Date: 2022-09-30

當需要升級暢銷產品線時，有些公司會採用重新設計，使它們看起來完全不同。其他則在數年、甚至數十年內穩步發展，追求基礎不變的漸進式改進。PMC 則選擇了第三種方式來發展自己的一系列揚聲器，這些揚聲器表面上看起來與以前大致相同，但內部有很大的變化。

正如 “i” 所暗示的那樣，twenty5i 系列是上一代 twenty5 系列的改進版本。其中 twenty5.23i 是這系列三款座地式揚聲器中最小的型號，如果您將它放在舊型號 twenty5.23 (如下簡稱 23) 旁邊，區分兩者就像是查找不同的遊戲，但實際上 twenty5.23i (如下簡稱 23i) 的變化是很大的。

23i 的結像比前一代 23 有更大進步！

與舊型號 23 的不同之處 - 從底部開始
23i箱體是安裝在一對帶有可調節高度腳釘的底座金屬桿上。在測試和開發過程中，PMC 發現舊型號的底座條形金屬桿和腳釘在 470Hz 處產生共振。該共振會反饋到箱體並引起對播放聲音的干擾。改進後新的底座金屬桿上邊緣帶有切口，在其中增添了阻尼墊圈，比以前更有效地將箱體與支撐面相互隔離，腳釘保持不變，並在穩定性和占用空間之間取得最佳平衡。

另一個重點，但難以發現的差異是高音單元和分音器。前者已在所有新型號中更改為 19 mm 軟半球體高音單元，這項技術來自高一級 fact系列所使用的高音單元。這與直徑 34 mm 的厚懸邊相輔相成。因此，位於中心的半球頂負責產生高頻，而環繞其下則負責向下延伸，與中低音單元的銜接點設在 1.7kHz 。這是我記憶中在任何價位的二路設計中所看到的最低分頻點之一。

分音器也進行了重大修改。除了達到這個新設立的 1.7kHz 分頻點外，信號路徑中還有新的組件以追求更平坦的整體頻率響應，並且安裝分音零件的電路板是黑色的，這有助於將新型號與舊型號區分開來，並且看起來也更醒目。

中低​​音單元與舊型號基本沒變，由於這是上次開發的重點，不變並不令人驚訝。23i 使用單隻 140 mm 纖維編織錐體音盆，與 7.8 英尺長的 ATL 傳輸線配合使用，單元背波聲音在傳輸線通過吸音物料濾掉 28Hz，最後經一對“Laminair” 疏氣端口離開揚聲器，這些端口旨在防止離開 ATL 的氣流產生湍流。這條 ATL傳輸線和新高音單元相結合，為 23i 提供了從 28Hz 到 25kHz 的頻率響應範圍，對於相對細小的揚聲器來說這絕非易事。

23i 也有一些飾面可供選擇，備有橡木、胡桃木、絲絨白或鑽石鋼琴黑。還提供磁石吸附面網，確保揚聲器面板上沒有多餘的穿孔達到美觀順滑的效果，這些細節安排足以看出為何 twenty5i 成為最暢銷的系列。

twenty5i 系列的成員，在建造和完成度的整體標準非常高，它的小身軀可以在比它較大的揚聲器面前有更好的表現。話雖如此，與一些同樣身材苗條的競爭對手相比，它的性價比更高。

音質
從一開始，這些變化就受益匪淺。23i 仍然受益於至少對其定位的粗略關注，但現在更多的是調整它的功能而不是釋放它的潛力。與之前相比，此揚聲器所建立的音像立體感有重要的改進。

連接到 Naim Supernait 3 (HFC 456) 和 Chord Hugo 2 和 2Go ( HFC 465)，PMC 將 Ray LaMontagne 的Monovision的 24/96 Qobuz 串流揭開到一個奇妙的臨場三維空間，延伸至音箱的兩邊外側，並且音場前後深度有一種不可思議的感覺。這種音場空間的創造，是它幾乎不理任何音樂類型，並且在很大程度上獨立於搭配器材的情況下，毫不費力地完成了整件事。同樣重要的是，即使在非常低的音量下，它也能做到這一點。

23i 喇叭隔震座脚、高音單元和分音器修改的具體影響是顯著的，座腳提供了良好的與周圍環境隔離的程度。23i 以即時和精確的方式運用其傳輸線的獨特優勢，從箱體底部輸出端口的氣流所建立的富層次感低頻，聽起來多麼令人痴迷，其速度和精度確實令人印象深刻。你真的可以依靠 23i，播放像 Sturgill Simpson 的 Sing Also 之類的樂曲，提供了完全令人信服的壓迫感、驅動力和衝擊力。這個有點前衛的錄音確實表明，在頻譜的另一端，它仍然不是同類產品中最寬容的揚聲器，但鑑於 PMC 的傳統，23i 的本質就是監聽器。

這也意味著音色的真實感非常好。令人好奇的是，Tunng Presents... Dead Club是一場美麗的樂器和精緻和聲的盛宴，而 PMC 絕對是Eating The Dead 打開和弦的元素。23i 所做的每件事都有一種低調的能力，需要一點時間來欣賞，而且只有在你反覆切換不太確定的東西時才會真正感受到。另外，23i也非常透明，將 PMC 連接至 Cambridge Edge A 這台放大器兼作解碼器，它非常有效地重現了 Edge A 更溫暖、更飽滿和更輕鬆的表現。

結論
23i 是一款外觀和感覺與其前身非常相似的揚聲器，並且完全沒有失去它所擁有的積極品質。相反，它適用於進一步擴大其吸引力的新天賦。23i 發揮其價值的地方在於挑戰細小空間的能力。由於對音箱座腳退耦的關注、創建一致且可信的立體音像能力以及它可以從相對較小的箱體中發揮的影響力，PMC 可以在競爭對手面前提供 23i 的許多優點。twenty5.23i 看起來像往常一樣，但實際上標誌著 PMC 向前邁出了令人感受深刻的一步。

判決
一款漂亮且高效能的揚聲器，可在競爭對手難以應對的位置提供超出其尺寸的性能。

Date: 2022-09-28

LowBeats features three speaker cables from Siltech’s Classic Legend series in an extensive article published in August 2022.

Thanks to Jurgen Schroeder at lowbeats.de for testing, reviewing the 380L, the 680L, as well as the 880L cable, and sharing his valuable insight with the audiophiles’ community in Germany and abroad. Additionally, we are happy to share that LowBeats awarded each speaker cable in the Classic Legend series!

For the full review (in German), visit lowbeats.de

Conclusion Siltech Classic Legend
Once again, this test makes it clear that the composition of the conductor material in audio cables has a significant impact on sound quality. Typical for the Dutch manufacturer Siltech, the three tested speaker cables from the Classic Legend series use the precious metal silver for the conductor material – to homogenize the crystalline transitions in an alloy with gold.

Precious metal naturally requires a not inconsiderable investment. In the case of the Classic Legend cables, a complete hi-fi system can be purchased. On the other hand, all three test cables convinced us of their exceptional musical performance in the listening test. Of course, this is not only due to the conductor material but also to the well-thought-out architecture and the high-quality insulation materials.

Budget-oriented hi-fi fans could therefore ask themselves whether similarly convincing sound results can be achieved with copper conductors with the same architecture and insulation – which would significantly reduce the cable price. Based on our current experience, the answer to this is clearly “no”. We do not (yet) have to provide metrological proof as to whether and why silver “makes more music” than copper. Nevertheless, we can only warmly recommend skeptics to experience this difference with their own ears at an excellent specialized dealer. Because this much is certain: for quite a few music lovers, the question of the price will quickly be put into perspective afterward – regardless of whether it is with works by Hania Rani, Hammock, Jon Hopkins, or Rammstein.

In any case, LowBeats awards the Gold Medal for Silver: The Siltech Classic Legend 880L will be the measure of all things in speaker cables in the future.

— Jurgen Schroeder, lowbeats.de

Date: 2022-09-26

MADE FROM 3 x 14 AWG highpurity multi-strand copper conductors with a parallel conductor layout, the Shawline has PVC internal and external insulation along with a high mechanical damping factor. Surrounding the conductors is a dual-layer high-frequency braid and foil combination shield. The cable is finished off with an elegant grey high-density vibration-damping outer jacket.

The supply end is terminated with a 13A UK mains plug fitted with a 13A fuse and a 13 or 16A IEC plug at the other end. The cable is available in standard lengths of 1m, 1.5m and 2m, while custom lengths and terminations, including Euro, Schuko, Australian and USA mains plugs, are available to order.

I connect the Shawline to my phono stage preamp and there is no real evidence of mains-borne interference – something I am often aware of when using standard ‘kettle leads’.

Balancing act
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 highlights the excellent front-to-back imaging with this recording. The balance between piano and orchestra is perfect, and the piano is never swamped by the orchestra. The performance somehow has more excitement and energy, especially during the climatic ending.

A superb recording of JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations played by Trevor Pinnock has all of the sophisticated elegance I am used to hearing. The tonal complexities of the instrument really come to life in my listening room with the Shawline installed. This is an excellent power cable that delivers real sonic benefits.

Date: 2022-09-21

英國 Exposure 最新 3510 旗艦合併擴音機用於取代了行銷多年的舊款 3010 S2D。它的特點是煥然一新的面板，顯得更現代及簡潔，面板具有優雅拉絲鋁板。面板由 5 mm厚的鋁板整體加工而成，對整個機體的剛性起著堅固穩定的作用。

3510 面板備有黑色和銀灰色兩種可供選擇，面板上的功能控制件包括：電源按鈕、6 檔音源旋轉式選擇器、電動音量旋鈕以及中間一排 6 粒 LED 指示燈顯示所選的音源、 6.35 耳機輸出插孔和紅外遙控接收器圖形窗。

機箱內部分為兩個不同部分，左側為環形電源變壓器，右側集合了電源穩壓及各放大器的電路板。大型散熱器將左右兩部分隔開，可充當屏蔽以避免任何形式的電磁干擾，還有助於加強整體剛性。

除了強大的 400 VA 環形變壓器外，電源儲備有賴於四顆電容，每顆電容量為 10,000 µF，即總電容量為 40,000 µF！輸出級為A B 類放大，功率管選用東芝 2SA1943 和 2SC5200 雙極晶體管作推挽，在 8 Ω 負載下提供 2 x 110瓦的輸出功率。另外，3510還可以選配MM、MC唱頭放大或解碼插卡擴展功能。值得一提的是，Exposure 至今仍然堅持旗下產品的組裝完全在英國以手工完成，在如今的全球化時代已是越來越罕見了。

聲音的美學
開機後，EXPOSURE 3510 讓您沉浸在歡樂的音樂世界中，它的高頻有向上拓展的潛力，非常適合播放些精心編排有豐富色彩的曲目，使這款合併擴音機具有耀眼的音響特性，這方面會讓您感到驚訝。3510 善於深入挖掘微弱電子信號，藉此提取大量的音樂信息，從而可以品嚐到每件樂器所發出的聲音，輕易識別出三角鈴的微妙顫音、敲擊樂器的衝擊力和散發在空氣的顫動。在透明度方面，這款放大器也具有非常高的分辨率。

中頻的表現同樣非常吸引，獨奏樂器或樂器組自然而然地被展現出來。與高頻段形成了鮮明的對比，值得強調的是高、中、低三頻的整體連貫性，使音樂以坦成純淨的方式表達，不會留下任何額外的元素。

在低頻方面，3510將滿足任何尋求低音的深度和層次清晰度的人。低音提琴的旋律與節奏的卓越性具有很強的說服力。

慷慨是最能描述 3510 所提供的音場廣闊的術語。大棚的演繹絕對嚇不倒 3510。它能完美地馴服大型管弦樂的力量，具有鮮明和精湛的華麗感。

結論:
在其冷靜而相當經典的外表背後，3510 已經證明了廠方所累積技術與經驗的成熟，使這款放大器具有代表性。雖然3510 的聲音並非完全中立，但它提供了奪目的音樂性。由於可選配優質 MC 唱放卡、解碼卡和內置耳機放大，構成了一款功能齊全的合併式擴音機。聲音的開放性、豐富的音樂色彩、晶瑩剔透的透明感，使它能在同類的產品中脫穎而出。

Date: 2022-09-14

Critic: Kevin

System – Naim Audio CD555, NAC552, NAP300, 2 x 555PS, Rega RP6, Focal Utopia loudspeakers, Chord cabling.

“In terms of existing set-up, my CD555 is connected to the mains via a WireWorld Matrix 2 six-way block with a Naim Powerline connecting the WireWorld to the mains. When I previously set up the WireWorld I methodically worked through the best position for each of the respective plugs as there seemed to be differences in presentation depending on position. I decided life was too short to go through all of that again so assumed that my preferred order would work equally well on the Powerhaus. The order I’d previously landed on (starting from the mains-entry end) was: 552PS; then 555PS analogue; then a space; then 500PS, then a space; then 555PS digital.

For info all my other gear (Rega P6 power supply, phono stage, 2x i-Supply) are handled separately through a Russ Andrews Silencer block.

Given that my WireWorld/Naim combo costs £800, my assumption was that the Chord Powerhaus (even with the standard mains lead) would offer a bit more given the respective price tags and that was obvious straight from the off. Much better bottom end with the bass being tighter, deeper and more controlled sounding than before. The music, as a result, had significantly more power and weight. At the same time, more subtleties and nuances from my standard demo CDs were evident (I assume an effect from the GroundARAYs contained in the Powerhaus effectively lowering the noise floor) which all contributed to a much greater sense of clarity, detail and depth. The soundstage appeared wider, with greater separation/air around individual elements of the music while at the same time coalescing everything into a wonderfully coherent musical whole. The key words I kept coming back to were power and control. Overall the system just seemed to be much more musical and (dare I say it) more analogue sounding than I’ve heard it before. It’s not often that I use Mahler’s 2nd Symphony to demo a piece of hi-fi (all 1 hour and 25 minutes of it!!!) but the musical presentation was so compellingly outstanding that I had to continue listening from start to finish!

Phew, after that some light relief was required so Mark E.Smith snarled his way through “Dragnet” to complete my initial listening. As you know, that’s my ultimate test for any hi-fi upgrade (it has to be about the music not the hi-fi) and the Powerhaus passed the test superbly.

My starting point was that I expected the Chord to offer a bit more than my existing combo but in reality it offered a heck of a lot more in terms of musical enjoyment. At times I had to remind myself that this was not a Naim black box upgrade, it was simply a powerstrip change. Who’d have thought…..”

Date: 2022-09-12

Reprint from 《Hi-Fi Choice》

Conventional computer cables use unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) of wires in their design. In order to reduce cable-induced jitter of the digital audio signal, a shielded cable is preferable and the new Clearway has been designed to virtually eliminate the susceptibility to high-frequency noise interference. The Clearway streaming cable employs four high-speed 26AWG OFC twisted-pair conductors, which have been individually shielded from each other. The entire cable is also screened by a shield beneath the outer jacket to offer additional protection. It is terminated with Chord Company’s latest-generation RJ45 connectors, which feature 24ct gold-plated contacts, zinc connector jackets and a non-compression strain-relief system. These connectors also have a slim profile in order to make them easy to use with a wide range of different equipment. Apart from the 1.5m cable reviewed here, lengths are also available in 0.75m, 3m, 5m, 10m, 15m and 20m.

Difference is clear
To check the cable out, I use the Clearway streaming cable to connect a Cambridge Audio Azur 851N streamer to a Gigabit switch in my computer network and play music stored on a Thecus N2810PRO fileserver that is also connected to the Gigabit switch via a short Cat6 cable. The sockets on my Gigabit switch are very close together, but I have no problem fitting the Chord slim profile RJ45 into a spare socket. My music and, in particular, a 24-bit/192kHz PCM WAV file recording of Rimsky Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol from the beautifully recorded Chasing The Dragon album España, play faultlessly from the Cambridge 851N over the Clearway streaming cable. The clarity of each instrument in the orchestra is very evident during this powerful performance. In summary, this is an excellent audiophile streaming cable at a very reasonable cost.