Looking at the endless new audio equipment on the market, sometimes it’s hard to suppress the exclamation: digital technology is developing too fast.
High Integration Meets Almost All Needs
Take signal source equipment as an example, initially, vinyl records read analog signals, which were then amplified by phono amplifiers; entering the digital age, there were CD disc players, used in conjunction with DAC digital/analog converters; then in the digital HD era, SACD/HDCD disc players appeared, also used in conjunction with DAC digital/analog converters; in the past decade, we have finally entered the network digital era, network streaming players have abandoned physical discs, and are connected to almost unlimited network materials.
However, audiophiles from different eras have their own different persistent needs. Today, highly integrated technology has integrated these different needs together, finally forming this machine that puts the disc player, DAC digital/analog converter, and network streaming player into the same small chassis, fully satisfying the hobbies and needs of almost all audiophiles. This is the AQWO 2 from the French brand Métronome Technologie.
French Famous Brand’s Small Integrated Series
The Métronome Technologie brand was founded in 1987 by a group of audio enthusiasts. After nearly 40 years of development, it has become one of the most shining brands in the Hi-End world. This brand briefly produced a speaker and a few such large devices, and then focused entirely on digital signal source equipment. Its feature is: all products are self-designed and manufactured, providing users with perfect manufacturing technology and wonderful sound.
Today, the Metronome Technologie brand has more than 10 products, including turntables, music servers, DAC digital/analog converters, streaming players, and integrated models such as turntables + DAC. In addition, the Métronome Technologie brand also has a high-end top brand Kalista, similar to the Maybach brand under Mercedes-Benz, mainly producing extremely luxurious turntables, streaming players, and speakers, and the price also makes most people only drool.
This time, the AQWO series under the Métronome Technologie brand is a small integrated product carefully crafted over 15 months. The so-called “AQWO” is a word recreated by the manufacturer based on the verb “akuo” in ancient Greek, meaning “listening”. Perhaps the manufacturer wants to show the enjoyment that this series of equipment brings to audiophiles through this series name.
The AQWO series has 4 models, namely AQWO 1, AQWO 2, t|AQWO, c|AQWO. They are basically the same in appearance, but they are added or subtracted in function: AQWO 1 is SACD/CD player + DAC; AQWO 2 is SACD/CD player + DAC + streaming player; t|AQWO is a pure SACD/CD turntable, providing “resampling” function; c|AQWO is a pure DAC digital/analog converter.
Heavy-duty Movement and Power Supply Part
Therefore, this trial of AQWO 2 can be said to be the most complete model in this series, worth a good look.
The appearance of AQWO 2 is as simple and elegant as the brand’s products. The aluminum alloy front panel has only a 6.5-inch large color LCD display in the middle, with touch function. Therefore, all control knobs or buttons are all cancelled, and the touch screen is responsible for all, making the operation interface absolutely simple. Since it has a built-in SACD/CD player, the top-loading turntable commonly used on Métronome Technologie brand players is also introduced into AQWO 2. The manually sliding hatch operates delicately and smoothly, and it feels a bit ceremonial to operate. At the same time, the overall structure is simpler, and the stability and durability are better. Since it also has other playback functions, the volume of AQWO 2 is slightly larger than the previous pure SACD/CD player, but the brand logo laser engraved on the top plate is still very delicate.
The top-loading movement used by AQWO 2 comes from the Japanese D&M brand. It is relatively large and occupies almost half of the space in the machine. The center-mounted method can obtain the most average support force and shock absorption effect. At the same time, this movement uses a total of 3 large multi-recoil rubber pad suspension support columns, the entire bearing plate is heavy and wide, combined with a stainless steel copper-plated shaft, everything is to suppress self-resonance and external vibration. The large record clamp is made of Delrin polyoxymethylene material, which is also chosen for its high rigidity, high stability, and excellent vibration suppression effect, effectively reducing the pressure of the servo circuit and reducing the intervention of the correction circuit.
The built-in digital/analog converter part adopts a dual monaural structure and independent module design. The core of the DAC is the high-end digital/analog conversion chip AK4497 (PCM/DSD) from Asahi Kasei in Japan, providing a high sampling rate of 32bit/384kHz, and directly decoding the original DSD signal, supporting up to DSD 512.
As for the analog output part, it is the origin of the “mixed blood” in the title: it supports both transistor output and tube output. The tube output circuit is an optional accessory, which needs to be pre-ordered from the manufacturer before purchase, or ordered separately after purchase. This flexibility is not available in past products of the Métronome Technologie brand. The transistor output stage uses 4 Texas Instruments Class A bias operational amplifiers OPA 604; the tube output stage uses 2 military-grade JAN 6922 tubes installed on ceramic sockets, combined with 2 capacitors customized by the SCR brand for the manufacturer.
From the internal design, the power supply part of AQWO 2 is solid, two toroidal transformers are combined with multiple large capacitors and filters to form 10 sets of regulated power supply circuits, which separately supply power to digital, analog circuits, different output stages, different functions and operating circuits, which can reduce mutual interference and ensure rapid power supply response and sufficient power. In addition, in order to avoid mutual interference between digital input and output, special isolation measures are also adopted in the power supply of these links.
Fully Inherits the Traditional Flavor of the Brand
Since choosing AQWO 2, what you must value is its SACD/CD player and built-in DAC, so, just listen directly to the traditional CD disc. If the sound quality of the CD disc is good enough, the sound quality of the SACD disc is naturally beyond doubt.
When playing “Jazz Female Voice Classic Collection”, the different voices of different singers are displayed with their own characteristics, some are full and solid, the resonance of the chest cavity is vivid and clear, and some have a unique charm and relaxed and free atmosphere. In general, AQWO 2’s restoration of human voice fully inherits the traditional advantages of the Métronome Technologie brand: delicate, light, soft, and rich in infectious power. This is a kind of tuning direction that is relatively rare in the entire audio world. In addition, with the help of the built-in DAC, the human voice has made a big improvement in resolution, and even added some neutral and calm style, which is commendable.
And when playing “Tanyev Piano Trio”, you can pay attention to the sense of scale and strength shown by AQWO 2. First of all, the sense of space in the sound field is very open, and there is a very natural three-dimensional effect. Secondly, the sense of form of the piano is maintained very cohesively, the three-dimensional layout is quite prominent, and at the same time, the striking texture of the piano keys is extremely vivid, and the air vibration caused also has a strong sense of presence. Finally, you can also pay attention to the rhythm performance of the piano, which also adds the unique flavor of the Métronome Technologie brand: graceful and beautiful, but not lacking in strength and rhythm, bringing unforgettable feelings.
Flexible Streaming Playback
Don’t think that Métronome Technologie only cultivates deeply in the traditional field. AQWO 2 shows excellent flexibility. Not only does it have traditional SACD/CD playback functions, but it also has network streaming playback functions, which can meet the different needs of different users. With its own mConnect App, you can easily enjoy the convenience and fun of network streaming playback through smartphones or tablets. mConnect App is a UPnP-based application suitable for iOS and Google Android. This application has been continuously developed and has been proven to be reliable and easy to use over the years. With this App, users can directly use various streaming services in AQWO 2, such as TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, etc.
Listening to the high-resolution music documents in NAS, in Allan Tayler’s “Old Friends-New Roads” album, the AQWO 2 multi-function player performs the baritone extremely stable, the delicate vocal interpretation also has a vivid chest resonance, the singer’s low singing easily brings the audience into the elegant and elegant atmosphere. What needs special attention is that the accompaniment of this album is very simple, just a guitar or a piano, but such a single instrument accompaniment, reflects a strong sense of three-dimensionality and presence, the string sound has a high-density texture, the tone is pure and high, and the singer’s voice contrasts with each other, which is particularly moving. Listening to the more dynamic “Bran Song” music archive, this track is not unfamiliar to everyone, and its momentum is impressive. Through the listening of AQWO 2, you will feel the restoration of large dynamics and the micro-dynamic details in it. When the sound is opened, the sound comes directly, without reservation, and the space of the entire large ensemble is presented again. And in the second chapter, the
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