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Audio Research SDP1 Multichannel Music Processor ($2995; reviewed by J. Gordon Holt and John Atkinson, Vol.18 No.8, August 1995 Review)
Meridian Digital Home Theatre ($16,325–$34,785/system; reviewed by J. Gordon Holt and Thomas J. Norton, Vol.18 No.6, June 1995 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
B&W Cinema THX loudspeaker system ($7000/system; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.17 No.10, October 1994; and Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.1 No.1, December 1994)
Energy Reference Video Loudspeaker System ($2250/…

Audio Alchemy VAC-in-the-Box phono preamplifier ($259; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.18 No.8, August 1995; and Steven Stone, Vol.18 No.9, September 1995)
Dunlavy Audio Labs SC-I loudspeaker ($995–$1195/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.17 No.12, December 1994 Review)
The Parts Connection Assemblage DAC-1 D/A processor ($449; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.18 No.4, April 1995 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 9, July &…

Wilson Audio Specialties X-1/Grand SLAMM loudspeaker

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Conrad-Johnson Premier Eight monoblock power amplifier
Krell KPS-20iL CD player/digital control center
Mark Levinson No.30.5 HDCD D/A processor
Pass Labs Aleph 0 monoblock power amplifier
Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 preamplifier
Spectral SDR-2000 Professional HDCD D/A processor

The Wilson Audio Specialties X-1/Grand SLAMM dominated this category almost as resoundingly as it did the loudspeaker voting. There were some powerful contenders…

Wilson Audio Specialties X-1/Grand SLAMM

Usually this space is reserved for components that have stood the test of time, but this year I wanted to pay my own tribute to what may well be the best loudspeaker currently available.

I have now heard the Wilson X-1s at length in four very different systems and rooms. My first time was at Stereophile's 1994 High-End Hi-Fi Show in Miami. Retailer Peter McGrath's Sound Components was running a shuttle bus from the Doral Resort (where the Show was being held) out to his Coral Gables store, where he had the…

The Koss is handsome, well constructed, and apparently quite durable. Noise rejection is extremely high, but the PRO-4 is not quite as comfortable for long periods as the Sharpe HA-10 (because of a…

When auditioning headphones, take along a wide variety of program material. Try to include recordings that use different miking techniques (pan-potting, Blumlein, ORTF, etc.) The ear and brain hear headphones differently from speakers, which changes the way you perceive colorations.

What you hear depends not only on the hardware and software, but also on what's going on inside your head. Don't listen unless you're rested and relaxed. Start by auditioning one of the better 'phones (Class A, B, or top of C in Stereophile's "Recommended Components…

Description: Over-the-ear, closed-back headphones.
Price: Koss PRO-4, $45 (1963); Koss PRO-4A, not noted (1968); Koss PRO-4x, $85 (1982); PRO/4 AAA Plus, $70 (1991); PRO-4AA, $99.99 (2020).
Manufacturer: Koss Corporation, 4129 N. Port Washington Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53212. Tel: (414) 964-5000. Fax: (414) 964-8615. Web: koss.com.

Before I tried it, I was definitely of two minds about the Brick. Because people I respected had told me that it really did work, I was inclined to believe it. But in my heart I did not really believe that an inert metal block could do anything for an…

Description: Passive damping block.
Dimensions: 5" × 3" × 2". Weight: 8lb.
Finish: Wood veneer.
Price: $35 (1982); $149.99 (2020).
Manufacturer: VPI Industries, Ozone Park, NY 11417 (1982); VPI Industries, Inc., 77 Cliffwood Avenue, #5D, Cliffwood, NJ 07721. Tel: (732) 583-6895 (2020). Web: www.vpiindustries.com.