REPORT VISITING DEVIALET

QUALITY FROM
OUR OWN HANDS

The drivers for the bass and the midranges of the Phantom require

a complex production process. For this reason, Devialet is building them

themselves, as we found out.

W
ithout question the Devialet its supplier on short notice and at the same take important steps and complement the
Phantom is a unique design time expand the production to specialize usual handwork is at least unusual.
with highly ambitious drive- in making drivers for its products. So, For example, at the point where the bass
units, in particular the opposed woofers since the middle of 2014, the approxi- driver’s prominently bulging membrane
and the annular midrange driver. Discus- mately 2,000-square-meter Devialet fac- is glued to the surround, the best possible,
sion with the supplier about the technical tory has been located in Chatelet en brie, highly durable and permanently stable
details costs time, money and, of course, about 50 kilometers from Paris, so the connection is required due to the unusu-
especially nerves, but Devialet president developers and management have direct ally large excursions sometimes demanded
and mastermind Pierre-Emmanuel access to all processes and production. of the unit. For this reason precisely pre-
Calmel commissioned the French special- determined quantity of the special adhe-
ist PHL Audio with the task of imple- Exact to one hundredth sive must be applied with extreme accu-
menting his technical ideas and the pro- Approximately 50 employees assemble the racy, and then the parts assembled within
duction of the drivers. drivers on two production lines, which are a defined time span.
Soon, Devialet’s goals and thus the automated at critical points. We’ve seen a This is done by a robot more accurately
required number of items expanded so fast lot of drive-unit manufacturing around the than any human could do: within a Plexi-
that the company one decided to take over world, but the fact that industrial robots glass booth an arm of the yellow monster

36 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 REPORT VISITING DEVIALET

grasps the diaphragm, which already fitted 1 4

with its voice-coil and rotates it com-
pletely 360 degrees, while a second jib
brings a tiny tip from which the black,
sticky liquid flows. The arms move almost
cautiously, almost tenderly, and entirely
precisely as the
diapragm is inserted into the surround
to exactly one hundredth of a millimetre
accuracy, and the “composite part” con-
tinues to the next station.
The line on which the midrange drivers 5
are created and finally connected to the
supplied tweeter to create the finished
coax system is similarly supported: here,
too, the tightest tolerances are required
so that the Phantom can realise its full
performance. 2
Another vital factor is that the enclosure
is entirely air-tight, as in the case of satu-
rated levels, unusually high pressures arise
due to the opposed woofers mounted on
either side of the speaker. Any air perme-
ability, for example due to a defective
adhesive, will create problems, so Devialet 6
has a small small pressure chamber to test
each driver, which is only passed if it is
able to withstand a defined overpressure
or vacuum. Electrical and acoustic mea-
surements are also carried out, with only
a slight deviation permitted from the
stored ideal curve.

A woofer a minute
60 subwoofers are produced every the
hour - one per minute – and then they
await the leak test and final installation in
the rigid housing of the phantom. Every
now and then, Pierre Emmanuel Calmel,
who also developed Devialet’s unique
ADH amplifier, takes one of the drivers 3
from the belt, turns it like a precious jewel
in the light and checks it from all sides.
He seems almost in love. No wonder this
quality comes from such hands.
Matthias Böde

1 The center ring is mounted on specialized

workstations. 2 One woofer is produced per
minute. In a row, they are waiting to be mounted
in a phontom model. 3 More precise and faster
than any human being, robotic arms attach the
important adhesive seam to the woofer dia-
phragm. 4 A Since there is no space behind the
bass chassis, the „motor“ of the magnet and the
oscillating coil is inside. 5 Each woofer must
pass the leak test in the pressure chamber. 6
The final laboratory test confirms the quality.

37 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

WHAT,
THE
JUICE?

T
Music reproduction is all about he electricity comes out of the socket, you can’t do any-
thing”; “50km of copper from the power station, so how
modulating electricity. No wonder can anything make a difference in the house” “It’s not
even in the signal path”; “Are you crazy?” That’s the kind of
the purity of the raw material stuff you hear from self-proclaimed experts and even hi-fi fans
when it comes to power supplies, and yet the hi-fi system some-
makes a difference times sounds better at night or depending on how a plug is
plugged into the wall-supply. Something is happening, and it’s
to do with physics and “clean current”. STEREO explains and
tests what helps.  By Tom Frantzen

39 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

AMERICAN (MAINS) FIGHTER

 The high-end Audioquest Niagara

handles more complex high-end sys-
tems with four high-current outputs
and eight for sources, with more
comprehensive filtering slots. An
armada of isolating transfor-
mers, chokes and capacitors
does the work inside the
9000-Euro colossus, tack-
ling disturbances on the
power supply and redu-
cing ground noise.

T
he requirements for a perfect, caused by contamination from the outside If we turn to the rear, we find four
“audiophile” powerline filter are (such as from radio signals). extremely low-impedance – or “Low-Z”
simple: it should be as low imped- In the Audioquest Niagara 7000 we – Schuko power outputs designated for
ance and resilient as possible and elimi- have probably one of the most elaborate high-current use and configured with
nate a very wide wband frequency spec- and powerful attempts to achieve the ideal simpler filter banks, plus two 4-socket
trum common mode and differential passive mains treatment, even if in this banks with a considerably stronger filter
mode interference and protect the system, case “passive” is a misnomer given how design (transformers!), for buffering and
so that the connected devices don’t “see” much the Niagara 7000 intervenes. cleaning the supply for source devices
any disturbance, even from other devices and preamplifiers. We also find the capac-
malfunctioning. At the same time, dis- “Mr Power” itive shielding of the Transformers
turbances occur as by-products / back-ef- Audioquest designer Garth Powell, extremely consistent: if only hi-fi equip-
fects of electrical devices in the power already a mastermind when he joined the ment manufacturers would protect out
grid, and common-mode interference is company thanks to his designs for pro their transformers in a similar way,
equipment maker Furman, was given high-frequency noise could hardly enter
plenty of time a practically an open bud- the system!
AUDIOQUEST NIAGARA 7000 get to develop “Niagara”. Its looks and There is also a simple switch (at the
Niagara 7000, at 9000 € weight – 37 kilograms – suggest a gigan- front) for the “Power Factor Corrector”,
Contact: Audioquest tic power amplifier, and it’s designed as a operating not using the more common
Tel .: +1 (949) 585-0111 component requiring its own space on a correction of phase shifts between current
www.audioquest.com correspondingly spacious and substantial and voltage, but a switching trick that
This device could alone fill a book on the topic rack or shelf. And what you could easily massively lowers the impedance for the
of passive network filtering, and its potential mistake for a braided three-piece breath- fast recharging of the current storage. In
was realized in the effect on the sound. A ing tube for deep dives is actually the other words, it provides an enormous
superlative choice for costly systems. power supply cable, complete with an additional storage capacity for the repro-
EQUIPMENT Audioquest-typical bias battery – though duction of transients (impulse peaks),
Connections: Up to four power-hungry
here we have a little criticism, because the and so should be enabled by default. The
components (amplifier), also two extremely plastic sleeves for the connectors seem Niagara is equipped with several protec-
strong insulating quad strips comparatively delicate and sensitive to tion systems, including a very sensitive
accidental tread-damage. residual current circuit breaker.

40 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

 Weighing a whop-
ping 37kg, the Niag-
ara 7000 impresses
as a high-end.

Magical effect actions to be suppressed, and also with also be available, such as the 1000 model
In terms of sound, the Niagara proved to components with protective two-pole launched at the High End show, but the
be brutally effective. The seemingly unim- conductors. The structure of the sound 7000 is absolutely top class, and worthy
portant background of the sound image appears clearer, the soundstage image of a hat-tip.
is suddenly black, seems completely free larger, and bass textures clearer. The effect
from artifacts, noise, HF, and the like. This is very strongly pronounced, but above
is reflected in an increase in solidity, and all here realized with comprehensive con-
even an almost holographically enhanced nection possibilities and practically with-
picture of the main event. out limitation.
The price of the large Niagara should In terms of lack of compromise and
always be seen in relation to the system, technical sophistication, the Niagara is a
and the effect is more complex than that statement – and an absolutely impressive
of complex systems of components con- one at that. For simpler and more modest
nected with each other, with their own systems, smaller Niagara offshoots will

 The associated power cable is of enormous

dimensions and technically complex.

 A very strong, broadband attenuation can be

measured at the connections for source devices.

 Surprisingly, filter effects can only be detected

in the high-frequency range at the high-current
 The black cylinder inside stores energy improves the pulse response of connected amplifiers. output.

41 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

SMALL SOLUTION
I
sotek, the leading European system
supplier in the power sector, offers two
varieties of solution, which can also be The elegant upright-format
combined. In addition to the passive allows you to place seve-
approach already known and recom- ral Genesis One units side
mended from an earlier test of the by side, although they are
„Aquarius“ (see box on the right), the very deep. 
„Genesis“ series provides the active solu-
tion. The idea behind this device is that it
completely rebuilds the 50Hz mains sine
wave, which has been defaced by all sorts
of low- and high-frequency interference,
and combines this constant, stabilized 50
Hertz 230 Volt signal with a Class D
power amplifier to feed its output.
In the case of the Genesis One, the out-
put capacity is enough for analog or dig-
ital devices of up to 100 watts, and even
record players with synchronous motors
can be protected. Thanks to the design  That presence of two large toroidal
construction of the Genesis One, several transformers in the Genesis One was
units (at 2500 each) can be operated in quite a surprise.
parallel and placed in a rack – albeit quite
a deep one.
The in coming mains distortion level of extremely far away from any sampling
roughly 1.5-2% and was reduced to about frequencies, and easy to eliminate.
one-sixth to an eighth of that when feed-
ing the with the Marantz SA-10, and in Top combination
addition, the Genesis One slightly raised As a single solution, a single „One“ was
the voltage of 226 volts to the nominal thus excluded: the Duisburg-made inte-
value of 230 volts. The good noise atten- grated amplifier is too potent, and other
uation measurement shows that any con- more suitable Genesis products are made.
cern that Class D is incompatible with a But this is nonetheless a good solution for
clean network is unfounded: 50Hz is source devices.
Because we combined the Aquarius
with the Symphonic Line RG 14 Edition
ISOTEK GENESIS / AQUARIUS
at the high current output and the Gene-
sis One for the player, they complemented  Although the claimed values before and after
Eva 3 Aquarius: about 1400 € each other quite wonderfully, and the are somewhat optimistic - without load – the
Eva 3 Genesis One: around 2500 €
combination surpassed the already clear enormous magnitude of the distortion removal is
Contact: Isotek
www.isoteksystems.com tightening effect of the Aquarius alone accurate.
used for both devices. The system simply
While the Isotek Aquarius can be viewed as played with even more airiness and amaz-
an all-round solution for any good system, ing solidity, more swing and verve.
the fine, rhythmically driving „Genesis One“
According to our experiments, it can
is a top add-on for your favorite source.
be stated that a complete filter solution is
EQUIPMENT all the more meaningful the more the sys-
Connections Aquarius: Two high-current tem is interfered with, but also the more
and four mutually buffered outputs, purely complex it is. This is due to the interac-
passive. Connections Genesis One: One tions between the devices and the increas-
output for a device to 100 watts, active sine ingly contaminated supply they can cre-  Here again, the active technique shows a
wave generator
ate. The demand for a mains filter to quash rather unstable picture, but a good, deep filter
these is high - and is met by Isotek. effect well below the normal level.

42 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

THE PASSIVE POWER

T he Isotek „Aquarius“ is a passively a component design, which offers two high-current slots
for amplifiers and four other filter sockets – designed for lower-consuming devices and source
components –which are more highly filtered and even more isolated. If a digital device is plugged in
here, not only is mains interference made harmless, but also its own effects on other system components
are moderately mitigated until „invisible“. STEREO subjected the Aquarius to a detailed test five years
ago, and it is still a top solution even for more elaborate audiophile systems (Isotek recommendation
up to about 13,000 Euro total value). Even a sometimes-evident drone was diminished audibly, without
disturbing the sound.

 The filter damping starts early

and is quite even and wide-band.

 Filter circuits with chokes

characterize the source output,  While the HF effect is very similar, deeper
while at the rear of the picture frequency disturbances are even more strongly
is the protection device. reduced at the source component outputs.

SUPPRESSION FROM LEVERKUSEN

A
s an expert in interference sup-
pression technology, HMS is
undoubtedly one of the go-to
companies in Germany and worldwide,
with low-loss quality cables and network
accessories at the very top of the high-end
segment. Its first Energia bar sold far more
than 17,000 units before being replaced
with the improved Energia Mk II, which
was more elaborate and better adapted to
use with more power-hungry products.

HMS ENERGIA MK II power strip is also available with a cold-

plug connection for other mains cables,
Power strip with 5/7/9/11/13 filtered and we’d also suggest the version with a
outputs, overvoltage protection and 1.5
built-in DC blocker, with surge-protection
m cable, from 470 €, optional DC-sup-
pression DCS, other filter equipment, protection available as standard. That’s a
longer cable / extension with IEC socket With prices starting just under 500 serious recommendation!
Contact: HMS euros, the HMS target market is clearly
Tel .: +49 2171/734006 the more demanding system-builder want-
www.hmselektronik.com ing to maximise an already good system
Sound-structuring, gently soothing and and realize its full potential. The HMS fil-
uncompromising power strip, which also ter effect is enormously uniform and
protects superbly. The new standard? reaches over a very wide spectrum,
EQUIPMENT through the audible range into the listen-
ing area and far into the high frequencies,
Connections: Tried in five-output version, but has been designed to do its thing with-
with five slots including one for amplifiers
and surge protection out incurring dynamic losses. The Energia The HMS filters extremely evenly and broadly.
power cord used is excellent, though the This manifests itself in serenity and tranquillity.

43 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

THE WAVE RIDER

T
alk about active network regener- stable alternating current, a concept it
ation and you have to mention PS has now developed and refined over sev-
Audio. The company – headquar- eral product generations.
tered in Boulder, Colorado, and led by The author has extensive experience of
Paul McGowan – long ago had the idea both the 500 Power Plant and Power  The remote control
of using an amplifier to provide extremely Plant Premier, both predecessors of the gives the owner control
current P5. Compared to the first Pow- over the current supply of
erplant PP, it is no longer necessary to the system.
re-create the entire voltage swing of 230
V in the more recent models, but to limit
the creation of the ultimately clean mains
to about one-third, ie 70/80 volts. This is
then brought to the required level and
stabilized, which means both less effort
and heat and more safety and reserves.
 Switched on, the newly-built mains provides a The perfect sine is available primarily for
lively but impressive result. preamplifiers and sources, while an avail-
able passive socket is used to connect
more powerful devices such as the ampli-
fier.
Fundamentally, the active regenerators
are said to be able to fulfil the require-
ment for low resistance, unrestricted
dynamics and HF override resistance.
However, PS Audio seems to have solved
the theoretical weaknesses of the concept
 The high current output on the device acts as a excellently. In fact, we would not neces-
passive power strip with quite strong filtering. sarily run the preamp through the sine

 The PS Audio actually has an oscilloscope on

board, which shows the power supply (top), the
distorted input from the wall-socket (below) and
 PS Audio’s P5 offers a high current output and three buffered sockets for source devices. the clean, newly generated output (center).

44 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 T E S T M A I N S F I LT E R S

PS AUDIO POWER PLANT P5

To 5000 €
Contact: HiFi2die4
Tel .: +1 720-406-8946
www.psaudio.com
High-precision, spatially-open and powerful
 The display of the sound, best when used with sources and
PS Audio informs at a preamps in pure sinusoidal mode. Up to 1500
glance about the input watts output.
and output data. EQUIPMENT
Connections: A-10A high current and three
equivalent, regenerated „zone“ outputs;
remote control with clean wave (degaussing)
and multiwave (widened multi-sinewave for
 The P5 shows that it longer charging phases)
is a power amplifier
providing the cleanest
50 hertz. The sound proves that the PS Audio still
belongs in the crème de la crème of inter-
generator due to a very minimal satura- of the PS audio, incidentally, coincides national power network improvers: it
tion of the sound image even if PS Audio exactly with the distortion values the arranges the sound image, frees it from rub-
sees this differently, but the P5 also filters author‘s almost 2000-euro oscilloscope bish and delivers a polished, high-quality
also passively. The cleaning performance mains analyzer spits out. and high-end sound experience. Excellent.

SUPRACHARGER?
S
upra Cables – from Ljungskile, dynamic loss, at that time beat several system safe, a switch, and enough outputs:
Sweden – was founded in 1976 by competitors in the up to 300 Euro class. as standard the Supra-strip comes with
Tommy Jenving as one of the very This new version, improved in all respects, two to 15, with even more available to
first providers of hi-fi cables, and has also is handmade in Sweden partly from Ger- special order. Alive and with a pro-
been very active in the AV and power man components. Together with a Supra nounced tonal consistency, it will help a
sectors for several years. The present Lorad cable, which is also sold by the wide range systems with more peace,
power distributor has six identical out- meter for less than 20 Euro, a power sup- blackness and structure in the sound
puts, which are filtered by means of a very ply completely shielded from the wall image. Great – and a bargain!
subtle „impulse-scattered“ filtering by socket is obtained.
means of ferrites against the power grid Tip: Make sure you buy
and also decoupled from each other. the version with triple SUPRA LORAD MD-06-EU / SP
The predecessor of this Supra mains overvoltage protec- 2-connector strips from 165 €, 6-way
filter has already been tested in tion (for phase, neu- with overvoltage protection 250 Euros,
STEREO test and, thanks to tral and protective shielded Lorad power cable optional
its sound balance without conductor) to keep your Contact: Geko HiFi
Tel .: +46 522-698990
www.jenving.com
Ingeniously simple and skilfully-designed
power distributor, which has a positive
effect even in more expensive systems
EQUIPMENT
Connections: Test version had six outputs,
soft filtering, surge protection and switches

 The filter action of the Supra sets

in amazingly early and decreases in
the megahertz band

45 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

SERVICES
S E R V I C E M A I N S F I LT E R S

T
echnical progress promises a more
comfortable life. But leaving
behind purely ohmic electricity
consumers of the problem-free type (eg
the incandescent light bulb) has given countries without three-pin plugs to
us something which was previously force correct orientation). You can do
not known to such an extent: elec- this, for examples with the Oehlbach
trosmog. Phaser (picture, from 53 Euro in the
This interference makes itself known  Indispensable accessories STEREO shop). One looks for that of two
– and heard – both through wires and in help stream the jumps, which plug positions, in which the housing
the form of an invisible, increasingly can be almost as important potential of each individual device is the
fine-tuned radio disturbance mist, which as the room acoustics. lowest. This is because potential differ-
occasionally manages to sneak into the ences (voltages) tend to balance, and this
music reproduction by modulating addi- takes place across all ground connection.
tional information into the mains cabling The use of good power cables, which
and the devices. Most devices aren’t so what is a hi-fi system other than a com- allow the components to remove the
well prepared to resist this invasion. In plex alternating current circuit with rec- remainders of the compensating currents
the worst case, the high-frequency inter- tifiers and pulsating power consumption as quickly as possible, is helpful.
ference is processed together with the as well as its own resonance frequencies? This does not have to cost a fortune,
useful signal and can, for example, push It’s more than capable of disturbing but the mains cables supplied with some
an amplifier above its frequency range. itself, and those around it. products, while fine to deliver 10-16amps
Such distortions or overlays are detect- without any voltage drops, might strug-
able and even heard - and certainly not What to do gle when an amplifier, for example,
as a sound enhancement – as is evi- In the design of the entire electrical draws more for an instant when handling
denced by many discussions on Internet installation, low inductance and lowest g the transients of music. This can affect
forums. transition resistances must be strictly the sound, so replacing the mains cable
They are the reason why the same sys- observed for high acoustic requirements. for an amplifier even with a modest
tem can sound better in the middle of Like low-inductance cables, the entire step-up cables such as the shielded
the night or at the weekend than at system is considerably less „susceptible“ Supra-Lorad with a cross-section of 3 x
industrial peak times at noon, when all to penetrating disturbances on the one 2.5mm2, is worth doing. And given this
machines and domestic devices are run- hand, and also places less resistance to cable will only cost you 20 Euros or so a
ning flat out. Even energy-saving lamps the energy supply. It is therefore neces- meter, you will probably want to equip
and electric motors of all kinds are any- sary to eliminate the bottlenecks. other devices with this experience. Of
thing but harmless, while – to a great Starting at beginning means getting course Isotek, HMS or Viablue and many
extent – elements of the hi-fi system can the devices connected with the correct more highly developed online sellers also
also impinge on the sound. After all, mains phase (at least for systems in offer similar product.

DC VOLTAGE IN THE AC NETWORK?

M ainly due to industrial processes, but
also devices with strong electric motors
such as (circular saws) or phase control (hot
loaded asymmetrically, due to DC voltages in the
network. The usual 50-Hertz mains then devia-
tes from the ideal, one of the two half-waves
such as Burmester‘s „Power Conditioner“, the
sine-correcting (Accuphase) or actively comple-
tely newly-designed devices can also provide
plate, energy saving lamp), the power grid is being smaller than the other. In fact, even small a remedy, by ensuring the two half-waves are
amounts of DC drive even in the millivolt to symmetrically balanced.
lower voltage range can drive transformers into
saturation at an early stage. Although admit-
tedly rare, this can create loss of performance,
distortions and transformer hum in amplifiers.
DC-blockers such as the Isotek Syncro (pictured
left), PS Audio with the „Humbuster“, that used
by HMS in some Energia products, and Supra
(right), can solve the problem. Also devices

46 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

ESERVICE
S E R V I C E M A I N S F I LT E R S

ON OR OFF: ENERGY SAVING

LAMPS, DIMMERS, PCS AND HALOGEN
IT’S ON THE GRID! TRANSFORMERS IN THE LISTENING ROOM

Disturbances in the power grid can UNAFFECTED TENSION ENERGY SAVING LAMP INFLUENCED TENSION
have many faces and causes 100,0
Ampere
400,0
400,0 Volt
Volt

H owever much energy suppliers strive

to ensure freedom from interference 0,0
in their supply, there’s little they can do to
0,0 0,0

tackle the potential for local interference.

In the diagram at the top left we see -400,0 -100,0 -400,0
the ideal, a 50 Hertz alternating current 0,0 10,0 milliseconds 20,0 0,0 10,0 milliseconds 20,0 0,0 10,0 milliseconds 20,0

waveform, while in red we see the „dirt“

ASYMMETRY (DC) „SPIKE“ IN SINUS CURVE
produced by a energy saving lamp - technically a folded fluorescent tube with
400,0
high-frequency gas discharge - by phase bleeding, and in blue the result. In Volt 400,0
the lower row we see an asymmetrical sinusoidal current (see also the left 0,0 Volt

side box) and a spike, ie a short surge voltage pulse. The examples from
the VWEW-Verlag, which are mainly based on „current-based knowledge“, 0,0

show just how consumers‘ returns can have a lasting effect on the voltage. In
addition, voltage drops, for example, due to the switching-on pulses of large -400,0
loads, „high-frequency“ ripples and flickers play can affect the mains frequency. -400,00,0 10,0 milliseconds 20,0 0,0 10,0 milliseconds 20,0
It’s quite an „opponent“ to master, so in the listening room, it is important to
avoid or mitigate local effects as far as possible - by means of good basic principles as well as by suitable filtering.

From our experience it‘s also recom- differences between them, but all offer a Because current flows back into the
mendable to have a fuse – or better still big jump over standard sockets. building‘s three-phase current network
a „sound module” such as this one from If you are a homeowner, we have a more are no longer (almost) eliminated by
AHP (picture, around 100 euro), spe- elaborate yet important tip for you: get modern consumers, operating currents
cially created for A / V requirements – in your electrician to use a 3 x 2.5mm2 instal- flow on the neutral and thus also on the
the fuse box to protect the circuit pow- lation cable Ultimate3 (picture, www. protective conductor and even affect the
ering the system. Normal fuses can hold hifi-tuning.de, from 15 Euro / m) between ground connections of a hi-fi system.
back the sound of your system. the control box and the electrical outlet, These are bad basic conditions for the
It may seem unbelievable, but paying and check whether you have an advanced sound - and also for mains filters.
attention to these things will ensure your TN-S electrical installation with a separate
HiFi system will then sound bigger and protective conductor in accordance with
more fluid, more energetic and more the „Electromagnetic Compatibility“, as LINKS
powerful. Ensure that the entire system required by new buildings. A TN-C instal- www.aaronia.de
is connected to one circuit to avoid lation with a combined neutral and pro- www.audiophiles-hifi.de
ground loops (hum). tective conductor (PEN), often still avail- www.fisch-audiotechnik.de
A standard wall socket can also hold able thanks to the availability of stock, is www.hifi-tuning.com
back your system, and here there are much no longer state of the art! So-called func-
www.mudra-akustik.de
better replacements with better screw con- tional grounding is today immensely
www.phonosophie.de
tacts, higher loadings and improved con- important and cannot be replaced by any-
www.viablue.de
ductor materials from the likes of Furu- thing, even if even the older TN-C network
http://www.verpennte-installation.de/
tech, Groneberg, HMS, Oyaide (picture, also ensures the protection of the person
Plakat%202015.pdf
160 Euro) or Phonosophy. There are – that is, protective grounding.

SO STEREO MEASURED

I n an electromagnetically shielded test space, as prescribed for EMC

standard measurements, we were kindly supported by the former
STEREO laboratory director Dipl.-Ing. Rolf Hähle and our partner laboratory
Kolter Electronic in Erftstadt (www.kolter.de) in developing a test set-up
that shows how much the interference from the network is attenuated
by the respective test object. Thus, the so-called insertion loss of
cable-bound disturbances in comparison to the network without filter
(upper diagram limitation) is immediately recognizable in decibels at each
frequency. Contrary to the standard measurement between 150 kilohertz
and 30 megahertz, we extended the measuring range of the high-quality
spectrum analyzer even down to the listening range (nine kilohertz).

47 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11

 IMPRINT

ST E R E O - M A G A Z I N E . COM
REINER H. NITSCHKE Verlags-GmbH
Eifelring 28, 53879 Euskirchen
Telefon: +49 2251 65046 0
Telefax: +49 2251 65046 49

Herausgeber und Chefredakteur:

REINER H. NITSCHKE

Sonderaufgaben:
MATTHIAS BÖDE

Geschäftsführender Redakteur:
MICHAEL LANG

Redaktion:
CARSTEN BARNBECK, ANDREAS KUNZ,
TOM FRANTZEN, Dipl.-Ing. ULRICH WIENFORTH

STEREO-Messlabor:
Dipl.-Ing. ULRICH APEL

STEREO-Fotostudio:
JOACHIM ZELL

Grafische Gestaltung:
DANIEL SCHIEPE

Objektleitung:
VOLKER PIGORS

Anzeigenleitung:
ILHAMI DÜZGÜN
Telefon: +49 2251 65046 20
Telefax: +49 2251 65046 29
email: [email protected]

Anzeigenabwicklung:
ANDREA ENGELS
Telefon: +49 2251 65046 22
Telefax: +49 2251 65046 29
email: [email protected]

Mediadaten:
Media-STEREO-Magazine-2015/2016_EN
Media-STEREO-Magazine-2015/2016_DE

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48 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 11