Accessory of 1997
HeadRoom Max headphone amplifier ($1335; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.2, February 1997 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
AudioPrism CD Blacklight ($39.95; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.11, November 1996)
AudioQuest Binding-Post Wrench ($7.95; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.9, September 1997)
Bright Star Air Mass 3 ($99; reviewed as the Air Mass 1 by Michael Fremer, Vol.20 No.2, February 1997)
Bright Star Ultimate TNT Suspension System ($893; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.7, July 1997)
Grado Reference Series RS1 headphones ($695; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Jack English, & Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.7, July 1996; & Vol.20 No.1, January 1997 Review)
Kimber Silver Streak interconnect ($180/1m pair; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.11, November 1996)
Vibraplane 2212 active isolation platform ($4950; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Shannon Dickson, & Michael Fremer, Vol.17 No.5, May 1994; Vol.18 No.11, November 1995; & Vol.20 No.5, May 1997) Spending over $1300 on a headphone amplifier may seem extravagant to most listeners, but to those who do listen critically to headphones—whether for professional reasons, or to extend the hours and places in which they can listen critically—the Max is a godsend. It uses HeadRoom's proprietary crossfeed circuitry to ameliorate that center-of-the-skull headphone sound detested by so many, but what really impressed our voters was its articulation, transparency, and detail. Build and parts qualities are also admirable—even if you don't ever want to listen through headphones, you'd have to concede that this is one impressive product, and one worthy of the exalted company it keeps in winning this award.
AudioPrism CD Blacklight ($39.95; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.11, November 1996)
AudioQuest Binding-Post Wrench ($7.95; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.9, September 1997)
Bright Star Air Mass 3 ($99; reviewed as the Air Mass 1 by Michael Fremer, Vol.20 No.2, February 1997)
Bright Star Ultimate TNT Suspension System ($893; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.7, July 1997)
Grado Reference Series RS1 headphones ($695; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Jack English, & Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.7, July 1996; & Vol.20 No.1, January 1997 Review)
Kimber Silver Streak interconnect ($180/1m pair; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.19 No.11, November 1996)
Vibraplane 2212 active isolation platform ($4950; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Shannon Dickson, & Michael Fremer, Vol.17 No.5, May 1994; Vol.18 No.11, November 1995; & Vol.20 No.5, May 1997) Spending over $1300 on a headphone amplifier may seem extravagant to most listeners, but to those who do listen critically to headphones—whether for professional reasons, or to extend the hours and places in which they can listen critically—the Max is a godsend. It uses HeadRoom's proprietary crossfeed circuitry to ameliorate that center-of-the-skull headphone sound detested by so many, but what really impressed our voters was its articulation, transparency, and detail. Build and parts qualities are also admirable—even if you don't ever want to listen through headphones, you'd have to concede that this is one impressive product, and one worthy of the exalted company it keeps in winning this award.
