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The Jubilee's frequency response (fig.1) was better than that of the older Decca designs. The omnipresent bass wiggles were now confined to a gentle rise toward 20Hz. Likewise, the 250Hz region was uniformly flat. There was just the gentlest of downward tilts, 0.5–0.75dB, from 100Hz to 5kHz. While the range above 5kHz was mildly perturbed (+1dB, –3.5dB), matters roughly balanced out over the final octave. Significant high-frequency resonances were held off until 24kHz.

Description: "Direct-Sensing" phono cartridge. Nominal output (1kHz, 5cm/s): 5mV. Recommended downforce: 1.8–2.2gm. Mass: 10gm. Recommended tonearm mass: medium (well-damped).
Price: $1600 (Jubilee, 1995); $4495 (Reference, 2005). Approximate number of dealers: 7.
Manufacturer: Presence Audio, Overdale, Haglands Lane, West Chiltington, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2QR, England. Tel: +44 (0)1798 813133. Web: www.londondeccaaudio.com. US distributor: Pro Audio, Ltd., Barrington, IL 60010 (1995). May Audio Marketing, 2150 Liberty Drive, Unit 7, Niagara…

I think that Delius's reputation has suffered because it's tempting to think of him as nothing more than an earnest spinner of dreamy English pastorales. But his music can be more substantial than that. An excellent new disc of Delius's…

Components listed here have been formally reviewed in Stereophile and have been found to be among the best available in each of four or five quality classes. Whether a component is listed in Class A or Class E, we highly recommend its…

A+

Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn: $149,995 with tonearm and stand ✩
“Part New Jersey diner, part Wurlitzer jukebox,” the 160-lb Caliburn is the brainchild of Mark Doehmann, whose clever, purposeful design is based on rigorous scientific methodology using finite-element analysis computer programs. While the only serious competition for the Caliburn is the Rockport System III Sirius, MF decided, “The Caliburn beat the Rockport’s overall performance by a considerable margin,” adding an “emotional majesty” that made the Rockport seem analytical. “Better than sex!”…

Editor’s Note: SACD and DVD-A player ratings are based on how they sound with their respective hi-rez media, not CD.

A+

Ayre Acoustics DX-5 “Universal A/V Engine”: $9950
Based around the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player, the multichannel-capable DX-5 plays CDs, SACDs, DVD-A, DVD-V, and Blu-ray discs, while its USB port handles resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. It uses a new Ayre power supply, Ayre’s zero-feedback, fully balanced audio circuitry, opto-isolators to prevent noise from entering the audio signal…

Editor’s Note: The sound of any particular CD transport/digital processor combination will be dependent on the datalink used—see “Bits is Bits?” by Christopher Dunn and Malcolm Omar Hawksford, Stereophile, March 1996, Vol. 19 No.3 (Read Review Online). Unless mentioned, processors are limited to 32/44.1/48kHz sample rates. To be included in Class A+, a digital processor must be capable of handling DSD or 24/96 LPCM data.

A+

Ayre Acoustics QB-9: $2750
The QB-9 is an asynchronous transfer mode, USB-input DAC with Ayre’s minimum-phase digital…

A

Anthem Statement D2v: $8999 ✩
The latest enhancement of the Statement D2 audio/video processor is the Anthem Room Correction kit (ARC), which includes a calibration microphone and stand and all necessary software and cables. Its versatile controls allow the user to modify the recommended crossovers, insert a variable room-gain bump, and set the upper-frequency limit for corrections. With the ARC’s settings in place, soundstages were wider and more open. “Using the optimized ARC Advanced settings…