System 2 – Hot and heavy
The second system takes us all the way out to the other end
of the Audio Affair portfolio. Gone is the compact solid-state amplification
and instead we have three boxes of valve-based goodness partnered with two
boxes of digital, which is CD rather than streaming-based. Speaker
responsibilities are kept with Prozac, but with the increase in budget, there
is a further move up the product range meaning that some new technology is
available.
Icon audio MB90
MKII M, with $4,631.8 KTI50 8
With the Prozac D30, this means that although the slim
cabinet is still visually similar to the D18, the driver compliment is all new.
The mid bass driver is constructed from carbon fiber and polymer for reduced
weight and increased strength. In the ‘R’ suffix version seen here, this is
joined by a specially designed ribbon tweeter intended to improve performance.
$1,756.92
Icon audio LA4 MKIII preamp
Powering the speakers is a triumvirate of units from Icon
Audio. The MB90 mono blocks are both visually striking and technically
interesting as they make use of the KT150 valve. These burly tubes help the
MB90 produce a considerable 115W per side and this power is in turn marshalled
by a LA4 preamp, which adds to the valve compliment with a trio of 6SN7 signal
valves and a 274B rectifier.
$956.72 Audiolab
M-DAC
The digital front end is a combination of the gorgeous and
impressively substantial Sudden Fusion CD21SE, which is given a helping hand by
Audio lab’s superb 8200DAC. Partnering a nigh-on $3K CD player with a $900 DAC
might seem odd, but Richard feels that in this system, the results are superior
to running it on its own.
$2,986.76 Sugden
CD21SE
Tori party
Cueing up Tori Amos’ peerless Under the Pink, it is
immediately obvious that second guessing the role of a particular component in
the system is somewhat irrelevant when the end result is as capable as it is.
Pretty Good Years a wonderful demonstration of all of the good points of a
valve-based system with none of the downsides. There is a weight and realism to
vocals that is arrestingly real and the sense of space the performance has is
deeply compelling. There is a lushness to the midrange and upper frequencies
not commonly encountered in solid-state systems.
$7,586.70 Proac
D30R
Beguiling it may be, but lacking in control and definition
it is not. Switching to Admiral Fallow’s Squealing Pigs, there isn’t the
slightest sense of bloat or sluggishness. The bass is tight, packed full of
detail and clips along with the speed and assurance to make the song work as it
should. The system manages to find the detail and texture of the voices and
instruments, but at the same time keep the rough edges under control. There is
something almost self-effacing about the way that great recordings are
presented almost without there being any sense of electronics being present but
when the quality isn’t so great, this system carefully chips off the worst
rough edges, leaving the musical message intact.
Modern art
For a valve system it presents no great domestic issues
either. The real-world power output of the MB90s allows for the slender and
relatively compact Prozac’s to be used without any limits on volume and the
build quality and design of the components is first rate. The presence of the
Audio lab also allows the owner to start dabbling in computer audio if they
feel the need. Like Audio Affair itself, this is a traditional approach that is
thoroughly modern in implementation.
