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I measured the Pass Laboratories XA25 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It"). Before performing any tests, I ran it at one-third its clipping power (see later) into 8 ohms for an hour. At the end of that time, the top panel was warm, at 102.3°F (39°C), and the heatsink fins were hotter, at 122.2°F (50.1°C). The gain at the speaker terminals was to spec at 20.4dB, and the output preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting).

The XA25's unbalanced input impedance was the specified 47k ohms at low and middle…

Yes, oh yes, Walsh not only had a very successful solo career in the mid-to-late 1970s, in the days of "Rocky Mountain Way," but he also played in a band, now rapidly fading into history, called the James Gang.

Formed in Cleveland in the late '60s, the JG went through a number of lineup changes until becoming a trio in 1968. Signed to ABC Records that same year, they released their debut, Yer Album, in 1969. While that album did moderately well, it wasn't until their second effort, James Gang Rides Again —like the first produced by Bill…

Sir Arnold Bax (1883–1953) completed his fifth symphony in 1932 and dedicated it to Sibelius. Its first performance was conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1934. Have any of our major orchestras ever played it? Not to my knowledge, and after over 40 years, it's about time. At least we have it on disc now, in addition to The Garden of Fand and Tintagel. Lyrita has even more Bax in their catalog.

By now, Raymond Leppard's name…

Counterpoint Electronics has addressed this dilemma with their DA-10 digital processor. The DA-10 is actually a "mainframe" into which different DAC boards can be installed. If a new, better DAC comes along, you can pop out the old one and put in the new. Or if you…

I'd…

Most of the DA-10's auditioning was done with the Audio Research LS5 preamplifier (and the ARC BL2 Balanced Line Driver) and the new ARC VT-150 all-tube monoblock power amps. I also used the Krell KSA-300S power amp. Loudspeakers were Thiel CS3.6es connected by AudioQuest Sterling cable.

CD transports were the PS Audio Lambda and a Mark Levinson No.31. Digital interconnects included AudioQuest Optical Pro II (ST-type), Aural Symphonics Digital Standard coaxial, and a new impedance-matched digital interconnect called DataStream Reference, from a company called…

Description: Digital/analog converter with interchangeable DAC cards. Available DAC cards: UltraAnalog D20400, Analog Devices AD1862, Burr-Brown PCM69, Crystal Semiconductor CS4328. Stock version shipped with AD1862 DAC card. Electrical specifications: dependent on DAC card. Power consumption: 22W.
Dimensions: 19" W by 2.75" H by 11" H (not including knobs). Weight: 14 lbs.
Price: $1695 plus DAC card (AD1862 card adds $259, UltraAnalog card adds $995, Crystal card adds $355, Burr-Brown card adds $595, ST-type optical input adds $200) (1995); no longer…

The DA-10's unique ability to accept different DACs made measuring it more interesting and challenging. On one hand, it took nearly three times longer to measure. On the other, it was possible to look at the performance of different DACs with the same input receiver, filter, and output stage. Because presenting all the measurements on each DAC would consume too much space, I'll show the measurements with the AD1862 (the DAC most likely to be installed in the DA-10), and comment on the performance of the other DAC cards when of interest.

The DA-10's maximum…