Brinkmann Audio Bardo turntable Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn, Cobra, and Castellon turntable, tonearm, and stand; Graham Phantom II, Kuzma 4Point tonearms; Ortofon A90 cartridge.
Digital Sources: Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player–DAC, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, Sooloos music server, Pure Music software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon VPS-100, Einstein Turntable's Choice phono preamplifiers; darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Musical Fidelity Titan.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX 3.
Cables: Phono: Hovland/Graham MG2 Music Groove. Interconnect: TARA Labs Zero, Stealth Sakra, ZenSati, Fono-Acustica Armonico. Speaker: TARA Labs Omega Gold, ZenSati, Fono-Acustica. AC: TARA Labs The One Cobalt, Shunyata Research King Cobra Helix CX, Isoclean 1000.
Accessories: Feickert alignment gauge, Musical Surroundings, Fozgometer, Wally Tools Wallyskater; Shunyata Research V-Ray II Reference, Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One 5.0, TARA Labs Power Screen power conditioners; Oyaide AC wall box & receptacles; ASC Tube Traps, RPG BAD & Abffusor panels; Finite Elemente Pagode, HRS SXR stands; Symposium Rollerblocks; Audiodharma Cable Cooker; Furutech DeMag & deStat LP treatments; VPI HW-17F, Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe, Nitty Gritty 2.5Fi-XP record-cleaning machines.—Michael Fremer

COMPANY INFO
Brinkmann Audio GmbH
US distributor: Shane Buettner
shane@brinkmann-usa.com
253 265 0813
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
bwright's picture

Have you heard the new Brinkmann RoNt ll tube power supply with the Bardo?  This seemingly minor upgrade will significantly narrow the gap between the Bardo and Caliburn.  

The added resonance and bass is unmistakable in A/B comparisons with the supplied power unit - Music Lovers in San Francisco recently gave a demo of this upgrade, and everyone involved noted the huge improvement.  With the RoNt ll and an upgraded tonearm/cartridge (Kuzma, Graham, Benz LP S MR, etc.), it makes the Bardo a high end bargain, compared to more stratospherically priced turntables.

Oksana's picture

I've read how power supplies improve the sound, but can you explain how it adds resonance and bass? I just don't understand it.

bwright's picture

I'd love to tell you how it caused the modification in sound, but I honestly don't know - better minds will understand the related science. When I told Kevin Hayes (founder of VAC) about this upgrade during CES two years ago, and mentioned the positive effect it had, he smiled and said "Funny, I was thinking about doing this - looks like someone beat me to it."

For some reason, it adds a bass weight and a resonant dimension to the sound. During the demo, we sat there switching between the two supplies, and we all had the same experience. I imagine you could call it a tone control, but you definitely miss it when it is disconnected. It is an expensive upgrade, but it elevated the sound of the turntable well above its price point.

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