The miniaturization of technology has
allowed the incredible breakthroughs in the field of mobile computing.
Meanwhile, the hi-fi designer has proved slower to grasp the opportunity of the
microelectronic design.
However, in the future, disc-less is
popular, there is no reason to design its own hi-fi system with width filling
the shelves. The smaller components system as a combination of Chordette-series
can be packed most of the power and function of the normal-sized units.
With Chord Electronics Index, a network
audio transmitter and digital-to-analogue converter (DA), there is little
reason to be larger size 160x72x41mm that each small hi-fi unit possesses.
In the world of people who addict sound,
there is one appropriate reason to build the small electronic device, because
it creates a shorter signal path, may lead to fewer losses and reduce the
chance of RF interference.
Chord
Electronics Index And Scamp
Feature
Index can play music from your compressed
audio files stored on a computer or NAS, as well as transmit the live internet
radio. You can also plug in a USB flash drive as a local source, although it
will not read the attached MP3 player.
You control the Index from the upper circular
button layout, the track is playing, real-time data and sound bit rate are
shown on the backlighting display. The buttons need a click to get your input.
A small remote sheathed entirely in metal
to be suitable with Chordette. The membrane switches above them are never easy
to hit, and the metal shell only exacerbates the problem.
The best way to control the generator like
this is with one dedicated mobile application. Chord does not provide it, but
you can use one common application Songbook Lite.
Amplifier
We checked Index with Scamp fit in our
system with the Harbeth LS3/5A speakers and Kimber 8TC cables. Scamp and Index
can be combined in a base of custom support, Coupé Carry looks open frame kit
with carrying straps.
While we welcome electronic design, based
on suitable Class A / B architecture and thus avoid brittleness of Class D,
Scamp has 2 problems dangerous.
It lacks the simple on/off switch, so there
is no way to turn off the sound of the fan which is always open. Because of the
absence of an external heat sink, the fan is first necessary thing to adjust
the heat.
Sound quality
The Chord amplifier can be trusted to
control the bass, keep the stereo field. Despite small size, Index and Scamp
keep up the sound of the theater: detail, accurately and fairly in the way that
hi-fi system cannot be done with music.
The
Chord amplifier can be trusted to control the bass, keep the stereo.
And as other Chord kits, sometimes it is
not possible to obtain details in the imperfect record. With the trend leaning
towards the light music, some music makes sound little zealous and concise.
Perhaps it was helped by high-frequency PSU
technology having trade name, there is no interferences state that the inline
power supply cannot be optimized in sound check.
Classical solo guitar clearly present in
the room that it can make you abandoned the other distractions to keep track of
the melody and harmony with attractive nylon cord. All is revealed in a space
of natural, reliable sound.
Rock and pop have a lot of rhythm for
further attention, although limited bass extension of our speakers do not
always bring the full weight. Even if there is no full-screen range, we can
clearly hear the low-end extension below the classical music trip-hop and rock
of the '80s: in time, no adjustment and tunable.
In addition to the excellent timing, pace
and accuracy modulation, the system demonstrated the ability to catch the
rhythm when needed.
Unfortunately, the DA's Index is dedicated
to 48kHz sampling frequency sound, and restricted MP3, WAV, FLAC and WMA
formats.
Chord specified Scamp with 40W of power per
channel, although it prefers 4ohm load. But it rarely lacks volume.
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Information
·
Price: 1,584 USD, including VAT (Index); 1,584
USD, including VAT (Scamp)
Specification
·
Audio generator network (network audio
streamer) Index
·
DAC 24bit/48kHz
·
Connect to UPnP
·
128x64 dot-matrix display
·
Input USB storage
·
802.11b/g/n
·
10/100 Ethernet
·
Scamp amplifiers: 40W/ch into 4ohm
·
Analogue and digital audio input USB
·
You can switch to mono 80W.
·
Class A / B
·
Power Supply 102W converter
·
160x72x41mm per unit of
Verdict
·
The combination of the Index and Scamp formed
couple curious, a high-tech design statement for true audio enthusiasts.
Despite the move to a digital file browser format, it also has the inconvenience
of hi-fi system.
·
Design: 4.5/5
·
Features: 3.5/5
·
Performance: 4/5
·
Value: 3/5
·
Total: 3.5/5
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