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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…

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…

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…

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:…

Digital sources: Mark Levinson No.31.5 CD transport; Mark Levinson No.30.6, Benchmark DAC 1, Musical Fidelity X-DACV3 D/A processors; Technics DVD-A10 DVD-Audio player; Ayre C-5xe, Linn Unidisk SC universal players.
Preamplification: Mark Levinson No.380S, No.326S preamps.
Power amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.33H monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: MartinLogan Montage.
Cables: Interconnect: AudioQuest Cheetah, Madrigal CZ Gel-1 balanced. Speaker: AudioQuest Kilimanjaro. Digital: Kimber Illuminations Orchid, DH Labs AES/EBU, AudioQuest SVD-4, Stereovox hdxv…

My estimate of the Reference Signature S2's voltage sensitivity agreed with the specification at 88.2dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is 1dB higher than the average of the speakers I have measured. Its impedance (fig.1) dips briefly below 4 ohms in the lower midrange, reaching a minimum of 3.6 ohms at 180Hz, but stays above 8 ohms for much of the audioband. Even with a combination of 5.2 ohms impedance and –40º capacitive phase angle in the upper bass at 112Hz, the Paradigm will not be too demanding a load for its partnering amplifier to drive. A slight wrinkle at 200Hz in…

What do you get for your $7000, aside from 140Wpc and a top-shelf name? Physically, you get…

Along with exemplary top-to-bottom "attack," the Premier Twelve portrayed decay with equal propriety, resolving low-level information…