Fresh From the Bench: Earthworks M23R Measurement Microphone

In this review, Stuart Yaniger details his findings about the M23R Earthworks measurement microphone. The M23R is the latest omnidirectional model in Earthworks’ infinitely matched series of measurement microphones. It is designed to be an affordable reference solution, delivering an IEC 61672 Class 1 frequency response before applying any equalization. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2020.

This audioXpress November 2020 edition explores the latest trends in digital signal processing (DSP) and how it applies to all audio applications, now increasing in power thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence running on devices. In this issue, you will also learn how to "Test and Optimize Strategies for Conference Terminal Equipment," "What to Measure for Quality Control of Audio Devices," and more about Automotive Audio Bus A2B. Stuart Yaniger reviews the latest Earthworks M23R Measurement Microphone, and you can read articles about acoustics, audio electronics and the best in DIY audio from our monthly columnists.

Stuart Yaniger examines new amplifier solutions from two disrupting audio companies. Purifi Audio from Denmark, founded by Bruno Putzeys, Lars Risbo, and Peter Lyngdorf, together with a remarkable engineering team; and Orchard Audio, with a product developed from the creativity and entrepreneurship of Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat, in this case exploring the latest gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2020.

A few years ago, Jan Didden designed a high-voltage delay unit and shared its details in a 2019 audioXpress article. Many people built it and like it, but others said that it would be totally unnecessary. As so often happens in audio, arguments pro and con raged without a clear resolution. So Didden thought this was something he needed to get his head around. He found several sources, which he thought were credible, and this article is the result of his investigations, fed by those sources. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2020.

In this article, Stuart Yaniger reviews the M10 Masters Series Streaming Amplifier from NAD Electronics, a compact but powerful Class-D home audio amplifier and network streamer that surprises positively for multiple reasons. One of those is the integration of the latest Dirac Live room correction technology with Bass Control, which is also covered in detail in this review. The other is the number of versatile features that make it the only item needed for a modern music system, other than speakers. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2020.

In this article, Stuart Yaniger reviews the M10 Masters Series Streaming Amplifier from NAD Electronics, a compact but powerful Class-D home audio amplifier and network streamer that surprises positively for multiple reasons. One of those is the integration of the latest Dirac Live room correction technology with Bass Control, which is also covered in detail in this review. The other is the number of versatile features that make it the only item needed for a modern music system, other than speakers. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2020.

From audio development and product design to acoustics! Read the Acoustic Solutions Round-Up and expert articles. Check out the NAD M10 Masters Series Streaming Amplifier review, then learn about Sound Liaison, a recording label translating live acoustical recordings in the best possible quality. Jan Didden reflects on "The Internal Life of Vacuum Tubes," and George Ntanavaras introduces his APR-17 Aperiodic Loudspeaker design. audioXpress August 2020, Focus on Acoustics, is now available in print and digital.

Orchard Audio announced the launch of the Starkrimson Integrated HiFi Stereo Amplifier, a concept that combines two-channels of the company's existing BOSC amplifiers (recently reviewed in audioXpress) and its popular PecanPi DAC into a single slim enclosure. The inputs are either balanced analog, USB or S/PDIF and it already ships with XLR jumpers to allow side-chaining external preamps or DSPs. An ideal system to bridge a streaming source and a Dirac Live processor. Just add speakers.

audioXpress July 2020 is now available, and there's a quiet revolution happening in audio amplification. Essentially it is the direct result of strong innovation in Class-D technology, with incremental improvements introduced on multiple fronts. In this month's Market Update, J. Martins details a few of the "Class-D Products Getting Smarter" and then Stuart Yaniger discusses Class-D amplifiers from two of those companies: Purifi Audio and Orchard Audio. Also, Ward Maas details his visit to Purifi Audio. Dimitri Danyuk shares his "Fully Balanced Transconductance Preamplifier" project, Roger Russell is "Hunting the Elusive Transient," and Ed Simon concludes his "Powering Your Circuits" series. And there's much more valuable content in this edition. Download or view your issue online now.

Stuart Yaniger explores new possibilities in audio measurement systems, expanding on the basics of using sound cards combined with new accessible-to-all software tools, such as REW, and a recently improved measurement interface option. That option is the Linear Audio Autoranger Mk II Interface, which audioXpress’ Technical Editor Jan Didden designed a few years ago and which is now available as an improved Mk II version. This article was originally published in audioxpress, April 2020.