The 207 was auditioned in a system consisting of the Klyne SK-5a preamp, Motif MS100 power amplifier, Monster interconnects (Interlink Reference X and M1000) and loudspeaker cables (M1), and B&W 801 Matrix loudspeakers (mono-wired, without equalizer) on Sound Anchor stands. The PS Audio 4.6 preamp (with M-500 power supply) and California Audio Labs Aria Revised, Tempest II, and Audio Concepts/MSB Silver CD players were also used for comparisons. To test the 207's optional phono stages, a VPI HW 19 Mk.II with Well-Tempered Arm was brought into play. A van den…
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John Atkinson Comments, from May 1988 (Vol.11 No.5)
In Vol.11 No.4, JGH enthusiastically reviewed a series of recordings made with the new Colossus recording system (p.153). The reason for his enthusiasm was that these recordings totally lacked any sign of the dreaded "digititis" so prevalent in modern classical recordings, leading him to proclaim that the Colossus "could justifiably be included in any contemporary listing of the seven wonders of the audio world."
My appetite whetted, I listened to one of these recordings, Stephen Kates playing Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata in G…
Manufacturer's Comment: Colossus Recordings
Editor: Upon receiving the critique by John Atkinson, a laboratory examination of the specific compact disc in question was made by Lou Dorren. Lou's comments are as follows:
1) The original PCM-1 digital master is clean, with no distortion as described by JA.
2) When the PCM-1 to Colossus transfer was made, the digital medium was truly exercised with regard to program level.
3) This push of the medium may cause the kinds of distortions referred to by JA. The levels on this disc were recorded within 8 bits [LSBs] (…
I was sitting in the main listening room of In Living Stereo, a small Manhattan hi-fi shop nestled between Greenwich Village and the East Village, when my conversation with store owner Steve Mishoe turned to the economy's current dismal state. In the face of slow sales, Mishoe had noted an encouraging trend: Because we have less money to spend, we want to make sure that what money we do spend goes for products that not only deliver the thrill of something new, but also promise enduring quality. If this is true, then we have reason to celebrate. By shifting our focus from the so-called "latest…
2009 Loudspeaker of the Year
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 ($68,000/pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.9, September 2009 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Aerial Acoustics Model 5B ($2200/pair; reviewed by John Marks, Vol.32 No.6, June 2009 Review)
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine ($6500/pair; reviewed by Art Dudley & Jim Austin, Vol.30 No.12 & Vol.32 No.5, December 2007 & May 2009 Review)
Dynaudio Sapphire ($16,500/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.1, January 2009 Review)
Hansen Prince V2 ($39,000/pair; reviewed by…
2009 Joint Digital Source Components of the Year
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB D/A converter ($2500; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.32 No.10, October 2009 Review)
dCS Scarlatti SACD playback system ($79,996; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.8, August 2009 Review)
Meridian 808i.2 CD player ($16,995; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.4, April 2009 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Ayre Acoustics CX7-eMP CD player ($3500; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.32 No.10, October 2009 Review)
Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 digital processor ($495;…
2009 Analog Source Component of the Year
VPI Super Scoutmaster Reference rim-drive turntable ($8200; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.2, February 2009)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Benz Micro ACE phono cartridge ($700; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.6, June 2009)
Koetsu Coralstone Platinum Mono phono cartridge ($15,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.5, May 2009)
Miyabi monophonic phono cartridge ($2800; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.31 No.12, December 2008 Review)
Ortofon SPU Synergy A pickup head ($1850; reviewed by Art Dudley,…
2009 Amplification Component of the Year
Ayre KX-R preamplifier ($18,500; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.31 No.11, November 2008 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Benchmark DAC1 USB Pre D/A preamplifier ($1595; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.3, March 2009 Review)
Boulder 865 integrated amplifier ($12,000; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.32 Nos.4 & 8, April & August 2009 Review)
Conrad-Johnson Classic SE preamplifier ($1750; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.32 Nos.2 & 7, February & July 2009)
Nagra BPS phono preamplifier ($2399;…
2009 Accessory of the Year
Sennheiser HD800 headphones ($1400; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.32 No.7, July 2009 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Channel D Pure-Vinyl LP-ripping program ($229; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.3, March 2009)
Keith Monks Audio Works Omni record-cleaning machine ($6495; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.32 No.5, May 2009 Review)
PS Audio Power Plant Premier AC regenerator ($2195; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.32 No.2, February 2009 Review)
Shure SE310 earphones ($300; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.9,…
2009 Editors' Choice
John Atkinson: Two solid-state preamplifiers, the Ayre KX-R ($18,500, November 2008) and the Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 ($15,000, September 2009), both which proved that it is possible to design an active component that lets through more of the music than a straight piece of wire can!
Jim Austin: DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine loudspeaker ($6500/pair, December 2007 & May 2009). Art Dudley got it precisely right when he spoke of the Gibbon Nine's "sheer humanity." This loudspeaker may be named for a nonhuman ape, but communicating human emotion, and the deep…