search

Amplifiers used during the preparation of this review included pairs of Mark Levinson No.20.6 and Audio Research Classic 120 monoblocks, while the preamplifier was first the Melos SHA-1 headphone amplifier, then a Melos 333 linestage, with a Mod Squad Phono Drive EPS handling LP signals. These were provided by a Linn Sondek/Trampolin/Lingo/Ekos/Troika setup sitting on an ArchiDee table, with the Troika subsequently replaced by Linn's new Arkiv phono cartridge.

Digital source components included the VTL Reference D/A processor driven by a Meridian 602…

Fig.1 shows the CS2 2's electrical impedance amplitude and phase, measured using the magazine's Audio Precision System One. Like all Thiel speakers, the value varies very little across the audio band. Note how low in amplitude the bass humps are. Apart from the bass, where the radiator tuning is apparent at a low 28Hz, the minimum value is 3.5 ohms at 120Hz, and the maximum 5.2 ohms at 4.3kHz. Although the CS2 2 requires an amplifier capable of driving 4 ohms, its sound will not change significantly in the midrange and treble as the amplifier output impedance…

The natural comparison for the MartinLogan Aerius is the Thiel CS2 2, which I reviewed at the beginning of the year, and now suffers a slight price disadvantage since its recent price hike to $2750/pair. The beautifully engineered 2 2 is ST's other favorite speaker (when he can be torn away from his Advent Cheapskate Specials, that is).

Listening to the two pairs of speakers head to head, the Thiel's midbass is a bit fatter than that of the Aerius, which adds a pleasing bloom to the sound of bass…

Description: Three-way, passive bass radiator-loaded (reflex), floor-standing loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) metal-dome tweeter, 3" (76mm) cone midrange unit, 8" (203mm) double-surface, plastic-cone woofer, 6" by 9" (155mm by 229mm) elliptical passive bass radiator. Crossover frequencies: 800Hz, 3kHz. Crossover slopes: first-order, 6dB/octave acoustic. Frequency response: 33Hz–27kHz ±3dB, 35Hz–20kHz ±2dB. Phase response: minimum ±5°. Time response: 150µs, –20dB. Sensitivity: 86dB/W/m (2.83V). Nominal impedance: 4 ohms (minimum 3 ohms). Amplifier…

Then Fanfare International's Scot Markwell cornered me at the 1996 Winter CES to ask if Stereophile would…

Description: Stereo power amplifier with switchable class-a/class-AB output stage. Power output: 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW), 180Wpc into 4 ohms (19.5dBW). Bridged-mono output: 360Wpc into 8 ohms (25.6dBW). Dynamic headroom: 1dB or greater into 8 ohms with music. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, –0.1dB (0dB at 0Hz; –1dB at 120kHz). Phase response: –0° at 20Hz, –2° at 20kHz. Distortion: typically 0.02% THD and IMD at rated power; 0.1% THD and IMD, worst case prior to clipping. Saturation: 125Wpc or greater into 8 ohms. Voltage swing: 90V peak-peak per channel.…

Evolution 202: Solid-state preamplifier. Frequency responses: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.02dB; 0.01Hz–1.5MHz, +0/–3dB. THD: <0.004%, 20Hz–20kHz at 4V or 4mA RMS. Signal/noise: >100dB wideband, unweighted; >109dB A-weighted (both at 4V or 4mA RMS). Input impedance: 45 ohms CAST (current mode operation), 95k ohms balanced, 47.5k ohms single-ended. Output impedance: >1M ohm CAST, 50 ohms balanced, 25 ohms single-ended. Input overload: 14mA RMS CAST, 14V RMS balanced, 7V RMS single-ended. Output overload: 16mA RMS CAST, 16V RMS balanced, 8V RMS single-ended. Gain:…

Digital Source: Ayre C-5xe universal player, Krell Evolution 505 SACD/CD player.
Preamplifiers: Conrad-Johnson CT5, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista.
Power Amplifiers: Moscode 401HR, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300.
Loudspeakers: Canton Vento Reference 1 DC, Dynaudio Confidence C4 & C1.
Cables: Interconnect: Shunyata Research Aries & Antares. Speaker: Shunyata Research Lyra.
Accessories: Furutech eTP-609 distribution box, FP-20A (R) duplex outlets, RDP panels; OSAR Selway/Magruder equipment racks; Ayre Myrtle Wood Blocks.—Wes Phillips

I don't have the necessary equipment to test the Krell components in their current-mode (CAST) operation. Therefore, I performed all the technical tests using conventional voltage-mode drive, in both balanced and unbalanced operation.

With its volume control set to "151," the Evolution 202 preamplifier offered maximum voltage gains of 11.8dB in full balanced mode, 5.75dB in unbalanced mode. Both modes preserved absolute polarity; ie, were noninverting. The volume control's unity-gain setting was "101" for balanced operation, "124" for unbalanced. The…

It seems that Rega would be the last company on earth to do anything just because everyone else does; thus it comes as no real surprise that Rega would decline to make a moving-…