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MOZART: Requiem (ed. Levin)
Sir Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra & Chorus
Linn CKD 211 (SACD/CD/Hi-Rez Download). 2002. Tim Oldham, prod.; Philip Hobbs, eng. DDD. TT: 54:48

MOZART: Symphonies 38–41
Sir Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Linn CKD 308…

I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Dragonfire Mini Dragon Satellite's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield responses of that and the SB-8P powered subwoofer. I measured the performance of the Dragonfire MD-4 power amplifier with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Because the MD-4 uses a class-D output stage, around 320mV of ultrasonic switching noise was present on its outputs. As this noise might overload the SYS2722's input…

It was supposed to be so simple, a well-trod path I've followed almost every May for the last decade: A six-day trip to Munich to attend the final Munich High End Show before it decamps to Vienna next year.

I see any trip to Europe as an opportunity to replenish my personal stash of Anthon Berg Danish marzipan bars, a childhood favorite with a crack-like addictive pull. My flights and hotel were booked months in advance. I was ready to go.

Then Jim Austin, my esteemed editor, asked…

Audio Points by Live-Vibe Audio: $129.99–$449.99/set of 3
Highly polished point of solid milled brass, claimed to have been developed along the theories of Coulomb Friction, transfer resonant energy through the virtual point away from the component. 28 sizes and thread combinations available. (NR)

AudioQuest Fog Lifters: $149.95/set of 8 ★
It is felt by many audiophiles and some manufacturers that speaker cables, interconnects, and even AC power cords should not be allowed to touch carpeted floors, with their unpredictable dielectric…

Though nearly all of us have to factor convenience and cost into what we consume, to much of the planet's population, our mediocrity looks like an affluent fantasy. I recall my first, utterly blissful visit to a US shopping mall as a college freshman. I couldn't…

One very visible change in the C1.2 is the introduction of MQA support, which was not present in…

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ampsandsound Red October SE: $14,000
ampsandsound Red October XL SE: $18,000
See Headphones and Headphone Accessories. (Vol.47 No.11 WWW)

Anthem STR Integrated: $4999.99 $$$ ★
Anthem’s solid state STR integrated amp offers 200Wpc (into 8 ohms) of class-AB power, along with seven analog inputs—one balanced, four single-ended, and two phono (one MM, one MC). It also offers a 32/192 D/A processor with six digital inputs—four S/PDIF (two RCA, two TOSLINK), one AES3 (XLR), and one USB. A subwoofer output is provided, but,…

AC Nexus Advanced Power Distribution & Ground Enhancement System: $20,000 ★
Steve McCormack, once the proprietor of The Mod Squad, is the man who introduced the concept of accessory isolation feet—his Tiptoes were aluminum cones with flat tops and sharply pointed feet. Now he's brought to market this passive AC-power filter, whose Panzerholz enclosure contains two fist-sized silver-conductor capacitors from Duelund. The IEC AC inlet is a Bocchino Audio Marriner10 and the AC outlets are four Furutech Nano Crystal Formula duplexes. Four Cardas ground posts…

Editor's Note: Apart from the Bespoke, CAT, and Shindo, all the Class A preamplifiers offer balanced inputs and outputs. And unless noted, the preamplifiers listed do not have phono stages.

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Audio Research Reference 6SE: $18,000
An updated version of the discontinued Ref 6, with changes in capacitors and wiring, the fully balanced, tubed '6SE impressed JVS, who noted that when he installed the Ref 6SE in his system, his speakers "poured forth some of the most polished, transparent, and arresting sound" he'd heard from his system. Longer-…