We spotted this whilst trawling youtube and thought it worth a share.
Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3LSROoCWbA&ab_channel=TheSoundOrganisation
More interesting videos can be found here;
https://www.rega.co.uk/about/factory
How a stylus "reads" a vinyl record
We're often asked this and here is the best and the simplest reply. We're focussing here on the mechanics and not what makes one turntable better than another.
A turntable stylus, also known as a needle or cartridge, is an essential component of a vinyl record player. Its primary function is to read the audio information encoded on the walls of the vinyl record grooves and convert it into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through speakers.
The stylus is attached to the tonearm of the turntable, which holds it in place as it moves across the record surface. The stylus consists of a tiny, diamond-tipped needle that is designed to fit into the groove of the vinyl record.
When the turntable is turned on, the record spins at a constant speed. As the stylus is lowered onto the record surface, it rests on the walls of the grooves. The grooves in the vinyl record are physically etched in a spiral pattern and contain the audio information in the form of minute variations in depth and width. On the left side of the groove and on the right side are channels of audio information that makeup stereo sound.
As the record rotates, the stylus traces the contours of the groove. The diamond tip of the stylus carefully follows the groove walls, and as it does so, it experiences the variations in the groove's shape. These variations correspond to the audio signals that were originally recorded onto the vinyl record during the mastering process.
When the stylus encounters a bump or a dip in the groove, it is mechanically displaced. This displacement creates vibrations in the stylus, which are transmitted to the cartridge attached to it. The cartridge contains a magnet and coils, forming a tiny generator. The mechanical vibrations from the stylus cause the magnet to move within the coils, inducing an electrical signal.
This electrical signal is a representation of the audio information stored on the record. It contains the variations in amplitude and frequency that correspond to the original sound waves captured during the recording. The cartridge then sends this electrical signal through the tonearm and to the phono preamplifier, where it is amplified to line level for further processing and playback through speakers.
In summary, a turntable stylus reads the walls of a vinyl record by physically following the contours of the groove using a diamond-tipped needle. The stylus experiences mechanical displacement due to the variations in the groove's shape, which is then converted into an electrical signal by the cartridge and subsequently amplified for playback.
Open box offers
We have some special offers on Rega Products that may be of interest to you. These are in limited quantities but the prices are very good. They're all "open box stock" but they're supplied in very good condition - with boxes, all accessories and with 2 year warranties. They'll be available from Tuesday of next week.
List is as follows;
Aria MM/MC Phono stage V2 (curved fascia) £540
Aria MM/MC Phono stage V 3 Current model £749
Brio Integrated amp £389
Elex Mk 4 amplifier/DAC Current model £799
Elicit R Integrated amp £899
Elicit Mk5 Amplifier/DAC current model £1499
Apollo CD player £479
Saturn R CD player £899
Saturn MK3 Current Model £1399.
These are very special prices and quantities are small so if you'd like to secure any of these I'd suggest giving us a call on 0114 2756048 so we can discuss, arrange. Trade in is welcome.
Musical Fidelity A1 2023 take on classic
Some images of the new re-issue and revision of the Musical Fidelity A1 class A amplifier.
Here's what Stereonet has to say;
Retaining the appearance and charm of the original A1 Integrated Amplifier from the late 1980s, Musical Fidelity is revisiting its past with the 2023 rerelease of this classic amplifier.
Shown at the Munich High End Show last week, the Musical Fidelity A1 builds upon the original circuits with modern improvements and superior components.
You'd be hard-pressed to spot the difference between the old and new unless they were side by side, though the refreshed edition is a touch larger - most certainly to better manage heat dissipation from its pure Class A operation, which offers 25 watts @ 8ohms. It also sports a remote control for 2023.
There's a built-in MM/MC phono stage, with low noise current to voltage converter for further amplification and RIAA equalisation, and automatic input impedance matching (1K nominal) for MC selected along with increased gain.
We'd love to hear the pairing with Musical Fidelity's newly released remake of two more classics: the LS3/5A and LS5/9 loudspeakers, also announced before Munich.
Further improvements on the 2023 release are said to include an updated transformer “for more efficient “dual mono split rail” windings”, along with a high quality and updated ALPS RK series potentiometer as volume control. All transistors, including output devices, have been carefully selected from modern equivalents, with polypropylene (PP) type capacitors used in the signal path.
Musical Fidelity says that particular care and attention were made to not change any component specification from its original, but to update them to modern equivalents with a long lifespan. The circuit layout is also said to follow the original faithfully. Finally, the phono stage and preamplifier layout have been improved for less noise and hum.
We're expecting a price of around £1500
Cyrus Streamers - 1st listen
Classic Stream and Stream XR
Spent the morning listening to the two new streamers from Cyrus. Both feature the Bluesound front end and control software - an extremely sensible choice for a British manufacturer in our opinion.
The Classic Stream retails for £1995. It has no screen. It can be upgraded should you so wish by adding a PSX-R2 power supply. Sound is very good indeed. Black backgrounds, lots of detail and good tuneful bass. Cyrus have worked on the power supply and the DAC but also worked with Bluesound to make a few improvements to their front end as well. We feel for the price this is a good alternative and is cheaper than it's rivals like the Naim and the Auralic.
The XR Stream is £2495. It can also be upgraded with the XR power supply. DAC is improved and again this is clearly audible. Sometimes these things are hard to define in terms of what they do but here there was a sense of ease and a sense of better control in the bass. There is also the inclusion of a screen with the XR.
Very soon we'll do an open day (late June) when both of these players will be on demo for you to hear and compare them yourselves.
Both are wireless or wired, Airplay 2 and Roon ready. Both have digital outputs and both have USB inputs for stored media.
Bluesound fans will find these a joy as the app is excellent and comfortable.
Both items are expected late summer. We will be stocking both based on what we heard today.
Our LP12 builds
We've been supplying and setting up Linn LP12 turntables for over thirty years. During this time we've amassed a great deal of stock and parts from each turntable we've upgraded. We also have racks of Linn parts enabling us to maintain our customers turntables. We have spare plinths from plinth swaps, we have good but older bearings and all the internal parts from the upgrades. We also have tonearms from customer upgrades; all in excellent condition and with a lifetimes use ahead of them.
During the pandemic I found myself with some spare time and whilst moving some boxes around the stockroom I discovered packages containing hundreds of Linn parts. I spent a few days building an LP12 out of these and was amazed at the performance it offered and the price I could sell it for. I put it for sale and it sold within three days. So I built another. And another.
Much has been written about the performance of the LP12 and the fact that Linn have continued to invest in upgrades which move the performance of the turntable forward. As we do these upgrades we know that the old parts are still good and designed to last a lifetime. So building new from old is a great idea on many levels.
We can build an LP12 for less than half of the price of a new one. The performance of this will be close to the new one. For the price of a new one we can built something better.
We use almost exclusively Linn parts. There are a small number of additional Non-Linn parts that we use but only during consultation with our customer and always transparently. An example of this is the power supply; the Linn Valhalla can be serviced and returned to new specification and we do this daily. However it is a single speed power supply and some customers want to play their 45's. So we have sourced high quality CE approved "Valhallas" that offer twin speed. Valhalla Electronics is currently our favourite. It matches the performance but also offer the flexibility of having twin speed.
As a result of our business in LP12's we also do a lot of upgrades and that keeps our stock of older parts good. So we can always bespoke build a deck to suit your own requirements and budget.
All our LP12's come with a warranty. It's the same as a new one.
We do not ship LP12's with arms fitted. Linn don't and neither do we. It's a good way to damage the arm bearings. We can deliver ourselves within a reasonable radius and we welcome you to collect. That way we can be sure that you get the product you want and get to listen to it first. The last thing anyone wants is a damaged product offering reduced performance. We CAN ship turntable only (without arm fitted).
If you're looking to service or upgrade your LP12 or to begin your own LP12 journey. We'll explain how to do this. You may be surprised at how little this can cost.
Our current LP12 stock can be found here.
Read an article to gain an insight into the LP12.
Naim Nait 50
Pre-order here
Limited release of the iconic Nait but upgraded to celebrate 50 years of Naim.
Pre-order here.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary (1973 - 2023) and all these years of shared passion for sound, we pay homage to our iconic integrated amplifier: NAIT 1.
Made in England, NAIT 50 is presented in a limited-edition of 1973 pieces.
NAIT 50 is the worthy successor of NAIT 1, Naim’s integrated amplifier released in 1983.
Every part of the NAIT 50 has been redesigned. It is a ‘big box’ audiophile Naim integrated in a small box. Some of the new features on this anniversary edition include the new discrete transistor headphone amplifier found in the New Classic series, so you can enjoy all types of listening. Behind its sleek design, NAIT 50 also delivers top-notch sound quality.
25W of power per channel with peaks of 225W, three analogue inputs, including a discrete transistor MM phono stage: NAIT 50 combines power, performance, and versatility. It reproduces the most exacting dynamics with all the confidence and authority we have come to expect from a Naim amplifier. It can be linked with all loudspeaker types, as well as a streamer, for the ultimate hi-fi system.
| Product Type | Integrated amplifier |
| Damping factor into 8 | 36 |
| Input signal for clipping | Line: 88mV Phono: 710mV |
| Peak current into 1 (1kHz 1mS) | Peak +/- 15 (peak power at 225W) |
| Audio Inputs | 1 x RCA pair (47kΩ), in MM phono level 5mV 2 x 5-pin DIN (stereo, 47kΩ), line leve |
| MM Phono Input | 47kΩ and 100pF |
| Crosstalk | Line: 85dB, (at 1kHz, 25Watts 8Ω) Phono: 80dB |
| THD + N | 0.015% |
| Headphone Output | 1.5Watts 16Ω |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Ref. 1Watt 8Ω, A-weighted : Line: 80dB, 1V input / Phono: 78dB, 5mV inputRef. 25Watt 8Ω, A-weighted: Line: 93dB, 1V input / Phono: 84dB, 5mV input |
| Power Outputs | 25Watts 8Ω @0,1% THD+N 40Watts 4Ω @0,1% THD+N 60Watts 2Ω @1% THD+N |
| Frequency Response | Line: -3dB @ 4Hz to 45kHz Phono: -3dB @ 6Hz to 30kHz |
| Gain | Phono: +40dB (@1kHz RIAA) Pre-amplication (and headphone): +16dB Power Amplifier: +29dB |
| Weight | 9.9lbs (4.5kg) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 33/8 x 81/8 x 125/8" (8.7x20.7x32.1cm) |
| Mains Supply | 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz |
| Power Consumption | Typical use consumption: 20W Stand-by mode consumption: <0.5W |
Munich Show Highlights
Highlights for us!
Naim have had a busy year and it's about to get busier. Not only did they launch the new 300 series, but they launched their first 50th Anniversary product; The Nait 50.
See the new Classic series here.
This limited edition product is exciting as it is "today's take" on a Naim classic first launched in 1983.
Discover more here.
PMC have also been busy!
Prodigy brings performance-led design ethos to an even wider audience, building on PMC's belief that ultra-high-resolution loudspeakers, if properly designed, can be used throughout the entire audio chain.
Above you can see Prodigy 1, a compact with an RRP of £1250 and Prodigy 5, a classic floorstander at £1995
We're looking forward to getting both of the speakers in stock and on demo and will keep you informed about their performance. In the meantime you can discover more here.
Chord Electronics announce new super Integrated amp
The ULTIMA INTEGRATED is a class-leading 125-watt integrated amplifier benefitting from the latest dual-feed-forward error-correction topology, Chord Electronics’ legendary proprietary ultra-high-frequency power supplies, plus an unmistakable industrial aesthetic.
Designed by Chord Electronics’ founder, owner and chief engineer, John Franks, the advanced ULTIMA circuit monitors and immediately corrects audio signals before the output stage, for astonishing signal accuracy from a one-box integrated device.
The ULTIMA INTEGRATED also takes advantage of the very latest developments in advanced low-distortion power supplies ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ devices offering exceptionally low noise and outstanding amplifier operation ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ for even greater fidelity.
A four-input design, one fully balanced and three unbalanced, all enjoy individual buffering and are selectively filtered against potential ingress from radio frequency interference; selection switching is via microprocessor-controlled sealed relays.
The ULTIMA INTEGRATED is the first new Chord Electronics integrated amplifier for seven years and remains the sole full-width integrated model in the range.
All metalwork is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium, including Chord Electronics’ iconic Integra Legs. The fascia sports a 28-mm-thick front panel with a perfectly symmetrical aesthetic, centered around a spherical power on/off control with polychromatic lighting, flanked by illuminated volume and balance controls.
More details as we have them.
Auralic news!
Auralic announce new G2.2 range and a new higher end G3 series that will feature both a stand alone streamer and a streaming transport. We've no further information at this time.
Hegel Reduce Prices
We salute them!
Hegel press release today;
In later years, we and every other manufacturer have been hit hard by cost increases on both parts, labour, and shipping. As a result, the prices of our products have had to go up as well.
Hegel is a company that prides itself on offering products that are great value for money, so
increasing our prices because of external factors did not sit well with us.
Fortunately, Hegel has also grown tremendously, and with this growth comes benefits from
economies of scale. That is why we are now able to lower the prices on H95, H120, and H190 by up to 10 %.For some, this might be interpreted to mean that these products are to be replaced soon. That is not the case. All three products have recently gone through extensive updates and are more competitive than ever. AirPlay 2 provides multi-room streaming, our TV remote functionality lets you use your TV remote to control the amplifiers, and Roon Ready delivers high-end streaming on H120 and H190.
We lower the prices because value for money is an essential part of our DNA.
Models effected H95, H120 & H190
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