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The following will come as no surprise: I'm no engineer. But I've met some fascinating people and learned just enough to be dangerous. (To me, learning is like music: It keeps you alive.)

With the Richard Gray's Power Station, certain issues immediately presented themselves: First, what exactly is the energy-storage capacity of the 400S? This is actually a question of relatively simple physics and mathematics, and neither subject is a forte of mine. But they are of Stereophile's Shannon Dickson, who explains it quite succinctly:

"The calculations are…

Digital source: dCS 972 DDC and Elgar DAC at 24/192, Forsell Air Reference CD transport, Accuphase DP-75V CD player.
Preamplifier: BAT VK-50SE/VK-P10.
Power amplifiers: Forsell Statement, Lamm ML1s.
Loudspeakers: JMlab Utopia.
Cables: Interconnect: Synergistic Research Designer's Reference Active Shielding, AudioQuest Amazon. Speaker: Synergistic Research Designer's Reference, XLO The Limited. Digital datalinks: XLO The Limited AES/EBU. AC cords: Synergistic Research Designer's Reference Master Couplers Squared.
Accessories: ASC Studio Traps…

Editor: We thank you for giving us the opportunity of making this pre-publication response and for giving us lengthy coverage of the Richard Gray's Power Company (RGPC). We are disappointed that Jonathan Scull was unable to achieve the results that others and we have enjoyed with the over 2000 units sold by over 75 dealers in the 13 months the RGPC has been on the market. These dealers encourage no-risk, in-place demonstrations to high-end audio and home-theater enthusiasts, professional recording studios, and musicians.

In a few rare exceptions where one's…

When the Charmin runs out

Editor: After reading Jonathan Scull's review of the Richard Gray's Power Company 400S AC line conditioner (June 2000, p.103), I am again reminded of the two things for which I utilize Stereophile. The first is the information gleaned from "Industry Update." The second is using Jonathan Scull's equipment reviews when the Charmin runs out.—Tom Hamer Memphis, TN, tomhamer@pop.mindspring.com

With three it's heaven!

Editor: My system consists of an Audio…

Editor: This begins to resemble one's life's work. It's dear old Jonathan Scull again, as in President Reagan's quip, "There you go again."

In the June Stereophile Scull disparages a product which, in the opinion of a large number of impartial audiophiles, is remarkably effective. Your top-tier reviewer judges otherwise, which would be all right, I suppose, were he to occupy a less influential position in this little world of ours. As matters stand, the man's sarcasms and snipes might very well obliterate an innovation deserving of celebration and support…

Editor: Just received the August issue of Stereophile and what do I read? A couple of crybabies taking one of your boys to task for a negative review. "Wah! I spent my money on this stuff, which means it has to be good. So you're wrong, Mr. Stereophile Editor Man. Wah!"

Typical spoiled yuppie losers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the license of critique extends to the negative as well as the positive. It doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to be diplomatic. And, because you drape yourselves in the flag of subjective review über alles, it doesn…

A scathing review?

Editor: I was disturbed by Jonathan Scull's scathing review of the Richard Gray's Power Company device in the June 2000 Stereophile. I reviewed this product for Widescreen Review and liked it a lot. I also recommended that readers of my own publication, the Audio Perfectionist Journal, try the Richard Gray's unit in their own systems. Mr. Scull came to very different conclusions and soundly condemned the RGPC as a rip off while comparing its sonic…

Cables, power-line conditioners, and the like can have a profound effect on a system's sound, but they're the spices of a sound system, not the main course—as was proved during the months I spent with the Richard Gray's Power Products in and out of my reviewing system.

Richard Gray's Power Company offers three basic product lines: power-line conditioners, isolation transformers, and AC power cords. The company claims that its system, based on beefy inductors operating in parallel with…

When I received everyone's suggestions—thanks, guys, I'm in your debt big-time—I reduced the number of…