|
0th
Anniversary Issue!
|
QUO
VADIS TAS?
Shortly after its inception, the predecessor to this vaunted
journal was purchased outright by Russian investors with
the understanding that there would be no overt editorial
control over its contents. So far, the Russians have honoured
this agreement, but let's face it, they own the printing
press and yer esteemed editor is little more than a typesetter
these days.
The first thing that the Russian investors wanted to do
was introduce TAS staffers to the wonderful world of high
end audio in Russia. Publisher Yuri Andropov, Jr. flew key
TAS staffers in from America to participate in discussions
about the future of TAS, what products would be reviewed,
and so on.
Andropov stressed that he was very interested in a theoretical
discussion of what makes audio what it is in the West versus
what makes etc..., in the East. Andropov expressed dissatisfaction
over attitudes prevalent in the West and acknowledged that
there was some work to be done in his own country, where
mobile Russians were eschewing locally manufactured equipment
and purchasing Western style audio equipment (including,
heaven forfend, audions!) because "Western products
weigh less."
Andropov pointed to the small number of high end manufacturers
that produce heavy equipment, including SONY: Its SACD flagship
weighs in at over sixty pounds, one fifth the weight of
an entry level Russian player, but still heavy. Andropov
noted that there was not a single component made in the
West that could survive the tank
test, much less reproduce music during the test, which
by the way, all Russian equipment must do, since "what
is the use of a having a durable system if it cannot reproduce
music at all times?"
The Russian Summit in Detail
|
On the day following our arrival,
we attended a group discussion to examine the future direction
of TAS. Although we were staying at the Moscow Hilton, our
new publisher pulled out all of the stops and everybody
got his own limo! Here they are, parked outside the former
Kremlin Palace of Congresses.
|
|
|
After a thoroughly enjoyable
lunch (peteheh and holupchi) we were taken on a tour of
a local stylus manufacturing plant. Since diamonds are considered
to be inferior, the Russians use doped carbon in a missile
type casing. This is then compressed to a trillionth of
its size in an underground facility once used to detect
photons. The manufacturer claims that this process increases
the longevity of the stylus by 10-15% over conventional
techniques. |
The following day, we took a private jet into North Uzbekistan
to visit a proving ground. In the distance stands what looks
like a derelict freighter: It serves as a source of electrons
for the power supplies of amplifiers under test. The dry
Aral Sea bed is a perfect testing site for Russian audio,
"because nobody wants to go for a swim." Just
out of the photograph is a tank that is about to subject
a prototype amplifier to an endurance test. Andropov noted
with pride that no American amplifier could pass this test,
and laughed at any suggestion that a Japanese product would
stand a chance. "No amplifier except for a Russian
can survive being run over by a tank."
|
 |
|
One of the highlights of the
day came when we met Svetlana Savitskaya, a well known Russian
audio reviewer. Here she is after having endured a tank
test. For those of you who don't know, the tank test places
great stresses on an amplifier and loudspeaker, which must
endure the weight of a tank while playing marching band
music at spl's in excess of 120 dB. These high volume levels
necessitate the use of ear protectors such as the helmet
designed by Soyuz Co. It is particularly important to block
mid band frequencies, which are accentuated by the megaphone
type speakers that are the only ones extant that can pass
the tank test. |
Later, we flew over Lenin Peak
in the Pamir Region. Andropov pointed out an avalanche,
and described how a 140 dB signal burst accidentally emitted
had caused the slide some days before. Three European mountaineers
lost their lives during the incident, but the cause of their
deaths had yet to be ascertained. Andropov shrugged, claiming
it may have been the spl, but that there was no way to be
certain.
|
 |
|
On the way back to Moscow, we
flew over a tank graveyard. Andropov noted that many tanks
did not survive the tank test. Other types of tests were
under consideration for this reason, including detonation.
This would "get two birds for one stone" Andropov
observed, doubtless referring to the large number of surplus
ballistic missiles available at low prices. "The missile
is less expensive than a tank, you know." |
|
Upon our return to Moscow, Andropov wished us the best,
and provided us with a review list, which we couldn't
decipher. The Russian reference system as it is called,
consists of two mono audions that weigh 490 lb. apiece,
two mono preamplifiers that weigh 330 lb. apiece, a belt
drive turntable with a 18" deep corundum platter
and a high torque motor, plus, of course, the latest model
of megaphone speakers that are screamingly efficient,
producing 119 dB for one watt of power.
Expect these products in a month or
so. .
|
|
|
On an endnote, Andropov gave us a photograph of his sweetheart,
Yulia Sukhanova, with instructions to eschew advertising
on our outside back cover (what?) in favour of this picture.
He explained that it was taken 13 years ago, but it was
the only one that he had, being photographically challenged.
Whenever he would try to shoot a roll of pictures with
his Zenit E (rather than the "C," the Leica
of all Russian cameras), the film compartment would open
up. He tried to keep it closed with a rubber band, but
gave up in frustration. He subsequently turned his attentions
to durable Russian audions instead.
There is no way that a compartment will
open up because each amplifier is factory sealed. That
is a good policy. (J. Andropov, Jr.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
