John E. Johnson, Jr.

PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium Stereo Tube Preamplifier

John E. Johnson, Jr.

We have been on a roll with reviewing PrimaLuna and Mysterè products, and they have all sounded terrific. The current review is on the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium Preamplifier, and would you believe it . . . it sounds terrific too. Compared to the standard version of the preamplifier, the Premium has a new front-end design using all 12AU7's in a dual-mono configuration, a larger power transformer, home theater pass-through, a remote control while still using the higher end Alps Blue Velvet potentiometer, larger chassis with DiaLogue class cosmetics, tube rectification, and point to point wiring.

Preamplifiers

Zildjian 21″ A Custom ReZo Ride Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

The ReZo line for Zildjian is relatively new, and there are more than a dozen models ranging from a 10" Splash up to a 21" Ride. They are beautiful cymbals to look at, and in my opinion, one of the best sounding models they have ever created. The ReZo has a combination of hammering and lathing, but the lathing is spaced with regions of finely lathed and heavily lathed surfaces. The inner portion of the cymbal is thicker than the outer region. In this review, we look at the Zildjian 21" A Custom ReZo Ride Cymbal. It not only rides beautifully, it crashes nicely as well.

Cymbals

Zildjian 19″ A Custom ReZo Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

The ReZo line for Zildjian is relatively new, and there are more than a dozen models ranging from a 10" Splash up to a 21" Ride. They are beautiful cymbals to look at, and in my opinion, one of the best sounding models they have ever created. The ReZo has a combination of hammering and lathing, but the lathing is spaced with regions of finely lathed and heavily lathed surfaces. The inner portion of the cymbal is thicker than the outer region. In this review, we look at the Zildjian 19" A Custom ReZo Crash Cymbal to accompany the 20" ReZo Crash review also published.

Cymbals

Zildjian 20″ A Custom ReZo Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

The ReZo line for Zildjian is relatively new, and there are more than a dozen models ranging from a 10" Splash up to a 21" Ride. They are beautiful cymbals to look at, and in my opinion, one of the best sounding models they have ever created. The ReZo has a combination of hammering and lathing, but the lathing is spaced with regions of finely lathed and heavily lathed surfaces. The inner portion of the cymbal is thicker than the outer region. In this review, we look at the Zildjian 20" A Custom ReZo Crash Cymbal to accompany the 19" ReZo Crash review also published.

Cymbals

Bryston BDA-1 Digital to Analog Converter and Halide Design USB to SPDIF Bridge

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Digital to Analog converters (DACs) have been enjoying something of a renaissance in the past couple of years due to the widespread adoption of computer based music. Back before SACD, DVD-A and multichannel audio, DACs were the source component du jour for redbook CD. With the adoption of the new high-resolution formats, DACs fell out of favor, replaced by integrated universal disc players. Today, many people have gone to entirely computer based audio setups. The highest resolution digital audio available today does not come on a disc, but is available via download. This means DACs are back, and the Bryston BDA-1 is regarded as one of the best of the new breed of 24 bit 192 kHz DACs. Along with the Brytson BDA-1, we review the Halide Design USB to SPDIF Bridge.

DACs

Meinl 16″ Generation X Filter China Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Cymbals date back thousands of years, and Asia was part of that history. However, their extensive use in music really did not get going until the 17th century AD, and even then, they had a hard time, with composers leaving them out of their music. In the 20th century, their use exploded with the advent of swing in the 1930's, bebop in the 1940's, which then developed into jazz in the 1950's. And, of course, modern classical music uses cymbals extensively. Many of the cymbal companies that exisit today opened their doors for business in the 20th century, Meinl being one of them (1951). What is called the Chinese Cymbal that is used in jazz and rock music today started out with Zildjian developing one for Gene Krupa, and which was called a "Swish" or "Pang". Now, they are all pretty much just called Chinese cymbals. Although they can be very large, this particular one is only 16" in diameter.

Cymbals

Meinl 19″ MB8 Medium Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

The Meinl MB8 series employs a high copper content, and has a bright, modern sound. The crashes come in medium and heavy. Their sound delivers the corresponding SPLs. Although they are less expensive than some of the other models, they do not give up anything in sound quality, but in fact, have a distinct tonality all their own, which will cut through the rest of the band in any setting.

Cymbals

Paiste 18″ Giant Beat Multi-Functional (Crash) Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paiste's Giant Beat line is quite different than their other cymbals. The Giant Beat's color for one thing. I thought at first they look like they have quite a bit of silver in them, at least the 18" version that I tested, but over a few months, the silvery finish began to turn into a patina, with the more expected coppery color showing through. So, I suspect there may be a thin nickel coating. This possibly gives the cymbal a bright sound, almost bell-like, but without making you want to cover your ears. They are in the medium-thin category and vary by diameter, and are categorized as "Multi-Functional", which means you can use them as a ride or a crash. I would classify this one primarily as a crash cymbal.

Cymbals

Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2 Subwoofer

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Paradigm, renown manufacturer of most catagories of A/V products, has released their latest subwoofer line, called the SUB 1 and SUB 2. These two subwoofers are part of their Reference Signature line of speakers and subs. Both are hexagonal in shape, with six drivers (8" in the SUB 1 and 10" in the SUB 2), having two drivers arranged vertically on three of the six sides, alternating sides with drivers and sides without drivers. They are sealed enclosures, and both have amplifiers with power heretofore not seen in any subwoofers. The amplifier can be powered by 120 V AC or 240 V AC. At 120 V, the amplifier outputs 3,000 watts RMS, and at 240 V, it will output a whopping 4,500 watts RMS and 9,000 watts peak. The SUB 2, which is reviewed here, weighs 230 pounds. Its performance is truly magnificent, with a price tag worthy of its design: $8,999 for Cherry or Black Ash finishes, and $9,499 for the Piano Black Premium finish.

Subwoofers