Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Aerial Model 5B loudspeaker JA's Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: JA's Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe^MP universal player; Meridian 808i.2 CD player; dCS Puccini SACD player; Benchmark DAC1, Ayre QB-9 D/A converters; dCS 972 D/D converter; Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter WiFi music player with Apple Mac mini for media storage.
Preamplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 2, Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8.
Power Amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblocks, Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7.
Loudspeakers: Acoustic Energy AE1 Mk.III Special Edition, Totem Acoustic Mani-2.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Illuminations Orchid AES/EBU, Stereovox CV2 electrical S/PDIF, AudioQuest OptiLink-5 S/PDIF. Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Cheetah, Ayre Signature. Speaker: AudioQuest Kilimanjaro. AC: PS Audio Lab, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Celestion 24" SL speaker stands, Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; Shunyata Research Dark Field cable elevators; PS Audio Power Plant 300 at 90Hz (preamp, CD players other than Ayre), Audio Power Industries 116 Mk.II & PE-1, APC S-15 AC line conditioners (not power amps). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from the breaker box.—John Atkinson