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Description: Vacuum-tube phono preamplifier with switchable subsonic filter. Tube complement: six 12AX7s, two 6GK5s. Voltage gain: 53dB. Input sensitivity: not specified. RIAA accuracy: within 0.25dB. Hum and noise: -85dB ref. 10mV input. Distortion: not specified. Input impedance: switchable between 47k ohms, 9.6k ohms, 1.9k ohms, 500 ohms, and 200 ohms. Output impedance: ±200 ohms. Rated output capability: 10V.
Dimensions: 19" W by 3.75" H by 15" D. Weight: 22 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 0501042.
Price: $3995. Approximate number of dealers:…

Analog source: Simon Yorke, Kuzma Stabi S turntables; Graham 2.0, Immedia RPM2, Rega RB600 tonearms; Crown Jewel SE, EMT TU, Lyra Parnassus D.C.t, Transfiguration Temper, Grado Statement cartridges.
Preamplifier: Ayre K-1 remote.
Power amplifiers: Conrad-Johnson Premier 12, Ayre V-1, KR Enterprise VT 8000.
Loudspeakers: Audio Physic Virgo, Sonus Faber Amati Homage, Audio Physic Rhea subwoofer.
Cables: Hovland phono cable (on Graham arm). Interconnects: Yamamura Millennium 6000, Cardas Neutral Reference and Golden Reference, Electra-Glide.…

The Premier 15 was noninverting, as specified, and its voltage gain at 1kHz was also to spec at 53.25dB, with a 0.04dB difference between channels—which is superb matching, considering the lack of any loop negative feedback. As used by MF, the review sample was set to 47k ohms input impedance; I actually measured 41.5k ohms. The output impedance was slightly higher than specified, at 323 ohms at 20kHz and 328 ohms at 1kHz, with a rise to 1602 ohms at 20Hz. The line preamplifier with which the Premier 15 is partnered should have as high an input impedance as…

Like the Series 2 Conrad-Johnson 16LS line stage and the mighty ART 2 preamp, C-J's Premier 15 Series 2 phono stage contains faster-acting rectifier diodes in its main power-supply and improved DC regulators. These "significantly higher-current" units have a quarter of the "on" impedance, according to C-J's Lew Johnson. In addition, certain "noncritical" resistors were found to be sonically important and were upgraded. The "captured" AC cord and connector have been uprated to hospital level,…

So when the Monster Cable Sigma Retro booklet began talking about "our Golden Age of Hi-Fi," and I assumed that they were talking about the early days of Monster Cable—my formative audio…

Description: Interconnect and loudspeaker cables. Standard configurations: interconnect, single-ended (RCA); speaker, single-wire, spade-lug-terminated; balanced and/or biwire configurations, other terminations, available by custom order.
Prices: Interconnect: $1000/3' pair, $1500/additional 6' pair. Speaker: $1250/5' pair, $2000/8' pair. $2500/10' pair, $3000/12' pair. Full kit: $4500. Approximate number of dealers: 5. Warranty: lifetime, unconditional against defects.
Manufacturer: Monster Cable, 455 Valley Drive, Brisbane, CA 94005. Tel: (415) 840-2000…

Analog source: VPI TNT Mk.V-HR turntable, JMW Memorial 12.5 tonearm, Grado Signature Reference cartridge.
Digital sources: Simaudio Eclipse Moon, Burmester 001 CD players.
Preamplifier: VAC CPA1 Mk.III.
Power amplifiers: VTL Ichiban, Mark Levinson No.20.6 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Thiel CS6.
Cables: Interconnect: Audience Au24, Nirvana SX-Ltd., Nordost Valhalla. Speaker: Audience Au24, Nordost Valhalla. AC: Audience PowerChord, Synergistic Research.
Accessories: Finite Element Pagoda equipment stand; SSC component, speaker feet; VPI HW 16.…

It's the question you have to ask. But when I approached Madeleine Peyroux to ask if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery or if she just naturally sings like Billie Holiday, you'd have thought I had two…

Bill Frisell is a soulful jazz minimalist with a sophisticated sense of harmony, a daring rhythmic approach, and an instantly recognizable, personal sound—as if Carl Perkins and Duane Eddy took on Otis Rush and Bill Evans in a bridge tournament. Every note is carefully sculpted, imbued with a bluesy, lightly Echoplexed halo,…