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Two-Channel System).
Digital sources: Sony SCD-XA9000ES SACD/CD player, Theta Gen.VIII DAC.
Preamplifier: Sonic Frontiers Line-3.
Power amplifiers: Sonic Frontiers Power-3, Classé Omicron monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima Studio.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Cheetah DBS, JPS Super-Conductor 2. Speaker: AudioQuest Mont Blanc DBS biwire. AC: JPS Aluminata.

Multichannel System).
Digital sources: Sony SCD-XA777ES SACD/CD player, Denon DV-5900 universal player.
Preamplifier: McCormack MAP-…

I looked only at the main left and right outputs. To my surprise, the McCormack offered a lower maximum output level from SACD than it did from CD or DVD-Audio: 1.99V vs 2.35V. This is a difference of almost 1.5dB, which, if not compensated for, will mess up any direct comparisons of SACD and DVD. In addition, the UDP-1's output inverts signal polarity, which will be a confusing factor in comparisons with other players. McCormack doesn't specify the output impedance; I measured 319 ohms across most of the audioband, this rising to 500 ohms at 20Hz. As long as the…

I was stunned when John Atkinson's measurements of the McCormack UDP-1 universal disc player showed that its digital playback of DVD-Audio and SACD discs was not significantly better than its playback of "Red Book" CDs. In fact, JA told me, the UDP-1's digital performance was not substantially different from that of a $150 Pioneer DV-578A-S universal player he'd bought for reference. But I'd been charmed by the UDP-1's sound, which I'd ascribed to the improved power supply for the audio stages and to McCormack's…

The phone call shocked me—a brickwall SFP (Scull French-Pass) filter usually restricts the flow of such products from moving beyond Jonathan Scull's JMlab-guarded gates. But here was Stereophile's senior editor making me the offer.

"YBA pig about it?" he acknowledged. "Franc-ly, I'd never have assigned it to you, but I've got some bigger fish to French fry this month."

De Gaulle of da guy!

A few weeks later, after clearing customs, two large, battered cardboard containers arrived looking like whatever…

Description: Class-A triode vacuum-tube monoblock power amplifier. Output power: 100Wpc into 6 ohms (18.5dBW). Frequency response: 7Hz-50kHz, -3dB. THD: 0.07% at 1W, 0.3% at 50W. Voltage gain: 26dB into 6 ohms. Slew rate: 3µs. S/N ratio: 100dB, balanced input (no reference level given). Input impedance and sensitivity: not specified.
Dimensions: 17½" (448mm) W by 5 7/8" (150mm) H by 14 5/8" (452mm) D. Weight: 46 lbs (21 kg).
Price: $4795/pair (December 2001); $5500/pair (January 2002); no longer available (2004). Approximate number of dealers: 11 (2001).…

Analog sources: Simon Yorke turntable, Graham 2.2 and Immedia RPM2 tonearms, Lyra Helikon LE and Helikon Mono cartridges.
Digital sources: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 3D CD player, Marantz SA14 SACD player.
Preamplification: Hovland HP-100 preamplifier, Pass OnoX and Manley Steelhead phono sections.
Power amplifier: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300.
Loudspeakers: Sonus Faber Amati Homage, Audio Physic Avanti III.
Cables: Phono: Hovland Music Groove DIN/RCA, RCA/RCA. Interconnect: Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway II, Yamamura Millennium 6000,…

Stereophile Guide to Home Theater editor Thomas J. Norton used to dread measuring tube amplifiers when he was this magazine's technical editor. I know how feels, the Kora Electronic Concept Cosmos proving a little temperamental on the test bench—three of its 1A output-tube fuses blew at various times during the testing, and one of the 6AS7G tubes suddenly glowed brighter than it should have. After I turned the amplifier off, let it cool down, then turned it on again, this tube had no further problems, however.

The Cosmos had identical sensitivities from…

It's reasonable to expect five years or more out of a good cartridge, especially if you keep it and your…

Luckily, this is easy to do: Remove the arm, place one or two standard Rega shims (available…