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I briefly put on Feist’s recent Metals LP but the sound was crap from the start. Compressed and lifeless, I guess this was the result of a digital master as she’s obviously not recording to tape. Much better though probably also of the digital recording variety was Fleet Foxes’ tremendous self-titled release [Sub Pop SP777]. These hirsute men from the northwest have captured something magical in my opinion: choir-boy harmonies, rustic instrumentation, folk melodies and folk style. And somewhere in there is also the sound of heartfulness if that’s a word. It’s like After the Goldrush and Pet Sounds. The Clancy Brothers get juiced on some hillbilly hooch, then go all weepy and thoughtful. Gorgeous stuff. This album really brought out the TSD15’s ultra black background. The album has many rests - moments where the instruments drop out and you’re only left with vocals and their decays. Spine chilling.
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And as always, the TSD15 revealed every musical line with great clarity, richness and drive but never in an overly analytical screechy false audiophile way. Some gear removes the lower notes of the music to where you think you’re hearing a revelation of new notes and new sounds. In reality you've wiped away the lower midrange and bass which has your ears work overtime to make up the difference. Full-range gear reveals full frequency. Once you hear it, you know. A sure sign is physical relaxation. The TSD15 is full frequency, relaxing and consistent. Your mind doesn’t have to imagine what’s missing. It’s all in there.
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Choose your truth. Do you desire a warm woody rich forgiving glowing halo inducing musical device? Or do you desire the truth? Can you handle the truth? Granted, truth in listening requires accompanying voices that work in tandem to jointly express musical truth. Perhaps my truth is different from yours. Some people think of audio as "this thing of ours" and that it's madness. Then they hear what supposedly constitutes a "high-end stereo". Now they’re convinced we’ve gone off the reservation for good. Great music relaxes and lifts the sprit. It lightens the mind, sweetens the soul. It doesn’t make you cover your ears or mentally convince yourself that that missing low end is really extra resolution. The TSD15 is a full frequency device. It offers clarity, robustness, speed and musicality. It’s really simple. Just like listening to music.
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Specs according to the manufacturer:
Stylus tip radius (µm): 6 SFL
Diamond/sapphire: Diamond
Tracking force (mN): 2.2- 2.5g
Mono/stereo: Stereo
Impedance: 24 ohms
Output: 1.05mV
Sensitivity: 0.21mv/1cm/sec
Frequency response: 20 to 30.000Hz
Crosstalk: Minimum 25dB
Weight: 17.5g
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EMT Studiotechnik GmbH, Industriestrasse 25, 77972 Mahlberg, Germany. Tel: (49) (0)7825-879-47-0. Fax: (49) (0)7825-879-47-15.
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