Daft Punk: Discovery Vinyl 2LP —

📌LAB POINTS

• flexible hi-fi amplifier w/ wireless + phono connectivity
• includes FREE MDC BLUOS-2i module (a $600 value) for a limited time!
  
• dedicated MM phono input
• built-in Bluetooth
• line stereo, optical digital, and coax digital inputs
  
• dedicated headphone amplifier
• (2) sets of speaker connections (L+R) + preamp/subwoofer output
• 2 x 80W continuous power / 120W / 200W / 250W IHF dynamic (listening) power
• high quality components
• includes remote control

Thanks to our MDC technology, the C 368 is easily customisable and ready for all future features and upgrades. With the optional BluOS® module, the C 368 can connect to your network and be controlled through a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, and connect wirelessly to any other BluOS Enabled device to create a multi-room High Resolution Audio system. You can also instantly connect to the C 368 through Bluetooth, giving you the ability to stream wirelessly from any Bluetooth Enabled device, and if you’re a vinyl fan, you can also add a turntable. Enjoying music has never been so easy. A totally modern approach to amplification, the C 368 is the ultimate amp for any music lover’s system. - NAD

🔑KEY FEATURES

• Stereo or Bridge mode configuration
• IR in/out
• 12V Trigger in/out
• RS-232 Serial port for control
• MDC Slot for future upgrades
• Smartphone Control App
• Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, AMX, Savant, Elan certified

🔎TECH SPECS

• 80W x 2 Continuous Power into 8 or 4 ohms
• continuous Output Power into 4 Ω and 8 Ω (Stereo): >80W (ref. 20-20kHz at rated THD, both channels driven)
• IHF dynamic power: 2 Ω 250W / 4 Ω 200W / 8 Ω 120W
• clipping power: >95W (at 1kHz 0.1% THD)
• THD: <0.03% (250mW to 80W, 8 Ohms and 4 Ohms)
• signal/noise ratio: >98dB (A-weighted, 500mV input, ref. 1W out in 8 Ohms)
• channel separation: >75dB (1kHz); >70dB (10kHz)
• peak output current: >20A (in 1 Ohm, 1ms)
• frequency response: ±0.3dB (20Hz-20kHz)
• sampling rate: up to 24 bit/192kHz
• dimensions: 17 1/8 x 3 15/16 x 15 3/8 / 435 x 100 x 390mm
• weight: 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg

📦COMES WITH

• SR9 remote control w/ (2) AA batteries
• power cord
• Bluetooth antenna
  

📌LAB POINTS

• modern turntable w/ classic minimalist design + advanced features focused on convenience and ease-of-use
• quickly connect to Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones via the pairing button
• automatic operation: play button turns on motor and puts tonearm on record. stop button returns tonearm and stops motor.
• built-in phono preamp (switchable on/off) w/ 3 gain settings - ready to plug into your audio system's AUX input or use your own separate amp
• USB output to connect to computer + digital recording
• straight aluminum pipe tonearm w/ pre-mounted Sony cartridge
• belt-drive motor w/ aluminum die-cast platter
• 33 / 45 rpm speed switch
• recessed storage for 45 adaptor on right side of turntable
  
• removable dust cover included

At the $200 price range, the PS-LX310BT is striking with its retro-modern design and expansive features list. Enjoy the ease of the automatic operation and connect to both wired and wireless outputs. Top choice for beginners or casual listeners. - TTL

🔎TECH SPECS

• belt drive motor
• outputs: RCA, Bluetooth, USB-B
• aluminum die-cast platter
  
• Dimensions 17” x 4 3/8” x 14 1/2” / 430 x 108 x 367 mm
  
• Weight 7.72 lbs / 3.5 kg

📦COMES WITH

• pre-mounted Sony cartridge
• removable dust cover
• vibration dampening slipmat
• 45 adaptor
• RCA cables
• USB-B cable

📌LAB POINTS

• true high-end turntable design w/ plug + play design; built-in preamp, pre-mounted cartridge and optional Bluetooth connectivity
• equipped with Bluetooth aptX HD - wireless Hi-Res streaming allows you to place turntable anywhere (can also stay analog with included RCA cables)
• pre-mounted Audio-Technica MM cartridge, ready to play instantly
• built-in high quality phono preamp (switchable line/phono output)
• dustcover included

Alva ST is for people who want to listen to records at exceptional quality – without the need to choose or fit extra components. Alva ST keeps it simple with perfectly matched cartridge pre-installed. Alva ST connects to pretty much any audio system too, as it has a switchable integrated phono-stage. It even works wirelessly with Bluetooth speaker systems. - Cambridge Audio

🔑KEY FEATURES

• belt-drive motor
  
• electronic speed control, plays 33 + 45rpm
  
• die-cast aluminum platter
• British-made one-piece tonearm
• detachable RCA + power cables
• stream up to 24bit / 48kHz Hi-Res quality
• 17.1 (W) x 14.5 (L) x  5.5 (H) / 435 x 368 x 139mm
  
• 24 lbs. / 11kg

📦COMES WITH

• dust cover
• pre-mounted Audio-Technica MM Cartridge
• RCA cable

LAB POINTS

• Kanto's mini monitor speakers, designed for big sound on your desktop
• built-in USB DAC for streaming high quality audio
• 3.5mm AUX jack for maximum input flexibility
• composite drivers deliver distortion-free bass, silk dome tweeter for crisp highs
• subwoofer output for adding more bass
• active monitors, no need for an amplifier
• rear accessible volume/power knob 
• includes all necessary cables

Proudly designed in Canada, the YU2 desktop mini-monitor will make you believe that big sound can come in a small package. - Kanto

KEY FEATURES

• output: 25 Watts RMS per channel
• frecquency response: 80Hz – 20kHz
• 3 Composite Driver / 3/4 Silk Tweeters
• Class D amplifier
• inputs: 1 x 3.5mm stereo | mini-jack AUX | 1 x USB Audio DAC
• output: 1 x subwoofer 
• remote control: input, volume, tone, Bluetooth control
• high quality knurled binding posts works with all standard speaker wires
• 3.9” W x 5.3″ D x 5.9” H (10 x 13.5 x 15 cm)
  
• 13.6 lbs / 6.2 kg

COMES WITH

• USB DAC cable
• speaker cable
• 3.5mm cable
• power supply
• rubber feet

After a spell of being aggravatingly out of print, Daft Punk's Discovery finally repressed on their own Daft Life imprint. Here's Woodman's OG Lab review written a few years after the album came out, when DP were a big deal, but not nearly as big of a deal as they are now:

In 2001, Daft Punk released this sophomore full length which basically made them superstars. If you're unfamiliar with the Daft sound, this is a good intro. It's much poppier than Homework and has most of the hits you might know by them (no Around the World though). They go straight pop here- unapologetically, proudly, and completely. If you doubt the confidence of these Frenchies, how about the fact that the album starts off huge with the singles One More Time and Digital Love These are followed by Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, one of the few songs that can make me do the full Woodman olympic-edition dance (another one is Vibeology). But that's just to smash you over the head: the Daft sound is also defined by warm, bassy synth lines, weaving their way liquidly through garage disco and house loops, all hot chocolate for the ears. These guys can go on for hours about who their influences are, and in fact spend much of the album doing so. Take the luxurious Something About Us, which uses a slowed-down Patrice Rushen type bassline under Quincy Jones guitar licks and an Air-y ambience before Serge Gainsbourg on a vocoder starts singing. Whoa, slow down, influences! There's also the Moroder-like composition Verdis Quo, the sequencing stutters of Face to Face, cosmic disco looping Voyager, etc etc. Basically, if you like video games, the Beach Boys, Metro Area, and dancing, you will like this. 14 tracks total in a full gatefold sleeve.

• black double vinyl pressing
• housed in gatefold jacket w/ glossy printed inner sleeves
• music label: Daft Life 2022

reviewed by the Woodman 02/2006