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To set the Classé's parametric equalization filters, I used the Dayton Audio OmniMic measurement system. While less sophisticated than the setup John Atkinson uses for his in-room measurements, this relatively affordable device ($298 list) is a way for the tech-savvy audiophile to make good use of the PEQ offered in the Sigma 2200i.

The measurements I made were performed at the listening seat, with 1?6-octave smoothing. I made only single-point (not position-averaged) readings, as that was the only way to ensure consistent microphone positions pre-…

Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier with remote control. Analog inputs: 2 unbalanced line-level (RCA), 2 balanced (XLR). Digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 TosLink, 2 USB (Host and audio), 4 HDMI. Outputs: L/R speaker, headphones, HDMI, 2 mono subwoofer (1 balanced XLR, 1 unbalanced RCA). Other connectors: Ethernet, IR. Power output: 200Wpc into 8 ohms (23dBW), 400Wpc into 4 ohms (23dBW). Frequency response: 10Hz–20kHz, –1dB, into 4 ohms. Gain: –93dB to +14dB. Total harmonic distortion plus noise: 0.018% at 1kHz, both channels driven to 1/8 power into 4 ohms…

Digital Sources: Marantz UD7007, Oppo BDP-105D universal BD players.
Preamplification: Marantz AV8802a surround preamplifier-processor.
Power Amplifier: Proceed Amp 5.
Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Silver 10, Revel B15 subwoofer.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Kable AGDL (coaxial). Interconnect: Cardas Hexlink Five. Speaker: Monster Cable M1.5. AC: generic.—Thomas J. Norton

I measured the Classé Sigma 2200i with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Out of the box, I ran into problems. Despite Classé's excellent manual, I couldn't at first define one of the Sigma 2200i's digital inputs to accept USB data. Eventually, I got the input to behave by defining the input, then turning the amplifier off and back on again. Then, I couldn't get the Sigma 2200i to accept a balanced signal at the input marked "XLR L1/R1." But then I remembered that, when I was setting up the USB input with the onscreen menu, I'…

Even in the colorful universe of the blues, the Houston-area native was a singular personality. A raconteur and a bit of a scoundrel, Sam is often pictured with a big toothy smile and a lit cigarillo. Hugely underrated as a guitar…

Sampson first. This early-music soprano, who has now branched out into song—I will review, for San Francisco Classical Voice, her song recital in San Francisco on May 17, and previously gave Fleurs, her song recital on BIS…

I switch back and forth between a Fisher 800-C receiver and a Sherwood S-5500 II amplifier. My sources are: a KAB-modified Technics SL-1200 Mk. 2 with an Audio Technica AT440MLa cartridge on a Technics headshell, and an iPhone 6 or MacBook Pro through an AudioQuest Golden Gate interconnect (RCA to 3.5mm). These connect to Rogers LS3/5A speakers atop Skylan speaker stands via AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cables.

The TDL speakers was positioned for the best sound (with only one pair of loudspeakers in the listening room at a time), generally some 4' from the rear wall (which is faced with books and LPs) and approximately 5' from the side walls (which also have bookshelves covering some of their surfaces).

Source components consisted of a Revox A77 to play my own and others' 15ips master tapes, a Linn Sondek/Ekos/Troika setup sitting on a Sound Organisation table to play LPs, and Kinergetics KCD-40 and Proceed CD players. Amplification consisted of a Mark Levinson…

Looking first at the Studio 1's impedance, measured using the magazine's Audio Precision System One (fig.1), this suggests that the speaker is an easy load to drive, only nearing 6 ohms in the upper bass. The port/line tuning lies at 30Hz, indicated by the minimum at that frequency. Note, however, the glitch in impedance around 130Hz, which the phase response (dashed line) suggests is due to a resonance, presumably due to the transmission line, and which could correlate with my feelings about a "lumpy" response in this region.