avcat　ニュース速報

McIntoshから、MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier 登場！！

McIntosh is proud to announce the new MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier.

Legendary home audio company McIntosh has been perfecting vacuum tube amplifiers since the 1940s and solid state amplifiers since the 1960s. Their amplifiers have been used at many historic events including presidential inaugurations and Woodstock, as well as in landmark sound systems like the Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and Despacio. From that heritage comes a truly one-of-a-kind home audio amplifier only they could dream of, design and build as the ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers: the new McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier.

The MC901 is a monoblock amplifier that drives a single speaker. But it is unlike any other monoblock amplifier. What makes the MC901 so unique is that it’s two amplifiers combined into one. Adding to the uniqueness is that each amplifier is of differing design philosophies: the MC901 consists of a 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier attached to a 600 Watt solid state amplifier on one unified chassis.

The 300 Watt vacuum tube portion powers the speaker’s mid and upper drivers via eight KT88 output tubes, plus four 12AT7 and two 12AX7A signal tubes; the solid state section delivers 600 Watts of dedicated power to the power hungry woofers. The 300 Watt vacuum tube amp in the MC901 uses McIntosh’s patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer – the same technology McIntosh was founded on in 1949 – to deliver its full 300 Watts into almost any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance. Similarly, the 600 Watt solid state amp delivers its full 600 Watts into a 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance speaker via McIntosh’s Autoformer™ technology.

Vacuum tubes do not perform at their best when they are amplifying lower frequencies that are not being used by the loudspeaker. With the MC901, the vacuum tube amp will not be burdened with low end reproduction as the solid state section will drive these frequencies. The two amplifier sections of the MC901 are designed to work together in a synergistic relationship and are specifically engineered to assure that each section only amplifies its intended frequencies. Each amplifier section has its own discrete power supply so neither siphons power or performance away from the other. All of this results in easy bi-amping with unparalleled performance and sound reproduction from the speakers.

Prior to the MC901, bi-amping a speaker required two separate amplifiers. It also required an external crossover, along with a lot of trial and error, to properly configure the two detached amplifiers so they worked together as best as possible. The MC901 solves this issue thanks to its internal, adjustable crossover with the controls easily accessible on the top of the unit. These adjustable crossover filters allow the user to optimize the performance of both amplifier sections to their listening preferences. Relative gain levels for each amplifier section can be adjusted from -6dB to + 3dB. A direct feed can also be connected to each amplifier section, thus bypassing the filters.

Like virtually all McIntosh amplifiers, the MC901 features an iconic “McIntosh Blue” Watt meter, which has come to be recognized around the world as a symbol of quality audio. And just like the MC901 itself is a new design, so too is its meter with the introduction of McIntosh’s new DualView™ Power Output Meter. The DualView meter features two of McIntosh’s traditional, fast responding mechanical meters stacked above and below each other in a single meter window; one meter is dedicated to the 300 Watt vacuum tube amp and the other to the 600 Watt solid state amp. Each meter operates independently of the other and displays the real time power reading of each amplifier section.

While an entirely new design, the MC901 comes with the technology one would expect from a McIntosh amplifier: Power Guard® in the 600 Watt solid state amplifier section, Sentry Monitor™, Quad Balanced design, Power Control, Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts, McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™, and McIntosh’s eco-friendly Power Management System.

A brand new technology in the 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier section of the MC901 is Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor™ (SGS). Power Guard SGS™ helps prevent premature vacuum tube failure by monitoring the screen grid current in the KT88 output vacuum tubes. If the current becomes too high, a circuit in Power Guard SGS is activated which then dynamically attenuates the input signal in real time to keep the vacuum tubes operating at safe levels.

Although the MC901 may look different than any McIntosh product before it, a quick glance reveals signature McIntosh design cues. The top is highlighted by a series of diagrams printed on glass that outline the basic circuitry and specifications of the unit, along with a glass nameplate trimmed with a circular aluminum ring that’s finished to match the front panel endcaps. The sides are adorned with vintage McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badges. Two classic McIntosh knobs are located on the front of the polished stainless steel chassis, and direct LED backlighting illuminates the DualView meter, McIntosh logo and the lettering on the black glass front panel. The uncompromising level of fit and finish that is expected of a McIntosh product completes the MC901.

Unit Dimensions (W x H x D):
17-1/2″ (44.5cm) x 13-1/4″ (33.7cm) x 29-1/2″ (74.9cm)

Shipping Dimensions (W x H x D):
24-13/16″ (63cm) x 18-3/8″ (46.7cm) x 36-1/4″ (92.1cm)

Unit Weight:
170 lbs (77.1 kg)

Shipping Weight:
190 lbs (86.2 kg)

Expected to begin shipping December 2019

• US MSRP: $17,500 each Mono Amplifier

A one-of-a-kind, ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers with dual inputs

ツイート
2019年12月6日

magicoから、A5 登場！！

海外ニュース速報 [World] 新製品速報

The largest and most advanced of Magico’s A Series, the A5 incorporates the company’s first 5-inch pure midrange driver as well as enhanced midrange and bass driver cone technology. These new cones achieve unprecedented stiffness-to-weight ratio, a key parameter that Magico has pursued over the past 15 years. In addition, the crossover debuts Mundorf’s new M-Resist Ultra foil resistors for unmatched transparency, liquidity and power handling. “The A Series has been a great success in reaching a wider audience,” said Magico’s founder, Alon Wolf. “The A5 builds on that success with a new 5-inch midrange of extraordinary musicality. And the A5 ‘plays larger,’ with powerfully extended dynamic range.” The three-way, five- driver floor standing speaker retains such Magico hallmarks as extensively cross-braced 6061 aircraft grade aluminum and Elliptical Symmetry Crossover. Finished in brushed black anodized aluminum, the loudspeaker will be available in the first quarter of 2020 at a suggested retail price of $21,800/pair.

New bass drivers with advanced new sandwich cones
The 9” bass drivers of the A5 feature a newly enhanced version of Magico’s Graphene Nano-Tec cones. Graphene, a hexagonal lattice of carbon, achieves 50 times the tensile strength of high-carbon steel. The new cone design combines Graphene layered carbon fiber with advanced new core materials to achieve the highest possible stiffness to weight ratio. Thanks to extensive computer simulation and prototype tests, the driver chassis achieves an ideal combination of stiffness and damping, minimizing acoustical contribution and maximizing airflow. The new bass unit incorporates oversized components including a 5-inch pure Titanium voice coil and huge copper cap with 1⁄2” of linear excursion. The super-stabilized magnetic field enables the A5 to really thunder, producing 115 dB SPL (@ 50 Hz, 1 meter), while maintaining very low distortion and inductance below 0.18 mH. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) provides Magico engineers a single platform to assess acoustical, mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal properties. This meticulous testing helps minimize distortions in the frequency and time domains. Borrowed from the Magico M3 and M6, the triple bass driver configuration provides easy room integration, maximum distribution of the floor bounce effect and effortless reproduction of extreme musical peaks.

New five-inch pure midrange driver
The new 5-inch full-cone midrange driver enables wider dispersion and greater midrange transparency. Like the bass driver, the midrange also incorporates an advanced Graphene carbon fiber sandwich cone. A new foam surround helps achieve ideal cone/surround integration, faster settling time and impressively low distortion. The all-new motor system uses a pure Titanium voice coil. The super stabilized magnetic field and pure copper pole cap minimize eddy currents and maximize efficiency. This latest midrange driver sets new benchmarks of measured performance.

High frequency driver
Based on the fundamental design platform and geometry of the M-Series tweeters and shared with the other members of the A-Series, the tweeter incorporates a pure beryllium-diaphragm with an optimized 28-mm dome. Magico encases the customized neodymium motor system in an engineered back chamber with the company’s most advanced damping materials. This enables ultra-low distortion, high power handling, massive dynamic capabilities and extended linear voice coil movement.

Crossover debuts the Mundorf M-Resist Ultra foil resistors
Magico acoustically integrates all five drivers with the proprietary Elliptical Symmetry Crossover topology built with state-of-the-art components from Mundorf EB Gmbh of Cologne, Germany. The A5 will be the first product in the world to offer Mundorf’s new M-Resist Ultra foil resistors. Now perfected after years of development, the new resistors deliver greater power handling, transparency and liquidity. The 3-way network features a 24 dB per octave Linkwitz-Riley filter that maximizes frequency bandwidth while preserving phase linearity and minimizing intermodulation distortion.

Aircraft-grade aluminum enclosure
Weighing in at 180 pounds each, the A5 features a massive, sealed enclosure machined entirely of 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum, the same material and construction methods as in Magico’s acclaimed Q-Series. Complex internal bracing helps stiffen the entire enclosure and minimize resonance. A dedicated sub-enclosure houses the midrange driver, protecting it from the extensive back wave energy of the bass drivers. The aluminum has an elegant, brushed black anodized finish.

Driver Complement
1” Tweeter (x1)
5” Graphene Nano-Tec Midrange (x1)
9” Graphene Nano-Tec Bass (x3)

Specifications
Sensitivity: 88 dB
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: 22 Hz – 50 kHz
Recommended Power: 50 – 1000 Watts
Dimensions: 10.5” (W) x 14.9” (D) x 44.75” (H)
Weight: 180 lbs
Suggested Retail Price (US): $21,800/pair
Ship date: 1st Quarter 2020

ツイート
2019年12月5日

Ayre QB-9からQB-9 Twentyへのアップグレードサービス開始。

国内ニュース速報 [Japan] 新製品速報

Ayre QB-9からQB-9 Twentyへのアップグレードサービス

210,000円

・内部の主要サーキットの全面交換
・新しいデバイスの投入などによるレゾリューションの向上を実現
・DSD256(4x;11.2MHz) & PCM384kHz対応
・“Twenty テクノロジー” によるオーディオ回路と電源回路のグレードアップ

＜詳細＞
・Our Diamond output circuit improves musicality and bass response.
・A new JFET differential stage lowers the noise floor.
・AyreLock power supply regulation for better rendering of fine musical detail.
・New AC noise filtering for improved resolution.
・Custom Ayre Asynchronous USB technology further reducing electrical noise in the system.
・New ESS DAC chip for improved signal to noise ratio and spacial detail.
・Six layer board design for optimal circuit isolation.
・Proprietary reclocking to eliminate USB domain jitter.
・PCM play back up to 384 kHz
・Native DSD capability up to DSD256 (4x)
・HDCD decoding

プレスリリース