Marten Design on Demo at Audio88!
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A Swiss Ensemble (Jan 21, 2010)
We all know the Swiss standard of living is an often associated with the word ‘premium’ so it goes without saying ‘premium’ is associated with terms like ‘excellent quality’ and ‘high price’. The Swiss company Ensemble is a small company and typifies the Swiss hifi industry – hand made in limited quantities, excellent fit and finish, excellent sound quality even if they seem a little expensive for the average audiophile, fortunately not excessively so compared to other makes. The Ensemble setup will set you back some $54,000. Not a small sum of money, yes but like Swiss watches, they are made to last. Ensemble’s current website is being revamped as I write so you need to wait a little while for them to re-list the product range, and the current line up is also being revamped. However the products in our store is current. Starting with the source, we have the new CD Transport and DAC – DIRONDO drive and DICHRONO Hi-Dac. The FUOCO integrated amplifier and the 2-way Figura loudspeakers complete the package. I always felt the hifi industry is a collection of personalities – people of great talent in their own field coming together, each with his or her own contribution, creating products that rises above the norm. What would be astounding is one manufacturer able to put together a system that is greater than the sum of its parts; each component excellent in its own right, but together, creates that special magic that audiophiles and music lovers crave for. This is one unique system that satisfies both the audiophile in me as well as being musically satisfying. I would like to invite you to come to our showroom for an audition, to hear what is so special about the Ensemble system. Let your ears be the judge! A full review of the Ensemble system will be coming in the next issue of MOD Audio Video Magazine. |
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System Synergy II (Dec 4, 2009)Last week we talk about synergy on a system level, now we can talk about synergy on a equipment matching level. At Audio88, we offer you an opportunity to try out the Audio Space Galaxy EL34 or the KT88 version. So which one should you try? That's the question we will try to answer here. The EL34 and the KT88 are virtually identical amplifiers. The only difference is the loading resistor and the biasing voltage for the two amplifiers. So therein lies the first benefit of this amplifier - it can morph its identity with a simple mod and tube change. Check with our store for more details on this. Second, you can switch between Triode mode and Ultralinear mode to suit. To suit what? Well read on! The two amplifiers sounds very different - each dominated by the sound of the output tube. Let's start with the EL34. 2 tubes per channel delivers 16 watts in Triode and 32 watts in Ultralinear. Much has been said about the sound of Triode vs Ultralinear so you can Google for some info on the internet. For midband purity and sweet sound - Triode is the way to go. For power and control, try Ultralinear, but this is generalisation. It depends on the speaker used - the EL34 matched with the Devore Gibbon 9s works very well for almost any kind of music on Ultralinear mode. On triode mode, the EL34 is gloriously open and natural sounding with vocals et el. The Galaxy EL34 has a wonderful sense of smoothness and refinement, for its price, a bargain. Comparable to amplifiers 3 times it price, I'd be very happy to live with this amplifier for its music making abilities. The KT88 version is more powerful, even better sounding with an open volumptous midband that make tube amplifier famous for. The KT88 rated at 24 watts in Triode and 48 watts in Ultralinear and as a consequent, in Triode it sounded as powerful as the EL34 in Ultralinear. The trade off for the KT88 version is the bass end, the EL34 simply put, has better bass control, definition and slam. The KT88 has a better midband and added sweetness. The primary benefit is the Galaxy KT88 or EL34 is it is interchangeable - today you may have a speaker that works better with the EL34 but one day you may upgrade to another speaker that sounds better with the KT88 tube. It is definitely a strong plus point when you can convert one way or the other when the need arise with nothing more than a set of new tubes (which you will do that once every year or two anyway) and some resistor changes. |
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System Synergy (Nov 22, 2009)Audio components need to synergise properly to bring out the best in each component. What sounds great in one system may not necessarily sound as good in another. What is NOT important is the price tag. Matching components based on the price tag is perhaps the most erroneous way of putting together an effective music system. What is important, we believe, is that you must have the opportunity to try out the said component in your system before laying out your hard earned cash. As a rule of thumb, the most critical component interface is between that of an amplifier and a loudspeaker - the conversion of the electrical signal into an analogue signal. Component mismatch simply means the quality of the signal transfer suffers and as a result, both the speaker and amplifier under perform. We are strong believers of system synergy - there is nothing that says an inexpensive Audio Space integrated tube amplifier that sells for $2200 cannot drive a $10,000 or $20,000 loudspeaker.
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