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When I came up for air after reviewing PS Audio's BHK Signature preamplifier for our June 2017 issue, there was still a pair of BHK Signature 300 monoblock power amplifiers ($14,998/pair) sitting on the floor of my listening room. (PS Audio had provided them to use while reviewing their preamp.) Also sitting there, next to the monoblocks, was a pair of DeVore Fidelity's Orangutan O/96 loudspeakers, their lovely wood baffles gleaming. (They're in for a Follow-Up.)

It was an intriguing match: The BHK…

I don't want to embarrass my friend, so in this story I will call him O., for Mr. Objectivity.

One day, O. and I made a little pilgrimage to hear a mutual friend's million-dollar audio system. We listened for hours: LPs, CDs, hi-rez files—you name it. At the end of the session, both of us…

Genuine artists seldom need fashion tips; and some, like mountain-music master Ralph Stanley, are always so damn fashion-forward that none of us will ever catch up. I know, 'cause I've spent my whole life imitating Dr. Stanley's personal style and attitude of gratitude. The cover photos on Ralph Stanley (CD, DMZ/Columbia CK 86625) will show you exactly what I mean.

While I still mourn Stanley's passing—he died in 2016—he remains an inspired minister in my Bed-Stuy church. So many times, his version of Hank Williams's "Calling You…

Description: Solid-state stereo power amplifier. Inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 1 unbalanced (RCA). Power output: 300Wpc into 8 ohms (24.8dBW), 550Wpc into 4 ohms (24.4dBW), 800Wpc into 2 ohms (23dBW). Broadband frequency response: 20Hz–80kHz (+0/–0.15dB). Voltage gain: 29dB. Input impedance: 33k ohms balanced, 23.5k ohms unbalanced. Input sensitivity: 1.5V. Damping factor (8 ohms): >500. THD: <0.005% at 100W, 1kHz, 8 ohms. Signal/noise (A-weighted): >117dB ref. FTC rated power, unbalanced input; >91dB ref. 1W, unbalanced.
Dimensions: 17" (430mm) W by…

Analog Sources: Analogueworks Zero, Linn LP12, Palmer 2.5, Roksan Series 7 turntables; Audio Origami PU-7, Roksan Nima, SME M2-9 tonearms; AMG Teatro, Dynavector DV-20X2L, EMT TSD 75, Hana EL, Mighty Cala Sound TNT 15 (silver), Zu Denon DL-103 MC cartridges; Ortofon 2M Black, Roksan Coral Silver MM cartridges.
Preamplification: Parasound Halo JC 3+, Tavish Design Adagio phono preamplifiers; Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III phono preamplifier & Copla JFET-MC step-up stage; Auditorium 23 (for EMT), Bob's Devices CineMag 1131, Dynavector P75 + SUP-200 step-up…

I measured the two-channel version of the Emotiva XPA Gen3 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before performing any tests, I ran it at 100Wpc into 8 ohms for an hour. (With a class-AB or -B amplifier, one-third full power is when the heat dissipation in the output devices is at its maximum.) At the end of that time, the louvers on the top panel above the two circuit boards were hot, at 134.4°F (56.9°C), though the rest of the exterior case was cooler. This may be an inexpensive amplifier, but it has adequate heatsinking…

The phrase winked at me from the margins of an e-mail I received last year from Gary Dayton, Bryston Audio's VP of sales and marketing, whom I know from my visits to the Montreal Audio Fest. Referring to my ongoing series of reviews of ca-$10,000 CD players—the best of which one might consider for the title The Last CD…

Description: CD player. Formats: CD, CD-R, CD-RW. Analog outputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 1 single-ended (RCA). Digital outputs: 1 AES/EBU (XLR), 1 S/PDIF (RCA). Output voltage: 4V balanced, 2V single-ended. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.1dB. Noise: –140dB. Intermodulation distortion: <0.0003%. THD+noise, 20Hz–20kHz: <0.001%.
Dimensions: 19" (483mm) W by 3.325" (85mm) H by 11.53" (293mm) D. Weight: 8.8 lbs (4kg).
Finishes: Black, silver.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 00140.
Price: $3495; BR2 remote control, $375 ($150 when purchased with…

Analog Sources: Garrard 301 turntable; EMT 997 tonearm; EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15, Ortofon SPU #1S, Shindo Laboratory SPU pickup heads; Denon DL-103 cartridge, with and without MusiKraft body.
Digital Sources: AudioQuest DragonFly Red, Halide Design DAC HD USB DACs; Apple iMac computer (late 2015) running OS 10.12.1 & Roon v.1.2, Build 165; Sony SCD-777 SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 & T2 step-up transformers; EMIA Phono transformer (copper); Sentec EQ11 phono preamplifier; Shindo Laboratory Masseto & Monbrison…