HOME       NEWS       ABOUT US       PRODUCTS       eMAIL LIST       CONTACT US       PURCHASE   Latest News :     eMail List (Computer Problem)   Due to a problem with one of our computers, we lost a number of names that were on our eMail list. These were mainly people who signed up between June, 2007, and September, 2009. If you have not received a mailing lately or think that you signed up during that time period, please visit our eMail List page and sign up again. Thank you!   1.1 Full-Function Control Preamplifier     Bound-For-Sound Review We're happy to announce that the Bound For Sound Report has just published Martin G. DeWulf's overview and evaluation of the 1.1 Control Preamplifier. It's in the current issue, #197/198. While MGD devotes much of the article to history, build, and general impressions, H. Richard Weiner's second full length review (which should be in the next issue, due around March 1st) will offer a more focused discussion of the phono circuit.   If you're not familiar with BFS, it's celebrating it's 20th anniversary and is the only remaining high-end print journal that does not accept advertising. Please visit their site for sample essays and subscription information.   Click here to download MGD's 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.   Stereophile Review We're told that the 1.1 Control Preamplifier will be the subject of Art Dudley's "Listening" column in the April, 2010, issue of Stereophile (on the newsstands in early March). Art was originally going to write about it in his own Listener magazine, before the publisher pulled the plug on it in 2002 with only a month's notice. He's been waiting ever since and we appreciate his patience.   CineMag Step-Up Transformers If you're on a budget, the CineMag CMQEE-3440A transformer, originally developed for use in microphone inputs for the motion picture industry, is the most transparent and least colored of the off-the-shelf models we've tried to date. Even better, they're among the most affordable. We can offer them either mounted inside the Audio Stage with a nominal 1:18 amplification factor* or as an external, stand-alone unit. However, they do require some experimentation to find a proper loading resistor.   * The actual amplification factor may be reduced depending upon the loading resistor used. For example, with our MoFi Carbon 3.5 cartridge, loaded with a 10K resistor, they're closer to a 1:12 ratio.   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).   Universal Mono Preamp For collectors of 78s, modifications of the phono circuit to include early equalization curves will be available this Spring. This will be in the form of a mono phono preamp featuring a single channel audio circuit and a wide range of selectable bass (turnover) and treble (roll-off) points. It will have the flexibility to set as many as 144 different EQ combinations to correctly restore the sound of vintage 78s, as well as early 45s and LPs. We've been having fun listening to JL's collection of over 1,000 78 RPM disks, finally hearing them as they were meant to be played. In many cases, the improvement has been startling. Vocals, once buried behind orchestration, emerged from the background and instruments were correctly voiced at last.   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: The Great Capacitor Shoot-Out Further Reading About High-End Audio Easy Loudspeaker Placement 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.   Loudspeakers   We've dropped the EP-1 loudspeaker from the catalogue and, in the coming year, will 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.   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 are possible within a 3.5 hour drive (about 200 miles) of Saratoga Springs, NY.   Alternatively, if you visit our listening room in Troy and subsequently make a purchase, we'll credit the entire cost of your transportation and one night's accommodation (should you stay overnight) in an amount up to 10% of the value of your purchase. Just submit a copy of your receipts along with your purchase order.   Listening Room in Troy   Our demo room in downtown Troy, NY is located in the building which also houses our workshop. While not a formal showroom, audiophiles now have the opportunity to audition our complete system, as well as preview new components which are under development. Except for Wednesdays, we can generally accommodate visitors on weekday evenings after 5 PM, plus all day Saturday and Sunday. Situated 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of New York City, there is easy access by car, bus, air, and rail. By appointment only, please!   For LP playback, Turntable #1 is a one-off of our own design, nicknamed the Stealth, and features a 103 lb., dynamically balanced lead platter, elevated by an air bearing. It's mounted with an ET2.5 arm and either our reference Mobile Fidelity Carbon 3.5 or an earlier Mørch DaCapo cartridges. A second custom table with an ET2 arm equipped with a Grado Mono cartridge and a 3 mil stylus is set up to play 78rpm disks. Listening to 78s on a high-end system is an astonishing experience.     Would you like to know more? Join our eMail List and we'll keep you up to date!   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. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message with the best time to return your call. You can always contact us by eMail, instead. Either way, we will try to reply within 24 hours.