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Cables and Interconnects
At the request of a client in Europe, we recently fabricated a pair of 1 meter, hybrid interconnects in which the positive conductor was made from 24K extra soft gold wire and the return (minus) conductor from extra soft silver. Since we knew that gold was not as good a conductor as silver (from a physics point of view that's measurably true) and had heard that it tended to make the music sound dull and slow, we weren't expecting much from this expensive experiment. However, we were surprised to hear noticeably less grain through the gold pair. The sound was clearly more fluid, in a way that only live music can be. Although they seemed to shift the spectrum down a notch, the highs did not really suffer—in fact, they sounded even smoother—nor did the speed of the music. The benefits, at least on LPs, were all positive. Results varied from record to record and your equipment may tell a different story. Now we use them as our front-end reference!
What's the down side? Well, gold is about 40 times as expensive as silver. Also, if you have a dark sounding system to begin with, you may not be as happy as we were. On the other hand, just one pair of the gold-silver hybrid connecting your signal source (turntable, CD player, and so on) may be all that you need to revolutionize the sound of your system. We now offer them as our finest interconnect, yet. Click here for details.
On the silver front, one of our clients, Gerry E of Rocky Hill, CT, was kind enough to write a review of our cable products and post it on the Audio Asylum website. Click here to read it.
DIY builder Thor Jensen of Denmark also reviewed a set of interconnects that he assembled with materials which we provided. Read his article here.
AC Power Cords
We've completely reorganized our line of custom AC Power Cords. New products include two versions of the CS (Common Sense) Custom Power Cord. One is terminated with the economy line of WattGate connectors and sells for half the price of the regular CS cord. The other is a 12 gauge, solid silver wire version, terminated with silver-plated WattGate connectors. New custom configurations are also listed, with examples.
1.1 Full-Function Control Preamplifier
Rated "Class A" by Stereophile
In the October, 2010, and April, 2011, issues of Stereophile, the Full-Function Phono Preamplifier was rated "Class A," it's highest level of approval. Class A is defined as the "Best attainable sound for a component of its kind, almost without practical considerations; ' the least musical compromise.' " Of his time with the unit, writer Art Dudley said that "the 1.1 produces the voices and instruments of good stereo recordings with believable scale and physicality."
Circuit and Feature Mods
Based on recent feedback, including the articles in Stereophile and Bound For Sound, we've incorporated a couple of mods into upcoming production.
The first is a switch on the circuit board that allows listeners to choose between 6GK5 and 6C4 2nd Stage tubes. As well as being slightly warmer in tone, the 6C4 has about -12dB lower gain than the 6GK5, making it more suitable for high output, moving magnet cartridges. Until now, due to differences in their respective pin connections, we could only install one or the other and they were not interchangeable. By rearranging the traces around the middle socket, we found that there was just enough room to accommodate the switch without affecting the sonics.
We're also adding a bias adjustment switch for the 1st Stage tube (417A/5842). We found that raising the value of the bias resistor warmed up the sound by raising the plate voltage. The trade-off is that it also drops the overall output by a few dB. If you're already using a step-up or high-output cartridge, the practical difference will be minimal. However, listeners will now have a choice of three bias settings (high, medium, and low) and can choose the one which sounds best with their system.
Featured Component in Bound-For-Sound
The Full Function Phono Preamplifier is the subject of a two-part article in the December, 2009, and March, 2011, issues of Bound For Sound Report.
Click here to download the full review. (Requires Adobe Reader.)
Audiogon Review
In March, 2009, Ed Merchant, one of our early clients, published his own assessment of the 1.1 Preamplifier in the Member Review section. As a customer, he obviously has a bias, but offers a view that is in some ways similar to Mr. DeWulf's.
Remote Control Options
For listeners who require a remote control, we now recommend purchasing the Bent Tap-X Passive Preamp with Slagle Autoformers for use with our 1.1 Phono Stage. The Bent Audio TAP-X has no electronics other than the premier version of the Slagle Autoformers and includes additional passive inputs, as well. All can be controlled by a dedicated remote handset (included).
Loudspeakers
Originally, $8,000 per pair, we've dropped the EP-1 loudspeaker from the catalogue and have three demo and prototype units for sale from $4,000 per pair. These can be updated with the latest mods for additional cost. Pick-up from Troy, NY, or delivery within a 200 mile radius only. Contact us for details.
To replace the EP-1, we'll be introducing a pair of kits based on two dual-concentric Tannoy drivers from the classic era (1970s-80s). Our plan is to provide a complete set of cabinet blueprints, along with a pair of custom cross-overs designed by Dr. Loesch. They'll be built to his specifications, perfected with the aid of an updated capacitor shoot-out, and ready to install. Listeners will have to locate the specific drivers on their own, but can have the cabinets fabricated locally for a fraction of what they would cost at retail. For about a $6K+ investment, listeners will be able to enjoy the best sounding speakers around, equivalent to those at any price point in high-end audio.
Audio Extras
In order to focus solely on our product line, as part of the website redesign we've moved all editorial content to our non-commercial sister site, The Vinyl Tourist. Pages that were formerly here under the "Audio Extras" banner can now be found at these links: Tube recommendations, formerly on the "Tube Talk" page, will be incorporated into the manuals for each component and the "Other Recommended Components" page has been dropped altogether due to constant changes in the various product categories.
Pre-Purchase Audition Policy
Because of the logistical issues which relate to returning equipment that is often customized, we're eliminating the 30-day return privilege that was previously in effect. Instead, we now offer a two week, pre-purchase, in-home trial. A credit card deposit is required, but as long as the equipment comes back to us in its original condition, listeners will receive a 100% refund, less round trip shipping. Plus, if you decide to make a purchase, we'll deduct the round trip cost of shipping the trial sample from your new unit's purchase price (up to 10% of the retail price). And, if we make a personal visit, as long as the equipment returns with us on the same trip, there is no deposit or other obligation on your part. Personal visits to your home are possible within a 3.5 hour drive (about 200 miles) of Saratoga Springs, NY.
Would you like to know more?
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Tempo Electric LLC
PO Box 770
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-0770
USA
(518) 542-7004
The best time to reach us by telephone is 10AM-6PM, US Eastern Time.
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