DCHG Takes A Listen To PMC Prodigy 1

[John Gatski President/Founder]

Small But Revealing:
PMC Prodigy 1 Debuts At

DCHFG Jan. 21 Meeting

PMC's Prodigy 1 - Under $2,000

      The Jan. 21 DCHFG meeting attenders got their first listen to the well-received PMC Prodigy 1 nearfield speaker, the bargain-priced Geshelli JNOG DAC and the silver interconnects via Argent Pur.

   Twenty plus members/braved the aftermath of the DC-area snow storm and turned out to listen to the demo components via a base system of the acclaimed, linear Benchmark HPA4 preamp (the most transparent gain and attenuation I have ever heard in a preamp) and and the ultra clean Benchmark AHB2 bipolar output amplifier. Several members chimed in they were impressed with the small PMC Prodigy 1's tonal neutrality character — with surprisingly good base int the 45 Hz region. “These speakers have amazing clarity and presence in the top end,” one member added. The drivers are o 5-inch for the woofer and a 1-inch textile dome tweeter. The small cabinet gets a transmission line design to enhance bass from the small enclosure. Based on its professional and audiophile engineering, there are three models in the Prodigy 1 lineup.

Listening Intently

    The bargain-bin priced Geshelli J2 DAC ($300) was also well received. The AKM 4493 D/A chip-based converter was pretty straight up with out much color tight base very good stereo imaging lots of air in the treble. Had a few glitches when the Audirvana+ software (on the old Macbook Pro) changed sample rates during the playing of various music formats we were using for demo. A few times, the player either played the next track with noise, or would not play it at all. Had to stop/restart the DAC to fix the issue several times. Maybe it was the older player program computer, but I have never had that issue with any other USB DAC, new or old. The Geshelli was hiccup-free via the CD player’s coax and toslink connectors.

The listening rig

    The Argent Pur cables: three sets of RCA unbalanced and a set of speaker cables also received high marks during the demos. A member described them as “airy” and “clean.” The interconnects come in three grades, starting at $1,300. The speaker cables are just under $3,000 for 2.5 meters. Custom lengths are available, according to the company. Dr. Vinyl is a Argent Pur dealer.
    We gave away several music prizes via out DCHFG raffles. The winners were: Gary Stilovy, Hazelrigg Brothers, “Songs We Like” CD; Chris Barker, Hazelrigg Brothers, “Songs We Like” CD; Steve Coyne, Hazelrigg Brothers, “A Tribute To The Police’s Synchronicity; Larry Schaifler, The Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street 24/192 remaster (courtesy of Pro Studio Masters) and Kirk Walterick, The Beatles - Revolver Giles Martin 2023 24/96 remix/remaster.
    Next DCHFG event is Sat. Feb. 3 with a full hi-res multichannel/4K video showing of Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz.” RSVP by Jan. 30 to get exact time and location. There are three open slots for non-members to get a peek inside one of our DCHFG events.