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MUSIC<br />
SON OF A GUN<br />
W<br />
There is no mistaking the lineage of the conrad-johnson<br />
ET5 line-stage. It closely mimics the circuitry and parts<br />
quality of conrad-johnson’s big gun - the GAT preamplifier.<br />
Same zero-feedback audio circuit, though without<br />
hile fewer and fewer new SACD players<br />
get made with each passing year, Mobile Fidelity<br />
should not only be commended for continuing<br />
to support the format but congratulated for doing<br />
such outstanding work with SACD releases. If Sony<br />
the dual- mono layout. Same regulated power supply<br />
had done half as good a job, SACD would likely<br />
be with us as a major format. All of which brings<br />
us to Mobile Fidelity’s latest two releases from 70s<br />
circuit, but shared between the channels. Same CJD<br />
crooner Carly Simon.<br />
Played through our reference dCS player, both<br />
discs sound so clean and clear, they rank miles<br />
capacitors, though less total capacitance. Same<br />
ahead of the early LPs we’ve on hand for comparison.<br />
The standard-issue CDs and Tidal are rubbish,<br />
too. You need to go no further than Simon’s biggest<br />
precision metal foil resistors. The result - a strong family<br />
hit, “You’re So Vain,” to hear the magic MoFi performs<br />
here. Mick Jagger’s voice has always been<br />
relatively lost in the mix. Now, he’s right there in the<br />
resemblance in sonic character that just sounds right,<br />
room and in his own space. The remainder of No<br />
Secrets is equally captivating, and those that have<br />
listened to the record over the years will delight in<br />
making the ET5 a bargain at half the price of the GAT.<br />
the subtle bits they either haven’t heard or heard so<br />
distinctly before. The added clarity also does more<br />
justice to Simon’s underrated vocal abilities.<br />
Carly Simon<br />
The singer’s prior release, Anticipation, proves<br />
No Secrets and Anticipation<br />
equally enjoyable even though the upper-most<br />
Mobile Fidelity, SACD<br />
register remains somewhat flat. Cymbals still lack<br />
punch, yet the rest of the drum kit now sounds<br />
much more dynamic than on any of the originals.<br />
Perhaps that 45-year-old master tape just doesn’t<br />
have any more life left in it. And, as with the No Secrets<br />
SACD, a major midrange veil has been lifted.<br />
The harmonies boast a more lifelike quality and are<br />
more easily discernible, where on CD, it all turns to<br />
mush. Another winner from Mobile Fidelity. l<br />
conrad-johnson It just sounds right.<br />
2800K Dorr Ave • Fairfax, VA 22031 • phone: 703-698-8581, fax: 703-560-5360 • www.conradjohnson.com<br />
106 TONE AUDIO NO.78<br />
AUGUST 2016 107
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