search
Sonically, the Atoll PR5.1 reminded me of the sainted Sony TA-P9000ES—and, to a degree, of the excellent Bryston SP2, though without the latter's pinpoint detailing of high frequencies. The PR5.1 could be thought of as having a slightly more relaxed and forgiving sound, one that suggested but didn't equal the lucidity and natural balance of the Cary Cinema 11 I reviewed in July. At a price comparable to the PR5.1 with DSP Option, the NHT Controller (January 2007) is a far better and more complete package, but operationally, it's a home-theater component. Music-only audiophiles will find the…
Sidebar 1: Contacts
Atoll Electronique, Boulevard des Merisiers, 50370 Brecey, France. Tel: (33) 02 33 48 44 06. Fax: (33) 02 33 48 44 35. Web: www.atoll-electronique.com. US distributor: Musical Sounds, 6 Mayflower Court, Milford, CT 06460. Web: www.musicalsounds.us.
Zektor, 12675 Danielson Court, Suite 401, Poway, CA 92064. Tel: (858) 748-8250. Fax: (858) 748-8224. Web: www.zektor.com.
Sidebar 2: Recordings in the Round
SCHOENBERG: Gurrelieder
Melanie Diener, Tove; Yvonne Naef, Wood Dove; Robert Deane Smith, Waldemar; Gerhard Siegel, Klaus-Narr; Rolf Lukas, Bauer; Andreas Schmidt, speaker; Michael Gielen, SWR Symphony Baden-Baden & Freiburg
Hánssler Classic SACD 93.198 (2 SACDs)
On the heels of Norrington's recording of the Berlioz Requiem, another blockbuster from Hánssler: a spectacularly spacious performance and recording of Gurrelieder, Schoenberg's post-Romantic epic. Conductor Michael Gielen is a master of 20th-century orchestral music, and he…
"Why can't I just buy . . . a bicycle?"
That's what I asked Steve Silberman, of Ayre Acoustics, the last time he came to visit. Steve, who approaches cycling with the zeal I reserve for clambakes and a good night's sleep, had flown east with his ride, and was giving me a tour of its various bits and pieces: Bianchi frame, Easton fork, Ritchey stem and seat post, Shimano components, Selle Italia saddle, Mavic wheels, Continental tires . . .
I haven't owned a bicycle since I was 14, but I'd like to buy one now so I can ride alongside my nine-year-old daughter from time to time. Her…
In that room, with the speakers no less than 13' from one another, the full Aurum system sounded impressive. Superb bass extension and near-holographic imaging topped the list of its strengths, along with the kind of timbral neutrality and realism that are rare even among the most expensive high-end rigs. Voices on rock and folk recordings sounded wonderful: As with virtually every other single-ended 300B amp I've heard, the Aurum system imbued singers with an engaging presence that was beyond the more conventional aspects of stereo imaging. That quality extended to other soloists—such as…
Sidebar: Contacts
Aurum Acoustics, 10 Minerals Road, Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador A1W 5A1, Canada. Tel: (709) 834-8244. Fax: (709) 834-8246. Web: www.aurumacoustics.com. US distributor: Fidelis AV, 14 East Broadway (Route 102), Derry, NH 03038. Tel: (603) 437-4769. Fax: (603) 437-4790. Web: www.fidelisav.com.
Well, ladies and gents, it's been a long year. As I write this, on an unusually humid and hazy October morning, I'm still feeling the lingering effects of my beloved Mets' sudden and tragic collapse from the top of the National League East. I sat there, at Flushing Meadows' Shea Stadium, covered in peanut shells and with tears in my hazel eyes as the scoreboard went cruelly blank and Coldplay's "The Scientist" wept over the stadium loudspeakers. It was brutal.
Here in the office, it hasn't been much better. Debunkers of all shapes, sizes, and levels of amazingness are, at this very moment…
2007 Joint Loudspeakers
Dynaudio Confidence C4 ($18,000/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson & Wes Phillips, Vol.26 No.3 & Vol.30 No.3, March 2003 & March 2007 review)
Wilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 8 ($27,900/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.30 No.6, June 2007 review)
Runners-up (in alphabetical order)
Focal Electra 1037 Be ($10,995/pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.30 No.7, July 2007 review)
Harbeth HL-P3ES2 ($1895/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.30 No.4, April 2007 review)
JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofer ($3400; reviewed by…
2007 Digital Source Component
Chord Choral Blu CD transport & Choral DAC64 D/A processor ($15,400; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.30 No.8, August 2007 review)
Runners-up (in alphabetical order)
Esoteric SA60 SACD player ($4600; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.30 No.10, October 2007 review)
Logitech Slim Devices Transporter WiFi D/A processor ($1999; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.30 No.2, February 2007 review)
Marantz SA8001 SACD player ($1000; reviewed by Jim Austin, Vol.30 No.10, October 2007 review)
Muse Polyhymnia universal player ($7150;…
2007 Analog Source Component
Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Keel modifications ($7870; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.30 No.10, October 2007 review)
Lyra Skala phono cartridge ($3200; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.30 No.3, March 2007 review)
Kuzma Stabi XL turntable ($18,975; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.30 No.4, April 2007 review)
Runners-up (in alphabetical order)
Air Tight PC-1 phono cartridge ($5500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.30 No.6, June 2007)
Koetsu Black phono cartridge ($1600; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.30 No.7, July 2007 review)
…