We have a lot of very interesting, affordable products. We respect that you want to spend your money wisely. You care about performance and PRICE.
Let’s compare what WE have with what Stereophile (3/2022) wrote about this month.
Phono Preamp
Stereophile likes the Paradox MC phono preamp for $2500 to $3k, depending on whether you want the worse version, or the better version. It might sound good, but I gotta tell ya, this looks like so many 1970s units (dB systems anyone?) that were built in someone’s basement. Let’s analyze this. You’re into MC carts and you’ll spend $2500 but not $3k? So they offer a discount version for you. What do you think about the marketing prowess of this outfit? Does this bode well for a strong future in biz? The writer likes the sound. Ummm, but it is FIXED at 70dB of gain. It’s ideal for carts with a .1mV output. That makes it NOT a great match with most MC carts including the fantabulous Ortofons we sell. I could just dismiss it, but they thought to spend five pages on it. It deserves comment.
I like the Mo-Fi Ultraphono. It runs $500 and has numerous adjustments for a wide array of carts. Now, I’m not saying the Paradox isn’t good. But I’ll bet if we blindfold you and do a comparison of these two, it will be very close. The Ultraphono IS DEAD SILENT. And the Ultraphono will work with ANY cart instead of a tiny selection. Oh, and it will save you $2500, because who wants the scrubby version of the other guy?
SACD/CD Player
Stereophile spends 8 pages telling you how nice the CH D1.5 SACD/CD transport is- along with its DAC, Clock, Power Supply and cables. The CD transport alone runs $41k. If you want the DAC cards, it’s $46k. By the way, it uses Sabre DACs. We like them. If you want the whole enchilada, it runs $136k.
I will show you the Marantz SACD30n, $3k. It uses its own, Marantz built transport. CH buys a transport from a vendor and beefs it up. The Marantz uses its own D to A conversion process which DOESN’T employ a DAC chip from a vendor. CH plugs in a Sabre. Marantz is built in their premier factory in Japan. It tracks like a champ, sounds GREAT and sells for $3k instead of $46k.
Power Amp
Stereophile spends seven glistening pages on the darTZeel NHB-108 model two. It runs $53k and puts out 150×2. It’s a big boy at 66 pounds, and I’m sure it sounds very good. Stereophile tested the amp and it clipped at 155×2, meaning, the distortion level is 1% at rated output. The warranty is, get ready, ONE year.
I can show you the NAD C298 power amp. It runs $2200 and is rated at 185×2. When pumping out 185×2 the C298 will perform at rated .00069% THD. When you consider the $53k amp is ONE PERCENT, that puts C298 at 1500 times less THD.
Now, I realize the built in Switzerland amp will smell like lilies of the valley. But I can promise you C298 sounds very good also! C298 gives you more power, less distortion and a three times longer warranty.
Speakers
Stereophile writes six slick pages discussing the MayFly MF 201A. It runs $4900 per pair. What you get for that is a lightweight 6.5” coax speaker in a cabinet that is kinda cute, with dispersive spokes within to break up the resonances.
I can show you the phenomenal Amphion Argon 3S for $3k per pair. Amphion gives you a sophisticated 1” Titanium tweeter mounted within a gibbon guide. It’s mated with a 6.5” Aluminum woofer housed in a heavy, well braced cabinet. It also has a 6.5” ABR on the rear so it isn’t ported to create a booming sensation. Its bass is deep, tuneful and most impressive. Argon 3S is half the price and a magnificent speaker- used throughout Europe especially for accuracy in mixing of music and film projects.
Phono Preamp
Stereophile really loves crazy phono preamps. The Gold Note runs a mere $12k. At least this one actually has adjustments.
The reviewer has two turntables. One is $330k, the other is $95k. The tonearms are $50k and $15k. His carts are … ya know… I couldn’t care less.
If you wanna read this never-never land nonsense, go nuts. This writer’s tables/arms/carts run close to a million bucks and you can bet he paid a scant percentage of that for ‘em. I’m not remotely interested.
Streaming Receiver
Stereophile discusses the T&A Caruso R. It runs $4100 and puts out 50×2. Finally, in this mag they deign to review something, someone might actually purchase. This boy hit 50×2, but was clipping when it did so. The writer liked the sound but said the operation was putzy.
I’ll happily show you the NAD C700, $1500, 80×2. And, it puts out 80×2 at its rated .04%THD. That’s 25 times less THD at rated power- by the way. The NAD works like a champ and has a Bluesound streamer built in which NAD supports beautifully- AND HAS SUPPORTED since its
inception about 8 years ago.
It’s possible T&A will become a solid provider with support some day. But they’re just at the starting line. NAD is a proven supplier. They back what they sell and HAVE for many years. Oh, and C700 has a preamp out. If you want more power to drive big boy speakers, you CAN. How about NAD’s C298 above?! You’ll land at $3700, which is still much less than the T&W and has oceans of power.