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The 800 replaced pairs of tiptop transports and DACs, from mbl and Burmester, but I didn't mourn their absence. Compared to the German duos, the 800 Reference seemed to differ less in sound quality than in operation and ergonomics. The 800 requires no pucks or mysterious trap doors; just hit Open on the remote, insert the disc, hit Play, and enjoy. Going back through all the discs I used to differentiate the Burmester, mbl, and Levinson DACs that I reviewed in December '99, I could not find one that was not completely satisfying on the 800. In consideration of its performance as a player and…
The 861 can process two-channel PCM input, Pro Logic, DTS, MPEG, and MLP. (I had no suitable source material for the latter two processes.) Pro Logic, DTS, and MPEG were also available in THX modes, supposedly optimal for domestic listening. Both DTS and MPEG come in "Music" variants. Compared to the original DTS, designed for theater use, DTS-Music has a lower output from the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel, but MPEG-Music is quite vaguely described. From a PCM input (such as S/PDIF from a CD or DVD player's digital output), the 861 can process the following formats:
Direct: Plain…
The only orchestral disc with which I preferred Direct was the recent Nature's Realm disc from Wolfgang Sawallisch and the Philadelphia Orchestra (Water Lily WLA-WS-66-CD). This spectacular recording was made with a single crossed pair of mikes, and sounded right only with a Blumlein arrangement of the two DSP6000s, each toed-in 45 degrees. In either Music or Trifield mode, the precision of instrument placement was obscured.
Synthesizing surround
Meridian's 861/DSP6000 proved a superb two-channel system, and the addition of a center channel (Trifield) was almost always an…
The real thing?
In order to hear what the Meridian 861 could do with discrete, albeit compressed, multichannel recordings, I quickly compiled a collection of Dolby Digital and DTS discs. Whenever possible, I also picked up the standard two-channel version. Insertion of a Dolby Digital or DTS disc automatically switches the 861 into the appropriate mode. Unfortunately, the switch into DTS from any other mode was usually accompanied by a few seconds of harsh transients, which should have been muted; each time, I had to hit the Repeat button to hear the beginning of the music. Playing a…
In order to hear what the Meridian 861 could do with discrete, albeit compressed, multichannel recordings, I quickly compiled a collection of Dolby Digital and DTS discs. Whenever possible, I also picked up the standard two-channel version. Insertion of a Dolby Digital or DTS disc automatically switches the 861 into the appropriate mode. Unfortunately, the switch into DTS from any other mode was usually accompanied by a few seconds of harsh transients, which should have been muted; each time, I had to hit the Repeat button to hear the beginning of the music. Playing a…
But single-ended triodes do other things, and in such a way as to seduce many a music lover to the point of morphing into proselytizing zealots. If you come from a contemporary push-pull setup, let me suggest that you open your mind and your ears and just listen. After all, isn't the joy of music the seemingly endless cycles of discovery and new experience which may provoke "the emotions most unexpected," as Hercule Poirot would say?
So just what is this voodoo that it do so well?
Sonus
The "official" listening began almost by accident. Late one night I found myself sitting…
Sam Tellig wrote about the standard Cardinal in January 1996 (Vol.19 No.1):
The standard-edition Wavelength Audio Cardinal is priced at a mere $5250/pair. Each monoblock uses a 5AR4 to rectify the high voltage for the plate supply, a 6SL7 in the gain/driver, and a single 300B output tube. Brown-bottomed Golden Dragon 300Bs are standard. Various tube choices are available from the manufacturer, including original Mullard 5AR4s. The power is rated at 7+ watts per channel (Wpc).
Let's see...$5250/pair divided by two, divided by 7. That's $350 per watt per channel. We're talking…
Sidebar 1: Measurements
Except where noted below, the measurements of the Wavelength Cardinal were made using the Sylvania 6188 input tube, Mullard/Sylvania 5AR4 rectifier, and VAIC VV30B Type I output tube—the tube complement recommended by the manufacturer for best sound. Eight-ohm measurements were made with the 8 ohm setting of the output taps, 2 and 4 ohm readings with the 4 ohm setting.
The Wavelength Cardinal was warmed up for one hour at a third of its rated maximum power (8W). It did not run warmer than expected for this type of design. Its input impedance measured 99k…
Sidebar 2: Specifications
Description: Single-ended class-A triode monoblock amplifier. Tube complement (each amp): Mullard 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier, Sylvania 5691 (black base) input/driver, 300B VAIC VV30B Type 1 output. Power output: 8-9W depending on driver tube (9-9.5dBW). Overall voltage gain: 18.6dB. Frequency response: 18Hz-15kHz, -1dB; 10Hz-28kHz, -3dB.
Dimensions: 9" H by 12" W by 14" D. Weight: 38 lbs each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: CXS.9507.3.8-1 & 2.
Price: $7500/pair (XS); $5250/pair (standard). Approximate number of dealers: 8.
Manufacturer: Wavelength…
Canadian company Paradigm has made a name for itself over the past 20 years with affordably priced, high-performance loudspeakers. Its Reference Series designs have garnered much praise from this magazine—I was well impressed by the floorstanding Series 3 Reference Studio/100 ($2300/pair) last January, my review following hard on the heels of Kalman Rubinson's enthusiastic recommendation of the smaller Studio/60 v.3 ($1600/pair) in December 2004, while the bookshelf Reference Studio/20 ($800/pair) has been a resident of Stereophile's "Recommended Components" listing ever since Bob Reina's…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, magnetically shielded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) G-PAL, gold-anodized aluminum-dome tweeter; 7" (178mm) MLP, mica-loaded polymer-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 1.8kHz. Crossover slopes: third-order, electroacoustic. Frequency response: 52Hz–22kHz, ±2dB on-axis; 52Hz–20kHz, ±2dB, 30º off-axis. Low-frequency extension: 38Hz DIN (–3dB in a typical listening room). Impedance: "compatible with 8 ohms." Sensitivity: 88dB/2.83V/m, anechoic. Recommended amplification power: 15–225W. Maximum input power:…