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We're glad to announce that after a long pandemic break our newsletter is back online.
Good news from Germany. The Lyric Audio Ti100 Mk.II Class-A, single-ended, integrated tube amp is now available with the brand new KT170 tubes. The Tung-Sol KT170 tubes are a further development of the well-loved KT120 and KT150. The KT170 tubes currently mark the top tube assembly for the Ti100 Mk.II. They have all the positive characteristics of the KT120 and KT150 and add a plus in authority, dynamics and airiness to them. In addition, the new beam-tetrode impresses with its excellent spatial representation.
The sound is very powerful with big bass, smooth mids and silky highs. The super flexible Lyric Ti100 Mk.II runs also with EL34, KT88, KT120 and KT150 tubes. Whatever your heart desires. The US retail price with a matched pair of KT170 tubes is $7,990 which, in our opinion, is a bargain for such a high quality product handmade in Germany.
Josef Bruckmoser of ImageHifi writes (September 2021):
"...the Lyric integrated amp is completely problem-free in operation, is manufactured in an exemplary manner and has a convincing look and finish. The absolutely exciting thing about the Ti100 Mk.II is its different soundscapes depending on the power tubes. With the KT150 in the socket, listeners are addressed who do not quite trust the 'real' tube sound, but prefer a straight and taut reproduction - a 'cool' thing with much more emotion than the German word 'kuehl' would express. The KT170 appeals to listeners who indulge in music and want to enjoy a tube amplifier like a textbook example - a 'lyrical' experience that does not compromise on transparency and clarity. The Lyric Ti100 Mk.II can sound exactly as real tube fans expect and develop a lot of power with the KT170. And it can sound so that even sworn solid-state friends can easily be tempted to try it with a tube amplifier..."
CLICK HERE for more information about Lyric Audio.
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New Product & Review: Valvet E3 Class-A Power Amp
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More Good news from Germany. The successor and brand new version of the well-loved German handmade Valvet E2 amplifier is in - the Valvet E3. Even though from the outside it looks just like the original E2 - the typical understatement of Knut Cornils' Valvets, the inside is much improved. The E3 is a rare breed - a Class-A, single-ended, solid-state power amplifier in dual-mono design using only one single transistor per channel in the output stage. Among the many improvements is a brand new very powerful 500VA transformer, which is more than twice the power of the E2se, and Alto-Extremo's excellent Exact I footers. The first review is already in.
Udo Pipper of the German Fidelity magazine writes (June 2021):
"...the newly remodeled Valvet E3 presents itself forceful and unrivaled musical, in spite of seemingly low-valued specifications. One of the best amplifiers that we ever had in our rack... for me, these components (Valvet E3 & Valvet soulshine 2) are not only a surprising experience in lifelike music reproduction, but, from now on, a listening reference for the future. What is yet to come?"
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New Product: Aurorasound VIDA Mk.II Phono Stage
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Even more good news, this time from Japan. After 10 years on the market Karaki-san released a new, improved version of his outstanding, highly praised phono stage - the Aurorasound VIDA Mk.II. The exterior design has not changed much. Internal circuit, PCB, PSU, specifications and sonic performance have been refined. Among the many improvements: the L/R channel separation is now +6dB better, THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion) factor dropped from 0.028% to 0.012%, new amp modules (developed for the VIDA Supreme), inputs for 2 MC or 2 MM cartridges at the same time (or 1 each) and the US version now comes standard with a 6 position impedance selector switch for MC on the backside of the VIDA Mk.II.
And the best thing... the price of $4,990 stays the same until the end of the year. CLICK HERE for more info. |
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New Review & Award: Holbo Airbearing Turntable System
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Another award for the wonderful Holbo turntable!
The HiFi-News Outstanding Product Award
Ken Kessler wrote: "...could this stripped-down air-bearing deck with linear-tracking arm redefine the market when it comes to sound quality and ease of use at the price? ...there is no denying that getting all this tech, and so well-executed, at this price is irresistable. It's comparable to DS Audio giving you an optical cartridge at a 10th the price of its flagship. For anyone captivated by air-bearing decks and linear-tracking arms, the Holbo Airbearing combo is a gift..."
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New Product: Synergistic Research PURPLE Quantum Fuse
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The new PURPLE Quantum Fuse surpasses Synergistic Research's Orange Fuse with technology initially developed for the state-of-the-art SRX Series cables. It was not until SR finalized two new technologies, namely a three-stage long duration high voltage conditioning process and a brand new UEF compound featuring Graphene, that SR was able to beat the Orange Fuse significantly. Global MSRP is $199.95 each.
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New Product & Review: SR Galileo SX Ground Block
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The Galileo SX Active Ground Block is top to bottom re-engineering of SR's award winning Active Ground Block SE with technology originally designed for the Galileo SX PowerCell as well as new technologies expressly developed to make this the world’s highest performance ground filter for your stereo or home theater system. The MSRP is $7,495.
CLICK HERE for more information.
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Robert Youman of Positive Feedback Online writes:
"...with the Galileo SX Ground Block in place, I stopped critiquing the sound and was able to just focus on the music. As a typical audiophile, this is always a challenge. Bottom line. The emotional connection and level of personal satisfaction has never been better in my listening room! That’s the biggest compliment that I could ever offer. If you are seeking state of the art performance, the Galileo SX Ground Block is a must audition. Innovative design. Superb execution. Wonderful results. Highly recommended..." CLICK HERE to read the review
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New Product: Synergistic Research SRX Cable Series
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A New World Gold Standard! SRX is Synergistic Research's all-out assault on musical performance. Everything SR has learned over 30 years is applied without consideration for price point or compromise for the sake of creating a compact cable geometry. SR started with an exploded geometry first pioneered in the original Galileo System cables of 2009 to reduce cross-talk between individual hand-made Silver Air String geometries for the most refined sound possible. SR then voiced each cable to present not only a holographic soundstage with maximum resolution, SR made musicality and harmonic integrity the top priority when deciding between competing design and tuning elements within each cable. As a result, these are the most effortless and pure-sounding cables SR has ever manufactured.
MSRP's are $12,995 interconnects, $29,995 speaker cables, $10,000 power cables. CLICK HERE for more info.
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New Product: Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch UEF
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SR's new Ethernet Switch UEF with UEF and Active EM Cell technology to close the gap between digital playback and state-of-the-art analog tapes and LPs. To accomplish this, SR combined all EM Cell and UEF Tech applications and Galileo level chassis construction into a single component. It comes with SR ORANGE Quantum fuse and SR Foundation power cable. The MSRP is $2,295. Also available for 230V (+$300). CLICK HERE for more info or to place an order.
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Win a Synergistic Research UEF Record Weight ($900)
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The winner of Synergistic's PowerCell One from the last newsletter's drawing is Dennis P. in New York State. Congratulations!
This time we're giving away a free Synergistic Research UEF Record Weight with a value of $900.
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