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A (SOLID STATE):

Ayre VX-8: $6800
See Ken Micallef's review in this issue. (Vol.46 No.10 WWW)

Bel Canto E1X: $6200
Trickled down from Bel Canto's premium Black line, this slimline, lightweight amplifier uses the well-regarded Ncore class-D modules and a low-noise switch-mode power supply. TG commented positively on the e1X's image specificity, low-frequency control, and extremely low background noise. "I didn't expect to be so completely gobsmacked by the level of clarity and musicality I'm hearing now from the e1X," he concluded. JA's…

A:

ampsandsound Bigger Ben: $5600
This single-input, single-ended, triode-wired, no-negative-feedback tube amplifier drives both loudspeakers and headphones. It offers approximately 8Wpc into 8 ohms and 5Wpc into 32 ohms (when equipped with a solid state rectifier and KT88 output tubes). With 6L6GC output tubes, when it maxes out at 3Wpc, the Bigger Ben powered Zu Soul Supreme speakers "to greater levels of transient and timbral exactitude...than most any other amp I've tried," wrote HR. With DeVore Orangutan O/93s, HR found the Ben every…

A (FULL RANGE):

Audiovector R8 Arreté: $77,500/pair
Optional grounding cable adds $3850. (Vol.44 No.9 WWW)

Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: $120,000/pair ★
(Vol.40 No.1 WWW)

Dutch & Dutch 8c: $14,950/pair ★ (stands necessary)
(Vol.42 No.8, Vol.43 No.4 WWW)

Dynaudio Confidence 30: $24,000/pair
(Vol.44 No.8 WWW)

EgglestonWorks Viginti: $42,795/pair ★
(Vol.41 No.6 WWW)

Estelon Forza: $169,000—$185,000/ pair depending upon finish
(Vol.44 No.11 WWW)

Estelon XB Diamond Mk II: $63,000/pair—$65,…

A:

JL Audio CR-1: $3500
The CR-1 crossover has continuously variable high- and low-pass filters built around two banks of precision Linkwitz-Riley filters that can be set for 12 or 24dB/octave via. Front panel switch. Upon encountering the CR-1, LG "wondered where it had been all [his] life;" he's been using it ever since. "It's beautifully made, sonically transparent, performs a critical role in the optimal setup of subwoofrs, and has ergonomic bypass and mute functions that let you immediately hear the sonic iprovements of good bass management…

A:

Arvus H2-4D multichannel Dolby Atmos digital processor: $4990
The H2-4D combines HDMI and word clock inputs with 16-channel digital (AES3), balanced analog, and LAN outputs. It decodes and renders all extant varieties of Dolby (including Atmos), DTS (including DTS-X), and stereo and multichannel PCM (up to 24/192). Set-up and control is via a local webpage, accessible via the user's network. After wrestling with setting up the channels, KR found with the Arvus's digital outputs that while Apple Music's Atmos is lossy and limited to a 48kHz…

A+:

Abyss Diana TC: $5995 as reviewed
The stock, fourth-generation Abyss Diana TC costs $4495; the review sample substituted a 1.8m Superconductor HP cable for the standard 1.5m cable, which can be terminated with three- or four-pin XLRs or a ¼" plug. Using Eleven Audio's Broadway amplifier HR found that the 69 ohm, 90dB/mW-sensitive, 390gm Diana sounded smoother, darker, more luxuriant than the earlier, 50 ohm, 88dB/mW-sensitive, 640gm Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC. Listening to La Guitarra dels Lleons, while the 1266 displayed more of the…

A (RESTRICTED EXTREME LF):

JBL 4329P: $4500/pair
See Tom Fine's review in this issue. (Vol.46 No.10 WWW)

B:

Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation: $1599 with standard grille fabric
This slim, all-in-one, Roon Ready networked music system has a tweeter, a midrange unit, and an oval-shaped woofer for each channel, all powered by direct-digital, class-D amplification. The integral DSP offers three room compensation settings. There is also an alarm and a sleep timer. The major digital streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz…

Channel D Pure Music software: $129
Pure Music (Mac only) can play sampling rates of up to twice the 192kHz limit of Amarra and Decibel. Like those programs, Pure Music (Mac only) offers memory play, automatic sampling-rate changes, and full compatibility with native FLAC files and in its latest version, DSD files. Going from iTunes to Pure Music, the sonic improvement was modest but worthwhile, with cleaner trebles and improved pitch certainty. Compared with the less expensive Decibel, however, Pure Music lacked some openness and clarity, decided AD. Using…

A:

DaySequerra FM Reference Signature Modification: $3800 (+ cost of tuner) ★
David Day's Signature Mod effectively addresses this ultimate FM tuner's cathode-ray tube's tendency to burn out. Switching circuitry has been added to allow the CRT to turn off when not needed. The Signature Mod also replaces the tuner's incandescent bulb with longer-lasting LEDs, and uses hand-matched, low-group-delay filters for lower distortion and better channel separation. LG noted punchy, quick bass response, a deeper soundstage, and a more transparent midrange. "The new CRT's…

Audio Elegance Furniture : $424-$6329
Audio Elegance's "aesthetically simple, sturdy designs" are available in three lines; in the upper two, Dakota and James River, only select hardwoods, softwoods, and multidirectional plywoods are used. Biscuit joinery is featured throughout, and finishes include catalyzed lacquers and hand-rubbed oils. Prices start at $319 for a Frontier Series amp stand and rise to $4759 for a Dakota Collection LP storage unit. Custom items are also available. (Vol.32 No.2 WWW)

Audio Points by Live-Vibe Audio: $…