Joint Budget Components of 1996
McCormack Power Drive DNA-0.5 Special Edition amplifier
PSB New Stratus Mini loudspeake ($950/pair (matching stands add $179/pair); reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.19 No.6, June 1996 Review) Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Acarian Alón Petite loudspeaker ($995/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.19 No.1, January 1996; Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.3, Fall 1996 Review)
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 12, July & December 1995)
Audio Alchemy Digital Line Controller ($399; reviewed by Wes Phillips & Jack English, Vol.18 Nos.8 & 11, August & November 1996)
Creek 4240 Special Edition integrated amplifier ($795; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.18 No.12, December 1996 Review)
Energy Connoisseur C-2 loudspeaker ($600/pair; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.19 No.9, September 1996 Review)
Illuminati DataFlex Studio S/PDIF digital datalink ($325/1m; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
JoLida SJ 502A integrated amplifier ($995; reviewed by Lonnie Brownell, Vol.19 No.3, March 1996) At first glance, it may seem ironic that the joint budget components of 1996 come in at nearly $1600 and $1000 respectively, but we've always felt that it takes more than a low price to make a bargain. Both the McCormack DNA-0.5 Special Edition amplifier and the PSB New Stratus Mini loudspeaker offer performance that rivals much more costly competition—and, in fact, the McCormack came in second to the Krell Audio Standard in the running for Amplification Component of 1996.
That puts it in pretty exalted company, but our respondents were unequivocal in their enthusiasm, lauding the McCormack's palpability, crisp transients, punchy percussiveness, and effortless sense of detail. ST called it "one of the best amplifiers, period." And that's without even factoring in "bang for the buck."
The PSB Stratus Mini is a well-engineered Canadian speaker that shows just how much performance is available for less than a thousand dollars a pair. For such a small speaker, it offers well-defined propulsive bass which, allied with its richly detailed midrange, excellent soundstaging, and ever-so-slightly shelved-down high frequencies, makes for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. As one would expect with a small speaker, the Stratus Mini doesn't offer the last word in maximum loudness, but neither does it force a sense of its limitations upon the listener—the power and the glory of music are well served.
PSB New Stratus Mini loudspeake ($950/pair (matching stands add $179/pair); reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.19 No.6, June 1996 Review) Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Acarian Alón Petite loudspeaker ($995/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.19 No.1, January 1996; Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.3, Fall 1996 Review)
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 12, July & December 1995)
Audio Alchemy Digital Line Controller ($399; reviewed by Wes Phillips & Jack English, Vol.18 Nos.8 & 11, August & November 1996)
Creek 4240 Special Edition integrated amplifier ($795; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.18 No.12, December 1996 Review)
Energy Connoisseur C-2 loudspeaker ($600/pair; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.19 No.9, September 1996 Review)
Illuminati DataFlex Studio S/PDIF digital datalink ($325/1m; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
JoLida SJ 502A integrated amplifier ($995; reviewed by Lonnie Brownell, Vol.19 No.3, March 1996) At first glance, it may seem ironic that the joint budget components of 1996 come in at nearly $1600 and $1000 respectively, but we've always felt that it takes more than a low price to make a bargain. Both the McCormack DNA-0.5 Special Edition amplifier and the PSB New Stratus Mini loudspeaker offer performance that rivals much more costly competition—and, in fact, the McCormack came in second to the Krell Audio Standard in the running for Amplification Component of 1996.
