CD Player/Transport Reviews

My listening venue remains, with the exceptions noted below, as described in my review of the Audio Research SP9 Mk.II and Counterpoint SA-3000 preamps (Vol.13 No.11). Both the preamps and the Quicksilver amps that drove the Acoustat Twos have been replaced with the Ensemble B-50 (Tiger) control amplifier plugged into an Ensemble Isotrans isolation transformer.

All system interconnect is Ensemble Supraflux, and speaker cable is Ensemble Hotline. The B-50 sits within arm's reach on an Arcici Superstructure II. All CDs used in listening evaluations were ringed with Sims Reference Bands. The system was left on for a period of at least 24 hours before any critical listening was done in order to let everything stabilize. Playback levels were matched using a Realistic Sound Level Meter.—Guy Lemcoe