Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

Analog source was a fully updated Linn LP12 with an Ittok arm and AudioQuest AQ7000nsx cartridge. However, most of my listening these days is to CD (Mea culpa!); digital products used during the auditioning included the Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1 CD player, PS Audio Lambda II and Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 transports, Audio Alchemy DTI•Pro 32 anti-jitter resolution-enhancement device, Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 Mk.II digital processor, and TARA Labs Decade and Illuminati D-60/Orchid digital links.

Preamplifiers were the Balanced Audio Technology VK-5 and Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 Signature Mk.II. For most of the listening, the Vienna Acoustics Mozarts were driven by the Audio Research D130 (review to come), the amplifier used by Sumiko to demo the Mozart at WCES, with some use made of a pair of Audio Technology VK-60s, Bryston 7B-STs, Jeff Rowland Design Group Model 2, Chiro C-200, and a Cary CAD-300SEI. Interconnects, speaker cables, and power cables were TARA Labs RSC Decade. The speakers were bi-wired, which resulted in a more open sound than single wiring.

Accessories included a Chang CLS-9600 ISO power-line conditioner (used for all the electronics except the preamps), Original Cable Jackets, Shakti Stones, Bright Star Little Rock, and the Purist Audio System Enhancer CD. My heavily carpeted 16' by 14' by 7.5X listening room features an assortment of RoomTunes and Tube Traps.—Robert Deutsch