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decoder
vermeer audio two
Reference price: 148,000 yuan
With the new generation of play, in recent years, audiophiles prefer to have multiple sets of sound systems at the same time, including headphone systems, home audio and video systems, computer audio systems, etc. Have seen this, a high-quality decoder has become the backbone of the sound system, constituting the most important part of good sound, to talk about cost performance on equipment priced at more than 100,000 yuan, it may be an unrealistic thing, but since so much money has been spent, audiophiles hope to get a "no compromise" program, in 2016, I found the vermeer audio two universal control center, a very good pure decoder. Vermeer audio inherits the technology of the French hi-end brand audio aero, and successfully creates a model with sound quality that can be close to the top CD/sacd turntable la source (priced at 210,000), but the price is much cheaper.
In addition to being an excellent decoder, two can also be used as a high-level pre-stage, the quality is comparable to a nearly 100,000 independent pre-level, coupled with a support for dsd USB interface, network interface, singing interface, a full range of digital inputs and multiple sets of analog input and output, is a rare multi-talented and outstanding sound quality decoder on the market. (Recommended by Tan Yongjun)
dangerous music convert 2
Reference price: 25,000 yuan
First of all, you don't have to worry that this convert 2 will provide you with a bunch of weird interfaces, and look behind the fuselage! Aes/pdif, USB, etc., also provide a world clock (bnc) interface, you can also call out their names more easily, at least it looks very familiar. At the same time, the front panel of the convert 2 is not as complicated as the common professional equipment, just a few toggle switches and an output volume control knob.
Secondly, the internal material and workmanship of convert 2 is also very elaborate, convert 2 uses an ad1955 chip, although the dancerous music officially claims that the conversion 2 only supports the highest 24bit 192khz specifications, but in fact, the ad1955 chip is able to handle 32bit/192khz high-specification audio signals (need to use usb input, windows system needs third-party driver support, Mac system can be directly output), is a hidden Easter egg; at the same time, the volume control potentiometer of convert 2, actually a German ab potentiometer, seems to be a custom product, whether it is performance or quality are guaranteed. (Recommended by Tang Yixiao)
audio alchemy ddp-1 (pre-decoder)
Reference price: 15,000 yuan
A full set of digital interfaces, with its own pre-stage and headphone output, basically a machine can undertake the work of the entire audio core, whether it is with headphones or source speakers, can quickly and miniaturize the formation of a very good sound quality system. In order to test its strength, the author put ddp-1 into the high-end speaker system, and the use of its own pre-stage, in the state of the original power supply, the analysis and quality is still very prominent advantages, dynamic is also good, the speed is more moderate. Although the overall sound is not fried, but the center of gravity is slightly higher, and the high frequency is slightly protruding, but it has an official upgrade power supply dp-5, which can be used together to solve the above problems well and obtain a more balanced and full effect. Considering the convenience of the front level, with the active speaker will have a particularly good use of the feeling, while more convenient, the author also with rar several high-end products, the effect is not bad, placed on the desktop is very eye-catching. (Recommended by Huang Lei)
aqua voice s2
Reference price: 23,800 yuan
La voce s2 digital input is slightly less than la scala, but it is still very feverish, according to the manufacturer, la voce decoder is still r2r structure decoding, with two pcm1704 chips, one piece per channel, to ensure excellent resolution, analog output part is not used tube. In terms of power supply, the analog part and the digital circuit are separated by two ring cattle power supply, which is also a very feverish design. Another aqua-exclusive approach is the so-called dfd (direct from decoder) design, which eliminates the need for digital filter circuitry and, according to manufacturers, can obtain more transparent and accurate sound.
One of the things that impressed me most about the la voce decoder was its very transparent sound base. Many people may think that the Italian pie rhyme machine, the sound base may not be very clean and transparent, a little "paste", but in fact, the sound base of la voce is very transparent, and the changes in the front end are also keenly reflected. From the perspective of sound balance, la voce is a machine with a slightly light and transparent sound, and the low frequency of the lower disc has a slightly thinner sense of strength and energy. Described in this way, some people may understand that its high-frequency energy is prominent, high-frequency is bright, and it is interesting that its high frequency is not bright, and the sound is always very durable. It can even be said that the elegance and durability of the sound is one of its outstanding features. The pressure of sound is extremely small, and some people have very little so-called "digital taste" that their ears are sensitive to and hate, and they can listen for hours in a row with great ease and stress without fatigue.
Compared with the main high-end model la scala of aqua, la voce is slightly weaker in terms of low-frequency energy sense and the solidity of the chassis, and the vocals are not as mellow and charming as la scala, but its relaxed musicality, very ear-catching sound performance, combined with a wide and transparent sound field, keen analytical power, is a very good mid-priced European decoding; usb part design is careful, connecting the computer to enjoy music, without some people hate the "digital flavor". (Recommended by XiaoBai)
Rear amplifier
dan d’agostino progression mono
Reference price: $45,000/pair
Progression is the double crown of volume and output in the current dan d'agostino products, with an output power of 500w (8Ω) and doubled upward to 2000w (2Ω), equipped with 48 output power transistors, a 4000va power transformer and a 400000μf filter capacitor. The appearance inherits the power of the front panel of the flagship momentum series, and is scaled up accordingly, and the venturi tube design on the radiator is retained, but the radiator body is changed from brass to aluminum block, and both silver and black appearances are introduced.
Sound characteristics inherit the high resolution and musical sense of momentum, play strings when the slightest buckle, play symphony when every minute, can be described as soft and hard, whether it is to drive sonusfaber large floor box or vivid audio bookshelf speakers let people feel the transparency and high quality of modern equipment, in addition to the reinforcement of the driving force, there is no fear of the control of the large scene. (Recommended by Chrisalex_ Principal)
mark levinson no.534
Reference price: None
Belonging to mark levinson's new 5 series products, no. 534 flaunts dual mono design, high current output, ultra-low negative feedback amplification line, maximum output of 250w power, any difficult to push speaker in front of it has to bow down.
The amplification line design of the no. 534 adopts a fully differential dual mono design with extremely high output linearity. 534 amplification line, mark levinson advertises the so-called "pure path" (pure path) design, the R & D department tries to use the simplest line architecture, design the purest music signal amplification circuit. No. 534 adopts jfet field-effect transistors, taking its low noise and high gain characteristics, and adding bjt bipolar transistors to correct its output linearity, while having the effect of reducing the input impedance and increasing the output impedance. The 534 has a strong drive that surpasses its predecessors.
As for no. The 534's component selection, Mark Levinson emphasizes the selection of military grade materials to make the box and use the 6 0 0 0 series aerospace aluminum alloy, and Mark Levinson emphasizes that it is 100% Made in the United States, and for those consumers with a origin complex, no. 534 is certainly more attractive. (Recommended by Hao Lin)
Combined amplifier
micromega m.one 150
Reference price: 38,000 yuan
In the past, whenever the merger machine is mentioned, it is an amplifier that represents both front and rear functions, and in the 21st century audio era, the merging machine may include a sound source part, decoding function, and requires the connection of the singing and playing, with usb interface, support wireless playback, and even built-in room acoustic automatic correction function, if you pursue an efficient and concise sound system, micromega m.one150 is a very good merger machine option on the market. It uses a Class A/B amplifier design to provide up to 150w power output on an 8Ω load speaker, meeting the needs of most floor-standing speakers on the market.
Different from other recommended equipment, micromega m.one 150 has not yet been officially promoted to the Chinese market, and the reason for recommending this merger machine may be the author's "examination of the equipment vision"! (Recommended by Tan Yongjun)
quad vena
Reference price: 5,800 yuan
As an amplifier, it is not only a combiner, but also comes with decoding and Bluetooth functions. To put it bluntly, even if you don't have a traditional music source such as a CD player, a smartphone can also make it sing.
Vena's volume is not large, but the weight is not light, it is stuffed with full, but the price is amazingly cheap, only more than five thousand yuan, but its sound is completely worthy of this price, the author once heard them do the activity package at the Beijing Gaussian, eta opus0.5 bookshelf box with quad vena, priced at 10,000 yuan, called an entry artifact, listening to all kinds of music are in place, showing a super high performance that is completely inconsistent with its price, It's the best introductory mix of the year. (Recommended by Huang Lei)
This article is an excerpt from Hi-Fi Magazine, Issue 12, 2016
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