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Looking at the way the TZ-9's impedance changes with frequency (fig.1), the LF enclosure-resonance peak lies at 47Hz, with the tuning of the ports revealed by the impedance minimum half an octave lower at 32Hz. The speaker would best be characterized as a 4-ohm design. The sensitivity was high, at around 91dB for a 2.83V input (measured using a 1/3-octave pink-noise band centered on 1kHz). The TZ-9 will go very loud with moderately powerful amplifiers (as long as they have no difficulty driving 4-ohm loads).

Fig.1 Pioneer TZ-9, electrical impedance…

In the January 1994 Stereophile I reviewed the $6300 Krell KRC remote-control preamplifier as a line-stage–only device. While most preamps these days do not come standard with a phono stage (sad but true, according to manufacturers I've surveyed), most do make some provision for customers who still value analog reproduction.

Such is the case with the KRC. For an extra $500 (a reasonable price for this option among today's high-end preamps), the KRC owner may obtain the KRC Phono Module at any time.…

The measurements presented here for the KRC Phono Module phono preamplifier were performed with a 47k ohm load in the MM configuration, and a 250 ohm load in the MC position (the latter chosen because it's 10 times the 25 ohm source impedance of our Audio Precision test set). In accordance with our normal practice, all phono-stage measurements were taken at the KRC's tape outputs. For logistical reasons, and because two KRCs with phono modules were available, the unit measured was not the one auditioned. However, the MC RIAA frequency response and overload margin…

The reference system used to audition the four loudspeakers reviewed here includes the VTL 225W Deluxe monoblock and Krell KSA 200 amplifiers, driven by a Theta DSPro Basic digital processor through the passive Electronic Visionary Systems Stepped Attenuator. The analog front end was a Well-Tempered Turntable and tonearm fitted with a Sumiko Boron vdH cartridge. Phono preamplification was provided by the Precision Audio outboard phono module, connected to the passive attenuator. The phono preamp has enough gain for the moving-coil Sumiko and is able to drive…

Traditionally, we have awarded components in five primary…

Wilson Audio Specialties Sasha W/P ($26,900/pair; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.33 No.7, July 2010 review)

2010 RUNNERS-UP (in alphabetical order)
Acapella High Violoncello II ($80,000/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.33 Nos. 9 & 10 review)
Aerial Acoustics Model 20T V2 ($32,000/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.11 review)
JL Audio Fathom f212 subwoofer ($6000; reviewed by Larry Greenhill, Vol.33 No.4 review)
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 3XL ($3700/pair; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.33 No.6)
Dynaudio Excite X12 ($1200/pair;…

Bauer Audio dps turntable ($9250; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.33 No.4 review)
Spiral Groove SG2 turntable with Centroid tonearm ($15,000; reviewed by Brian Damkroger, Vol.33 No.6 review)

2010 RUNNERS-UP (in alphabetical order)
Lyra Delos phono cartridge ($1500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.33 No.8)
Miyajima Shilabe MC phono cartridge ($2800; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.33 No.10 review)
Oracle Delphi Mk.VI turntable ($13,300, as reviewed; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.33 No.3)
Ortofon MC A90 phono cartridge…

dCS Puccini SACD playback system ($17,999; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.12 & Vol.33 No.10 review)

2010 RUNNERS-UP (in alphabetical order)
Benchmark DAC1 HDR USB D/A preamplifier ($1895; reviewed by Erick Lichte, Vol.33 No.9 review)
Bryston BDA-1 D/A processor ($3150; reviewed by Larry Greenhill, Vol.33 No.2 review)
HRT Music Streamer+ USB D/A processor ($299; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.32 No.11 review)
Musical Fidelity V-DAC D/A processor ($299; reviewed by John Atkinson & Jon Iverson, Vol.32 No.12 & Vol.33…

Audio Research VSi60 integrated amplifier ($3995; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.33 No.9 review)

2010 RUNNERS-UP (in alphabetical order)
Aesthetix Saturn Calypso Signature preamplifier ($6999; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.33 No.7 review)
Balanced Audio Technology VK-55SE power amplifier ($5995; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.33 No.4 review)
Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Renaissance preamplifier ($7995; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.32 No.11 review)
Classé CT-SSP preamplifier-processor ($9000; reviewed by Kal Rubinson…

Benchmark DAC1 HDR USB D/A headphone amplifier ($1895; reviewed by Erick Lichte, Vol.33 No.9 review)

2010 RUNNERS-UP (in alphabetical order)
CEntrance DACport 24/96 USB headphone amplifier ($399.95; reviewed by John Atkinson & Erick Lichte, Vol.33 Nos.6 & 10 review)
Etymotic Research hf2/hf5 in-ear headphones (hf2, $179; hf5, $149; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.33 No.8 review)
Grado SR60i headphones ($79; reviewed by Jim Austin, Vol.33 No.4 review)
Music Hall dac25.2 D/A headphone amplifier ($599; reviewed by Sam Tellig…