A space where analog warmth meets digital clarity. The setup features the Brinkmann Audio Taurus and Micro Seiki RX/RY 1500 turntables, each paired with precision tonearms like the Brinkmann 12.1 and Wheaton Triplanar. Cartridges such as the limited EMT TSD 75G and the rare Aidas Gold bring out the soul in every record. Vibration control is managed by bFly Audio bases and a Solidsteel Hyperspike rack, letting the music flow uninterrupted.

Digital sounds blend seamlessly with the PS Audio DLIII DAC and Proceed PDT CD Drive. The Classé Audio CP 800 preamp and CA 2200 power amp drive the Marten Parker Trio speakers, filling the room with rich, dynamic sound. Power conditioners from PliXir ensure a clean flow, while ViaBlue cables tie everything together. It's not just about equipment; it's about living the music.

by: soulmining

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Spinning in perfection

Micro Seiki RX/RY 1500

Marten Parker Trio

Phasemation PP500

Classé Audio CP 800

PS Audio DLIII

Classé Audio CA 2200

The Denon DL-103 is a moving coil phono cartridge primarily designed for vinyl record playback. It is a low-output cartridge that requires a phono preamp with sufficient gain. It features an aluminum cantilever with a spherical diamond stylus. The DL-103 is known for its warm and smooth sound reproduction, making it popular among audiophiles.

DL-103

The Monk-Audio Phono Preamplifier is designed to enhance the audio output from turntables and other analog sources. It provides a crucial interface between these devices and amplifiers or receivers, addressing the need for the correct gain and equalization of the audio signal. This preamplifier typically features adjustable gain settings to accommodate various cartridge types, whether moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC). Users have noted its compact design, often made with high-quality components to ensure fidelity and minimal interference. Key specifications may include RIAA equalization for accurate frequency response, low noise operation to preserve audio clarity, and outputs that support both RCA and XLR connections. The construction often emphasizes durability and shielding to mitigate hum and noise, making it suitable for both casual listeners and more dedicated vinyl enthusiasts.

Phono Preamplifier

The Brinkmann Taurus is a high-quality turntable designed for audiophiles seeking superior performance in vinyl playback. It typically features a robust construction, often combining materials such as aluminum and MDF to minimize vibrations and resonance. The turntable is equipped with a precision-engineered tonearm, commonly featuring adjustable parameters for tracking force and anti-skate settings, allowing for customization to match various cartridges. The Taurus often includes a high-grade isolated motor system, reducing noise and ensuring stable rotation. Additionally, it may utilize a heavy platter design to enhance speed stability and overall sound quality. Some models come with advanced features like electronic speed control and the option to upgrade components. Overall, the Brinkmann Taurus aims to deliver an exceptional listening experience with attention to detail and quality in design and materials.

Taurus

The EMT JSD S75 is a high-performance moving magnet cartridge designed for analog vinyl playback. It features a lightweight design that allows for precise tracking of vinyl grooves, which is essential for accurate sound reproduction. The cartridge’s output voltage is designed to be compatible with most standard phono preamps, facilitating easy integration into various audio systems. The JSD S75 is characterized by its natural tonal balance and extended frequency response, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres. The stylus shape ensures enhanced tracking capability and reduced record wear, culminating in a clean and detailed sound. Additionally, it includes a user-replaceable stylus, which contributes to its longevity and maintains optimal performance over time.

JSD S75

The Whest Audio PS.40RDT is a high-performance phono stage designed to deliver exceptional sound quality and flexibility for vinyl playback. It features a fully balanced design, which helps to minimize noise and distortion, thereby ensuring a clean and detailed audio output. The unit supports both MM (moving magnet) and MC (moving coil) cartridges, catering to a wide range of vinyl enthusiasts. One of the standout features of the PS.40RDT is its capability to adjust input impedance and gain settings, allowing users to perfectly match their cartridge and optimize performance. Additionally, it includes a re-clocking circuit that aims to enhance the timing accuracy of the audio signal. The build quality is robust, with premium components utilized throughout to ensure durability and optimal performance. This phono stage is often favored for its transparent sound reproduction, high signal-to-noise ratio, and dynamic range, making it suitable for audiophiles looking to maximize their vinyl listening experience.

PS.40RDT

The Brinkmann Tonarm 12.1 is a tonearm designed for use in high-fidelity vinyl playback systems. It features a rigid and lightweight construction, typically constructed from high-quality materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber, which help to minimize resonance and vibration. The 12.1 model offers adjustable parameters, including VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle), Azimuth, and overhang, which provide users with the ability to fine-tune the arm for optimal performance with various cartridges. The bearing design of the tonearm employs precision engineering, often using a unipivot mechanism that allows for smooth movement while maintaining stability. The effective length of the tonearm is around 12 inches, which helps to reduce tracking error and improve fidelity during playback. The 12.1 also typically supports a wide range of cartridge weights and has a standard 1/2 inch mounting for compatibility with many different cartridges. Its aesthetic appeal is often highlighted, offering a sleek design that fits well in modern and traditional setups alike.

Tonarm 12.1

The EMT TSD 75 G is a high-precision moving coil cartridge designed for use in audio playback systems, particularly in turntables. It is known for its exceptional balance between detail and warmth in sound reproduction. The cartridge features a lightweight design which enhances tracking ability, minimizing distortion even at higher volumes. Its stylus is crafted for precise tracing of record grooves, contributing to an enhanced audio experience. The TSD 75 G model is compatible with a variety of tonearms, making it a flexible choice for audiophiles seeking quality sound. Additionally, it employs advanced materials and technology to achieve a low noise floor and reduced resonance, allowing for a clearer presentation of music.

TSD 75 G

The Micro Seiki CF-1 is a high-end turntable that showcases precision engineering and a focus on audio fidelity. It features a direct-drive motor system that ensures quick start-up times and stable speed. The chassis is designed to minimize vibration, often employing materials that dampen resonance in order to preserve sound quality. The CF-1 typically includes an adjustable tonearm, allowing for customization based on the cartridge used, further enhancing sound reproduction capabilities. It is compatible with a variety of cartridges and includes features such as a heavy platter for better inertia and stability. Additionally, the CF-1 may have options for upgrading with various tonearms and other components, making it adaptable for audiophiles seeking to tailor their listening experience. Specifications often include a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, signal-to-noise ratio around 78 dB, and a stylus pressure range for fine-tuning. The motor may also employ a quartz-lock speed control to maintain stability during playback. Overall, the Micro Seiki CF-1 reflects a commitment to high-performance audio equipment, suitable for both music enthusiasts and collectors.

CF-1

The Tri-Planar Wheaton is a high-performance tonearm specifically designed for use with analog turntables. It features a unique tri-planar design that utilizes three axes of motion, which allows for precise tracking and minimal distortion. The construction typically includes lightweight materials that enhance resonance control and overall sound clarity. The tonearm is designed to accommodate a wide range of cartridge types and comes with adjustable VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) and azimuth settings, facilitating optimal alignment for improved audio fidelity. The bearing system often involves stainless steel and titanium components, ensuring durability and smooth movement. Users appreciate the exceptional soundstage and detail retrieval offered by the Tri-Planar Wheaton, making it a favored choice among audiophiles looking to elevate their listening experience.

Wheaton

The Mörch DP-6 is a high-precision tonearm designed for vinyl playback, engineered to deliver optimal performance and fidelity. It features a unique design with a low mass structure, which minimizes inertia and allows for better tracking of the vinyl grooves. The tonearm is adjustable, allowing for adjustments in tracking force and anti-skate to suit various cartridges. A key feature includes a dynamic balance mechanism, ensuring stable performance across a range of playback conditions. The tonearm is constructed from high-quality materials, providing durability and ensuring that it does not introduce unnecessary resonance during playback. For ease of installation, the Mörch DP-6 typically utilizes a universal mount and can accommodate a wide range of cartridges, making it a versatile choice for vinyl enthusiasts. It often incorporates a removable headshell design, which allows users to easily swap cartridges without needing to realign the tonearm. The overall design philosophy of the DP-6 emphasizes minimalism and precision, aiming to enhance the listener's experience by faithfully reproducing recorded sound.

DP-6

Aidas Mammoth Gold is an advanced audio solution characterized by its innovative design and high-quality components aimed at delivering superior sound performance. The product is engineered to address the demands of audiophiles seeking both clarity and richness in audio. Key specifications often include a frequency response range that caters to a wide spectrum of sound, allowing for both deep bass and crystal-clear highs. The construction typically emphasizes high-grade materials, ensuring durability and minimizing unwanted resonance. Its design is often praised for both aesthetics and functionality, potentially incorporating features such as adjustable settings for customized audio experiences. The integration of modern technology such as Bluetooth or streaming capabilities may also be a part of the package, providing convenience alongside its exceptional sound fidelity. Additionally, the Mammoth Gold often comes equipped with various connectivity options, enhancing versatility for users with different audio sources.

Mammoth Gold

The Proceed PDT-3 is a high-performance digital audio processor designed to enhance the quality of digital audio playback. It features multiple digital inputs including coaxial, optical, and optional AES/EBU connections, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of digital sources such as CD players, DVD players, and computers. The PDT-3 uses advanced digital signal processing to provide high-quality audio conversion, contributing to improved clarity and detail in sound reproduction. It supports various sampling rates and formats, allowing for versatility in playback options. The unit is equipped with a user-friendly interface and can be integrated seamlessly into both stereo and multi-channel audio systems. Its robust build quality and thoughtfully designed layout also contribute to reliable performance over time.

PDT-3 

The Benz Micro H2 is a high-performance moving coil cartridge designed for audiophiles seeking exceptional sound quality from their vinyl records. Known for its meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, the H2 features a lightweight body that aids in reducing tracking force and minimizing wear on records. The cartridge utilizes a micro-line stylus that enhances both frequency response and reproduction accuracy, allowing for profound details and dynamics in music playback. Its internal impedance is optimized for compatibility with a range of phono stages, ensuring versatility and seamless integration into various audio setups. The frequency response spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, delivering a balanced and rich tone across the spectrum. The Benz Micro H2 is constructed with precision materials that not only enhance its longevity but also contribute to its sonic character, providing a smooth yet lively performance. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the nuances of classical music but shines in a variety of genres, making it a versatile choice for vinyl enthusiasts.

At the High End Show, we spotted an impressive Dynaudio audio system setup that exudes both elegance and technical prowess. The centerpiece of this setup is a pair of Dynaudio Focus 50 wireless streaming speakers, perfectly positioned on either side of a minimalist wooden shelf. These speakers, with their sleek black high gloss finish, stand tall and are designed to deliver high-fidelity sound. On the shelf sits a Thorens turntable, its clear dust cover revealing a record spinning gracefully, hinting at the collaboration between Thorens and Dynaudio. The turntable's integration with the Dynaudio system highlights a seamless blend of modern wireless technology and classic vinyl playback.

Focusing on the turntable, it's evident that Dynaudio and Thorens have crafted a piece of audio art. The turntable is based on the renowned Thorens TD 403 DD direct-drive mechanism, known for its precision and reliability. It features a sophisticated black-anodized aluminum finish, giving it a modern and premium look. The onboard RIAA preamp, along with modules for digital and Bluetooth output, ensures versatile connectivity options. Pre-fitted with a custom Ortofon Concorde Music Blue cartridge, the turntable promises exceptional sound quality, making it a perfect addition to any audiophile's collection. The overall setup is a testament to Dynaudio's commitment to combining aesthetic appeal with high-performance audio technology.

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Dynaudio and Thorens Collaboration

Dynaudio Turntable

Focus 50 is perhaps the world’s most advanced active wireless hi-fi system. It combines the convenience of a consumer speaker system with the heavyweight credentials of prestigious hi-fi speakers, making it the pinnacle of wireless hi-fi. This active wireless stereo speaker system offers extensive connectivity, allowing you to fill your room with true audiophile performance without cluttering it with cables, boxes, and racks.

You can connect over the air via Apple AirPlay 2 from your MacBook, iPad, or iPhone, with Google Chromecast from your Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook, using Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect from virtually any device with those apps. Additionally, you can hook up with Roon, stream via Bluetooth, and connect your physical digital sources via coaxial or optical digital inputs. Analogue sources, including turntables, 8-track machines, and Edison Concert Phonographs, can be connected via line-in or a compatible adaptor, and networked devices can be connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Effectively, if a recording exists, you can listen to it on Focus 50. Hi-res heaven is only a smartphone swipe away. Designed for living rooms rather than sterile listening caves, Focus 50 is built for those who want to share amazing sound with their loved ones. It even includes WiSA streaming, allowing it to connect wirelessly to your TV and replace a hulking AV receiver/cable tangle/equipment stand combination. The only downside? Your cat won’t be able to warm itself on the amp anymore.

Setting up Focus 50 is simple and powerful. It won't take more than five minutes to go from unboxing to listening. Just plug the speakers into the mains, launch the accompanying Dynaudio app, and follow the guided set-up instructions to connect to your network and optimize your speakers. Each speaker only needs one power plug since the amplifiers are built-in. Each driver has its own specifically tuned and optimized amp, eliminating the need for one-size-fits-nothing amplification or component matching. It's a tailored system.

Each speaker includes three class-D amplifiers: a 110W unit for the Cerotar tweeter, a 280W amp for the neodymium midrange driver, and a 280W amp for the twin Esotec+ bass drivers. These amplifiers come from Pascal in Copenhagen, the same company that created the power plants for Dynaudio's mighty Core professional studio systems. Peak power is a whopping 1000W, ensuring that the Focus 50s – and your ears – are in good hands.

Sophisticated DSP (digital signal processing) technology ensures optimal performance based on speaker placement in the room. Optional Dirac Live tech allows for total customization if you want to take calibration to the next level. Custom EQ presets even account for whether or not the magnetic grille is installed, with auto-sensing technology that activates the presets automatically. Additionally, a custom sliding high-pass filter prevents speaker damage at high volumes.

Focus 50 draws heavily from techniques and technologies used in Dynaudio's high-end Contour and Confidence passive hi-fi families. For instance, the soft-dome Cerotar tweeter uses the Confidence’s Hexis inner dome to optimize airflow and minimize unwanted resonances, resulting in sweeter, clearer treble. The midrange driver, derived from the award-winning Contour 60, provides Contour-level performance, and the pair of 18cm Esotec+ woofers deliver tight, powerful bass with trickle-down tech from both Confidence and Contour.

No gimmicks, no nonsense – Focus 50 exemplifies clean, stylish Danish design and craftsmanship. From the anodized brushed aluminum cover rings around the drivers to the subtle Dynaudio logo on the speaker grille and a gently glowing light that changes color based on the speaker's activity, Focus 50 looks the part in a real living space. The beautiful finishes, including open-grained Blonde Wood and Walnut Wood, and the glossy High Gloss Black and High Gloss White lacquer, add to its aesthetic appeal.

Focus 50 is the ultimate premium wireless hi-fi system, offering true audiophile quality with the benefits of modern digital streaming technology. It’s time to listen to something new.

Focus 50


The setup stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of high-fidelity audio with modern living space aesthetics. Anchoring the space are the Dynaudio Special 40 speakers, their wood veneer finish presenting a touch of organic warmth against the crisp, contemporary lines of the white media console. The speakers are flanked by the Simaudio Moon Neo Ace, an all-in-one amplifier that promises a sound as pure as its design suggests, and the Technics 1210 Mk5, a turntable revered for its precision and durability, ready to spin vinyl into audible gold.

Positioned meticulously within the room, each component is not only chosen for its technical prowess but also for its contribution to the room's visual symmetry. The artwork, "The Moon" from the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, acts as a backdrop, adding depth and context to the setup. It creates an environment where the blend of sound and space invites a full sensory appreciation. The carefully selected vinyl on display hints at a broad musical palette, while the ambient lighting ensures that the room's atmosphere is as meticulously crafted as the audio that fills it.

by: ShogunzBlazin

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Sound and Aesthetics — A Study in Harmony

simaudio is a Canadian audio brand that specializes in high-end audio products.

Simaudio

The ACE is acclaimed for its intuitive and user-friendly design, being Spotify Connect compatible and Roon Ready. It supports all major audio file formats, including DSD and MQA, accessible through local files or TIDAL Master files. As an all-in-one music system, the ACE has won awards for its ability to connect simply to a pair of speakers and the internet, enabling seamless music enjoyment. What sets the ACE apart is its fidelity to the renowned MOON sonic signature, characterized by visceral tight bass, transparent midrange, precise natural highs, and lifelike sound, ensuring a memorable listening experience every time. Additionally, vinyl enthusiasts can utilize the built-in moving magnet phono stage, making the ACE a versatile system that enhances the audio quality of any vinyl record.

Dynaudio is a brand known for producing high-quality audio equipment, including speakers and headphones.

Dynaudio

Laurels aren’t for resting on.

We still surprise ourselves. Some people might be content to sit back and be complacent about their successes after 40 years of constant innovation. We aren’t. In fact, we only get hungrier for new techniques and technologies.

That’s why we developed the Special Forty: we wanted to revisit those innovations and see what we’d do differently this time. What you won’t find here is anything revolutionary. Instead, you’ll discover a look at our past – along with some special sneak-previews of the future. The Special Forty is classic Dynaudio: all the craftsmanship, attention to detail and total love of authentic sound you’ve come to expect. It’s the connoisseur’s choice – a simple pair of passive hi-fi speakers. But it isn’t about looking back, misty-eyed, at past glories and leaving it at that. It’s about using those glories as a platform from which to launch our next set of breakthroughs.

Greatest hits… reimagined.

We do compact speakers really well. We always have. So, as a nod back to classics including the Special One, the Special Twenty-Five, the Crafft and the Contour 1.3SE, we kept the Special Forty pure – if incredibly advanced. Of course, it wouldn’t be an anniversary speaker if it didn’t include some of our greatest hits. But we haven’t just got the old band back together to trot out the same old stuff, unchanged. We’ve remixed, remastered and rearranged things to bring those old favourites into 2017 – and beyond. That’s why it has one of our classic first-order crossover designs, incorporating our unique Phase Alignment and Impedance Alignment technologies. The crossover expertly marshals the input signal between the woofer and the tweeter – so each driver gets only the frequencies it’s supposed to, and can perform at its very best. Its specially selected components handle the impedance optimisation and, because both drivers have extended frequency ranges for even better overlap and integration, that performance borders on the mesmerising.

The song remains the same.

The Special Forty uses our proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) material for its main driver. MSP delivers precisely the right combination of rigidity, damping and stability for the most faithful sound reproduction. And, unlike other cone materials, it doesn’t change over time – so your Special Forty speakers will still be singing just as sweetly come our next anniversary. The cone itself uses a painstakingly developed symmetrical excursion for even better midrange performance. Behind it sits our asymmetrical spider – our passive harmonic rectifier. It minimises upper harmonics to further tighten the performance and make it possible not only to pick out individual parts in a piece of music, but even individual instruments in an orchestra. (So now, finally, the Third Violin section can have its day in the sun.) And, like all our other MSP cones, it’s a one-piece design (you can tell by the special balance ribs around the central dust-cap). This gives it an incredibly solid connection to the voice-coil, as well as stabilising its form – which is crucial when you decide to turn it up to 11. It all sits in our special AirFlow Basket – the bit that holds the whole driver motor securely in place in the cabinet. Its development was one of those ‘Eureka!’ moments our engineers seem to get a few times a week in Dynaudio Labs (you can often hear them cheering from across the road in our factory). We asked them to reduce internal reflections and increase air movement without compromising the basket’s stiffness or stability, and this genius design is what they came up with.

Airflow is king.

The new Esotar Forty tweeter takes air-movement to another level. It moves the air in typically sweet fashion in front of the DSR (Dynaudio Secret Recipe) precision-coated soft-dome, of course, but there’s a lot of engineering going on behind it as well. Take the new pressure conduit. It’s a shaped vent in the back of the hybrid magnet system that allows more space in the rear chamber. That space lets us pack in more damping material and reduces back-pressure, while the shape itself optimises airflow coming backwards from the rear of the dome. Then there’s the outlet; the aero-coupled pressure-release system. It sits underneath the voice-coil and reduces unwanted pressure build-up that could affect its movement. Stopping those pockets of air from forming reduces resonance – and less resonance equals even greater potential for detail.

Flux optimisation and beam control.

We love playing with the laws of physics. Physics wins in the end, of course (usually), but we almost always manage to bend it to our will along the way. Just like we have with our magnet systems. The magnet turns electrical energy that flows from your amplifier into the voice-coil, into the physical back-and-forth movement of the driver diaphragm. These movements are very small and very fast (especially in the tweeter), so they need a lot of finesse if you want to hear all that luscious detail and emotion in your music.

Behind the woofer.

In the woofer, we’ve achieved that finesse in two ways: by placing the magnet inside the voice-coil, and by playing with magnetic energy itself. Other manufacturers typically put it around the outside edge, leaving the voice-coil hollow. Putting the magnet inside keeps the magnetic energy (or flux) in the optimum position for getting itself wrapped around the voice-coil – where it should be. That means we can use more of its power for a given weight. It also reduces internal reflections because there’s less material for sound to bounce off inside the driver. Second, we use a hybrid magnet for even greater control over the flux and voice-coil movement. An incredibly powerful neodymium rare-earth magnet provides the muscle and flings flux around with abandon, while a ferrite magnet tempers that enthusiasm by gently moving the flux back to exactly where it’s needed most. The result? Symmetrical excursion, a reduction in second-harmonics, and an even more accurate, authentic sound.

2020 finish update.

Dynaudio’s award-winning anniversary speaker, Special Forty, has been given a makeover with two stunning new finishes. Black Vine is a striking contrast of dark veneer shot through with vivid orange, while Ebony Wave is a captivatingly sinuous take on the classic hardwood. Both veneers are man-made to Dynaudio’s specs, ensuring total consistency between pairs of speakers. And the level of finish possible is simply astonishing – they look as smooth as glass, and as lustrous as a piece of luxury antique furniture. Just as you’d expect from a nation of design-fanatics.

Special Forty

Technics is a brand name of the Panasonic Corporation, a Japanese multinational consumer electronics company.

Technics

The Technics SL-1210MK5 is a high-performance direct-drive DJ turntable that operates at selectable speeds of 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. It features a quartz direct-drive system powered by a brushless DC motor, ensuring stable rotation and precise control. The die-cast aluminum platter provides excellent stability and reduces unwanted resonance. Additionally, it includes instant pitch reset and a no-click pitch control feature, allowing for seamless speed adjustments. The design incorporates a recessed power switch to prevent accidental shutdowns. Users can customize the braking settings, enabling precise control over how the turntable stops. This model is recognized for its durable construction and reliability, making it a preferred choice for DJs.

Sound and Aesthetics — A Study in Harmony

Components:

Discussion

Other setups

Spinning in perfection

Dynaudio and Thorens Collaboration