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Will HDCD catch on? A lot depends on what happens over the next year in the development of DVD, which promises a new, high-resolution format which might just revolutionize audio software. But it's not available now, and HDCD is, if only in limited supply. All I can say is, when I switch from a cross-section of my best-sounding standard CDs to the small population of HDCDs now in existence—and given that I'm not talking about identical program material, but only general overall impressions—the clouds do not part, and the sun does not emerge to cast life-giving light on the fertile plains.…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Digital processor with HDCD$r decoding. Inputs: two AES/EBU on XLRs, two S/PDIF coaxial (one RCA, one BNC), one ST optical, one TosLink optical. Outputs: L/R balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog out. Digital out. Also one RJ-45 communications port (see text) and IR repeater port. Frequency response: 10Hz–20kHz, +0, –0.2dB. Dynamic range: 98dB (or better). S/N ratio: 105dB. Channel separation: >110dB. FIFO jitter: <20 picoseconds, uncorrelated. Output impedance: <6 ohms.
Dimensions: 15.75" W × 14.3" D × 3.75" H. Weight: 35lb.
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Sidebar 2: Review system
The system used with the No.36 consisted of a Denon DP-S1 transport, Rowland Consummate preamplifier, Carver Research Lightstar amplifier, and Energy Veritas v2.8, KEF Reference 107/2, and Thiel CS7 loudspeakers. Other D/A processors in the system were the Theta DS Pro Basic III, the Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 Mk.II, and the Spectral SDR-2000 Professional.
The primary digital link was either Kimber TGDL or AGDL coaxial. TARA Labs Master RSC interconnect linked the Levinson converter to the preamp. The preamp-to-power-amp interconnects were Cardas Hexlinks, the…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Robert Harley generated the test-bench measurements and provided me with the data after I finished my listening tests. The Mark Levinson No.36 has an output of 1.85V (left) and 1.84V (right), unbalanced (3.69V, L&R, balanced) when decoding a 1kHz, 0dBFS (full-scale) sinewave. Its output impedance measured 7 ohms unbalanced, 13.4 ohms balanced—this processor should be able to drive any commercial preamplifier and cable with no adverse effects. The No.36 was non-inverting in its unbalanced mode, with pin 2 positive in the balanced mode. Its DC offset was 0.2mV…
For the sixth consecutive year, Stereophile has named a select few components as "Products of the Year." By doing so, we intend to give recognition to those components that have proved capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period.
There are five individual categories: Loudspeakers (including subwoofers); Amplification Components (preamplifiers, power amplifiers, etc.); Digital Sources (CD players, transports, processors); Analog Sources (phono cartridges, turntables, tonearms, FM tuners, etc.); and Accessories (everything else). In previous years, we have given an…
Loudspeaker of 1997
EgglestonWorks Andra ($14,700/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.10, October 1997 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Aerial Acoustics 5 ($1800/pair–$2000/pair; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.20 No.4, April 1997 Review)
Audio Physic Caldera ($18,995/pair; reviewed by Martin Colloms, Vol.20 No.8, August 1997)
Epos ES12 ($1095/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.20 No.4, April 1997 Review)
Gradient Revolution ($3995/pair; reviewed by Dick Olsher & John Atkinson, Vol.18 No.5, May 1995; & Vol.20 No.3, March 1997 Review)
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Joint Amplification Components of 1997
Krell Full Power Balanced 600 power amplifier ($12,500; reviewed by Martin Colloms, Vol.20 No.4, April 1997 Review)
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power amplifier ($2300; reviewed by Muse Kastanovich & John Atkinson, Vol.20 No.4, April 1997 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audio Research VT100 power amplifier ($4495; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.20 No.3, March 1997)
Ayre Acoustics K-1 preamplifier ($5250–$7100; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.3, March 1997 Review)
Balanced Audio Technologies VK-5i preamplifier ($3995…
Digital Source of 1997
dCS Elgar D/A processor ($12,000; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.20 No.7, July 1997 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
California Audio Labs CL-10 multidisc CD changer ($1975; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.19 No.11, November 1997)
Mark Levinson No.36S D/A processor ($6495; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.20 No.1, January 1997 Review)
Mark Levinson No.37 CD transport ($3995; reviewed by Thomas J. Norton, Vol.20 No.1, January 1997 Review)
Naim CD2 CD player ($4150; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.20 No.2, February 1997)
Rega…
Joint Analog Sources of 1997
VPI TNT Mk.3 turntable ($5000; flywheel adds $1000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.11, November 1997)
Magnum Dynalab MD 108 FM tuner ($5500; reviewed by Don A. Scott, Vol.20 No.5, May 1997)
Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Immedia RPM2 tonearm ($2495; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.20 No.5, May 1997 Review)
Immedia RPM2 turntable ($4995; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.20 No.9, September 1997 Review)
Rega RB900 tonearm ($995; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.20 No.8, August 1997)
Rega Planar 3 turntable ($695; reviewed by…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Magico M2's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield and in-room responses. The 165lb loudspeaker was too bulky to move outside for testing or to lift onto my computer-controlled turntable. I therefore had to do the quasi-anechoic measurements in my listening room, where the proximity of room boundaries led to more aggressive windowing of the time-domain data than usual, which in turn reduced the graphs' resolution in the midrange.
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