When plans for the Tempest were originally conceived, we knew that our player would require more than the mere modification of an existing unit. Having already selected the best available laser transport and digital technology, we integrated them with our optically coupled all-tube analog circuit. The Tempest II's analog stage is a full triode, pure Class-A design, and uses no overall negative feedback, and neither transistors nor integrated circuits contaminate the signal path. Other circuit details included passive deemphasis, the elimination of gain stages for a further reduction of noise-induced distortion, separate power supplies for the digital and analog sections, and a Class-A triode current-to-voltage converter.
Naturally, the Tempest II features our Waveshaping circuitry, thus guaranteeing that the signal fed into the analog stages is as coherent and accurate as possible.
To ensure the reliability of the Tempest II as well as its performance, we have specified only the finest components. Tubes are supplied by Gold Aero, connectors are by Tiffany and internal wiring consists of high quality linear-crystal cable.
The combination of novel circuitry, attention to detail, parts specified to laboratory standards, as well as through subjective design input and assessment blend together to form the California Audio Labs Tempest II. It is the CD player of choice for music lovers the world over.
