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Selecting suitable electronics for a $1200 pair of speakers presents a bit of a dilemma. You want to use something that people likely to buy this speaker are likely to be able to afford, but you don't want the speaker to be handicapped by limitations in associated equipment. As it happened, I'd recently finished reviewing the PrimaLuna ProLogue Three preamplifier and ProLogue Seven amplifiers (December 2006), which are superb performers at a relatively affordable price (about $4000 for the preamp and pair of monoblock amplifiers). With the Prelude's claimed 91dB sensitivity, the ProLogue…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, magnetically shielded, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units (all aluminum-magnesium alloy): 1" dome tweeter, two 3.5" cone woofers. Crossover frequency: 3.5kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB. Frequency response: 35Hz–28kHz. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Recommended power: 10–300W.
Dimensions: Sample 1: 40" (1025mm) H by 5" (130mm) W by 8" (205mm) D. Weight: 25 lbs (11.4kg) each net, 60 lbs (27.3kg)/pair shipping. Sample 2: 39.2" (1005mm) H by 5.8" (150mm) W by 8" (205mm) D. Weight: 26 lbs (11.8kg) each net, 62 lbs (28.2kg)/pair…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: PS Audio Lambda II CD transport, Perpetual Technologies/ModWright P-1A/P-3A digital processors, Monolithic Sound P3 power supply, Mystic Reference I2S cable.
Preamplifier: PrimaLuna ProLogue Three.
Power Amplifiers: PrimaLuna ProLogue Seven monoblocks, PS Audio GCC-100c.
Loudspeakers: Avantgarde Uno.
Cables: Digital: Illuminati Orchid AES/EBU. Interconnect: PS Audio xStream Statement. Speaker: Nordost Valhalla. AC: PS Audio xStream Power.
Accessories: PS Audio P-500 AC regenerator; Bright Star Little Rock (atop CD transport…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
All my measurements were performed on samples of the "Revised" version of the Prelude. The terminal posts were loose on both samples and one of the samples (serial no.2041A) appeared to be miswired: the drive-units were silent when driven individually, the speaker giving out sound only when both sets of terminals were connected to the amplifier. Although its farfield response and sensitivity then matched that of the second sample (serial no.2041B), I put it back in the box and performed all the measurements on the second speaker. (I left the grille off.)
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When I unpacked the Rogue Audio Atlas, I didn't know how much it cost. After examining its chassis of high-grade steel, its silver-anodized aluminum faceplate, its sleek and slightly rounded edges, and, above all, its two chunk-o'brick transformers—for such a little thing (a foot-and-a-half square by half-a-foot high), it's heavy—I guessed around five grand. Then I called Rogue Audio and learned that it retails for $1395.
I was startled. It seemed crazy cheap. At 55 lbs and 55Wpc, that's about $25 per watt and per pound—bargain-basement for a tube amp. Then (I'm not proud of…
There's a wonderful, unjustly obscure 1981 Chico Freeman album, The Outside Within (LP, India Navigation 1042). The first track on side 2, "The Search," begins with a very slow, bluesy duet between Freeman's bass clarinet and Cecil McBee's bowed bass, the two playing in perfect unison. A good test of midbass clarity is whether the two players sound clearly distinct up and down the scale, tonally, spatially, and harmonically—ie, whether you can pinpoint where each is standing on the soundstage and which player is bowing, which blowing. The Atlas passed the test, but not with aces; I had to…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel, tubed power amplifier. Tube complement: four KT77 (or EL34), two 12AU7, two 12AX7. Maximum output power: 55Wpc into 8 ohms (17.4dBW). THD: <0.1% typical, <1% at rated power. Input sensitivity: 1.0V RMS.
Dimensions: 18" (460mm) W by 5.5" (140mm) H by 17" (435mm) D. Weight: 50 lbs (22.7kg) net, 55 lbs (25kg) shipping.
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: ATL-0604.
Price: $1395. Optional cover, $100. Approximate number of dealers: 55. Warranty: 3 years (6 months for tubes).
Manufacturer: Rogue Audio Inc., 3 Marian Lane,…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Source: VPI HW-19 Mk.4 turntable, VPI JMW Memorial tonearm, Clearaudio Victory H cartridge.
Digital Sources: Krell SACD Standard SACD/CD player, Simaudio Moon CD 5.3 CD player.
Preamplification: Audible Illusions Modulus 3a used as full preamp and as phono stage only, Krell KAV-280p line stage.
Power Amplifier: Krell FPB-400cx.
Loudspeakers: Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation.
Cables: Nirvana.
Accessories: Bybee Technologies Signature power purifier, Monster Cable AVS-2000 voltage regulator, Black Diamond Racing Mk.4 Cones, Mapleshade…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Before performing any measurements on the Rogue Audio Atlas, I checked the bias of its four KT77 output tubes. All were running at around 40mA bias current, close to the 35mA recommended by the manufacturer. I tested the Atlas with its output transformer hooked up for 8 ohm operation, as usually supplied by Rogue, and also as wired for 4 ohm operation, as ultimately used by Fred Kaplan in his auditioning. To my surprise, the voltage gain into 8 ohms was the same from both output-transformer windings—26.5dB—despite the 8 ohm tap's greater intrinsic gain. This is…
Jeff Joseph always causes a stir at Stereophile's annual Home Entertainment Shows. No matter which speakers he exhibits, he invariably gets wonderful sound in his room. He's fooled more than one Stereophile writer who thought he was listening to Joseph's flagship Pearls when, behind a curtain, it was actually two of his in-wall models that were playing. And his competitors seem to envy his hi-fi show sound more each year.
My experience with Joseph Audio speakers had been limited to show demonstrations, as their prices have always far exceeded my self-imposed ceiling for "…