editors’ choice awards W - Durob_Choice...class-leading bass, excellent tran-sient speed, and the ability to float a wide,stable image. The only downsides are a slight ten-dency

24 THE ABSOLUTE SOUND ■ DECEMBER 2005

Loudspeakers

Under $500

PARADIGM ATOM$199 paradigm.com A staggering value, Paradigm’s tinyAtom does an awful lot right. Witha smooth frequency response, anopen treble, and a naturalmidrange, this little guy only fallsshort in the bottom two octaves orwhen pushed too hard, displayingcoarseness at unreasonably loudlevels. Best used in small roomsat moderate volumes. Reviewed

by Robert Harley, Issue 133

PSB ALPHA B$249 psbspeakers.comPSB’s Alpha B may not have all thedetail, tonal neutrality, or refine-ment of the best mini-monitors, butits sound is remarkably open andspacious, and its imaging is pre-cise and impressively three-dimen-sional. As one would expect, thePSBs haven’t any deep bass, anddynamic range and power handlingare limited. The speaker soundsbest on stands and well away fromwalls. Reviewed by RH in The Perfect

Vision, Issue 38

EPOS ELS3$329musichallaudio.com The Epos ELS3 strives to give youbig sound from a small box, anddoes a much better job thanmost. With good midrange andtreble clarity, superb three-dimen-sionality, and just enough uppermidbass weight to keep you frommissing the lower frequenciesthat aren’t there. Use goodstands, place them at ear levelwell away from walls and nearbyobjects, and feed them with clear-voiced amplification. Reviewed by

Chris Martens, Issue 145

USHER S520 $375usheraudio.comFour thingsdistinguishUsher’s S520from run-of-the-mill, sub-$400 mini-monitors: acrisp andrevealing tre-ble reminiscent of speakers withfour-figure price tags; unusuallyopen and dynamic midrange; taut

and surprisingly extended bass(no fake midbass hump here);and eye-popping build quality(yep, that’s real wood veneer).One caveat: They need lots ofbreak-in, so be patient. Reviewed

by CM in AVguide

MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE B2$399 monitoraudio.com The B2 offers a notably clean,open, and detailed sound through-out the midrange, but unlike mostsmall fry, its bass is remarkablyweighty and powerful, its dynam-ics are nimble, and its metaldome tweeter is airy and detailed,not edgy. The B2 likes a bit ofpower—50-plus watts shoulddo—and as with the models list-ed above, it should be placed onstands and away from walls.Reviewed by Wayne Garcia, Issue 140

$500–$1000

INFINITYPRIMUS 360$660infinitysys-tems.com With a broadcombo ofvirtues, includingbass output to30Hz, enoughslam to satisfy aWWF fan, and awarm full-bodiedmidrange, thePrimus’ maindrawback is a

cool-sounding lower treble. It maynot be as refined as some similar-ly priced models, but the Primuswill appeal to the hip-hop, partycrowd. Not perfect, but one of thebest floorstander values around.Reviewed by Neil Gader, Issue 149

WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 9.6$750iagamerica.comThis speaker’s strengths includeclass-leading bass, excellent tran-sient speed, and the ability tofloat a wide, stable image. Theonly downsides are a slight ten-dency toward stridency and fore-shortening of soundstage depth.But pair these guys with electron-ics that emphasize smoothness(e.g., NAD components) andwatch their musicality unfold. Reviewed by Jim Hannon in AVg,

TAS 153

PSB T45/55 $749 and $899 psbspeakers.comAs successors to the popularImage Series, the T45 and T55had to fill enormous shoes. Andthese small and mid-size floor-standers do not disappoint. Bothproducts are tonally balanced anddeliver superior driver integration,with excellent output capabilityand a fair amount of extension.While soundstaging is merely ade-quate, and a bit of the cool clini-cian is at work in the treble,macrodynamics are gutsy and finedetails are delicately reproduced. T55 reviewed by NG, Issue 152; T45

reviewed by JH, AVg

elcome to the 2005 edition ofThe Absolute Sound’s Editors’Choice Awards—our annual,comprehensivve list ofRecommended Products. Onthe following pages, you’ll findthe gear our writers and editorshave selected as the “best of the

best” in each component category. Each recommendationgets a capsule review, and most categories are divided intoseparate sub-categories by price range, with componentslisted in order of ascending price (though a few items, likecables and accessories, are listed alphabetically for clarity’ssake). Naturally, some products have been discontinued

since last year’s list, but they remain recommendable. Thisyear we’ve also included a list of the multichannel compo-nents we’ve found to be most truthful to the real thing—asopposed to those that are merely spectacular with filmsoundtracks. (Note, however, that with the exception offounder Harry Pearson’s “Super Maggie” System, which waspart of a complete system recommendation, space has pre-vented us from including multichannel speakers. For acomplete list, please take a look at the Winter 2006 issue ofour sister magazine, The Perfect Vision.)

While most of our recommended components havealready been reviewed in our pages, some reviews areeither forthcoming or have appeared in our sister publica-tions The Perfect Vision and AVGuide.com.

Weditors’ choice awards


TOTEM RAINMAKER$900 totemacoustic.com The diminutive Rainmaker contin-ues Totem’s tradition of offeringamazing sound in small, afford-able packages. Upfront, bold, andwarm, the Rainmaker opens animpressively large sonic windowon the music, with rich, solidbass to about 45Hz, good detail,and nice spaciousness. Themetal-dome tweeter may or maynot be your cup of brew, as moresensitive ears have found it a bitedgy and dry. Otherwise, aremarkable effort. Reviewed by WG with NG com-

ment, Issue 151

BOHLENDER GRAEBENERRADIA Z$999bgcorp.comMarrying conewoofers withribbon tweetershas spoiledmany a loud-speaker, but BGhas done anadmirable jobwith its compet-itively pricedRadia Z. Thiselegant floor-stander has awarm midrange,a plush if some-what plummy40Hz bassresponse, and astar-qualitytweeter that isintoxicatinglytransparent.The Radia Zoffers a lot of high-end refine-ment, and shows best in smallerlistening environments. Reviewed by NG, Issue 149

$1000–$1500

MAGNEPAN MG12/QR$1099 magnepan.com This affordable two-way quasi-rib-bon brings you remarkably closeto the best performance suchdesigns are capable of. Whenproperly placed—around threefeet from the back wall and some

distance from sidewalls—its clari-ty is addictive, with a wide anddeep soundstage, and terrifictransient speed. The MG-12 per-forms satisfyingly down to about40Hz; below that, some listenersmay want a subwoofer. These lit-tle Maggies are reliable, easy toset up, and above all, musical. Reviewed by Sallie Reynolds, AVg

SPENDOR S3/5 ANDS3/5SE$1099 and $1399qsandd.comThe S3/5’s dimensions areLilliputian, so it has real dynamicand bass limitations, though lacksneither warmth nor richness. Thistwo-way is a true mini-monitor ofworld-class tonal neutrality andopenness, transparency, and imag-ing—think a Quad 63/988 in ashoebox-sized enclosure. At just84dB sensitivity, it needs at least25 watts of quality power, andstand-mounting is preferable. TheSE version trades the neutralmidrange of the standard S3/5 fora slight upper-mid forwardness andimproved transparency, resolution,and dynamic range.Reviewed by Paul Seydor, Issues 119

and 143

REVEL CONCERTA F12$1199revelspeakers.comThe Concerta F12’s greateststrengths are extended bassresponse, a neutral tonal bal-ance, a good measure ofmidrange nuance, and wonder-fully consistent voicing from topto bottom. Though it may notoffer the last word in trans-parency or the nth degree ofbass articulation, this speakeris easy to drive with real-worldamps, and always produces aninviting, well-balanced sound.Reviewed by Arnie Williams in this issue

DYNAUDIOAUDIENCE52SE$1500dynaudio-usa.comThis over-achiev-

ing two-way monitordelivers the tradi-tional Dynaudiovirtues. While itleans ever so slight-ly to the darker sideof neutral, it offersexceptional bal-

ance, an airytreble, fullupper-bass

response, and impressive dynam-ics. It may not plumb the depthsin the low frequencies, but itexcels in clarity and punch. Build-quality is superior. A mellow,refined little speaker with a bigsonic footprint. Reviewed by NG, Issue 149

$1500–$2000

VANDERSTEEN 2CESIGNATURE$1549 vandersteen.com This classic three-way floor-stander delivers excellent top-to-bottom balance and an engagingmusicality. Moreover,Vandersteen’s baffle-less, time-and-phase-coherent design cansuggest the spatial focus usuallyheard with planars. It benefitsfrom bi-wiring and should beplaced away from walls. Carefulattention must also be paid toadjusting the back-tilt via theoptional stands. Reviewed by Shane Buettner,

Issue 139

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGYBP7004$1598 definitivetech.com

DefTech’s BP7004 features bipolardriver arrays (identical sets of for-ward- and rear-facing drivers) and apowered subwoofer section builtaround a 10" woofer and two 10"passive radiators. The sound isway big and tonally well-balanced,with open, warm mids and highs, awell-defined bass that gives noth-ing away to outboard subs, anddynamics to beat the band.Reviewed by Jerry Sommers, Issue 148

TRIANGLE ESPRIT ALTEA ES$1599triangle-fr.comTriangle produces its own drivers,and rhythmic pace, dynamics, andoutput level are the big beneficiar-ies. The Altea ES offers excellentbass response to well below50Hz, but some added directivityand hardnessaccompany thehorn-loadedtweeter. Thehardness isameliorated bythe Altea’s tran-sient speed anddetail, while apolite energydip in the uppermids and a puffof port over-hang are minordistractions.This balancedand musicaloffering shouldsatisfy a varietyof tastes. Reviewed by

NG, Issue 157

recommended products


QUAD 22L$1600iagamerica.comAccording toour reviewer,the 22L“comes closerto the someof the sonicattributes ofmy belovedelectrostatsthan any otherfull-rangespeakers withdynamic driv-ers I’ve heardunder $2k.”Strengthsinclude excel-lent lateralimaging, vividand three-dimensionalsoundstaging,very low dis-tortion andcoloration, and timbral accuracythat makes for an overall senseof musical “rightness.” Build-qual-ity is stunning too, with exquisitecabinet finishes. For even moredynamic oomph and deep bassextension, add Quad’s L-seriessubwoofer. Reviewed by JH, Issue 156

MAGNEPAN MG 1.6$1775 magenpan.com Magnepan’s MG 1.6 is simply oneof the great high-end speaker val-ues. Its bass is well defined andtuneful down to a respectable40Hz; its highs are sweet and abit soft; its mids are magical.With its overall coherence, tran-sient speed, and wide-opensoundstage, this moderatelypriced Maggie is a music lover’sdelight. It needs space andpower, however, to sound its best. Reviewed by Jonathan Valin, Issue

124

PSB PLATINUM M2 $1999psbspeakers.comThe Platinum M2 shines in its abili-ty to reproduce the weight, majesty,and complexity of every kind ofmusic. Tonally, the speaker is sure-of-foot through the midrange andwell into the midbass region. Highsare extended and neck-snappingly

quick. When pushed too hard, how-ever, the M2 betrays a trace of portoverhang and some dryness fromits aluminum tweeter. Reviewed by NG, Issue 145

$2000–$3000

CANTON ERGO 702DC$2000cantonusa.comWith its elegant, vault-like cabi-netry and low-distortion drivers.the 702 delivers impeccable bal-ance, tonal neutrality, and vividpresence. It remains dynamicallyunruffled and tonally correct atnearly all volume levels, and isexcellent at revealing low-level tex-tural details. At only 35" tall, theErgo is somewhat listening-heightdependant in treble dispersion andsoundstaging. A sophisticated per-former. Reviewed by NG, Issue 149

USHER CP-6311$2100usheraudio.comThe Usher 6311 is a two-way, time-and-phase-aligned bass-reflextower offering smooth and extend-ed highs, a clear, open midrange,and solid bass down to the upper30Hz region. The Taiwanese 6311can play loudly without losing com-posure, is dynamically responsive,and images with a delightful senseof focus. For best bass clarity, loadeach speaker’s damping chamberwith lead shot, and position the6311s well away from walls. Reviewed by CM, AVg

B&W 704$2200bwspeakers.comClarity and control are chiefamong this 2.5-way, vented floor-stander’s sonic virtues, thanks torefinements derived from B&W’sacclaimed Nautilus 800 series.Some may prefer more weight inthe bottomend, but the704’s limitedLF extension(40Hz) ismore thancompensatedfor by perform-ance that isremarkablyquick, solid,and well-defined. Agreat matchwith both tubeand solid-state amplifi-cation. Reviewed by

Sue Kraft,

Issue 147

TOTEM HAWK $2295 totemacoustic.com An overachiever at this price thatcommunicates the soul and spiritof music, the Hawk has excellenttonal balance, tremendous pres-ence, and prodigious soundstag-ing. As with other Totem loud-

speakers,the Hawktrades a bitof bassextension for itsextraordinarymidrangetransparencyand resolu-tion. Lowishsensitivity(86dB) sug-gests usewith higher-poweredamps. Reviewed by

Peter

Braverman,

Issue 139

THIEL CS1.6$2390 thielaudio.com

A sleek little beauty, Thiel’s 90dB-sensitive CS1.6 delivers a relaxedmusical presentation with an accu-rate tonal balance, exceptionallylow noise-floor, huge soundstage,and excellent dynamic resolution.What this engaging speaker won’tdo is reproduce the bottom octaveor deliver the highest dynamicpeaks. Best results are achievedwith first-rate associated gear. Reviewed by Tom Miiller, Issue 135

VON SCHWEIKERT VR 2$2495vonschweikert.com A transmission-line tower featur-ing three forward-facing driversplus a rear-firing “ambience-recov-ery” driver, the VR-2 offers deeplyextended (mid-20Hz range) bass,a midrange and treble whose clar-ity scales upward with that ofassociated electronics, and livelyand expressive dynamics. Whenused judiciously, the ambience-recovery driver helps add depth tothe soundstage. For finestresults, install lead shot in thedamping chambers and experi-ment with positioning. Reviewed by CM, AVg

NAIM ARIVA $2500naimusa.comThe floorstanding Ariva offers thesound of a great mini-monitor—but one that manages to producepowerful, deeply extended bass.Moreover, it’s got “disappearingact” imaging, as well as plenty ofmidrange and treble openness. Atits best in medium-sized rooms



and played at moderate volumelevels, this speaker synergisticallycombines with Naim’s terrific NAIT5i integrated amp. Reviewed by Jeff Dorgay, Issue 155

HARBETH HL COMPACT 7 ES-2$2695 harbeth.co.uk This smallish two-way box speakerfeatures Harbeth’s uniquemidrange driver (made of propri-etary “RADIAL” material) thatreduces materials-based colorationto exceedingly low levels. Midrangeclarity and neutrality are top class(vocals are amazing), and anti-dif-fraction grilles bring the sound sur-prisingly “out of the box.” Powerfulsolid-state amplification will givemore robust dynamics than youmight expect. Conventional looksbut magical sound.Reviewed by Robert E. Greene,

Issue 110

GALLO NUCLEUSREFERENCE 3$2995 ($3895 with optional subwoofer amp)roundsound.comThe Nucleus offers some of themost focused imaging and three-dimensional soundstaging you’ll

hear. The transition frommidrange to treble is

smooth, and bass isclear and articulate,reaching down to mid-

30Hz. Gallo alsooffers a 250Wpc sup-plemental subwoofer

amp that co-drivesthe woofer alongwith your main

amplifier, pushingbass response to22Hz. The Nucleus is

at its best withamplifiers of100 watts ormore, thoughlower-pow-ered ampscan alsowork—espe-

cially if youuse the sub-woofer amp.

Reviewed by

CM, Issue

150

SPENDOR S8E$2999qsandd.comThough neither the largest normost expensive model inSpendor’s S Series, the S8e justmight be the range’s best-sound-ing model. An heir to some of thegreat BBC monitor speakers ofthe past, the S8e offers gloriousmidrange and treble response,wide, deep soundstaging withexcellent image height, plus“clean, clear, dramatic bass, evenlow bass.” But the S8e’s mostcompelling characteristic is per-haps the elusive and profoundlysatisfying quality of musical “com-pleteness.” Reviewed by SR, Issue 155

$3000–$5000

MARTINLOGAN AEON I$3295 martinlogan.comWith its Generation 2 ESL panel,MartinLogan has achievedremarkable levels of clarity,smoothness, and transparencyfrom 400Hz on up. The Aeon iscomplementedby a freshlydesigned 8"aluminumwoofer andenclosure, andwhile theblend is gener-ally seamless,the woofer’sdeepest bassis slightly slowcompared tothe speed ofthe ESL. Arear-firingtweeter helpsoff-axis listen-ing but screwsup the speak-er’s overallcoherence, soleave itswitched off.At its bestwith about 3feet behindthem, a few tothe sides, andpowerful ampli-fication. Reviewed by

WG, Issue 146

VANDERSTEEN 3ASIGNATURE$3495 vandersteen.com Like all Vandersteens, the 3ASignature is time-and-phase accu-rate. Its driver complement fea-tures the patented midrange andtweeter used in the vauntedVandersteen 5. The 3A Signaturehas a relaxed presentation, ismusically seductive, and willappeal to those who want to forgetabout the sound and enjoy themusic, though it does trade offsome dynamic contrast andmidrange resolution for its overallability to involve the listener.Excellent bass extension combinedwith a good balance between basswarmth and articulation round outthis outstanding effort.Reviewed by RH, Issue 122

COINCIDENT PARTIALECLIPSE$3499 coincidentspeaker.com A three-way floorstander, thePartial shares many of the samesonic virtues that earned its bigbrother, the Total Eclipse, a 2001Golden Ear Award. The midbandtilts slightly to the warm side,with gloriously open and extendedhighs and tight, well-controlledbass. Mirror-image side-firing 8"woofers can be positioned facingin or out, necessitating someexperimentation for proper roomsetup. The Partial is an especiallysynergistic match with higher-pow-ered OTL tube designs, but matesnicely with solid-state amplifica-tion as well.

Reviewed by SK, Issue 146

LEGACY VICTORIA LElegacy-audio.com $3499 The stand-mounted, three-wayVictoria combines the classicvirtues of a mini-monitor with thebass extension and weight ofmany floorstanders. With solidextension down to about 45Hz,this is an extremely quick, clean,and articulate speaker. Its ribbontweeter has extraordinary spatialprecision and razor-sharp imaging.Tiny nuances are easily resolved,contributing to a feeling of focusand clarity. Reviewed by RH, Issue 152

CANTON VENTO 807DC$3500cantonusa.comOur reviewer initial-ly feared theCanton Vento 807DC might be“another Germanspeaker that fitsthe stereotype; aforward-sounding,metal-dome-basedsystem with highsthat can take yourears off.” But intime the 807 DCwon him over in abig way with itscombination ofsonic purity andspeed, transparen-cy, pinpoint imag-ing, extendedhighs, coherence,and neutrality. This speaker willappeal to listeners who prizesonic accuracy above sweetness. Reviewed by JH in this issue

VON SCHWEIKERTAUDIO VR-4JR$3995vonschweikert.com The VR-4jr has a number ofendearing sonic attributes, themost notable being its bass per-formance, which is tight, well-defined, and gutsy. In addition,the midrange is open, the sound-stage superbly three-dimensional.The rear-firing ambiencemid/tweeter adds considerablespatial depth, presenting the illu-sion of “round” images expandingin all directions. Reviewed by SK, Issue 151



DALIHELICON400$4300dali-usa.com This premiumtwo-way toweris as beautifulto look at as itis to listen to.Expect a yin-like warmth,with ultra-cleartransients, low-level resolvingpower, full-bod-ied bass, and,courtesy ofDALI’s uniqueribbon-super-tweeter/soft-dome-tweetermodule, one ofthe most opentrebles in thisor nearly anyclass. Due in

part to its rigidly braced cabinet,the Helicon is exceptionally uncol-ored, but a slight midbass bloommandates careful setup in medi-um-sized rooms. Reviewed by NG, Issue 155

THIEL CS2.4$4400thielaudio.comThis superbly crafted three-wayfloorstander features a uniqueconcentric tweeter/midrange con-figuration and an oval passiveradiator. The results are pinpointimages, an ultra-wide sound-stage, and near-realistic orches-tral scaling. Dynamics, bothmicro and macro, are invigorat-

ing. The CS2.4 is both analyticaland musical, with a sweet yetbright treble balance requiringquality amplification and atten-tion to setup. Because of thespeaker’s first-order crossovers,Thiel’s minimum recommendedlistening distance should beadhered to for best driver integra-tion. Reviewed by NG, Issue 144

MAGNEPAN MG 3.6 $4450magnepan.com Yet another great deal fromMagnepan, this largeribbon/quasi-ribbon dipole givesyou much of the sound of its bigbrother, the 20.1, for considerablyless moolah. As with the 20.1, besure to bring a high-power, high-quality amp to the party, andmake sure you have sufficientspace to let these things“breathe” or the ribbon tweeterwill start to glare. Reviewed by JV, Issue 121

HYPERION HPS-938$4500hyperionsound.com A small, three-way bass-reflexmodel, the Hyperion’s separatetweeter/midrange and woofer cab-inets house proprietary driversthat are among the best thisreviewer has heard. The midrangeand woofer’s flat top covers,sound basins, and sound ring areconnected into what is effectivelyone body, which vibrates to emitsound. Skillfully mated with ashort horn-type tweeter, the HPS-938 offers outstanding detail, lowdistortion, holographic imaging,and stunning dynamic range.While the Hyperion ultimately fallsshort of the best at the frequencyextremes, this speaker system isthrilling, natural sounding, andeasy to drive.Reviewed by JH, AVg

SONUS FABER CREMONAAUDITOR$4845 (includes dedicatedstand)sumikoaudio.net A stand-mounted two-way versionof Sonus Faber’s floorstandingCremona, the Auditor shares manyof that model’s virtues—warmth,coherence, sweet extended treble,and a seductive midrange—with-out the Cremona’s dynamic range

and bass extension. The Auditorlikes to be well into a room andits lateral tilt and toe-in are criti-cal. Although small, it can playquite loudly and handle a fairamount of power, be it tube orsolid-state (we recommend 50Wminimum). And beautiful thoughthey look, remove the stringedgrilles if you want to hear this ele-gant Italian speaker at its best. Reviewed by WG, Issue 146

$5000–$10,000

ATC SCM 20-2 $5000atc.gb.netATC’s latest 20 Series model hasbeen improved in virtually everyway, and is less obviously a com-pact speaker than ever before.Thanks to the robust compositeconstruction and non-parallel side-walls, midbass coloration hasbeen all but vanquished. Derivedfrom the SCM 70 flagship, thesoft-dome tweeter raises the per-formance bar for transparency andresolving power, especially at lowerlevels. With only 83dB sensitivity,don’t scrimp on power—or robuststands to support 50+ pounds.Reviewed by NG, Issue 154

AUDIO PHYSIC PADUA RR$5750audiophysic.comThe Padua has elegant looks anda refined, precise, and largelyuncolored sound. It exudes care,refinement, and dedication togood design and quality manufac-turing. That said, it displays alack of fullness in the midbassand requires careful placement,

which meanshow you reactto its overallbalance willdepend on howthe speakerinteracts withyour listeningroom. Reviewed by

REG, Issue 156

QUAD 988AND 989$6650 and$8650 iagamerica.com The latest incarnation of PeterWalker’s classic electrostatic is,from around 40Hz out, neutral,coherent, linear, and transparent,with lower coloration and distor-tion than its predecessor. It willnot generate the deepest bass,but in normal-sized or smallerrooms it will play at natural levelswith a purity and accuracy thatspoil you for other designs. Thelarger 988 retains most of theessential virtues but will play loud-er and go deeper in the bass. Theprincipal sacrifice is a certain pro-jection in the upper midrange andlower highs that undermines thepeerless neutrality of the original.Reviewed by PS, Issues 130 and 126

USHER DANCER$7735usheraudio.comWhat happens when you turnloose a passionate, quality- andvalue-conscious Taiwanese manu-facturer and world-class Americanspeaker designer (Dr. JoeD’Appolito) to build a $7000speaker? An overachieving floor-stander poised to eat any numberof high-end sacred cows for lunch,that’s what! The Dancer producesa big, finely focused, high-resolu-tion sound that is dynamicallyalive. Bass power, extension, andclarity are very good, too. Theoverall sonics are reminiscent ofWilson’s Sophia or Watt/Puppyspeakers, but for a fraction of theprice. Editor-in-Chief Robert Harleypronounced the Usher a “stonecold bargain.” Reviewed by CM, Issue 154



GRADIENT REVOLUTIONACTIVE$7645mayaudio.com

With its unusu-al dipole bassand forward-firingmidrange andtweeter con-figuration,Gradient’slatestRevolution—with built-inamplification(a passiveversion isalso avail-able)—remarkablyreproducesthe originalacoustics ofthe recordingvenue. It

sounds not like a box or a panelor anything else except a perfectpoint source. Instruments showtheir own colors with little enclo-sure-induced overlay, though a lit-tle more midrange relative to thetreble gives it extra body, makingit somewhat forgiving. Reviewed by REG, Issue 154

B&W 803D$8000bwspeakers.comWhile the midrange of the 803Dretains B&W’s hallmark clarity andtransient speed, the new diamondtweeter is far smoother and lesssibilant, yet also more airy anddetailed than in previous designs.And while the bass of previousNautilus speakers was generallyon the dry side, and always“enough” but not copious, thebass of the 803Ds is consider-ably faster and more accurate,and the degree and extension isnow “enough plus some.” Reviewed by Manoj Motwani, Issue 156

KEF REFERENCE 205$8000kef.com British speaker company KEF isback in the U.S. with a full line ofhigh-quality offerings. Part of itstop Reference Series, the 205 isa full-range model using KEF’s so-called “Hypertweeter,” with a use-ful frequency response up to

80kHz. In-room bass responseextends to 30Hz; the midrange isquick, detailed, and neutral; excel-lent imaging and soundstagingcomplete the package. Reviewed by Anthony H.

Cordesman, Issue 141

SONUS FABER CREMONA$8995sumikoaudio.net This gorgeous looking and sound-ing Italian floorstander is warm,airy, and seductive. It excels atresolving low-level information, isdynamically quite nimble as wellas forceful, and presents a holo-graphic soundstage. And thoughthe Cremona is a “musical” asopposed to entirely “neutral”design, it is very revealing ofsource material and components. Reviewed by WG, Issue 143

KRELL RESOLUTION 2 $9500krellonline.com

A highlyrevealingspeaker,Krell’s well-namedResolution 2let our man“hear eachnote socrisply—thetone, timing,and slighthesitation orrush, so dis-tinctly—thatI can followthe thinkingthat’s goneinto themusicians’choices, thepatternsthey’re form-ing. This

isn’t about counting all the angelson a pin; it’s about sensing theplayer blowing the horn, thesinger belting the notes, thehuman touch on the music.” Reviewed by Fred Kaplan, Issue 151

$10,000–$20,000

MAGNEPAN MG 20.1 $12,500magnepan.com With better octave-to-octave bal-

ance and coherence than the20R, and the same fabulous tre-ble and nonpareil “there-in-the-room-with-you” midrange pres-ence, the 20.1 (like all Maggiespeakers) is the very definition ofgreat-sound-for-the-dollar. Beaware: All Maggies take lots ofspace and amplifier power tosound their best. HP’s Workshop, Issues 135 and 151

WILSON SOPHIA$12,700wilsonaudio.com Wilson’s Sophia has all the hall-marks of Wilson loudspeakers—extraordinary transient fidelity,deep bass extension, a huge spa-tial presentation, and a cabinetthat contributes little sound of itsown. With surprising bass anddynamics for its size, the Sophiasounds like a much larger speak-er—gorgeous finish quality andattention to detail, too. TheSophia is also extremely easy todrive, making it a good choicewith lower-powered amplifiers. RH, Recommended Systems, Issue 136

COINCIDENTTECHNOLOGY TOTALVICTORY II$13,000coincidentspeaker.comThe revised version of this highlyefficient Canadian design is aspeaker to have if you want to usesingle-ended amplification. Therevision removes the colorationsHP noted in his original review andleaves this, almost alone in itsclass, as uncolored and full ofdynamic life up and down thespectrum as the best conventional(and not so) designs. Original Total Victory review in Issue

146; HP’s updated thoughts forth-

coming

ROCKPORTTECHNOLOGIES MIRA$13,500rockporttechnologies.com The Mira is at once seductivelywarm and rich, yet it gives up lit-tle in terms of detail and open-ness. Perhaps the Mira’s mostnotable strength, because it usu-ally comes with only the mostcostly designs, is a dynamicenergy in the upper bass andlower treble regions that bringstricky instruments such as

drums, bass, brass, and stringsto vivid life. The bottom end hasa lot of power, along with good tex-ture and detail, while the highs areairy, extended, and well integrated. Reviewed by WG, Issue 149

VANDERSTEEN MODEL 5A$14,700vandersteen.comA time-and-phase correct speaker,the 5A includes a built-in poweredsub with room correction that tai-lors in-room response, a sophisti-cated “baffle-less” cabinet,Vandersteen’s patented open-frame midrange, and an improvedtweeter that eliminates backwavereflections. The result is an ultra-high-resolution speaker that’scoherent and musically engagingfrom top to bottom, with the kindof convincing depth of imagingthat only time-and-phase correctdesigns can provide. The 5A maynot play as loudly as somedesigns, but offers superior per-formance in every other respect.A relative bargain among state-ment loudspeakers. Reviewed by SB, Issue 139

LEGACY WHISPER $14,998legacy-audio.com The Legacy Whisper is all aboutmusical engagement, not the ana-lytical dissection of a recording. Afive-foot-tall, 200-pound hunk ofWurlitzeresque wood sculpture, theten-driver Whisper excels at low-level resolution, transient delivery,and dynamic contrasts (large andsmall), though its frequencyextremes are somewhat soft.Reviewed by AHC, Issue 135


SOUND LAB M-1 $16,800soundlab-speakers.com A huge electrostat, artfully subdi-vided into angled strips and pan-els to produce a hemisphericalwavelaunch and reduce “drum-head” resonances, the M-1 hasthe biggest soundfield, far andaway the deepest bass (true 20Hzextension), and most lifelikedynamic range of any ’stat—inaddition to the traditional virtuesof ’stats (gorgeous tone color,lightning transient response, sin-gle-driver coherence, and phenom-enal inner detail). Note: The M-1can sound overblown in the bot-tom octaves if placement andamplification aren’t carefullyminded and, like all ’stats, it isnot the last word in “body.” Reviewed by JV, Issue 122

BANG & OLUFSENBEOLAB5$17,000bang-olufsen.com A technological tour de force thatnever loses sight of the music,the BeoLab5 is a quad-amped(2kWpc) four-way that uses B&O’sAdaptive Bass Control DSP aswell as the company’s trickAcoustic Lens technology for themidrange and tweeter. A warmbalance, effortless extension,unstoppable dynamic response,and silky highs are only a few ofthe virtues in this speaker’s thickresume. The 5’s 20Hz bass cansound heavy in smaller settings,making it best for medium to larg-er rooms. Reviewed by NG, Issue 146

MCINTOSH XRT28 $19,000mcintoshlabs.comThis six-foot-plus-tall line array isfor the person who loves the soundof live music, outside of audiophilecategories. Showing less interac-tion with the room than almost anyother speaker REG has encoun-tered, the XRT28 has a smoothbalance and tremendous dynamicpower, and is unusually vivid andconvincing in reproducing bothlarge- and small-scaled music. Reviewed by REG, Issue 152

$20,000 and Above

B&W 800D$20,000bwspeakers.com“Wholeness” and “seamless” werethe qualities that most struckreviewer Sue Kraft while auditioningB&W’s diamond-tweeter-studded800D. “While high frequencies werethe utmost in smooth, effortless,finely detailed, extended, and excep-tionally clear, I was more taken byhow meticulously they were woveninto the fabric of the music.” The800D’s other attributes includeworld-class imaging, high resolution,a taut, well-defined bass, and unruf-fled response with torturous music.Reviewed by SK, Issue 156

KHARMA CERAMIQUEREFERENCE MONITOR 3.2$21,000gttgroup.com This diminutive two-way floorstandergenerates a huge, utterly transpar-ent soundstage and a simply ethe-real blend of tonalbeauty, inner detail,and dynamicnuance.Surprisingly robustin the bass (downto a rock-solid40Hz), the RM3.2is a great choicefor the audiophilelooking for big-speaker sound ina small, elegantpackage (or for asmallish room).Editor WayneGarcia’s referencespeaker. Reviewed by JV,

Issue 140

WILSON WATT/PUPPY 7$22,400wilsonaudio.com This classic loudspeaker hastaken a significant jump in per-formance with the new 7 version.Although dimensionally modest,the WP7 has the big sound asso-ciated with much larger systems.With astonishing dynamic impactand coherence, coupled with deepbass extension and gorgeous ren-dering of inner detail, the WP7 isenormously rewarding musically. Reviewed by RH, Issue 143

MBL 111 E $25,960mbl.comThe MBL 111 E is a four-way omni-directional loudspeaker that soundsvery much like its much pricierbrother, the 101 E. This shouldcome as no surprise, since the 111E uses the same midrange and tre-ble drivers as the RadialstrahlerReference. Though it isn’t equippedwith the 101’s big tulip-bulb woofer(the lower midrange and upper bass

of the 111 are handled by dou-ble “push-push” 5.5" aluminumcones, firing from either side ofthe speaker in a figure-eightarrangement that approxi-mates omni dispersion) andhas a slightly smaller sub-woofer, outside of lessbass/lower-mid opennessand freedom from box col-oration, you would be hardput to tell this speaker fromthe 101 (see below). The111 E is not as tough todrive as the 101 E, soundingparticularly swell with PassLabs’ XA350.5 and Edge’s12.1 amps, among others.Like all omni loudspeak-ers, the 111 Es are more

sensitive to room placement andtreatment than direct-radiators ordipoles. The less-rich man’s 101 E.JV, not yet reviewed

TALON FIREBIRD$34,000talonaudio.com“Intense musicality” is howAnthony Cordesman describesTalon’s Firebird, a futuristic-look-ing, 300-pound-per-side assaulton the state-of-the-art. Althoughsome listeners may find their bal-ance a little warmer than manycompeting designs, these mas-sively built speakers have a wayof bringing the sound of livemusic into the home with a natu-ral timbre, unexaggerated senseof detail and image specificity,and deeper, tighter, and cleanerbass than many speakers twicetheir size. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 149

DYNAUDIO EVIDENCETEMPTATION$40,000dynaudiousa.com Among the tall, svelteTemptation’s many strengths aretransparency at all frequencies, adetailed and uncolored midrangeand top end, excellent bass pitch,definition, and weight, and theability to sound unrestrained ateven the loudest listening levels. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 134

SONUS-FABERSTRADIVARI$40,000sumikoaudio.netThese gorgeous numbers fromSonus-Faber’s Franco Serblin havethe mostbeautifulstringtone JVhas heardin a loud-speaker.Sweet andrich onclassicalmusic,voice, andsmall-scalejazz andfolk, theyare almostas lovelyon large-scale




music thanks to their extraordinar-ily deep, full, well-defined bassand authoritative midbass.Detailed and dynamic from top tobottom, they are a bit to the warmside of neutral and will need alarge room to fully “disappear,”but are not picky when it comes toamplification. One of best dynamicloudspeakers JV has auditioned. Reviewed by JV, Issue 148

DALI MEGALINE$42,000dali-usa.comThis large, elegant speaker offersan all but unique combination ofvirtues—power and scale on onehand and purity and resolution onthe other, with distortion lowerthan electrostatics and a dynamiccapacity no electrostatic everdreamed of. The line-source radia-tion pattern eliminates floorbounce and makes the Megalinesdisappear from side-to-side andfront-to-back. Together with ribbontweeters that go on seemingly for-ever, bass that extends solidlydown to well below the bottom ofthe orchestral range, and an eventonal balance, the Megalines makefor the most convincing reproduc-tion of orchestral music REG hasencountered. They also superblyreproduce more intimate music. Reviewed by REG, Issue 146

WILSON MAXX 2$45,000wilsonaudio.comA stunning achievement in loud-speaker design, the MAXX 2 rede-fines what’s possible in musicreproduction in the areas of bot-tom-end resolution, nuance, andfinesse. This highly articulate basspresentation is backed up with theability to effortlessly deliver mas-sive dynamic impact and subter-ranean extension. Every otheraspect of this speaker’s perform-ance is exemplary, particularlymidrange transparency, soundstag-ing, and the remarkable ability tosound small on intimate music andhuge on large-scale works. Editor-in-Chief Robert Harley’s reference. Reviewed by RH, Issue 155

MBL 101E $46,900mbl.comMBL’s stunning-looking, four-way,omnidirectional Radialstrahler

References simply do it all: a tre-ble like Maggie’s ribbons, amidrange like SoundLab’s ’stats,bass like Nearfield’s eight 18"subwoofers, soundstaging andcoherence like Kharma’s RM 3.2s,dynamics like Avantgarde’s Trios,and a “disappearing act” secondto none. To top all this off, the101 Es have more lifelike pres-ence than any speaker JV hasheard in several decades—actual-ly sounding “fool-you” real atselect moments on select cuts—and are more convincingly stereo-phonic listened to off-axis thananything else around. Like the111 Es, the 101 Es require care-ful room setup and treatment and,unlike the 111s, they are a bearto drive. For the ultimate in sonics(the best, overall, JV has heard inhis home), you will also need theMBL 6010 D preamp and 9011monoblock amplifiers—making fora very expensive system. Thatsaid, the 101 Es also fare quitewell with much more affordableEdge, Pass, Joule, and Kharmaamplification. JV’s new reference.Reviewed by JV, Issue 154

AVANTGARDE TRIOCOMPACT WITHBASSHORN$71,940avantgarde-usa.com For almost a decade now, theTrios have been the best hornloudspeakers on the market. Now,

in combination with Avantgarde’sphenomenal new Basshorn sub-woofer, the Trio has won overeven hard sells, like TAS EICRobert Harley. Incomparably fast,powerful, big, and beautiful, theTrio/Basshorns take some workto set up—and great electronicsto drive them—but when every-thing is right they are world-classreproducers of music. The Triosare best in very large rooms,though, paradoxically, they some-times fare well in very smallones. With these speakers, thekey to happiness is a properblend of the bass. JV, review forthcoming

ROCKPORTTECHNOLOGIESHYPERION $91,500rockporttechnologies.comThe Hyperion is high among themost realistic big loudspeakers JVhas heard. Though they aren’t theworld’s best soundstagers (forwhich, see the Kharmas above)and don’t “disappear” like theMBL 101 Es, the RockportHyperions earn laurels for justabout everything else—gorgeoustone color, tremendous dynamicease and authority, natural instru-mental size and scale, and superbtreble and bass extension. Youneed a lot of room for thesebabies and a lot of money, but, ifyou have the space and themoolah, they will take you aboutas close as you can come to theabsolute sound.Reviewed by JV, Issue 136

NÓLA GRAND REFERENCE III$126,000nolaspeakers.com Carl Marchisotto’s ambitious

“statement” design has evolved.The drivers, from the true ribbonsat the speaker’s top end to thedual towers of ported 12-inchwoofers, have remained constant.But the crossover workings of themain towers have been refinedmore than once. The result is thatthe integration of the multiple driv-ers in the main towers, already ajob nicely done, has become verynearly seamless. The bête noireof this system, and many anotherwith freestanding woofers, lies inintegration of the bass with themain drivers but with matchingamplifiers for towers high and low,it is more easily done. At its bestin its current configurations, theExotica achieves that most illusiveof all qualities, “continuousness.”Mate this with its dynamic quick-ness, seamlessness, and verywide frequency response and youhave what justly can be called a“great” speaker and rarest of all,the closest you may get to thefeel of music in the home. TheGrand Reference joins that hand-ful of “big” speaker systems thatare able to capture semblances ofcertain aspects of the real thing. HP’s Workshop, Issue 142



Subwoofers

PSB SUBSONIC 5I$499psbspeakers.comAt this point no one should besurprised at what this Canadianspeaker company can do in thelower-price range. Even so, theperformance of this econo-sub issemi-unbelievable. Extension,dynamic slam, and good musicali-ty from this 10” bass-reflexdesign make it the perfect matchfor misers with the Midas touch. Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 48

REL Q-108E$749 sumikoaudio.net The newest and smallest sub fromEngland’s REL is a champ in its cat-egory. Though a mere 10” cube,the Q-108E is capable of reproduc-ing with power and definition infor-mation down to 20Hz. A plethora ofhook-up options allows for both line-and high-level (in series with theamplifier) connections, meaning youcan optimize this little guy forboth home-theater and musicuse—simultaneously. Reviewed by WG, TPV Issue 49

EPOS ELS ACTIVESUBWOOFER$800epos-acoustic.comDesigned by Mike Creek (of Creek

amplifier renown), the Epos ELSActive Subwoofer establisheswhat our reviewer considers “anew performance benchmarkamong affordable powered sub-woofers.” This unit goes lowerwith better articulation and con-trol than others in its price range.Unlike many subs, the Epos is anaudiophile-pleaser that puts outtrue low bass (without a decep-tive, mid-bass bump) and sounds“so inherently clear that it leavescompetitors sounding sluggishand murky by comparison.” Reviewed by CM, AVg

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGYSUPERCUBE I$1199definitivetech.comFlexibility, extension, and afford-ability—it doesn’t get much betterthan that. With dual 10" passiveradiators, the SuperCube I mixesthe precision of a sealed-box subwith the additional oomph of aported enclosure, and reachesdown to the mid-20Hz range atextreme SPLs. A 1500-watt ampli-fier guarantees sufficient power. Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 42

JAMES EMB-1000$1595-$1895jamesloudspeaker.comUsing a clever dual-woofer tech-nique, the James EMB-1000 deliv-ers a huge amount of extremelyclean bass and maintains itscomposure even at high playbacklevels. Not only is it a great the-

ater sub, the EMB-1000 is out-standing with music—tight andarticulate, with exceptional clarityand detail. An amazing productand a great bargain. Reviewed by RH, TPV Issue 48

NOLA THUNDERBOLT$1695nolaspeakers.comWith one twelve-inch driver similarto those in the Grand Referenceand a critically-tuned, all-wood,heavily braced box, what we havehere in the Thunderbolt is a babyTyrannosaurus Rex of the sub-woofer field: fast, vicious in itsattack, and thunderous in its power. Reviewed by HP, AVg

THIEL SS2 SMARTSUBAND SI 1 INTEGRATOR$4900 and $4400thielaudio.comFive years in the making, Thiel’sIntegrator/SmartSub is the firstsubwoofer that enables consistentintegration by design. As such, it isa landmark in the history of sub-woofer development. In its presentstate, the Integrator in particularlacks a few features and the lastounce of transparency. Yet no othersubwoofer system brings so muchneeded structure to the integrationprocess while affording such plenti-ful and powerful means of adaptingthe subwoofer to its surroundings.Rigid yet liberating, the Thiel sys-tem will reward attentive listeners.Reviewed by Alan Taffel, Issue 154

AUDIO PHYSIC MINOS$6995audiophysic.comThe Audio Physic Minos comesclose to being the perfect sub-woofer, albeit at a hefty price. Ithas truly deep bass extension,down to well below 20Hz, candeliver enormous output levels,and is exceptionally low in distor-tion. The sound is smooth andnon-resonant, with superb pitchdefinition and all but flawlesstransient behavior. Moreover, itselegant woodwork makes it athome in any décor.Reviewed by REG, TPV Issue 42

KHARMA CERAMIQUECE-SB-1.1 $9500kharma.comA compact, powered 12" sub-woofer from Kharma’s perfec-tionist engineering geniusCharles van Oosterum, the Ce-SB-1.1 sounds like all Kharmaspeakers—tonally accurate, fine-ly detailed, wonderfully openand dynamic, and highly musi-cal. Remote-controlled, it is asnap to set up and use andmakes, as one would expect, aparticularly sweet, seamlessmatch with Kharma’s superbRM3.2 two-ways, although itwould likely do just as well withany bass-shy two- or three-way.One of the two subs with whichJV can happily live. JV, review forthcoming



KRELL MASTERREFERENCE$35,000krell.comLet’s face it—you’d have to benuts to spend $35,000 on a sub-woofer. (And, BTW, you only getone of these monsters for your35Gs.) But, assuming you arenuts, and assuming you’re notfazed by the sheer girth of this2600W, twin-15-inch servo-woofered, 450-pound chunk ofnear-solid aluminum, then you’regonna have a hard time findingmore powerful, more coherentbass for music recordings andhome-theater soundtracks. A suigeneris masterpiece that,because of its outrageous costand size, is likely to be heard onlyby a lucky few—and owned by aneven luckier fewer. JV, review forthcoming

Power AmplifiersUnder $1000

NAD C 272$699nadelectronics.com Every few years, we encounter cer-tain NAD products that seem tohave that extra ounce of sonicmagic, and the C 272 is one ofthem. At 150Wpc, it offers the cur-rent drive capabilities needed tohandle difficult speaker loads andsounds more powerful than itsspecifications would suggest. TheC 272 is well-balanced, with goodresolution, three-dimensionality,and an overall warmth and robust-ness on most types of music.Reviewed by CM, Issue 148

PARASOUND HALO A23$850parasound.com Parasound’s A23 isn’t the lastword in low-end authority, and it’sa bit cool in the midrange, butwhat it lacks in oomph it makesup for in finesse and pitch defini-

tion. Moreover, this reasonablypriced amp is musically quiteinvolving. Reviewed by SB, Issue 138

$1000–$2000

PRIMALUNA PROLOGUE 5$1295upscaleaudio.comThe 36Wpc vacuum tube-poweredPrologue 5 sounds more authori-tative than its rating would leadyou to expect, and offers a warm,rich sound, yet really does notsound “tubey” in any traditionalsense. Instead, observes ourreviewer, it produces “true, clean,deep, tight bass,” offers grandsoundstaging, and delivers “theprecision of the best solid-stateunits, plus—like vinyl—an addi-tional musical soupcon.” A syner-gistic match with the companionPrologue 3 preamp. Reviewed by SR, Issue 156

QUAD 909$1499iag.america.com Its sound quality sets a bench-mark for its size and price. Itsmidrange, in particular, is nearstate-of-the-art. Up and down thescale, this latest iteration ofPeter Walker’s patented “currentdumping” circuit displays anease, relaxation, and naturalnessthat sweep considerations ofmere hi-fi aside.Reviewed by PS, Issue 128

ROTEL RB 1090$1999 rotel.com Voluptuous, yin-like, and ever soslightly laidback in character, theRB-1090 is capable of extractingthe lowest rumblings. But it alsoextracts high-frequency informa-tion like a hummingbird sipsnectar. Transparency might beimproved, but for sheer orches-tral weight the 1090 still hasthe power to make it one of thebest pound-for-pound deals inthe high end. Reviewed by NG, Issue 128

$2000–$3000

AUDIO RESEARCH VS55$2495audioresearch.com ARC’s formula is simple: Put thelatest circuit refinements in a nice-but-not-lavish chassis, keep thepower output moderate, and pricewithin reach of most music lovers.The result: the stunning VS55,which delivers ARC’s classic soundat an affordable price. It may notoffer enough power for those withlow-sensitivity loudspeakers (orthose wanting to rock the house),but when used with the appropri-ate speakers and at sensible vol-umes, it is pure magic.Reviewed by RH, Issue 141

CARY AUDIO CINEMA 2& CAD-808 (ROCKET 88)$2500 and $2750caryaudio.comDesigner Dennis Had’s affection-ately dubbed “Rocket 88” isunusual in that there is no driverstage. That means you’ll need ahigh-output preamp to drive it,

but, when it is so paired, expect asound that Dan Davis said pro-pelled him “to the musical bliss weall want from our systems.”Outstanding articulation and dynam-ic definition, especially in themidrange. Like the best solid-statedesigns, Cary’s Cinema amps large-ly shed the darkness and grain thatonce seemed to accompany themajority of transistor amplifiers.There are an immediacy and direct-ness to the presentation that allowyou to hear into recordings in a waythat is revealing without being ana-lytical. Cinema 2 reviewed by WG,

Issue 154; CAD-808 reviewed by Dan

Davis, Issue 139

NUFORCE REFERENCE 9 $2500nuforce.comThe diminutive Reference 9monoblocks are sophisticated,analog-modulated Class D ampli-fiers that sound like sonic giants.First, they offer deeply extendedand tightly controlled bass, withexcellent pitch definition. Second,they offer open-sounding mids,almost shockingly detailed highs,and explosive dynamics. But thebiggest news may be their pre-cise, three-dimensional soundstag-ing (which is reminiscent, to somedegree, of the ASR’s world-classsoundstaging). Note: These ampsare quite sensitive to associatedcabling, so choose carefully. CM, review forthcoming

$3000–$5000

CONRAD-JOHNSONMV60SE$3300 conradjohnson.com Using four 6550C output tubes,this 60W C-J delivers the emotion-al impact of the real thing.Although it lacks the last iota ofresolution, and can get a bit grittyin the treble as it reaches the lim-



its of its power, this amp hasgood transparency and sound-staging, finely shaded dynamics,thrilling low-level detail, and awell-defined top end. Above all, itis immediate and involving. Reviewed by DD, Issue 145

EDGE ELECTRONICS G4$3575edgeamp.comA downsized version of Edge’smore costly amplifiers, the 100WG4 offers some of the samesonic attributes as its moreexpensive brethren—the speed,extension, and control oneexpects from a high-end transistoramp, without any associatedbrightness. It has the natural tim-bre and sonic realism we typicallyassociate with tubes, coupledwith startling transparency andholographic imaging. Pace,rhythm, and timing freaks will lovethis thing. Reviewed by JH, AVg

BALANCED AUDIOTECHNOLOGY (BAT) VK-55$3995balanced.comA remarkable amp and terrificvalue, BAT’s 55-watt tube modelmay not be as revealing assome, but it offers a highdegree of harmonic, textural,rhythmic, and ambient informa-tion, all within the context of themusical whole. Tonally, the VK-55 is a bit warmer than neutral,with a gorgeous, well-balancedmidrange, an easy, natural topend, and quite respectableweight in the bass. A 3-D sound-stage and tight focus round outthe virtues of this highly musi-cal design.Reviewed by SK with WG comment,

Issue 153

MERIDIAN G57$3995meridian-usa.com Rated at 200Wpc into eightohms, the G57 is capable ofdelivering a full kilowatt, whenbridged, into four ohms. As withother G Series components, thesound is expansive, soothing, andrelaxing, yet it has plenty of moxiewhen needed. The soundstage isimpressively broad, tall, anddeep. And almost as gorgeous asthe sound is the sleek new full-width look, featuring all-metal con-struction along with Meridian’straditional black glass accents. Reviewed by SK, Issue 152

QUICKSILVER V4$3995quicksilveraudio.com Like past amplifiers from MikeSanders, these monoblocksdemonstrate unrivaled stabilityand composure under verydemanding dynamic conditions,and generate a soundstage ofCinerama width and depth andthree-dimensionality, with stunningrendition of height. As with alltube amplifiers, neutrality issomewhat dependent upon speak-er impedance, but Sanders hasgot the gestalt right. Reviewed by PS, Issue 138

ANTIQUE SOUND LABSHURRICANE $4995divertech.comDollar for dollar, these 200-wattmonoblocks are one of the mostsoul-satisfying tube designs inyears. Though there have beenparts updates to the originals, thesucceeding versions do not lose

the amp’s characteristic sonic sig-nature. On the downside, it is abit dark in character (yin) and softin the top octave; on the upside,an authenticity in the midrangethat makes it sound like it coststen times more. HP’s Workshop, Issue 140

BAT VK-250 $4995 ($5995 with SE BAT-PAK) balanced.com BAT’s chief engineer, VictorKhomenko, is equally adept withsolid-state designs, as this150Wpc model shows. The com-pany’s work keeps evolving, andthe 250 shows less grain andnoise, a tonal neutrality thatgracefully straddles the dark andthe light, improved transparency,highs that are airy and extended,greater low-frequency power andtimbre, and a more refineddynamic scale. Reviewed by WG, Issue 156

$5000–$10,000

CLASSÉ DELTA CA-2200$5000classeaudio.com With 200Wpc into eight ohms and400Wpc into four ohms, the 2200delivers effortless, fully-balancedpower into even the most difficultloads. Possessed of exceptionalcontrol and refinement, the2200’s bass, while not the deep-est, has uncanny pitch and tim-bre. Images and soundstaging arewell-focused and richly layered;the back panel is an installer’sparadise of connectivity. (Alsoavailable in a five-channel ver-sion, the CA-5200.)Reviewed by NG, Issue 154

MCINTOSH MC402 ANDMC2102$5500 and $6500mcintoshlabs.com Combined with McIntosh’s C46preamplifier, the solid-stateMC402 yielded, all in all, themost musically satisfying repro-duction PS has so far experienced

in his system. This amp is fan-tastically clean and clear, utter-ly open and transparent, whollylacking in grain, grit, and hard-ness, tonally neutral, withexceptionally low noise and dis-tortion. The top end is naturaland extended; the bottom endhas great heft and weight; andthe midrange is gloriously pres-ent and lively. The tube-drivenMC2101 gives you a thoroughlynatural presentation on manykinds of music, with unbeliev-ably low noise and realisticdynamics. While it doesn’t proj-ect quite the same sense ofsheer size on large ensemblesas its solid-state sibling, it isoverwhelmingly seductive whenit comes to vocalists andinstrumentalists.Reviewed by PS, Issue 147

AUDIO RESEARCHVT100MKIII $6495 audioresearch.com ARC has been making pentode(6550C) amplifiers since theDawn of Man. All that experiencecertainly shows in its latest 100-watt and 200-watt stereo work-horses, which mate the size,bloom, and light of classic ARCamps with a tonal palette that isas natural as they come.Wonderfully lifelike in combinationwith dynamic speakers (likeVandersteens or Wilsons) or pla-nars (like Maggies). JV

WYETECH SAPPHIRE 300B $6800 wyetechlabs.comA single-ended triode design thathas none of the usual colorationsfor amplifiers of its type. That is tosay, the Wyetech has solid, well-articulated bass and a high endsweet and extended up into the“airy” region. But, if you don’t havea most efficient speaker, like theCoincident Technology Total Victory,you might as well walk on by.HP, review forthcoming



AIR TIGHT ATM 300$7000 axiss-usa.com The Air Tight ATM 300 is one ofthe handful of 300B SET ampli-fiers that lays claim to magicalsound extending beyond themidrange. This amp’s airy highs,natural tonality, and low-bassextension defy common percep-tions of 300B SETs. Reviewed by Scot Markwell, Issue 128

KHARMA MATRIX MP-150$7000kharma.comClass D circuitry is the latestcraze. Virtually every amplifiermanufacturer puts out a versionof it (many based on B&O’sICEpower module, although thisKharma amp has been designedin house). The amazing thing isthat each Class D amp, ICE-pow-ered or not, sounds different—each has a sonic signature simi-lar to the conventional amps inthe manufacturer’s line. InKharma’s case, there are noother amps in its line; this is itsfirst. Happily, it is a winner. Ofcourse, it doesn’t have all of thebass-range authority or extensionor grip, the dynamic clout, themicrofine resolution, or the toptreble extension of somethinglike the nonpareil MBL 9011—nor should it at its price point.What it does have is a similartop-to-bottom transparency thatallows for a very detailed, sur-prisingly lively, and tonally accu-rate presentation. JV, review forthcoming

PARASOUND HALO JC 1$7000parasound.com The latest collaboration betweenlegendary designer John Curl andParasound has resulted in theHalo JC 1: “…silky-smooth, crys-tal clear, and abundantly detailed.The kind you could listen to allday long without fatigue.” Reviewed by SK, Issue 141

BALANCED AUDIOTECHNOLOGY VK-75SE$8500balanced.com BAT’s VK-75SE is a tube designthat, while displaying many of theattributes we love about glowingglass—smoothness, liquidity,depth, harmonic complexity—does so with, as reviewer SueKraft puts it, a “lack of candy-coating in the midrange.” In addi-tion, the VK-75SE is virtuallygrain-free and excels at reproduc-ing dynamics. Reviewed by SK, Issue 133

CONRAD-JOHNSONPREMIER 350$8500conradjohnson.comC-J’s top solid-state amp, thePremier 350 exhibits excellentmicrodynamic and low-level reso-lution, outstanding low-frequencycontrol, a natural way with imag-ing and soundstaging, and arefreshing lack of the kind of over-hyped “detail” heard with sometransistor models.Reviewed by AHC, Issue 151

MBL 8011$9075mbl-hifi.com The 8011 delivers a smooth,

clear, grain-free sound that if any-thing is slightly soft, tonallyspeaking. With 1100 watts ofpeak pulse power, the MBL nevershows signs of strain, while itslow noise and excellent resolutionallow recordings to sound asmusical as they can.Reviewed by REG, Issue 135

EDGE ELECTRONICS G8+$9999edgeamps.comThe Edge designs do not soundmuch like what we expect fromsolid-state electronics, as theylack the darkness and grain thatso frequently identify even thebest examples of the type. Thatsaid, there’s no faux vacuum-tube sound here either, just aremarkable sense of neutrality,openness, and detail that does-n’t draw attention to itself butthat instead serves the music.When compared to the best tubemodels, the only things lackingare the last degrees of air,decay, and harmonic bloom. Anoutstanding achievement.Reviewed by WG, Issue 149

$10,000–$20,000

EDGE NL10.1 ANDNL12.1$13,500 and $18,500edgeamp.com Except for authority and the lastword in dynamic capability, theNL10.1 is indistinguishable fromits Signature big brother. Itssound is so addictively pureyou’ll want to keep turning it up,which is where the higher-pow-ered NL12.1 (essentially astereo Signature) and Signaturemonoblocks come in. If gor-geous midrange tone color andsuperb resolution of delicateperformance-related details likea pianist’s touch or a cellist’sbowing are your first priorities,you simply can’t go wrong witheither of these amps. HP/JV

THETA CITADEL $15,800thetadigital.com Theta’s Citadel is a massive, pow-erful, gorgeously sculpted solid-state monoblock with the liquid,musical soul of a tube amp.Based on a zero-feedback circuitdesign, the Citadel reveals layerupon layer of transparency with adeep, sensationally focusedsoundstage. The bass is extend-ed and powerful, the midrange ispure and naturally resolved, andthe top is extraordinarily cleanand detailed. The Citadel soundspure and natural and offers nohint of the mechanical soundthat betrays some solid-statecontenders. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 138

ACCUPHASE P-7000$17,000axiss-usa.com A Japanese contender for thehigh-end crown, the P-7000 cap-tures the textures and colors ofvoices and instruments, as wellas deep bass fundamentals andovertones. Images are precise yetrounded, with a three-dimensional-ity reminiscent of the real thing.Transients are fast and well-defined, delicate instrumentssound delicate; big and loudinstruments sound big and loud ina way that brings hi-fi closer tolive music, though the sounddoesn’t glisten with quite the



same glow as it does through,say, the Halcro monoblocks orfiner tube amps.Reviewed by FK, Issue 149

JOULE ELECTRA VZN-160MKIII GRAND MARQUIS+ JOULE ELECTRA VZN-80$18,000 and $12,000 (add$2000 for Music Wood versions)joule-electra.com These tube units without outputtransformers require a bit of hands-on attention when it comes to set-ting voltage and output tube bias.But for those willing to embracewhat are truly artisan efforts, thesegorgeous-looking and ultra-gor-geous-sounding units from JudBarber’s Joule Electra are a must-hear. They’re decidedly not for theanalytical camp, but for those whowant to be ravished by the music. WG, reviews forthcoming

PASS LABS XA160$18,000passlabs.com “An amplifier with soul,” theXA160 is the most “tube-like”transistor amp reviewerCordesman has heard. Its soundis warmer than most, and themusic emerges from a deep blackhole of silence. Moreover, itssoundstage depth matches itswidth, dynamics are musically nat-ural and slightly “soft,” and theamp has terrific harmonic integrity.Reviewed by AHC, Issue 149

$20,000 and Above

BAT-VK-600SE$23,000balanced.comThis fully-loaded version of the VK-600 (it’s also available as a stereoamp, and in the standard, rather thanSE, version) possesses a remarkabletransparency and immediacy that aremusically vivid without being sonicallyvivid. The top end is extremelysmooth and unfatiguing, with perhapsa very slight loss of air in the upper

treble. The VK-600SE’s 300W intoeight ohms, and ability to double itspower output as the load impedanceis halved, make it a powerhouse thatwill drive virtually any loudspeaker. Amagical combination with the WilsonMAXX 2. Needs an unusually longwarm-up to sound its best.RH, review forthcoming

JOULE ELECTRA RITE OFPASSAGE$24,000 (add $4000 for MusicWood versions)joule-electra.comA tube amplifier without transform-ers (OTL) that is not only com-pletely stable but has sufficientpower to drive just about anythingimaginable. In addition to the kindof authoritatively natural low endof the best OTLs, it has transienttruths you won’t hear from any-thing this side of solid-state.Moreover, the Joule is compatiblewith all sorts of speakers. HP’s Workshop, Issue 136

KRELL FPB 750CX$28,000krell.comAn updated and more powerful (by100 watts) version of Krell’sGolden Ear Award-winning FPB650,these Class A solid-statemonoblocks represent the “new”Krell of the last few years, which isto say that they are rich in color,tight in focus, inexhaustibly dynam-ic, sensationally detailed, wide anddeep in staging, and superblyextended in the treble and bass.Though they won’t give you thebloom of tubes or the low-level mid-band dynamic nuance, the Krellswill handle the toughest loads withaplomb. Ideal with “difficult” speak-ers, like the Sound Labs M-1.JV, review forthcoming

HALCRO DM58$29,900onahighernote.com With a gorgeous industrial design,

these ultra-low-distortion Australianmonoblocks are as startling tobehold as they are to listen to.Dynamics are exemplary, as is thedm58’s way with musical textures.Both qualities are enhanced by theamp’s dead-silent noise floor. Tonalneutrality, a sense of unlimitedpower, and outstanding frequencyextremes are other qualities thatmake this Halcro shine.Reviewed by Dan Sweeney, Issue 128

LAMM ML2.1 $29,990lammindustries.comThe single-ended-triode ML2.1sounds nothing like the typicalSET. It does not trade off accuracyfor euphony; it is not bandwidth-limited (its bass and treble aresensationally extended); and it issurprisingly powerful sounding(though not particularly “bloomy”)within its 16-watt limits. Given asufficiently sensitive speaker—such as the Avantgarde Trio, theNearfield Acoustics Pipedreams,the Wilson X1 or X2, or virtuallyany Kharma—the ML2.1 will pro-duce the most detailed, spacious,dynamic sound of any amp on themarket. Like all Lamm products,the ML2.1s are a bit dark in bal-

ance, very quiet, and very reliable.JV’s low-power reference. JV, review forthcoming

EDGE ELECTRONICSSIGNATURE 1.1 $35,900edgeamps.comA classic in solid-statedesign. The 1.1 is uncolored,gorgeous at the frequencyextremes, and a wonder of won-ders on massed strings. Perhapsa little less “vivid” and harmoni-cally rich than a great tubedesign, but at the head of theclass in solid-state and so con-vincing on its own terms, you maythink the trade-off worth it. HP’s Workshop, Issue 136

MBL 9011MONOBLOCKS$74,000mbl.comDriven by the MBL 6010 D pre-amp, the massive, super-power-ful, ultra-expensive MBL 9011monoblocks are superior by awide margin to any other solid-state and, frankly, to any othertube amps JV has auditionedpast or present. The ne plusultra of front-to-back trans-parency, low-level resolution,large- and small-scale dynam-ics, low-end extension, detail,authority (unbelievable!), andtreble speed, detail, and punch,the 9011s are also blessedwith gorgeous tone color and atop-to-bottom liquidity that JVhas never before experiencedwith transistors. The firstamplifiers JV has heard thatfully combine the signal vir tuesof solid-state amps (extension,resolution, speed, sock) withthose of triode tube amps (liq-uidity, rich timbres, and verylow-level harmonic and dynamicdetail), giving you nearly thewhole note of any instrument,from starting transient to (andthis is a first with solid-state)lingering decay.JV, review forthcoming



IntegratedAmplifiersUnder $1000

NAD C 320BEE $399 nadelectronics.comLike one of those amazing ten-dollar wines that leaves you won-dering “Why spend more?” the50W C 320BEE offers such astrong taste of the high end thatyou might be tempted to think itdoesn’t get any better than this.It does, of course, but you’ll haveto spend at least a grand beforethe difference is worth it. Alsonoteworthy is NAD’s C 370($699), which, though not quiteas refined as the 320BEE, is agreat choice for those who needmore power.Reviewed by WG, Issue 140

ROTEL RA 1062$699 rotel.com Don’t let this amp’s 60-watt ratingor modest price temper yourexpectations. It’s capable of tow-ering dynamics, spellbindingnuance, vivid transient attacks,and robust, tuneful bass, com-bined with an uncolored and sur-prisingly transparent sound that isthrilling to hear. Deficienciesinclude a reduction of dynamicscale, minor congestion duringcomplex passages, and a not-unpleasant gloss over high fre-quencies. None of this keeps the1062 from sounding remarkablylike AT’s reference amps, or fromdelivering a similarly engrossingmusical experience. Superior fin-ish and control flexibility, especial-ly at this price, add up to a trulysatisfying bargain.Reviewed by AT, Issue 149

JOLIDA JD-1000A $900jolida.comHigh-powered vacuum-tube poweramps can get very pricey, which

makes this $900 100Wpc tube-powered integrated amp thatmuch more of a pleasant sur-prise. Because of the extradynamic headroom it affords, theJD-1000A’s power comes in handyeven if you don’t listen at loudvolume levels. Sonically, theJolida combines the signaturesounds of two classic tubes: theEL-34 and the 6550. This ampblends the characteristicmidrange liquidity of great EL-34designs, with the punch, impact,and rock-solid bass performanceof the best 6550 designs. Reviewed by JD, AVg

MUSICAL FIDELITY X-150$999musicalfidelity.com Inside the almost shockingly com-pact chassis of the MusicalFidelity X-150 integrated amplifierbeats the heart of a 105Wpc lion.Judge this amp with your ears(not your eyes) and you’ll find itoffers natural clarity, plenty of res-olution, more power than you’dthink possible, and dynamics andtransient response that are spec-tacular. As our reviewer put it,“Every now and then, a piece ofgear comes along that doessomething so wonderful with themusic that you go bananas.”Note: The X-150 sells for less inthe U.S. than it does in its homecountry, Great Britain. Reviewed by SR, AVg

$1000–$2000

PRIMALUNA PROLOGUEONE$1095upscaleaudio.comThe sweet and affordableProLogue One features a 12AX7,12AU7, and a pair of EL-34s perchannel in a very simple circuit.In classic EL-34 style, theProLogue throws a very wide anddeep soundstage, and has a won-derful midrange without soundinggooey like a Dynaco Stereo 70 or

other vintage design. TheProLogue One is very neutral withlittle of its own signature.Reviewed by JD, Issue 151

NAIM NAIT 5I$1425naimusa.com Naim’s entry-level Nait 5i is a50Wpc integrated, apparentlystraightforward in circuitry. None ofthis prepares you for what this ampcan do with music. It gives eachinstrument a rich harmonic struc-ture, while preserving the claritythat’s on the recording. The Naitresolves the traditional tube versustransistor dilemma, while imposingrelatively modest tradeoffs on thelistener. Given its moderate poweroutput, this is not the ideal amplifi-er for big rooms or low-sensitivityspeakers. Otherwise, the Nait is notonly a great amplifier for the money,it is an outright great amplifier.Reviewed by Tom Martin, AVg

VINCENT SV-236 $1795vincentaudio.comThe well-built Vincent SV-236 inte-grated amplifier combines the bestof two worlds by providing a vacuum-tube front end driving a 100Wpcsolid-state power amplifier. Listenerswill appreciate the Vincent’s combi-nation of deep, powerful, authorita-tive solid-state bass (“bottomlessbottom end” is our reviewer’s term)with tube-fueled delicacy, shimmer-ing detail, and almost surround-likeimaging. There is so much realvalue here that some listeners havebeen known to guess the SV-236’sprice at four or five grand. Reviewed by Barry Willis, Issue 156

$2000–$3000

AYRE AX-7$2950ayre.com The AX-7 has all the hallmarks of theAyre sound, but scaled down in outputpower. This beautifully made integrat-ed has dimensionality, openness,image specificity, and transparencythat rival much more expensive sepa-rates. Don’t be put off by the modest60Wpc output rating; the AX-7 soundsrobust and has bass extension thatbelies its modest specification.Reviewed by RH, Issue 134

AUDIO RESEARCH VSI55$2995audioresearch.com The VSi55 serves up a richmidrange, combined with smooth—but never dull—treble, and with theright speakers (those with smoothlow-frequency impedance curves),its bass can be powerful and well-controlled. This amp also handlesdynamics with greater authoritythan its power rating would sug-gest, while conveying a sense ofthe musical whole. Build-quality isimpressive, with a retro/modernstyling. Avoid using with portedspeakers that have large imped-ance peaks in the bass (which canresult in a thick, bloated sound).The VSi55 also trades away someof the transparency you would hearthrough a good transistor amplifierin order to give you the natural,relaxed, “holistic” sound of tubes.Reviewed by TM, AVg

$3000 and Above

PLINIUS 9200$3695plinius.comThe 9200 is a thorough and time-ly re-imagining of the brilliant but



aging 8150/8200. Still compactin size, it pumps out a healthy200Wpc, and thanks to its strongClass A bias, the 9200 is sweeterand richer than ever. Even the all-new phonostage is quieter andmore dynamic. Sonics have devel-oped a beatufiful patina in the9200. Bass doesn’t sound asdarkly ominous or extended as inyears past, but control and defini-tion are strikingly improved. Amajor leap forward for a referenceintegrated at its price—and per-haps any price. Reviewed by NG, Issue 156

BAT VK-300X$3995–$5995 (depending onoptions)balanced.comAvailable in your choice of threedifferent preamp stages—solid-state, tube, or 6H30“SuperTube”—BAT’s VK-300X is agreat integrated amplifier.Although refinements occur witheach upgrade, its basic sound isairy, detailed, harmonically well-structured, and very immediate.And with 150W output, it will notonly drive pretty much any speak-er, but it will do so with dynamicauthority as well as agility. MusicEditor Bob Gendron’s reference.Reviewed by WG, Issue 138

CHORD CPM 2600$4500bluebirdmusic.comWhile the Chord does not havethe last molecule of “reach outand touch it” presence that agreat tube amplifier has, its intoxi-cating bass performance andlarge, well-defined soundstagehad our reviewer lost in themusic. Its smooth midrange andextended high-frequency response

aren’t fatiguing, even after hoursof listening. Reviewed by JD, Issue 152

YBA INTÉGRÉ PASSION $4650 ($4800 w/phono)audioplusservices.comElegant execution and jeweler-likeattention to detail—both insideand out—make this 100-watter atop-flight contender. Isolation ofthe internal components fromvibration contributes to the vividimaging, excellent resolution,transparency, and wide sound-stage. The Passion is competitivewith any integrated amplifier ofsimilar output near its price, anda high-quality remote control isalso included. Reviewed by NG, Issue 148

EDGE G3$4950edgeamps.comAlthough it lacks some of thetechnical refinements that makeEdge’s separates special, it’sremarkable how close this inte-grated design comes to thesound of those designs. At85Wpc, the G3 doesn’t have thetonal “darkness” and grain fre-quently heard from transistorgear. It’s quite neutral in balance,with a lack of electronic arti-facts—brightness, edginess,hash—that makes it unusuallyeasy to hear “into” the music. Reviewed by WG, Issue 152

VAC AVATAR SUPER$6500vac-amps.com This beautifully retro-lookingmodel delivers 80Wpc via a quar-tet of KT88 output tubes. Itssound throughout the midband issimply gorgeous, while the fre-quency edges are likewise lovelyand a touch romantic—seductive-ly soft and airy on top, with aroundness, warmth, and goodweight to the bottom end.Excellent spatial resolution, too,particularly in the depth depart-ment. Because it has identifiablesonic fingerprints and power limi-tations, this amp is not for every

listener or speaker, but its trans-parency and inherent musicalitywill win over many.Reviewed by WG, Issue 148

MUSICAL FIDELITY KW500$7000musicalfidelity.comArguably the most powerful inte-grated amplifier on earth, this500W tube/solid-state hybrid candrive just about any load you careto throw at it. The kW500 buildson the strengths of MusicalFidelity’s Tri-Vista 300, offeringgreater resolution and innerdetail, slightly better imaging,more expressive dynamics, andeven tighter and more extendedbass. It comes with a good(though modest) phonostage. Reviewed by CM, Issue 152

ASR EMITTER IIEXCLUSIVEMODEL 2005$25,900fanfareintl.comIn every respect, a triumph ofaudio design. It is a solid-stateunit that has no transistor“sound,” nor tube-like colorationsfor that matter. It doesn’t requirean input stage, having a sort-ofone in its battery-operated frontend. Its noise floor is so spectac-ularly low that analog and digitalcan be heard at their unmodulat-ed best, and its output devices(20, count ’em) provide seeminglyunlimited amounts of power, with-out ever crossing the line intohardness or distortion. But mostof all, the ASR is like unto magickin its ability to let you hear sodeeply into the soundfield thatyou’ll almost believe you are real-ly “there” with the music. HP’s Workshop, Issue 156

PreamplifiersUnder $1000

NAD C 162 $599nadelectronics.com Following other legendary NADperformers, the C 162 deliversplenty of resolution and three-dimensionality while—more impor-tantly—emphasizing the kind ofoverall musicality that draws outthe natural warmth and expres-siveness of instruments and voic-es. To get the most from it, trymatching it with the companion C272 amplifier via a set of PNFAudio Icon interconnects andSymphony speaker cables. Alsofeatures an astonishingly goodphonostage; some listeners maybuy it for that feature alone. Reviewed by CM, Issue 148

QUAD 99 AND QC-24$999 (each)iagamerica.com Along with a dandy mm and mcphonostage, the Quad 99 fea-tures a novel tilt control for tonecorrection that works like a charmwhen you need it—a solid middle-level performer lacking mostly theultimate transparency, liveliness,and dynamic openness of thevery best units. The all-tube QC-24 linestage is the least expen-sive to suggest that elusive quali-ty of “continuousness” in its pres-entation. The QC-24 has first-rateimaging in all dimensions, and alively, engaging, remarkably neu-tral presentation. Reviewed by PS, Issues 128 and 135

$1000–$2000

PRIMALUNA PROLOGUE 3$1295upscaleaudio.comThe vacuum tube-poweredProLogue 3 preamp makes anideal companion to PrimaLuna’sProLogue 5 tube power amp. Likethe power amp, the preamp com-bines traditional tube warmth andrichness with a clear, crisp, pre-



cise presentation reminiscent ofthe best solid-state designs.Bass, too, is taut and clear.Reviewed by SR, Issue 156

QUICKSILVER REMOTECONTROL LINESTAGE $1395quicksilveraudio.com Quicksilver’s remote-control tubelinestage delivers a great senseof weight and power as well as ahuge, 3-D soundstage; the trade-off is a dip in midrange presence. Reviewed by PS, Issue 138

AUDIO RESEARCH SP16L$1995audioresearch.comOutstanding dimensionality, richtonal color in the lower registers,and a huge soundstage character-ize this classic-sounding preamp.The review sample sounded a lit-tle forward and grainy in theupper midrange and lower treble,marring an otherwise superbsound. ARC suggests that thischaracter was caused by tubevariation, and is not intrinsic tothe unit. Reviewed by RH, Issue 144

CARY AUDIO SLP-308 $1999caryaudio.comWhile not the highest-resolutionmodel around, this linestagebathes instruments in a pleasantand very musical golden glow.Excellent textures, too, which bring

to all recordings that hard-to-definesense of life or lifelikeness that wehope for from our systems. Depthis quite good, but the third-dimen-sion seems to end rather abruptlyabout two-thirds of the way into theorchestra. Likewise, stage width isslightly sheered off, as are dynamicextremes. Reviewed by WG, Issue 154

$2000–$4000

ARTEMIS LABS LA-1$2850aydn.com One of three debut componentsfrom this fledgling company, this5687-based tube design digsdeep into the heart of the music.Beautiful without being overtlyromantic sounding, the LA-1 isexceptionally holographic, dynami-cally lively, tonally and texturallynatural, and, audiophile-speakaside, simply more musicallyengaging than most of the compe-tition in this range. Exciting stuff. Reviewed by WG, Issue 155

SUTHERLAND THE DIRECTOR$3000acousticsounds.comAn unusually lovely-sounding solid-stage linestage, The Director’scharacter is easygoing, sweet, andrather romantic. It has the thinnestlayer of solid-state opaqueness,and slightly pinches low-leveldynamic nuance, but the upperregisters are sweet and extended,the midrange warm, the sound-stage big and open, with excellentdepth, and the overall musicalpresentation quite expressive. Reviewed by WG, Issue 155

MERIDIAN G02$3295meridian-audio.com The G02 controller replaces itspredecessor, the 502, and fea-tures balanced dual-mono con-struction as well as a uniquedual-differential volume control.SK called it “effortless, refined,and absolutely gorgeous” whencombined with Meridian’s other GSeries gear, concluding, “thesemachines have class written inspades all over them.”Reviewed by SK, Issue 152

CLASSÉ DELTA CP-500$3500classeaudio.comElectronics have no right lookingthis sharp and sexy, but Classé’sDelta Series proves it can bedone. Clean, curvilinear goodlooks and a bright, touch-screenTFT display make the CP-500 oneof the most “able”-minded pre-amps out there—able as inadjustable, assignable, andrenamable. Sonics feature achocolate-like midbass, amidrange with almost tube-likewarmth, and an overall effortlessand relaxed quality. Thanks to alow noise floor, delicate innervoices unfold with a full range ofexpression.Reviewed by NG, Issue 154

$4000–$5000

CONRAD-JOHNSONPREMIER 18LS$4000conradjohnson.comC-J’s Premier 18LS is a remote-controlled solid-state linestagethat handles microdynamicchanges in musical energy with alifelike realism and the excite-ment of the best tube models.Also like tubes, it never sacrificessoundstage depth for width andhonors the music in a naturalway, without exaggerated detail. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 151

EDGE G2$4395 edgeamps.com Like its amps, Edge’s preampsare a different kind of solid-state—grain-free, open, neutralbut not cold, and not at all darkor grainy. The sound described iswith the G2 powered by its inter-nal gel batteries. When the G2 isdriven by AC, the sound is notice-ably drier, hashier, and less magi-cal. But given that the batteriesonly need charging once a week—and when you’re not listening criti-cally (or at all), they charge them-selves in the AC mode—this isnot a practical concern. Reviewed by WG, Issue 149

AESTHETIX CALYPSO$4500 musicalsurroundings.com The all-tube Calypso delivers mostof the performance of Aesthetix’two-box $13,000 Callistolinestage for about a third theprice. What’s more, the Calypsobenefits from Aesthetix’ second-generation styling, functionality, andindustrial design. Sonically, theCalypso is characterized by extreme-ly wide dynamics, with an effortless-ness in reproducing dynamic shad-ings along a continuum. Althoughthe treble is smooth and some-what laid-back, transparency anddetail resolution are first-rate.Noise floor is highly dependent ontube quality, which has been vari-able. Competes with themegabuck preamps. The Calypsois musically stunning and beauti-fully built.Reviewed by RH, Issue 151

MCINTOSH C46 & C2200$4600 and $4900mcintoshlabs.com Sonically and functionally a greatpreamplifier, the solid-state C46eschews the folly of minimalismin favor of a truly useful set ofcontrols and features, includingan eight-band equalizer that iseven up to correcting some room-related problems. It also has anexcellent phonostage. In day-to-



day use PS has never experi-enced a more pleasurable unit.McIntosh’s first new all-tube pre-amp in more than 40 years, theC2200 is a triumph that sportsa gallery of features (including agood phonostage) and classicMcIntosh sound. The midrangeis the most neutral PS hasheard in any tube unit, the bassresponse is equally fine, atonce firm yet natural, and thehighs are sweet, pure, andextended. If PS were to go backto tubes, this would be his refer-ence preamplifier. Reviewed by PS, Issue 147

$5000–$10,000

BAT VK-31SE $5495 (remote option adds$500, phono option adds $500)balanced.comNow equipped with BAT’sSUPER-PAK, a feature that dou-bles the power-supply capabilityover that of the earlier VK-30SE,the 31SE lends a slight empha-sis to the upper midrange but isotherwise a highly musical anddynamically nimble performer. Ithas musical detail, with lots ofair and harmonic color, goodstaging, and the ability to letthe music breathe. Requires along break-in period. Reviewed by WG, Issue 156

PASS LABS X1 $5900passlabs.com Remarkably similar in sound tothe $10,000 XO.2 (the main dif-ference is in the power supply),Pass Labs’ X1 has the kind ofnatural air and harmonic sweet-ness we normally associate withtubes as well as superb deepbass, overall neutrality, and gooddynamic contrasts. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 128

HOVLAND HP-100$6500 (with mc phonostage)hovlandcompany.com The Hovland HP-100 captures the

essential “rightness” of musicwithout sounding nearly as “hi-fi”as most of its competition. It isnot, in longer-term listening, diffi-cult to hear its flaws, but the HP-100 reminds us just how clinical,ultimately, almost all componentssound, and does so by soundingas “unclinical” as anything HPhas heard. Reviewed by PB, Issue 131; HP’s

Workshop, Issues 131 and 137

TOM EVANS VIBE &PULSE$8600 ($4600 and $4000)tomevansaudiodesign-usa.comThis is a solid-state unit from thesame man who gave us the strik-ing and unusually impressive tran-sistorized phonostage called TheGroove (now available in anupdated version). And this one isa honey. The first thing that maystrike you is the darkness of itsoverall character. But its ability toreproduce music in a most satis-fying way overrides resistance tothis effect. It sounds like music,even if it doesn’t have all the fili-gree nuances of reference units. HP’s Workshop, Issue 153

AESTHETIX CALLISTOMKII & MKII SIGNATURE$9000 and $11,000musicalsurroundings.comBig, airy, and open, the three-boxAesthetix Callisto Signaturelinestage is far more neutral andextended than the fabled 12AX7preamps of yore, with simply phe-nomenal inner detail, vast sound-staging, and a dynamic and har-monic bloom that seems to bringevery kind of music to vivid life.Arguably the best all-tube preampon the market. Note: For all itsmany sonic virtues, the Aesthetix israther noisy and aggravatingly prone

to blowing fuses on start-up. JV’sreference tube linestage preamp. Reviewed by JV, Issue 143

BALANCED AUDIOTECHNOLOGY VK-51SE$9000 (with remote option)balanced.com BAT’s VK-51SE is as fully featuredas linestages come, and uses the6H30 “Super Tube” to deliversuper sound. The big BAT hasunlimited dynamic swing at all vol-ume levels, and never loses it nomatter how loud you crank it. Interms of how it compares to thecompetition, if ARC is a little onthe lively side of neutral, the BATis just on the softer side, withconsiderable depth and texture,without actually being dark.Reviewed by SB, Issue 143

$10,000 and Above

EDGE SIGNATURE 1.1$10,900edgeamp.com

Unusual because it can be pow-ered by either batteries or AC, theEdge—when powered by batter-ies, please note—has a glorioustop end, a rich middle register, awonderfully complex harmonicstructure, and delivers plenty ofambient information. What itlacks is vocal body, low-frequencypunch, and the last word indynamic wallop. HP’s Workshop, Issue 137

CONRAD-JOHNSON ACT II$13,500conradjohnson.comThe now discontinued ART II wasHPs reference in linestages

because it most closely followedthe gestalt of the music itself. Itsreplacement model, the ACT II,will be reviewed in HP’s upcominglinestage assessment.

BURMESTER 011$15,995immediasound.com Originally intended as a phono-stage, this latest in the line ofmusically truthful solid-state elec-tronics from Burmester seems tome to sonically surpass the top-of-the-line 808 preamplifiers.HP, review forthcoming

MBL 6010 D$18,920mbl.comIn many ways, the MBL 6010 D isnot just the best solid-state pre-amp, it is the best preamp JV hasauditioned. Its noise floor is soincredibly low that it consistentlyresolves fine harmonic anddynamic details that simply aren’taudible on other very fine pre-amps. At the same time its tran-sient speed and authority arebeyond compare. (The thing is ina class of its own when it comesto the bottom octaves—and thetop ones.) To ice the cake, it hasabsolutely gorgeous tone color,the same liquidity and transparen-cy that so distinguish MBL’s 9010amps, excellent imaging andsoundstaging (though JV hasheard its superior in stage width),nonpareil ambience retrieval, andthe kind of living presence thatcan make instruments and vocal-ists sound “there.” There was atime when JV thought tubesowned low-level resolution, partic-ularly with instrumental decays.The 6010 D has shown him thatthat time has come and gone. JV, review forthcoming



PhonostagesUnder $2000

GRAM AMP 2 SE$399 elexatelier.com This stripped-down little buggerhas a sweet, mellow sound, andvery low noise and perceived dis-tortion. It’s strictly for movingmagnets and high-output movingcoils. The sound is a little veiled(though remarkably grain-free),and, while not the last word inwide dynamics, has astonishingcomposure and musical integrity. Reviewed by PS, Issue 134

GRADO PH-1$500gradolabs.comThe wood-bodied PH-1 is a versa-tile unit that works equally wellwith high- and low-output car-tridges. Though it is susceptibleto environmental noise, the soundis open and easy, with an expan-sive soundstage, natural highs,and bass that has texture, tonalrefinement, and power. Reviewed by WG, Issue 141

PHONOMENA $600 musicalsurroundings.com An Apollonian grace, poise, lownoise, and neutrality characterizethis excellent unit, which includesoptions for fine-tuning the loadingand gain of both moving coils andmoving magnets. Add the externalpower supply for even lower noise

and distortion, and greater trans-parency. Some listeners may wantmore dynamic “punch” and per-sonality, but this is hard to beatfor low coloration. Add $600 forBPS power supply. Reviewed by PS, Issue 133

LEHMANN BLACK CUBE$695audioadvancements.com This much-praised model nowcomes with a much beefier powersupply. Otherwise, featuresremain the same, includingswitchable mm/mc and limitedoptions for loading. Now reallywowie-zowie in the dynamicsdepartment, with imaging so sta-ble you could map out eachinstrument. Bass is ample andarticulate; transparency is verygood. Principal reservation: a cer-tain “whiteness” that translatesinto a mild dryness. Reviewed by PS, Issue 133

BENZ LUKASCHEK PP-1$1350musicalsurroundings.com A solid-state, miniaturized hide-away box powered by a wall trans-former. External AC plus short sig-nal path yields very wide dynamicsand space retrieval with a comfort-ing middle-of-the-road sonic bal-ance and airy bloom much likethat of the Benz Ruby 2 cartridge,if a little darker. Warmth isenhanced by 22k input impedance. Reviewed by Arthur S. Pfeffer, Issue 127

$3000–$6000

SUTHERLAND PHD$3000acousticsounds.com Ron Sutherland’s battery-pow-ered PhD is so quiet that it

takes awhile to get used to itssound. Once you’ve adjusted,expect to hear “into” yourrecords in a way unlike before.Beyond its silence, the PhD hasa tube-like liquidity, terrific detail,wonderful dynamic nuance, andremarkable transparency.Reviewed by WG, Issue 144

ARTEMIS LABS PL-1$3350aydn.comLike its companion linestage, thePL-1 is a tube-driven phonostagedelivering exquisitely musical andlifelike sound. Record after recordleft our editor with that “as ifhearing it for the first time” feel-ing. Beautifully balanced, with lownoise and a great range of tonecolors, the PL-1 is also dynamical-ly explosive and very transparent.A terrific achievement from ayoung company.Reviewed by WG, Issue 155

AESTHETIX RHEA$4000 musicalsurroundings.com As with Aesthetix’ matchingCalypso linestage, the Rheaphono preamplifier redefineswhat’s possible at this price levelnot only sonically, but functionally.With three inputs, variable car-tridge loading—adjustable at thelistening chair via remote con-trol—and front-panel display ofgain and loading, the Rhea is theSwiss Army Knife of phonostages.Although the Rhea has tons ofgain, the noise level is extremelylow, making it compatible with awide range of cartridge outputs.The Rhea’s family resemblance tothe Calypso is unmistakable: tran-sient quickness and speed with-out etch, a feeling of effortless-ness on crescendos, and a deep,layered soundstage that main-tains its depth at the left and

right edges rather than soundingtriangular. Fine build-quality andoutstanding ergonomics are theicing on the cake. Reviewed by RH, Issue 151

ASR BASIS EXCLUSIVE$5950fanfareintl.comIn its latest revised version, thisbattery-operated phonostage setsthe standards against which allother contenders must be judged.(And the competition in ourupcoming report is stiff, especial-ly from Tom Evans Designs andthe folks at Aesthetix, whose Io isa wow-O).HP, survey in the works

$6000 and Above

LAMM LP 2 DELUXE$6990lammindustries.comWith a superb built-in couplingtransformer to handle lower-out-put moving coils, the all-tubeLamm LP2 phonostage has theinestimable advantage of beingdead quiet, which makes it idealfor folks, like JV, who live in RFValley. Though not as “alive” orbloomy as the Aesthetix Io onlarge-scale dynamics, the Lammis rich, beautiful, and extraordinar-ily delicate-sounding on all music,with detail, transient response,and soundstaging that are superi-or to the competition. Be fore-warned: This preamp takes agood deal of break-in before itsounds its considerable best, butits best is well worth the wait.One of JV’s references. JV, review forthcoming

AESTHETIX IO MKII ANDMKII SIGNATURE$6500 without volume control;$9000 with volume control;$9000 for Signature without volume control, $11,500 forSignature with volume controlmusicalsurroundings.com Phono fanatics with both spaceand cash will want to audition this24-tube, two (large) chassis beau-ty. Yes, it eats shelf space; yes, itthrows a lot of heat; and yes, it isas good as it gets. Exquisitedynamic contrasts? Check. Aneasy, relaxed presentation?Check. Headroom to spare?



Check. A glorious midrange, excel-lent bottom octave, and full rendi-tion of instrumental body? Triple-check. The highs aren’t as airy orextended as some, but they arenatural and non-fatiguing. One ofJV’s references. Reviewed by Don Saltzman, Issue

121 and by JV, Issue 143

MANLEY STEELHEAD$7300manleylabs.comThe Steelhead should be countedas one of the great phonostages,and its extraordinary set of fea-tures makes it a vinyl-tweaker’sfantasy rig. Driven by an outboardsolid-state power supply, the mainchassis houses six tubes, twomoving-coil and moving-magnetinputs, fixed and variable inputs,and a bevy of front-panel controlsthat include adjustable gain, vol-ume, selectable impedance formm and mc, and selectablecapacitance loading from zero to1100 picofarads in 10 picofaradsteps. The sound is superb—richbut not fat, detailed yet natural,extended, controlled, and highlyinvolving. Plus, it has the huevosto drive an amp directly. Reviewed by WG, Issue 152

ZANDEN AUDIO MODEL1200 PHONOSTAGE$14,500avantgarde-usa.comA beautiful and beautifully madeJapanese tube phonostage that isnot as punchy as the Aesthetix Ioor as detailed as the Lamm LP2,but compensates by supplyingmore air between and amonginstrumentalists—and more bodyto the instruments they play—than any piece of high-end gear ofany kind JV has heard. With its

truly nonpareil three-dimension-al imaging and soundstaging,and the same ease, edgeless-ness, and gorgeous tone colorof The Messenger, the Zandensimply doesn’t sound like hi-fi.Like the FM Acoustics phonos-tages, the Zanden offers alter-native compensation curves fordiscs not eq’d to the RIAA stan-dard (i.e., Deccas, EMIs, andearly Columbias). Like theLamm, it is dead quiet. JV, review forthcoming

Digital SourcesUnder $1000

CAMBRIDGE AZUR 540D$399audioplusservices.comThis versatile player offers equalstrengths for both music and filmplayback. As a CD player, theAzur’s performance rivals that ofthe more expensive NAD C 542,with a relaxed, self-assured soundthat is surprisingly three-dimen-sional and reveals the cushion ofair around instruments. But theAzur really comes alive on DVD-Audio material, offering sound socompelling that our reviewerwrote, “I could see buying the540D for this capability alone.” Reviewed by JH, Issue 155

NAD C 542$500nadelectronics.com NAD’s C 542 delivers a warm,easy, and open sound, though itis slightly rough around the edgesand a bit forward in perspective.Given the NAD’s overall musicalityand superb value, these flaws arehardly a distraction. Reviewed by WG, Issue 137

DENON DVD-2910$679 denon.com Denon’s DVD-2200 universal play-er is a remarkable value. It hasno major weaknesses with any

format and is a particular stand-out with CDs and DVD-Audio/Video. All in all, the DVD-2200’sperformance is so good that itmakes much more expensivemass-market flagship universalplayers a difficult sell. SB

ROTEL RCD-1072$699 rotel.com With the CD-only RCD-1072, Rotelcouples landmark performancewith remarkable affordability,while avoiding the mediocrity oftoday’s combi-players. The 1072delivers superb tonal accuracy,frequency extension, imaging,and rhythmic swing. Low digitalnoise artifacts allow music toemerge from a silent back-ground. Compared to the best, ithas less resolution and slightlypolite dynamics. Reviewed by AT, Issue 147

REGA PLANET 2000$995rega.co.uk The Planet 2000 preserves muchof the original model’s warmthand natural voicing, but offers aneven more neutral spectral bal-ance, greater resolving power, andmuch better soundstaging. Whenyou look to climb above thePlanet 2000, performanceimprovements start to taper offwhile prices soar.Reviewed by CM, AVg

MUSICAL FIDELITY X-RAY V3$999musicalfidelity.comIllustrating just how far affordabledigital technology has come, thisgem combines upsampling with24-bit DACs, has very low jitter anddistortion, and maintains outstand-

ing linearity. Most notably, the V3avoids the upper-midrange glassi-ness and edge of some upsam-pling and high-resolution digitalunits. Its sound offers a blend ofengaging musicality, outstandingclarity and quickness, low distor-tion, and 3-D soundstaging. Reviewed by JH, AVg

$1000–$2000

SONY DVP-NS999ES$1199 sony.com Though not as beefy as its imme-diate predecessor (the DVP-9000ES), Sony’s DVP-NS999ESremains an excellent performer.With newly added multichannelSACD capability, only higher-pricedSACD-only players outperform it. Reviewed by SB, TPV 46

QUAD 99-CDP$1499iagamerica.com Free from electronic artifacts—digital ones too—the 99-CDP’spresentation is lively and vital, bigand powerful. Grain-free, it’s alsocapable of warmth, richness, anddelicacy. Unlike the original Series99 player, the 99-CDP can beused with components other thanQuad’s 99 stack. One nice fea-ture is the high-quality built-in vol-ume control, which means that ifCD is your only medium, you candrive the power amp directly, thussaving on a preamp. Reviewed by PS, Issue 143

REGA JUPITER$1795rega.co.uk Rega’s Jupiter is a highly musical



player that sacrifices the widestdynamic contrasts and ultimate reso-lution for the ability to “present thedifferent elements in a musical per-formance with their interrelationshipsintact.” A top-loader, the Jupiterrequires some space above it. Reviewed by Roy Gregory, Issue 135

SIM MOON EQUINOX$1995simaudio.com The Equinox is a welcome relieffrom the clinical sound still heardfrom many digital sources. Itswarm, natural presentationrestores the feeling of dimensional-ity and openness that for many ofus went AWOL when our LP collec-tion went in the attic. Though it isslightly darker than some players,its lack of constriction breathesnew life into a format that contin-ues to improve. Excellent build-quality rounds out the package. Reviewed by NG, Issue 149

$2000–$3000

MUSICAL FIDELITY A5$2500musicalfidelity.comLast year, Musical Fidelity’s $6500Tri-Vista SACD player impressed uswith terrific sound quality. The newA5 CD player, complete with vacu-um-tube output stages, representsan attempt to deliver equivalentsound at a much lower price. Itsucceeds. The A5’s greateststrengths “are in the overall ‘bal-ance’ of the sound in all kinds ofmusic, and an almost indescrib-able excitement in transients andin dynamic details.”Reviewed by SR, Issue 155

AYRE CX-7 $2950ayre.com The Ayre CX-7 is a minimalist

design with great attention lav-ished on the power supply andanalog output circuitry. Highlyinvolving, the Ayre brings an unusu-al sense of rhythmic rightness toall music, with deep, defined bass,excellent dynamics, three-dimen-sionality, and tonal accuracy. Reviewed by SK, Issue 141

ARCAM FMJ DV29$2999audiophilesystems.com Like the earlier FMJ DV27A, this“Full Metal Jacket” player offersperformance that’s nearly as goodas it gets with all formats. TheDV29 is the best-sounding Arcamplayer yet, with inner detail andresolution on CD and DVD-A thateven the 27 can’t match. Reviewed by SB, TPV Issue 60

$3000–$5000

MARANTZ SA-11S1 $3499marantz.comWho says you have to spendfive figures to get terrific soundfrom both CD and SACD? TheMarantz SA-11S1 is squarelyaimed at the purist music lover,eschewing DVD-Video playback,multichannel capability, andmulti-disc universal compatibilityin favor of all-out sonic perform-ance on CD and two-channelSACD. On CD, the sound qualityrivaled that of megabuck out-board D/A converters, with anextremely clean and puremidrange and treble, deep andlayered soundstage, and goodresolution of musical detail.Gorgeous cosmetics and fabu-lous build-quality.Reviewed by RH, Issue 152

CLASSÉ DELTA CDP-100$3500classeaudio.comAnother Classé tour de “source,”the CDP-100 combines the sen-suous design elegance of theTFT touch-screen-equipped CP-500 with solid but mellow PCMperformance that never fails toflatter the music. Textures arevelvety smooth, with terrific fluid-ity across the tonal spectrum.Although less forward than someand a little light in the bass, itshares a high musicality andbuild-factor that almost seam-lessly match up with the otherDelta electronics.Reviewed by NG, Issue 154

SIMAUDIO MOONSTELLAR$3995 simaudio.com SimAudio’s Stellar is built likethe Bismarck and is competitivewith dedicated CD players in itsprice range. Though its sound ishighly resolved, with excellentextension at the frequencyextremes, its midrange is on theforward side. The Stellar is alsoan excellent DVD-Video playerwith striking image depth. Whilethere are no quibbles with itsperformance, a question ofvalue does arise, as competi-tors from Arcam and others giveup no ground in performanceand offer DVD-A and/or SACDplayback, to boot. Reviewed by SB, TPV Issue 47

MERIDIAN G08CD$4395meridian-usa.comThe G08 replaces the popular 588and is built around a computer-style CD/DVD-ROM drive capableof spinning the disc much fasterthan needed for standard CD oper-ation. According to Meridian, thisallows for multiple high-speed re-reads, providing ten times the

error-correction rate of a conven-tional CD player. Once the data isrecovered, Delta/Sigma convertersupsample the digital signal to 24-bit/176.4kHz. As with the rest of theG-Series, the sound is effortless,refined, and gorgeous.Reviewed by SK, Issue 152

PLINIUS CD-101$4495plinius.comThe CD-101 is a reference-qualityproduct in minimalist chic cloth-ing—a lavish musical performerand attention-grabber with driveand pace to burn. Its hyper-detail-ing, speed, and low noise floorsuggest a slightly cooler personali-ty, but the lack of edginess sug-gests new heights of resolutionand a reduction in distortion.Lacking a numeric display, thelethargic track navigation (via pul-sating pin lights) takes a few spinsto acclimate to. Includes balancedand single-ended outputs. Massivemachined remote control couldeasily be a lethal weapon.Reviewed by NG, Issue 156

ACCUPHASE DP-57$4900accuphase.comA low-level resolution and detailchamp, the DP-57 has one of thesweetest treble ranges NG hasheard in this price range. Add tothat reference-quality soundstag-ing and ambience retrieval, andthe DP-57 becomes a superiorplayback source—with even high-er marks for classical music afi-cionados. Perhaps a little relaxedfor hard rock while light in thebass and softer on transientsthan some, it still remains a classleader in finesse and refinement.Exceptionally fast transport andsearch functions. Balanced andsingle-ended outputs. Reviewed by NG in this issue



BLUENOTE STIBBERT $4900fanfareintl.comAn Italian import that gives theLector (another Italian import) a gen-uine run for the money. It isn’t ascolored, indeed, once warmed up, itis just shy of the purely neutral, witha hint of tube coloration. But it hassome dynamic limitations.HP, review forthcoming

$5000–$10,000

AYRE C-5XE UNIVERSALPLAYER$5950ayre.comServing music lovers by eschew-ing video playback and multichan-nel audio, Ayre has established ahigh-water mark for multi-formatplayers. The C5 is not only con-sistent across all formats—itexcels across all (stereo) formatsby performing at or very near thecurrent state-of-the-art. Reviewed by SB, Issue 156

LECTOR DIGIDRIVE &DIGICODE 2.24 $8680 ($4290 and $4390)fanfareintl.comA bit on the dark side in terms ofcoloration, and most sensitive toacoustic breakthrough (as are allthe inexpensive CD and comboplayers of our experience), whichmakes itself manifest as a “plum-my” midbass. But it sounds like

music, first and foremost, and ata price not stratospheric in termsof high-end CD playback systems.Quantities are in short supply. HP, review forthcoming

$10,000 and Above

THETA GENERATION VIII DAC$10,000thetadigital.com Nearly 20 years ago, Theta built abusiness around developing supe-rior-sounding digital-to-analog con-verters. The new Generation VIIIdigital processor is the latest in along line of great products. TheGen VIII has every input and fea-ture imaginable, along with anarchitecture that permitsupgrades to new digital stan-dards. Theta’s digital processorshave always excelled in threeareas: bass depth and power,soundstaging, and dynamics. TheGen VIII carries on that tradition,with a center-of-the-earth bottomend that establishes a solid rhyth-mic and tonal foundation for themusic. Bass-guitar lines simplypurr through the Gen VIII. Thisnew DAC is, however, somewhatof a departure from Theta’s“house sound” in that the GenVIII has a sweeter treble and anoverall softer presentation thatfosters a greater intimacy withthe music. The Gen VIII is easilyTheta’s best effort, and a con-tender for state-of-the-art in digitalplayback at any price. RH, review forthcoming

EMM LABS CDSDTRANSPORT & DAC6E $19,400 ($7900 and $11,500) onahighernote.comThe first professional-grade SACDdeck from the man, Ed Meitner,who single-handedly gave the mul-tichannel DSD system high-endrespectability. It’s beautiful tolook at, and a light-year’s leap for-ward over the Meitner-modifiedPhilips 1000 player that precededit. At its best, it sounds like ana-

log, only with wider dynamics andvisceral impact, and is as cleanas a whistle and completelyuncolored. Essential. HP’s Workshop Issues 141, 142, 145,

and 152

MERIDIAN 800 CD/DVDAUDIO PLAYER$19,950–$22,500meridian-audio.com This flagship product is the currentstate-of-the-art in DVD-Audio play-back. If you want to hear DVD-Audio at its best, look no furtherthan the 800. In addition, the 800is a world-class CD player. Modularcard-cage construction allows cus-tom configuration and upgrades. Areference-quality product.Reviewed by RH, Issue 145

JADIS JD1 PRO MKIITRANSPORT AND JS1MKIII DAC$40,000 ($25,000 and $15,000)pierregabriel.comThe price is ionospheric. And soare the sonic thrills this tubedFrench import can provide. Wehave had some mechanical prob-lems with the drive mechanism,but assuming they are corrected,this may be the player to beat. HP, review forthcoming

MBL 1621 A CDTRANSPORT AND 1611 EDIGITAL-TO-ANALOGCONVERTER$42,510 ($21,010 and $21,500)mbl.comIf you’re heavily invested in RedBook CD, you may not know howgood it can get until you auditionthis pricey-but-worth-it transportand DAC from MBL. If there is bet-ter CD playback, JV hasn’t heardit—and he’s heard and reviewedsome mighty fine CD and SACDplayers. It isn’t just the magicallevel of musical detail—much of itpreviously unheard—that thiscombo is capable of eliciting fromsilver disc, nor its unusually life-like timbres, nor the unparalleledextension, definition, and slam of

its bass. It is the MBLs’ overallgestalt—the analog-like taste ofdimensionality and solidity that itadds to virtually every CD—thattruly astonishes. No, the1621/1611 isn’t a Walkerturntable; it is darker, less deli-cately detailed, airy, bloomy, and3-D than great analog playback.That said, it comes as close toLP’s virtues as any CD player JVhas had in his system, with thebonuses of CD’s superior bass,sea-swell large-scale dynamics,lightning transients, and often-astonishing clarity. JV

Turntables

Under $1000

MUSIC HALL MMF-2.1LEW/TRACKER CARTRIDGE$349 musichallaudio.com This affordable model still incor-porates many of the high-qualitycomponents used on Music Hall’shigher-end ’tables. It retains therich, powerful, and palpable soundquality that makes analog muchmore than audiophiles’ preferredmusic source. The MMF is a sim-ple, belt-driven, two-speed unitthat comes assembled with every-thing the aspiring analog loverneeds to start listening. Reviewed by Thuus Thompson, AVg

MUSIC HALL MMF-5W/GOLDRING 1012GXCARTRIDGE$629 musichallaudio.comMusic Hall’s integrated turntablepackage provides the LP loverwith a warm, musically engaging,and affordable vinyl playback solu-tion. Its bass isn’t the mostdefined, and it’s a bit forward in



the upper midrange, but the MusicHall is an outstanding value. Reviewed by Stephan Harrell, Issue 135

REGA P3$695 soundorg.com Rega’s newest-edition P3 includesrefinements to the base andmotor-mounting assembly for asound that has more air anddetail, better imaging, and lowernoise than earlier versions.Comes equipped with the RB300arm and is available in a rainbowof colors.Reviewed by David Morrell, Issue 127

$1000–$2000

CLEARAUDIO EMOTION/SATISFY$1000musicalsurroundings.com Following Clearaudio’s pattern,the Emotion sports an acrylicplinth, high-quality bearing assem-bly, and matte acrylic platter,which is belt-driven by a decou-pled synchronous motor. TheSatisfy arm is a gimbaled-bearingdesign whose minimalist, one-boltcartridge carrier makes alignmenta snap. It offers a dynamicallylively and engaging presentation,conveys bass with power andspeed, and works well with anynumber of cartridges. Reviewed by CM, AVg

REGA P5$1295soundorg.comWhen paired with Rega’s Exactphono cartridge, this ’table pro-duced a highly musical sound thatJH preferred to most digital players,regardless of price. The P5 is a low-vibration/low-coloration design that“is as close to a ‘set it and forgetit’ analog front-end as you’re likelyto find,” and “the absence of‘groove noise’ is astonishing.” Reviewed by JH, AVg

ROKSAN RADIUS 5$1495mayaudio.com The Radius 5’s strength is itsrhythmic drive. This model is com-pelling, powerful, and well paced,with good presence and sharp

transients. What it lacks is theability to retrieve the finest detailand the trailing edges of notes. Reviewed by SH, Issue 144

PRO-JECT RM-9$1499sumikoaudio.net With features usually found onmore expensive models—a gim-bal-bearing carbon-fiber arm—Pro-Ject’s flagship handles a widevariety of material with trans-parency, liveliness, natural tonalbalance, and a rhythmic precisionthat suggests that elusive senseof involvement. Very good per-formance as delivered, but placeit on top of one of Townshend’sSeismic sinks—recommend bySumiko, the RM-9’s importer—and the performance easily rivalsunits twice the price. Solidly rec-ommended without the Sink; high-ly recommended with it. Reviewed by PS, Issue 148

VPI ARIES SCOUTW/JMW-9$1600vpiindustries.com If you want to experience a hugetaste of analog heaven withoutthe hellish price tag, the VPI AriesScout deserves your attention.This simple, affordable ’tableuses an inverted bearing with aTeflon thrust plate and a scaled-

down version of the JMW unipivotarm to create an exceptionallyquiet background and high signal-to-noise ratio, so music leaps outof silence into the room. It’s asnap to set up, but since theScout lacks a suspension westrongly recommend some kind ofrack or base that will isolate itfrom offending vibration. Reviewed by SM, AVg

$2000–$5000

BASIS 1400 SIGNATURE

$2200basisaudio.comClean, lively, and nimble, theBasis 1400 lacks the greatauthority, deep black back-grounds, and projection of sizeand scale of the really greatturntables. But this combinationproves eminently satisfying anddoesn’t leave you hankering forsomething else. Reviewed by PS, Issues 132 and 140

LINN SONDEK LP12$2400 (turntable only)linninc.comThe original high-end turntable,Linn’s LP12 conveys the rhythmand pace that are the very foun-dations of music, and it gets bet-ter with age—owners of any vin-tage LP12 can upgrade to the cur-rent model. Recommended Systems, Issue 136

VPI ARIES BLACK KNIGHT$2800vpiindustries.comFor those who covet VPI’s $5500Super Scoutmaster Signature’table and arm (see below) butaren’t prepared to spend thatmuch, check out the Aries Black

Knight/JMW9 combo. Unlike eitherthe regular or Super Scoutmaster’tables, the Black Knight providesa removable arm board—givingyou the option of trying out non-VPI arms if you wish—and offers alarger footprint that can accommo-date both 9" and 10" arms. TheSteinway-like piano-black finish isdrop-dead gorgeous. Recommendation based on staff

experience with the Aries range

NOTTINGHAM ANALOGUESYSTEMS SPACE DECK & ACE SPACE ARM $2999 audiophilesystems.com From its ultra-quiet backdrop toits mastery of pace and space,explosive and agile dynamics, har-monic integrity, tonal continuity,saturated images, and deep yetnimble bass, this combo won SHover. Not the last word in upperfrequency extension, but soengaging the reviewer bought thereview sample. Reviewed by SH, Issue 138

$5000–$10,000

CLEARAUDIO MASTERSOLUTION AMG $5000 musicalsurroundings.com The essential sound of thisClearaudio model is, well, clear,with a fine sense of quicknessand transient speed. This acrylicand stainless-steel beauty willaccept up to three arms, andelicits good detail, high frequen-cy extension, air, and rhythmicpulse from LPs. It leans a bittoward the lighter side, though,and benefits from the optional



Outer Limit ($900), a hefty ringthat heightens the platter’s fly-wheel effect and doubles as awarp-flattening device. Reviewed by WG, Issue 156

VPI SUPERSCOUTMASTERSIGNATURE$5500vpiindustries.com In its latest revision, TheScoutmaster has a new pickuparm, made of both steel and alu-minum, the combination inter-leaved in an effort to cancel outordinary arm resonances. Also,the entire assemblage is nowwired with Nordost interconnects.A steal considering its perform-ance. You can spend more, per-haps, but the improvements you’llget will be, at best, marginal. HP’supdated look to come. HP’s Workshop, Issues 151 and 153

SOTA COSMOS SERIES III$5950sotaturntables.com This classic turntable boastssuperior tonal neutrality, sound-staging, background silence, andisolation. Virtually any tonearmthat weighs less than 2.5 poundscan be accommodated for optimalperformance, while the massivesuspended subassembly rendersthe Cosmos essentially immuneto any form of structural-bornefeedback. A vacuum hold-downsystem eliminates warps whilebinding the record to the platterfar more intimately than anyclamp or ring. Reviewed by PS, Issue 145

WELL-TEMPERED LABREFERENCE II TURNTABLEAND TONEARM$6578welltemperedlab.com This belt-driven turntable(equipped with the “trapeze-like”Well-Tempered arm) is as rich-sounding as the best, and aslong-term listenable. All it lacks is

a little dynamic oomph, a littleopenness in the top treble, and alittle detail in comparison to thetop arms and ’tables.Reviewed by REG, Issue 142

SME MODEL 10A$7999sumikoaudio.net This magnificent integratedturntable is one of those rareproducts with that difficult-to-define sense of rightness. Thearm is SME’s excellent 309, theplatter/mat/clamping systemrivals some vacuum hold-downs,and the sound has extraordinarystability, control, definition,dynamics, and detail, sacrificingonly that last degree of blacknessof background and size and scalethat larger, heavier turntablesseem to command. Reviewed by PS, Issue 129

$10,000 and Above

CLEARAUDIO MAXIMUMSOLUTION TURNTABLE$10,000 musicalsurroundings.com Second only to Clearaudio’sMaster Reference turntable, theMaximum Solution is essentially afully tricked-out version of thebasic Solution. One can start withthe basic Solution and upgrade tovarious levels culminating in theMaster Solution. The MaximumSolution is startling in its deepblack background, complete lackof low-frequency noise, and appar-ent ability to reduce LP surfacenoise. The result is LP playbackin which the music emerges froma digital-like silence. Dynamicsare stunning, as are clarity anddefinition through the midband. Agreat turntable. RH

REDPOINT MODEL B$11,000redpoint-audio-design.comThis great and massive three-piece, lead-shot and silicone-damped ’table (it has separate

arm and motor pods) delivers avery low noise floor, a spectacularsense of space and dimensionali-ty, the feeling of near-limitlessdynamic power, remarkabledegrees of detail (not for detail’ssake but simply as a part of themusical fabric that had previouslybeen obscured), and a terrific top-to-bottom balance.Reviewed by WG, Issue 156

SME MODEL 20/2$12,499sumikoaudio.net SME has deliberately designed thetweaking out of its turntables, andthis middle-of-the-top-range modelis a beautiful example of the SMEapproach. Although some haveaccused it of being over-built, this’table and arm are masterpiecesof industrial engineering anddesign, with a greater degree ofcontrol over the playing of LPsthan any others PS has used. Reviewed by PS, Issue 140

BASIS DEBUT SIGNATURE$15,900basisaudio.comThis beautifully made vacuumhold-down turntable from A.J.Conti gives up little to the verybest. All it lacks in comparison isa touch of weight and authority inthe bottom octaves, some stagewidth and depth, and a bit ofoverall smoothness and dynamiclife. Detailed, authoritative, andrich in tone color, the Basis com-bines extremely well with theGraham 2.2 unipivot tonearm andConti’s own Vector arm. Debut V Reviewed by JV, Issue 132

SME MODEL 30/2$29,999sumikoaudio.netMounted with the SME Series IV.Viarm, PS praised the 30/2’s tonalneutrality, pitch accuracy, resolu-tion, transparency, rhythmic grip,ambience, low coloration, andsoundstaging, concluding, “Butwhat specifically accounts for thespecial effect this turntable

seems to have on even themost jaded listeners lies inthree related areas of sonicperformance: backgroundsilence, dynamics, and that elu-sive impression of liveliness,vitality, and whatever terms youuse to describe that sense ofinvolvement that persuades youthe music has come alive inyour living room.” Reviewed by PS, Issue 154

WALKER PROSCENIUMGOLD TURNTABLE ANDTONEARM $32,500 walkeraudio.comThe massive (350-pound) WalkerProscenium Gold Signatureturntable/tonearm transformsmany of the smartest ideas fromturntables and ’arms past into acontemporary work of audio artthat not only sounds fantastic butlooks fantastic, too. A snap toadjust and use, the Walker bringsout the best from any LP. You can-not find a more detailed, spacious,dynamic, or beautiful-soundingrecord player. The best sourcecomponent JV has heard—and themost reliable. In four years of dailyplay, the Walker has had exactlyzero problems. None, nada, zip. Allit does is make music. Reviewed by JV, Issue 139

Tonearms Under $1000

REGA RB300$395 soundorg.com Turntable manufacturers whodon’t build their own arms fre-



quently package their models withRega’s terrific-sounding andaffordable RB300. Musically com-pelling, with excellent balanceand good detail, if not the finalword in any one category. Reviewed by DM, Issue 127

$1000–$2000

SME 309$1799 sumikoaudio.net A black tapered titanium beauty,the 309 is a rarity in today’s high-performance models—an armwith a removable head shell foreasier cartridge swapping. Alsosee SME Model 10A, above. PS

$2000–$3000

VPI JMW-10.5 & JMW-12.5$2000 and $2400vpiindustries.com Available in 10- and 12-inch ver-sions, this beautifully made unip-ivot may be trickier to set up thansome, but its sound rewards theeffort. It’s highly revealing withoutbeing cold, with some of thedeepest, most powerful bass tobe heard. VTA adjustment duringplayback allows for exceptionalfine-tuning. Reviewed by AHC, Issue 129

$3000 and Above

TRI-PLANAR VII$3900triplanar.com An analog classic, the Tri-PlanarVII incorporates the late HerbPapier’s final thoughts on armdesign. Built by his handpickedsuccessor, Tri Mai, the Tri-PlanarVII is more neutral than earlierversions, with outstanding solidityand focus, holographic soundstag-ing, superb detail, dynamic range,

and nuance. Like the best oftoday’s components, the Tri-Planargives the impression that there isless electro-mechanical stuffbetween you and the music.Reviewed by WG, Issue 156

SME SERIES V$4499sumikoaudio.net Robust and dynamic-sounding, thenow and forever classic SME V isrich with features that include acast magnesium one-piece wand,ABEC 7 bearings, and fluid-con-trolled lateral damping. The Vprojects a ripe, soothing characterwith unsurpassed bass resolu-tion, excellent inner detail, andgreat tracking ability. NG

KUZMA AIRLINE$8000eliteavdist.comWithout a doubt, the best air-bear-ing straight-line tracking arm. TheKuzma does not have the comple-mentary colorations of previouslyadored members of this family ofpickup arms, i.e., warmth in themidbass and airiness in the mid-highs. (Remember the AirTangent?) HP, review forthcoming

CartridgesUnder $500

GRADO PRESTIGE GOLD$180 gradolabs.comGrado’s Prestige Gold cartridge hasits flaws—a lack of inner detail andan audible grain chief amongthem—but its strengths are suchthat you can easily listen throughthem. These include a somewhattoo warm yet very pleasant (andyes, euphonious) balance, a sweetif not hugely airy treble, a taut ifnot especially layered bass, and alively presentation. Reviewed by WG, Issue 141

SUMIKO BLUE POINTSPECIAL EVOIII$399sumikoaudio.net Sumiko’s Blue Point Special has areputation as one of the bestentry-level, high-output moving-coilcartridges available, and the EVOIIIoffers substantial improvementsover the original—a fundamental

heartiness, terrific top-to-bottomconsistency, and ability to graceful-ly handle tracking challenges. Itssins are mostly those of omission,meaning that this is one moving-coil that will not turn and bite youwith excess edge or glare. Reviewed by CM, Issue 147

$500–$1000

GRADO REFERENCESONATA$500gradolabs.comA wonderful performer, the Sonatamay lack the transparency and res-olution of the very best, yet it deliv-ers a naturally sweet treble, refinedtone colors, and very good detail,particularly in the middle band.Reviewed by WG, Issue 141

BENZ MICRO ACE$550musicalsurroundings.com The ACE’s mission is to makemany of the virtues of high-endmoving coils available to audio-philes on a budget, and at this itis a great success. You’ll enjoy asound that offers a wide-openmidrange, plenty of definition andair around instruments and voic-es, and tight, clean bass. Withthe right phonostage, the ACE cando a great job of walking that fineline between resolution on theone hand, and smoothness andwarmth on the other.Reviewed by CM, Issue 147

DYNAVECTOR KARAT17D MK II$850 dynavector.co.jp A luscious midrange, superbdynamics, and overall neutralityfrom the midbass through thehighs translate into an impressionof both high accuracy and glori-ous musicality. Soundstaging is

spectacular, imaging spot-on,tracking superb.Reviewed by PS, Issue 137

SHELTER 501 MK II$850 axiss-usa.com The 501 Mk II is one of thoserare products that does every-thing well—and some things spec-tacularly well. Its superb three-dimensionality brings to liferecordings one thought lacking inspaciousness, while its neutraltonal balance, audiophile virtues(resolution, focus, air, transientspeed, extension at both frequen-cy extremes), and overarchingcohesiveness “always seemed cutfrom whole cloth.” Add these fac-tors together and you have a car-tridge that takes you about asclose as you can get to top-tierperformance at this price point. Reviewed by CM, Issue 147

$1000–$2000

GRADO REFERENCE $1200gradolabs.com A beautiful-sounding moving-ironcartridge, not the last word indetail or transient speed or top-end air, the Reference is nonethe-less enormously musical. Reviewed by Adam Walinsky, Issue 112

SUMIKO CELEBRATION $1500sumikoaudio.net This low-output moving coil yieldsa dark, mellow sound that, while


far from accurate, is certainly highin listenability and musicality.Difficult to rate, as it has certainlysucceeded in achieving what itsdesigners set out to do, even ifthat isn’t quite the absolutesound. Average tracking.Reviewed by PS, Issue 130

LYRA HELIKON$1995; $2195 for SL and Monoversions immediasound.com An excellent soundstager withphenomenally good bass, theHelikon is a little cool and whitein balance, though not analytical-sounding, and is almost theClearaudio Harmony’s equal ininner detail. The bargain in high-end moving-coil cartridges. HP’s Workshop, Issues 132 and 136

$2000 and Above

SHELTER 90X$2700axiss-usa.comA top contender at a more than fairprice, the Shelter 90x may not bethe very last word in transparency,timbral beauty, and dynamic nuance,but it comes mighty close, with thebonuses of exceptionally solid bassand a big transparent soundstage.Warmer and darker than theClearaudio cartridges, it is still quiterespectably neutral in overall bal-ance. Takes a good deal of break-inand sounds best, at least in JV’ssystem, tracked at about two grams.A synergistic combination with theLamm LP 2 phonostage and Walker’table, though its 0.65mV outputshould allow it to mate well withmost mc phonostages. JV, review forthcoming

BENZ RUBY 2$3000 musicalsurroundings.com This low-output moving coil’s easy

tonal character highlights no sin-gle virtue at the expense of oth-ers. It’s got fine harmonic, ambi-ent, and spatial resolution, excel-lent tracking, sweet and mellowtextures, and plays down groovegrit without a hint of concealment. Reviewed by ASP, Issue 129

KOETSU ROSEWOODSIGNATURE$3500musicalsurroundings.comThe great-great-grandson of thecartridge that started the latter-day moving-coil craze (the Supex),the Rosewood is relatively high inTechnicoloration, but who cares?When something sounds thisbeautiful, exceptions should bemade—and regularly are by audio-philes who are more interested inhearing timbres sound gorgeousthan hearing them sound “audio-phile-neutral.” JV

DYNAVECTOR DRT XV-1S $4250dynavector.co.jpIn the here and now, this is thecartridge to own, although it facesincreasingly stiff competition froma new generation of contenders.You must track it at forces abovethose recommended by the manu-facturer (we found 2.9 gramsideal in our setup), and what youget is the smoothest and mostlife-like sound from a moving-coildesign ever. The usual colorationsjust aren’t in evidence.HP’s Workshop, Issue 147

BENZ MICRO LP EBONY$4500musicalsurroudings.com The best cartridge that Benz hasmade. Translation: It does themusic justice. HP review in a forthcoming car-

tridge roundup

LYRA TITAN$4500immediasound.comThe Lyra Titan is a breathtaking

design. It has all the qualities ofone of this small company’s earli-er designs, but without any grainor high-frequency artifacts. Thetop octave is stunning, as are itstransients, giving the sense thatsome of the instruments are clus-tered there in the room. HP

CLEARAUDIO TITANIUM$6000 musicalsurroundings.comWith the Discovery and then theHarmonyMg, Clearaudio’s formerly“analytical” house sound hasbeen undergoing a gradual sonicsea change. Now comes theTitanium, which is unquestionablythe most musical cartridgeClearaudio has yet produced. Itisn’t as if Clearaudio has sacri-ficed detail for this newfoundmusicality; on the contrary, theTitanium is even more detailedthan previous Clearaudios. It isthe quality of the detail—theamount of rich, realistic tonecolor and dynamic nuance thathas been added—which makesthis thing the most lifelike sourceJV has heard in his system. Asuperb soundstager and imager,with great transient response,extraodinary bass, and simplyastonishing resolution. JV

TunerMAGNUM DYNALABMD106T$4000magnumdynalab.comA high-end system isn’t fullydressed without a great FM tuner,and this all-analog in-house triodedesign emphatically makes thatcase. Quiet, black backgrounds,and a sparkling, airy treble easilyexceed Magnum’s own budget-conscious winner, the MD-90.Terrific sensitivity and selectivitygive the MD106T an exceptionalfocus and soundstage. A tactile

pleasure to operate, the greentuning-eye tube makes fine-tuningalmost as much fun as a vintageMarantz or Sequerra tuner. Reviewed by NG, Issue 152

MultichannelComponentsMultichannel Controllers

ROTEL RSP-1098$2999rotel.com The Rotel’s large, colorful 3.5"-by-6" TFT display might garner allthe buzz, but it’s the RSP-1098’saudiophile-grade sonics—vividextension and detail—that boostit near the top of its class. Greatfunctionality and features aremated with the latest Crystal 24-bit/192kHz DACs and surround-decoding formats. With a true7.1-multichannel analog bypassand sophisticated bass manage-ment options, this is a controllerto listen to, even if you never seeanother movie.Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 51 and

AT in this issue

KRELL SHOWCASE$4500krellonline.comThis successor to Krell’s HomeTheater Standard 7.1 is the fifthgeneration of Krell surround-sound preamp/processors.Although it does not currentlyhave DVI-D or HDMI video inputsor outputs, the Showcase offersproprietary software-basedseven-channel digital room equal-ization and, of course, Krell’ssuperior analog preamplificationcircuitry, which is among the bestin high-end audio/video. Thiscontroller comes very close to




the sound of an ultra-high-endpreamp when playing back CD orhigh-res audio. Reviewed by JV, TPV Issue 55

ANTHEM STATEMENT D1$5000anthemav.com With every surround-sound modeyou could need, the new AnthemStatement D1 is a very sophisti-cated processor with state-of-the-art features and excellent soundquality. The D1 exhibits suchincredible clarity, openness, anddetail that an experienced audioengineer could probably identifythe microphone used in therecordings. We particularly appre-ciated the elaborate set-up andcontrol capabilities, balanced-lineinputs and outputs, and excellentconstruction quality.Reviewed by Gary Altunian,TPV, Issue 57

THETA DIGITALCASABLANCA III$14,980 with two Xtreme D-2DAC cards ($8000–$20,000,depending on configuration)thetadigital.comTheta Digital’s Casablanca IIIXtreme DAC offers as much detailand resolution as any controller,yet always sounds natural, neverfatiguing or bright. Its feature listis endless, with more speaker/subwoofer and crossover combina-tions than you can shake a stickat. But perhaps the thing weappreciate above all else is itsability to blend center-channelinformation into the left and rightchannels for a more coherent andconvincing front soundfield andbetter dialogue articulation. Inaddition, the Casablanca’s modularcard architecture allows for futureupgrades. Unquestionably one ofthe most advanced and best-sound-ing controllers on the market.Reviewed by SB, TPV Issue 44

Multichannel Amplifiers

ROTEL RMB-1075 $999rotel.com Rotel’s THX Ultra RMB-1075 pro-vides a robust 120W into fivechannels with a smooth midrangeand plenty of weight. Its sound isslightly rounded off and not quiteas transparent as the best, but itis still a remarkable value. Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 44

NAD T973$1999nadelectronics.com Employing modular monoblockarchitecture, the seven-channel T973 outputs a generous, easygo-ing 140Wpc. Solid powerreserves, superior bass definition,and a warm upper treble continuethe NAD tradition of audio excite-ment tempered with refinementand understatement. The backpanel has convenient input-leveltrim controls. There was a hint offan noise at loud listening levels.Triggers link the amp with the T163 controller for seamlesson/off switching. Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 54

PARASOUND HALO A52 $2000parasound.comDesigned by the John Curl, therobust, 5x125-watt A52 isessentially a multichannel ver-sion of Parasound’s award-win-ning A23 stereo amplifier.Those who prize flexibility willappreciate this amp’s balancedand single-ended inputs andindividual level controls foreach channel. With sound that

is warm, natural, and never edgy (though not the last word in definition). Reviewed by CM, AVg

CARY CINEMA 5$4000caryaudio.com Cary’s Cinema 5 is a superbachievement. At 80 pounds, thismedium-sized unit isn’t as heavy orlarge (or costly) as many state-of-the-art performers, yet it deliversmuch the same sound quality:excellent definition, fine dynamicgradation, rich harmonics, and atransparent window to the source.Reviewed by WG, TPV Issue 50

ANTHEM STATEMENT P5 $5000anthemav.comThe Statement P5 is the “posteramp” for high-current amplifiers,with 14 output transistors perchannel, vastly increasing theavailable power for musicalcrescendos. Actually fivemonoblock power amplifiers inone chassis, each capable of 325watts, it has no shared powersupplies; each channel has itsown toroidal transformer, meaningthere are no common audio pathsbetween channels. The P5sounds very authoritative—alwaysin control of the speakers—witheffortless dynamics and tightdeep bass.Reviewed by GA, TPV Issue 57

THETA DIGITALDREADNAUGHT II$7100, five-channel version;$8100, ten-channel versionthetadigital.com Like the original Dreadnaught, theDread II is fully balanced with zeroglobal feedback. The new modeldelivers more power and impact,along with better low-end authorityand control, stunning resolution,

and incredible soundstage depthand focus. It also has more ener-gy in the upper midrange and tre-ble than its predecessor, sacrific-ing just a bit of the original’swarmth and musicality. Reviewed by SB, TPV Issue 46

AUDIO RESEARCH 150M$7495 for five-channel version($900/additional power module)audioresearch.comA stunning—and stunningly suc-cessful—departure for the high-end Tube Gods of Audio ResearchCorporation. This relatively light-weight, entirely modular (the150M can be fitted with up toseven power amplification mod-ules, each rated at 150W intoeight ohms and 300W in fourohms, and the modules can bebridged to generate 300W intoeight ohms and 600W into four),cool-running, Class T (!), digitalswitching amp produces a surpris-ingly ARC-like sound. A littlebright, forward, and weightedtoward the treble like all ARC gear,the 150M has much of the naturalairiness and light of ARC tubes,with terrific soundstaging, dynam-ics, and clarity for multichannel. Reviewed by JV, TPV Issue 51

KRELL THEATER AMPLIFIERSTANDARD$8000krellonline.com A very Krell-like FPB (Fully PowerBalanced) five-channel amplifierthat generates a powerful-sound-



ing 200W into eight ohms and400W into four. The Krell, like theARC 150M, shares much of thebuild-quality and sound of its cele-brated monoblock siblings: a rich,articulate, slightly dark, and veryhard-hitting presentation that isvoluptuous on music and pin-you-to-your seat stunning on filmsoundtracks. You won’t lack forweight or impact with this baby—and its soundstage is phenome-nal. Like Krell’s controller, it isalso superb on CD and multichan-nel high-res audio. Reviewed by JV, TPV Issue 51

PLINIUS ODEON$8595–$11,995, depending onnumber of channelspliniususa.comWith its modular design, user-selectable number of channels,superior build-quality, and out-standing sound, the Odeon is atop contender in multichanneldesigns. Its sound is characterizedby effortless dynamics, a rock-solidand rhythmically engaging bottomend, and midrange and treble puri-ty on a par with the best solid-state two-channel amplifiers. Reviewed by RH, TPV Issue 50

BALANCED AUDIOTECHNOLOGY VK-6200$10,995 (fully loaded or $5995for two-channels; $1250 eachadditional channel)balanced.comNo matter how many channels youorder it with—it accepts as manyas six—BAT’s modular VK-6200 isone of the best-sounding ampli-fiers around. The massive butstriking-looking chassis weighs200 pounds when fully loaded;parts and build-quality are top-drawer; and the sound combines

seemingly limitless reserves ofpower with amazing delicacy, air,transparency, and speed.Reviewed by WG, TPV Issue 38

Multichannel Receivers

NAD T753$1000nadelectronics.comNAD’s T753 AVR eschews bells andwhistles, focusing instead on puresound quality. Despite its conserva-tive 70Wpc power rating, the T753produces a “warm, smooth, punchysound that never becomes strainedor thin.” NAD’s subtle, effectiveEARS (enhanced ambience recoverysystem) feature helps make this agreat AVR for music lovers. For simi-lar sound quality, but more powerand/or channels, try NAD’supscale T763 or T773.Reviewed by CM, Issue 154

SONY STR-DA7100ES$2000sonystyle.comDerived from Sony’s fabulous STR-DA9000ES flagship, the firm’sDA7100ES “Digital Drive” AVRoffers the same great Rolex-likebuild-quality, nearly as much power(170Wpc), fewer but better I/Ooptions (including dual HDMI andi.Link interfaces), a greatly improvedremote control, and sound qualityequal to the original—all for lessthan half the price. One of the best-sounding AVRs we’ve heard.Reviewed by CM, AVg

Surround Sound Speaker SystemsNote: The Magnepan system wasreviewed by HP as part of a sys-tem with the Nola Thunderboltsubwoofers and EMM Labs CDSDTransport and DAC6e. For recom-mended digital sources, see thatsection elsewhere in this article;for a complete list of multichannelspeakers, see The Perfect Vision’sWinter 2006 issue.

MAGNEPAN “SUPERMAGGIE SYSTEM”(Two) MG20.1: $12,500; (two)MG3.6: $4450; (two) CC3S: $1880magneplanar.com Taken as a system, it does whatfew other multichannel speakerscan do, and that is bring a kind ofaliveness that enhances theremarkable spatial illusions ofwhich such a system is capable.And, importantly, it does justice tothe home-theater experience aswell, though you won’t be able toachieve ear-shattering theatricalplayback levels (though you cancome close before you start blow-ing fuses). The Nola subs areessential if you want the lastword in bottom octave authority,articulation and frisson, and with-out any sense of discontinuityfrom the Maggies. HP’s Workshop, Issue 151

Interconnectsand SpeakerCables

AUDIOQUEST JAGUAR/DBS (INTERCONNECT) $300/one-meter pair audioquest.comThe entry-level interconnect forAudioQuest’s battery-powered DBS(dielectric bias system) technology.The Jaguar’s highs are well-definedyet sweet sounding; its bass istaut yet possesses plenty ofweight and warmth and a heapinghelping of three-dimensionality.DBS technology gives these cablesa stable, perpetually “warmed upand ready to go” quality. Thoughnot the last word in transparency,the Jaguars do a great job of bal-ancing clarity and smoothness.Reviewed by CM, AVg

AUDIOQUEST CV-8/DBS(SPEAKER)$400/eight-foot pairaudioquest.comThe least-expensive model thathas AudioQuest’s battery-powered

DBS technology, the CV-8 offerswell-defined and nicely weightedbass, a neutral midrange with ahint of warmth, clear but neveredgy highs, and truly excellentsoundstaging. A roundness ontransients makes this cable easyto listen through for hours on end.Reviewed by NG, Issue 147, and CM

in AVg

AUDIOQUEST DBSCHEETAH INTERCONNECTAND KILIMANJAROSPEAKER WIRECheetah: $900/one-meter pair;Kilimanjaro: $5200/eight-foot pairaudioquest.comAudioquest’s Cheetah and “KJ”use silver wire with battery packsthat bias the cable’s dielectrics tokeep them fully formed at alltimes. These cables are the clos-est thing SB has yet heard toremoving cables from a systementirely, revealing layer upon layerof depth and pure transparency.And because the dielectric isalways charged, your system isalways ready to go instead ofhours of “warm-up” away, a bonuswith phono playback gear. SB

HARMONIC TECHNOLOGYPRO-11 + (SPEAKER)$475/eight-foot pairharmonictech.com The TechPro-11+ is sensual,romantic, and highly present withvocals, with a full rich body andslight forwardness. There’s a dis-tinct sweetness in the upperoctaves that, once experienced,makes it tough to live without.Soundstage reproduction is alsoa strong suit, as the full weightand breadth of an orchestra seemto laterally expand with this wire. Reviewed by NG, Issue 146

HOME DEPOT HD-14G(SPEAKER)$30/50-foot pairThis 14-guage outdoor extension



cable from Home Depot—themodel designation is PS’s owninvention—renders music in abold, forthright manner, lacking abit in finesse and ultimate trans-parency, but with notably excellentimaging, realistic depth, and anoverall lifelike presentation ofconsiderable coherence.Reviewed by PS, Issue 147

KIMBER KABLE HERO(INTERCONNECT)$160/one-meter pair kimberkable.com Not surprisingly, this is a sonicnear-twin to PS’s longstanding ref-erence, Kimber Select KS-1021,yielding by direct comparison onlya tiny bit in sheer control, ulti-mate top-end transparency, andinner detailing. The Hero’s basslives up to its name, prodigious inamplitude and definition (ratherbetter even than its pricier broth-er). This interconnect is eitherdead neutral or tilts a notch tothe yang, with dynamics at oncepowerful yet finely resolved in anessentially grain-free presenta-tion. Ray Kimber once againdemonstrates his leadership indelivering superior performance ata reasonable price. Reviewed by PS, Issue 138

KIMBER KABLE 8TC(SPEAKER)$270/eight-foot pair kimberkable.comTilting a tad toward the yin, the8TC has that elusive ability toremain musical no matter what ishappening fore or aft. Ensemblesboth large and small receive anopen projection that ideally medi-ates detail, liveliness, tonal neu-trality, and dynamic contrasts, witha very realistic soundstage that’sholographic in its integrity. Thiscable has been around for a com-mendably long time; having used itfor well over 15 years throughcountless changes in equipment

and rooms, PS can personallyvouch for its versatility and behav-ior: great neutrality, transparency,and musicality, without ever caus-ing amplifiers any distress.Reviewed by PS, Issue 146

MIT AVT 1 (SPEAKER)$549/eight-foot pairmitcables.com Perhaps canted ever so slightlytoward the yang, the MIT AVt 1counts power and definitionamong its many virtues. Perhapsthere is ever so slightly less asense of bloom than with othercables, but the AVt 1 neverthe-less suggests great openness,with a remarkable ability to proj-ect musical events into the roomand an impression of snap andbite that in the best sense ofthose words is irresistible. On dif-ficult orchestral material, the MITexcavates breathtaking detailamid a wide, deep soundstage;the precision of the imaging isespecially notable. Absolutely con-vincing in its musicality. Reviewed by PS, Issue 146

MIT ORACLE (SPEAKER)$9495/eight-foot pairmitcables.comAlthough RH has a wide range ofhigh-end cables on hand and aprocession of top-quality loud-speakers coming through his lis-tening room, MIT’s Oracle usuallyends up in his system at the endof the set-up process. The rea-son? Oracle has extremely richand saturated tonal color, warmthin the bass without soundingthick, treble that sounds like

music rather than hi-fi, andextraordinary spatial dimensionali-ty. Extremely expensive, but worthit in some top-end systems. RH

NORDOST BLUE HEAVENINTERCONNECT ANDSPEAKER CABLEInterconnect: $190/one-meterpair; Speaker: $510/eight-foot pairnordost.com Similar in personality, the BlueHeaven cables excel at low-leveldetail, upper-octave smoothness,and transient speed. Also expectto hear exceptional inner detailand nuance emerge from the vel-vety black and silent background.Note that it may be a bit on thecool clinical side for some treble-happy systems, but remains idealfor neutral and darker ones. Theymay not be as purely neutral asNordost’s costly Valhallas, but thecooler Heavens give them a runfor the money with rich mids, light-ning-fast transients, and excellentsoundstage depth and width. Reviewed by NG, Issue 138

NORDOST VALKYRJAINTERCONNECT ANDSPEAKER CABLEInterconnect: $2200/one-meterpair; speaker: $5060/2.5-meter pairnordost.comNordost’s newest Reference linecable and interconnect, Valkyrja,represents a considerable savingsover top-of-the-line Valhalla cableand interconnect at the soniccost of a very slight overall dark-ening of the soundstage and avery slight reduction in treble air,bloom, and extension. Makinguse of the same mono-filamenttechnology as Valhalla, Valkyrja isa superb choice for the typicallylong interconnect/cable runs of asurround-sound system or hometheater, offering nearly the fullmeasure of Valhalla’s transparen-cy, detail, and openness, as wellas its characteristically fast repro-duction of transients. JV, WG review forthcoming

NORDOST VALHALLAINTERCONNECT ANDSPEAKER CABLEInterconnect: $4000/one-meterpair; Speaker: $5995/1.5-meter pairnordost.comIn any system into which youinsert these top-of-the-line (and

hideously expensive) Nordoststatement products, you’ll get thesame results, which one mightdescribe as no results in thesense that they introduce no audi-ble colorations that HP can hear,and believe me, he’s tried. If everthere were an audio product HPwould be tempted to call well nighperfect, the Valhallas would be it. HP’s Workshop, Issue 136

PNF AUDIO ICON(INTERCONNECT) ANDSYMPHONY (SPEAKER) Icon: $190/one-meter pair;Symphony: $400/ten-foot pairpnfaudio.com PNF produces one of the finestsets of reasonably priced cableswe have heard. We say “sets”here, because the Icon andSymphony offer complementarystrengths and work best whenused together, with a hugeamount of resolution and focus,clear and deeply extended bass,dynamic expressiveness, and theability to enhance both clarityand smoothness. They leantoward the “clarity” side, so avoidcomponents with midrange bright-ness or edge. Reviewed by CM, AVg



PURIST AUDIO DESIGNDOMINUS INTERCONNECTAND SPEAKER CABLEInterconnect: $5250/one-meterpair; Speaker: $14,090/1.5-meter pairpuristaudiodesign.com The all-silver Dominus is verydetailed, very dynamic, very rich.Less open than Nordost Valhallaand darker in balance thanKharma Enigma, it is also quieterthan both, and because of itsfluid-damped construction, virtual-ly immune to floorborne and air-borne vibration. JV

REGA COUPLE(INTERCONNECT)$150/1-meter pairrega.co.uk The Couples offer plenty of uppermidrange/treble detail, with fineresolution of textures, yet withoutexaggerated transients or edgi-ness. Their bass is tight andpunchy, and they are wonderfullyneutral throughout the midrange.While they don’t offer the almost“luminous” midrange quality you’llhear in some very expensivecables, their essential neutralitymakes a fine substitute for a“pennies-on-the-dollar” price.Reviewed by CM, AVg

SILTECH PARIS MXT(INTERCONNECT)$199/one-meter pair siltechcables.com The only tonal anomaly of thissuperb interconnect is a slightlyrecessed midrange—very slight—that throws the tonal balanceabout three degrees to the yin,albeit in no way that’s unmusical.Otherwise, it has a smooth, tube-like sound that’s not the leastsibilant, while the low-end iswarm and solid. Like many com-ponents that have a slightmidrange trough, the entire pres-entation is somewhat set back,with a rather conspicuous render-ing of depth. The Paris repro-duces the gestalt of a musicalevent with stunning transparency,

detail, and cohesion—everythingin its proper place.Reviewed by PS, Issue 138

SILTECH NEW YORK MXT(SPEAKER)$491/2.5-meter pairsiltechcables.comLuxurious as an Italian loafer, theSiltech New York MXT is sensiblyweighted toward the midrangeand basically neutral in balance,with a slightly rounded treble.Virtually grain-free and one of themost harmonically palpable andrealistic in its price range, it alsooffers excellent low-level resolu-tion. Though soundstage dimen-sionality could be improved, noserious faults trip this up. Reviewed by NG, Issue 146

SYNERGISTIC RESEARCHALPHA (INTERCONNECT)$199/one-meter pair synergisticresearch.com Balance and transparency are itsstrengths, along with a richmidrange, and a sweet, smooth,and never forced or strident tre-ble. The affordable Alpha chal-lenges some of the finest refer-ence cables out there. Reviewed by NG, TPV Issue 38

SYNERGISTIC RESEARCHABSOLUTE REFERENCE X2INTERCONNECT ANDSPEAKER CABLEInterconnect: $3800/ one-meter pair; Speaker:$6200/eight-foot pairsynergisticresearch.comSynergistic’s top-of-the-line “activeshielded” cable must be pluggedinto a power supply that, in turn,generates a very small amount ofcurrent to bias the dielectric. Ifthis sounds complicated, it is abit, but the results are impres-sive: dead quiet backgrounds andhigher amplitude signals. TheAbsolute Reference X2 sounds abit like Nordost Valhalla withdenser tone color, fuller body, and

higher output. Almost as “quick,”and every bit as bloomy asValhalla (though not quite astransparent), it is a beguilingalternative for those who like thesound of Nordost cable but longfor a bit more “there” there. JV, review forthcoming

TARA LABS ZEROINTERCONNECT ANDOMEGA SPEAKER CABLEZero interconnect: $12,800/onemeter ($1800 per additionalmeter); Omega speakercable: $11,995/10 feet ($1000per additional foot); The Zerodigital cable: $5995/ one meter ($1200 per additional meter)taralabs.comIn spite of the remarkable level ofengineering that TARA Labs’ flag-ship cable and interconnect repre-sent (the Zeros use a vacuumdielectric), JV is fully aware thatrecommending any wires that putyou out 40 to 50 grand is border-line insane. (Well, not even bor-derline.) Nonetheless, the Zero’sX-ray ability to clarify very-low-leveltone colors, dynamic nuances,and performance details way backin the mix, its remarkable level ofambience retrieval, its electrifyingtransient speed and definition, itsfront-to-back transparency, and itsbottom-octave color, clarity, andauthority are unrivaled thus far inhis experience. JV, review in this issue

VAN DEN HULINTEGRATION HYBRID(INTERCONNECT)$250/one-meter pairvandenhul.com This superb interconnect issmooth, sweet, and perhaps a lit-tle tubey but very natural andmusically involving. On complex

orchestral material where there’sa lot going on, the Van den Huldisplayed exemplary control andprojected a very convincingimpression of air, space, anddimensionality, with instrumentsfocused in a space of their own.The Integration is aptly named,rendering any source fed it with apersuasive sense of coherence.Reviewed by PS, Issue 138

WIREWORLD EQUINOX III$495/2.5-meter pairwireworld.com “So listenable” said PS’s notesregarding this wonderful entryfrom an ever-dependable manu-facturer. The presentation isalways smooth, transparent, andintegrated, with excellent dynam-ics, liveliness, and vitality. Solidbass response allows a lot of thevenue’s acoustics to comethrough, while soundstaging ispersuasive in both planes. Withclosely miked material, theAtlantis mediated excessivebrightness and detail withoutcompromising dynamics. Thiscable does little wrong and mostthings right; need more be said?Perhaps this: the Atlantis evinceda tube-like solidity and rounded-ness to its every presentation. Reviewed by PS, Issue 147

XLO ULTRA 12 (SPEAKER)$720/eight-foot pairxloelectric.com Although they land on the coolside of the spectrum, the Ultraspossess an exceedingly low noisefloor, a sweet, sweet treble, andcopious amounts of transientenergy that allow instruments tobloom like a spring bouquet. Thiscable straddles the line betweendetail, extension, warmth, andmusicality without leaning toostrongly one way or the other.Reviewed by NG, Issue 147



Headphones

GRADO SR60 $69 gradolabs.com The Mighty Mouse of head-phones, Grado’s SR60 offerssuperb midrange transparencyand natural dynamics. Treble iswell-balanced, though not quite assmooth or refined as in somehigher-priced designs. Bass iswell-defined, but rolls off a bitearly (note that many other head-phones whose bass extendsdeeper than that of the SR60 cansound bloated or boomy downlow). The SR60 can also be driv-en directly from an Apple iPod orother digital player. While comfort-able, keep in mind that as an“open air” design the SR60 is notideal for noisy environments. Reviewed by TM, AVg

AKG K501$199akg.comBecause the drivers sit away fromthe ear, the presentation is easyand spacious—everything from

the low-mids on up sounds like ahigh-quality small speaker. Whileit’s an excellent and uncoloredheadphone, there is no seriousbottom end, so it’s not ideal forthose who thrive on large-scaleworks or rock. Reviewed by Dan Schwartz, Issue 156

GRADO SR325I$295gradolabs.comThough some listeners find Grado’phones overly bright, they soundcompletely different from everythingelse, with a unique hear-through-the-veils kind of transparency.Reviewed by DS, Issue 156

ULTRASONE PROLINE 2500$399ultrasoneusa.comThe German-made UltraSonemoves the driver off the center ofthe earpiece, so that rather thanfiring straight into your hearingcanal it fires at the folds makingup your outer ears. The 2500 isan open design with a titanium-plated driver and has an overall

outstanding balance of virtues,purity, and extension, though withsome recordings it can sound stri-dent with strings.Reviewed by DS, Issue 156

SENNHEISER HD650$495sennheiserusa.com A very revealing model, theHD650 has a smooth upper rangeand well-balanced middle andlower registers. While not quite asdynamic as some, these have asilky-sweet sound. Reviewed by DS, Issue 156

SHURE E5C $499 shure.comIn an era when “ear bud” head-phones are a dime-a-dozen, howcan Shure possibly sell a $500model? Because the E5c offersstunning sonic performance andamazing comfort in a compactpackage that elevates the portable-audio experience to a new level.When combined with Headroom’sproducts and a good source (noMP3, please), the E5c has electro-static-like resolution, surprisingbass extension, and outstandingclarity. This sound quality is nodoubt due to the elaborate two-waydesign, with separate bass and tre-ble drivers, along with a crossoverbuilt into the cord. The crème de lacrème in high-end portable audio.Reviewed by RH, Issue 155

EquipmentRacks

ARCICI SUSPENSE RACK $2495arcici.netIn terms of isolation from acousticanomalies, either feedback or thosecaused by direct-radiation effects,the Arcicis are the most effectivesuspension systems HP has used,and this includes the Vibraplanes,the Seismic Sinks, and any numberof “points,” cones, or “feet.” Theyare a must if you plan to use tubedfront-end electronics. The moreelaborate your system and themore bass energy it can propagate,the more you’ll come to love theArcicis for allowing you the maxi-mum in sonic purity with the mini-mum of added colorations. HP

BILLY BAGS EQUIPMENTRACKS$300 to $1200 (for Standard Series)billybags.com These sturdy, sensibly priced equip-



ment racks lack state-of-the-art fea-tures such as those found in, forexample, the Grand Prix products,but are effective, highly functional,attractive, and can be ordered incustom configurations. Optionallead-shot loading and spikes ele-vate performance. The Pro-Seriesprices increase up to $3000. RHowns Billy Bags racks. RH

CAMBRE COREEQUIPMENT PLATFORMSCAMT-S amp stands: $300;CAM9-S modular rack: $1200These things don’t look veryimposing, but, oh, what they cando in terms of freeing up yourelectronics to sound their best. HP, review forthcoming

SANUS NATURALFURNITURE AUDIO RACKS$329 (four-shelf) to $379 (six-shelf)sanus.comAvailable in black, cherry, ormaple, Sanus’ Natural Furnitureracks are handsome and afford-able. The rigid frame and 1/4”glass shelves let your gear soundquite neutral and alive, while theopen construction allows for goodair flow and makes installationand hook-up a dream. WG

FINITE ELEMENTE “SPIDER”$450–$2150immediasound.comThe handsome and flexible “Spider”is made of extruded aluminum and

solid beechwood struts, and pro-vides a sturdy and unusually openplatform for components. 18 differ-ent variations on an X-shapedtheme are possible; the distancebetween the aluminum pillars canalso be changed, and you can addmore levels at any time. WG

WALKER AUDIOEQUIPMENT RACK$6000walkeraudio.comA large (four-and-a-half-foot long)beautifully made equipment rack,constructed of three thick, oiledslabs of rock maple suspendedbetween shot-filled tubes and bal-anced on Walker Audio’s hugeValid Point feet. Like all of WalkerAudio’s tweaks, the Walker rackkills vibration without killing thelife of the music. JV

PowerConditioners

AUDIENCE ADEPT ANDRESPONSE POWERCONDITIONERS$3800audience-av.comThis expensive but extremelyeffective 12-outlet conditionerdelivered significant improve-ments in bass definition anddepth, overall resolution, andsoundstage depth. Build-quality isexemplary. Reviewed by RH, TPV Issue 63

CHANG LIGHTSPEED CLS6400 ISO MK II POWERCONDITIONER$565changlightspeed.comChang Lightspeed’s CLS 6400ISO Mk II is a whole-systempower conditioner that providessix “hospital grade” AC outlets,two of which provide special filter-

ing for use with digital sourcecomponents. Basically, the Changhelps unlock an overall systemsound that offers a pleasingblend of digital noise suppres-sion, delicate midrange resolu-tion, plenty of soundstage depth,and powerful and extended bass.In short, the Chang makes goodcomponents sound better—espe-cially helping lift lower-priced digi-tal players up a performanceclass or two. Please note twoimportant set-up considerations.First, Chang conditioners need afair amount of break-in beforethey deliver maximum benefits.Second, be aware that Changs donot always help (and in somecases hinder) the sound of big,high-powered amplifiers. Reviewed by CM, Issue 144

MONSTER CABLE HTSSERIES POWER CONDTIONERS$150 to $700 monstercable.com Although we haven’t auditionedevery conditioner in MonsterCable’s huge line, those we’veheard have been extremely effectiveat lowering noise, smoothing thetonal balance, and improving resolu-tion. A huge bang for the buck. RH

NORDOST THOR POWERCONDITIONER $3200Finally, an AC distribution devicethat does the job right. HP, review forthcoming

RICHARD GRAY POWERCOMPANY 600S, 1200S,AND POLE PIG$1395, $2195, and $1595 richardgrayspowercompany.comWhat can one say about a goodpower conditioner, save that itdoes its job and does it well? TheRGPC 600S, in combination withthe RGPC Pole Pig, works invisi-bly, lowering noise and increasingdetail without markedly inhibitingdynamics or adding a noticeablesonic signature. For those of youliving in older houses, theseRichard Gray products are likeadding six-to-twelve dedicated,lab-grade outlets to the onesyou’ve got, without tearing up anywalls or calling the electrician.The 1200S is RGPC’s biggest andmost capable conditioner, offeringtwo banks of six Hubbell outlets.Unlike many conditioners, RGPCsoperate in parallel to your AClines, so that system componentsdo not, strictly speaking, have tobe plugged into the RGPC in orderto enjoy its sonic benefits.(However, we suggest pluggingcomponents through the RGPC inorder to take advantage of itssurge suppression capabilities.)Significantly, the RGPC 1200S canoften improve (and never limits)the sound quality of huge, block-buster amplifiers. Not cheap, butthese are the real deal. 1200S reviewed by CM, Issue 144

RICHARD GRAY’S POWERCOMPANY HIGH TENSIONWIRE POWER CABLES $450 and upExotic power cords are somethingof a conundrum—they make animmediate and obvious change insound quality, but seldom are thechanges unequivocally for the bet-ter. Remember, different and bet-ter aren’t the same thing. RGPC’sHigh Tension Wires are tonallyneutral and, unlike many exoticpower cords, they don’t causemore problems than they solve.The HTWs do the things you wanta power cord to do—the back-



ground is blacker, more real detailis revealed, and dynamics areextended—without getting in theway of anything else your systemdoes right. SB

WALKER AUDIO VALIDPOINTS AND VELOCITORPOWER LINE ENHANCERSValid Point Supertuning kit,$450; Velocitor with ValidPoints, power cord, and dedi-cated stand ($4245)walkeraudio.comCryogenically treated, in case youwant to bring it back to life in adecade or so, the Velocitor, likethe Richard Gray Pole Pig, doesundeniably lovely things for thesound of preamps, turntables, anddigital sources that are pluggedinto it or into the circuit it isplugged into, and like the Grayproducts the Velocitor works itsmagic without masking musicality.The Valid Points, Walker’s massiveversion of tiptoes, are sensational-ly effective under most compo-nents, particularly when used withWalker Resonance Control discs,which, themselves, can have asalubrious effect on componentson which they are placed. JV

Accessories

ASC TUBE TRAPS$498–$638tubetrap.comUnless you have a professionallydesigned and treated room, TubeTraps from Acoustic SciencesCorporation are absolutely indis-pensable to improving your sys-tem’s sound. They are extremelyversatile—able to solve a widerange of acoustic problems withstrategic placement and orienta-tion. Boomy bass can be cured

with a pair of 16" Full Rounds inthe corners behind the loudspeak-ers, soaking up excess bass likea sponge and conferring greaterclarity and transient impact.Placed along the sidewallsbetween you and the loudspeak-ers, Tube Traps kill unwanted side-wall reflections, prevent flutterecho, and aid in diffusion. A singleTube Trap in the center of the wallbehind the loudspeakers canexpand soundstage depth. Thereare lots of questionable acousticproducts on the market, but TubeTraps are the real deal. AcousticSciences Corporation also makesa wide variety of other effectiveacoustic-treatment products. RH

ACOUSTIC ROOMSYSTEMS$20,000–$50,000acousticroomsystems.com,avroomservice.com Money spent on real acoustictreatments is, in RH’s experience,the most effective allocation ofyour hi-fi budget. RH has lived withdifferent acoustic products overthe years, but none has been aseffective, nor blended into thedécor, as has the Acoustic RoomSystems package. Although theprice tag is high, the ARS systemgreatly improves bass tautnessand definition, allows the hi-fi sys-tem to better resolve spatial cues,and adds to the music’s sense ofpalpability and realism.Reviewed by RH, Issue 139

L’ART DU SON LP ANDCD CLEANING FLUIDS $45 and $55eliteavdist.com

Both the LP and CDcleaning fluids have afamily resemblance.Each elicits from your

pre-recorded mate-rial the “sweet-ness” of realmusic instead ofthe electronicglaze most of thecompetition laysacross the sound-stage. The CDfluid, like that ofthe brighter and

much more sanely priced Optrix,once heard, will completely con-vert even the most skeptical. Further thoughts by HP are forthcoming

BRIGHT STAR AUDIO ISO-ROCK SPEAKER S$499brightstaraudio.comThis dedicated stand for Gallo’sNucleus Reference 3 increasesboth the height and scale ofimages, drastically improvessoundstage width, depth, and real-ism, and brings a truer, more life-like presentation to all recordings.If you own the Reference 3, theIsoRock is not a tricked-out acces-sory but an essential component.Reviewed by Bob Gendron, Issue 156

CLEARAUDIO STROBO-DISC AND STROBE LIGHT $60 and $150musicalsurroundings.comFeaturing grooves that create theadditional stylus drag necessaryto accurately measure yourturntable’s speed—while at thesame time doubling as a car-tridge break-in device—Clearaudio’s Strobodisc andStrobe Light are great tools forthe serious vinyl junkie. HP’s Workshop, this issue

CLEARAUDIO MATRIXRECORD CLEANER$3000musicalsurroundings.comClearaudio’s Matrix record cleaneris the ne plus ultra of record-cleaning machines. Built to ahigher standard than many turnta-bles, the Matrix provides bi-direc-tional platter rotation, powerfultwo-level vacuum, and anadjustable brush. The Matrix’ssonic effect on LP playback goesfar beyond a quieter background;low-level detail is better resolved

as are spatial cues, contributingto a larger and more dimensionalsoundstage. A must-have for theserious LP collector.Reviewed by JV, Issue 142

EXPRESS MACHININGDIGITAL STYLUS FORCEGAUGE$160amusicdirect.com This excellent gaugeis accurate to1/10th gram, very easyto use and store, and an afford-able alternative to the Winds. WG

GRADO RA-1 HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER$350gradolabs.comWith a tube-like rendering of timbreand a sweet and relaxed sound,the Grado RA-1 makes extendedheadphone listening a joy.Although battery-driven, the RA-1 ismore at home in your equipmentrack or on your desk than out onthe road. A beautiful wooden casefinishes off this gem.Reviewed by RH, Issue 155

GRYPHON EXORCISTAND BLACK EXORCISTDEMAGNETIZERS$230 eachacousticsounds.comThese nifty devices are designedto do the same thing—one sys-tem-wide, the other for phono—ridaudio gear of magnetic build-up.


The size of a remote control, theExorcist hooks up to your preamp’saux or line input, while you plug yourarm leads into the Black Exorcist.Audible results include less glare andhash, tighter bass, and greater per-ceived detail and musical integration.WG, review forthcoming

HEADROOM BITHEADAND TOTAL BITHEADPORTABLE HEADPHONEAMPLIFIERS $199 and $269headroomaudio.com These portable devices work won-ders on all music sources playedthrough headphones—most espe-cially with MP3 files, boostingsound levels and improving dynam-ics. Moreover, Headroom’s propri-etary processing circuit solves the“in-the-head” imaging of head-phone listening by seemingly pro-jecting the image in front of the lis-tener as a pair of loudspeakerswould, generating something like asoundstage. The BitHead doublesas a USB-powered external soundcard, making it ideal for listening toDVDs played on laptops.Recommended for frequent travel-ers, iPod owners, and anyone wholistens to sound on the go. TheBitHead’s slightly more expensivebrother utilizes Burr-Brown parts.Reviewed by RH, Issue 155

KIMBER PALLADIAN PK10 AC LINE CONNECTORS$1080 for eight-foot cordkimberkable.com Kimber’s Water Moccasin-sizedPalladian not only reduces subtle

veilings between you and themusic, adding considerably to thetransparency of the finished prod-uct, but lets the music sound morerelaxed. As with other cables, keepin mind that just because you heara difference between whatever youown and whatever you’ve got alustful eye on, it doesn’t mean it isa good difference. HP

NORDOST BRAHMAPOWER CORD$1499/two metersnordost.comAs with Nordost’s interconnectand speaker cables, the Brahmacord reduces noise and hash andimproves dynamics, bass pitch,and overall clarity while alwayssounding neutral. WG, review forthcoming

NORDOST ECO 3 SPRAY$44 (eight-ounce bottle)nordost.comDesigned to eliminate the build-upof static charges on cables andinterconnects, this stuff worksequally well on equipment racks,CDs, DVDs, and turntable platters.Use when installing new cables orre-squirt every few weeks. Thesound is noticeably smoother, andalso more present and alive. WG, review forthcoming

NORDOST PULSARPOINTS I (TITANIUM)$359 (set of four)nordost.comThese nifty devices fit under allcomponents and greatly improvedynamics, clarity, focus, and low-level detail. Available in aluminumand titanium. WG

MEIER-AUDIO PORTA CORDAHEADPHONE AMPLIFIER$225 without USB port, $300 withmeieraudio.deThis compact headphone amp isthe ideal partner for portablemusic players such as the iPod.The Porta Corda greatly improvesdynamics, tightens and extendsthe bass, and adds no additionalnoise or grunge to the music. Reviewed by RH, Issue 155

PRECISION AUDIOCABLE ELEVATORS PLUS$158 (set of eight) amusicdirect.com

The best cheaptweak on themarket, Cable

Elevators areporcelaincradlesdesigned to

lift cables and interconnects offthe floor, shielding them fromvibration. The salubrious effectthey have on just about everyaspect of sound is hard tobelieve. A must-own item.Reviewed by JV, Issue 142

SANUS SF26 STEELFOUNDATION SPEAKERSTANDS$170/pairsanus.comSanus’ thoughtfully designed andbeautifully executed SF seriesspeaker stands do everything youcould want a good set of stands todo, and at a price that makessense. Strong, rigid, and resonance-free, they include provisions forinstalling sand or lead-shot damp-ing, and are easy to assemble.Reviewed by CM, AVg

SHURE STYLUS FORCEGAUGE$20 shure.comAlthough ultimately not accurateas the best digital gauges, theclassic “teeter-totter” Shure issimple to use, cheap, and doesthe trick very nicely. WG

TOWNSHEND SEISMIC SINKS$400–$900 (depending onweight capacity)townshendaudio.comTownshend Seismic Sinks are air-bladder-suspended isolation



platforms, available in severalsizes and weights to accommo-date a wide variety of compo-nents. Setup is straightforwardand easy. Because the Sinksact as filters (around 2–4Hz),they isolate far better thancones, which anchor compo-nents solidly but in so doingallow vibrations to be transmit-ted directly to the chassis. It isPS’s view that the so-calledsuperior definition afforded bycones is often in fact a subtleedginess wholly absent fromtuned suspensions. The Sinksare exceptionally effective withnon-suspended turntables. PS

VIBRAPODS $25 vibrapod.com Vibrapods are small, flexible vinylpucks that can transform a system.They’re numbered by their weight-bearing loads: put them underspeakers and electronics and hearbass extension and smootherhighs. At four for $25, who saysgreat tweaks have to be expensive?Just out, Vibrapod Cones—usethem as standalone footers or com-bine with Vibrapods to get evenmore out of your system. DD

WINDS ARM LOADMETER ALM-1METER$399musicalsurroundings.comPricey but worth it, the Winds is themost dependably accurate digitalstylus-force gauge on the market. JV

BooksTHE COMPLETE GUIDETO HIGH-END AUDIO,THIRD EDITIONRobert HarleyAcapella Publishing, 2004, 640pages, $34.95 (paper), $44.95(cloth)The most complete, up-to-date, anduseful guide to the high end youcan buy, filled with information

about how audio components work,how they should be set up, howthey can be optimized after setupthat is indispensable to neophyteand veteran audiophiles alike. JV

MASTERING AUDIO: THEART AND THE SCIENCEBob KatzFocal Press, 2002, 319 pages,$39.95Although written for professionalmastering engineers, MasteringAudio: The Art and the Sciencecontains a wealth of informationof interest to the audiophile. Ifyou want to know what goes onbehind the scenes in creating themusic you enjoy, and learn moreabout digital audio, this compre-hensive, insightful, and accessiblebook is without peer. RH

THE MASTER HANDBOOKOF ACOUSTICS, FOURTHEDITIONF. Alton EverestMcGraw-Hill/TAB, 2000, 592pages, $39.95This classic book, updated overthe years, is a crash course inhow sound behaves in a roomand how to treat rooms toimprove sound quality. It’s notaudiophile-oriented (no discussionof loudspeaker placement, for

example), but explains the basicphysics that audiophiles need toknow when choosing or treatinglistening rooms. RH

MUSIC, THE BRAIN, ANDECSTASY Robert JourdainPerennial, 1998, 400 pages,$13.95Combining musicology, psychoa-coustics, and neural science,Robert Jourdain weaves a fascinat-ing exploration of why humanbrains find beauty and meaning inmusic. Why do our brains, evolvedto detect survival sounds, compre-hend, for example, the large-scalestructure of a symphony? The bookis short on answers, but we arericher for having explored the ques-tions. Jourdain has a wonderful giftfor making his subject accessible,and peppers the text with fascinat-ing musical asides. RH

MUSIC, SOUND &TECHNOLOGYJohn EargleSpringer, 1995, 368 pages,$114.95Meant primarily for college stu-

dents, Eargle’s book is what itclaims to be—a classic guide tomusical acoustics. If you’re look-ing for the best resource on hi-fisystems, buy Robert Harley’sComplete Guide. If you’re lookingfor a book on how the variousinstruments make the soundsthey make and what thosesounds comprise, harmonically,dynamically, and temporally,Eargle’s is the standard text. JV

QUAD—THE CLOSESTAPPROACHKen Kessler International Audio Group,2004, 215 pages, $80 U.K. audio writer Ken Kesslerhas documented the history, prod-ucts, and contributions to audioof one of the seminal high-endcompanies in Quad—The ClosestApproach. The book containsinterviews with Quad founderPeter Walker and his son Ross,reprints of old ads, Walker’s origi-nal papers on loudspeaker andamplifier design, and other bits ofinterest to Quad fans. Althoughpricey, this LP-sized coffee-tablebook is gorgeously producedand printed. RH



Documents

editors’ choice awards W - Durob_Choice...class-leading bass, excellent tran-sient speed, and the ability to float a wide,stable image. The only downsides are a slight ten-dency