Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Vinyl 3LP —

We're living in the 21st century, and Kanye West is definitely doing something to it. From media frenzies to Twitter rants, the Chicagoan has permanently taken residence in our lives, and most of the time, we don't mind because as a rapper, producer - an artist - he delivers. You've heard the story, how he set up camp

📌LAB POINTS

60 watts-per-channel integrated amplifier w/ analog + digital outputs / inputs plus aptX Bluetooth HD connectivity
2019 What Hi-Fi? award winner
class AB amplification for detailed and powerful audio performance
(4) RCA inputs for a wide variety of analog connections
high quality DAC w/ TOSLINK and coaxial digital inputs
connect up to (4) passive speakers
headphone output
subwoofer output
includes remote control

The all-new CXA61 integrated amplifier builds on the foundations laid (and the Awards won) by CXA60, but with a fresh and progressive perspective. The CXA61 is 60 watts per channel of pure excitement. It’s a punchy and upfront listen, without giving away detail or precision - so it’s just as much at home in the mosh-pit as it is the conservatoire. - Cambridge Audio

🔑KEY FEATURES

power output: 60W RMS into 8 Ohms, 90W RMS into 4 Ohms
DAC: ESS Sabre ES9010K2M
frequency response: <5Hz– 60kHz +/-1dB
analog inputs: (4) RCA pair, (1) 3.5mm aux input (front panel)
digital inputs: (1) S/PDIF coaxial, (2) TOSLINK optical, (1) USB audio, Bluetooth (integrated aptX HD receiver)
outputs: (4) speakers (A+B pairs), 3.5mm headphone, Preamp Output, Subwoofer Output
compatibility: TOSLINK optical: 16/24bit 32-96kHz PCM only, S/PDIF coaxial: 16/24bit 32-192kHz PCM only, USB: audio profile 1.0/2.0 (default 2.0), up to 32bit 384kHz PCM, up to DSD256 or DoP256, Bluetooth: 4.2 A2DP/AVRCP supporting up to aptX HD (24bit 48kHz)
max power consumption: 600W
dimensions: 4.5 x 16.9 x 13.4” / 115 x 430 x 341mm
weight: 18.3 lbs / 8.3 kg

📦COMES WITH

remote control
(3) AAA batteries
control bus cable
power cable

📌LAB POINTS

compact portable DAC / headphone amp for smartphones
the Mojo is a cult classic amongst audio enthusiasts
minimal 4-button backlit design
new menu functions w/ access to mute, crossfeed, button-lock + tone control adjustment
micro USB, USB-C, optical + coax (3.5mm) inputs, (2) 3.5mm outputs
plays almost any audio file format up to 768kHz 32bit / quad DSD 256
improved built-in rechargeable battery

Entirely engineered around a powerful, custom-coded FPGA processor, Mojo 2 benefits from several unique technologies. Central to the new Mojo 2 is the world’s first lossless DSP, an advanced ‘digital tone control’ without any degradation in sound quality. The ‘UHD DSP’ gives Mojo 2 unrivalled compatibility with today’s wide-ranging headphones, plus unparalleled flexibility with partnering equipment. A further key feature is the new menu system, navigated via the new (fourth) control sphere, bringing mute, crossfeed, button-lock and tone control adjustment. Mojo 2 offers greatly improved battery management, with faster charging rates, a huge 75 % reduction in power loss, plus a 9 % capacity gain. A new USB-C data input adds greater flexibility, transparency has been greatly boosted, thanks to an improved noise-shaper, lower distortion and greater neutrality, plus Mojo 2 can even be taken wireless with the Poly streamer/server. Handmade in the UK with a robust CNC-milled aircraft grade aluminium chassis, Mojo 2 offers unrivalled performance, class-leading sound and peerless build quality. - Chord Electronics

🔎TECH SPECS

Input: (coaxial, dual-data coax, optical, Micro-USB and USB-C
Output: (2) 3.5mm headphone jack
Dynamic range: 125 dB A wt.
Noise: 2.7 uV A wt., no measurable noise floor modulation
Distortion and noise: 0.0003 % at 2.5 V 300 ohms
Power output 1 % distortion: 90 mW 300 ohms (5.2 V RMS), 600 mW 30 ohms (4.2 V RMS), 0.06 ohms output impedance, 118 dB stereo separation 1 kHz 300 ohms 2.5 V
Dimensions: 83 x 62 x 23 mm / 3.26 x 2.44 x 0.90
Weight: 185g / 0.4lbs

📌LAB POINTS

unique portable 2-channel DJ mixer based on the cult Columbia GP3 Portable Turntable design
crossfader and separate volume faders for channels 1+2
separate output control knobs for monitor + master volume
master, monitor + headphone outputs
2-channel RCA inputs
power via AC adaptor (included) or 6x 'D' batteries (not included)
includes mini slipmats + slipsheets for accompanying turntables
built-in speaker or RCA output for master signal

🔎TECH SPECS

(2) line level RCA inputs
(1) RCA master output
(1) 1/8 monitor output
(1) 1/4 headphone output
power supply: AC adaptor (input: 100V to 50 / 60Hz, output: DC8V 500mA), DC battery (automatic switching method)
battery requirements: (6) 'D' type 9V DC batteries
power consumption: 4W (0.03W in standby mode)
maximum practical output: 1.6W at AC (JEITA), 1.4W at DC (JEITA)
battery life (approx.): 100 hours (according to JEITA measurement method *using LR20 batteries)
speaker: 10cm dynamic type full range 8ohm
dimensions* (approx.): 8.7 x 15.2 x 3.0 / 220 x 385 x 77 mm (*excluding protruding parts)
weight* (approx.): 2.64 lbs / 1.2 kg (*not including batteries)

📦COMES WITH

(2) mini slipmats
(2) mini slipsheets
(2) RCA to 1/8 TRS cables
AC adaptor

📌LAB POINTS

fully automatic audiophile turntable combining versatile connectivity w/ classic hi-fi aesthetics
automatic operation: play switch turns on motor and puts tonearm on record, stop button returns tonearm and stops motor
built-in phono preamp for easily assimilation w/ your existing audio setup (switchable on/off)
newly developed TP 72 carbon tonearm
plays 33 + 45 RPM records w/ switchable start positions for 7 + 12 vinyl
anthracite top plate w/ black high gloss finished outer panel
pre-mounted Audio-Technica AT-VM95E moving magnet cartridge
includes hinged removable acrylic dustcover

The TD 102 A opens a completely new chapter in the field of fully automatic turntables from Thorens. The newly developed mechanism of the TD 102 A guarantees the lowest possible frictional resistance of all mechanical components. The unit comes with an also newly developed carbon tonearm, including the preassembled AT VM 95 E cartridge system from Audio Technica, the successor model to the AT 95 E, which has been known and favored by vinyl-friends for many years. The switchable integrated phono preamplifier guarantees full connectivity with all modern audio systems. - Thorens

🔎KEY FEATURES

internal flat belt-drive
fully automatic operation
mechanical automatic shut-off
electronic speed change
power requirements: 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
dimensions: 420 x 139 x 355mm / 16.5 x 5.5 x 14
weight: 4.8kg / 10.6 lbs

📦COMES WITH

stereo RCA cable
acrylic dust cover w/ hinges
power adaptor
Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge
45 adaptor
instruction manual

vibration damping record mat designed to absorb sound (damping = dissipates vibration energy)
constructed of solid carbon fiber material, not a veneer
soft-touch top layer (microfiber felt) protects records, and accommodates height of center label
works on all turntables
thickness: 1.6mm
diameter: 11.6 / 295mm
weight: 0.4 lbs / 6.4 oz / 181g

Carbon fiber has been proven to be damping material, which when used in audio equipment can improve acoustical performance (source: Experiment Study on Sound Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite Material). It is also incredibly lightweight and rigid, both important properties for sound accuracy. - TTL

We're living in the 21st century, and Kanye West is definitely doing something to it. From media frenzies to Twitter rants, the Chicagoan has permanently taken residence in our lives, and most of the time, we don't mind because as a rapper, producer - an artist - he delivers. You've heard the story, how he set up camp in Hawaii and flew in hip-hop's creme de la creme - as well as indie rock and pop names plus Elton John! - to work on new material. And as soon as the first G.O.O.D. Friday tune dropped, we knew My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was going to be special, and after a few listens, the album far surpasses expectations and is no doubt one of Kanye's finest offerings. Dark Fantasy, So Appalled, and Blame Game, Gorgeous, and Hello Of A Life are creative, meticulous, and genius pieces of work that swiftly move us past West's non-musical shortcomings. Then come Power, All Of The Lights, Devil In A New Dress,Monster, and Runaway , which underscore (again) Kanye's mastery of composing songs that don't sacrifice quality for mass appeal. As you might have read elsewhere, My Beautiful is one of 2010's strongest, something that you'll find yourself going back to year after year. This is the limited-edition, 3-record version featuring 180g pressing, frame-able artwork, and a poster, with fancy tri-fold, red x gold packaging (art direction by Kanye himself). Highly recommended.

180g triple vinyl pressing
triple panel gatefold sleeve
die-cut cover w/ swappable art print inserts
foldout poster
music label: Roc-A-Fella 2010

reviewed by nakinboots 12/2010

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Please note that there is a crease/dent on the upper left side), Brand New / Sealed, Php 2,600, Shopee