LATEST ADDITIONS

This is something we don't see too often: an entirely new approach to power amplifier design. As Quad points out in its literature for the 405, class-A operation of transistors provides the lowest distortion, but drastically limits the amount of power an output transistor can deliver without overheating. (Most transistor amps use class-AB output operation, in which each of a pair of power transistors handles part of each signal cycle and shuts down during the other part. Imperfect synchronism between the two halves causes the familiar "crossover distortion," which accounts for most solid-state sound. In class-A operation, each output transistor draws current though the entirety of each signal cycle, eliminating the crossover transition but doubling the amount of time current is drawn, and thus tending to cause the transistor to heat up more.)

<I>A truly great preamplifier lets everything through, both music and distortion, but with such generosity that neither...is cramped and narrow.</I>&mdash;<B>Larry Archibald</B> (footnote 1)

The cab's outside, the plane leaves in 50 minutes. Let's see...<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/530/">HeadRoom Supreme</A>, <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//accessoryreviews/531/">HeadRoom Bag</A>, portable CD player, CDs, Etymotic ER-4S Canal Phones....Oh, yeah&mdash;mustn't forget luggage or plane tickets. Guess I'm set to go.</I>

<B>MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD: <I>Friday Afternoon in the Universe</I></B><BR> John Medeski, organs, piano, wurlitzer, clavinet; Billy Martin, drums, percussion; Chris Wood, acoustic bass, harmonica, wood flute<BR> Gramavision GCD 79503 (CD only). MMW, David Baker, Jim Payne, prods.; David Baker, eng.; Dr. Toby Mountain, mastering. DDD? TT: 57:06

Sonus Faber provides a fascinating and challenging insight into the art of high-quality sound reproduction. This Italian company makes two costly two-way stand-mounted speakers that couldn't be more different from each other.

"You are <I>not</I> going to believe this."

"I never touch the stuff," I say, totally disassociating myself from my husband's addiction. "Well," I admit, when pushed, "I <I>do</I> use it sometimes---but I never do the hard stuff."