ListenUp Source Book

Reference quality sound

The massively powerful (200 watts per channel) PM-10 integrated amplifier is constructed more like a high end
separate preamplifier and a pair of monobloc power amps, but all in one beautifully finished case designed
both to maximize performance and create a strong visual statement.

A dual-mono design, it has separate power supplies for the preamplifier and each of the power amplifier
channels, with one transformer dedicated to the preamp to ensure the delicate signals passing through
aren’t affected by the demands of the high power output stages. It’s also purely analog, as digital circuitry is,
by its very nature, noisy (in the electrical sense). That’s why Marantz chooses to design its Reference Series
range with any digital-to-analog conversion done in its Super Audio CD or network music players, keeping the
amplifiers as sonically pure as possible.

The SA-10 is an exceptional player of both CD and SACD discs, but can also play high resolution music
stored on computer-burned discs, as well as being a high end digital to analog converter for computer-stored
music. Its optical and coaxial inputs can handle files up to 192kHz/24-bit, and the USB-B asynchronous input is
compatible with PCM and DXD music files at up to 384kHz/32bit, as well as all levels of DSD.

PM 10 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $7,999
SA 10 SACD/CD PLAYER WITH USB DAC AND DIGITAL INPUTS $6,999

Get the most out of your digital and analog sources “ The No.5805 offers excellent sound
in an attractive, versatile package.
Proudly designed, engineered and precision-crafted in the USA, this integrated ”There’s little or nothing to fault.
amplifier delivers luxurious fidelity with premium features and flexibility. Its sleek –Stereophile
new industrial design will look stunning in any system, while the fully discrete,
direct-coupled Class AB amplifier creates a conservatively rated 125 watts per
channel at 8 ohms.

The №5805 offers outstanding digital audio capability through the Mark
Levinson PrecisionLinkII DAC. The latest generation ESS Sabre 32-bit D/A
converter with jitter elimination circuitry and a fully balanced, discrete current-
to-voltage converter form the heart of the digital audio processing stage. The
four digital audio inputs include one asynchronous USB port for playback of high
resolution PCM and DSD files, and the aptX™ HD Bluetooth® receiver creates
the highest quality Bluetooth playback. Full MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
decoding enables playback of MQA audio files and streams.

Proprietary Mark Levinson PurePath circuitry makes for exceptional
reproduction of the analog signal, which is delivered to the balanced XLR stereo
outputs as well as the single ended RCA connectors. There are also phono inputs
for both moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges.

MARK LEVINSON №5805 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $8,500

A unique 3-in-1 solution

Combining physical compact disc formats (including
audiophile-level SACD!) with modern high resolution
network streaming capabilities and expansive control
features, the №5101 is a versatile 3-in-1 solution. It
employs the same advanced PrecisionLinkII DAC and
PurePath circuitry as the №5805. Five digital audio inputs
are provided: one coaxial and one optical S/PDIF, and USB
for playback of high resolution PCM (up to 24 bit/192k),
Network (WiFi and Ethernet) for streaming from a NAS
drive, which supports FLAC, WAV, AIFF, OGG, MP3, AAC
and WMA, and an SACD input, which supports disc formats
including SACD, CD-A, CD-R and CD-RW.

MARK LEVINSON №5101 NETWORK STREAMING

CD/SACD PLAYER AND DAC $5,500

54 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

ListenUp interviews Todd Eichenbaum,
Director of Engineering for Mark Levinson

ListenUp: Tell us a little about Mark Levinson have been some of the most streamer? And what other products do you
your background. rewarding of my career. Interestingly, my have planned for this series?
EICHENBAUM: I grew up in a household first brush with ultra-high end audio was EICHENBAUM: We started with a clean
where there was always some kind of music listening to a Mark Levinson system at the sheet of paper, which allowed us to optimize
playing — jazz, classical or show tunes, as local audio salon where I went to college — every facet of the No5805 to meet some
well as some of the popular music of the it was the first brand I fell in love with. I try very ambitious cost and performance
day, either on the hi-fi or by my brother or to recreate that experience with each new goals. We asked our USA-based contract
sister on our piano. My father, and later, my component we design. manufacturing partner how we could
brother, were both interested in hi-fi, and design circuit boards that were easier to
that, combined with my fascination as a kid ListenUp: You’ve overseen a resurgence assemble. We investigated different metal
with machines and electronics, led me to in the Mark Levinson brand. What kinds of finishes and new materials that would
pursue this career. I got my Master’s degree resources have you brought to the brands be less costly to produce but would still
in electrical engineering in 1988, managing in terms of design and manufacturing? look and feel luxurious. Most of all, we
also to take classes in other engineering EICHENBAUM: When I joined Harman challenged ourselves to create electronics
disciplines as well as in fine art along the (owner of Mark Levinson), I was given the that would offer performance that could
way. I’ve been in the audio industry for my opportunity to define and assemble an compete with our No500 Series components
entire professional life, which has included engineering team and to specify a facility by innovating and simplifying, with the
a student internship at Koss Stereophones; expressly for the purpose of designing knowledge that a simpler signal path, when
high performance electronics. Our team properly implemented, can sound better
“ My six-plus years at Mark is a diverse group: some longtime former than its more complex counterpart and be
Levinson have been some of the colleagues of mine and some who are new less costly to build. What we did not do was
”most rewarding of my career. to me, all with different skills, knowledge to allow ourselves to cut any corners. This
and expertise, and many who have also development took more than two years,
three-plus years at Precision Power, Inc., had long careers in the audio industry. but it yielded two patents (one granted,
where I designed high end aftermarket In addition to our own internal mandate one pending) and a very robust DAC/phono
car audio; and more than two decades that our products must be designed to stage/line stage/power amp “platform” on
altogether at Krell. My six-plus years at offer the best performance, quality and which to base future products. The first
longevity, Harman allows us to perform example of such a product is the No5101
SACD player/streamer, which mates the
extensive reliability, safety and DAC/I-to-V converter and linear power
HALT (highly accelerated life supply adapted from the No5805 to a
test) testing to make sure our versatile digital audio “engine.” Several
products are bulletproof as well other products are forthcoming…stay tuned.
as great sounding and beautiful
to look at. We design our
products to measure well and
to perform consistently on the
test bench, as well as to offer
the accurate, detailed, spacious
sound that Mark Levinson
is known for. All units are
assembled to our specifications
in the USA.

ListenUp: How have you
brought Mark Levinson
performance and quality to
the new №5805 integrated
amplifier and 5101 CD player/

Mark Levinson №585.5

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 55

The shortest signal path is Streaming with astonishing digital detail
the key to great sound
With a revolutionary preamp circuit-board that reduces interference
The Cambridge Audio Edge W Power Amplifier is made to be played and an incredibly clean signal path, Edge NQ Preamplifier with
loud. When you do turn it up, expect nothing but a dynamic and Network Player plays your favorite music with astonishing depth.
punchy sound that captures all the musicality of your songs. With Stream, plug-in and play to enjoy every note in perfect clarity with
just 14 hand-picked components, Edge W has one of the cleanest its wealth of connections, at up to 32 bit PCM as well as DSD files.
signal paths available. It delivers Cambridge Audio’s signature, The NQ also offers numerous options for streaming, including
unadulterated British sound — nothing added, nothing taken away. Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX-HD, Airplay, UPnP,
The Edge W produces 100 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 200 Internet radio and more. The NQ features a newly designed dual
watts per channel into 4 Ohms. concentric volume and source select knob featuring 31 precision-
milled parts for effortless operation.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EDGE W POWER AMPLIFIER $3,000
CAMBRIDGE EDGE NQ PREAMPLIFIER WITH NETWORK PLAYER $4,000
This is a truly high end contender with totally

“ ”convincing performance, design and build ...
–Hi-Fi News

The integrated Edge

The Cambridge Audio Edge A Integrated Amplifier is made
to celebrate musicality. Riffs, phrases, percussive rolls —
take in every detail of your music thanks to its dynamic set-
up. It delivers the same power as the Edge W along with
the preamp section of the Edge NQ, as well as a unique
dual-concentric volume and its source select knob.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EDGE A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $5,000

56 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

GREAT BRITISH SOUND

Since the release of its iconic P40 amplifier in 1968,
Cambridge Audio has pursued one simple objective: to
produce audio equipment that faithfully recreates a pure and
natural sound. All of the company’s products are designed
and engineered in the UK by an in-house team of engineers
whose goal is to give you the best possible sound at the
fairest possible price.

Your hi-fi journey starts here

The new Cambridge Audio AX Series pairs high quality with outstanding value for the money, and is the perfect way for
the hi-fi curious to build their first separates system. Taking design cues from the company’s award-winning Edge and
CX ranges, the AX components are designed to be a straightforward introduction to Great British sound.

The AXA35 integrated amplifier boasts 35 watts of power per channel, a built-in moving magnet phono stage and a
headphone output for private listening sessions.

The AXR85 and AXR100 receivers are designed to form the heart of a flexible, great-sounding hi-fi system. Both
models feature a range of analog inputs, phono stage and an AM/FM tuner. Additionally, a built-in Bluetooth receiver
allows you to stream your favorite music from a smartphone, tablet or PC. The AXR85 delivers 85 watts per channel,
while the AXR100 has 100 watts per channel.

The AXC35 is a versatile, affordable CD player with a high quality digital-to-analog converter and is the perfect
match for the AXR receivers.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXA35 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $349 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXR100 STEREO RECEIVER $499
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXR85 STEREO RECEIVER $399 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXC35 CD PLAYER $349

New upgraded Cambridge CX amplifiers

The Cambridge CX Series was designed to bring the convenience and simplicity
of digital while honoring the music. Consisting of two integrated amplifiers, a
network audio streamer and a class-leading CD transport, the CX Series has
been a widely admired, award-winning success story. However, improvements in
amplifier and digital-to-analog circuitry have driven the development of two new
amplifiers in the CX range. The CXA61 and CXA81 integrated amplifiers feature
improved amplifier designs with oversized toroidal transformers to effortlessly
deliver their rated power — 60 watts per channel in the CXA61 and 80 watts per
channel in the CXA81. Both integrated amplifiers also feature a new ESS Sabre
DAC that can bring hi-res audio vividly to life. And both amplifiers offer wireless
connectivity, thanks to their built-in aptX HD Bluetooth receiver.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXA61 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $999
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CXA81 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $1,299

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 57

“ With NAD’s HybridDigital
amplification on board, the M10
will drive virtually any partnering
speaker — it is a true master of
”modern music playback.
–Winner of the EISA Award for
Best Product, 2019–2020

The art behind the art

The new NAD Masters M10 is a BluOS Streaming amplifier that’s the most elegant way to stream music to
your favorite speakers. Beautifully designed in sleek black with a smooth-glass touchpanel display made
from Gorilla Glass and finished with solid brushed aluminum, this is a contemporary minimalist departure
from standard amplifier industrial design. And Dirac Live® allows you to optimize the M10’s sound for your
specific listening area (see sidebar below).

Groundbreaking Class D technology
A high performance Class D solution first employed in NAD
Masters’ flagship amplifiers, its HybridDigital™ amplifier with
N-Core technology delivers the accuracy and detail that digital
amplifiers are known for without losing the heart and emotion
of analog amplifiers. Conservatively rated at 100 watts per
channel and with a sophisticated DAC on board, the M10
can drive nearly any high end speaker to reproduce the full
frequency and dynamic range of your favorite music without
noise or distortion.

Limitless streaming possibilities
Connect to Wi-Fi and enjoy nearly 20 natively integrated music streaming services, including Tidal, Qobuz,
Deezer, Spotify, IDAGIO, Radio.com, as well as Amazon HD+, plus your music library. Or connect with Apple
AirPlay 2 or 24-bit Qualcomm AptX HD Bluetooth to share music stored on your smart phone or laptop.
The built-in BluOS platform means you can send one unified or many separate streams of music to other
BluOS-enabled devices and create a whole-home listening experience.

NAD MASTERS M10 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $2,749

DIRAC LIVE® ROOM CORRECTION SOFTWARE

Room acoustics are the weakest link in most sound systems,
making acoustic sound treatment a must. Dirac Live® digital
room correction helps your loudspeakers reach their full
potential in any listening room. It offers a clear improvement
of your audio system by analyzing your speakers and room acoustics with the help
of a measurement microphone. The software then uses this data to build an acoustic
model of the listening environment and detect the deficiencies. After careful analysis,
Dirac Live® corrects for both the timing and amplitude aspects of the colorations in
sound to deliver the optimum listening experience.

58 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

“ Easy to set up, easy to use, extremely flexible when used
with Bluesound gear, this could be the last hi-fi purchase

you’ll need to make. I was impressed, which seldom
”happens. Strongly recommended.
–Absolute Sound

Redefining the architecture of hi-fi playback

The versatile NAD C 658 is a preamp, DAC and BluOS streamer all in one attractive package.
It features the latest generation ESS Sabre DAC used in full balanced mode, a high quality
moving magnet phono input, balanced preamp outputs, dual subwoofer outputs and a built-in
headphone amp. BluOS, Bluetooth aptX HD, Dirac Live Room Correction and Modular Design
Construction all come together through NAD’s unique approach to audio reproduction.

NAD C 658 BLUOS STREAMING DAC $1,649

A flexible modern amp

The C 268 can be used as a stereo amplifier with 80 watts per channel, or you can bridge the
two channels to create a powerful 300-watt monoblock amplifier. NAD has developed high
performing circuits based upon switch mode power supplies and class D output stages. These
new designs are very linear over a wide bandwidth, delivering outstanding performance into all
speaker loads.

NAD C 268 STEREO AMPLIFIER $899

There’s still some love for CDs

The C 568 takes the superb high fidelity sound of NAD’s 5-star rated C 565BEE and steps it up
to the next level. Every aspect of sonic performance has been enhanced and refined. The 24-bit
high resolution Wolfson WM8741 DAC chip of the C 568 was chosen for its excellent low-level
linearity and detail-retrieving capabilities, while a high precision Crystek Clock Module reduces
digital jitter to vanishingly low levels.

NAD C 568 CD PLAYER $799

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 59

BECAUSE
MMAUTTSEIRCS

A music lover interested in one new
component ends up overhauling his
whole system — to stunning effect…

60 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

It all started with a broken processor.
Gary Calega called ListenUp to see
about replacing the damaged unit, and
spoke to senior sales consultant Scott Genaw.

“I had a system that I’d cobbled together
while working with an independent installer,”
says Gary. “I was getting stuff from the Internet
and from here and there. While it cost less to do
that, without having it properly set up, it didn’t
sound that great.”

“Gary needed to replace the processor and
also wanted to make his system sound better in
general,” Scott says. “He was concerned about
bass response, so we discussed a couple of subs,
and then I told him, ‘Let me come by and see
what you’ve got.’ When I got to his house,
his system seemed to have plenty of bass, so I
suggested some other solutions.”

“Scott tweaked my speaker setup and
everything sounded so much better,” says Gary.
“That’s when I realized that who you buy
the products from really matters, because the
service and the set up are almost as important
as the equipment itself.”

Later, Scott did what is known as a Master
Setup of Gary’s new speakers, which made
even more of a difference. “The Master Setup
was developed by John Hunter when he owned
Sumiko Audio,” Scott explains. “It’s a step-by-
step, scripted process for setting up the speaker
system so you get the best bass response
and imaging.”

Says Gary, “I had the speakers trapped in
a corner of my room and my midrange was
a little bit muddy, but man when he moved
them — and not even that much — it just
made such a difference. The bass cleaned
up, the soundstage was so much better. Just
recently he did the same thing with my new
REL subwoofers. It’s like they weren’t even
connected to the system before, and now
they’re integrated so beautifully.”>>

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 61

Caption

62 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

Two systems in one More is revealed

Over the course of a year or so, Gary continued on the Gary could easily hear the improvements every step of
upgrade path and ended up with a completely new rig. the way. “When we replaced the amplifiers, the sound
For two-channel music listening, the system includes a went from two dimensional to three dimensional. Then I
Roon Nucleus music server feeding into a MOON 780D got those subwoofers, and I could really hear the bottom
DAC and 740P preamplifier, then into MOON 400M end of the horns. But the thing that was most surprising
monoblock amps, which power Bower & Wilkins 802 to me was speaker cable. Scott told me that it’s not going
D3 floorstanding speakers. A pair of REL S/5 SHO subs to be subtle, it’s going to be night and day. So I got the
provide deep bass. For home theater, there’s a McIntosh AudioQuest William Tell speaker cables. This was a big
MX122 surround processor, Proceed amplifiers, a B&W investment and man alive, between that and the amps,
center channel, in-wall side surrounds and 805 D3 rear I felt like there was something in between me and the
surrounds, plus a JVC 4K projector with 110-inch screen music, like a thin sheet, that just literally got removed. The
for the video. soundstage opened up so much. The preamplifier, all the
amplifiers, one by one I ended up replacing every single
The beauty of this configuration is that the two-channel piece of equipment, and it just works and sounds great.
signal path is completely separate from the surround side, On a weekend I’ll do three-hour sessions where I just
so Gary and his family can enjoy audiophile-grade stereo couldn’t be happier in that chair.”
and a stunning home theater with no sonic compromises.

“When we replaced the Bring the family
amplifiers, the sound went
from two dimensional to Gary’s wife Heidi and their daughters love the system, too.
three dimensional.” “I have two little girls and it’s been a bonding experience,”
Gary says. “We’ll go down there, and we’ll play the game
where I pick a song, and then they pick a song, and it’s
funny, sometimes I’ll end up liking the songs that they
play, and they get exposed to old-school rock. My older
daughter now is in a rock band camp where she actually
plays guitar and so it’s funny — they really focus on classic
rock. It’s become a nice thing that we can share as a family
and then, of course, on the movie side, that becomes a nice
special event. They’re a big hit with their friends, as you
can imagine.”

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 63

64 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

The world’s first Bluetooth aptX HD turntable

The Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable is designed to be the one-stop solution for the
vinyl enthusiast. With Bluetooth aptX HD, it liberates your record player from your hi-fi
rack. You can place the Alva TT anywhere you like and wirelessly stream your music to
any Bluetooth receiver at up to 24-bit/48kHz hi-res sound quality, which means you’re
guaranteed an authentic vinyl experience wherever it’s placed. The Alva TT also features
a direct drive motor for superb pitch stability and an integrated phono stage with a high
output moving coil cartridge pre-installed. No set up required.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA TT WIRELESS TURNTABLE $1,699

A new versatile phono stage from Chord

The new Chord Huei is based on Chord Electronic’s high end,
award-winning Symphonic phono stage. The Huei works with
moving coil and moving magnet cartridges and offers
adjustable gain and loading, ensuring outstanding sonic
performance with a wide range of cartridges. Utilizing the
same casework and front-mounted buttons as Chord’s
Qutest DAC, the Huei offers fantastic ease of use —
especialy for listeners who like to experiment with the gain
and loading settings. Huei features Chord’s first ultra-
low-noise microprocessor that controls its main features
including a convenient memory function. Huei also has RCA and
balanced outputs, eight-step user adjustable gain, 47k Ohms MM
impedance, 12-step user selectable MC impedance from 30-47k
Ohms and a rumble filter.

CHORD HUEI PHONO STAGE $1,495

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 65

The Kirmuss Audio KA-RC-1 revolutionizes
the way to clean and restore your records

After five years of extensive research and that, while playing a new record, the needle
trials, audiophile and business owner Charles picks up dirt, dust and contaminants during
Kirmuss developed an affordable and simple- the first play, revealed by a white fluff or
to-use RECORD CLEANING AND RESTORATION material on the needle. As the record plays,
SYSTEM based on researching the record a duller sound becomes more prominent.
making process and the environments that In our process we remove the release agent
records are stored in. and offer a minimum 1.3 dB increase in
signal over the floor from the cartridge in
ListenUp: What is the difference between record to attract the plasma wave created a new pressing. It’s this release agent that
your system and other record cleaners? by the ultrasonic cavitation to remove first sees contaminants captured in both new
KIRMUSS: First of all, we’re not just a the coating and films left over from prior and old records. We can go back in time 50
surface-cleaning system. Most processes cleanings, then the release agent. We years and give new breath to first pressings.
use a cleaning agent applied to the record’s restore the record to “better than original.” I personally like to buy used records from
surface, which is then air- or vacuum- This means that in our process we first garage and estate sales. In most cases we
dried. With these methods, residue is left remove films left over from prior cleanings can rejuvenate them!
on the surface from the cleaning agent that from air dry or vacuum systems, then we
was used. You might assume a record was remove the contaminants in the grooves, ListenUp: Can older scratched records be
cleaned when you no longer hear some of then the release agent and micro-welded made to sound like new?
the clicks and pops, but we’ve discovered dust and dirt particles. The result is a gain of KIRMUSS: Before we came onto the scene
that in most cases the dirt and dust particles between 1.3 and nearly 5 dB over the noise two years ago, there was little mention of
captured in the grooves, plus the release floor, depending on the condition release agent. We’ve been able to measure it
agent, are still there — the needle is now just of the record. with our 2D/3D microscope. In developing our
riding “higher” and doesn’t make contact process, we discovered that once surface and
with the full groove! So you basically have ListenUp: Do new records benefit groove contaminants and the release agent
a false sense of security. Many vacuum from your process? have been removed, the needle makes better
systems are also problematic, as they KIRMUSS: Indeed, we’ve noted over the last contact with the groove. After now restoring
introduce static onto the record by way of the two years where new pressings seem to have hundreds of records at many events and
moving air. more coating than before — something to do record fairs, we’ve noted many instances in
with their process and PVC mix. The German which we no longer heard a “skid” mark left
Our system is much better. The patents pressings are the best. To support from a tonearm travelling across the record
issued and pending on our system are based our observation, many audiophiles or the annoying clicks heard with every
on our discovery that records, whether they and record enthusiasts have noticed revolution of the record as a result of our
were pressed last week or 40 years ago, process that lets the needle ride lower “in
all release an agent that comes up to the the pocket.”
surface during pressing of the vinyl. The
record in fact repels water, and surface
cleaning as just described doesn’t allow for
its removal. The heat of the record needle
micro-welds dust into the release agent and
creates those unwanted and bothersome
pops and clicks.

Our process changes the charge of the

This is a record cleaned by a manual clean Contaminants are removed using the Kirmuss Kirmuss Audio KA-RC-1 $970
process. Contaminants are still left in the Process. Notice also where the record groove
grooves. height is now at around 30 microns once the
release agent has also been removed
66 | ListenUp Source Book 2020 (36.7 microns before, 30.94 after).

VPI celebrates 40 years of analog magic

Mat Weisfeld, son of company founders Harry and Sheila Weisfeld, grew up at VPI. While he didn’t
originally plan on following this path, it became the love he didn’t realize he had (next to his wife
Jane). Mat has taken the strong foundation and VPI tradition created by his parents and has
continued to grow and improve the company with new technology, lean manufacturing and more.

ListenUp: What can you tell us about ListenUp: Where do you see the
your 40th anniversary special edition turntable business going in 2020
HW-40 turntable? and beyond?
WEISFELD: With our 40th anniversary, we WEISFELD: It’s funny how people
wanted to basically pay tribute to where VPI talk about “the vinyl resurgence.”
started, where we’ve gone and all that fun We’ve been seeing that for years.
stuff. And essentially my dad’s first turntable, “Wow, vinyl’s back.” But I’ve seen
a lot of people think it was the HW-19, but that headline for quite a while. When
it was actually the HW-9. The HW-9 was I was in high school, 16 or 17 years
an isolation base made for the old Denon ago, I remember an article came
direct-drive motors. And Harry started out in the New York Times, “Vinyl
making it. He was one of those crazy guys resurgence, it’s back baby!” So it
that comes over and says, “Hey, I’m making seems like it’s always been coming
something in my basement that I think you’ll back, but to us it’s never left.
really like,” except in this case it actually
worked! I don’t know the exact story, but VPI started 40 years ago. It was my
essentially the rep from Denon met my dad mom, my dad, our worker, this guy
and was like, “This is amazing. We want to Leo, and my grandma. That was
use it.” Denon showed it at CES, using this VPI. Now here we are years later
guy from Brooklyn’s isolation base HW-9, and we have between 10 and 15
and it worked out beautifully. people depending upon the time of the year.
And then, as far as manufacturing, we have
The first VPI table was a direct-drive motor, over 100 people working on VPI products
isolation base and a gimbal tonearm with in general, as far as the woodworker, the
hinged dust cover. That’s why for the machine shop, the sheet metal shop,
HW-40, we wanted to do the same concept, the 3D printers, all of that. So just
but this time with our own direct-drive from the growth in that sense, we
motor, our own gimbal tonearm, dust cover, see vinyl still going strong in 2020.
isolation base, all that stuff. Just to show the
technology and how far we’ve come as
a company.

ListenUp: What are the benefits of a
direct-drive turntable?
WEISFELD: Because the direct-drive is dead
accurate on the speed, you get that natural
reproduction of the recording. In our case, it’s
dead quiet because of how we engineered it.
It’s as musical as can be, it’s dead quiet, it
sounds natural, and when you hear it, you’re
just like, “Wow, it’s like I’m listening to a
master tape over here.”

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 67

OUR MOST POPULAR TURNTABLE LINE

Pro-Ject Audio Systems was founded by one of
Austria’s leading high end audio distributors,
Heinz Lichtenegger, in early 1990. A genuine music
lover, Heinz challenged the common “cost-no-
object” approach to analog audio equipment by
manufacturing turntables, tonearms and accessories
at a reasonable price without compromising build
quality or sonic performance.

Affordable analog performance

The T1 Phono SB is from Pro-Ject’s new T-Line, which aims
to deliver true high fidelity sound on a limited budget. With

premium materials, stylish aesthetics and a rich, lively
sound, there’s been no compromise in the sound
performance when achieving such an affordable price.

Pro-Ject uses no plastic parts and allows no hollow
spaces inside, which helps to avoid unwanted vibrations
within the chassis. The T1 Phono SB includes a built-in,
Pro-Ject designed MM phono stage, electronic speed switch
between 33 and 45 RPM, and a factory-mounted Ortofon OM5e
cartridge. Available in High Gloss Black, Satin White and
Walnut finishes.

PRO JECT T1 PHONO SB TURNTABLE WITH CARTRIDGE $399

There’s plenty to admire about the Pro-Ject T1,

“ ”including a healthy dollop of bass.
–What Hi-Fi?

68 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

The perfect step up from AUDIO SYSTEMS
Pro-Ject’s entry-level models

Continuing the tradition Pro-Ject began with its legendary
P1 model back in 1991, the new X1 eschews unnecessary
features to concentrate on one thing: superior sound. The
rigid 8.6-inch carbon/aluminum tonearm features a four-point
precision bearing and aluminum base with azimuth and VTA
adjustment, all of which enable precision tracking. The
dense, anti-resonant MDF chassis and height-adjustable
aluminum/TPE feet dramatically reduce performance-
damaging resonance. The X1 comes with a factory-mounted
Ortofon Pick-It S2 MM phono cartridge for highly dynamic and
full sound. Available in High Gloss Black, High Gloss White and
Satin Walnut finishes.

PRO JECT X1 TURNTABLE WITH CARTRIDGE $899

A killer streaming stack

Pro-Ject’s Stream Box S2 Ultra is the first audio component of its kind:
A universal device that puts any USB-equipped DAC onto your home network
and allows it to perform a high performance music streamer. It offers built-
in support for popular music services such as TIDAL, Qobuz and Spotify, and
because it acts as a bridge sending all files directly to your DAC, there are no
file compatibility issues. Pro-Ject also designed it to be a USB detox device that
cleans up the noisy signal from your computer.

Control is easy and intuitive via your smart device, a computer or Pro-Ject’s
new remote-control app. Two USB inputs let you hook up an external hard drive
and enjoy high resolution sound up to DSD256 or 32-bit/352.8kHz.

PRO JECT STREAM BOX S2 ULTRA MEDIA STREAMER $849

DAC Box S2+ comes fully equipped for the highest demands of the modern
audiophile. It supports playback for PCM files up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD
decoding up to DSD256. Three digital inputs (USB B, optical and S/PDIF)
ensure connection to any source available, and all offer support for high
resolution files up to 24bit/192kHz. Unwanted noise coming in through USB is
double filtered and reduced to a level where it can’t affect audio. The gorgeous
new aluminum/metal casing protects against vibration and interference.

PRO JECT DAC BOX S2+ D/A CONVERTER $249

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 69

Simple design with functional beauty

The SL-1500C features a built-in phono equalizer and bundled cartridge, making it easy to link with a wide
range of audio equipment. It sports a simple design without unnecessary frills, while retaining the superb
operating feel that is a Technics tradition. The technologies in its single-rotor, coreless direct-drive motor
are derived from Technics’ top-of-the-line models, while the aluminum die-cast chassis is rigidly integrated
with a special material consisting of ABS mixed with glass fiber for a two-layer construction.

The tonearm is a static-balance universal S-shape design, another Technics tradition. The high precision
bearing uses the same gimbal suspension construction and machined housing as the SL-1200 Series to
achieve high initial sensitivity. Reliability has been improved by incorporating a removable power cable and
gold-plated terminals. Comes with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and is available in silver and black.

TECHNICS SL 1500C DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE SYSTEM W/ PHONO EQUALIZER AND CARTRIDGE $1,199

A legend returns

Winner of the “Product of the Year Award” from The Absolute Sound,
Grand Class SL-1200G was developed for audiophiles looking to

rediscover and experience the uniquely warm sound quality of
analog vinyl. This turntable has been completely redesigned
while retaining elements of the original SL-1200 series that
made it so popular with music fans.
The newly designed twin-rotor, coreless direct-
drive motor eliminates “cogging” (minute speed
vibration and rotation irregularity). The turntable
has a three-layered construction with a rigidly
combined brass and aluminium die-cast platter and
a deadening rubber covering its entire rear surface
to eliminate unnecessary resonance and achieve
improved vibration damping. The 1200G’s tonearm uses

lightweight magnesium, which also has a high damping effect.

TECHNICS SL 1200G SILVER DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE SYSTEM $3,999
TECHNICS SL 1210G BLACK DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE SYSTEM $3,999

70 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

Continuing the legacy

While the SL-1200 remains the
bestselling Technics model ever, the
company’s original direct-drive turntables,
the SP-10 Series, still enjoy an almost cultlike
status among audio fans. Building upon this
impressive heritage, the SP10-R and SL-1000R
continue to provide a new reference point for modern
turntable technology.

The SP10-R includes a coreless direct-drive motor with coils on
both sides and high enough torque to drive the heavyweight platter with
ultimate sovereignty. The result is a stable rotation of 0.015 percent “wow
& flutter” or less — considered to be the measurement limit. The impressive
turntable platter features a 10-mm-thick brass weight, enhanced with tungsten
weights on the outer periphery. The control unit is separated from the main unit;
this and other noise-reduction measures enable the SP-10R to achieve the world’s best
signal/noise ratio. The Technics SL-1000R system adds an S-type universal tonearm with
a lightweight, high damping magnesium tonearm pipe.

TECHNICS SP10 R TURNTABLE $9,999
TECHNICS SL 1000 TURNTABLE SYSTEM $17,999

Award winning analog

The SL-1200G’s outstanding performance literally rocked
the hi-fi market and redefined the reference for direct-
drive turntables. The new, more affordable SL-1200GR
has inherited many parts from the SL-1200G, including
the coreless direct-drive motor and precise motor control
technology that eliminated the cogging that originated from
rotation irregularity, a low-vibration high rigidity platter and
a high sensitivity tonearm. By these measures, the level of
performance clearly outperforms the usual standards of its
class. The SL-1210GR is a black version of the SL-1200GR.

TECHNICS SL 1200GR DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE $1,699
TECHNICS SL 1210GR DIRECT DRIVE TURNTABLE $1,699

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 71

“ Throughout the review period, I was wowed by the MTI100’s
transparency and big, spacious sound — it made listening to
music an event. I also admired how McIntosh has conceived
”and executed this product. I can’t imagine easier set up.
–Soundstage

Just add your music and speakers

At first glance, the McIntosh MTI100 Integrated Turntable may look like it’s just a
turntable, but it’s so much more. It’s actually designed to be the heart of a modern hi-fi
system. Simply add speakers and you’re listening to your favorite
music. The MTI100 includes a tube preamplifier section, 50 watts-
per-channel amplifier, a shielded phono section, analog and digital
inputs as well as a dedicated subwoofer output. You can stream your
favorite music to the MTI100, thanks to its Bluetooth receiver. It even
has a headphone jack for personal listening. Operation is a snap,
thanks to its included remote control.

MCINTOSH MTI100 INTEGRATED TURNTABLE $6,500

Our customers love what we do!

“Dennis and Pat were very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. They installed 3 TV Brackets, 2 TV’s. The wiring
was very professional looking. They exceeded our expectations! We will not hesitate to have them back and recom-
mend to friends and family. Thank you Dennis & Pat for a great job.” -Cal H. from Denver “Matt is a fantastic tech.
He diagnosed our problem right away and got all the audio equipment sounding great. We love Listen Up and are so
lucky to have such a great shop that is locally owned. Scott sold us many of our pieces and he is so knowledgeable.”
-Isabel C. from Aurora “As always, Steve did an excellent job working on our home audio/control system! He was on
time and quickly diagnosed and fixed the problem! In addition, Andy the salesman from ListenUp in Boulder always
goes above and beyond to make sure that the customer is happy with the product! I highly recommend that anyone
looking for audiovisual or control systems to contact Listen Up!” -Tom Y. from Golden “Always great products,
information, and service from ListenUp, no matter who the service tech or salesperson is.” -Judy W. from Denver
“ListenUp was great. Great product selection and good prices. Their customer service is outstanding, Thanks Scott
Genaw for the great advice and support and thanks to the installers today, Mario. Had a Salamander Cabinet and Sony
TV installed and they did a great job. First time customer of ListenUp. Now lifetime customer.” -Scott C. from Denver
“Great prices on top hi-fi gear and their sales staff and install techs know what they are doing. Very professional
and satisfying experience.” -Stephen C. from Albuquerque

72 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

AudioQuest delivers legitimate
high-resolution sound from Smartphones

Since 1980, AudioQuest has been a leading developer,
manufacturer and distributor of high-performance audio/video
products and custom-install solutions. Although best known
for its comprehensive range of analog, digital and AC power
cables, the company has expanded its portfolio to offer a diverse
assortment of state-of-the-art products, including the
multi-award-winning DragonFly DACs, Lyra phono cartridges
and Niagara and PowerQuest power products. Most importantly,
all AudioQuest products, regardless of price, are designed to
deliver outstanding performance and exceptional value.

ListenUp spoke to DragonFly Designer, Gordon Rankin, and
AudioQuest’s Senior Director of Engineering, Garth Powell,
(next page) to learn about some of the company’s latest products.

Gordon Rankin

ListenUp: AudioQuest liberated hi-fi from to customer feedback and AudioQuest ran “ Thanks to the Cobalt, I heard
the listening room with the 2015 launch a comprehensive survey of its DragonFly legitimate high-resolution sound
of DragonFlys Black and Red — two USB customers. We wanted to gain insight
DACs that improve the sound quality of all
digital music files, from MP3 to MQA and into how our customers were using their with my iPhone 8 while streaming
high-res, whether connected to laptops DragonFlys. After we spent some time
or smartphones. Now, with the new analyzing the data, I proposed some ideas ”MQA files from Tidal.
flagship DragonFly Cobalt, AudioQuest has to AudioQuest’s Product Development –Steve Guttenberg, CNET
surpassed the performance of all previous team, and we decided to move in a certain
DragonFlys. What special challenges do
you face when attempting to improve upon direction. In this case, that direction was expensive. We knew it wouldn’t fit in the
products that have already been
so successful? toward a product that would be even more budget for Red, but it would absolutely work
RANKIN: Well, everything can be made
better, so I view the product development successful when used with mobile devices. with a new, more sophisticated product. The
cycle not really as a challenge but as an
opportunity for real improvement. After we internal workings, power usage and digital
released Black and Red, I listened closely
ListenUp: Were there certain technological filters of the ES9038 made it the perfect
DragonFly Cobalt $299.95 innovations that made Cobalt’s choice for Cobalt.

existence possible? Second, since compatibility with mobile

RANKIN: There were two main things. First, devices is integral to the DragonFly line, we
ESS released the ES9038 DAC chip. It’s a needed to identify a high speed USB processor
more advanced part, so it’s also a lot more that could sound great in our product and also
exhibited low power draw. That sort of power

efficiency ensures that DragonFly won’t drain

the host device’s battery and also improves

overall performance, especially when playing

hi-res files.

ListenUp: Besides designing DragonFly,
you’re also known for single-ended triode
amplifiers under the Wavelength Audio
brand. How does your work for Wavelength
inspire, influence or inform your work
for AudioQuest?

RANKIN: Tubes don’t work very well for
mobile products (ha!), but I can certainly
use Wavelength to try new platforms and
technologies that might be used in other
products I design. The front ends of those
make for the perfect testing platform.

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 73

AudioQuest brings power to the people

ListenUp: In creating the Niagara Series of scale and understanding which of many

of AC power products, you started with the advantageous technologies are most critical

flagship 7000—a no-holds-barred statement to a design that’s value-priced or must be

piece. More recently, AudioQuest introduced manufactured at scale.

the far more affordable PowerQuest 2 For any AC power product, the two core

($199.95) and PowerQuest 3 ($299.95), and principals are always performance (for the

now you’re expanding the Niagara Series audio/video system) and protection. For the

to include the Niagara 1200 ($999.95) latter, we are fortunate in that we’re able

and Niagara 3000 ($2,999.95). How does to provide non-sacrificial surge protection

designing a state-of-the-art flagship (i.e., set it and forget it — unlimited Joule

product inform the process of designing rating). This is a standard feature in our

“products that are aimed at wider markets? For audio/video performance, we
always listen to every circuit and
What elements (physical or ideological) are
shared between the Niagara 7000 and the ”every part we use.
PowerQuest products?

POWELL: The research that products from the PowerQuest 2 up through to offer superb performance at a high value
goes into a flagship product informs the Niagara 7000. The only difference is price. That requires manufacturing scale,
everything. It shows you the possibilities and the way in which the circuit affects audio and that means you have to use parts and
the boundaries. From there, you face the next performance: The further you advance up the manufacturing methods that aren’t so
round of discovering efficiencies, economy Niagara Series, the more transparent that laborious or tolerance critical.
circuit is to the unit’s overall performance.
The differences in manufacturing and
For audio/video performance, we always production between Niagara and PowerQuest
listen to every circuit and every part we are akin to those between the world’s
use. Even at the cost of a PowerQuest 2, costliest power amplifiers and premium-
many custom parts are brought to our quality audio/video receivers. The Niagara
assembly partners. Every detail counts. Series products are hand-built in small-scale
We never hand over a schematic. We never production by highly trained individuals.
allow stock or arbitrary parts to be used. While a Niagara product can utilize a part
We never rebadge. Obviously, the 70-plus that might have a 60-percent rejection rate
handmade custom and/or proprietary to meet our impossibly high standards,
parts used in the Niagara Series products that can’t be done for the PowerQuest
can’t necessarily be employed for the Series. The trick is to get as close as we
PowerQuest Series. PowerQuest is meant can, while employing reasonable parts and
manufacturing practices.

Top: PowerQuest 2 $299.95
Top right: Garth Powell
Bottom: Niagara 1200 $999.95
Opposite page: Niagara 3000 $2,999.95

74 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

ListenUp: Niagara 1200’s predecessor, the powered subwoofer. We wanted something to be a slightly smaller Niagara 5000.
Niagara 1000, received universal acclaim a bit beefier, and it had to be easier to It features the Level-X Linear filtering of
from press and public alike. Why did manufacture. We also required greater the Niagara 1200, but with greater isolation
AudioQuest decide to introduce the 1200? placement flexibility. We achieved all of these and performance via our patented Ground-
What did you learn from the 1000 and how goals. In fact, the new Niagara 1200 utilizes Noise Dissipation Technology, as well as
is that knowledge reflected in the 1200? the same circuit and parts, but by reducing over 55 amps peak of transient power
wire length by nearly half and tripling correction. That’s a current reservoir that
POWELL: Simply put, we discovered that the chassis mass, we actually improved can give even modest power amplifiers far
applying four discrete platings of dark performance — all while maintaining the greater performance — enhanced low-end
chrome and copper, mirror polished on a same price! extension, improved grip, better control —
cylinder, is a near impossibility. We simply by supplying their power supplies an ultra-
had to redesign the chassis. Once we were ListenUp: What distinguishes the 3000 from low AC source impedance and the peak
committed to that, we looked at what we other models in the Niagara Series? current required on-demand for even the
could have done had we started again. most severe audio transients.
POWELL: The Niagara 3000 is housed in a
We knew we required an additional 2-RU component chassis that measures 3.45 Learn more at audioquest.com.
AC outlet, and that it needed to be high inches tall by 17.5 inches wide and appears
current for an additional power amplifier or

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 75

LEGENDARY ANALOG FROM REGA

Roy Gandy launched Rega Research in 1973, and the British
company soon became revered for its high performance, high
value turntables. Rega’s mission is still to manufacture high
quality, specialized hi-fi components that are reliable, consistent
and sensibly priced.

Product of the Year 2016, 2017 and 2018

A three-time winner of the Product of the Year Award from
Britain’s What-HiFi? magazine, the Planar 3 features an
advanced RB330 tonearm — the culmination of more than
35 years of tonearm design experience. It’s comprised of a
re-engineered bearing housing and Rega’s latest tonearm
tube design using intelligent redistribution of mass to
ensure it exhibits fewer points of possible resonance. The
laminated high gloss acrylic plinth is stiffer and vastly
improved in appearance, and improved feet increase
stability and reduce vibration transfer.

REGA PLANAR 3 TURNTABLE $945

The new Planar 10 uses the most advanced materials
and engineering solutions to create the ultimate turntable

The new Planar 10 was developed and engineered to encapsulate the essence of the ultimate Rega turntable,
the Naiad, at a more affordable price. The Planar 10 narrows the gap between itself and the Naiad even further by
using more exotic materials, carefully selected to reduce mass and improve rigidity throughout the design. New
innovations in hub bearing, sub platter, motor and drive-belt design have led to even greater accuracy in turntable
speed, which directly improves sound performance.

The new RB3000 tonearm is fitted with an improved, low mass, precision
bias housing. There’s a completely new low mass, central hub bearing
assembly, as well, for improved mechanical integrity. A groundbreaking
ceramic top brace delivers ultimate rigidity and accuracy while creating
the perfect platform between tonearm and central bearing.

REGA PLANAR 10 TURNTABLE $5,695

76 | ListenUp Source Book

A thoroughly modern stereo receiver

You’ll enjoy network streaming and USB front-panel audio playback of MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC and DSD
(2.8/5.6MHz) files with this well-thought-out receiver. Featuring a custom discrete high current power
amplifier, symmetrical design and an OFC (oxygen-free copper) winding power transformer, the
DRA-800H delivers maximum performance and 100 watts of power per channel. It’s equipped with A/B
speaker terminals (with support for bi-wiring), dual subwoofer pre-outs, three digital and two analog inputs,
one phono (MM) input and ARC for TV audio.

DENON DRA 800H STEREO NETWORK RECEIVER $499

Rediscover your passion for vinyl

The new Denon DP-400 features a curved, horizontal-
tracking angled tonearm that lifts automatically and
stops the platter when it reaches the end of playback. The
weighted, belt-driven platter supports 33 rpm, 45 rpm
or 78 rpm records with precision. The integrated phono
equalizer creates an open, enveloping sound stage for your
albums with detailed, accurate reproduction. Includes MM
cartridge and supports MC cartridges. The removable dust
cover doubles as a display stand.
Also available is the DP-450USB, which includes an
integrated USB-A port to digitize your vinyl collection and
create quality recordings in MP3 or WAV file formats.

DENON DP 400 TURNTABLE $499
DENON DP 450USB TURNTABLE $599

Expand your sonic world

This impeccably designed and ruggedly constructed
Network Audio Player offers utmost precision for
high-resolution audio and music streaming. Use Wi-Fi
or Bluetooth to enjoy streaming music services like
SoundCloud, Spotify, Pandora and more. Enjoy gapless
playback of your high-resolution audio including
192kHz/24bit FLAC/WAV and DSD 2.8/5.6MHz
(the format used for SACD). Control is a breeze with
Amazon Alexa voice compatibility and HEOS built-in.

DENON DNP 800NE NETWORK AUDIO PLAYER WITH WI FI AND BLUETOOTH $599

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 77

“ ”In our view this (Node 2i) is simply the best sounding product of
its type you’ll get your hands on for less than half a grand.
–What Hi-Fi?

Your music. Your home. All in hi-res.

Getting the kind of crisp and detailed sound that only an audiophile-grade system can deliver
has never been easier. Bluesound is the award-winning wireless hi-res sound system that lets
you play music in any and every room throughout your home -- up to 64 zones!. Play music from
your favorite streaming service or from a music library connected to your home network. Control
everything with a free BluOS app for your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.

With advanced technologies derived from sister companies NAD Electronics and PSB Speakers,
the Bluesound lineup includes three different all-in-one speakers, two streaming devices (one
powered) that can bring the BluOS to your existing audio system, a wireless soundbar and sub for
your TV and a network hard drive/CD ripper/streamer.
Here are just some of the advantages of BluOS:
Voice: Bluesound now supports voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing
you to use your voice to explore music services, select presets, adjust volume levels, switch up
songs in different rooms, or even group your players together.
Apple Airplay 2: With Bluesound 2i, you can connect multiple players around the
house and have them communicate with each other through Apple AirPlay 2.
Certified by audiophiles: High resolution music tracks are either 24-bit/96kHz or
24-bit/192kHz and contain up to 6.5-times more data than standard CDs, letting you hear all the
detail of your favorite music in superior quality. With full support for hi-res audio on all Bluesound
players, you can stream uncompressed WAV, FLAC and ALAC music files over their existing Wi-Fi
network or a connected USB device.
Blazing-fast streaming: Bluesound players use an advanced Wi-Fi chipset technology that results
in much faster connection times and fewer interruptions from other network traffic.
Support for MQA: Built into every Bluesound player is a revolutionary end-to-end technology
known as Master Quality Authenticated (MQA), which captures and delivers master quality audio
from your favorite artists’ recording sessions and allows you to hear exactly what they recorded
and approved in the studio.

78 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

The buzz on Qobuz

Qobuz is a new streaming service that delivers the most hi-res audio titles available.
ListenUp recently spoke to Qobuz’s evangelist, David Solomon.

ListenUp: What’s new at Qobuz? ListenUp: How is the library of hi-res “I predict that at sometime in the
SOLOMON: There’s always something new titles? Do you feel like the record labels future, listening to compressed
at Qobuz and typically it’s the most important are really starting to support hi-res? mp3 music will be something
thing: Music. And more and more is being SOLOMON: Very much so. Most of the your parents did...”
delivered in hi-res. Millions of cuts are in labels are providing most or all of their
queue for ingestion, which helps with back content in hi-res. There are a few holdouts,
catalogs, but also ingesting all of the new but not many.
music released. We also released our new
Android app that will improve and enhance Sony Nashville just announced that they
mobile listening on the popular, albeit a will only supply hi-res. There’s no reason to
difficult and ever-changing, platform. believe this won’t be repeated many times
over. As more engineers are learning,
ListenUp: What sets it apart from other hi-res is well worth the extra effort and
streaming services? we’re seeing recordings and re-masters
SOLOMON: There are a plethora of good getting the attention they deserve.
music services, but few with the editorial
content found on Qobuz. Our tagline is “We As touched on before, we currently have
are the music lovers,” however, it’s not just about 14 million cuts that are being
a tagline. Since we were the first to believe processed as quickly as possible, but this
and invest in streaming hi-res content, does take time to do it correctly. It seems
Qobuz has the largest collection of hi-res you could just hook up the master tape
music in the world. This includes a lot of and do a transfer in a few days, but it’s not
obscure jazz and classical that others will nearly that simple and this queue could
have a hard time matching. easily take upwards of six months. By that
time, the supply line will keep pace with the
We also internally generate exclusive intake. We have a much larger library than
editorial that gives a deeper look into the we did when we launched and it will only
artists and the music they provide. We increase from here.
recognize the desire to dive deeper than
a song and we provide Qobuz subscribers At some point, most of the streaming
with liner notes and articles about music, services will all have near the same library.
and will continue to build this important It will then be a matter of sound quality,
database. We have artist features that are user interface and user preferences.
far beyond the common playlists found on
most streaming services. ListenUp: What impact does Amazon
Music offering hi-res have on the market?
Since the Qobuz experience is dependent SOLOMON: Amazon will radically impact
on hearing it, we support the audio industry streaming and the industry in a positive way.
from manufacturers to retail shops to They will have many subscribers, however,
audio shows. These are the companies that in many ways and in general, they’ll be
support Qobuz every time they play a cut. marketing for Qobuz. Through their sheer
They help bring this technology to normal size and reach, millions of people are now
consumers, so we feel that the better the aware that hi-res is a real thing and has
industry does, the better Qobuz does. the potential of sounding better. That small
statement will help the audio industry and
With everyone spreading the same stores like Listen Up because they can all
message, I predict that at sometime in show the differences that are so discernable.
the future, listening to compressed MP3
music will be something your parents did
when technology couldn’t deliver the best
experience. (How uncool were they?)

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 79

THE ULTIMATE
DIGITAL MUSIC SOURCE

Astell&Kern believes in the power of
music and in providing the original
sound without distortion. Astell&Kern
portable and home audio products
offer the exact presence with every
detail, bit for bit, exacty as it was
recorded. Experience music and let it
move you in a way like never before.

A&ultima SP2000 Copper & AK T9iE

A&norma sets the standard of KANN is a performance line A&ultima is the prestigious,
hi-fi audio for novice listeners that offers a complete all-around luxury line of players featuring
with powerful audio performance high resolution digital music solution with Astell&Kern’s state-of-the-art
massive power output and studio
at an affordable price. technology.
quality sound.

“ There’s no doubt about the pedigree of the products that
[Astell&Kern] produces and both the build quality and audio
”performance are exemplary.
- Forbes

80 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

Hi-Fi Standards Redefined

The SR15, the first model of A&norma, is the beginning point of the hi-fi audio
experience that allows you to enjoy the philosophy and technologies of Astell&Kern,
which receives accolades from audiophiles around the world. The SR15 features
a dual CS43198 MasterHiFi™ tier Cirrus Logic chipset, Quad-Core CPU for quick
performance, 64GB internal storage plus microSD card slot, and is WiFi and Bluetooth
enabled for easy streaming and connectivity
options, plus more! It has everything you need for
hi-res music enjoyment at home or on the go.

ASTELL&KERN A&NORMA SR15 $699

The Audio Powerhouse

KANN offers a powerful, high performance analog amplifier with up to 7Vrms that can drive
high-impedance headphones or low-impedance speakers without an additional amplifier. Focusing
on strong output and crystal clear sound, KANN offers an all-in-one solution for a powerful
on-the-go music playback solution. It is also equipped with dual SD card slots, up to 15 hours of
playback on a single charge, dedicated line out, and more, making it a truly versatile player.

ASTELL&KERN KANN $799

KANN CUBE, the second model introduced to the KANN line, has a newly designed powerful
amplifier and audio circuitry that’s strategically implemented to achieve massive power while
maintaining a very low noise floor. KANN CUBE is capable of driving the most power-hungry
headphones, with its whopping 12V of power. This feature-packed player is the most
powerful portable in the lineup and offers for the first time a dual implementation of
ESS ES9038PRO Sabre DACs, a 5-pin mini XLR output for easy connection to your home audio
system or speakers and more!

ASTELL&KERN KANN CUBE $1,499

Ultra Portable, Ultra Performance

The A&ultima SP2000 will take your music enjoyment to the next level. Milled out of a
solid block of either stainless steel or copper, it is the ultimate music player, artistically
crafted and beautifully designed with raw materials to complement its sound. It
features the latest technologies of Astell&Kern with a newly developed audio circuitry
and amplifier design which offers more power than before, as well as the newest DAC
technologies that provide mind-blowing audio quality. The SP2000 supports the highest
quality of music files and plays back bit-to-bit so you hear every detail from the recording.
It also offers 512GB of internal storage and expansion with a microSD card slot, plus with
dual band WiFi support, streaming music has never been this easy. Enjoy the ultimate
audio experience with the newest Astell&Kern flagship player, the SP2000.

ASTELL&KERN A&ULTIMA SP2000 $3,499

Streaming services now available:

Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer
7Digital, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Audiobooks by

Audible, bandcamp, DS Audio, Nugs.net, Onkyo
Music, Pandora, Sirius XM, SoundCloud, Spotify and more!

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 81

Liven things up with JBL’s Bluetooth party speakers

The PartyBox 300 is a powerful party speaker with JBL sound quality and vivid light effects. There’s a light
mode for every mood: Meter, Pulse and Party mode. Thanks to its rechargeable battery (with up to 18 hours of
play time) and 12V DC input (to plug into your car), you can bring the party everywhere. Just plug in your Mic
or Guitar and take the stage or stream your playlist via Bluetooth or from a USB stick. Connect two PartyBox
speakers wirelessly with the TWS feature or wired from one RCA output to another RCA input. Let’s get the
party started!

The PartyBox 1000 is an even more powerful party speaker with an exciting full panel light show. If you’re
a DJ that runs your gigs with an iPad (or tablet), this was designed specifically for you. The speaker is just shy
of 4 feet tall and will fill a small venue or home with rich, full sound. The Bass Boost enhances the low end for
those songs that need a little extra “oomph.” The whole speaker front contains LEDs that respond to the music,
which definitely helps set the mood. It also has a DJ pad on the top that’s pre-loaded with synths, keys, record
scratches, claps and air horns.

JBL PARTYBOX 300 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH PARTY SPEAKER WITH LIGHT EFFECTS $499.95

JBL PARTYBOX 1000 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH PARTY SPEAKER WITH LIGHT EFFECTS $1,199.95

Beautiful sound that speaks to you

Part of the CITATION Series of wireless multiroom speakers, Citation ONE
blends innovation in home audio entertainment with a sophisticated yet
compact design. Music lovers will love the room-filling sound and access
to over 300 music services and high definition streaming through built-
in Chromecast. The Google Assistant brings convenient voice control to
your Citation ONE for hands-free help around the home. Get answers,
play music, organize your day, control your smart home, enjoy your
entertainment and more, just with your voice!

HARMAN KARDON CITATION ONE WIRELESS MULTIROOM SPEAKER $229.95

82 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

Bold sound for every adventure

Take your tunes on the go with the powerful JBL Flip 5. This lightweight Bluetooth speaker goes
anywhere and in any weather — with its waterproof design, you can rock out to JBL’s signature sound
come rain or come shine. Pair two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together for stereo sound or
link multiple JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers to create a bigger party. The rechargeable battery
provides more than 12 hours of play time for your favorite music, and you can stand it vertically or
horizontally. Pick from your choice of 11 vibrant colors.

JBL FLIP 5 PORTABLE/WATERPROOF BLUETOOTH SPEAKER $119.95

Sound you can see

Pulse 4 delivers JBL signature sound in every direction
with its ingenious, 360-degree speaker array, and
it shines through the night with an amazing, high
resolution, 360-degree
LED lightshow. Bold, IPX7
waterproof design shines
bright and will keep the tunes
flowing for up to 12 hours
on a single charge. Tap the
JBL Connect App to change
the sound-responsive colors
and patterns and connect
with other JBL PartyBoost-
compatible speakers to make
your party epic.

JBL PULSE 4 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER $249.95

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 83

84 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

The benefits
of long-term
relationships

Ed and Sallie Daihl’s new home
near Castle Rock, Colorado,

sits with a breathtaking view overlooking Buffalo
Mountain and Devil’s Head lookout. It’s the couple’s
fifth home over a span of nearly 30 years for which
ListenUp senior sales consultant Kevin Russell has
designed an electronics system.

“Ed and Sallie are always great to work with,”
says Kevin. “On this job we ran into some
integration issues, as sometimes happens, but
because of our past relationship they knew we
would quickly resolve things.” Kevin owes much
of the project’s success to project manager Justyn
Born and the lead technicians, Matt Andreasen
and Nate Meyer.

Homeowner Ed Daihl, ListenUp’s Kevin Russell and Justyn Born

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 85

The system “The guys at ListenUp are experts in the
technology and what’s going on,” says Ed,
The retrofit is a complete Control4 controlled project with “and they come with technical solutions
whole-home Control4 lighting, Hunter Douglas shades, I never would have thought of.”
Control4 touch panels and door station, Bowers & Wilkins Everything’s under control
flush-mount loudspeakers (painted to match the ceiling) and
Control4 and Arcam amplification. REL Habitat subwoofers Control of the system is two-fold: A 10-inch touchpanel in
in white are hung on the wall behind the furniture for great the kitchen displays icons for audio/video, lighting, HVAC,
bass. Alexa voice control is also used throughout the home. Hunter Douglas shades and security. There’s also Alexa voice
There are two home theater areas with full surround sound — control. Everyday control is done by thinking of an action, like
one downstairs and one in Ed’s office. “Watch TV,” or “Listen to Pandora” — again either using the
physical Control4 remote, touchpanels or voice. This same
“One of my favorite parts of the system,” Ed says, “is that user-friendly control is consistent in all rooms of the home.
they mounted a 70-inch TV in my office along with
in-ceiling speakers. Rather than just having a little monitor
on my desk with the Mac Mini and keyboard, I use the big
screen TV as my computer monitor!”

The Daihl’s chose Samsung “The Frame” TVs for the
family room, master bedroom and the “mother-in-law”
suite. Each “Frame” is a fully functioning 4K TV when
turned on, and a piece of customizable artwork when
turned off.

All the heavy equipment lives in a main level closet in
a rack that’s easily serviceable, yet out of view. Kevin and
the team recommended PakEdge Routers with “Bakpak” to
monitor the network, with offline alerts and access to manage
the Daihl’s Access Network Ruckus wireless access points.
This configuration allows ListenUp to remotely fix most
network issues without an in-home service call.

86 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

Going the extra mile

“The guys at ListenUp are experts in the
technology and what’s going on,” says Ed, “and
they come with technical solutions I never would
have thought of. For example, we only have
two Apple TVs, but they’re now serving all five
different TVs with the video network…. Justyn
and Matt have become like part of the family.
I have Justyn’s cell number, and I’ll text him
on a Saturday thinking I’ll get a response on
Monday, but he gets back to me the same day.
At one point, one of the tablet controllers
failed, and I called to ask if it was still under
warranty. He said ‘Yes,’ came by and picked
up the old unit, took it down to the store, and
brought the new unit back. ListenUp knows how
to treat repeat customers…”

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 87

“ The Chord Mojo offers measured
performance that is superb for a
portable device, and would not be out
of place in a high priced conventional
”D/A processor. All I can say is Wow!
- John Atkinson, Stereophile

The reference portable headphone DAC will bring your music to life whether you use in-ear buds
or headphones. Simply connect Mojo to your smartphone
The Chord Mojo was designed for people who love music or computer, plug your headphones into Mojo, and press
and want to get the very best sound possible from their Play. You’ll experience crystal clear audio the way you’d
headphones. Whether you use a smartphone, portable hear it in the recording studio. The Chord Mojo will play
music player or computer, Mojo will dramatically improve any audio file available. Thanks to the very latest battery
its sound. Unlike its competitors, Mojo doesn’t use an technology, Mojo is able to fully charge in four hours and
ordinary off-the-shelf DAC chip. Instead, it uses Chord’s will give eight to ten hours of continuous use.
own proprietary FPGA DAC. This means Mojo offers
significantly higher resolution and a stunning sonic clarity CHORD MOJO PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER DAC $399
that other products simply cannot match. Also inside
Mojo is a massively powerful headphone amplifier that

A different approach to the digital-to-analog converter

To reproduce a true sense of realism, a hi-fi needs to communicate variations in
instrument timbre, space, dynamics, pace and rhythm. The only way to achieve this
is through absolute transparency. Most hi-fi digital-to-analog converters contain
mass-produced chips that are no bigger than a fingernail and are engineered
to meet a price. As a result, these DACs don’t always deliver the excitement of
the original recording. To achieve better performance, Chord designs its own
proprietary digital-to-analog circuits that deliver 30 times less noise and 300 times
better distortion specs than the best available DAC chips. While the Chord Qutest is
one of the most affordable DACs in its line, it incorporates more processing power
than off-the-shelf DAC chips to deliver the dynamics, rhythm and pace of the
original musical performance.

CHORD QUTEST DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER $1,695

88 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 89

LLIISSTTEENNUUPP DDEELLIIVVEERRSS SSMMAARRTT HHOOMMEE
SSOOLLUUTTIIOONNSS FFOORR SSAADDDDLLEETTRREEEE HHOOMMEESS

Highly regarded Colorado Springs/Monument builder, Saddletree Homes has partnered with ListenUp
to provide its home buyers with simple solutions for today’s advanced home electronics. Each home begins with
basic home automation infrastructure, which can be custom-tailored and expanded to fit the needs of the client.
Examine the possibilities

One of Saddletree’s model homes located in the development of
Sanctuary Pointe shows prospective clients what’s available in terms of
design and features, including home electronics. ListenUp has outfitted
it with multiple zones of distributed audio/video, plus advanced lighting,
climate, and security system controlled through wall-mounted Control4
touchpads and keypads. You can virtually control the whole home from a
keypad or your mobile device.

Commitment to quality

Kelley Barcus, owner of Saddletree Homes, explains the value of the
partnership with ListenUp. At Saddletree, we pride ourselves on keeping
up with new trends and new technologies in the construction industry.
ListenUp shares our passion for low volt trends and technologies
coupled with fabulous customer service and support. We know they will
take great care of our clients and help them understand what is
available to them. Our Clients are pleased when working with ListenUp!

9900 || LLiisstteennUUpp SSoouurrccee BBooookk 22002200

WALL
MOUNT

for Sonos One™,
Play:1®, Play:3®

SOUNDBAR
MOUNT

for Sonos Beam™

Achieve Placement Perfection
with your Sonos® Home Sound System

The new SANUS line of wireless speaker stands, mounts and accessories designed
for Sonos allow you to bring optimum sound experiences into any room.

WIRELESS OUTLET
SPEAKER STANDS SHELF

for Sonos One™, Play:1®, Play:3®, Play:5® for Sonos One™,
Play:1®, Boost®

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 91

WE HAVE THE BEST
TRAINED TECHNICAL
STAFF IN THE COUNTRY!

“ListenUp has At ListenUp, we place a strong emphasis on hiring and retaining the best technical
the highest support staff in the industry. Over 35 percent of our employees are in technical
positions, and nearly all are certified at various levels by CEDIA, AVIX and other groups.
concentration of
ESCD-certified The highest level of CEDIA certification
CEDIA, founded in 1989, is the international association for home technology
technicians under one professionals. It provides the custom integration industry with education, certification,
company in the U.S.” research and standardization. CEDIA is also a resource for consumers to turn to when
choosing a home integration professional. Hiring a CEDIA Certified professional is your
guarantee of the best expertise and service in home technology integration.

Focused on schematics and drawings, budgets, and programming, the Electronic
Systems Certified Designer (ESC-D) designation is CEDIA’s highest level of
certification. As of 2018, we have 12 Electronic Systems Certified Designers on staff.
According to David Whitney, CEDIA’s Manager of Certifications, “ListenUp has the
highest concentration of ESC-D certified technicians under one company in the U.S.”
We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishment.

Most of our othertechnicians have attained other levels of CEDIA certification,
including Electronic Systems Certified Technician (ESC-T), which signifies mastery in
rough-in, trim-out, integrated control systems, retrofit, system verification and testing.
Electronic Systems Certified Networking Specialist (ESC-N) indicates proficiency with

wireless home networking, including advanced networking techniques
such as VLANS, QoS, and remote access.

AVIXA certification for commercial technicians
AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated
Experience Association, producer of InfoComm
trade shows around the world and the
international trade association representing the
audiovisual industry. Its rigorous certification
program sets the gold-standard for
commercial installations. Certified Technology Specialist™ holders at all
levels of certification (Certified Technology Specialist, Certified Technology
Specialist – Design, and Certified Technology Specialist – Installation)
have demonstrated audiovisual knowledge and/or skills. Certified
individuals adhere to the CTS Code of Ethics and Conduct and maintain
their status through continued education. All our Commercial Division
techs have a level of CTS certification.

Manufacturer certifications, too
In addition to trade organizations, some manufacturers dealing with complex technologies
offer their own ongoing certification programs. We have engineers and technicians
on staff who maintain these advanced credentials, including Creston Certified
Programmers, Cisco Certified Network Associates and more.

Hats off to our stellar technical staff for continuing the training that allows them to
offer the best service and solutions possible.

92 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 93

DAN CLARK AUDIO
CALIFORNIA SOUND FOR YOUR EARS

Dan Clark Audio, formerly Mr Speakers, is a headphone
company dedicated to bringing California innovation and smart
industrial design to customers who expect high performance,
reliability, comfort and great value. All Dan Clark Audio
headphones are designed and manufactured in San Diego,
California, using proprietary parts.

Put the pedal to the metal

With V-Planar driver technology, exceptional comfort and fresh sound,
Mr Speakers’ original ETHER headphones caused quite a stir. Two years
ago they released ETHER Flow, which added TrueFlow™ technology to
the motor to deliver a more organic and nuanced sound. Now they’ve
introduced their latest model, ETHER 2.

ETHER 2 is all metal and carbon fiber for ultimate sound quality and
durability. Yet it’s really light, weighing in at a little over 10 ounces.
With an entirely new motor optimized around TrueFlow technology,
ETHER 2 realizes major improvements in linearity, dynamics and detail.
And to make the most of the increased resolution of the motor, there’s
an all-new diaphragm that’s 60 percent lighter than the original.

DAN CLARK AUDIO ETHER 2 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES $2,199

Go with the Flow

The new Aeon 2 features a colossal performance upgrade.
Dan and his team took what they learned designing the most
awarded planer headphone in the market last year, Ether 2,
and completely redesigned the driver from the ground up for
the new Aeon 2.
New features include:
• Updated driver structure flipped 180 degrees, removing

magnet and flow structures from the direct signal
path of the ear
• Streamlined flow elements converted to a single
construction, removing gaps
• Higher precision machined flow structures vs.
injection molding
• Superior driver damping by developing new materials resulting
in improved resolution and frequency response
The sum of all these innovations is a headphone that resolves music on an
emotional level unheard of at this price point: visceral bass, transparent mids, and detail up top
that is complementary not fatiguing.
The new AEON 2 features a folding gimbal system, which makes them more compact and portable.
Full-sized headphones have never sounded so good yet packed so small!

DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2 FLOW CLOSED BACK PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES $899
DAN CLARK AUDIO AEON 2 FLOW OPEN BACK PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES $899

94 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

ListenUp interviews Dan Clark, founder of Dan Clark Audio

ListenUp: Tell us a little bit about your exceptional control over the performance and Beyond this, in the AEON 2 Series, the
background and how you got into the quality of the products we sell, and is part of measured response of the open and closed
headphone business. how we maintain a service rate of less than headphones is the closest we’ve ever been
CLARK: I have been fascinated by audio since 1 percent on our headphones. able to realize.
I was a kid playing air-guitar to The Beatles
while listening on my father’s McIntosh and In addition to this, we’ve focused very
Wharfdale system. I worked in high end audio heavily on weight and comfort for our
retail while I was in high school and college, products. Our goal is to ensure every
selling and also modifying gear. I received an headphone is comfortable enough to enjoy
engineering degree with a focus on electrical for extended listening sessions without
engineering, and also an MBA. I started discomfort, as a sore head, ears or neck can
working as “Mr Speakers” after I founded suck the pleasure out of listening to music.
a loudspeaker design consultancy for high
end audio companies, releasing numerous ListenUp: Your headphones are available
products, including the popular Platinum in closed and open back models. What can
Audio Reference and Studio a listener expect to hear between the two
Series 2 speakers. designs?
CLARK: We strive to keep the voicing of our
I took a break from audio after my open and closed headphones close enough
daughter was born, only to re-enter the to be obvious “relatives,” but as one would
industry in 2012 to launch the Mr Speakers expect, open and closed headphones will
headphone line. always have some differences. In general, we
find the following:
ListenUp: What sets your designs apart?
CLARK: For starters, all our headphones are 1) Open headphones will deliver a larger
designed, built and tested in San Diego, USA. soundstage, though it’s worth noting our
Every part in our headphones is designed closed headphones have received accolades
by us, for us. We use no off-the-shelf for sounding remarkably open and spacious.
drivers or parts (other than screws) in any
of our designs. This allows us to maintain 2) The open headphones typically have a
slightly warmer lower midrange.

Experience the next level of silence

See what happens when it’s just you and your music. The WH-1000XM3 headphones
feature Sony’s most advanced noise canceling technology, with close-fitting ear pads and
the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 that cuts more outside sound than ever before.
Adaptive Sound Control automatically detects your activity, such as traveling, walking or
waiting, then adjusts ambient sound settings to your preference. And, with quick attention
mode you can, you can communicate without removing your headphones — simply place
your hand over the housing to turn the volume down for instant conversation.

SONY WH 1000XM3 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES $349.99

ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 95

96 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

BOWERS & WILKINS HEADPHONES
THE PUREST LISTEN

Bowers & Wilkins have introduced a new range of headphones
that bring the same sound behind the company’s 800 Series
Diamond Speakers used in Abbey Road Studios. The new series
includes over-ear, on-ear and in-ear designs.

Just the music — No noise

The new Bowers & Wilkins PX 5 and PX 7 headphones use advanced
noise canceling so that wherever you are, from an airplane to Grand
Central Station, all you hear is your music. And both models use
intuitive commands to control them. Lift an ear cup to hear what’s
happening around you and the music automatically stops. Put it back
on and the music plays on. The PX 5 is an over-ear design with 35mm
drivers and has 25 hours of battery life, while the PX 7 features larger
custom-designed 43mm drivers and 30 hours of playback. The PX 7 is
available in Space Grey and Silver, while the PX 5 comes in
Space Grey and Blue colors.

BOWERS & WILKINS PX 5 WIRELESS ON EAR

HEADPHONES $299

BOWERS & WILKINS PX 7 OVER EAR

WIRELESS HEADPHONES $399

Bowers & Wilkins sound on the go Above: Bowers & Wilkins PX 5
Top: Bowers & Wilkins PX 7
Experience music like no other in-ear headphone
thanks to a new custom design by Bowers & ListenUp Source Book 2020 | 97
Wilkins. The PI 3 wireless in-ear headphones
deliver big sound from a small headphone. This
in-ear model features separate drivers and
amplifiers to deliver crisp highs and dramatic bass
for full, forceful sound. The latest aptX Bluetooth
codec gives you pure, unmatched audio whether
you’re moving or standing still, and there’s enough
battery life for eight hours of musical enjoyment.
The PI 3 comes in Space Grey, Gold and Blue.

BOWERS & WILKINS PI 3 WIRELESS IN EAR

HEADPHONES $199

PLANAR TECHNOLOGY
MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Audeze headphones feature proprietary planar magnetic
designs with extremely thin film driver materials and
powerful custom magnets. Planars overcome many
limitations inherent in typical cone drivers. These lightweight
diaphragms — the result of materials originally developed
for NASA — are faster and more responsive than heavier
moving-coil or dome drivers.

Superior resolution and refined acoustical tuning

Featuring the sublime design of Audeze’s flagship in-ear model, together with the
low impedance of the iSINE Series, the brand-new LCDi3 has massive dynamic
range and can push up to 130dB with zero audible distortion for a true audiophile
experience. The proprietary DSP optimizes the signal for the highest quality sound.
Featuring new Ear Fins designed to provide a secure fit for ears of all shapes
and sizes, the LCDi3 comes with CIPHER Lightning Cable, CIPHER Bluetooth 5.0
Module and 3.5mm cable.

AUDEZE LCDI3 HIGH PERFORMANCE IN EAR HEADPHONES $899

Your own personal surround sound

Audeze partnered with Waves, GRAMMY® award-winning developer of audio DSP
technologies, to fuse its groundbreaking NX technology into Mobius, the first
headset ever created to provide a truly believable and fully immersive surround
sound listening experience. Mobius is powered by Audeze Planar Magnetic drivers,
internationally acclaimed for their superior sound quality. Experience a level of
depth and realism in your game audio that no other gaming headset can even hope
to match. Available in Carbon and Copper.

AUDEZE MOBIUS OVER EAR HEADPHONES $399

Audeze’s most affordable Reference Series model

The LCD-X was the first Audeze headphone designed specifically with
the needs of music creators in mind. Boasting the series’ most neutral
drivers, the LCD-X reveals even minute details with crystal-clear
transparency to ensure that your mix translates seamlessly across any
speaker system. These drivers are among the most efficient Audeze has
ever produced, making them a perfect companion to your existing setup
no matter if you’re working in a professional studio, on the road or out of
your bedroom. Available in leather and leather-free versions.

AUDEZE LCD X REFERENCE OVER EAR HEADPHONES $1,199

(CURATOR PACKAGE)

98 | ListenUp Source Book 2020

BR ACE YOURSELF.

130 Watts RMS • AMT Tweeter • 5.25” Aluminum Concave Cone • Class D Amp • Bluetooth with Qualcomm apt X HD
RCA Line • RCA Phono • USB DAC • Optical TOSLINK • Sub–out • USB Charge • Headphone Jack
kantoaudio.com

POWERFUL SOUND. VOICE, TOO.

The latest Bose family of smart speakers and soundbars
share a sleek, modern aesthetic, while working seamlessly
together anywhere in the home. You can even listen to different
music in different rooms. Remove the frustration of adding
and programming new units with easy set up, integration and
control. With the Google Assistant and Alexa built in, you can
control your music, get information, manage your day and so
much more. Apple AirPlay 2 is also now supported.

Music. Any way you want it. Smart. Portable. Powerful.

The Bose Home Speaker 300 brings room-rocking bass and The Bose Portable Home Speaker is a wireless home
360-degree lifelike sound to a space-saving size. The Bose Home speaker, a portable Bluetooth® speaker and a voice-
Speaker 500 is a larger stereo model with the widest sound of any controlled speaker, all in one. Around the house, you can
smart speaker, plus an LCD screen to show you what’s playing. move it from room to room — and when you leave home, you
can take it with you. Anywhere with Wi-Fi®, you can control it
With built-in voice control from the Google Assistant and Amazon with your voice via the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and
Alexa, you can access unlimited entertainment options at the tip stream music directly from the cloud. Outside Wi-Fi range,
of your tongue, or use Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi® capability to simply you can control it like any other portable speaker with your
control all of your family’s songs, playlists and more with one touch mobile phone or tablet via Bluetooth and listen to anything
of the Bose app from your phone or tablet. you can play on your device. And no matter what you listen
• Experience superior voice pickup with built-in Alexa and the to or where you listen to it, you’ll hear it all in 360 degrees
of astonishing Bose sound. It’s the home speaker you won’t
Google Assistant from a custom-designed eight-microphone want to leave home without.
array that hears you clearly over loud music.
• Three easy ways to manage control anywhere in your home: BOSE PORTABLE HOME SPEAKER $349.95
Voice, a quick tap to control or the Bose Music app.
• Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility.
Available in Luxe Silver or Triple Black.

BOSE HOME SPEAKER 300 $259.95
BOSE HOME SPEAKER 500 $399.95

100 | ListenUp Source Book 2020