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AUDIO-TECHNICA | AUDIO RESEARCH | KEF
AUDIO-TECHNICA VM510CB
Audio-Technica has released a new cartridge,
the VM510CB, which has a conical stylus
and dual magnets. Audio-Technica says the
advantage of a conical stylus over the newer,
more advanced stylus shapes is that it’s
always naturally positioned in the exact
centre of the groove, even if the stylus
and/or tonearm are slightly misaligned,
which will always result in less record wear
and almost always in improved perfor-
mance. Conical styli are also less suscepti-
ble to groove damage and thus can usually
play worn records more successfully than
other stylus shapes. They’re also more
tolerant of dust particles, so sound quieter
when playing dirty LPs. However they do
cause more wear on the groove than moreadvanced shapes (when those cartridges are
correctly mounted) and are thus less well-
suited for playing new LPs or LPs that are in
excellent condition.The VM510CB is the entry-level 500
Series model in Audio-Technica’s new VM
cartridge line—a line that harks back to A-T’s
early days when it only manufactured phono
cartridges. As with all Audio-Technica
cartridges bearing the letters VM, the
VM510CB is equipped with dual magnets
in order to improve channel separation
(rated at 30dB at 1kHz for the VM510CB)
and to extend frequency response further
than one would expect for a conical
stylus. Available now, the Audio-Technica
VM510CB retails for $199 (RRP).For further information, please contact
Technical Audio Group on
(02) 9519 0900 or http://www.tag.com.auKEF SPACE ONE
ANC ‘PHONES
KEF says that its new Space Ones headphones use specially-tuned active noise cancel-
lation that eliminates external noise without affecting the nuances and details that
bring music to life. KEF designed its new circumaural Space One active noise-cancelling
headphones in partnership with Austrian design icon Porsche Designs, and they’re
notable for the distinctive use of aluminium in the ‘racetrack-shaped’ ear-shells, and
the sandblasted titanium finish. Internally, the new headphones have large, 40mm-
diameter driver elements that are powered by 20mm-diameter neodymium magnets and
light-weight, copper-clad, aluminium-wire voice-coils. ‘Every element of the Space Ones
has been intricately tuned and designed to create superior KEF sound,’ saidSimon Zanin,
of Advance Audio, which distributes KEF in Australia. ‘These distinctive headphones also
feature KEF’s specially-tuned active noise cancellation circuitry, which eliminates external noise
very effectively, yet without affecting the nuances and details that bring music to life, preserving
smooth high-tones, lush midrange and tight bass for total musical enjoyment.’ The circumau-
ral (literally, ‘around ear’) ear pads are made from breathable, sweat-resistant leatherette
and memory foam which Zanin says: ‘provides extreme comfort, allowing for hours of wear-
ing.’ Available now, the KEF Space One Headphones retail for $699.For further information, please contact Advance Audio on (02) 9561 0799
or visit the website at http://www.advanceaudio.com.auAUDIO RESEARCH
DAC8 UPGRADE
Audio Research has released an update kit for its DAC8 to make
it Apple-friendly, and completely compatible with all current
Apple operating systems.
Available now, the update includes a new board, wires, con-
nectors and internal fi rmware updates that makes the Audio
Research DAC8 compatible with all current Apple operating
systems. If you are currently using an older Apple laptop or
Mac Mini with your DAC8, this update will be necessary for the
DAC8 to work properly with a newer Apple product.
If you are interested in having your DAC8 updated to be
Apple compatible, please contact your Audio Research dealer or
the Australian distributor, Synergy Audio Visual, on
(03) 9459 7474 or visit the website at http://www.synergyaudio.com