Like a child with a short-wave radio, what I seek from my audio system is a sense of something human—like a real person's voice from a faraway place, emerging miraculously from my speakers. Harbeth's P3ESR loudspeakers, driven by the Nelson Pass-designed class-A, zero-feedback…
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The Harbeth P3ESR's least good trait is how compressed it can sound on bass-charged, highly dynamic programs. To my surprise, Schiit's Aegir alleviated that shortcoming (at least somewhat) by demonstrating a vigorous class-D-like force, delivering strong momentum, clean bass detail, and articulate, open highs.
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state stereo power amplifier with constant-transconductance output section. Power output: 20Wpc into 8 ohms (13dBW), 40Wpc into 4 ohms (13dBW). Inputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA), 1 balanced (XLR, for use in bridged-mono mode). Outputs: 1 pair five-way binding posts. Frequency response: 20Hz–200kHz, –0.1dB. Voltage gain: 22dB. Damping factor: >100 at 8 ohms, 20Hz–20kHz. Input impedance: 23k ohms single-ended, 44k ohms balanced. Power consumption: 450W maximum.
Dimensions: 9" (229mm) W by 3.875" (98mm) H by 13" (330mm) D. Weight: 19.6 lb…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable with Jelco TK-850L tonearm, AMG Giro G9 turntable with 9W tonearm; Hana ML, My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent Ex, Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue moving-coil cartridges.
Digital sources: Apple Mac mini computer running Audirvana Plus; Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analog 2 D/A processor; JVC X-Z1010 CD player (as transport).
Preamplification: EMIA Phono step-up transformer; Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ and Tavish Design Adagio phono preamplifiers; Rogue Audio RP-7.
Power amplifiers: PrimaLuna ProLogue…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I performed a full set of measurements on the Schiit Aegir, using my Audio Precision SYS-2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before doing any testing, I preconditioned the Aegir by running it at one-third power into 8 ohms for an hour. At the end of that time, the side-mounted heatsinks were hot, at 114.3°F (45.8°C) toward the rear, a little cooler nearer the front.
The Schiit's voltage gain into 8 ohms was slightly lower than the specified 22dB, at 19.5dB for both unbalanced and balanced inputs, the latter measured with the speaker output…
It is said that while any competent engineer can design a superb loudspeaker if allowed an unlimited bill of materials, the true test is being able to produce a great-sounding, budget-priced speaker out of parts that cost a mere handful of dollars. With PSB's Alpha series of bookshelf speakers, Canadian engineer Paul Barton has illustrated this truism many times over the years.
The first PSB Alpha was reviewed for Stereophile by Jack English in July 1992. A modest-looking two-way priced at just $199/pair, it combined a reflex-loaded 6.5" woofer using a plastic-doped paper cone with a 0.…
The dual-mono pink noise track on Editor's Choice sounded at its most even, if a little mellow, when my ears were level with or just above the top of the P5's cabinets. Higher than that and the noise started to sound a little hollow, with the treble sounding detached. The central image of the noise seemed a little wider than it had been with, for example, KEF LS50s but was stable with no "splashing" to the sides
at some frequencies. Midrange coloration was low. The little PSBs did well with both male and female spoken voices, whether it was Richard Lehnert's introductions to the channel…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, reflex-loaded loudspeaker. Drive-units: 0.75" (19mm) aluminum-dome tweeter with ferrofluid and a neodymium magnet, 5.25" (133mm) polypropylene-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 2.5kHz. Frequency response: 55Hz–21kHz, ±3dB on-axis. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Minimum impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 87dB/2.83V/m (anechoic), 89dB typical in-room. Recommended power: 10–90W. Maximum program power: 60W.
Dimensions: 11.375" (290mm) H by 6.75" (170mm) W by 9.5" (240mm) D. Weight: 10.15 lb (4.6kg) each. Shipping weight: 22.8lb/pair…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge, Channel D Seta L phono preamplifier.
Digital sources: Roon Nucleus+ file server; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream D/A converter.
Power amplifiers: Lamm Industries M1.2 Reference (monoblocks).
Integrated amplifiers: NAD C 328, NAD M10.
Loudspeakers: Rogers LS3/5a, KEF LS50.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), DH Labs (1m, AES/EBU), Esperanto Audio (1m, S/PDIF). Interconnect:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the PSB Alpha P5's frequency response in the farfield and an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield responses. Because the tweeter is mounted at the base of the front baffle, my primary measurement axis was level with the woofer's dust cap. I left off the loudspeaker's vestigial grille for the measurements.
PSB specifies the Alpha P5's sensitivity as 87dB, presumably for 2.83V drive at 1m. My estimate was a little lower, at 85dB(B)/2.83V/m. The impedance is specified as 8 ohms…
BBC LS5/5? I'd never heard of it until it was announced on my Facebook feed that the LS5/5 was Graham Audio's new flagship speaker—so new, in fact, that there were only two pairs in existence. One of them would be showcased that evening in a Montreal audio shop, Art et Son, for the model's official North American launch.
Equipped with a single listening room, Art et Son is a small boutique situated in Montreal's Mile-End district. When I entered the store's lobby, I immediately recognized Philip O'Hanlon of On A Higher Note, Graham Audio's North American importer, by his…