New Products

Wyred 4 Sound DAC

One of the first commercially available DACs to deploy the exciting new ESS 32-bit ‘Sabre Buffalo’ chip that set the DIY community alight a few years ago, Wyred 4 Sound’s all-new DAC1 redefines the capabilities of a sub-£1K DAC, genuinely competing with converters twice the price. At this price, it’s untouchable.

The ES9018 chip at the heart of the new DAC1 and DAC2 is noted for it’s astonishing dynamism and resolution: whereas most low-end digital-to-analog converters suffer from what has been described as ‘conservative voicing’, or a subjective sense of ‘digital-ness’, the DAC1 promises to open up a whole new world of vividly pure musical experience.

Dual optical, dual coaxial and single 24/96 USB inputs are present on the DAC1, along with single-ended and balanced outputs. Internally, a carefully designed linear linear power supply and all-new Time Domain Jitter Elimination stages ensure that the the 500kHz oversampling 32-bit chip is liberated to fulfill its potential.

ESS Reference audio (ES9018) 32 bit DAC
W4S proprietary discrete output stages for optimum sonics
ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator®
Automatic oversampling for precise output filtering
Fully balanced design with balanced and unbalanced outputs
Upgradable Digital, Output, and USB boards (designed for future improvements)
Oversized toroidal transformer for solid and noise-free power
LCD display for input and sample rate viewing
2x Coax inputs
2x Toslink inputs
24-bit 96kHz USB input
Factory selectable mains 115/230VAC
Compact size (8.5″W x 4.125″H x 13.5″D)
15 lbs.
Covered by a 3 YEAR WARRANTY
Does not include remote or have the capability to use one

www.wyred4sound.com

Rega DAC

To some audiophiles, another DAC is certainly no big deal, but to those familiar with REGA, you know that Roy Gandy gets things done at his own pace and only when he is happy with the results. This new DAC uses the Wolfson chipset (similar to what is used in their Apollo and Saturn CD players) and a buffer circuit similar to the one employed in their flagship Isis CD player. As with their other digital products it is substantial, both from a physical standpoint (this little box is very hefty when you pick it up!) and the amount of functionality it offers. The DAC has a pair of RCA SPDIF digital inputs, a pair of optical digital inputs and a USB digital input.

www.rega.co.uk

Audiomat Opera

Completely assembled by hand in Canada, in limited series, the Opéra Référence honors its well-deserved reputation of reliability and resilience that characterizes all Audiomat products. The Opéra Référence is a different breed of electronics and quite a departure from anything on the market. According to specs, less powerful than many amplifiers, it is nevertheles more lively and dynamic than most. With it’s realistic and natural sound, it’s tight and fast bass, this Audiomat will shock the tube fans and even more, the detractors of this technology. The design of this amp, based on the use of three 5965 tubes in the input stage, is the result of extensive studies. They replace the 12AX7 and the two 12AU7 found in the original Opéra. Another up- grade over the Opera is the improved power transformer. This new configuration allows the Opera Reference to drive much more difficult loads. It can easily drive a 38 cm Altec Lansing boomer.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type Tubes
Driver stage 3 x 5965
Power stage EL34 (4)
Configuration Stereo
Frequency response 20 Hz to 80 kHz @ – 3 dB
Sensitivity 300 mV for 30 W
Inputs (RCA) 5 unbalanced
Speaker connectors 4 (biwiring), options 4 or 8 ohms
Power rating @ 8 ohms 30 watts per channel, in pure class A
Volume control Motorized ALPS
Input switch Lucas mechanical switch
Internal wiring Shielded high end wiring
Available finishes Brushed aluminum

www.mutine.com

Rega P3-24

The Plinth

The new plinth whilst being slim and attractive, offers high levels of rigidity by using phenolic resin laminates, with a high quality edging. It is a considerable improvement over the current P2.

High performance motor

The P3 – 24 uses the same very high quality low vibration motor, which is used in the P5 & 9 turntables. The clever controlling circuitry can be adjusted for phase angle of the motor coils resulting in very low vibration levels from the complete motor assembly.
This design change gives a considerable performance increase over the P3 2000.

The TT PSU first developed for the P7 turntable is a high quality outboard power supply; the TTPSU can be used as an affordable upgrade with the P3 – 24 turntable. Offering increased musical performance, by conditioning the electrical supply with a synthesised low distortion crystal controlled ac input. This also gives the added convenience of electronic speed change control.

Main bearing platter

The same high quality drive belt/main bearing and glass platter are carried over from the cast P3 2000.

RB301

The famous RB300 has been modified to improve production and give a higher musical sound performance. An improved vertical bearing housing has been used, which gives improved rigidity in the tonearms mounting, reducing the stresses in the main 13mm bearings. This assembly is topped off with the improved RB700 bias housing phono cable.

The P3 – 24 will also have the option of being available with the Rega Elys cartridge fitted.