Happy Labor Day weekend

From all of us here at the LVAC; for those in the US and Canada, have yourselves a safe and fun filled Labor Day weekend. Be sure to have good food, good spirits, and get those stereos rockin'! You know we will!

Contacting the LVAC

You may contact us at:

motorcitydeadman@gmail.com

or

dave_a_2005@hotmail.com

Component of the Week #2: Silnote Audio's Morpheus Reference Series II XLR analog cables

This is LVAC member Kirk's pick for Component of the Week.

Kirk says:

"I use these cables between my Oppo BDP-95 and my Marantz AV8801 preamp/surround sound processor.  I can do A/B comparisons as I used a different input for the XLRs and kept my RCA cables connected.  I ran "pure direct" mode for both when means the signal goes straight through without any processing to the amplifier.  All of the digital to analog conversion was done via the Oppo's onboard Sabre DACs, some of the best there are (at least they were when I bought the Oppo!)." 

"Test discs/songs included Andrea Bocelli's Sogno, "the Prayer", Audioslave's self-titled debut CD playing "Like a Stone", Norah Jone's Come Away with Me, title track, Dire Straits Sultan's of Swing (the very best of Dire Straits), title track as well as "Lady Writer", "On Every Street", and "Your Latest Trick" (live).  I also played Jim Brickman's My Romance (an evening with Jim Brickman), an HDCD.  Track 13, "By Heart" features Jim at the piano (of course) along with vocalist (and his high school friend) Anne Cochran in a live concert at Capital Theater in Salt Lake City.  This, along with Norah Jone's are my go-to songs for female vocals and piano.  Audioslave's minimalist approach to "Like a Stone" helps as each individual instrument is clearly identifiable and locatable on the soundstage.  Dire Straits' tracks are very musical and complex, with multiple instruments, acoustic and electric guitar, studio and live settings, etc.  A very versatile disc."

Here's what Silnote Audio, the manufacturer says about this cable:

         "The Morpheus Reference Series II design is the cable that will capture the soul of the    listener, which deliver a true natural musical experience."

"Coherency with glorious mid-range warmth, a very musical cable that is palpable with life like "you are there" experience."

"The Morpheus Reference is designed with multiple 24k Gold, Silver, and Copper UPOF7N, zero crystal, surgical high grade precious metal that delivers one of the most exclusive listening experience – The XLR version is a true triple balanced design.  Proudly handcrafted in the USA."

"I found these cable to add depth to the bass line and deepen the soundstage compared to my RCA cables." 

"Hear these for yourself September 28th when the audio club will be meeting at my house and you are all invited to listen to my humble system.  Bring your favorite discs, 2 channel, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.  Sorry, I don't have a way to play vinyl."

Best regards,

Kirk

Price: $795.00 USD 1 meter

Links:

http://www.silnoteaudio.com/#/silnote-audio-cable-power-interconnect-digital-usb-phono-speaker-epirus-poseidon-xt-morpheus-orion-product-catalog/145/ 

http://www.stereomojo.com/Silnote%20Morpheus%20ReferenceII%20Cable%20Review.htm/SilnoteMorpheusReferenceIICableReview.htm

Component of the Week: Pioneer SC-77 A/V receiver

This is LVAC member Robert's pick for Component of the Week.

Robert says:

"Best bang for your buck.  Utilizes the highly sought after 

ESS Sabre DACs in all channels. Awesome iOS app for control, lots of clean power and THX Ultra 2 Certified.  Awesome Sound field."

Links:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/SC-77

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UodQKPs3eDI

MSRP: $2000 USD

Street price: $1759 USD (as of this writing)

CDs and LPs to Die For: Part 1

This will be a regular installment here at the LVAC blog. This where I ask the various LVAC members what their absolute favorite LPs (and CDs) are. Ones that, you guessed it, are to die for! But, they only can pick 6, so there lies the challenge...

Our first picks come from LVAC member Des. Below are the album cover photos with Des' throwing in his 2 cents about them.

Thanks for looking! And stay tuned for the next installment...coming soon!

Steve Winwood---Arc of a Diver
Still a classic

Joan Baez
This Album alone for her version of Brothers in arms

 

 

Cat Stevens Teaser and the Firecat
Great sonics--mixed on Magnepans!

 

Leo Kottke
World's finest 12 String exponent

Mark Knopfler and emmy lou
Terrific laid back harmonies

Roger Waters
Amused to Death
Superb and masterful from the legend

Component of the Week: Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamplifier

This is LVAC member Des' pick for Component of the Week.

Des says:

"Basically designed by John Curl the Legendary Audio Designer--in Berkeley Calif 25 odd years ago

Rated state of the Art and still the one to beat today--rare as hens teeth --this is one of only 6 in the world!"

Links:

http://www.stereophile.com/phonopreamps/640/

http://www.stereophile.com/content/vendetta-research-scp-2-phono-preamplifier-audio-research-ph1-comparison

Meeting place and time for Sept. set!

Ok, the next meeting will be Saturday, Sept. 28th from 2-5 pm. One of our esteemed members Kirk will be hosting the event. Kirk has a wonderful 5.1 system, so don't miss this! He can also do 2 channel for us die hards...

For details, feel free to email me (Big Dave) anytime @ dave_a_2005@hotmail.com or motorcitydeadman@gmail.com