Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 02 January 2012

To Jeff Fritz,

Thanks for the article on the Coda 15.0. I am a Coda fan and owner of their CSi integrated amp as well as their 06p phono preamp. I like everything about those guys and their approach. I am happy with my CSi integrated, but I can’t help wondering just how much better the new 15.0 would sound. I suppose that I would add to it Coda's 05x preamp, or wait for their upcoming 07 preamp.

Question: Have you compared the CSi with the 15.0? I would like to hear from someone who has heard both. Thanks for any feedback.

Ren Tilden

I have not had the opportunity to hear the CSi, though I am sure it is a very good unit based on my experience with many Coda products over the years. I think, however, that you're really comparing apples to oranges, as you are looking at a major investment upgrade for your system. An integrated amplifier, even one as ambitious as the CSi, is still compromised in terms of power supply, circuit sophistication, output stage, component choice and isolation, etc. The 15.0 is an all-out monster class-A amplifier that, when paired with a really good preamp such as Coda makes can produce world-class sound quality. The CSi, in my estimation, won't be able to compete at all. The only caveat I would offer is that you would want to have appropriately revealing loudspeakers coupled to a good room, and a good source, to really be able to appreciate the differences that the more expensive Coda electronics will provide.

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 27 December 2011

To Garrett Hongo,

I just read your review of the VAC Renaissance Mk.3 preamp. I love your hi-fi reviews. Have you ever considered collecting them, or writing a love story about the art of listening, and music? It could be fabulous. I don't know of anyone who listens as broadly and deeply as you seem to.

Do you have any experience with McIntosh integrated amps? I am dreaming a bit about a serious upgrade but can only stretch so far, and beyond a certain point an upgrade might be wasted on speakers, etc., that aren't at the same level; you must know what I mean. At any rate, many of the higher-end retail shops around here and in Boston push these McIntosh components; and sitting in the rooms, they sound pretty good, at least compared to my NAD/B&W system here on my desk. My speakers are simple: just B&W 600-series bookshelf speakers, set up along with my components right in front of me on my desk. I have an NAD C 515BEE CD player and an old JVC JL-A20 turntable with a signet AM10S cartridge with Audio-Technica stylus. Current integrated is an NAD 314.

Gary

Thanks. Actually, I've a contract with Pantheon Books to do something like that, a kind of "audiobiography." Glad for your encouragement!

McIntosh is good but there are numerous others with more bang-for-the-buck in my opinion. Still, Mac has high resale and that can be a consideration.

As for integrateds, as your NAD 314 is 30Wpc, I suggest the Electrcompaniet ECI-3 I think, as at 70Wpc it's double the output of your NAD. The EC-5 is 120Wpc and more current for orchestral and opera. I had the ECI-3 and it sounded very good, though there wasn't quite enough juice for my speakers at the time, which were 89dB/4-ohm models. The B&W 600-series speakers are nominally 8-ohm speakers, if I'm not mistaken, and 70Wpc should be plenty.

Unison Unico or Secondo are also excellent. Made in Italy. Highly recommended. See http://www.soundstagehifi.com/traveler/traveler200804.htm.

If you want tubes, I suggest you look at PrimaLuna -- either the One or the Two.

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 17 December 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

I write you from Greece and live in Creta Island. I read your review of the Rockport Technologies Altairs and listened to the Ankaa, and then decided to buy the Altairs and they are great! I have to thank you very much for that, as I was looking for speakers for three years to match my Lamm M2.2 amps. I would like to ask you if the Lamm M1.2s are strong enough to drive the Altairs, as they operate in full class-A and have a warmer sound than the M2.2.

My listening room is fully treated by RPG components, in every detail, and the sound is great. My system consists of the Lamm L2 Reference preamp, LP2 Deluxe phono, Audioaéro Capitole Mk II player, SME 30/12a turntable, Acoustic Signature Analog One turntable with three motors and two tonearms.

Do you think that the M1.2s are capable of driving the Altairs, or should I try other solutions like Vitus, Soulution, Gryphon, and so on? Thank you very much for your time.

With my best regards,
Antonis Koniotakis

First, congratulations on the Altairs. You have some of the best loudspeakers available and I'm sure you'll enjoy many years with them. Now to your question: I do think the M1.2s can drive your Rockports, but I'm not sure they are the absolute best choice. The Rockports are designed primarily around powerful class-A amplifiers and owners I know tend to favor those types of amplifiers to pair with them. I've had multiple Rockports in my systems over the past six years and definitely have my preferences for amplification. Two of the brands you mention, Vitus and Gryphon, are definitely my preferred amplifiers for the Rockports. I went into some detail recently in a letter titled "Gryphon or Vitus with Rockport" about just these pairings.

The Altairs are extremely revealing, powerful loudspeakers. They like good, clean power, but also benefit greatly from exceptional refinement and absolute control. Those characteristics are possessed in great quantities by the Gryphon and Vitus class-A offerings. Most amplifier/speaker pairings I suggest are of the listen-before-you-buy type. But Gryphon and Vitus, when paired with Rockport, are sure-fire combinations guaranteed to bring long-term enjoyment. . . . Jeff Fritz

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 13 December 2011

To Garrett Hongo,

I very much enjoyed reading your review of the TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 tonearm. I was particularly interested in the sound comparisons you made with the latest Tri-Planer Mk.VII arm. You also made just a passing reference to the Graham Phantom Supreme. I would be very interested to know if you've had the opportunity to audition the Supreme, and if so, what your impressions were regarding how its sound stacked up against the 10.5s. I'm ready to purchase the Raven One table, but am trying to cobble together any information I can on the sound of the 10.5 and Supreme arms before ultimately deciding which to mate with the Raven One.

My principal concerns are having a sound that can project the kind of resolution and presence that illuminates nicely not just the foreground of the orchestra but also its rear-of-stage instruments. You've pretty much made it clear already to me that the 10.5/Raven combo does just that. I was able to surmise this from your reference to 6th-row sound in comparison to the mid-hall perspective of the Tri-Planar Mk.VII. Having heard the Tri-Planar before, I realized it did not resolve those rear-field instruments in a manner I prefer. It was as if significant information had been absorbed by a sponge, leaving me unsatisfied with its presentation. I'm curious if the Graham Phantom Supreme resolves like the 10.5, and whether or not it compares favorably with it along other lines. One other issue that concerns me is that while I want a somewhat closer, more involving sound that still retains a nice three-dimensional soundstage, I want to avoid an overly vivid, hot, and excessively analytical kind of sound -- I prefer something that's easy to listen to and relax with. I sincerely appreciate any insights or impressions you might be able to offer in the matter of TW-Acustic 10.5 versus Graham Phantom Supreme.

Kind thanks,
Jeff

First of all, congratulations on your purchase of the TW-Acustic Raven One. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

For the kind of help you need regarding comparing other tonearms to the TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 arm, I think you might be better off talking to a dealer about it. I've no experience with the Graham Phantom Supreme, actually, but Jeff Catalano of High Water Sound has. I'd talk to him. He's as knowledgeable as they come where tonearms are concerned.

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 08 December 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

I enjoy your reading your reviews and columns at Ultra Audio very much. I've written to you once before, a few years back, and you were kind enough to write a thoughtful answer so I have another question for you concerning speakers.

I currently own the Magico M5 speakers driven by the VTL Siegfried amps and the VTL TL-7.5 Series III preamp. I have a pretty good room acoustically, and fairly large -- 20' wide, 33' long, with 12' ceilings. I enjoy what I hear very much. I am thinking about a speaker upgrade, but to change, it would have to be a real upgrade in sonics and not just a change in sound as I really enjoy what I hear. My question revolves around the new Magico speakers. I've read your Q3 review so I know what you think of that speaker and I read the answer you gave someone concerning purchasing the Q3 versus the M5. It's the same answer I would have given as well (even though I haven't heard the Q3). My questions are:

1. Do you have any thoughts on how the Q3 and Q5 compare in sound quality? And perhaps any other thoughts on how these compare to the M5 other than what you wrote in that letter's response?

2. The last time I could tell, you were using the Rockport Arrakis as your reference speakers. Are you still with the Rockports? If so, what are your thoughts on how the Q3/Q5 speakers compare to them. I know there is a large difference in price, etc., but I am curious what your thoughts are on this.

By the way, I read one of your letters concerning the CH Precision digital front end. I had an opportunity to hear the CH precision gear in my room this past weekend. As a digital front end going through my preamp it was very good and better than what I currently use -- an Esoteric P-03/D-03/G-0s stack. Not better enough to make me change, but it was better. However, given that the C1 box is also a preamp, when we switched to drive my amps via the C1 it was quite amazing to hear. I don't know how CH does what they do, but once you hear it, it's difficult to go back to any other digital front end.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to reading what you can share with me. Thanks again.

Arnie

Thanks for the note. It sounds as if you have an amazing setup in a room that can comfortably house such a reference system. But I, like you, know that when the upgrade bugs bites, you start looking at ways to improve things, even if what you have is amazing already. I'll address your questions in reverse order.

Regarding CH Precision, I have them scheduled to come in for review in 2012. I have only heard good things about them and your experience confirms what I've heard from others who have used their products. I think any conversation about top-flight digital has to include them at this point. They are certainly a new player on the scene that is shaking things up at the edge of the art!

The current Rockport Arrakis speakers are totally different animals than the models I had. The new ones have beryllium-dome tweeters and an active crossover for the bass section. Their D'Appolito-style configuration and ported design mean that they load a room completely differently than a point-source design does. The Arrakis is a stunning speaker in every respect and I think the current version is a must-audition in the cost-no-object speaker realm if you have a room that can support their size.

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 05 December 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

I've some past experience with Rockport speakers and I'm interested in their new Avior. I'm thinking about two possible systems to front the Avior: the first is the new Vitus RCD-100/RI-100 combo; the second is the Gryphon Mikado or Scorpio/Diablo pairing. Both of these pairings are the entry-level amplification from these two great Danes -- both integrated amps run in class A/B as opposed to their bread-and-butter class-A designs.

I recall reading some comment in a forum that Rockport (as a brand) responds best to class-A amplification. But don't most loudspeakers respond to class A favorably? Unfortunately, the next step up the product lines for both Vitus and Gryphon results in a major price jump -- perhaps not in line with the speaker pricing. By that I mean that if I were to move into their higher-end gear, I'd be inclined to do the same with Rockport's speaker offerings.

Given your experience with all three brands, do you have any thoughts or recommendations before I start making tracks to audition these pieces? In general terms, to which of those systems might you lean given the Rockport speakers?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Peter

Before I comment on the electronics, let me just say that I think the Rockport Technologies Avior looks incredibly promising. It is, in fact, the first offering from the company with completely in-house-designed and -manufactured Rockport drivers. I recently spoke with Andy Payor at Rockport and he stated that these drivers were quite special and that the Avior is really singing with them. I think you are in for a real treat with those speakers.

As for electronics, your shortlist includes my two favorite brands of amplification. I think the world of both Gryphon and Vitus. Both companies produce products at the very pinnacle of the industry: sound, build quality, reliability, aesthetics . . . it's all there. However, I do think these two brands have their own distinct attributes that make them not quite interchangeable. The Rockport speakers are designed with a number of electronics feeding them up in the factory in Maine, but I do know for a fact that Andy Payor prefers Gryphon over all other brands and that, therefore, there is a certain synergy with the two companies' products. Gryphon electronics somehow seem to walk the fine line between highly resolving and warm/analog/spacious simultaneously. The power reserves are mammoth and the user interface sublime.

But you certainly can’t discount Vitus either. I lived with the Vitus SS-101 and the first-generation Rockport Altairs for over a year. The Vitus gear is some of the most neutral equipment ever made, but it doesn’t ever veer into a "typical" solid-state sound either. It is ultra quiet, yet naturally organic at the same time. And its power reserves are equally mammoth due to the peerless power supplies the company uses.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either brand. Pay no attention that these are their entry-level products -- the brands' house sounds come through regardless. There are subtle differences between them, as I said, but they both will mate perfectly with the Rockport speakers. Whichever you choose, your system will be a keeper. Congrats. . . . Jeff Fritz

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 03 December 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

Just to throw my two cents in on "Comparisons on Paper: B&W 803 Diamond vs. Tidal Contriva Diacera SE," I feel that the Tidal is the better speaker, hands down. At the same time, I could live with the 803s, as they are very nice and do a lot of what I would want my speakers to do. At the same time, the Tidal is just a richer, more fulfilling audio listening experience waiting to happen. I will confess that I reviewed the Contrivas, the non-Diacera model, and it was the best speaker I have had in my house. About 12 other audiophiles who came by to hear them would tell you the same.

I have heard the 803s at one of the local audio salons (Audio Consultants), and though they are a nice speaker, my opinion is that they do not perform to the same level as the Contrivas. I would put the 803s in the same class as the Vienna Acoustics Mahler's, which I would prefer over the 803s. As to your question, in terms of value, six times better? I won’t go as far as to say that, though in my opinion, I would give it at least a five!

Michael Wright
Contributor, The SoundStage! Network

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 24 November 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

I just read your Coda Technologies 15.0 review. Two questions:

1) How hot does it get? I have a Levinson No.335 that gets warm to the touch after extended use.
2) Will it drive Magnepan 1.7 or 3.7 speakers or should I consider the Coda 30.0?

Thanks,
Bob

For your application, I would get the 30.0. Having the additional headroom offered by the 30.0's 330Wpc into 8 ohms makes the most sense to me for the Magnepans you mention (the 15.0 is 150Wpc). It should also run a tad cooler than the 15.0 due to the lower amount of class-A power it produces (the 15.0 does not get scaldingly hot, but does get quite warm). Ultimately, I think either amplifier would be fine in terms of heat and power output (they are close to the same amp, just biased differently), and both would be a definite sonic improvement over the Mark Levinson 335. I just made the comments about the 30.0 in case it's a huge concern. Either way, you're in for a real treat with the Coda. . . . Jeff Fritz

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 10 November 2011

To Garrett Hongo,

I just finished reading your review of the EAR 868 preamp, as this is a unit I’m considering. I understand it’s transformer coupled and I am not sure about the approach. There are so many preamps to choose from, it’s hard to know what to do. The other unit I’ve been considering is the Cary SLP-05, which is fully balanced and I am wondering if you could comment on how they might compare or if you have any other units you’d recommend.

Thanks,
John

"Transformer coupled" usually means that the output signal is coupled to a transformer instead of to a capacitor. This is generally a more expensive approach than capacitor-coupling in preamps, and transformer-coupled preamps are sometimes considered a cut above the rest. In the EAR 868, output transformers convert the single-ended circuit to balanced, rejecting common-mode interference and outputing a balanced signal.

However, the 868 doesn't have fully balanced circuits per se. The Cary SLP-05 does. But I have not heard the SLP-05 in my own system -- just at shows. That said, I like both preamps, and I don't think you could go wrong either way. If you can, I recommend that you audition them both and choose the one most sympatico with your ears, system, and budget.

One thing to remember, though, is that the EAR 868 can be had as a full-function preamp with a built-in and impedance-adjustable phono stage. The Cary SLP-05 is a line stage only. . . . Garrett Hongo

Written by: Ultra Reader

Category: Letters

Created: 04 November 2011

To Jeff Fritz,

I just finished reading your review of the Accustic Arts Amp II-AC, as this amp has been recommended to me. Do you still feel the same way about it?

Two things, I guess: Are these available used on the North American market, and if so, what kind of money do they bring in? I understand they run hot and this worries me a bit given that heat tends to shorten the life of electronic gear, and at these prices is a concern. Is it cause for concern?

Thanks,
John

It's been seven years since I reviewed that amplifier. Honestly, I have almost no recollection of it beyond what is in my review. As to what the value is on the used market, I also have little to offer. The company has had somewhat of a low profile, at least in North America, as of late, and that lack of brand recognition would not seem to bode well for its used value. The products that seem to hold their value the best are the ones that are widely available and that everyone recognizes (see McIntosh as a great example). As to your last question about heat, I don’t remember anything out of the ordinary with regard to the amplifier overheating. Still, most of the large solid-state amplifiers that operate in class A, even to a small fraction of their rated power, will run somewhat hot. I would try to make sure the unit you buy has a decent warranty period left, but do remember it will likely have to be shipped to Germany -- not cheap -- if something goes wrong. . . . Jeff Fritz