Audio-Technica

Inside the system

Bar Neiro builds its analogue chain around Altec A5 components in Western Electric 825 cabinets: 515B woofers, 1505B horns and 288C compression drivers, supplemented by Fostex T90A supertweeters. Shindo Cortese 300B amplification uses Western Electric 300B valves, with a Shindo Monbrison preamplifier. The source is a Garrard 301 with an A23 Hommage mat and 12-inch Schick arm. Audio-Technica ART1000 and VM750SH cartridges provide alternative pickup options, with Auditorium 23 cabling. High-efficiency horn loading and low-power valve amplification are central to the design, within an acoustically considered room.

Inside the system

Rhinoçéros uses an Altec Voice of the Theatre A7 system: a 416A/828 bass section, 808 compression driver with aluminium diaphragm and a 511 horn, in a 16 Ω configuration. Werner Jagusch speaker-level autoformer crossovers and JBL 2405 supertweeters are important additions to the loudspeaker assembly. Thöress F2A11 amplification and a Thöress phono equalizer accompany a Micro-Seiki DQX-500 with Audio-Technica VM740ML and VM750SH cartridge options. Belden internal wiring and Canare amplifier cables complete a system in which the crossover and supplementary tweeters are as significant as the original Altec components.

Inside the system

Living Voice developed bespoke four-way horn-loaded satellites with 15-inch midbass drivers and two large bass cabinets under Kevin Scott’s direction. An Atelier du Triode 300B valve amplifier, listed at approximately 30 W Class A, serves the horns; two custom 500 W MOSFET amplifiers power the bass. The source collection includes Isonoe-modified Technics decks with Audio-Technica AT-XP7 cartridges and an Isonoe rotary mixer, plus a Kuzma Stabi XL-series deck with an ART1000 cartridge. Tascam DA-3000, Revox B77, Studer A730 and Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS2 sources add digital and tape formats. Apart Mask 6T speakers with REVAMP4120T amplification provide café fill. The split between main horns, bass cabinets and fill speakers is central to the room’s architecture.

Inside the system

Shibuya Hi-Fi assigns a different system to each of its three rooms. The dedicated HiFi room pairs Klipschorns with a Luxman L-505uXii. The bar combines JBL “Heritage 100s,” as described by the venue, with Naim NAC72 and NAP140 electronics. The lounge uses bespoke Cathode Bias / Café Sound loudspeakers with 15-cell horns and dual 15-inch woofers. Technics SL-1200 MK2 decks and a Bozak AR4 rotary also form part of the project. The room-by-room distinctions matter: the custom lounge system is separate from the Klipsch and JBL installations.