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Book Review: <I>High Performance Loudspeakers, Seventh Edition</I>

High Performance Loudspeakers: Optimising High Fidelity Loudspeaker Systems, Seventh Edition, by Martin Colloms. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2018. Paperback, 696 pp., $95. Available as an eBook, $79.99.

"Listen to that—that's what I mean by 'cone cry!'"

It was 1979. I'd been taking part in a blind listening test of loudspeakers organized by Martin Colloms (footnote 1) for the British magazine Hi-Fi Choice and, after the formal sessions had ended, had asked Martin to explain something I'd heard. A drive-unit's diaphragm produces cone cry when it resonates at a frequency…

Naim ND5 XS 2 media player

The late Julian Vereker, the sharp-minded former racing driver who founded Naim Audio and designed its first products, did so because he wanted audio amplification of a quality he felt no one else was making at the time, reasoning that if he wanted such a thing, so might others. Thus came about Naim's first domestic-audio product, the distinctive NAP200 solid-state amp (1973).

Throughout the 1980s, I closely followed Naim's work, buying a few of their products, lusting after others, and seeing in many of them the same originality of engineering that had characterized the NAP200. At the…

Naim ND5 XS 2 media player Page 2

Because the ND5 XS 2 is described as being Roon-ready, I was at first a bit peeved that this functionality, too, isn't even hinted at in the Quick Start Guide or the full owner's manual. Not knowing what else to do, I booted up the MacBook Air on which I keep Roon and most of my music files, launched Roon, went first to Settings, and then to Audio . . . and there on the screen before me, under the newly appeared heading Networked, were the words "Naim Audio ND5 XS 2" and a software button labeled Enable. Apparently, my Roon installation and Naim's network player had found each other! I…

Naim ND5 XS 2 media player Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Media player-streamer with D/A processor. Inputs: 1 Ethernet, 2 USB, 4 S/PDIF (1 BNC, 1 RCA, 2 TosLink). Formats supported: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, PITA (AD made up that last one). Resolutions supported: PCM to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD to DSD128 (streaming, USB); PCM to 24/192, DSD over PCM to DSD64 (BNC, RCA); PCM to 24/96 (TosLink). Internet radio formats: AAC, MMS, MP3, OGG Vorbis streams, Windows Media–formatted content. Power consumption: 11W (typical use), <2W (standby), <0.5W (deep sleep).
Dimensions: 17" (…

Naim ND5 XS 2 media player Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; Audio-Creative GrooveMaster II, EMT 997, Sorane ZA-12 tonearms; EMT TSD 15, Ortofon SPU Century & SPU Wood A, Shindo Laboratory SPU pickup heads.
Digital Source: Hegel Music Systems Mohican CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 & T2 step-up transformers, Shindo Laboratory Monbrison (2017) preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Loudspeakers: Altec Flamenco, DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Luna Red…

Naim ND5 XS 2 media player Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I measured the Naim ND5 XS 2 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I used the Audio Precision's optical and coaxial S/PDIF outputs as well as test-tone files sourced from Roon over my network, once I'd installed the Naim app on my iPad mini. (When I first connected the ND5 XS 2 to my router, the Naim checked with its manufacturer that its firmware was up to date; it was.) The ND5's TosLink inputs accepted PCM datastreams with sample rates up to 96kHz, and its coaxial S/PDIF inputs accepted data sampled at up to 192kHz. Over…

Beethoven Times Three

For all those who love Beethoven, for all who wish to honor conductor Bernard Haitink's 90th birthday earlier this month (March 4), and for all who've been posting variations of, "Jason, for the love of God, free us from the horrors of contemporary music," this one's for you. Live from the London Symphony Orchestra, we present Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.2, Triple Concerto in C for piano, violin, and cello, and Leonore Overture No.2, Op.72a from LSO Live (LSO0745D). Although identified as a "CD" by arkivmusic.com and Amazon, this is a hi-resolution SACD, recorded in DSD64.

Reflecting…

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M loudspeaker

If you've ever dipped your toe into some form of high-performance motor sport, you know: The best race-car engines spin torque and exhale horsepower—with intoxicating ease. They're engineered to be responsive. Depress the clutch, toe the throttle, and watch the tachometer instantly pin itself. Engage the clutch—your chest contracts and your head gets light. Then later . . .

Back in your Ford Fiesta, its revving engine sounds distant, muffled. Your body can't feel the powerplant's power. In gear, the Ford feels soft and hesitant, not responsive.

That's how Klipsch's highly…

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M loudspeaker Page 2

I first noticed this contracted soundstage with Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic playing the prelude to Act 1 of Wagner's Die Walküre (5 LPs, London OSA 1509). I noticed this effect only when I listened for it, and it was more than offset by the RP-600Ms' grand ability to direct my attention toward rhythm and melody. The RP-600Ms slightly emphasized the leading edges of notes, which in turn allowed those notes to do an extraordinary job of emphasizing the beat, diagramming the melody, and propelling Wagner's drama. Think ultimate PRaT.

Compared to the Harbeth P3ESR
Besides…

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Two-way, rear-ported, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) titanium-dome tweeter with hybrid cross-section Tractrix horn; 6.5" (165mm) Cerametallic-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 1.8kHz. Frequency response: 45Hz–25kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 96dB/W/m. Impedance: 8 ohms. Power handling: 100W continuous, 400W peak.
Dimensions: 15.7" (400mm) H by 8" (200mm) W by 11.9" (300mm) D. Weight: 16 lb (7.3kg).
Finishes: Black Ash (vinyl), Walnut, Piano Black Gloss.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 106580418290330A & B.
Price: $…