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I began to perform a full suite of measurements on the PS Audio BHK Signature 300 (serial no. NPWA-A1-5G0062), using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). First, however, I preconditioned the amplifier by running it at one-third the specified power, 100W, into 8 ohms for 60 minutes. At the end of that time, its top panel was warm and its heatsinks were hot, at 122.1°F (50.1°C). The percentage of THD+noise at this power level was 0.0145% with the amplifier cold, 0.0164% with it fully warmed up.

The BHK 300's…

There'll be wine and cheese,…

She frowned and stared quizzically into the darkness. After a long moment, she said, in a low, sad voice, "Really . . . ?"

September 23, 2015: In his response to and defense of Elizabeth Newton's wildly insightful essay "The Lossless Self" (footnote 1), Michael Lavorgna wrote, on Stereophile's sibling website AudioStream.com: "My…

Description: Two-way dynamic bass-reflex loudspeaker. Drive-units: 11/8" (28mm) Acuflex soft-dome tweeter, 6" (130mm) mid/woofer. Crossover frequency: 2.2kHz. Crossover slopes: 12dB/octave. Frequency response: 30Hz–22kHz, ±3dB; 40Hz–18kHz, ±1.5dB. Sensitivity: 88dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Power handling: 140W RMS nominal, 1kW 10ms (peak).
Dimensions: 11.6" (297mm) H by 7.3" (187mm) W by 13.3" (340mm) D . Weight: 16.1 lbs (7.3kg).
Finishes: Black or White Piano Gloss.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: None found.
Price: $2799/pair; 27"-…

Analog Sources: Acoustic Signature WOW XL turntable & TA-1000 tonearm, Ortofon 2M Black cartridge; VPI Scout Jr. turntable & tonearm, Ortofon 2M Red cartridge; Technics SL1200 Mk.2 turntable, SME M2-9 tonearm, Soundsmith Carmen cartridge.
Digital Sources: Line Magnetic LM-502 CA, Halide DAC HD D/A processors.
Phono preamplifiers: Blue Horizon Profono, Schiit Audio Mani, Soundsmith MMP3, LFD MMC.
Integrated Amplifiers: Hegel Music Systems H160, Line Magnetic LM518IA, Rogue Audio Sphinx, Simaudio Moon Neo 340i.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio…

I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Morel Octave 6 Bookshelf's frequency response in the farfield; for the nearfield frequency response, I used an Earthworks QTC-40, which has a ¼" capsule and thus doesn't present a significant obstacle to the sound.

My estimate of the Octave 6's voltage sensitivity was 85.1dB/2.83V/m. Though this is what I would have expected from a small two-way speaker having a 6" mid/woofer, it's significantly lower than the specified 88dB/2.83V/m. The speaker's nominal impedance is 4 ohms…

John DeVore will be at the Musical Artisans event; as well as Peter McGrath, the JS evening will feature Bill McKiegan of Dan D'…

I measured the Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty's electrical performance with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). The volume control operated in accurate 1dB steps with the maximum gain obtained when it was set to "60." The sensitivity of each input can be independently adjusted with the Set-Up Menu, up to a maximum of +6dB. However, in that case the maximum setting of the volume control is reduced by the gain offset; eg, with an offset of +6dB, the maximum volume-control setting is now "54." The maximum gain for both…

If that title hasn't gotten your attention, nothing will . . . except, perhaps, the Northwest preview of: 1) the forthcoming Aesthetix Metis linestage preamplifier (est. price $20,000–$25,000), which is expected by the second quarter of 2015; 2) Clearaudio Concept Wood turntable with tonearm ($2200); and 3) DS Audio DS-W1 "Nightrider" Optical phono cartridge with dedicated phono equalizer ($8500). This tempting trio of coming outs, arranged by Garth Leerer and Jesse Luna of Oakland, CA-based…