Can the Bryston 2B SST make you forget the original 2B?

84 Pages·2006·7.15 MB·English

ELECTRONICS: Can the Bryston 2B SST
make you forget the original 2B? Can
the Reimyo DAC console you for the
disappearance of the astonishing player?
Can Simaudio make a preamp as good as
the amazing W-8 power amp?
WE ALSO REVIEW: An affordable CD player
from CEC, a tube phono preamp, and a
whole lot of upscale power cords
PLUS: Making your own high-resolution
CDs, watching DVDs made for a different
No. 77 $6.49
continent, and Paul Bergman on acoustics!
ISSN 0847-1851
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Nitty Gritty
UHF No. 73
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Bryston 2B SST 34
They still talk to us about our rave review of
the original 2B, in UHF No. 10. We listen to its
successor.
Harmonix Reimyo DAP-777 38
Issue No. 77
The company’s magnificent one-box player is gone.
Can you console yourself with its converter? We try
it with an affordable belt-driven transport.
CEC CD3300R 42
A CEC player without belt drive and with a
downmarket price tag. But isn’t that what a lot of
audiophiles are waiting for?
CEC AMP3300R 44
Is it an amp worth matching to the CD player? We
give it a try, and we compare a coxial link to a fully-
balanced XLR cable.
Antique Sound Lab Phono Lux 450 DT 46
Better phono amplification with tubes?
Connecting to Power 48
We try several power cords, from the affordable to
Cover story: The Reimyo DAP-777 converter, and the
the mortgageable.
new version of the legendary and much-loved Brys-
ton 2B amplifier. Behind them: Montreal, seen from
Mount Royal at sunset. Cinema
Dezoned DVDs 52
by Gerard Rejskind
Feature Watching DVDs meant for a different continent
Make Your Own Hi-Res Recordings 18 is easier than ever. Read about the solutions, and
Who needs SACD? Why wait for Blu-Ray? You about how to get around the pitfalls.
may already own most of the gear you need to roll
your own 24/96 discs, and chances are you can play Is it like looking for the Unknown Soldier?
Software
them on your own player. We show you.
Unplugged! 63
by Reine Lessard
Acoustics
Has amplification changed music and performers?
Room Size and Acoustics 24 What about the back-to-acoustic movement?
by Paul Bergman
The famous series returns, seriously updated. This Software Reviews 70
first segment explains the effects of reverberation, by Reine Lessard,Gerard Rejskind and Albert Simon
and the relation between room size and standing
waves.
Departments
Editorial 2
The Listening Room
Feedback 5
Moon P-8 Preamplifier 30 Free Advice 6
We liked the W-8 power amp so much we bought Classified Ads 41
it. Now let’s see whether Simaudio has a winning Gossip & News 77
pair State of the Art 80
ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine 
UHF Magazine No. 77 was published in September, 2006.
All contents are copyright 2006 by Broadcast Canada. They Editorial
may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or any information storage or retrieval system,
without written permission from the publisher.
EDITORIAL & SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE: The return of our articles on acoustics
Broadcast Canada Few of our back issues have sold as widely, or as long, as the group from
Box 65085, Place Longueuil No. 30 to 36. The reason is a series of seven articles by Paul Bergman on
LONGUEUIL, Québec, Canada J4K 5J4 acoustics. A good room is something you can’t order from a store, and there
Tel.: [phone] FAX: [phone]
turned out to be real hunger for information on the topic of making a home
E-mail: [email protected]
listening room sound good.
World Wide Web: www.uhfmag.com
One of those issues is now out of print, however, and we have been trying
PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Gerard Rejskind to persuade Paul that, now he is pretty much retired (though still active in a
number of projects), he might want to expand his series into an entire book.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Reine Lessard He seemed to be receptive, but no book has been forthcoming. We have had
to compromise: if there is to be no book, at least for now, could we please have
EDITORIAL: Paul Bergman, Reine Lessard, Albert Simon
a new series of articles on the topic?
This time Paul said yes, and the first of a series (whose total number is
PHOTOGRAPHY: Albert Simon
known only to Paul himself) is in this issue. We think the new series will be
ADVERTISING SALES: as popular as the original.
Québec: Reine Lessard [phone] And it may be popular well beyond audiophilia. One of the most visited
Alberta & BC: Derek Coates [phone] pages on our Web site is that of an article that appeared in UHF No. 63. The
Other: Gerard Rejskind [phone] article is about acoustics, specifically soundproofing. And it is, of course, by
Paul Bergman.
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Ah yes, the Internet. As we prepare to celebrate our 25th anniversary,
we note that, this Fall, our Web site, www.uhfmag.com, is marking its 10th
Ultra High Fidelity Magazine invites contributions. Though
all reasonable care will be taken of materials submitted, we anniversary (if you have to multiply dog years by 7, what’s the multiplier for
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addressed envelope is provided. Because our needs are worldwide revolution, and it has transformed us. But we remain a magazine,
specialized, it is advisable to query before submitting.
a thing of paper and ink, and I doubt that will change any time soon.
Ultra High Fidelity Magazine is completely independent of
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Gaston Gosselin
BEDFORD, QC
Box 65085, Place Longueuil
Longueuil, Québec, Canada J4K 5J4 The Benchmark converter can certainly
play HDCD recordings, since the “C” in
[email protected]
“HDCD” stands for “compatible.” What it
can’t do is decode the hidden information on
Great advice in all the months I’ve We should update that. We did not use it these recordings
been reading, since issue No. 29. Music on our former Alphason turntable, because it We should add that HDCD players are
again! had its own clamp. Linn doesn’t recommend increasingly rare. The last HDCD chip from
I’ve just added a Pro-Ject MM/MC clamps, but we do use one on our LP12, spe- Pacific Microsonics contained an operation
to the Rega B3000/Roksan Black (high cifically the one from J. A. Michell, which has amplifier that limited its sonic quality. The
out)! The vinyl was shelved for some the advantage of being nearly weightless. company was working on a new chip, without
time, and was missed dearly. The power the op amp but with an updated filtering
amp is an old JVC, however the Vander- My message is one of vigorous system, when the company was bought by
steen 2C’s are just singing!!! encouragement, not to mention wildly Microsoft. No new chip, alas.
The old rule of upgrading front to enthusiastic applause for the editorial
back is so true! inspiration (of getting Paul Bergman to I just now finished reading your
Phil Botham continue his series on acoustics). review of the Simaudio W-8 amplifier.
DUNDAS, ON But this is nothing compared to my In fact my wife and I attended the Home
respect for the work of Mr. Bergman, Entertainment show in Los Angeles,
I would like to know if you know and I hope you may have the opportunity sponsored by Stereophile among others,
of a place (in Montreal, or elsewhere to tell him so for me. I read most of those and we had a chance to go into a room
in Canada) where I could purchase a original articles and lost them in a move which had the Simaudio Andromeda
good cassette deck demagnetizer. I have and a fire. What notions I did manage to CD player, Simaudio P-8 preamplifier,
bornolyw usesded t hoen eNs eotn, beBuTta yth.heree sefemr toe bee irseenntasiten, oehvaevrre tbhaeee ctnu mbteuailctvounoseu so sf eecal aodrfi taiyd tvaincideo ntahned! Dthyen Saiumdaiou dTieom Wp-t8at aiomnpsl.i Mfieyr ,w dirfiev ifnelgt
tu tanfhhunos aeer Yddm ttHoa i hsaufn.eefo f rleamwYtl,rles ecoee araotgnv yonr dec tbscetrea lhe. mu awp Aeadge eabp iom mglnra eongwr aat e esojtec oothr hf glirutewema ziiM nei tln nnaatsatuhiee teer doeotOBocaeussitrn ,CntnA.iossir 'yrFaNlnyscu.en eyeMl nl fn r odtriS e nfosaetctdTh erauu.io arha ekd to npnesr SmiRmor?em tfot do cAen rwrW 'rwÉW saee enyeeoauGc ae r ,ceii oA aae rdyowtnscaewu,eenrobifm, Litlc a lumtwtrohld etdbolib,nmm,loh rec ewwppgtbr dQafi elfsaeahobuee.iooct nnunciwniprswCalet nlk ddy hretitglaieavs infini greedmwn ereh t rifs Aibas ohPeatinwnooe.ve ndu gedDtprsguaIci cs.ovlt nllitIc rad Foamliyl an Pco u cta lmt tbaegeholbmvosyhta emlsieo seel pewkedve.ee/ sr le ce ax EoecoselAtf wl dpiitrwtyfruiisloat ei cloveotrcori aonr,k tcaamicuo oonn st bitrlAeo nefinnl ar tu i nofltBotocaga ncf teitgMtdonw. oCo nh tthoi Cvnimnhhastecin8ciesdsynes.erlEC3M rp u, i, itrW mtc0 iatdoeahemufrikOid- 'nsnieoialsNew1 tevonldo esgNni 1asreeobrgpno na’tgesreys nesToitz. c rth ol o mislq.iions7tlni h.uRnsn a.eu5 uiasoeT 'tOe nkmvI,Élee lrmps ll edoe 'sc hto nasAyrt wst b tol iatgaeedh i.oWns yLnyoshd ecotey oiocn eis,tE g ysse7z teu,h Fna tQio br9h arev abfertrep,u rnoamnliiC el sapgsylncetrr-eidad atl hgacei m.ict ne.fa kfttaette gi dtsewyneoh hrh.fnn e ooiodsfca iiaicdnatntsnuslylmIreha uc ty r g ms eaywiieamd o s nnrsn retaoytaitpoagefa nhhdtshsmcoama .cn t a oadtsrgebhetu iotnenmtvehrvum iof e enneemcsaaa r? bi eogc-n--P aaue,mtIo -n ut mtt8rprvhurha eeeaeefpelranara rrbsyn sci eoeea obtia mssnnauumnt sgd artui tp ern cyaoIet r h oti h pbwnhb euireh eeostey a tacusahottalh.elmemu mad orArvm p wop aredr s.ailtfe tmxi Ttr fonfshioeineinhoeemrtlgeerr--tf
eraser could affect head demagnetization, video sources the other for audio only have gear all from the mind of the same
and that the eraser could of course damage sources. designer.
the machine. The small ones that were sold Inserting them into my system has Although I see a tube preamp in your
for cassette decks had very weak magnetic been one of the most dramatic improve- reference system and my wife and I both
fields, as did the special cassettes with the ments I have made. I’m tickled pink. love tubes, I am 57 years old and prom-
rotating magnets. To my ears it was the change that put ised her that there would be no tubes in
my system over the edge. It changed our system at all, for in the event of my
I wanted to order some products for from hi-fi to music. I’m grinning like a early demise I do not want to leave her
getting back into vinyl, but I was curious butcher’s dog. Can you tell I’m happy? with a living room full of tube gear she
about the record clamp. In your ad you Rick Benyei cannot maintain.
say that you use it on one turntable, but CALGARY, AB Frank Christopher
you don’t mention your Linn LP12. I
have an older LP12 that has just been With a Benchmark DAC-1 converter, Well, we hope that doesn’t happen for
updated. What are your thoughts about could I play HDCD recordings as I can many, many years, Frank. This issue does
using the product on a Linn turntable? with a player intended for these discs? I in fact include a review of the P-8 and, as
Brian Groat bought it, and I’m very satisfied, as I have you’ll see, our impression is pretty much in
TORONTO, ON been with other products I’ve purchased line with yours.
ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine 
trip to Toronto I talked to a dealer with
impressive sound rooms about my setup. His
Free Advice
opinion was that I was being unfair to the
Totems by driving them with a combination
(Bryston and Sonic Frontiers) that he felt
Box 65085, Place Longueuil was totally lacking in synergy. His bottom
line was that, if I was serious about the sound,
Longueuil, Québec, Canada J4K 5J4
I should think of replacing the Brystons with
[email protected] a Conrad-Johnson amp, because the new
solid-state CJ “got along much better” with
tubes than could the Bryston. (Yes, he also
You folks have been kind enough to though some headphone fans have told said that first I should re-tube the SFs.) Did
answer a couple of my silly audio questions us good things about it. We did run I mention that he sold C-J? But his listening
over the years and now it’s time for another a review of headphone amplifiers in rooms showed very fine synergy.
one. UHF No. 76, some of them better than Living in the aforementioned Mari-
The timing on this one’s appropriate, others. times, I have little opportunity to put this
though, as you’ve just done some reviews on We can reassure you that plugging Bryston/C-J opinion to the test. In fact I
this subject recently and I can’t recall anyone a headphone amplifier into your tape might not have even mentioned it if the
else mentioning or asking about this particu- out jacks will not cause smoke to get in same issue of UHF had not covered the
lar aspect. I’ve scraped together a fairly nice your eyes. Will it have an audible effect? Montreal show, and pointed out that, there,
“keeper, more or less” system that gives me Well, perhaps it will, but you won’t “a remarkable image” was created by the
much pleasure, but through incredible lack of need to buy an amp to test this out for Mani-2 Signatures driven by the Conrad-
foresight…or perhaps due to the randomness yourself. Amplifiers generally have very Johnson LP140M power amps.
of the universe, I find myself without a way high impedance inputs, which means Realizing that we’re not into a world of
to drive my headphones, which I would still that your Audio Research preamplifier is strictly scientific observation here, if you were
like to use from time to time. I know, I know, not likely to notice it. What may have an setting up one of your listening rooms with
but it just worked out that way. effect is the capacitance of the intercon- the Mani-2 Signatures, with a tube preamp,
I would like (need) to get a headphone nect cable. We would start by plugging would you be more inclined to power the
amp, likely the Grado, to drive my also in an interconnect going nowhere, to see system with Bryston or Conrad-Johnson?
Grado headphones. what happens. Undoubtedly, once you can answer that
But my Audio Research line stage does Be careful not to fall into the trap of question, you might turn your attention to
not have buffered tape outputs. I’ve been setting up what amounts to an A-B test, the solution to world hunger, poverty, and
advised by a couple of people to be cautious because as we have pointed out in the global warming…
about plugging things into these tape out- past, A-B tests often give wrong results. Edward Mullaly
puts, as it could possibly “affect the sound Leave the cable in for a day or two, and FREDERICTON, NB
of the linestage….try it and see.” I haven’t see whether your system is as enjoyable
brought one home yet to “try it and see,” and to listen to as before. The shorter the Global warming? Well, we could stop
I figured I’d ask you for advice yet again. Is cable, the better the chance that it won’t saying good things about tube amps,
this going to be a problem or is it okay to do have much effect. Edward, and perhaps we will once the
this with unbuffered outputs? If not, what last Hummer and the last gas-powered
effect will this unbuffered load have on the I’ve just finished your re-review of the leaf blower are in the trash.
linestage audibly, and can anything bad Totem Mani-2 speaker (UHF No. 76), and Ah, but to more immediate matters.
(involving smoke) happen? it brings up a problem I’ve been wrestling You are right that the Mani-2 speakers
If it’s kinda okay…is it best if I were to with for the past year. at the Montreal show were demonstrated
leave the headphone amp powered all the time My system has a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 with Conrad-Johnson electronics, but a
to present a constant load to the tape outputs? preamp, along with the SFT-1 transport and tube model, not solid state. The dealer
I suppose I could plug the headphone amp the SFD-2 MkIII. These tie into a pair of who brought them, Audioville, is also a
into the second set of outputs on my Linn CD Bryston 7ST amps and the Totem Mani-2 C-J dealer, just as that Toronto dealer
player, but then I couldn’t listen to FM or my Signatures. It’s a system used a lot to listen is. However Totem’s view has always
turntable through my headphones…which to small jazz groups, although my wife enjoys been that its speakers, and especially the
would be nice if I could swing it. large classical choirs now and then. The room Mani-2, are “tube friendly.”
By the way, have you had a chance to is roughly 13 x 25 feet, with the speakers at That said, the Mani-2 can sound quite
listen to the Grado headphone amp? one end. wonderful with solid state gear too. Our
Keith Ferguson I’d been happy with this combo — which two-part review was done with two solid
Victoria, BC is lucky for me because, living in New state amplifiers, one of which (the Moon
Brunswick, there just is no opportunity to W-5LE) is explicitly not recommended by
We haven’t heard it, no, Keith, audition high-end audio. But on a recent Totem. We loved what we heard, as you
 ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine
already know. Your Bryston amps have, Get UHF on your desktop
we think, the resolution needed to get
good results from the Mani-2, and they
certainly have the power needed, not anywhere in the world!
to mention the ability to shrug off low
impedances.
But synergy is another matter. We are
sometimes accused of ignoring synergy,
because we don’t — and can’t — do
optimized mixing and matching of
components. We do quite the opposite,
maintaining reference systems that are as
versatile as possible, and then dropping
in a component under test. The results
are generally very good, but that doesn’t
mean they wouldn’t be even better if we
could pay attention to how components
sound together.
What does this mean? Well, we can
vouch for the fact that the Mani-2 and Imagine getting an issue of UHF anywhere you live
the Conrad-Johnson work well together,
even in the very large room at the show, for C$4.30 including all taxes.
and at the rather high volume dictated
Imagine subscribing for as little as C$21.50.
by the noisy ambient conditions. A
switch to C-J could actually be a wise Anywhere!
one, but we’re talking about considerable
www.magzee.com
expense, and we wonder whether the
money might not deliver more satisfac-
tion elsewhere. If you were closer to
that dealer, we would suggest getting a
listen to a more modern CD player, and tion and you feel I would benefit more from stuff and finally PS Audio products.
perhaps even a different preamplifier. the updated version (although I suspect Currently I have my CD (Krell KAV
We suspect that neither one is delivering the original article covers basics I should 300) and preamp (Pass Aleph P) plugged
the best your speakers could give you. learn). into an API Power Pack II and my amp
James Fouts (Pass Aleph 5) plugged directly into the wall
First, I must compliment you on your PEORIA, AZ socket.
excellent books and magazine. Over twenty J.T. O’Donohue F
years ago I dropped out of the high fidel- James, we’ve been trying to talk MONTRÉAL,QC rFee
ee
ity world due to the commercial sellout of Paul Bergman into doing us a book on d Ab
the retail store and manufacturers I was acoustics. No luck yet, but he has agreed API (Audio Power Industries, not the da
vc
involved with at the time. to work on a new acoustics series for speaker builder with the same initials) ikc
e
I am now in the process of setting up and the magazine. The first instalment is was, as far as we can recall, the first
opening a retail operation specializing in now done and appears in this issue. We company to propose that a line filter for
high fidelity and high quality visual prod- expect the final series (whose length is audio should protect not only against
ucts and service. I am going to attempt an not yet determined) will be rather more noise from the power line but also from
appointment-only schedule situated in a three elaborate than the original seven-part noise generated by the components
or four room house (kinda of like the old head series. themselves. That’s conventional wisdom
shops). Each room will represent a quality There is also a chapter on acoustics now, and it is well known that digital
price point with the main room acoustically in one of our books, The World of High components in particular produce a lot
correct demonstrating my reference system. Fidelity. of noise. You can’t get rid of it all — the
I need UHF No. 36 to complete the series on audio cables can carry it of course — but
acoustics by Paul Bergman. Are you going I’ve been looking into power line power line decoupling is more than a
to reprint issue 36 or the article in full? I conditioners/filters for my system: Blue little useful.
have no problem with purchasing issues 30 Circle Music Bar and Noise Hounds along The Power Pack II is API’s entry
through 35 if I can come up with the last with Foundation Research LC1 and LC2 model. We have never tried it, though
part in issue 36. This is, unless you have (although I hear they will be coming out with our experiences with most inexpensive
updated this series with improved informa- new products this fall), and the Richard Gray models have not been entirely happy
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ones. API does of course make the more am living in a house built on concrete. My line is far superior. My budget for the table
expensive Power Wedge, which includes listening room is small — about 11’ x 11’. I is about $2,500 but this will have to include
an isolation transformer. We are familiar don’t have any options to move my equipment a phono amp and cartridge. Do you have an
with the Foundation Research filters, around (with exception of small movement of opinion on a turntable and amp I should
two of which we use, as well as the Gut- the speakers) because of the electric baseboard consider?
Wire MaxCon Squared and the Inouye heater and closet. Kim Imada
SPLC, which we also own. All of these With some recordings I find the sound to SOOKE, BC
work well. Not all filters are well suited be very bright, to the point where it becomes
k to large power amplifiers, especially class almost intolerable to my ear (although my You’ll probably want either a Rega or
c
a
b AB solid state amplifiers. The GutWire husband thinks it sounds “fine”). It’s been a Pro-Ject, Kim, since Linn now makes
d
and the Chang Lightspeed are, because suggested that I purchase a subwoofer. If I only one model, the LP12, whose price
e
e
F they have no current limiting. go this route I would like a music-first sub- is not within shouting distance of your
woofer and have been considering the Linn budget unless it’s second hand. The Rega
You can get Free Advice too
Thank you for a great magazine. The Afekt and Totem Storm (Totem assures me P2 and P3 are justly famous as entry-
information is written so it’s easily under- this is for two-channel despite their adver- level turntables, though the Pro-Ject
Read other letters (and answers) at www.uhfmag.com/FreeAdvice.html.
stood and interesting. I find the reviews are tising as a home theatre based sub). I would tables are also interesting.
Then contribute your own question.
objective and timely. As a result I have given appreciate your opinion. The RPM series includes several
up all other publications, so UHF remains I neglected to mention I have a Dual models, but all use a synchronous motor
my only link to the audiophile world (exclud- turntable, circa early 80’s. I have a collection that simply locks to the AC line fre-
ing the overloaded and often confusing of about 300 LPs and 100 12” singles (45 quency. A properly executed electronic
internet sites and chatrooms). rpm). I would like to purchase a new turn- speed control can deliver far better
I would appreciate your opinion on a table but am overwhelmed by the number performance, all else being equal. By the
couple of things. My system consists of an of tables on the market. I would prefer to way, the Pro-Ject cartridges are actually
Arcam FMJ-23 CD, Simaudio P-3 and purchase locally, and the store carries Linn, Grados. The two available models come
W-3, Totem Hawks, Kimber Kable Bi-Focal Rega and Pro-Ject. I am considering the with an elliptical stylus rather than
XL cables, Cardas Golden Cross intercon- Pro-Ject line (perhaps the new Xperience the more desirable line contact stylus,
nects and Foundation Research LC-1 and Comfort) because of the electronic speed but then these are economy models.
LC-2. I recently moved to the West Coast and change. However I have heard that the RPM The Rega phono stage is, we think, a
 ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine