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When I measured the Zanden Model 5000 Mk.IV/Signature for Michael Fremer's review last month (November 2006, p.109), I was very disappointed by the performance of this $15,470 D/A processor. With its poor rejection of word-clock jitter (even when connected with an I2S link), its nonflat frequency response, its nonlinearity at low frequencies, its lack of ultrasonic image rejection, and its higher-than-usual noise floor, I described it as "the worst-measuring digital product I have encountered."

Late in the review process, Zanden's US…

Description: Dynamic headphones with Noiseguard active noise-canceling circuitry. Transducer principle: dynamic, Open-Aire Coupling to ear: supra-aural. Frequency range: 20Hz–18kHz. Impedance: 270 ohms. Distortion: <1%. Active attenuation: >10dB between 400Hz and 1kHz. Headphone caliper pressure: approximately 1.6N (5.6 oz). Connector: 3.5mm plug. Power supply: 2 AA cells. Operating time: 80 hours.
Dimensions: Weight (w/o cable): 110gm (3.9 oz). Cable: single-sided, 2m (6.5').
Price: $269 (1995); $149.95 (2006). Approximate number of dealers: 750.
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Description: headphone amplifier/minimalist preamplifier/(very) low-wattage integrated amplifier. Outputs: two ¼" stereo phone jacks (front panel); 1 pair line-level RCA jacks (rear panel); 1 pair speaker binding posts (rear panel). Output power: 5Wpc (7dBW). Frequency response: DC–250kHz –3dB. Absolute polarity: non-inverting. Inputs: 2 line level via RCA jack. Input impedance: 20k ohms. Output impedance: 0.2 ohms, ½" stereo phone jacks; 100 ohms, line level RCA jacks; 0.2 ohms, speaker binding posts.
Dimensions: 9.5" W by 9" D by 3" H. Shipping weight: 8…

My primary source was the Audio Research CD1 CD player; Kimber Kable KCAG connected the source to the headphone amps. Everything rested upon DH Cones and was plugged into an API Power Wedge 112. I used several pairs of headsets for comparison, including the Grado SR80 and SR125, Sennheiser HD-580 and '580 Jubilee.

While I listened to a wide range of music during the audition period, I'm going to focus my comments on two songs: "Rasd al-dhil Bashraf Sammai," from this month's "Recording of the Month," by the Eduardo Paniagua group, and "Third Uncle," from Brian…

All of McCormack's measurements were made from the rear panel binding posts. It didn't invert polarity. Its input impedance at 1kHz was 27.4k ohms at full volume (slightly higher at lower settings of the control). Its output impedance was below 0.04 ohms at low and mid frequencies, increasing to a maximum of 0.125 ohms at 20kHz. The output impedance at the line outputs was 99 ohms in the left channel, 101 ohms in the right.

S/N measured an outstanding 108.7dB (22Hz–22kHz, unweighted, ref. 1V). DC offset measured 0.4mV in the left channel, 0.5mV in the…

For $795 you can get the McCormack Micro Integrated Drive, one of the great bargains in high-end hi-fi, even if the name is a mouthful and doesn't tell you exactly what the unit does.

The MID is more than a headphone amp. It's also a superb active line-stage preamp (with two line-level inputs but no tape loop). As a line-stage preamp, the MID compares with some of the best solid-state line-stage preamps selling for $2000 or so.

But wait, there's more—a set of speaker jacks on the back, 5Wpc. With solid-…

Here's a reason: I live with an intelligent, dynamic, astoundingly tolerant woman, who doesn't seem to mind (much) that I've turned every room of our house into a mad scientist's maze of wires, boxes, and speakers. Yet, having gone that far, she…

Description: headphone amplifier with HeadRoom Audio Image Processor. Output power rating: 1500mW (8 ohm load). Frequency range: DC–100kHz. THD: 0.004%. S/N ratio: >100dB. Maximum input voltage: 3.7V. Maximum output voltage: 6.5V. Maximum voltage gain: 8.8dB. Power supply (Power Station One): ±12V, 800mA (external).
Dimensions: 5.5" W by 4" W by 1.5" H.
Serial number of unit tested: none.
Price: $259 (with Power Station One); Power Station Three adds $259 (1996); no longer available (2006). Approximate number of dealers: 150.
Manufacturer: Audio…