Joint Budget Components of 1995
Audio Alchemy VAC-in-the-Box phono preamplifier ($259; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.18 No.8, August 1995; and Steven Stone, Vol.18 No.9, September 1995)
Dunlavy Audio Labs SC-I loudspeaker ($995–$1195/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.12, December 1994 Review)
The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-1 D/A processor ($449; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.18 No.4, April 1995 Review) Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 9, July & September 1995)
Audio Alchemy Digital Line Controller ($495–$754, depending on power supply; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.18 No.8, August 1995; and Jack English, Vol.18 No.11, November 1995)
Dynaclear Postman Binding-Post Wrench ($7.95; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.11, November 1994)
Epos ES 14 loudspeaker ($1695/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.18 No.1, January 1995 Review)
PSB Alpha loudspeaker ($199/pair; reviewed by Jack English, Vol.15 No.7, July 1992; Corey Greenberg, Vol.17 No.1, January 1994; and Steven Stone, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994 Review)
Rotel RSP-960AX Dolby surround-sound processor ($599; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994)
Rotel RB-980BX power amplifier ($600; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.15 No.11, November 1992; and Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994)
Spica TC-60 loudspeaker ($795/pair–$895/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.12, December 1994 Review)
Thiel CS.5 loudspeaker ($1350/pair–$1380/pair; reviewed by Lonnie Brownell, Vol.18 No.10, October 1995 Review) A three-way tie that runs the gamut from phono preamplifier to DAC to transducer. The Audio Alchemy VAC-in-the-Box "represents a giant step forward in entry-level phono gear," sez SS. Well-constructed and employing topnotch passive componentry, it offers user adjustability as well as an upgrade path, through AA's selection of interchangeable power supplies. Some have criticized it for lacking palpability and low-level detail compared to the best out there, but that seems to miss the point of an entry-level offering. This unit offers "newbies" a taste of the magic. We approve.
Much the same could be said of the Parts Connection/Assemblage DAC-1, a kit-built D/A processor. Easy assembly is a plus, and the unit's bench test was rated "excellent for any processor, let alone one costing $449" by no less an authority than RH. WP pontificated that it had a "perfect blend of relaxation and precision," finding it propulsive but never forced. JA's a fan too, but feels it necessary to add that his megabux Mark Levinson 30.5 does sound better. Even so, The Parts Connection deserves congratulations all around for getting it so right their first time out. (And for those intimidated by the thought of hands-on hi-fi, Sonic Frontiers offers the same product as the ready-assembled and tested TransDAC-1, for $599.)
The Dunlavy SC-1 is a $1000/pair two-way stand-mounted speaker that conforms to John Dunlavy's basic design philosophy—which is to say, the drive-units are a vertically symmetrical array above and below a central silk-domed tweeter, the shallower drivers are recessed into the cabinet face, and a first-order crossover ensures flat, time-coherent amplitude response on the intended listening axis. JA found the littlest Dunlavy to sound on the lean side, with a brightish mid-treble, but praised its clear midrange, grain-free high frequencies, high transparency, and excellent image definition. Many respondents commented upon the near-palpable soundstaging and the SC-1's ability to deliver impressive amounts of detail without ever sounding unnatural. RD is a big adherent of the SC-1 in a Home Theater setting, pointing out that it also excels as a center-channel speaker.
Dunlavy Audio Labs SC-I loudspeaker ($995–$1195/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.12, December 1994 Review)
The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-1 D/A processor ($449; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.18 No.4, April 1995 Review) Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 9, July & September 1995)
Audio Alchemy Digital Line Controller ($495–$754, depending on power supply; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.18 No.8, August 1995; and Jack English, Vol.18 No.11, November 1995)
Dynaclear Postman Binding-Post Wrench ($7.95; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.11, November 1994)
Epos ES 14 loudspeaker ($1695/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.18 No.1, January 1995 Review)
PSB Alpha loudspeaker ($199/pair; reviewed by Jack English, Vol.15 No.7, July 1992; Corey Greenberg, Vol.17 No.1, January 1994; and Steven Stone, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994 Review)
Rotel RSP-960AX Dolby surround-sound processor ($599; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994)
Rotel RB-980BX power amplifier ($600; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.15 No.11, November 1992; and Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994)
Spica TC-60 loudspeaker ($795/pair–$895/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.12, December 1994 Review)
Thiel CS.5 loudspeaker ($1350/pair–$1380/pair; reviewed by Lonnie Brownell, Vol.18 No.10, October 1995 Review) A three-way tie that runs the gamut from phono preamplifier to DAC to transducer. The Audio Alchemy VAC-in-the-Box "represents a giant step forward in entry-level phono gear," sez SS. Well-constructed and employing topnotch passive componentry, it offers user adjustability as well as an upgrade path, through AA's selection of interchangeable power supplies. Some have criticized it for lacking palpability and low-level detail compared to the best out there, but that seems to miss the point of an entry-level offering. This unit offers "newbies" a taste of the magic. We approve.
