Introducing DALI’s Full Range Centre Speaker the OBERON GRAND VOKAL

Introducing DALI’s Full Range Centre Speaker the OBERON GRAND VOKAL   Boost your home cinema with this new center channel that pairs perfectly to complete the OBERON series Pickering, Ontario, Canada, November 2, 2023— Lenbrook Americas announces the new DALI OBERON GRAND VOKAL, the 2-way full range centre speaker for large rooms. This center channel features two 7-inch SMC-based woofers and an oversized, ultra-lightweight 29mm soft dome tweeter, the GRAND VOKAL blends seamlessly with any OBERON surround sound setup to deliver crystal-clear dialogue, sound effects and music at any volume. The formidable OBERON GRAND VOKAL was designed to harmonize with powerful OBERON 5, OBERON 7 and OBERON 9 floorstanding speakers and is perfectly timbre matched for OBERON 1 and OBERON 3 bookshelf speakers or the OBERON ON WALL used for surround effects. The OBERON GRAND VOKAL is currently available and has an MSRP of $1,000 USD and $1,200 CAD. ​   The OBERON GRAND VOKAL as the centre channel   “The centre channel speaker is the most important in a home cinema setup, this is where all the dialogue happens and the one that connects the sound to the screen. The OBERON GRAND VOKAL perfectly blends with the OBERON 7 and 9 creating one of the most coherent and integrated front stages available, it’s just seamless,” says Krestian Pedersen, DALI’s Head of Product Management.       Full Range Sound   The OBERON GRAND VOKAL delivers the classic OBERON sound on a huge scale with high power-handling and dynamics able to produce transparent sound at low and high volume. The speaker can be placed above or below a television screen on a stand or a shelf. The speaker consists of an oversized 29mm membrane soft dome tweeter is constructed from an ultra-light weight weave material that is half the weight of most models on the market. The extended frequency response is combined with super wide, panoramic dispersion. The patented SMC Disc in the woofer magnet’s iron pole-piece greatly reduces mechanical distortion for lifelike vocals and precision midrange reproduction.   The OBERON GRAND VOKAL in a home theater setup   Key Features:   Frequency Range (+/-3 dB) 49 - 26,000 Hz Sensitivity (2.83V/1 m) 91 dB    Nominal Impedance 4 ohm    Maximum SPL 111 dB    Crossover Frequency 2500 Hz    Recommended Amplifier Power 25 - 200 Watt High Frequency Driver 1 x 29 mm soft dome High Frequency Diaphragm Soft woven fabric   Low/Mid frequency driver(s) 2 x 7 inch    Low/Mid frequency diaphragm Wood fibre cone Connection input Single wire    ​Enclosure type Bass reflex    Bass reflex tuning frequency 40 Hz    Recommended distance from the rear wall 5 - 50 cm    Dimensions (H x W x D) 201 x 700 x 310 mm    ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7.9 x 27.5 x 12.2 inches    Weight incl. grille 12.85 kg    ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 28.32 lb    Accessories Rubber feet, Manual   ​   About DALI   DALI, (Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries), was established in 1983, and grew out of Scandinavia’s leading audio retail chain. Now distributed in 65 countries, and with more than 40 years of experience and global recognition, DALI holds unwavering dedication to sound that has advanced the state of the art, inspiring music and cinema lovers and challenging the competition to catch up. DALI is driven by raw passion for music and an honest reproduction in the domestic environment. Continuous development and refinement of new technologies remains core to DALI’s quest to create the best loudspeakers in the world. For more information, visit DALI-SPEAKERS.com       About Lenbrook   The Lenbrook Group of Companies is a privately held Canadian corporation who are the owners of NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Bluesound and Bluesound Professional. Formed in 1978, Lenbrook initially was a national distributor of electronics and communications products in Canada and has grown to become a leading global supplier to over 80 countries around the world.   Lenbrook Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lenbrook International, is responsible for the sales and marketing of NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Bluesound and DALI in both the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, it also distributes Tivoli Audio and Master & Dynamic in Canada.   Links:   DALI Website: http://www.dali-speakers.com   DALI Image Library: https://brandfolder.com/dali/press   Lenbrook Americas Website: http://lenbrookamericas.com

ThermalTake SMART BM3 850W Power Supply and SWAFAN GT 12 Fan Set Review

Most people know that a computer needs a great reliable power supply unit to power your system. Having to replace your PSU is one of the hassles no one wants with their system. Today I will be reviewing the ThermalTake SMART BM3 850W power supply, set at a price of $99.99. Along with the ThermalTake SWAFAN GT 12 Fan set at a price of $29.99.

Features and specs:

Power Supply

WATTS: 850W

MODEL: SPD-850AH2CLB

COLOR: Black

DIMENSION ( W / H / D ): 150mm(W)x86mm(H)x140mm(D)

PFC (POWER FACTOR CORRECTION): Active PFC

POWER GOOD SIGNAL: 100-150 msec

HOLD UP TIME: > 17msec

INPUT CURRENT: 15A-6A

INPUT FREQUENCY RANGE: 50Hz/60Hz

INPUT VOLTAGE: 100-240V～

OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 5°C to + 45°C

OPERATING HUMIDITY: 20% to 85%, non-condensing

STORAGE TEMPERATURE: -40°C to + 55°C

STORAGE HUMIDITY: 10% to 95%, non-condensing

COOLING SYSTEM: 12cm FDB Fan

EFFICIENCY: Meet 80 PLUS® Bronze at 115Vac input.

MTBF: 100,000 hrs minimum

SAFETY APPROVAL: CE/UKCA/LVD/UKCA/FCC/ICES/TUV/CB/cTUVus/BSMI/CCC

PCI-E 6+2PIN: 4

PCIE 12+4PIN: 1(450w)

PROTECTION: OCP/OVP/UVP/OPP/OTP/SCP

 

Fan

FAN DIMENSION: 120 x 120 x 25 mm

STARTED VOLTAGE: 5.0 V

RATED CURRENT: 0.16 A

RATED VOLTAGE: 12 V

POWER INPUT: 1.92 W

FAN SPEED: 500 ~ 2000 R.P.M

MAX. AIR PRESSURE

High Air Pressure Fan Blade: 3.17 mm-H2O

High Air Flow Fan Blade: 2.7 mm-H2O

Reverse Fan Blade: 2.23 mm-H2O

MAX AIR FLOW

High Air Pressure Fan Blade: 54.71 CFM

High Air Flow Fan Blade: 62.23 CFM

Reverse Fan Blade: 58.17 CFM

NOISE LEVEL

High Air Pressure Fan Blade: 26.5 dB-A

High Air Flow Fan Blade: 28.3 dB-A

Reverse Fan Blade: 29.8 dB-A

BEARING TYPE: Hydraulic Bearing

LIFE EXPECTATION: 40,000 hrs,25℃

CONNECTOR: 2510-4pin

INCLUDED LTEMS

Fan Frames x 1

High Air Pressure Fan Blade x 1 (Pre-installed)

High Air Flow Fan Blade x 1

Reverse Fan Blade x 1

Cable x 1

To begin this review, I will be talking about the fan first. The fan comes in a nice dark-colored cardboard box with high-definition pictures of the fan on the front. With the specs of the fan on the side. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal.  Quality of materials used as well as fit and finish, was very good. The fan comes with two extra fan blades, screws for the installation, and the warranty booklet. The fan was tested with a piece of paper towel to test the consistency of the airflow with all three fan blades and I was pleased to see that it remained relatively the same with little noticeable change. It performed well, and having extra fan blades is also nice.

 

The Power Supply Unit came in a dark-colored cardboard box with a high-definition picture of the unit on top as well as two sides of the box and the features are on the back. The unit came bubble-wrapped to help secure it during the transport along with a black bag that holds the wiring for the unit. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal, with some plastic. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. A plastic bag that holds the power cord, zip ties, and screws to help with the assembly.

 

The power supply comes with a 5-year warranty to help you stay covered. The power supply is bronze-certified. The unit is also built with industrial-grade protection to keep the unit operational and protected.  The power supply unit is semi-modular so it has some connectors ready to get plugged into your system. The power supply has some great features such as being AUX 3.0 compatible. Another feature that is nice is that it is PCIe gen 5.0 ready with a 16-pin connector. It’s a quality power supply that’s built well, with some great features.

 

Now it’s time to see how the ThermalTake SMART BM3 Power supply performs.  Testing of the power supply was to see if it would power my computer which is roughly 600 W to power. The power supply performed well with no difficulty.  Looking at my display, colors were as vibrant and well saturated as usual. Turning to some gaming, and monitoring my frame rates, I had no drop in performance.  It performed in spades.

In conclusion, the ThermalTake SMART BM3 Power supply is a great budget power supply that will power your system and keep your system for a good amount of time. Having the PCIe 5.0 and AUX 3.0 will make it compatible with a lot of the current builds. We will be giving this unit our Highly Recommended Award. The SWAFAN GT 12 single fan pack with multiple fans to be able to adapt to what your system needs is a great option at a reasonable price. We will be giving the fan our Recommended Award. If you want more information about these products you can check out their website. https://thermaltakeusa.com/

NAD Previews M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier at Shanghai Audio Show

NAD Previews M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier at Shanghai Audio Show   Show attendees will have the chance to demo the flagship component, set to ship in November 2023 OCTOBER 13, 2023, Shanghai Audio Show, Shanghai, China – NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio-video components, kicks off a month-long series of activities celebrating the release of the Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamplifier’s at the Shanghai Audio Show in China, ahead of shipments arriving to global retailers in the second half of November 2023. All Shanghai Audio Show attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to preview and demo the full features of the M66 –a high-end preamp so advanced, it represents an entirely new category of hi-fi separates. The M66 will be available for purchase in November and will be available at participating NAD authorized retailers at a suggested retail price of US$5,499 / GBP£4,499 / EUR€5,999 / CDN$7,299.             The NAD Masters M66 is one of the most feature-rich and technologically advanced preamplifiers on the market today. Its exceptional circuitry design features separate digital and analogue signal paths that add functionality like distinct volume attenuation for analogue and digital signals, a true analogue bypass for the MM/MC phono stage, and an independent headphone amplifier. It also boasts four independent subwoofer outputs and includes licenses for Dirac Live Room Correction (full frequency) and Bass Control tools. The M66 also introduces a new proprietary technology, Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH), that eliminates intersample clipping and relies on the widely lauded ESS Sabre DAC, ensuring only the cleanest signal is passed along for amplification. BluOS wireless hi-res multiroom streaming, is included, as are Apple AirPlay2, two-way AptX HD Bluetooth, and a host of other inputs and outputs.   M66 front view   M66 rear view ​"China has been one of NAD's fastest growing markets and we are very excited to be able to have Chinese audiences be among the first to see the full extent of what the M66 is capable of," explains Cas Oostvogel, NAD Product Manager, of the brand's decision to use the Shanghai Audio Show to open the product's official launch activities. "We chose the Shanghai Audio Show over those in Melbourne, Paris, and other locations because of the market's embrace of the brand."       Features & Details*   Ethernet and Wi-Fi networking BluOS network streamer provides access to over 20 streaming services, including several that deliver lossless and high-resolution audio Flagship ESS Sabre DAC and ADC chips Innovative Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) circuit eliminates digital intersample peak clipping distortion Full MQA hardware decoding and rendering Analogue Bypass Mode available Separate signal paths for digital and analogue sources; separate power supplies for digital and analogue sections Supports popular music casting protocols like Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect Seamless integration with smarthome control systems such as Crestron, Control4, ELAN, RTI, URC, and others Four independent unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR subwoofer outputs Full bandwidth version of Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control licenses included ​ Ultra-quiet MM/MC phono stage with precise RIAA equalization, high overload margins, and infrasonic filter HDMI port with eARC support Two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF inputs, one AES/EBU balanced digital input, two pairs of RCA line-level analogue inputs, one pair of XLR balanced inputs Option to switch off WiFi and Bluetooth to minimize RF interference Dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage capability Ultra-precise resistor-ladder digital volume control 7″ front-panel touchscreen Elegant aluminium casework Two MDC2 expansion slots for adding future capabilities IR remote   *all features and details listed are preliminary       About NAD Electronics ​Founded in 1972 and now sold in over 80 countries, NAD Electronics is renowned for its award-winning line of high-quality components for audio, home theatre and custom installation applications. Since the beginning, NAD’s commitment to four core values – innovation, innovation, simplicity, performance, and value – have earned it a cult-like following that catapulted it to becoming a household name amongst audiophiles and music lovers alike. To this day, the brand continues to design and manufacture some of the most acclaimed and affordable hi-fi components that include modern features and technologies meant to appeal to a new generation of audiophiles.

Kingston FURY DDR4 UDIMMs Get a New Look

Kingston FURY DDR4 UDIMMs Get a New Look

 

• Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 RGB & Non-RGB
• Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 RGB
• Optimized for Intel® XMP and Ready for AMD Ryzen™

Fountain Valley, CA – October 9, 2023 – Kingston FURY, the high-performance division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, announced today the updated new look of Kingston FURY™ Renegade DDR4 memory.

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 delivers amazing speeds up to 5333MT/s*¹, making it the ultimate choice for power users. The bold two-tone black heat spreaders are on double duty as they not only enhance the look of your build but also manages heat while you’re deep at work or play to ensure optimal performance. For those seeking an extra dose of excitement, Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 RGB² boasts a stylish two-tone black heat spreader illuminated by 10 LEDs to create dynamic RGB lighting effects kept in lock-step by Kingston FURY’s patented Infrared Sync Technology™. Beyond its appearance it doesn’t compromise on functionality, offering speeds up to 4600MT/s allowing users to boost frame rates, improve workflow, and edit game play in a flash.

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4’s release follows the recently redesigned Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 RGB, which also upgrades the style and performance of any system. It features impressive speeds up to 3733MT/s and stunning RGB lighting to complement the sleek black heat spreader. Choose between Intel® XMP Certified & XMP-Ready profiles, Ready for AMD Ryzen™, or go for Plug N Play³ automatic overclocking at 2666MT/s to get the boost you need.

“As we continue to give our users more options to truly make their builds their own, we’ve updated the look of the heat spreaders and added more LEDs to RGB modules,” said Kristy Ernt, DRAM business manager, Kingston. “We’re happy to now offer users these new modules with heat spreaders specifically designed with the Kingston FURY brand identity in mind.”

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 memory is available in single module capacities of 8GB-32GB and kits of 2, 4, and 8 with capacities of 16GB–256GB. Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 RGB and Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 RGB can be further personalized with the Kingston FURY CTRL RGB tool by selecting and customizing one of the 18 built in RGB lighting effects. The Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 and Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 lines are Ready for AMD Ryzen, and Intel® XMP Certified or XMP Ready, so you’re ready to go with profiles that are optimized for AMD and Intel’s latest chipsets. 100% tested at speed and backed by a limited lifetime warranty and legendary Kingston reliability.

For more information visit kingston.com.

 

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 RGB Features and Specifications:

• Stunning RGB Style: Bring your workstation to life with smooth, stunning, RGB lighting effects.
• Patented Kingston FURY™ Infrared Sync Technology™: RGB lighting stays synced thanks to Kingston FURY's Infrared Sync Technology.
• Powerful aluminum heat spreader displays smooth RGB effects: The two-tone black aluminum heat spreader and black PCB highlight the stunning RGB effects to keep your rig running and looking sharp.
• Intel XMP Certified or Ready profiles: Intel Extreme Memory Profile technology makes it possible to overclock with ease. Simply select one of the built-in, hand-tuned profiles in your BIOS to get the benefits of overclocking.
• Ready for AMD Ryzen™: Get memory that’s Ready for Ryzen and will seamlessly integrate with your AMD-based system.
• Capacities:

o  Singles – 8GB, 16GB, 32GB

o  Kits of 2 –16GB, 32GB, 64GB

o  Kits of 4 – 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

o  Kits of 8 – 256GB

• Speeds: 3200MT/s, 3600MT/s, 4000MT/s, 4266MT/s, 4600MT/s
• Latencies: CL16, CL18, CL19
• Voltage: 1.35V, 1.4V, 1.5V
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C
• Dimensions: 133.35mm x 45.76mm x 8.29mm

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 Features and Specifications:

• High speeds plus low latencies deliver extreme performance: With speeds up to 5333MT/s paired with quick CL16–CL20 timings to help your AMD- or Intel-based system power through games, video editing, and broadcasting, Kingston FURY Renegade DDR4 is the prime choice to meet demands.
• Intel XMP Certified or Ready: Intel Extreme Memory Profile technology makes it possible to overclock with ease. Select one of the built-in, hand-tuned profiles in your BIOS to get the benefits of overclocking without having to manually adjust the memory timings yourself.
• Ready for AMD Ryzen: Get memory that’s Ready for Ryzen and will seamlessly integrate with your AMD-based system. A reliable, compatible performance boost for your build.
• Intense two-tone black aluminum heat spreader: The two-tone black aluminum heat spreader and black PCB keep your rig running and looking sharp.
• Capacities:

o  Singles – 8GB, 16GB, 32GB

o  Kits of 2 –16GB, 32GB, 64GB

o  Kits of 4 – 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

o  Kits of 8 – 256GB

• Speeds: 3200MT/s, 3600MT/s, 4000MT/s, 4266MT/s, 4600MT/s, 4800MT/s, 5333MT/s
• Latencies: CL16, CL18, CL19, CL20
• Voltage: 1.35V, 1.4V, 1.5V, 1.6V
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 85°C
• Dimensions: 133.35mm x 41.98mm x 8.29mm

* Learn more about megatransfers per second - MT/s denotes megatransfers (million transfers) per second and represents the effective data rate (speed) of DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM memory in computing. A DDR SDRAM memory module transfers data on the rise and fall of every clock cycle (1 Hz).

Ex: DDR4-3200 (PC4-3200)

Clock Rate: 1600MHz

Data Rate: 3200MT/s

Bandwidth: 25,600 MB/s (25.6 GB/s)

 

¹The specification of the extreme overclocking modules listed on this page may be beyond the capabilities of your AMD or Intel system hardware. Careful selection of all system components (e.g. CPU, motherboard, PSU) is required to ensure these modules will function as intended. These kits are thoroughly tested and verified in the factory to run at the listed speed for XMP-Profile 1. As a backup, a 2nd XMP profile at a slower clock speed is included so you can still achieve great performance if your system cannot handle the highest speed XMP profile.

As a guide you can find the processors and motherboards Kingston FURY™ used to perform the Intel XMP certification on this page: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/extreme-memory-profile-xmp.html. This is not a guarantee of compatibility in your system configuration. We cannot guarantee compatibility with all systems; these modules should be installed and used at your own risk.

Only select AMD and Intel based motherboards are able to achieve speeds of DDR4-4000 and above. Check motherboard Qualified Vendor Lists (QVL) to verify Renegade high speed support on the motherboard vendor website and/or Intel XMP certified list. Premium system cooling (CPU and case) are required for high-speed memory stability. On Intel platforms, X or K series processors are recommended.

²Lighting customizable with Kingston FURY CTRL software or with motherboard RGB control software. RGB customization support through third-party software may vary.

³FURY Plug N Play memory will run in DDR4 systems up to the speed allowed by the manufacturer’s system BIOS. PnP cannot increase the system memory speed faster than is allowed by the manufacturer’s BIOS. FURY Plug N Play DDR4 products support XMP 2.0 specifications so overclocking can also be achieved by enabling the built-in XMP Profile.

 

Kingston can be found on:

YouTube             Instagram

Facebook           LinkedIn

Twitter                Kingston Is With You

 

About Kingston Technology, Inc.

From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world’s largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com.

 

Wāvtech Link 1000.1 mini 1000 Watt Mono Amplifier Review

I love car audio. And I’m a basshead, so I like a lot of bass. Subs also take a lot of power. Not all sub amps are created equal. Wāvtech is a new comer to the car audio market, providing amps and processors, but they are doing things right. We recently reviewed their Link 500.1 mini. Up for review today is their brand new model, big brother to the Link 500.1 mini. It’s the Wāvtech Link 1000.1 mini, with MSRP of $499.

 

Features and specs:

 

link1000.1mini Features

1000 Watt Mono Amplifier

600 watts x 1 @ 4 ohms

1000 watts x 1 @ 2 ohms

Only 12.2”x4.5”x1.65”

Fully Adjustable Parametric EQ

Variable Low-Pass Crossover (-24dB/oct)

Variable Subsonic Filter (-24dB/oct)

Remote Level Control (RLC) w/Optional linkRC

Start/Stop System Compatible

Differential Balanced Inputs

Variable Gain Adjustment w/Clip LED

Auto Turn-On via DC-Offset or Audio Signal Detect

Adaptive OEM Load Detect Technology

Locking Detachable Hi-Level Speaker Terminals

Professional Grade Panel Mount RCA’s

Compact Aluminum Chassis w/Detachable Mounting tabs

 

link1000.1mini Specifications

 

Input Sensitivity

SPK --------------------------- 1-20Vrms, 2-40Vrms

RCA --------------------------- 0.2V-5Vrms, 0.4V-10Vrms

Max Input Voltage (SPK) ------ 40Vrms

Frequency Response ----------- <10Hz to >500Hz (=0/-3dB)

THD+N ------------------------------- <1% at rated power

S/N ------------------------------------- >78dBA (1W, 4Ω)

 

The Wāvtech Link 1000.1 mini came in a great looking color printed box, with an image of the amp and its specs, on the box. Opening the box revealed a well-protected amp held in place by custom molded foam. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. Also included was the manual used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. Also included were the manual, and mounting screws. Wāvtech also sent the bass remote, which is a separate accessory, and is also made of metal and good quality.

 

Wāvtech is a bit unique in its design philosophy. They are designed for sound quality, and rated at 2 ohms. The trend has been to run subs at 1 ohm. This means getting more output out of your amp. But there are reasons not to do this. You get better sound quality running at 2 or 4 ohms. Running at 1 ohm also generates more heat. Heat kills amps, or can at least reduce its lifespan. So while Wāvtech limits the load to 2 ohm for sound quality, it can also help with its longevity.

 

I love the design of the Wāvtech 1000.1. The connections are on both ends, as found on most amps. But the controls are on the top of the amp. So when setting up and tuning the amp, all the controls for gain, EQ, and crossovers, are conveniently located on the top of the amp. It’s designed with the professional installer in mind. So after the amp is mounted, it’s really easy to make the needed adjustments. And of course, having an LED Clip indicator next to the controls makes tuning it a breeze.

 

Another key feature of the Wāvtech Link 1000.1 mini is the hi-level inputs. While having hi-level inputs is not rare, it’s actually common. But the Wāvtech Link 1000.1 mini can actually handle up to 40 volts. This means it can handle a signal from just about any factory system. This makes it extremely simple to add a high-power subwoofer system to an existing factory system.

 

Installation proved to be very simple, mounting it to the amp rack behind the back seat of my truck. And as expected, tuning it was very simple. Having the controls on top, especially with the clip indicator, made tuning it, and making adjustments, a breeze. There’s not a lot of space under the back seat of my truck, yet I like a lot of bass. My reference subs are Image Dynamics 1D8’s, quad design, in a ported enclosure. Let’s see how they sound.

 

Techmaster PB- Activate, and Time To Jam:  the bass was extremely deep, and played with tons of authority.  Sustained bass was pleasantly smooth with tons of output, and the beats we nice and tight and hit really hard.  It’s an old school bass disc, and it doesn’t disappoint.  Looking at my SPL meter it hit 123db.

Lady Gaga- Starstruck:  this is another go-to track with a lot of bass.  Bass beats were really clean, hit really hard, and even though the box was ported the bass beats were still nice and tight. And the bass beats at the very beginning of the track were also not just nice and tight, they also hit extremely hard!  It was almost like a sledgehammer to the chest. Yet the bass beats were still nice and clean. And looking at the SPL meter on this track it also hit 123db.

New Order- Blue Monday: I thought this would also be a great test track for the amp.  The very beginning especially, the bass beats were nice and tight, but also very fast.  I was extremely impressed with the sound that I was hearing.  The beats were very tight, and extremely fast.  And while they hit really hard, it was also not muddy.  Thanks to the quality and power of the amp, the motor structure was very well controlled.  After every massive hit, the motor got the cone back and it was ready for the next beat a split second later.  And wow did it hit!  I felt like my chest was taking a pounding!  My rearview mirror was also dancing due to the vibration from all of the bass beats.  And I saw my SPL meter that I was hitting 129db!

 

Wāvtech, while a young company, are doing things right in their designs, and delivers an excellent product. It is very simple to install, tune, and use. While it’s simple to setup and use, it also performed in spades, and is built well to provide years of use. And MSRP is a very fair $499. Based on its design, features, quality and performance has earned our Editor’s Choice award. For more info and specs, check out their website at www.wavtech-usa.com.  Reference gear used:  Kenwood DNR1007XR reference series receiver, Nakamichi NSDT500A 12 channel DSP 10 channel amplifier, German Maestro M-Line 3-way component speakers, Alpine Type-X 2-way component speakers, Image Dynamic quad ID8 subwoofers.