I was pleased to finally meet John Tarulli, Hi-Fi Sales Manager at Audio-Technica US. A mainstay in hi-fi, consumer, and pro electronics since 1962, Audio-Technica doesn't necessarily need audiophiles, but we sure do need Audio-Technica.
They may not need us, but that doesn't mean they don't want us. Tarulli expressed eagerness to get A-T products into the hands of reviewers like me. The first fruits of his labor will appear on AnalogPlanet.com.
On static display, Tarulli brought a large headphone amplifier, a turntable, two pairs of headphones, and numerous cartridges.
The headphone amp was the NARUKAMI HPA-KG NARU, ($108,000), which employs a fully balanced drive design. The amplification stage uses a shunt-regulated push-pull (SRPP) circuit with paired JJ ECC83S tubes. Two pairs of Takatsuki TA-300B tubes are used in the output stage.
The closed-back ATH-AWKG headphones ($4499) feature dynamic drivers "equipped with a lightweight, durable titanium flange and a 6N-OFC (high-purity, oxygen-free copper) voice coil to ensure precise diaphragm movement and optimal signal transfer," according to the A-T website. "Our exclusive D.A.D.S. (Double Air Damping System), which divides the housing structure into two separate acoustic chambers, provides smooth, accurate bass response."
The open-back ATH-ADX7000 headphones ($3499), which also use dynamic drivers, include a frame "constructed of thin, rigid magnesium alloy, providing strength and stability while keeping the headphones very lightweight," the website states. "The magnesium frame plays a key role in dampening unnecessary vibrations generated by the driver's powerful new voice coil, thus minimizing coloration and enhancing sonic purity. The result is premium comfort and uncompromising performance."
The turntable was belt-drive AT-LPA2 ($2000), which is largely made from transparent acrylic and is said to be easy to set up. It comes with a pre-mounted AT-OC9XEN moving coil cartridge, which has a nude elliptical stylus and "high-purity PCOCC" coils. The chassis is high-density, 30mm transparent acrylic; the 20mm platter is acrylic, too. Heavy-duty, height-adjustable feet isolate the turntable from vibration. An optical sensor underneath the spindle monitors platter rotation speed and feeds back to keep it accurate speed at 33⅓ or 45rpm. Look for a review of the AT-LPA2 on AnalogPlanet.com.
On static display, Tarulli brought a large headphone amplifier, a turntable, two pairs of headphones, and numerous cartridges.
The open-back ATH-ADX7000 headphones ($3499), which also use dynamic drivers, include a frame "constructed of thin, rigid magnesium alloy, providing strength and stability while keeping the headphones very lightweight," the website states. "The magnesium frame plays a key role in dampening unnecessary vibrations generated by the driver's powerful new voice coil, thus minimizing coloration and enhancing sonic purity. The result is premium comfort and uncompromising performance."
The turntable was belt-drive AT-LPA2 ($2000), which is largely made from transparent acrylic and is said to be easy to set up. It comes with a pre-mounted AT-OC9XEN moving coil cartridge, which has a nude elliptical stylus and "high-purity PCOCC" coils. The chassis is high-density, 30mm transparent acrylic; the 20mm platter is acrylic, too. Heavy-duty, height-adjustable feet isolate the turntable from vibration. An optical sensor underneath the spindle monitors platter rotation speed and feeds back to keep it accurate speed at 33⅓ or 45rpm. Look for a review of the AT-LPA2 on AnalogPlanet.com.
