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The test procedure followed, with minor changes, that established for my previous loudspeaker reviews: each pair was used with a Mark Levinson No.26/No.20 combination—amplification unlikely to be used with any of these speakers but which would undoubtedly get the best from them—a Marantz CD94 CD player used via its optical digital output to feed a Marantz CDA94 outboard DAC unit, and a 1987 Linn Sondek/Ittok/Troika combination sitting on a Sound Organization table.

Interconnect was Madrigal HPC, speaker cable was also from Madrigal. The loudspeakers were…

The frequency response the speaker was measured in the listening window—spatially averaged to minimize room standing-wave problems—using a 1/3-octave warble-tone generator, which is said to be a little more analytical than the filtered pink-noise signal I have used in the past; in addition, the nearfield low-frequency response of each speaker was measured with a sinewave sweep to get an idea of the true bass extension relative to the level at 100Hz. The change of impedance with frequency and the voltage sensitivity (using 1/3-octave pink noise centered on 1kHz)…

Description: Three-way, transmission-line, floor-standing loudspeaker. Drive-units: ¾" (19mm) soft-plastic-dome tweeter, 4" (102mm) cone midrange driver, 8" (203mm) cone woofer. Crossover frequencies: not specified. Frequency range: 26Hz–20kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB/W/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Amplifier requirements: 50W max. (RMS, pink noise continuous), 300W peak program.
Dimensions: 49" (1245mm) H by 19.5" (495mm) W by 8" (203mm) D. Weight: 49 lbs (22.3kg).
Price: $1099/pair (1988); no longer available (2017). Approximate number of dealers: 200 (1988…

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…