Alternative Audio - Components

Whilst good amplifier design fundamentals have not moved much in the last ten years – the same topological principles apply today as they did then – the same does not apply to digital system sources such as CD players.

The 8000CD is a completely new design. Using a bespoke designed transport, optimised for accurate transfer of data to the very latest Crystal DACs, it is a worthy partner to the amplifiers and stands alone as one of the best CD players at anything close to its price.

Connectors Two pairs RCA phono
Output level 2.4V rms
Frequency response 20Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5dB
Output impedance 100 Ohms
S/N ratio Better than 100dBA
Channel balance Better than +/- 0.5dB @ 1kHz
Channel separation Better than 100dB @ 1kHz
THD+N at 1kHz Less than 0.003% 20Hz-20kHz (>-90dB /2.4V)
Output format SPDIF
Connectors 75 Ohm BNC, RCA phono, Optical
Output level 55mV p-p(nom.) +/- 10%
Output inpedance 75 Ohm +/- 5%

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VPI - HR-X Turntable/Rim Drive/Gingko Dustcover

List $13,500.00 US DOLLARS / Sale $8,500.00 Canadian Dollars

This is our floor model and comes complete with all boxes, manuals, Rim Drive and Gingko Dustcover

"The HR-X is known to reviewers and manufacturers around the world for it's natural reproduction of scale and sweep, which are two of the things that make us feel like we are listening to live music. With world class detail, low noise, pace, and timing, the HR-X will bring the concert hall into your home. Best of all, it does this without fiddling, tweaking, or constant resetting.

The HR-X features a triple laminated chassis (Acrylic-Aluminum-Acrylic) and integral air suspension which rejects up to 98% of acoustic feedback. The HR-X uses an inverted main bearing incorporating a chrome polished hardened steel ball running on a Teflon/Delrin composite for ultra low noise without any vertical motion caused by magnetic or air suspension resonances.

A periphery record clamp ring is centered by the platter, not the record, providing vacuum-like hold down without the problems inherent in a vacuum system. The drive system uses two low-powered 24-pole motors driving a 12-pound flywheel. The flywheel spins at 300 RPM and has 62 times the inertia of a 25 pound platter. The drive system and the periphery clamp result in wow, flutter, and rumble that are all below measurability providing world class sound.

The JMW 12.7 tonearm is bolted to the aluminum portion of the chassis with a double base mounting, providing the ultimate in rigidity and adjustability. The SDS power supply rounds out the package and provides a pure AC signal to the drive system.

The HR-X, includes the JMW 12.7 tonearm with propietary VPI silver over copper wire, periphery ring clamp, center record weight, dual motor flywheel, air ball suspension, clear acrylic platter with inverted bearing, and SDS power supply.

When teamed up with the RIM DRIVE system the HR-X becomes one of a handful of turntables able to raise the hairs on the back of a listeners neck while enjoying the sculptured beauty of its design."
taken from the VPI website.

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Cambridge Audio Azur Dac Magic-B DAC **SOLD PENDING**

List $479.00 / Sale $350.00

An Outstanding Piece of Kit at a great price!

D/A Converters: Dual Wolfson WM8740 24bit DACs
Digital filter: Texas Instruments TMS 320VC5501 DSP upsampling to 24bit 192kHz
Analogue filter: 2-Pole Dual Differential Bessel Double Virtual Earth Balanced
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB) - steep filter disabled
THD @ 1Khz 0dBFs: <0<0<0<130ps crosstalk< -100dB
Crosstalk @ 20kHz: < -90dB
Output Impedance: <50ohms
Output level (unbalanced): 2.1V rms
Output level (balanced): 4.2V rms (2.1V per phase)
Digital input word widths supported: 16-24bit (16 bit for USB)
Digital input sampling frequencies supported: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz (44.1kHz, 48kHz for USB)
Audio output up-sampling: Fixed 24bit 192kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D): 52 x 215 x 191mm
(2.0 x 8.6 x 7.6”)
Weight: 1.2kg/2.6lbs

"There isn't another DAC that offers the same features at a similar price. We're not just talking about the inputs, either: you also get a choice of phase filters to tailor the sound to your system and room, and there's even lights that indicate the sample rate of the incoming signal. Could you ask for more?"

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, France, June 2010

Consignment Item, Sorry no trades.

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Magnum Dynalab 106T Tuner

List $4,500.00 / Sale $2,700.00

Top Notch tuner from Legendary Canadian builder Magnum Dynalab.

"This tuner is absolutely gorgeous to look at and even more gorgeous to listen to. It is such a pleasing combination of vintage and modern looks. One of the real nifty things about the MD 106T is the magic "tuning eye". The tuning eye is actually for center tuning of the stereo signal and is located at the middle of the front panel. This eye is actually a vacuum tube, which glows in a varying degree of "pie-shapes" to show the centre stereo tuning of the unit. This is just so cool to look at and adds a sense of aesthetics to the product, which I like. From left to right on the front face there is a large knob that switches between the two antenna inputs, both 75 ohms, which the tuner accepts. There are two traditional analog meters, for multipath and signal strength. There is of course the magic tuning eye mentioned above, along with a digital read-out which displays the number of the station. The switches on the front panel include a power switch, a muting switch, a stereo/mono switch and a narrow/wide bandwidth switch. There is also a sensor that accepts the optional remote control, which can be ordered with many of the Magnum Dynalab tuners. The tuner that I reviewed did not have the remote control option, so I can't comment on this feature. There are also two LEDs that show that the muting is on and the more traditional stereo LED indicator.

On the back panel, again from left to right, there are the two 75 ohm antenna inputs labeled A1 and A2, an EIC power connector and both balanced (XLR) as well as unbalanced (RCA) output connectors are provided.

I'll tell you right up front that this tuner is an absolute joy and a real pleasure to listen to. You can listen to this tuner all day long without fatigue. You can listen to it critically to gauge the quality of the station and the quality of the music. You can also enjoy it as background music while you are doing your daily tasks, and even while just relaxing, unwinding and rejuvenating. In all these cases, this tuner sounds absolutely wonderful."**

**Taken from "Enjoy the Music" website.

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Cary DVD 8 Universal Disc Player

List $1,320 / Sale $900

We are selling our silver floor model demonstration unit which has seen light use. The DVD 8 is an amazing all format disk player (except Blue-Ray). The excellent sound quality is matched with a great picture. It will scale video signal outputs to as high as 720p or 1080i, offering both stereo and 5.1 analog audio outputs. It has HDMI for ease of use with new HD flat panel displays, as well as component video, S-Video and composite video outputs. The sleek style and overall performance of the DVD 8 will appeal to all home cinema fans and to audiophiles who want the multi channel playback capabilities the DVD 8 offers.

Includes box and manual.

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Shunyata Hydra 8 v.1

List $2,850 / Sale $1,900

We are clearing out the original model Hydra 8's and have 3 on offer. Two are new in box and one is a floor model. This is the industry standard power conditioning used by many of the finest recording facilities in the world, such as Aster Studios owned by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

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CARY 303/300 CD Player

List $4,500 / Sale $3,200

Discontinued item, we have our floor model demonstrator available. Silver finish on faceplate. Features include HDCD, remote selectable tube or solid state output and remote selectable upsampling levels.

Manual, remote and boxes are included.

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Alternative Audio Stereo Specialities
6 Hatt Street, Dundas, Ontario, Canada L9H 2E8 - Telephone 905.627.0899 - Fax 905.627.2734
Web www.alternativeaudio.com - E.mail info@alternativeaudio.com
Open Tues-Wed 10 am to 6 pm, Thurs, Fri. 11 am to 8:30 pm, Sat, 10 am to 5:00 pm, Sun., Mon. by appt. only