The Absolute Sound

Email the Editor: rharley@nextscreen.com or: TAS, 2211 Denton Dr., Ste. J, Austin, Texas 78758 Paul Seydor and the Thorens TD 124 DD As a fellow audio journalist, I always appreciate Paul Seydor’s thoughtful and often thought-provoking reviews. His article in Issue 337 about the revival of a turntable masterpiece (or rather Meisterstuck), the Thorens TD124 DD, is an outstanding example of not only how to describe tins component’s structure and functions, but he also takes die time to walk readers dirough a Mahler symphony and how die TD124 DD allows listeners to experience die quintessence of a great recording. I once owned an original TD124 and enjoyed having friends over to my college dorm room to listen to it play classical records through my Dynaco tube electronics and AR-3 speakers. When…

This issue marks 50 years since Harry Pearson published the first issue of The Absolute Sound and sparked a revolution in audio and music reproduction. Harry couldn’t have known in 1973 that the audio industry was on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation transformation, let alone that the magazine he created would be a driving force behind that transformation. That first issue—more a stapled booklet than a magazine—laid the foundation for what The Absolute Sound would very quickly become—a cultural touchstone for an entire generation of music enthusiasts. It is impossible to overstate TAS’ influence on the rise and trajectory of high-quality audio beginning in the early 1970s. TAS was the place where dreams were created and sometimes realized, where worthy manufacturers rose from garage operation to establishment players, where a…

SOTA Quasar Turntable SOTA’s QUASAR TURNTABLE features a three-phase synchronous motor that is controlled by the company’s Condor power supply to realize precise speed control. The system sports the Ultimate 3-phase, brushless, AC synchronous, low-vibration motor driven by the Ultimate Condor digital power source with crystal-controlled motor-speed precision in 33-1/3, 45, and 78rpm operation. The new 2.25”-thick American walnut wood plinth reportedly improves the turntable’s bass extension. The 1.5” clear acrylic platter features a hand-lapped steel shaft in a brass bearing cup. The standard tonearm is the well-regarded Rega RB330, but the Quasar mount also accommodates SME, Rega, and other tonearms. Included are 360 brass-spike feet with pads for improved imaging and sonics. Optional is the RoadRunner tachometer with built-in accumulated-time counter and direct connection to the Condor’s power supply…

If you’re looking for more great high-end audio content, check out The Absolute Sounds new YouTube video channel. Our channel is chock-full of videos (more than 125 and counting) that cover everything from a nostalgic look at classic audio products to reviews of the latest components. We’ve got behind-the-scenes factory tours, show reports, audio-basics tutorials, and designer interviews. We’ve also got product reviews, primarily of lower to midpriced components. New videos on our channel include an extended tour (in 4k video) of Michael Fremer’s listening room; full coverage of the AXPONA show by Tom Martin and our newest contnbutor, Cynthia Blankenship (The Audio Belle); a look at the first public demonstration in 40 years of the legendary Plasmatronics plasma tweeter; Michael Fremer record shopping at Utah’s Randy’s Records, a review…

SHOW REPORT ■ THIS YEAR’S AXPONA, held in Schaumburg just outside Chicago in early April, was as vibrant and upbeat as any I’ve attended. It had all the makings of a great show: fabulous venue, lots of exhibit rooms (more than 200), the presence of many European company founders and executives who don’t normally attend U.S. regional shows, excellent sound, lots of affordable products (some of them making terrific music), and superb organization by JD Events. But what really made this AXPONA special was the sheer number of attendees (9000+, up 20% from 2022), their demographic, and their enthusiasm. I saw more young people, couples, and women than at any other North American show. Moreover, my impression was that they were enthusiastically looking for new and better ways to enjoy…

Best Sound (cost no object) I’ll name three systems, in no particular order. Axiss Audio’s demo of the Gauder Akustik DARC 200 loudspeaker driven by Soulution electronics with a Transrotor turntable and Air Tight Opus One cartridge. Spectacular dynamics, hard-hitting bass, quick, clean, non-fatiguing, and just plain musical. The Acora Acoustics VRC loudspeaker ($218,000) driven by VAC Statement electronics sourced by an Oracle Delphi Reference turntable and cabled with Cardas throughout. The sense of presence and immediacy was stunning, as was the huge three-dimensional soundstage. MBL’s recently upgraded 101 Mk.II loudspeaker driven by all-MBL front end and electronics delivered the usual dose of MBL virtues—a stunning sense of lifelike presence, top-to-bottom coherence, huge soundstage, and tremendous bass extension and impact. Because of the 101’s omnidirectional nature every seat in the…