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Editor’s Note: Apart from the AudioValve, CAT, DNM, Fi, Shindo, Tempo, and Placette, all the Class A preamplifiers offer balanced inputs and outputs. And unless noted, the preamplifiers listed do not have phono stages.

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Aesthetix Saturn Calypso Signature: $6999
Aesthetix Saturn Calypso: $4999 ✩
“A beautifully built, smartly designed, crisply functioning, versatile, and sonically brilliant preamplifier,” the Saturn Calypso is a single-box, tubed unit that borrows technology from the more expensive, two-box Jupiter Callisto to offer “an…

Editor’s Note: Because of the disparity between typical tube and solid-state “sounds,” we have split Class A for separate power amplifiers into two subclasses. Nevertheless, even within each subclass, Class A amplifiers differ sufficiently in character that each will shine in an appropriate system. Careful auditioning with your own loudspeakers is therefore essential. Except where stated, output powers are not the specified powers but rather those we measured into an 8 ohm resistive load. All amplifiers are stereo models, except where designated.

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Allnic T-1500 300B: $6900
Made in South Korea and imported by Hammertone Audio, the 12.5Wpc T-1500 boasts exquisite industrial design: polycarbonate chimneys showcase, protect, and ventilate the tubes, while attractively molded handles make for easy lifting. It uses two PCL86 driver tubes, two choke-regulated 300Bs with user-adjustable fixed bias, and output transformers wound around a nickel-permalloy core. Though it lacked bottom-end extension, the T-1500 delivered harmonic richness, excellent transparency, and natural tonal colors,…

Editor’s Note: Class A “Loudspeakers” are sufficiently idiosyncratic and differ enough from one another that prospective customers should read Stereophile’s original reviews in their entirety for descriptions of the sounds. I have therefore just listed every system or combination that at least one of Stereophile’s reviewers feels, as a result of his or her experience, approaches the current state of the art in loudspeaker design. (Note that, to be eligible for inclusion in Class A, the system must be full-range—ie, feature bass extension to 20Hz. It must also be…

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B&W DB1: $4500
The DB1 is a powered subwoofer in a handsome sealed enclosure measuring 19.3" H by 18.1" W by 16.2" D and weighing 97 lbs. Its solid construction includes: two mechanically opposed 12" woofers separated by a partially open internal partition, 1"-thick walls of MDF with 3⁄4"-thick bracing panels to minimize vibrations, digital signal-processing circuits to run its menu-based control system, home automation capability, and a 1000W switching amplifier equalized to produce linear output. Also included are a calibration microphone, four connector…

Editor’s Note: We strongly recommend those interested in headphone listening visit our new sister website, www.InnerFidelity.com, which is edited by Tyll Hertsens.

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Antelope Zodiac Bundle: $4495
Price includes Voltikus PSU. See “Digital Processors.” (Vol.34 No.10 Read Review Online)

Audio-Technica ATH-AD900: $299.95 $$$
The ATH-AD900 has the same basic look and design as the less expensive ATH-AD700, but offer significantly better build quality. They had a nuanced, natural sound, with outstanding low-level detail…

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DaySequerra FM Reference Signature Modification: $2800 (+ 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 bulbs 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…

APC AV S15: $1499 w/ battery backup ✩
The S15 is a comprehensive power source, conditioner, and controller that features extensible external power and isolated EMI/RFI filtration for each of its outlet banks. Voltage regulation is accomplished electronically and without the hysteresis or rebound problems of slower, motor-driven compensation. Protected even the heaviest of KR’s loads while also eliminating gray colorations and intermittent chassis vibration. “The S15 made the bridged eVo6 into an even better power amplifier—a super amp.” (Vol.28 No.9 Read…

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Meridian 861 with MRC room correction: $18,995 ✩
The MRC’s correction scheme is based on calculating and inserting multiple narrow notch filters for each speaker in each of the 861’s applications (see “Music Surround Components”). In order to reduce the decay time of each strong resonant mode with respect to the average decay time for the room, the notch filters are configured to match the frequency and time parameters of the resonant modes. In addition, the MRC limits the amount of correction to avoid making an audible change in the immediate sound from…

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Sound Devices Model 722 portable audio recorder: $2775 ✩
JM raved: “The coolest, most desirable piece of audio hardware I have encountered in a dog’s age.” The Model 722 is designed as a rugged, high-performance, foolproof, battery-powered portable stereo recorder for electronic newsgathering and video- and film-sound recording. However, with its line-level XLR analog inputs, onboard A/D converters, 40GB hard drive, and headphone amp, the 722 can also serve as a personal stereo. Offers 24-bit recording at up to a 192kHz sample rate. “The apotheosis of…