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Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Linn Sondek LP12, Thorens TD 124 turntables; Audio Origami UniArm, EMT 997, Rega Research RB 300 tonearms; EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15, Shindo Laboratory SPU pickup heads; Denon DL-103 cartridge.
Digital Sources: AudioQuest DragonFly Black & DragonFly Red USB DACs; Apple iMac G5 computer running Audirvana Plus v.1.5.12; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 & T2, content/listening-171-bobs-devices-sky-40-transformer">Bob's Devices Sky 40 step-up transformers; Shindo Laboratory Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Laboratory Corton-Charlemagne (monoblocks) & Haut-Brion (stereo).
Loudspeakers: Altec Flamenco, Auditorium 23 Hommage Cinema.
Headphones: AudioQuest NightHawk.
Cables: USB: AudioQuest Carbon. Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Luna Red, Shindo Laboratory. Speaker: Auditorium 23. AC: Luna Orange, manufacturers' stock cords.
Accessories: Box Furniture Company D3S rack (source & amplification components), Audiodesksysteme Gläss Vinyl Cleaner.Art Dudley
Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
Do Stereophile reviewers have access to John Atkinson's measurements when they write their reviews?
No. It is very important for them not to see the measurements, because there would be the danger that they might then hear what they see.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
There is a very interesting Manufacturer's Comment on this review's measurements in the current issue, along with a reality check by JA.
Speakers which are theoretically bizarre are almost always interesting, and this one appears to have you listening to every single driver off every single driver's axis, (although it's hard to see where the one that is _partially obscured by a metal plate in its head_ is aiming.)
I was once pleasantly surprised by a little, costly FJ "The Ohm" in a short audition, but at least that one had the tweeter aiming forward. Not sure how many of the drivers in the multi way Shahinians aim at the listener.
I listened to the Larsen 4s (the little brother of Larsen 8) at T.H.E. Show Newport and was very impressed. The acoustic guitarist on the playback track was in-the-room and playing.
Independent of the gear price, I didn't quite succeed to experience this level of realism at the show in any other room!
Thank you for this review.
Regards, Babak
Hi-Reality Project