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Finished. Amplifier is running without any problems.
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2 amplifier modules by Pragmatic Communications Systems |
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high performance switching PSU by XP Power [Farnell 133-7158] |
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enclosure by HiFi2000.it |
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VU meters by Sansui [NOS New Old Stock] |
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VU meter driver print by JLM Audio Australia |
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VU meter backlight uses a white 12-LED strip |
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Click here for original AudioXpress article in PDF [571 KB]
PLease do notice: this article is reprinyetd wth permission of AudioXpress.
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website Pragmatic Company LINK1 or LINK 2 |
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The following music is used for evaluation of this project and listing is conform the AudioXpress article.
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Gerald Wilson is 89 years old [2009] and still going strong. And yes, he made already recordings back in the 50's. This CD is in every sense exceptional.
Gerald Wilson Orchestra - In my mind [CD Mack Avenue 2003]
Sound samples: click here
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This is Chet Bakers last concert just a few months before he died. Great ambience and wonderfully played by Chet Baker and the 2 Big Bands. The story goes that he never rehearsed with the Big Bands, and the only afternoon he did, Chet Baker played a few notes and told everyone: It’s okay and the concert will be great. And yes, he was right on this!
Chet Baker with Big Band (live) – the Last Great Concerts volume 1 & 2 [CD ENJA 1994]
Sound samples: click here
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Superb live recording of one of today’s finest classical pianists. The Rachmaninoff pieces are extra-ordinary.
Arcadi Volodos - Live in Carnegie Hall [CD Sony 1999]
Sound samples: click here
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A 4-CD set with some of the finest solo classical piano music, this beautiful and powerful played by pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin. Superb recording by Tony Faulkner.
Nikolaij Medtner piano works (4 CD-set) by Marc-André Hamelin [CD Hyperion 1998]
Sound samples: click here
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Great singer, great entertaining music.
Natalie Cole - Take a look [CD Elektra/Wea 1993]
Sound samples: click here
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This CD sounds almost on every good system, but at times it sounds even more impressive, and simply because it is always fun to listen to this CD.
Lee Ritenour – Wes Bound [CD GRP 1993]
Sound samples: click here
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No comment. Former reference CD of Stereophile and CD of the Year. This is a must-have-CD-box.
Keith Jarrett Trio – At the Blue Note (6CD ECM 1995)
Sound samples: click here
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Wonderful release by drummer Manu Katche, recording and music repertoire are outstanding. This CD release by ECM is a must-buy.
Sound samples: click here
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Bach's Goldberg Variations are beautiful and very inspiring. This recording by Tatiana Nikolayeva is already one my all time favourites, this maybe not in terms of sound quality, but for its musicality and intellectuality, also because her tempi and phrasing feel so natural. Using this Pragmatic amp the piano is very honest and clear, no softness, no colouring, very natural balance and soundstage [CD: BBC Legends BBCL 4228-2].
Sound samples: click here
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My favorite composer is definitely Scriabin and maybe 2nd Prokofiev. But I do love piano and through the years I 'learned' that other composer excist ;-) For example Britsch composer Elgar; his Enigma Variations for piano solo are very interesting. One day I bought this cheapo Naxos release with this work and I was overwhelmed by its quality, not only pianist Ashley Wass is great, but also the recording. You might set volume according to track 15 for loudness and than to start with the Enigma Variations. Balance, dynamics, soundstage are all very real and confincing as Ashley Wass his playing.
Sounds excerpts: click here
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I do know that music can be very personal and do know that there is lots of beautiful music around. This 6 CD set by Keith Jarrett [solo] is one of my most favourites and bought this recording once as a 10 LP set. Its potential is really revealed by this Pragmatic amp. You may start with Kyoto, this after say 10 in the evening. With some systems one concert half may be getting boring or maybe you will loose attention; using this Pragmatic this will be not the case, but than: it stays Keith Jarrett, some people will never appreciate his music ;-) This recording / performance is very personal, as this mighty little amplifier.
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This Scriabin CD by pianist Vitalij Margulis is one of my all time favorite CDs. It contains Scriabin's 3rd pianosonata and his poems. It is released on the German label INAK and recorded in a church in Freiburg Germany. His interpretation is the best to my opion, I do have many 3rd sonatas but none is as good as from Vitalij Margulis, the poems on this CD are also very, very good. Recording is outstanding, lots of air and space, unfortunately this CD is out-of-print and its even a difficult task to buy it second-hand.
For an impression, do click here [1.141 KB]
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The Pragmatic amplifier is running for a time of least 10 months and I must say I am still using it daily and enjoying as it first day. It still opens a little secret from time to time. This summer I bought the ‘The Dutch Jazz Orchestra Group Plays the Music of Rob Madna’ 5-CD box. Rob Madna is a Dutch Jazz pianist and composer, this CD box is dedicated to him. The Disc 5 is very interesting, this is a re-release of his ‘Update Trio’ album from 1998. High quality sound with excellent jazz. Using the Pragmatic amp this Disc 5 offers in the late evening excitement and relaxation. My Dynaudio’s get alive and do rock and shake. I question myself at times: why is it over and over again such a delight to listen to this amplifier?
For sound examples you might like to check out the Amazon.com website, do start first to check out disc 5.
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