Transcript
The following is augmented from Audio magazine (with apologies)
The LIRPA CD Enhancer/LP Record Simulator: At last the revolutionary device for all those who know that vinyl analog recordings (LPs) are superior to that CD sound.
PURPOSE: At last a device allows you to tailor the signal produced by the Compact Disc medium to approximate that of LP records. The LIRPA processor can be placed between the Compact Disc player or computer sound card and the preamp or power amplifier of the sound reproduction chain.
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HARMONIC DISTORTION GENERATOR: Adjustable from 0% to 100% THD (total harmonic distortion). This allows you to increase the total harmonic distortion of the Compact Disk from 0.01% to levels found on typical LPs played with “top-of-the-line” stereo cartridges (commonly 1% THD or more). Advanced features: Groove velocity boost – adds distortion when the going gets tough through all those loud passages. Puts extra crunch on those loud transients. Harmonic tweaking - Individual harmonic component contributions can be adjusted for that highly sought after “even order experience” of the modern audiophile. An additional benefit is that this control also contributes to that ultra-sonic information above 22 kHz which was lost in the digital process adding to the musical experience in ways the director or the producer never even contemplated. SEPARATION-REDUCTION CONTROL: Permits variable blending of left and right channels over a range from 90dB separation (found on Compact Discs) to full blending (monophonic sound). Settings of about 30dB are recommended to simulate the typical “state-of--the-art” stereo cartridge/record combinations. DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSOR: Now you don’t have to worry whether your power amplifier or your speakers are “Digital-Ready”. This knob allows you to caress (reduce) the dynamic range of the Compact Disk from 90dB to as low as 45dB. This is a definite “must” for those who prefer the TELARC 1812 LP to the TELARC 1812 CD (suggested setting for this recording is 65dB). SUB-SONIC DOPPLER DISTORTION GENERATOR: Two for one. First the Swisher adds sub-sonic frequency variations to the “music” in the .1Hz to 10Hz range. Degree of “friendliness” is variable from “slight warpage” to “fully warped”. This effect is simply absent from CD recordings. Next the wobbulator adds oodles of low frequency energy in the 4hz to 8 Hz frequency range. This re-creates that breath-taking and amplifier testing effect due to those subtle warps found on analog records but missing from all known Compact Discs. SURFACE NOISE GENERATOR: Creates that “sea shore” sound so familiar with LPs, especially between tracks. Allows you to know whether there is more music to come or if the CD has come to the end. RANDOM POP GENERATOR: You could never tell where that next “pop” was going to come from when playing your favorite LPs, despite meticulous cleaning on your part. As the Compact Disk does not contain this useful “pop” information, this switch can be turned on to produce that familiar noise while listening to your CDs. The variable adjustment allows simulation ranging from “virgin vinyl” to that wonderful sonic experience found only on your favorite, well- played LPs.
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PLAYTIME SHORTENER Now you do not need to put up with an hour or so of music. This feature interrupts the playing at the track break nearest to the 24 minutes or so of an LP side, requiring manual intervention to continue. Used in conjunction with the PREDICTABLE POP GENERATOR. PREDICTABLE POP GENERATOR: This can be set at 33 1/3, 45 or even 78 to generate repetitive pops, simulating scratches on an LP at the various standard speeds. Can also be used with the retriggerable fzzz-chunk generator (END OF CD ALARM) so you know its time to turn the LP (CD) “over”. WOW, FLUTTER & RUMBLE GENERATOR: Everyone knows that there is no measurable Wow, Flutter, or Rumble on a Compact Disc, and what a bummer to not get something like that after paying out $9.95! Now you can return to the sounds of yesterday with a simple adjustment of this knob — GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR AND BE ABLE TO MEASURE IT TOO! Can be used with the sub-sonic Wobbulator settings for added effect of worn turntable bearings.
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MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE SIMULATOR: Introduces a 6dB peak at 19 kHz, simulating those energetic resonances at very high frequencies typical of MC cartridges. This ensures that the music sounds bright, with added “definition and detail”. “KA-CHUNK” SIMULATOR: Adds an assortment of interesting sounds to the information contained on the Compact Disc, including familiar sounds of dust covers closing, needle hitting the groove, run-in tracks and that end of record lift-off ‘thunk’. ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK LOOP PROCESSOR: Allows your speakers to howl when the volume is turned up. Especially good for simulating the effects of a turntable placed on top of a speaker cabinet. DIRT BALL SIMULATOR: Progressively muddles the music from the CD to mimic the sound of a growing dirt ball clinging to the stylus during the playing of an LP. MANUAL RECORD PLAYER SIMULATOR/END OF CD ALARM: This useful accessory emits an audible alarm at the end of the playing of a Compact Disc. The alarm sound resembles this: “kathwoosh, kathwoosh, kathwoosh”. It is programmable for the usual 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. FLOOR VIBRATION SENSING UNIT: It is very difficult to get a Compact Disc to skip, but with this deluxe addition to your LIRPA Enhancer you can actually sense when people walk by your CD player. Features a sensitive accelerometer which can be mounted to the floor with a few simple household tools. Movement of the floor near the sensing unit causes a small electrical signal to be transmitted to the motorized unit (included) which mounts to the CD player directly. The motorized unit then shakes the @#$%& out of your CD player until it causes the CD to skip, simulating some of the finest analog equipment available. WORN NEEDLE EFFECT: This little beauty keeps track of total played hours and subtly lowers the high frequency levels whilst adding just a touch of increasing distortion. Also sold in conjunction with the NEEDLE REPLACEMENT simulator. TRACKING ERROR JOCKEY: simultaneously adjusts the high frequency response and distortion through one or more maxima and minima to accurately simulate cartridge tracking error. Can be adjusted for varying tone arm lengths and has a defeat switch for simulating those tangential tracking tone arms.
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RANDOM UP-THROWER: Simulates the sound of those faviourite but heat affected warped records, even coping with the cartridge bottoming out, jumping and occasionally being thrown out of the groove into a new section. Also faithfully reproduces the accompanying kerr-thwack effect. TRACKING BIAS ADJUSTER: This gem of modern engineering actually adjusts the separation and distortion between the left and right tracks to accurately capture that elusive tracking bias usually corrected by masses and pulleys in the real deal. Subtle but highly sought after. IDLER WHEEL AND BELT BOP: Adds the subtle nuances of those vaguely visceral and marginally metallic irregularities caused by the mechanics of the venerable turntables of yesteryear. All versions of the LIRPA OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES include choice of either 50Hz or 60Hz (not both) adjustable level hum with appropriate harmonics. There you have it. All the fun and sonic impact of vinyl without the pain. Order now. SPECIALITIES FOR THE SERIOUS VINYALOPHILE – MEMBERS ONLY There are a few on-request special features. These are not for everyone but they certainly do add the finesse of realism for those in the know. Consult the factory for these beauties. • DUST BUG PLAYER. Adds just enough low levels of a few tracked adjacent tracks to accurately emulate the sound of those dust bug record sweepers you miss. Subtle but realistic. • ADC PERBLATTERATOR For the first time, the sound of the stylus poling on the cartridge magnet of the ADC cartridges has been authentically captured. This littleadvertised feature would occur at any time after the stylus was lifted from the record – sometimes after a few seconds. Guaranteed to get the dust out of those woofers, sqauakers and tweeters for sure! True realism. • CRAFTED RESONANCES: Over the years we have established an extensive library of product characteristics. Now that these are out of copyright we can share them with you. You can enjoy the gentle high frequency roll-off of the early Ortofon or re-live the 9 Hz whump of the untrammelled SME arm. Specify your system preferences when ordering this customization as some choices are ill-advised. • PINCH UPPER AND BOTTOM-OUTER: Ever wanted to capture that not so subtle effect of the stylus that does not quite fit the groove? Now you can rattle along the bottom unearthing previously unheard noises, or ride up and enjoy the audible view of surface defects. With out our patent applied for Dial-a-Radius you can seamlessly adjust from the best fit to the friendliness of either limit. Note – this feature does not change the mechanics of the CD player. • LOST DIAMOND EFFECT: When activated this feature, the processing randomly, suddenly and irreversibly switches the per channel distortion and frequency response all over the place, accurately capturing those otherwise worrying moments when the needle attachment finally gives up the ghost and the diamond (or Sapphire) tip joins the periodically orbiting world of the record. • MANGE SIMULATOR: This advanced feature took years of research. No longer do you have to miss the sonic signature of those records where liquid or other substances were spilt and subsequently encouraged growth of anaerobic life-form colonies and adhesion of dust and grit. Now you can have this too. The signal is processed to accurately emulate a dirty region on the regularly turning vinyl orb.
• PLAY_A_LABEL and PLAY_O_MAT: • Ever wished you had complete control so you could drop the stylus wherever you chose? Now you can control the sound of the stylus on the turntable mat beside the record or even actually hear the sound of a playing label! A comprehensive sound library caters for the stylus grinding anything from the turntable mat of a Labcraft or an Orpheus Silex, and any fine label pressing from Mercury to Decca. Thrill to the sound of those yellow a Deutschgramophon labels – literally! You name it, its there. Even includes those rare moments of “playing the stroboscope”. • DROPIN DROPNEAR This feature authentically captures the heart-warming sound of the search for the start of an intermediate track for as long as you care to persist. Also available (extra charge) with PLAY_A_LABEL/PLAY_O_MAT. True realism. • WAAOUWW: A rare one this. Simulates those occasional off-centre pressings including the not-quite central placing of the RCA “large hole” pressings. Can also be set for 33 1/3, 45 and 78. • VALVE AGEING: This is not really part of the vinyl repertoire but you asked for it so we responded. This feature again tracks total hours and adjusts the gain and distortion appropriately to simulate those ageing tubes (valves). Two settings are provided for normal and low feedback amplifier preferences. This specialty also features HEAT-UP effect so that the too-eager can miss those few initial chords of their favourite works and experience the nostalgic truth of a few initially distorted phrases. Also available with amplifier THUMPON, CLIPPER and PARALYSIS facilities. (Registered Trademarks). • • PRICING: • 100% SOLID STATE MODEL: STANDARD PACKAGE US$12,499.95* ACCESSORY PACKAGE US$14,499.95* • • VACUUM TUBE MODEL: STANDARD PACKAGE US$16,499.95** ACCESSORY PACKAGE US$24,499.95** • Add extra for SPECIALTIES* – consult the factory at time of ordering. SPECIAL DEAL: For a limited time, LIRPA is offering “one with the lot” – STANDARD, ACCESSORY and ALL Specialties for the never to be repeated, once off, unique price of US$37,999.95 (Solid State only). Use voucher code UCON. Valve version – consult factory. Packaging, Shipping and Delivery all extra, Warranty extra. *, ** Standard voltage 24V 400Hz Trapeziodal ac. Other power requirements at extra cost. Tubes supplied separately at extra cost*** *** Tube freight and compulsory insurance extra. We also offer a tube (valve) “pre-test and ship working ones” service (extra). Coming soon: • Good distortion, bad Distortion by Wattsinna Namé (Japan) • LIRPA “valve sound” processor with “dial_a_ harmonic” • 5000 Watt class A amplifier project by George Izzard O’Veering (British Power Authority). • Digital audio streaming – why bother? By IP Daly and Alyss DeParity
