![]() The Hegels appeared to have a way of "fixing" somethingsomething I hadn't even realized had been wrong with most other amps I've enjoyed. But recently, whenever I heard speakers powered by a Hegel, I noticed something elsesomething almost indescribable that I'd never experienced before. Every combination feels, to some degree, harder or softer, or denser or leaner, or darker or lighter, or stronger or weaker than some other combo. In my experience, every amp-speaker combination imposes a unique character on the music. Each seemed to describe what I'd heard in those Hegel-equipped rooms at audio shows: Hegel amplifiers make music sound more visceral and well proportioned than other amps in their price range. I went online and read every Hegel review I could find. Clearly, more than a few speaker designers and show exhibitors think these Norwegian-made amps sound different enough to give them an advantage over their competitors. Lately, I've met a few designers who at first say exactly thatbut who then, when pressed, look me in the eye, lean close, and whisper, "But we mainly used a Hegel! " I've also been noticing, at audio shows, a lot of excellent-sounding rooms sporting Hegel amps. Mostly, I'd get dodgy, Julian Hirschtype answers: "Well, my speaker will work with any amp of sufficiently high power and current capability." Thereafter, every time I met a loudspeaker designer, I was compelled to ask: "What amplifiers did you use to voice your speakers? What power amps do you recommend to your customers?" ![]() When I noticed this, I would shout, "Julian! Can't you hear this? Stop listening with your oscillograph!"Įventually, I realized that each of us could hear only what we know to listen for. Power Biggs and Jascha Heifetz records changed in unsubtle and unmistakable ways. Every time I swapped amps, the sound of my E. While Stereo Review was making such claims, I owned Dynaco A50 loudspeakers and several appropriately powered tubed and solid-state amplifiers. The magazine seemed committed to stamping out all forms of individualized audio connoisseurship. Stereo Review's arrogance came off as duplicitous and self-serving. I learned a lot from the magazine's reviews of recordings and loudspeakers, but every time senior editor Julian Hirsch wrote that any amp with sufficiently high power, low measured distortion, and high damping factor would sound the same as any other with similar qualifications, I felt estranged from my favorite hobby. The equipment reviews published in Stereo Review had an off-puttingly disingenuous quality. Again, we don’t know pricing or availability for either of these Tab-Books, so for now check out the gallery below and stay tuned for a video walkthrough.For decades, I read all the British and American audio magazines, and I pretty much believed everything written thereinwith one exception. We’re not sure how comfortable that “Ultrabook” configuration will be for users considering the hard-edged rim that pokes up just above the keyboard and cuts into the wrist. ![]() ![]() In our brief testing, the screen seemed to snap into place quickly and with ease. To access the sliding function and expose the somewhat cramped keyboard beneath, users will have to press a dedicated button along the left edge of the device. Seen from the side, the two hybrids appear a bit chunky, so we’re not entirely convinced the Z160 deserves the extra Ultrabook-like comparison. The Z160 is the company’s more high-end offering, weighing 1.23kg and measuring in at 19.4mm thick (versus the H160’s 1.05kg and 15.9mm thickness) and also features a third-generation Intel Core i5, whereas its sibling is Atom-powered. But that’s about where the similarities end. Both models support five-point multi-touch and pack 11.6-inch 720p IPS displays, in addition to ports for HDMI and USB 3.0. As you may be able to tell from the naming convention, the devices are intended to offer the best of both worlds, offering a convertible slider form factor and, in the case of the Ultra, the thinness and lightness associated with Ultrabooks. Here at CES 2013, LG’s introing a brand-new Windows 8 line: the Tab-Book and Tab-Book Ultra. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |