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Analysis Plus Apex Silver: $996/1m pair
The Analysis Plus Silver Apex uses as its conductor an oxygen-free copper "stabilizing strand" covered with pure silver, in an arrangement the manufacturer describes, somewhat elliptically (haw) as "a hollow oval cable inside a hollow oval cable inside a hollow oval cable," said to be double shielded and thus quiet. And MF found it to be so: In his words, the Silver Apex is "highly recommended!" (Vol.42 No.5 WWW)

Audio Art Cable IC-3 Classic: $120/1m pair (RCAs), $140/1m pair (XLRs) ★
The IC-3—available with Audio Art…

Audio Art Cable SC-5 Classic: $240/10ft pair (gold spades; add $10/pr for silver spades), $250/10ft pair (gold bananas) ★
The SC-5 has silver-coated OFC conductors (14AWG), a foam polyethylene dielectric, a PVC jacket, and an internal packet of vibration-absorbing fibers. It can be terminated with gold-plated brass banana plugs or, for $10 less, DH Labs' gold-plated copper spade lugs. Compared to AudioQuest's Rocket 33, the SC-5 lacked body, weight, and warmth, but produced a detailed, dramatic overall sound, with clean transients and impressive dynamics, said SM…

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU: $112.50/1m ★
(NR, but see EL's review of the Bel Canto DAC3.5VB in Vol.34 No.6 WWW)

Kimber Kable Orchid: $849/1m ★
Expensive, but the best AES/EBU link JA has used. J-10 loved the Orchid's midrange liquidity and detail, but preferred Illumination's S/PDIF cable overall. SD (almost) doesn't equivocate: "Probably the best out there for now....A stunner!" RH and RD are also fans. New lower price usefully brings this cable in reach of more music lovers. (Vol.19 No.5)

Kubala-Sosna Expression: $900/m, $240/…

Okay folks, here is the really good news: Falcon's new, and I think improved sounding, "Gold Badge" edition costs the same $2999.95/pair as the "classic" Falcon LS3/5a I've been using for more than five years. And wait, there's even better news: The price of the classic Falcon 5a is now only $1995/pair, making it the least expensive BBC-licensed LS3/5a available in (and only in) the United States. This reduction in price is possible because the "classic" has become a…

Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, infinite-baffle loudspeaker. Drive-units: 0.75" (19mm) Mylar-dome tweeter, 5" (127mm) Bextrene-cone mid/woofer. Frequency range: 70Hz–20kHz. Sensitivity: 83dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 15 ohms.
Dimensions: 11.9" (304mm) H by 7.4" (190mm) W by 6.4" (165mm) D. Weight: 11.8 lbs (5.35kg).
Finishes: Cherry, Walnut; additional charge for Elm, Rosewood, Yew.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 01016A & B.
Price: $2999.95/pair. Approximate number of dealers: Not disclosed.
Manufacturer: Falcon Acoustics,…

Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable; Thomas Schick 10.5" tonearm; Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum moving-coil cartridge.
Digital sources: MacBook Air laptop, Mac mini running Audirvana Plus, HoloAudio May (Level 3) DAC, Integra DPS-7.2 used as CD transport.
Preamplification: Sunvalley SV-EQ1616D phono preamplifier; EMIA step-up transformer; Rogue Audio RP-7 line preamplifier.
Power amplifiers: Parasound A21+, First Watt F8.
Integrated amplifier: Line Magnetic LM-518 IA.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth P3ESR.
Cables:…

In the April 2021 issue of Stereophile, Herb Reichert wrote that he'd spent "almost 40 continuous years using first the kit, then the Rogers, then the Falcon LS3/5a's. Now, a new 5a has entered my world. It is what Falcon calls the 'Gold Badge' version ($2999/pair), and I think it might be the best LS3/5a ever produced for general consumption." The Falcon Acoustics' Gold Badge LS3/5a is a new version of the Falcon LS3/5a Herb reviewed in the July 2015 issue and which he has been using ever since.

Herb tried driving the new Falcons with a…

Those early tube amps, however, were unrefined and often a maintenance challenge. Visually, they were more functional than luxurious, and even if you managed to avoid shocking…

Listening
I've heard VAC amplification at many audio shows and a few dealer events over the last several years. But with few exceptions—one being at the Florida Audio Expo in early 2020, where I heard this very amplifier driving Acora SRB…