https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/04/20/axpona-2018-stereo-haven-lives-up-to-its-name/
Here's a very nice article that just came out from the Part-Time Audiophile, an online publication. Much thanks to Rafe Arnott, editor and chief.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/04/20/axpona-2018-stereo-haven-lives-up-to-its-name/
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As some of you have already spotted, I'll be doing a dealer room at this year's Axpona in conjunction with distributors Mike Pranka of Well Tempered Lab/Dynavector and Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports. I've already had lots of emails about what I'll be showing. My chosen gear for my first time headlining a room will be the Falcon LS3/5a's, various Line Magnetic gear, the new WTL Simplex Mk2 turntable/arm, and a bit of Leben. All cabling will be Auditorium, rack by Box Furniture Co. There will be a few nationwide debuts here, namely the LM LP33 mm/mc phono stage, (love it!), of course the new Mk2 version of the WTL Simplex (simply stunning!), the WTL Kauri mc cartridge, (a beaut at $2k) and the LM34 EL34 replacement of the venerable 211. There will be no digital, this is a vinyl only demo, so bring your records! I'm bringing nothing of overlap from any dealers in the area. We may switch out one day and use the new Mk4 version of the Dynavector P75 w Dynavector 20xL, a deadly combo.
So come one, come all! It will be nice to meet you out of towners and put a face to your voice or email. There may even be a few show specials. It's finally come to pass, there is a change in the LM line up. Models are being discontinued for equivalent models with refined circuitry and upgraded parts. The first is already here, the LM34 replacing the LM211. Sound is more transparent, more power. The venerable 518 is being replaced by a lesser 845 type, we think, yet who knows, it may be much better, at $3995, and a premium version at $7495. The 508 is being replaced by the 805, going from 45w to 48, and there will be other changes soon. So who knows, what we've heard with the LM34 I would imagine all models will be significantly better. I keep telling people, do not sneer at certain Chinese products. Many have left here in tears doing product comparisons. There's a reason that many are trading in all sorts of brands for it - quality music making at very reasonable prices. And again, these are not grey market goods that you spot from those online Chinese sites. Those have the wrong voltage, and will eventually burn up with voltage regulators, you will not have a US warranty, no parts, no service. Look at the warning on the Line Magnetic site.
Looking forward to what else Line Magnetic is up to. I will obviously be having trade-ins of older models for sale, and most of my demos of the ones being replaced. So stay tuned or drop me a line. Excitement is in the air! I found this online from the Line Magnetic EU distributor. I sometimes get asked why I carry Line Magnetic, often in a maligning way, so this might give a glimpse of why I love their products. I knew nothing about them until I was introduced to Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports, a purveyor if there ever was one of fine products. After hearing the story of the two brothers that started Line Magnetic, I was myself a bit relieved and lost that sense of "made in China" bias that many of us have. I began to tell people "boutique China", not the "Walmart China" many in audio feared. I remember my father and grandfather talking about the years after the war when made in Japan was equivalent to junk, and how over the years that changed. In mid period hifi , 70's thru 80's, brands like Technics, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc, became stars, then Honda cars, etc. So now the Chinese are taking things to a new level, at least certain companies. And Line Magnetic is certainly on the top of the heap. Many of you, or I should tell the others, many have brought in their amps to compare, and gone home shattered. It was the reason I've dropped several brands already. Musically there is just no comparison. I would happily go all-American, as some of you constantly suggest, yet then I'd be missing some of the best the world has to offer. I'd miss my British prat, my European engineering, my Japanese craftsmanship I'm used to.
Much as I try to keep my mind of the world, I pick products from anywhere that offer the best music. I should also offer that my world music section here is vast, yet due to my mom and grandfather, I can sing you every Irving Berlin tune written, well almost. So I tell the naysayers, let the products speak or sing for themselves..... After 14 years, the man from down under has finally gotten himself a bonafide hit. Not that the Dynavector P75 mk 1, 2, and 3 weren't good before, especially if you had a Dynavector cartridge. This one simply kicks it out of the park...good is good, as they say around the Haven, and this mk 4 is mighty good. Doesn't sound remotely solid state like the other versions. It just sings! The moving magnet setting with a high output moving coil Dynavector 20H is splendid, the special low output setting, the PE (phono enhanced mode , or Dr. T mode as it used to be called for Dynavector of Japan's founder), is even more superb with the low output moving coil Dynavector 20L. I don't get the opportunity much to hear it with other brands of cartridges, so my experiences are generally related to Dynavector cartridges. I did try it with the WTL TLC mm into the mm setting, and while it was okay, the Sugden two stage phono pre was a better match.
Amazingly the price is still $895, a bargain when one considers how improved this version is. I'd get on this pronto if you have a Dynavector setup already, or if you have the urge to leave your built in phono sections. This is the shizzle, folks, trust me. Boy, this coupled with the new WTL Simplex has been a great start to the new year for tremendous products. Soon will be new Ayre, VTL, cartridges, cables, tables, speakers....holy cow! As they say, the Haven is on the ascent! And now today, with yet another new Mk whatever version of something...
Like the new Mk2 version of the WTL Simplex yesterday, today's offering is another Mk, this time the lV, the newest release of the Dynavector P-75. Dynavector of Australia has been making the P-75 for many a year, and with each version there has always been a slight upgrade in sound and features. This lV comes in a slightly larger chassis, I haven't as yet detected any new features under the hood, the board layout is different. What I've noticed almost instantly from plugging it in is the new version has a remarkable naturalness that the prior versions didn't have. As this one warms up it seems to exude it, so alleluia! The P-75 has always been an outstanding bargain in phono stages, this version already seems to take the cake! I can only wait to hear what it'll sound like in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned...... |
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