Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Digital Sources: Ayre Acoustics C-5xe^MP & DX-5 universal players; Apple G4 Mac mini running OS10.5.8, iTunes 10, Pure Music 1.80; Shuttle PC with Lynx AES16 soundcard & dual-core AMD Athlon processor running Windows 7, Foobar 2000, Adobe Audition 3.0; Logitech Transporter, Metric Halo ULN-2 D/A converters; Halide S/PDIF Bridge, Musical Fidelity V-Link USB-S/PDIF converters.
Preamplifiers: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8, Ayre Acoustics K-5xe^MP.
Power Amplifiers: Classé CT-M600, MBL Reference 9007 monoblocks; Musical Fidelity AMS100, Simaudio Evolution Moon W-7.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth P3ESR, BBC LS3/5a, TAD Compact Reference, Sonus Faber Amati Futura.
Cables: Digital: DH Labs Silver Sonic AES/EBU; AudioQuest Coffee, Belkin Gold USB; prototype AudioQuest FireWire 400. Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Wild. Speaker: Cardas Neutral Reference, Audience Au24 e. AC: PS Audio Lab, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Acoustics Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; Shunyata Research Dark Field cable elevators; PS Audio Power Plant 300 at 90Hz (preamp), Audio Power Industries 116 Mk.II & PE-1, APC S-15 AC line conditioners (not power amps). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from the breaker box.—John Atkinson