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The most exciting aspect of the X-1/Grand SLAMM was undeniably its extraordinary dynamic expression. Really good dynamics do not result from any single aspect of technical design. Rather, a whole group of interrelated factors come together to generate accurate, lifelike dynamics. These include low distortion, high thermal capacity, low coloration, and fast attack and decay of transients. High sensitivity and good electrical load matching are also important…

Description: Four-way, seven-drive-unit, floorstanding, reflex-loaded loudspeaker system. Drive-units: 1" (25mm), ferrofluid-cooled, inverted titanium-dome tweeter; two 6.5" (170mm) plastic-cone midrange units; 12" glass-fiber-reinforced pulp-cone upper woofer; 15" pulp-cone lower woofer; two rear-firing 1" metal-dome tweeters. Crossover frequencies: 120Hz, 3kHz, 12kHz (rear tweeters). Electrical crossover slopes: first-order, 6dB/octave woofer/midrange; second-order, 12dB/octave, midrange/tweeter. Frequency response: 19Hz-22kHz ±3dB. Low-frequency extension:…

During discussions with Dave Wilson when he was setting up the X-1/Grand SLAMMs in my room, I wondered aloud how someone without formal training as a speaker designer could possibly produce the sophisticated and uncompromising products for which his company is renowned. Wilson's own background is based in years of research in the medical engineering field, where reliability and safety standards are second to none. However, when I learned that he was also an enthusiastic audiophile of many years, standing as well as a self-taught recording engineer and…

Incorporated in this speaker's title is the term "Super Linear," which implies low distortion. It certainly sounded as if it should have low distortion, but would the X-1/Grand SLAMM really measure better than typical moving-coil designs? Characteristic distortion measurements in loudspeaker reviews are often made at more than one sound-power level: 86dB at 1m is a typical midrange sound level on music and natural speech; 96dB is quite loud—loud enough for most purposes, in practice; 100dB is quite often the upper working limit for miniature speakers; while 106dB…

A loudspeaker's single axial response cannot, therefore, fully reflect its perceived "sound." Yet…

Let's say your components are snugged into one of those ubiquitous Target racks I used to use myself, or a similar round- or square-section hollow-tube rack with MDF shelves supported at their corners by tabs or push-in paddles. Shut your system down, remove the component on the top shelf, and rap the shelf with your knuckles. Not very reassuring, is it? Not only is the shelf resonant, but being supported at only its four corners makes it rattle'n'jump when you rap it.

Back in February's "Fine Tunes," I suggested making your own…

"The S-400's supply is essentially a power amp in itself. The regulation requires six 3300µF capacitors and five 800V, 30A MOSFETs. They've got tremendous transconductance, so when the caps dump, the regulation…

Description: Tubed stereo power amplifier. Inputs: 1 pair unbalanced (RCA), 1 pair balanced (XLR). Outputs: 2 pairs binding posts. Tube complement: two 12AT7, two 6350, twelve 6550C (KT88). Rated power output at <3% distortion: 300W into 8 ohms (24.8dBW), 400Wpc into 4 ohms, tetrode (23dBW); 150Wpc into 8 ohms (21.8dBW), 200W into 4 ohms (20dBW), triode. Frequency response: 10Hz–125kHz, +0/–3dB. Output impedance: ca 1–1.5 ohms. Input impedance: 57k ohms. Input sensitivity: 2.2V for full output. Power consumption: 480W at idle, 2500W at full power.
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Digital Sources: Burmester 001, Cary CD300/303 CD players.
Analog Source: VPI TNT HR-X turntable & tonearm, Lyra Titan cartridge; Sutherland PhD, Ensemble Fonobrio phono stages.
Preamplification: VTL TL-7.5, Sutherland Director, Placette active line stages; Placette Remote Volume Control, Sonic Euphoria PLC passive line stages.
Power Amplifiers: VTL Ichiban, Simaudio Moon Rock, Mark Levinson No.20.6 (all monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Thiel CS6.
Cables: Interconnects and speaker: Nirvana S-X Ltd., Audience Au24, Nordost Valhalla, Silversmith…