Channel Title: Pearl Acoustics Channel Description: Our channel was created to inspire our customers and friends to discover more about us, about music reproduction; equipment, recordings and the fun to be had in a lifetime of listening pleasure. Our goal is to share our expertise and experience and learn from those who engage with us in return. We hope you enjoy our content. <video> MM Vs MC Phono Cartridges: The brand new Rega Nd7 versus their flagship Aphelion 2! Description: In this video I talk about the differences between Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono cartridges. I explore their technical differences and look for justifications for the big price differences. I use as a specific example the latest, top of the range Moving Magnet cartridge from Rega (their Nd7) and compare it with their flagship Aphelion 2 Moving Coil Cartridge. Is paying 8 times the retail price of the Nd7 for the Aphelion 2 worth it? At the end of the video, I demonstrate some in room, side by side audio comparisons. BUT, I also made some recordings taken directly from the output stage of the Rega Aria phono stage (preamplifier) and uploaded them to our webshop where you can download them for free. (See link below). This is the closest we can get to offering you the chance to hear these two cartridges, mounted onto a Rega RB titanium tonearm on a Rega NAIA turntable, on your own system. In addition, I made some comparison recordings of the Nd7 from the output of the Rega Fono MM Mk5 phono-stage, which are also available from our webshop (link below). My question is: Do you think paying the extra for the Aria Mk lll is worth it, if one is not going down the Moving Coil route? - All answers in the comments please! Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:29 -Why this topic? Some background information. 05:49 – Why are Moving Coil Cartridges so expensive & What are the differences between them? 11:53 – The effects of aging on hearing and appreciating HiFi 12:52 – The new Nd range of Rega MM cartridges 15:20 – The development process of the new Rega Nd MM range 22:21 – How do they sound? 27:45 – In room recording comparisons between Rega Nd7 and Rega Aphelion 2 Link to the free download of the direct output recordings: https://shop.pearlacoustics.com/product/mmmc_samples/ Equipment used in this video: Rega Nd7 and Aphelion 2 phono cartridges Rega NAIA turntable with the Rega RB titanium tonearm Rega Aria Mk lll & Rega Fono MM Mk5 phono amplifiers (For in Room comparison) as above +: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Amplifier: Sugden ANV50 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Content Links: Music: Chasing The Dragon Records (I’ve got you under my skin’ and ‘Scheherazade’ recordings) https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/ Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Equipment: Rega: https://www.rega.co.uk/ Pearl Acoustics Sibelius loudspeakers (who we are, what we do and what we believe in): https://pearlacoustics.com/ Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com </video> <video> Messiah: George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) Description: First performed in 1742, in many ways, The Messiah turned out to be Handel's most famous and often played work. In this video, I take a look his life, his travels and his compositions, and play a selection of highly regarded recordings of this masterpiece. Equipment used in this video: Playback: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Power Amplifier: Pearl Acoustics 170 CD Player (Transport): Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Recording: Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated Content Links: Spotify Link to intro & outro music: ‘Philia’ taken from The Four Loves, by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/2vaU6lWvYlW2tEbjzF2FWW?si=06d392d9074b4b3d Zadok the Priest: https://open.spotify.com/track/2JoH4WelznXZHJeWxu8ALt?si=8c65a02e64ce4570 My three favourite versions: The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock: 1998 Archiv https://open.spotify.com/album/6HkDzk6GzgLTc0OqCh1fu4?si=aX4zK_9oRTey9ZnhkIfyRQ Dunedin Consort • John Butt (Dublin Version, 1742) released on Linn records 2006 https://open.spotify.com/album/5OIB6PuKrzZMNKj4GI3jQW?si=b3eRnBijTimO0ry29B4R_g Britten Symphonia with Polophony conducted by Stephen Lytton: 2009 on Hyperion https://open.spotify.com/album/4tf4EkTjkrbmcRDsJI5A50?si=MF__dko5QJWAFwvRE93jCg Other featured versions (Symphony only): The English Concert – John Nelson https://open.spotify.com/album/7L9hDTUKox7BP3VOgeX5ov?si=Rv4G1hTxRAKaL-K4xWttlg London Philharmonic – Karl Richter https://open.spotify.com/album/77gJvkWpJ7UlDf6SGaDrFP?si=bfj8MPlPR2WVElItyAwvzg The Philharmonia Orchestra – Otto Klemperer https://open.spotify.com/album/0ioDQc1oRbvrA933thu0OS?si=-Jvv9ppPTuiZYX5IdC2RdA The New York Philharmonic – Leonard Bernstein https://open.spotify.com/album/4m6ilF9p2olP4cvlzIik5N?si=OkJlyo5VRz21a-FkFlhBQA Boston Baroque – Martin Pearlman https://open.spotify.com/album/7yfxQLsMJQhdek3ckxNAyE?si=Pk_nxpEmTe2qcwkW1CipqQ Bach Consort Wein – Rubén Dubrovsky https://open.spotify.com/album/1Hgzo5fPr2DNl1CAc3Gdxf?si=XZ94aBuMRn2hJsX3e109RQ About Pearl Acoustics: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> Joni Mitchell - Blue Description: In 2000 the New York Times nominated this album as one of the 25 albums that represented "turning points and pinnacles in 20th-century popular music". And as recently as 2020, Rolling Stone magazine ranked this album at No.3 of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Over the last 50 years, I have shared multiple key life moments to the soundtrack of this masterpiece. Its notoriety proves that, through it, Joni Mitchell truly touches souls, - 'well surely (she) touched mine'... In this video, I explore the album and talk a little about Joni Mitchell, her life and work, in the hope that someone may discover 'Blue' and thus, Joni Mitchell herself, perhaps for the first time. Harley Lovegrove Enjoy. Topics covered: 00:00 – Intro 01:48 - The life and times of Joni Mitchell 10:41 - The album and its songs Link: Joni Mitchell 'Blue' (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/album/1vz94WpXDVYIEGja8cjFNa?si=7f1LIFvdQzmyqNDym4NjPg Joni Mitchell 'Blue' (Qobuz): https://open.qobuz.com/album/0603497921805 Video of Joni Mitchell performing 'Case of You' live with Brandi Carlile at the Newport Festival in 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9evpH6yjxrI Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Amplifier: Sugden SPA-4 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Video recording equipment: Sony FX30 Sound recording: Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated About Pearl Acoustics: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> R2R, Ladder DACs - featuring the Denafrips Pontus 15th Anniversary DAC Description: Following on from our video where I compared an SMSL D400 EX dual AKM Chip DAC with a Topping D90 Mk lll, dual Sabre chip DAC, in this video I talk about the much loved R2R Ladder DAC concept, focusing specifically on Denafrips' brand new Pontus 15th. On the 7th October, 2024 we will release a Pt 3 'DAC Shootout' conclusion video, where we will compare the Topping D90, the SMSL D400 EX, the Topping D10, Sugden DAC4 / DAP 800 with the Denefrips Pontus 15th. To do this, we will make sound recordings, directly from the outputs of each dac and upload them to our website, for free download, so you can compare at home on your own systems. But for now let's get to know the Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC better! Contents: 00:00 - Introduction 03:36 - The Denafrips Pontus 15th Anniversary 10:35 - The differences between the Pontus 15th and the Pontus ll - 12th 10:59 - How an R2R Ladder DAC works (high level overview) 13:37 - The Pontus 15 power supply 16:10 - My feelings towards the Denafrips Pontus 15th 19:43 - Explanation of the upcoming DAC shootout comparison video 20:35 - Conclusion Interesting Links: R2R Ladder DACS: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/combination/r-2r-dac.html Low Jitter Clocks: https://insideclassicaudio.blogspot.com/2011/07/low-jitter-clocks.html Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com </video> <video> The Last Ship: An almost forgotten masterpiece Description: Like me, you might not have been a big Sting fan, of course there a few tracks and song of his I quite like but this is on a total other level. And yet, almost no one I know seems to have even heard of it. I discovered this incredible work purely by accident. The melodies and arrangements are glorious, the musicianship is superb, the lyrics are the work of a genius, and the recording and engineering is expertly executed. Join me on a journey of discovery. In this work, Sting explores the industrial might of his childhood past, his childhood and coming of age, his relationship with his father, with lost love, with life itself and eventually death. Topics covered: 00:00 - Introduction 01:59 – Context: Why this piece? 08:35 – The Last Ship 12:36 – Dead Man’s Boots 15:19 – And Yet 21:02 The Language of Birds 25:15 – Practical Arrangement 29:22 – The Night The Pugilist Learns How to Dance 33:10 The Ballad of The Great Eastern 35:42 – I Love Her But She Loves Someone Else 40:30 – So To Speak 46:25 – “The Last Ship” Reprise Content Links: Wikipedia page on the album ‘The Last Ship’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Ship_(album) Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Amplifier: Sugden ANV 50 Silver CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK </video> <video> Johnny Cash, American IV: The Man Comes Around Description: In ill health, knowing he’s in final chapter, Johnny Cash goes into the recording studio with a long list of songs he wants to record. The result is a series of staggeringly powerful performances that pull you in to witness the story of his life. A truly great recording because he’s there right in front of you, demonstrating exactly why he was such a revered artist. Content links: Johnny Cash’s : ‘Hurt’ the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI Nine Inch Nails ‘Hurt’ the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhh21crSohs Depeche Mode ‘Personal Jesus’ the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNd4eocq2K0 Interview with Johnny Cash about the death of his brother Jack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbu_xWaXrWc Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Links to us: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics, Sibelius SG Preamplifier: Topping Pre90 Amplifiers: Pearl Acoustics 170 Blue Sound – Node Streaming Sugden DAC Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK </video> <video> How I assess a HiFi system: My top 10 test tracks Description: Over the years, I have developed a method by which I can relatively quickly assess a HiFi system. By selecting a few recordings (which I play in a specific order), I can form the basis of an opinion. The recordings I have chosen are not necessarily super high quality, but are each selected for a specific purpose. My tracks are: 1. Jackson Browne: Linda Paloma https://open.spotify.com/track/2eEVA9YI3yhTdugUysHmaP?si=d0ca61510901417d 2. Willie Nelson: Little House on the hill https://open.spotify.com/track/3dF3kvnHwiMOrTVSnDl6nY?si=5c18f894fbe74f69 3. Tracy Chapman: Mountain ‘O things https://open.spotify.com/track/45GTwVJoDDLGEAYkB5NOrT?si=2a8a579ddfab4418 4. Dianne Reeves: One for my baby https://open.spotify.com/track/3l8AksMKUIO35TXrn115Lp?si=db6eabfeea734ce3 5. Paul Simon: 50 ways to leave your lover https://open.spotify.com/track/6Qb7gtV6Q4MnUjSbkFcopl?si=d7f04da7450f4e4a 6. Tom Jones: What good am I? https://open.spotify.com/track/2OsqhOCQAi0VLg8rgTgwFB?si=df84dbe6070f414b BBC Interview: Tom Jones Interview with John Wilson on the BBC’s ‘Master Tapes’ series: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p04qr2kq 7. Harry Belafonte: Jamaican Farewell – Live https://open.spotify.com/track/5W5D6nk659xDDwgAqeYSQJ?si=5f582dedd7274e7e 8. Jos van Immerseel: Van Beethoven 4 Symphony No. 4. 1. Adagio – Allegro https://open.spotify.com/track/2ogE5tcWgsqhIULaD2rZv1?si=3b8c1c53d8b94a0a 9. Peter Hurford: Paul Hindemith Organ Sonata no 1. 1937 (Phantasie) https://open.spotify.com/track/79JvhYTyp6SCs6xnTo2NZX?si=c962ff976e054d88 10. Howard Griffiths / Royal Phil: Max Bruch’s: Kol Nidrei https://open.spotify.com/track/6uwUTGxaSQ5ygB0sBy1rtI?si=dd733c372bd8402c Intro & outro music: ‘Philia’ taken from The Four Loves, by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/2vaU6lWvYlW2tEbjzF2FWW?si=06d392d9074b4b3d Equipment used in this video (where applicable): Playback: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 / Topping Pre 90 / D90 Amplifier: Pearl Acoustics 170, CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Recording: Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated About Pearl Acoustics: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> Let's talk about DAC's! The Topping D90 Mklll & D10B (ESS Sabre), Vs the SMSL D400EX (AKM) Description: For many people 'all DACs sound the same'. But do they? In this video I look at the Topping D90 Mklll, pairing it with its preamplifier counterpart, the Topping D90 Pre. By way of illustration, I evaluate its use of the 2 X ES9039SPRO DAC chips and then compare it with SMSL's D400EX which uses 2 X AK4499EX chips. For a control, to compare them both against, I use the Sugden Saphire DAP 800. Which one sounds best? Finally, I ask the question can the much lower priced Topping D10B (also using a Sabre chip, the ES9038Q2M) sound as good as its flagship big brother the Topping D90 Mklll? I also explain a useful way to listen out for differences between DACs. All the sound samples are free to download from our website (see link below), so you can hear exactly what came out of the microphones! Topics covered: 00:00 – Introduction – Why the topics of DACs and why now? 06:45 – The Topping D90 Mklll 09:32 – SINAD Signal to noise & THD & AudioScience reviews 16:12 – Some info on the SMSL D400EX 20:07 – My first impressions of the differences between the D90Mklll and the D400EX 24:33 – Introducing Joris Vanvinckenroye – Double bass player & composer 25:27 - How to hear the differences between DACs. What to listen out for 29:16 – Sound clips: SMSL D400EX Vs Topping D90 Mklll Vs Sugden DAP 800 32:37 – Sound clips: Topping D10B Vs Topping D90 Mklll 34:56 – The credits Content Links: Music Your free of charge set of the comparison test soundtracks (click on ‘Music’) at: https://www.shop.pearlacoustics.com Recommended Tracks for comparing DACs: Joris Vanvinckenroye: ‘Cycles’ from the CD Basta: https://open.spotify.com/track/2AP8CVTN7sseNxGgCGj52t?si=078b1bb055ee40b6 Paul Simon, 50 ways to leave your lover: https://open.spotify.com/track/6Qb7gtV6Q4MnUjSbkFcopl?si=5f4bacaed6764709 Steely Dan: Cousin Dupree, Two Against Nature: https://open.spotify.com/track/0tSetyzVMV1lSylhrYGZoS?si=a5a0e55a362f4c7c Jos Van Immerseel, Anima eterna, Beethoven Symphony No. 4: https://open.spotify.com/album/6Jj90yQSvSWrOfSV7hfoLU?si=Jzsky6JWRm-9nrYYl_8wEg Chasing The Dragon Records (Clare Teal recording) https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/ Equipment Reviews and related topics (SINAD etc) Darko Topping D10S review: https://youtu.be/zgRLCAbrr2c?si=cYxoyBJVgRrRhNt0Amir AudioScience Review Topping D90 Mklll: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-d90-iii-sabre-dac-review.51493/ Amir AudioScience Review SMSL D400EX: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-d400ex-dac-review.40116/ SINAD, why it’s not important Andrew Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlwIGPEhfGU Written article by Andrew Park and & Blaine Lacross: https://headphones.com/blogs/features/evaluating-sinad-why-its-not-important Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard And Soft. A 3rd album masterpiece Description: In May 2024, Billie Eilish released this, her third studio album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'. Produced by her brother Finneas, I think it so remarkable, that it is worthy of being included in this series of 'Great Recordings'. In this video I will not only, be sharing my thoughts on the work itself but also playing extracts from it. I compare the writing style and arrangements with that of artists from the past, such as Joni Mitchell, Daft Punk and The Beatles. 00:00 - Introduction 01:31 - trying to define how we measure a great musician 02:33 - The accomplishments of Billie Eilish, so far 04:10 - Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard & Soft 04:31 - Who is Billie Eilish? A short Biography and introduction to Finneas 09:11 - Hit Me Hard and Soft 10:51 - Skinny 20:32 - Lunch 22:10 - Chihiro 25:39 - Birds of a Feather 29:53 - Wildflower 32:00 - The Greatest 37:02 - L'amore De Ma Vie 39:38 - The Diner 41:28 - Bittersuite 43:16 - Blue 49:18 - Conclusion & summary - what next for Billie Eilish? Equipment used in this video: Playback: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Amplifier: Sugden ANV50 Streamer: Bluesound Node Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Recording: Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated About Pearl Acoustics: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> DACs Pt.3: The Ultimate Comparison: Topping vs SMSL vs Sugden vs Denafrips! Description: In this video I recap on my two previous DAC episodes and go into more depth on many people's favourite DAC from my first video, the Sugden DAC-4 / DAP 800. I also give a comparison demonstration of music played through the Topping D90 Mklll (dual Sabre), the SMSL D400 EX (dual AKM), the Topping D10 balanced (Sabre), the Denafrips Pontus 15th. (R2R, Ladder) and the Sugden DAP 800 (dual Philips TDA1543). In the video the music sound clip is played through my loudspeakers in my listening room, but, we have also uploaded recordings made directly from the balanced output of each DAC to our website. Thus circumnavigating the room effect. These recordings can be downloaded for free from our shop at pearlacoustics.com. In months to come I may add additional recordings from other DACs to the collection. I will notify this in this description and put out a message on Facebook to advise. Topics covered: 00:00 - Introduction 00:27 - Recap on the two previous videos 00:56 - Viewer feedback from my two previous DAC videos 01:30 - Explanation of the comparison recording process 07:10 - More info on the Sugden DAC-4 / DAP 800 09:30 - In room comparison sound clips from each DAC (see above or below) 13:56 - Summary, video closure & titles Links: File downloads: https://shop.pearlacoustics.com/product/dac-comparison-files/ Philips TDA1543 technical documentation: https://datasheet.octopart.com/TDA1543A-Philips-datasheet-105772.pdf Music: Chasing The Dragon Records (Clare Teal recording) https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/ Joris Vanvinckenroye: ‘Cycles’ from the CD Basta: https://open.spotify.com/track/2AP8CVTN7sseNxGgCGj52t?si=078b1bb055ee40b6 ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers (our intro & outro music) : https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 About us: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Contact Us: Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier: Topping D90 Pre Amplifier: Sugden ANV50 CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 DACs: Topping D90 Mklll, SMSL D400 EX, Topping D10B, Denafrips Pontus 15th., Sugden DAP 800 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK </video> <video> HiFi for beginners: What to recommend for a first time buyer? Description: In this video, I explore the options for first time buyers to HiFi. Possibly for their first steps away from smartphones and headphone listening to two channel listening? With the help of my colleague Ajay Verma, we look at some alternatives and invite you to recommend systems of your own. FYI: The competition is now closed. Thank you to everyone who nominated someone,. We had so many very deserving entries, it was so hard to chose from over 150 submissions from all around the world. However, the team and I, are happy to say that we have found three very deserving people for the systems. Thanks everyone, Harley. Content Links: Spotify Link to intro & outro music: ‘Philia’ taken from The Four Loves, by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/2vaU6lWvYlW2tEbjzF2FWW?si=06d392d9074b4b3d About Pearl Acoustics: Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> Mozart Piano Concerto No.15, an overlooked gem from a genius at the height of his prowess Description: In Vienna in the spring of 1784, Mozart wrote two of his finest piano concertos. No. 15 in B flat K450 and No 16 in D major K451. Number 15 is probably the most technically demanding of all Mozart's piano concertos but when played well, is arguably among the most beautiful and spellbinding piano concertos ever written. In this video I compare performances by Alfred Brendel, Murray Perahia, Mitsuko Uchida, Ronald Brautigam and Ingrid Haebler. Enjoy! Topics covered: 00:00 - Introduction 01:15 -Why Piano Concerto No 15? 06:55 – Brief overview on Mozart and his life 10:46 – 1st. movement Piano Concerto No. 15 25:21 – 2nd. movement Piano Concerto No. 15 45:33 – 3rd. movement Piano Concerto No. 15 Content Links: BBC Proms video: Yeol Eum Son:piano with Omer Meir Wellber Conducting the BBC Philharmonic, 23 July 2019 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2i8RDc1qpI Spotify links to the selected works: Ingrid Haebler with Sir Colin Davis and The London Symphony Orchestra https://open.spotify.com/track/0dVkGw8w7gAC0JzJGPZc2H?si=4b761b62b7e74715 Murray Perahia / English Chamber Orchestra https://open.spotify.com/track/5M6uhSPrLBSjqC8p4KR2qP?si=c2a3ac5c55ec4216 Alfred Brendel & the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner: https://open.spotify.com/track/6leGi7XQBMlQH0jPGVgKaI?si=8298811748aa4f35 Mitsuko Uchida / English Chamber Orchestra / Jeffrey Tate https://open.spotify.com/album/69zCnoVGvUbqUrYVEkTdPQ?si=-N681IZsTZeHcrys4OaknA Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) / Die Koelner Akademie / Michael Alexander Willens https://open.spotify.com/track/2BbfxZcC1gt6vrVKd9SV1w?si=f2c96c51a4a14c8b Further reading: A marvellous website for information on Mozart, including all his letters (in English and in German): https://dme.mozarteum.at/en/letter-documents/# Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 Amplifier: Pearl Acoustics 170, CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest Evergreen (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics </video> <video> Superhuman hearing - Headphones vs loudspeakers & how audiophiles hear things others can't Description: This video was inspired by a visitor to our Belgian Listening Room. The video started out as a comparison between the way we hear on headphones compared with in-room stereo, and ended up covering how we hear, Tinnitus and the controversial topic of how audiophiles hear things that others can't! Topics: 00:00 - Introduction 01:55 - Question - how do wear hear low frequencies in rooms shorter than the wavelength? 03:43 - Coming to two channel stereo from headphones 05:10 - How we hear a realistic soundstage with stereo loudspeakers 12:00 - How we hear, how our ears turn soundwaves into signals to our brain 13:39 - Tinnitus, what it is and why it disturbs us and its impact on how audiophiles hear? 17:57 - How we hear things that others don't 21:46 - Final comments on the difference between headphones and loudspeakers 22:46 - The answer to the question 26:00 - The importance of room acoustics Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/ Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/ Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Thanks to Mykyta for the inspiring talk in our listening room that, in part, led to me making this video. </video> <video> Bruch Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor Op.26 - The most recorded violin concerto of all time Description: I have known this work for as long as I can remember. Its definitely among the most beautiful violin concertos ever written. And is proven to be the most popular. If you don't know it, join me and discover why this piece of music is so special. I am sure you won't regret it! In this video I will compare 7 different versions but I could have selected way, way more! Topics covered: 00:00 – Introduction 03:21 – Short Bio on Max Bruch 06:25 – The Violin Concerto 09:07 – The First movement: Voorspiel (allegro moderato) G Minor 28:20 – The Second movement: Adagio Eflat Major 35:10 – Obtaining a rich warm tone from a violin 45:54 – The Third movement: Finale G Major 46:49 – Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) 48:44 – The Third movement: Finale G Major (continued) Spotify links to the featured recordings (in order of appearance) Maxime Vengerov: https://open.spotify.com/track/6XVc8PNCLS67PN0fVjQsQx?si=f7c969c5e0b64101 Arthur Grumiaux: https://open.spotify.com/track/6K6dWEpzo2lRuKiOSytJ7j?si=e80ec756f21b4cd8 Itzhak Perlman: https://open.spotify.com/track/35gAJE7Je5ojzPWlfwZEF9?si=d858621a3c1c4e72 Sarah Chang: https://open.spotify.com/track/6FuVNx3X6WscYubVyRyMdz?si=0c7c1a82ab8641a6 Julia Fischer: https://open.spotify.com/track/3uLsZpdHrJsR9AjrrxMI66?si=0bc5101c6b5c4cba Janine Jansen: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xCHmCizjJ4ptpftvJ8Rlf?si=7dd3ecc2af5a43d5 Kyung Wah Chung: (Rudolph Kempe) https://open.spotify.com/track/79AtrQa8JtbHLQAbESnYt2?si=12395ab5d42d4b13 Kyung Wah Chung: (Klaus Tennstedt) https://open.spotify.com/track/0wFm0y7iai6bc3kLAn4LOf?si=e1f4c81b81d54428 Link to Kol Nidrei: (Mistislav Rostropovich / London Symphony Orchestra) https://open.spotify.com/track/1JTybEg14AkLlSVzaYenRH?si=44b81c0682414b8f Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 DAC: Denafrips Pontus 15th. Amplifier: Sugden ANV 50 CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK </video> <video> The Pearl Acoustics 170, single ended, vacuum tube power amplifier - the story so far! Description: After over a decade of trying, our first own design amplifier is built, but there's a problem! In this video I outline the story of its development and talk about the approach we took but also the dilemma we now find ourselves in! We include some sound clips of it playing and discuss our next steps! Enjoy. Topics covered: 00:00 - Introduction 00:25 - Why our own amplifier? 02:07 - The design approach 05:53 - How I think it sounds (of course I am very biased)! 07:53 - Our big problem! 11:12 - Actual sound examples played through our amplifier and loudspeakers Link to the Class A vs AB Pt 2 video: https://youtu.be/Mk38FfODqEg Links to selected music: Stef Kamil Carlens: Painted Glass: https://open.spotify.com/track/2GwMupL2s3SrvAnYEzfFGm?si=ae1454c324ae4351 Stef Kamil Carlens: Like a Rolling Stone cover on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6wPx4WNWcaISn2DGm03W4T?si=b81ea2419ac44f83 Our intro & outro music ‘Philia’ by Stefan Meylaers: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w9qjKyF5mrUYelBkePEP8?si=6510d39aa9564e13 Chasing The Dragon Records (Clare Teal recording & Rimsky Korsakov) https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/ Links to us: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com Email us: enquiries@pearlacoustics.com Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics Equipment used in this video: Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG Preamplifier: Topping Pre90 Amplifiers: Galion TS 120 SE, Decware Torri Mk V, Pearl Acoustics 170, Turntable: Rega NAIA - Aphelion 2 MC and Rega Aria pre-amplifier CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2 Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Neutral Balance Interconnects: AudioQuest (various) Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK </video>

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