Category Archives: Masterpiece Collection

Masterpiece Pre-amplifier

Masterpiece Edition pre-amplifier

Designed around the MV2 Pre-amplifier but taken to a completely new level in terms of component specification, vacuum tube choice and internal wiring to give an even better sense of musical involvement and resolution.

The Masterpiece edition Pre-amplifier has an extremely simple and pure signal path with only 1  output capacitor and 1 shunt resistor on the Khuzmo stepped attenuator which have been replaced with the incredible V-cap CuTF reference capacitor and a Charcroft Z foil resistor. This along with 5N solid silver and FEP fluoropolymer signal wiring gives this Pre-amplifier added  realism and an even better 3D soundstage capable of competing with the very best equipment in the world.

The choice of Linlai Global Elite vacuum tubes also elevated the sound field beyond the previous Black Treasure tubes.

Design specifications include dual mono power supplies with each channel supplied by it’s own high voltage and filament rails via a tube rectifier and feeding separate regulators to give incredible stereo separation.

A very simple but pure signal path based around the 6SN7 audio tube and using a single output capacitor which can be specifically chosen for it’s integration to solid state or valve amplifiers based on input impedance compatibility.

Masterpiece Edition Pre-amplifier features :

  • Dual mono design
  • Lineal Global Elite vacuum tubes
  • Khuzmo 48 way stepped shunt attenuator with Charcroft Z foil shunt resistor
  • Ohno Continuous Cast unicrystal silver 5N wire internal wiring
  • V-Cap CuTF output capacitors

Purity of signal path is critical in the design of any amplifier to give incredibly black backgrounds and the retrieval and portrayal of the tiniest musical passages and notes.

 

Price - £6000.00

Specification

 

Vacuum tube compliment 4 x Linlai Global Elite E-6SN7 matched pairs

1 x Philips 5Y3 Rectifier tube
Input impedance 47Kohm
Output Impedance 150 ohms
Inputs Balanced XLR pair and RCA unbalanced pair  Line inputs - Rhodium plated
Output Rhodium plated RCA Line out
Frequency response 10Hz - 50KHz
Power consumption 50VA
Gain 22dB
THD 0.3% 1Khz / 4Vef
S/N Ratio 90dB
Dimensions 440W x 370D x 185H (without tubes)
Weight 22Kg
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Masterpiece Edition pre-amplifier - Image Gallery

Masterpiece Class A Monaural Amplifier

Masterpiece Class A Monaural Amplifier

Class A amplifiers have always had the reputation of warmth and a great soundstage and although class D amplifiers have made a great way forward in recent years, is there still room for this old design of amplification in the modern world?

Excessive heat, high power consumption,  low damping factor and relatively low output power. All these aspects  does not bring confidence to the discerning audiophile how-ever as always, it is in the listening where this approach to amplification brings a certain joy and pure audio realism that answers the question earlier.

My own reference system now utilises these monaural amplifiers along with the latest Masterpiece Edition tube pre-amplifier and in terms of preference the MB10 Class D  mono block amplifiers which are incredibly good, now comes  behind these amplifiers.

The reasons are many but primarilly it is about that elusive holographic presentation, a lack of edge to vocals and instruments such as piano and pure realism to live recordings which gives an accurate sense of space and depth to a recording. 

Digital recordings have a more organic and analogue feel and vinyl takes on an even more beautiful and beguiling nature making you want to explore  your vinyl collection yet again and buy new records.

As with all the masterpiece editions, this model is hand crafted using exotic materials and components. Bolivian Rosewood, copper panels and silver wiring are standard.

To discuss this product please give me a ring.

 

Price - £4000.00 each

Specification

Output power   

50W x 2 RMS into 8 ohms 
Damping factor >100
Minimum load 4 ohms
Frequency response and Distortion 10Hz to 30kHz @  0.19% @ 1Khz 1 W 0.2% @ full power
Signal to noise ratio 91dB
Output impedance 0.36 Ohms @ 1Khz 500mV input
Construction Copper top plate and solid Bolivian Rosewood case
Input sensitivity 1.63V RMS
Inputs  2 x Rhodium plated  RCA inputs
Power consumption 150W
Input voltage 240V/50Hz
Output connectors Rhodium plated binding posts
Input connectors Un-Balanced RCA 
Input impedance 47Kohms
Size 440W x 460D x 220H (mm)
Weight 28Kg
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Class A integrated power amplifier - Image Gallery

Masterpiece Stereo Amplifier

Class A Stereo Power Amplifier

Class A amplifiers have always had the reputation of warmth and a great soundstage and although class D amplifiers have made a great way forward in recent years, is there still room for this old design of amplification in the modern world?

Excessive heat,  high power consumption,  very low damping factor and low power output. All these aspects and small amounts of hum does not bring confidence to the discerning audiophile how-ever as always, it is in the listening where this approach to amplification brings a certain joy and pure audio realism that answers the question earlier.

My own reference system now has this amplifier along with the latest MV2 tube pre-amplifier and in terms of preference the Class D N-core 1200 mono block amplifiers which are incredibly good, now comes third behind this stereo power amplifier and the 300B tube integrated amplifier.

The reasons are many but primarilly it is about that elusive holographic presentation, a lack of edge to vocals and instruments such as piano and pure realism to live recordings which gives an accurate sense of space and depth to a recording. 

Digital recordings have a more organic and analogue feel and vinyl takes on an even more beautiful and beguiling nature making you want to explore  your vinyl collection yet again and buy new records.

As with all the masterpiece editions, this model is hand crafted using exotic materials and components. Bolivian Rosewood, copper panels and silver wiring are standard.

This stereo amplifier will soon be complimented with a matching tube pre-amplifier. Watch this space.

To discuss this product please give me a ring.

Price  -  £4000 (SOLD)

Specification

Output power   

20W x 2 RMS into 8 ohms 
Damping factor <16
Minimum load 4 ohms
Frequency response and Distortion 10Hz to 30kHz @  0.19% @ 1Khz 1 W 0.2% @ full power
Signal to noise ratio 91dB
Output impedance 0.36 Ohms @ 1Khz 500mV input
Construction Copper top plate and solid Bolivian Rosewood case
Input sensitivity 1.63V RMS
Inputs  2 x RCA inputs
Power consumption 150W
Input voltage 240V/50Hz
Output connectors Silver plated binding posts
Input connectors Un-Balanced RCA 
Input impedance 24Kohms
Size 430W x 370D x 140H (mm)
Weight 14Kg
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Class A integrated power amplifier - Image Gallery

Masterpiece Edition Phonostage

Masterpiece Edition Phonostage

The Masterpiece Phono stage uses an existing incredible design and applies the same level of component, internal wiring, tube  and connector upgrades which only applies to the Masterpiece collection for the connoisseurs of high end hifi.

Both the Masterpiece Pre-amplifier and Phono stage use simple signal path topology where every signal component is chosen for it's absolute quality and construction. Internal wiring uses the same ultra high purity silver wire as used in the Ref interconnect cables. Signal capacitors are replaced with V-caps CuTF Reference grade units and resistors with Charcroft Z foil. Rhodium plated connectors and power inlet socket are standard. Power supply capacitors are the excellent Mundorf tube caps for ultimate power supply delivery and all pub's are mounted for micro vibration absorption and dissipation. Vacuum tubes are also dampened.

Masterpiece Edition Phonostage features :

  • Charcroft  Z foil resistors in the critical signal path for low noise and a more natural sound.
  • V-Cap CuTF  signal path capacitors.
  • Lundahl MC step up transformers (SUT) using amorphous cobalt core and dual coil structure with Cardas high purity wire.
  • Silver internal wiring and Rhodium plated RCA connectors
  • Toroidal transformers with B+ regulators for low PSRR figures.
  • High amplification, super accurate RIAA EQ , low output impedance and low distortion.

All cabinet construction is made with exotic hardwoods and a copper top panel with additional damping.

Available with built in Lundahl amorphous core SUT's for MC cartridges or as a seperate custom built SUT in Bolivian rosewood or other exotic hardwood.

 

Price - £5000.00

Specification

Input MM (RCA) - 47k
MC (RCA) - adjustable input impedance
Frequency response +/- 0.6 dB over RIAA Curve
Gain  MM - 52 dB
MC - 70 dB using Lundahl
amorphous core transformers
Noise -82 dB
Input impedance 47k
Output impedance 450 ohms
Overload 3.3mV in
Power supply B+ regulators PSRR by 60dB
Low noise toroidal transformers
Vacuum Tube Complement 12X4 Rectifier tube and 4 x 6922 tubes
Dimensions 440w x 370d x 185h
Weight 20Kg
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Ref Phono 1 - Image Gallery

300B integrated amplifier

300B Integrated Amplifier

For many years now I have wanted to see how good the 300B tube amplifier design actually is and to see how far this design can be pushed to extract every last drop of it's acclaimed holographic presentation and musicality.

The Masterpiece edition 300B integrated amplifier has more than exceeded my expectations in terms of sheer enjoyment from music, especially live recordings where it exhibits a beautifully "real" sound where musicians and instruments are visible in time and space as a truly cohesive field.

At only 7W output, it is a little low for many low sensitivity loudspeakers and care here is needed to match this amplifier with anything below 90dB how-ever I have also been surprised at how well this amplifier copes with large loudspeakers such as the Voltaire lll which as it happens has  very tube friendly impedance characteristics and easily driven by this amplifier and at high volumes which I generally like to listen to. Also of note is it's ability to deliver a very precise and extended bass rendition without the often terrible bass control of other tube amplifiers. High frequencies shimmer and vocals are simply exquisite with imaging of pin point accuracy and definition.

Having a very high input impedance negates the need of a separate pre-amplifier and the first pre-buffer stage is taken care of by a matched pair of Psvane 6SN7 vacuum tubes. Having tested many 300B tubes I still prefer the Golden Lion version and although the differences are quite small, I have decided the masterpiece edition needed to sound as good as possible.

Output transformers are another very long and difficult subject and after long discussions with NP Acoustics from Vietnam who are passionate about their transformer product, I  am now using them exclusively for both power output transformers and also pre-amplifier transformers and will soon be making a reference pre-amplifier to add to the masterpiece collection. These beautifully made transformers sound amazing and a step up from many other brands that get great reviews.

Internal wiring is again from Duelund Audio both with solid silver foil on outputs and signal cable. This is a design that loves silver especially the very high grade and pure silver!

Encased in a solid burr Elm and a 3mm brass cabinet including dampened standoff material and transformer dampening to ensure the whole structure is virtually free of extraneous vibrations and external spurious emissions. This amplifier is very quiet and has an inky black background during playback.

Having spent the last few years developing headphone amplifiers based around the HiFiMan Susvara Ref headphones, it soon became apparent that this design is also an incredibly good match with high end headphones and using a switched attenuator can also partner with high sensitivity headphones. This is now my reference headphone amplifier and can also be built purly for this purpose for the discerning audiophile headphone fan. 

Please contact me to discuss this product 

 

Price   £5000.00 - SOLD

 

Specification

Output power   

7W x 2 RMS 4 ohms Tap

7W x 2 RMS 8 ohms Tap
Tube compliment Pavane 6SN7 and Golden Lion 300B output tubes

Rectifier Svetlana Winged C - 5U4G 
Minimum load 4 ohms
Frequency response and Distortion 10Hz to 30kHz @  0.015% @ 1Khz 1 W 0.2% @ full power
Signal to noise ratio 85dB
Output Transformers NP Acoustics Amorphous core
Construction Brass plate and solid burr Elm case
Input sensitivity 3V RMS
Inputs  2 x RCA inputs
Power consumption 350W
Input voltage 240V/50Hz
Output connectors Rhodium plated binding posts
Input connectors Un-Balanced RCA 
Input impedance 47Kohms
Size 400W x 430D x 290H (mm)
Weight 30Kg
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300B integrated amplifier - Image Gallery

Masterpiece edition Turntable

Masterpiece edition Turntable

 

Another exciting project and product development is based around the well known Swiss made Lenco turntable  which fundamentally is constructed extremely well with a precision motor and structure that lends itself to be upgraded and modified to create an incredibly good turntable.

The initial phase involves a complete strip down of every component with certain key parts replaced or modified. The main chassis is resprayed and lacquered before re-assembly and lubricated for longevity and noise reduction. Because the central spindle and platter are already of a very high standard and tolerance, these are polished and retained. The main bearing is either replaced with an upgraded bearing or modified with a new ruby ball bearing and thrust plate. The main motor is stripped down and inspected for wear or noise, re-assembled and lubricated. I have yet to find a motor which has failed these tests or brought back to a new standard.

The high mass plinth is a based around the natural qualities of certain hardwoods and their abilities to exhibit very high levels of resonance and damping control as well as high density and other acoustic characteristics.. This model is made from solid sections of Bubinga hardwood which is incredibly heavy and dense, perfect for reducing micro vibrations within the motor and main turntable structure. This combined with Tungsten carbide ball bearings on Panzerholz dampening feet ensure the combined structure of the turntable is virtually free from extraneous effects and vibrations.

A choice of tonearm boards made from either the same hardwood or Panzerholtz is available with additional dampening and specifically chosen for their acoustic characteristics and density.

Days of sanding and preparation are done prior to a high gloss lacquer finish with further wet sanding, buffing and final polishing before final assembly and soak testing.

A choice of tonearm is also available and from SME, Ikea and Reed along with a select number of cartridges. Please get in touch to discuss this product.

 

Price   £3500 without arm and cartridge - SOLD

Price  £8000 with SME series V arm - SOLD

 

Turntable - Image Gallery

MC Step Up Transformer

Masterpiece MC Step Up Transformer

The Masterpiece Edition MC step-up transformer was designed to be used with the best MM Phono stages.

Having spent many years appraising  and researching different transformers it is clear the quality of the transformer, the type of core and the overall housing plays a very big part in it's overall sound. The use of ultra pure silver wire for internal connections and the choice of RCA socket all plays a part in the overall standard the Masterpiece collection is renowned for.

Hand crafted using tone woods and optimum shielding with additional Mu-metal housing and using the theory of constrained layer damping with-in the hardwood case to minimise micro and macro vibrations.

Amorphous core windings and the use of high purity silver or copper wire to give incredible detail and resolution.

Available in various gains dependant on cartridge output levels and relative to the standard 47Kohm input impedance of most MM Phonostages. All 3 gain options are also available in standard high purity copper or silver wire.

  • MC8 -   To be used for cartridges with output levels of 0.8 - 1.2mV
  • MC16 - To be used for cartridges with output levels of 0.3 - 0.6mV
  • MC32 - To be used for cartridges with output levels of 0.2 - 0.3mV

As with all our designs we talk at length with our clients to discuss various options and suitability of their vinyl replay system to ensure a perfect integration between the SUT and phono stage.

Price -  Standard SUT - £1600

 Price - Silver SUT - £3500

Specification

Technology  High turns ratio amorphous cobalt core with Cardas high purity copper or silver  wire
Description  Moving coil MC input transformer
Gain  16dB or 26dB 
Frequency Response 10Hz to 100KHz 
Impedance - secondary  Static resistance of secondary - 105 ohms
Impedance - Primary  Static resistance of primary - 0.8 ohms
Max level @ 20Khz  +20dBu
Inductance @ secondary 80H<<
Dimensions Height - 10cm
Width - 10cm
Depth - 20cm
Net Weight 4Kg
Finishes Various exotic tone woods
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Regis - Image Gallery

Masterpiece Regis

Regis Masterpiece

After many years of building the hugely popular and successful Regis Mk1 and knowing that due to the discontinued bass/mid driver, I would have to design a new model and try and succeed in raising the bar in terms of overall sonic qualities. No mean feat because the Mk1 is truly a reference loudspeaker in many ways.

The Regis Masterpiece was born from the desire to build a cost no object reference stand mount loudspeaker and choosing 2 very high end drive units from well respected manufacturers, namely Morel and Raal. The top of the range Morel copper sleeve bass/mid driver is exceptional in every way and the Raal ribbon tweeter is possibly the best tweeter in existence and also used in the Voltaire lll and new Opus One.

Internal wiring,  cross-over components and Rhodium plated pole connectors are chosen specifically  to match these particular drive units and honed to match this design perfectly. Complimented with Mundorf's "Angel hair" internal wadding for damping properties which significantly increase the auditory spaciousness of music reproduction.

These loudspeakers are capable of the most incredible holographic presentation,  high resolution detail and bass depth defying their size. 

These reference monitors will continue to extract more resolution and quality no matter how good the ancillary equipment is in terms of cost or quality. 

 

PRICE   £6000.00 

 

Specification

Technology Finnish Birch Ply and MDF matrix construction
Description 2 way, linear phase, free ported enclosure
Drive Units 1 x 152 mm mineral filled Polypropylene cone
bass/mid range unit
1 x Low mass high precision Ribbon Tweeter
Frequency Response 40Hz to 40KHz +/- 2dB on axis
Impedance 8 Ohms nominal, 5 Ohms minimum
Sensitivity 85dB spl at 1 metre on axis. 2.83V input
Crossover 2nd order bass roll-off
2nd order tweeter
Power Handling 150W peak un-clipped programme
Dimensions Height - 42cm
Width - 20cm
Depth - 32cm
Net Weight 9Kg
Finishes Standard finishes available American Black Walnut and black parchment hide. Bespoke options available in various hides and hardwood. Mundorf capacitor, Inductor and Cryo treated internal wiring as standard
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Regis - Image Gallery

Voltaire II Masterpiece edition loudspeakers

Voltaire II Masterpiece

As with the Regis Mkll Masterpiece edition, the Voltaire ll are also one of my favourite designs and this particular pair was designed around inspiration from Morgan cars which also have an interior design option of Brooklands swede green hide and Zebrano hardwood,  perfectly combining subtle colours with the striking nature of Zebrano. The addition of quilting the hide further compliments the similarities of classic car interior and a Masterpiece edition.

Carefully selected cross-over components, silver foil internal wiring over silk and oil dielectric with additional dampening of the cross-over board are just some of the many extra features a masterpiece edition has over standard models along with a 50mm thick baffle and WBT pole connectors and a choice of floor spikes or Panzerholtz dampening feet to suit various flooring and acoustic space.

For further details about this product please contact me.

 

Price   £8000.00 - SOLD

 

Specification

Technology Scandinavian Birch ply braced construction 
Description 2 way, linear phase, infinite baffle design
Drive Units 1 x 234 mm doped plastic coned
bass/mid range unit
1 x Low mass high precision Ribbon Tweeter
Frequency Response 30Hz to 40KHz +/- 2dB on axis
Impedance 8 Ohms nominal, 5 Ohms minimum
Sensitivity 88dB spl at 1 metre on axis. 2.83V input
Crossover 2nd order bass roll-off
2nd order tweeter
Power Handling 200W peak un-clipped programme
Dimensions Height - 100cm
Width - 28cm
Depth - 39cm
Net Weight 40Kg
Finishes Masterpiece 1 off edition

Bespoke options available on request

Various spike/feet options dependant on floor and room acoustics

 
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Voltiare ll loudspeakers - Image Gallery