The setup is a seamless blend of analog warmth and hands-on functionality. A Mastersounds 1210 turntable anchors the experience, a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, while the Condesa Lucia mixer adds a tactile pleasure to the art of sound mixing. These pieces aren’t just electronics; they're instruments that invite interaction and celebrate the physicality of music.

Flanked by the solid presence of Sansui components—the CA-2000 preamp and TU-9900 tuner—there’s an air of nostalgic fidelity that purists yearn for. The Sansui BA-2000 power amp stands ready to drive the iconic JBL L65 Jubal speakers, which are perched on custom stands, marrying bespoke craftsmanship with acoustic precision. This setup isn’t just about sound; it’s a statement in the joy of music, the beauty of sound engineering, and a personal touch that brings it all to life.

by: Little Boxes

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A Personal Spin on Hi-Fi Heritage

Custom Speakers Stands

The Sansui CA-2000 is a stereo control amplifier introduced in 1975, which showcases the evolution of Sansui's audio technology. It features an elegant black and silver design that distinguishes it from other offerings of the time. The internal circuitry utilizes a 7-chip configuration with a differential input and a pure complementary service class A push-pull design for the final stage amplifier. A focus on low noise is achieved through the selection of high-quality transistors, enhancing stable operation over a broad frequency range. The RIAA deviation is finely tuned to maintain a flat characteristic, employing precision components such as metal film resistors and styrene capacitors. The CA-2000 allows for extensive control over sound through various tone adjustments, employing a triple tone control system that facilitates independent adjustments for midrange, bass, and treble, along with turnover frequency settings for granular sound shaping. Additional features include a low and high-frequency filter, dual tape deck capability, and headphone amplification. Build quality is exemplary, and the unit incorporates a powerful transformer and stable power supply circuitry to ensure performance consistency. The amplifier offers 1V preamplifier output and can handle various input sensitivities across its phono and auxiliary inputs. Over the years, the CA-2000 has garnered a strong following among audio enthusiasts, appreciated for its rich, warm sound and exceptional functionality.

CA-2000

TU-9900

The Sansui BA-2000 is a solid-state amplifier that was part of Sansui's lineup during the 1970s. It is characterized by its power output of 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and its design features include a dual-mono construction, which ensures minimal interference between channels for improved sound purity. The amplifier is also noted for its built-quality, utilizing high-grade components and robust construction materials.

BA-2000

L 65 Jubal

The Lucia by Condesa is a meticulously crafted 2-channel rotary mixer that adheres to the high-quality circuitry found in models like Allegra and Carmen for maintaining that distinct signature sound. It integrates a discrete 2 pole isolator and includes FX send/return for each channel, making it incredibly versatile. Additionally, Lucia offers a headphone blend circuit for precise monitoring, a fixed record output for capturing audio, and a true ISO bypass switch that enhances user control. Designed with portability in mind, Lucia is ideally suited for traveling DJs or for a permanent setup in a home studio. All units ship worldwide from Australia, come with a 2-year warranty, and have an estimated build time of approximately 24-26 weeks. Potential buyers should note that build times can vary, so it's advised to contact Condesa for the most accurate information regarding delivery schedules.

Lucia

The Parks Audio Puffin is a next-generation phono preamplifier designed to enhance the vinyl listening experience. This device offers an extensive range of gain settings, allowing compatibility with various cartridges and audio systems. With its DSP (Digital Signal Processing) architecture, the Puffin is capable of real-time audio adjustments without requiring any computer or internet connection. Users can expect a range of tone controls and EQ settings, which facilitate fine-tuning of sound profiles, making it suitable for vinyl enthusiasts and audio tweakers alike. The Puffin supports multiple EQ settings for different era records, including 78s, and features unique functions such as Tilt tone controls, which adjust sound character quickly and effectively. It offers a host of features including twenty different gain settings, from -4 dB for CDs to 72 dB for moving coil cartridges, broad EQ adjustment capabilities, and various mode settings for stereo, mono, etc. This compact phono preamp not only serves as an effective preamplifier but also as a flexible audio sound processor that can analyze and adjust sound quality based on individual preferences. The Puffin features traditional RCA inputs and outputs, and allows for customizable sound experiences by applying effects like tube and tape transfer characteristics.

Puffin

The MasterSounds SL-1200 is a modified version of the iconic Technics SL-1200 turntable series. Hand-built to high standards, this turntable reflects a deep appreciation for the legendary design and functionality that the original SL-1200 series is known for. Each unit undergoes a meticulous refurbishment process, with a focus on performance and reliability, ensuring that they meet the demands of both DJs and audiophiles alike. Key features include a MasterSounds LinearPOWER replacement, a complete chassis overhaul, and a new tonearm and tonearm mount that improve tracking and playback accuracy. These turntables are produced on a build-to-order basis, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences.

SL-1200


In a corner of a living room painted in calming tones, there lies a well-thought-out audio setup that balances high-end audio fidelity with the aesthetics of home comfort. At the core of this arrangement sits a Naim NDX2 streamer, coupled neatly with a Naim 282 preamplifier, 250DR power amplifier, and a HiCap DR power supply, all resting on a sleek audio rack. Complementing the electronic ensemble are the ProAc DB1 speakers, known for their exceptional handling of mid-range frequencies, making them a perfect match for vocal-heavy tracks and the nuanced sounds of jazz and folk. Adding a classic touch is the Rega P8 turntable with an Ania Pro MC cartridge, bridging the gap between modern digital clarity and rich analog warmth. This setup not only focuses on sound quality but also integrates life's little necessities, like robust speaker stands that account for the playful leaps of a pet cat, blending the practical with the passionate.

by: lemonsodahair

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Naim Audio Setup in a Homely Living Room

Ania Pro MC Cartridge

ProAc DB1

Rega P8

The NAC 282 is a high-performance audio component designed as a separate preamplifier, offering a step up from the NAC 202. Engineered to deliver exceptional sound quality, it features a dedicated NAPSC power supply unit that independently powers its digital and control circuits. This strategic design choice allows the audio circuits to draw power from a variety of sources, providing flexibility and enhancing the overall audio performance. These sources include the power supply of a NAC 155 XS or NAP 200 power amplifier, or one can opt for standalone power supplies such as the FlatCap XS, HiCap, or SuperCap. The NAC 282 is crafted for audio enthusiasts who demand precise control and an immersive listening experience. Please note, however, that this product is no longer available in the market. The user manual would have provided detailed instructions for setup and operation, ensuring users could maximize the potential of the NAC 282's features for an outstanding audio experience.

NAC 282

The Naim NAP 250 DR is a power amplifier designed to provide high-quality audio performance, reflecting over four decades of continuous product development. This latest version, the DR (Dynamics Range) series, builds on the legacy of the earlier models, featuring advanced power supply design and improved heat dissipation mechanisms. The NAP 250 DR excels at delivering a clean and detailed sound across a range of musical genres, providing ample power for driving a variety of speakers, including those with lower sensitivity ratings. It features a dual mono design with a robust power supply, ensuring minimal crosstalk between channels and enhancing the stereo image. The amplifier offers a power output of 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 180 watts per channel into 4 ohms, making it suitable for both home audio setups and professional environments. Its build quality is characterized by a solid chassis, designed to reduce vibration and electrical interference. The NAP 250 DR also includes sophisticated circuitry, which aids in the reduction of distortion and noise, providing a more enjoyable listening experience. Furthermore, the unit can be paired with various Naim preamplifiers to expand the system's capabilities and tailor sonic performance to listener preferences.

Nap 250 DR

The Naim HiCap DR is a compact power supply designed to enhance the performance of various Naim preamplifiers, phono stages, and active crossover components. It features a large toroidal transformer and high-quality smoothing capacitors, which contribute to its excellent performance. The HiCap DR is equipped with two 24V power outputs, utilizing Naim's proprietary discrete regulator configuration that delivers stable, low-noise power. The device has undergone significant updates, including a new discrete regulator developed over a two-year research project. A notable aspect of the HiCap DR is its construction, featuring a bead-blasted, black-anodized aluminum chassis along with anti-vibration, resonance-controlling feet to protect sensitive internal components from vibration. It is suitable for use with most Naim preamplifiers, with the exception of the NAC 552 and NAC 252. For users of the NAC 282, adding a second HiCap can further enhance audio performance. The unit is supplied with a SNAIC 5 cable, while an additional SNAIC 4 may be required for certain connections.

HiCap DR

Showcased at the revered Munich High-End Show, the collaboration between Dynaudio and Simaudio introduces an exceptional audio system tailored for audiophiles. The setup features Dynaudio Confidence 60 speakers, lauded for their sonic accuracy and expansive soundstage, paired with two powerhouse components: the Simaudio Moon 891 Network Player and dual Moon 861 Power Amplifiers. This pairing promises an aural experience that captures every nuance of sound with striking clarity and depth. The Confidence 60 speakers, equipped with sophisticated driver technology and the Esotar3 tweeter, deliver an audio experience that is as pure as it is impactful.

At the core of this system, the Simaudio Moon 891 processes digital audio with unrivaled precision, while the dual Moon 861 amplifiers provide a robust and controlled output, ensuring an immersive listening experience with dynamic and detailed sound. Enhanced by Nordost Valhalla 2 Reference Speaker Cables and the QBASE power distribution system, the setup exemplifies the pursuit of sonic fidelity—delivering a performance that is not just heard but deeply felt, embodying the pinnacle of audio engineering celebrated at the Munich High-End Show.

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The Dynaudio Confidence 60 and Simaudio Moon Masterpiece at the Munich High-End Show

Nordost QBASE Reference

Nordost Valhalla 2

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

Dynaudio

Ultimate performance. Ultimate quality. Ultimate innovation. Meet the flagship of Dynaudio’s most advanced speaker range. Sometimes size does matter. The Confidence 60, the flagship of the Confidence family, towers above the outgoing Confidence C4 model. It’s unashamedly big; it’s unselfconscious hi-fi royalty. And it sounds like nothing else you’ve heard. Pull up a chair.

While your ears are captivated by the Confidence 60’s astonishing power, scale, and detail, your eyes will probably be drawn to the single Esotar3 28mm soft-dome tweeter in the middle. Then the twin 15cm MSP midrange drivers with Horizon Surrounds. And, finally, to the two 23cm MSP NeoTec Woofers.

The drivers are all updated and they’re all part of the next generation of our innovative DDC (Dynaudio Directivity Control) sound-shaping technology platform. This focuses the sound waves radiating from the speakers into a tight vertical ‘beam’ that avoids reflections from floors and ceilings while maintaining a wide horizontal image. That means a bigger sweet spot on the couch, a happier audience, and the knowledge that you’re only hearing what the drivers are producing – and not what the room itself is bringing to the party.

The star of the show is the DDC Lens – a machined aluminium waveguide integrated into the precision Compex composite baffle. This ingenious part (the result of hundreds of hours of simulations, prototyping, and listening tests) works in conjunction with the baffle shape, the tweeter, and the midrange drivers (notice their Horizon Surround, also part of the system) and the woofers to focus sound waves where they need to go: you.

In fact, everything in the Confidence 60 is designed precisely for that purpose. Even the gasket that decouples the baffle from the cabinet and the screws that hold everything in place. The Esotar3 28mm soft-dome tweeter takes over 40 years of Dynaudio expertise, plus plenty of learnings from the development of the award-winning Esotar Forty unit – and rolls it all into the finest tweeter we’ve ever created. A powerful neodymium magnet system, innovations in airflow routing, the resonance-busting Hexis inner dome … it all combines to increase detail, clarity, and sensitivity.

The 23cm NeoTec MSP woofers also have neodymium magnets under the hood and use three layers of glass-fibre in their voice-coil formers for optimum stiffness. The voice coils themselves are copper, which provides extra moving mass for tighter, more powerful, and more controlled bass in this specific driver design. And the entire woofer motor has been designed to harness airflow using an innovative venting system that’s been machined directly into the magnet.

The Confidence 60’s MSP midrange drivers are a big departure from previous Dynaudio designs. They use a radical surround design – the Horizon – that follows the cone’s shape right to the edge of the driver. This reduces the surround’s first resonant mode to effectively increase the whole playing surface area and improve performance. They also sit flush with the baffle to reduce diffractions from the diaphragm and the adjacent tweeter.

Behind the scenes, the basket has been given a lightweight organic design – one that’s resulted from extensive topology-optimization simulations. It increases airflow, maintains its stability and rigidity, and reduces weight simultaneously without sacrificing performance. And it’s all finished in our trademark Danish-designed, furniture-grade cabinetry. Perfect performance, perfect quality.

Confidence 60

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

Simaudio

The Simaudio Moon 891 is a sophisticated stereo preamplifier and network streamer that exemplifies technical excellence and premium construction. Designed as part of the North Collection, it integrates advanced features and performance criteria that set a high standard in audio amplification. The 891 is equipped with six digital inputs, including one HDMI with ARC, and three analog inputs, which feature MM/MC phono stage capability. It also makes use of Simaudio's MiND2 module for streaming and the MDE-3 DAC technology for superior digital-to-analog conversion. The volume control utilizes the M-Ray2 technology, designed for precise adjustments. Notable design elements include the MDB MOON Damping Base, providing enhanced stability and isolation. The device comes with a BRM-1 intelligent remote control, an AC power cable, and product registration information. Its striking specifications include a frequency response of 2 Hz to 200 kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio of 125 dB, and total harmonic distortion + noise rated at 0.0003%. The preamplifier has a maximum line-level gain of 10 dB and features selectable phono input gain options. Built to accommodate both digital and analog sources without compromising audio fidelity, the Moon 891 represents a pinnacle of audio engineering.

The MOON 861 is a power amplifier designed with a focus on delivering high fidelity sound and impeccable performance. It features the advanced MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier (MDCA) technology, which removes global feedback to achieve audio purity. This amplifier is part of the North Collection and pays homage to the legacy of the MOON 888, encapsulating a sophisticated design philosophy that aims to provide the deepest soundstage and richest tonal characteristics. The high-efficiency power supply incorporates dual 1,500 VA low-noise MOON transformers and 228,000 µF capacitance to ensure stable thermal equilibrium, even under heavy load. It offers flexible operation modes, including a mono mode that allows the amplifier to output 800 watts into an 8-ohm load, and 300 watts per channel in stereo mode at 8 ohms, doubling to 600 watts at 4 ohms. The 861 also features a dual mono configuration and is equipped with a MOONLink technology for connectivity with other MOON products for system control and firmware updates. The product dimensions are 18.95 x 8.26 x 24 inches and it weighs approximately 125 lbs. Additionally, it comes with a 10-year warranty, emphasizing the manufacturer’s commitment to quality.

The Dynaudio Confidence 60 and Simaudio Moon Masterpiece at the Munich High-End Show

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A Personal Spin on Hi-Fi Heritage

Naim Audio Setup in a Homely Living Room