Linear Systems Reintroduces LSK389 Ultra-Low Noise N-Channel JFET

Linear Systems has reintroduced its most popular part, the LSK389, which the Silicon Valley company calls the industry’s first 100% noise tested, ultra-low noise (en = 1.3nV/√Hz (typ), f = 1.0kHz and NBW = 1.0Hz), monolithic dual, n-channel JFET. New test capability screens to a billionth of a ​volt (​nV​/√Hz) of noise now ensures that all ​LSK389s devices produce no burst (RTN or popcorn) noise and ​meet or exceed 1/f and broadband noise specifications.

We know many of our readers will enjoy this extended book review by our technical editor, Jan Didden, about Bob Cordell’s Designing Audio Power Amplifiers, 2nd Edition. When Cordell published his long-awaited first edition of Audio Power Amplifier Design, it was hailed as a significant addition on the subject. Reactions of readers made it clear that Cordell hit his mark, and in this article, Didden explains why the long-awaited second edition is an essential buy. This review was originally published in audioXpress, October 2019.

The October 2019 edition of audioXpress closely reflects the highly diverse and exciting areas of innovation in the audio industry. There’s a Market Update on Audio Installation, one of the highest growth and most innovative segments in the audio industry, and our report of the 2019 Midwest Audiofest Speaker Design Competition, followed by a review of Bob Cordell’s 2nd Edition book on Designing Audio Power Amplifiers, and an important insight on modern Class-D amplification. We also review the DPA d:vice MMA-A Digital Audio Interface, explain the potential of true 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) audio experiences, how Auralization allows building virtual acoustic models, and so much more!

Three decades in development, John Franks’ next-generation Ultima amplifier technology filters down into two new mono power amplifiers, the Ultima 2 and Ultima 3, part of Chord Electronics’ ongoing 30th-anniversary celebrations. First unveiled in October 2018, the new Ultima amplifier topology, to date exclusive to the range-topping £30,000 Ultima power amp, is now more affordable than ever, with the two new mono power amps sharing the same Chord Electronics DNA.

With its 30th-anniversary year fast approaching, British manufacturer Chord Electronics has launched ULTIMA, a new state-of-the-art flagship amplifier featuring John Franks’ latest circuit topology, the first all-new design in three decades. The company introduces the ULTIMA mono amplifier and the matching preamp as "the ultimate expression of the finest high-performance, ultra-fast, ultra-high-power amplifier technology available today." The ULTIMA set (pre and 2x mono power amps) is available for £90,000 (approx. $116,000 USD).

Linear Audio 9 is the tenth volume in a series of bookzines dedicated to audio technology and perception. Linear Audio offers a variety of articles written by an international team of authors and accredited academics on a plethora of engaging subjects, from tutorials to circuit and system design, test reports and book reviews.

audioXpress September 2014 — special Speaker Focus Edition is now available online and in print. It’s (almost) all dedicated to speakers, including Nordic Audio Tales, a new series dedicated to the speaker brands from the northern regions of Europe, a complete overview of Theater Sound speaker companies, and much more.