Audio Emporium Newsletter 5-1-2009

Marantz Reference Series

   Marantz has made high end gear in its Japan plant for years. The new offerings compete with just about anything, at any price. The disc players play SACD as well as traditional red book discs. While the world in general is dumbing down to accept MP-3, hearing a stereo SACD disc is downright thrilling! Visit our "Latest" link to the left, and follow the path to the details of the models in the Reference Series.

Rogue Perseus Preamp Upgraded $1800

   As of early 2009 Rogue’s Perseus tube preamp has been upgraded. The Perseus has been among the better values in the tube preamp world for years. When you consider that fine tube preamps routinely run $3500 on up, at half the price the Perseus has been very competitive.

   The power supply is now larger and better isolated. Perseus is now as quiet as the big boys for a lot less money. Bass is more extended and tighter. Imaging is more solid. Depth perspective is improved. It’s always been good. Now, it challenges the best!

   Perseus features four tubes for the line stage. The MM phono section has adjustments to accommodate most of today’s high output MC and MM cartridges. It has Home Theater bypass. It has subwoofer out.

   Perseus has a very heavy duty, metal remote control a la Bryston. It features a slow start feature which prolongs tube life. Parts choices are top quality poly prop caps, gold/ceramic tube sockets, gold and silver are used generously. Gold plated RCA jacks. Four high level ins. One phono in. Three outputs (1 fixed, two variable). 3 year warranty. It is Handbuilt in Pa. (not China!) and weighs 23 pounds! 4 1/2h, 18w, 14 1/2d.

Rogue Perseus Preamp With Optional Magnum Upgrade $2325

   As good as the new Perseus is, Rogue is offering the preamp with a Magnum Upgrade. What do you get for $525 more? Larger power supply caps, Power supply filter upgrades, Hex Fred high speed diodes, Coupling cap upgrades, Polypropylene bypass caps in filters, PRP resistors, Upgraded 12 AU7 tubes, Cardas output wiring.

Rogue Stereo 90 Power Amp With Optional Magnum Upgrade $3200

   The Stereo 90 is a wonderful 90x2 tube power amp for $2500. It’s hard to find a better tube power amp value! With 90x2 it can drive almost any speaker out there. It’s a built in the USA heavyweight, not something slapped together in a job house in China with heaven knows what badge slapped on the faceplate. Stereo 90 has been a strong power amp for several years. Now, Rogue offers the Magnum Upgrade that bumps the price up to $3200. What do you get for $700 more?

   The new Magnum upgrade features: 1)Hex Fred diodes in the bias supply  2)Screen grid resistor upgrade  3)Improved polypropylene bypass caps in filters  4)Bypass coupling caps  5)PRP resistors

6)Cardas binding posts   6)Cardas RCA jacks  7)Upgraded internal wiring  8)Upgraded small signal tubes  9)KT-90 output tubes.

Marantz SR-4023, $500 (80x2) STEREO Receiver

   It’s nice that there are a few companies left out there that make a nice STEREO receiver! Marantz is near the top of that list. Most importantly, the amp section is discrete- no power chip!

To appreciate the value, look back to 1970. It took about $600 to buy a Marantz 2270 stereo receiver, 70x2. Today, for less money, you get more power and a better tuner. Inflation has not taken hold of the stereo receiver market!

The Marantz has a nice array of features. 80 w/ch will drive most speakers out there. But if it isn’t enough, you can use the pre-out jacks (it has main-in also) to run it as a preamp/tuner with a big amp. If you want to run a powered sub it also has a single sub output jack.

 It comes with remote. It has a nice MM phono section on board. It has speakers A-B. The AM-FM tuner has 50 presets. It has 4 high level audio ins. It has 3 additional AV (composite) inputs.

It has a SOURCE DIRECT mode for optimum 2ch listening- which bypasses the tone & balance controls. It has a headphone jack. It has a detachable power cord. It has one switched AC outlet, and one unswitched. It has a dimmer control for the display.

The warranty is very generous for today’s market – 3 years parts & labor. When you read the fine print on a lot of warranties today you find slight of hand. For example a number of companies will warranty the unit for 1 year (but the remote for 90 days).

Brahms: Sonatas For Cello & Piano

   My favorite cello/piano music is written by Beethoven and Brahms. This Brahms CD isn’t new, but in remaking my acquaintance with it, I’d like to brag it up. Recorded in 1992, Yo Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax have one of the best recordings out there! (Sony SK48191)

   I’m sure you’ve done the same thing. You start listening to everything new and forget- there are some gems on the shelf that haven’t gotten proper attention. Better late than never! Of the works I like the Op99 the best. A mature Brahms wrote this beautiful music. Ma & Ax have paired brilliantly on Beethoven, Brahms and other chamber works with unqualified success for many years!