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Description: Fully balanced, dual-mono, solid state integrated stereo amplifier. Inputs: 3 pairs unbalanced (RCA), 2 pairs balanced (XLR). Optional DAC board adds USB, AES3, coaxial S/PDIF inputs, and 2× TosLink. Outputs: 2 pairs of loudspeaker binding posts, 1 pair unbalanced (RCA), 1 pair balanced (XLR), 1 pair REC unbalanced (RCA). Built-in independent headphone amplifier. Output power: 200Wpc into 8 ohms (23dBW), 380Wpc into 4 ohms (22.8dBW), 700Wpc into 2 ohms (22.4dBW). Gain range: –90dB/+10dB. Frequency response: 0.3Hz–500kHz, –3dB. Input impedance: 47k…

Digital sources: Aurender A20 streaming D/A processor, Grimm Audio MU1 streamer, 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max running Roon 2.0, Roon ROCK (Lenovo ThinkCentre).
Preamplifier: Benchmark HPA4.
Integrated amplifier: Anthem STR.
Power amplifier: Krell FPB 200c (recapped).
Loudspeakers: Focal Utopia Scala EVO, Estelon X Diamond MkII, Diptyque Reference.
Cables: Loudspeaker: AudioQuest Thunderbird Zero and Bass. Power cables and interconnects: AudioQuest WEL Signature (AES3), AudioQuest Coffee (coaxial S/PDIF), AudioQuest Vodka (TosLink), Clarus…

Based on the company's earlier FLS4 power amplifier, the genes of Audia Flight's FLS10 can be traced right back to the inaugural Flight 100 model, launched in 1997. In this current model, eight pairs of power transistors are deployed in bridged mode (per channel) across substantial heatsinks, supported by a huge 2kVA toroidal transformer and 144,000µF of supply capacitance. Regulation is impressively stiff, so the FLS10 not only exceeds its 200W/8 ohm rating by delivering 245Wpc into 8 ohms (23.9dBW) but then offers a +2.5dB uplift to 440Wpc into 4 ohms (23.4dBW…

Since the original WATT/Puppy concept kicked off in the late 1980s, there has been a 40-year evolution leading to the latest version reviewed here. The loudspeaker's price in 2025 is around $40,000/pair compared to the original's $8000. While inflation alone would have lifted the price to $25,000/pair, the current price takes into account the many technological and design improvements. While remaining physically separable, the upper "WATT" (Wilson Audio Tiny Tot) component, namely the head unit of the latest design, can no longer be run as a small…

Drive units and crossovers
Wilson Audio has enjoyed much experience with European drivers chosen primarily for transparency and musicality. All those in the current WATT/Puppy are by ScanSpeak, which specializes in patented ultrahigh-performance designs. These drivers are renowned for low coloration deriving from inventive diaphragm mode-suppressing geometry and suspension configurations.

Looking first at the Puppy's low-frequency enclosure, this houses two 8" (203mm) "essentially pistonic" bass drivers fitted with homogenous cellulose-composite resin-bonded pulp cones. These…

Alignment and optimization
I asked Daryl Wilson about break-in: "We found playing any Wilson Audio loudspeaker for 25–50 hours gives 90%–95% of the 'break-in' time and the sound is very close to what it will be when fully settled. Further subtle and nuanced changes in the sound will be noticed after about 100 hours. A system is fully broken in after about 150 hours. The differences in sound between a system that has 50 hours break-in time and 150 hours break-in time is very small."

After delivery and a basic install, here to my usual arrangements, and then after some…

Description: Three-way, two-enclosure floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive units: 1" (25.4mm) silk-dome tweeter, 7" (177.8mm) paper/pulp composite-cone midrange unit, two 8" (203.2mm) paper/pulp-cone woofers. Frequency response: 26Hz–30kHz, ±3dB (Room Average Response, RAR, the reference axial output weighted to include the power coupled to the room at lower frequencies, and not a room average per se). Sensitivity: 89dB/W/1m at 1kHz. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Minimum impedance: 2.87 ohms at 86Hz. Minimum amplifier power: 25Wpc. Supplied accessories: Paw feet. (…

Analog sources: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Keel chassis, Karousel main bearing, Radikal motor control, Naim ARO tonearm, and Lyra Delos cartridge.
Digital sources: Naim UnitiCore network server and S/PDIF source. Roon Nucleus+. Naim ND 555 Streamer-DAC with two 555 PS (DR) power supplies, Ariston CD player used as a transport.
Preamplification: Townshend Allegri Reference line control. Phono: Naim SuperLine-SuperCap DR.
Power amplifiers: Naim NAP 250 (2023), Constellation Revelation 2.
Loudspeakers: FinkTeam KIM, BBC LS3/5a.
Cables…

Listening to music inspires us to take action. Upon hearing an I.E.—Instant Ear-worm—we must then determine the best way we can go about listening to it again (and again) at our convenience. Prior to the free-for-all streaming era, our I.E. follow-through measures typically meant seeking out a specific playback medium for our favorite music, initially based on budgetary constraints. In those formative, pre-employment preteen years, 45s—and/or, depending on how far back we're talking here, possibly even 78s—fit the literal dollar bill before we could afford to move up…