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When I favorably reviewed the Merlin Music Systems VSM Millennium loudspeaker in September 2001 (Vol.24 No.9), I noted that Merlin's Bobby Palkovic had been tweaking and upgrading the two-way floorstander since 1994. Back then, seven years seemed a long time to stick with a product, given the competitive speaker market, though there are precedents: for example, Wilson Audio Specialties' WATT/Puppy series (since 1986) and Vandersteen's 2 (since, I believe, 1977).

Now five more years have passed, and while…

Everything about the big Chord proclaims it a bespoke product. Normally, the SPM 14000 is built…

Description: Solid-state power amplifier with switching power supply. Maximum output power: 1000W into 8 ohms at 0.01% distortion (30dBW), 2000W RMS into 4 ohms (30dBW), >2800W RMS into 2 ohms (28.45dBW). Dynamic headroom: 1100W RMS into 8 ohms, 2200W RMS into 4 ohms. Frequency response: 10Hz–90kHz, –3dB (into 8 ohms). Voltage gain: 30dB. Signal/noise: better than –103dB, A-weighted ref. two thirds power. Output impedance: 0.03 ohm. Output inductance: 2.6mH. Stability: unconditional.
Dimensions: 18.9" (480mm) W by 12.2" (310mm) H by 26.3" (668mm) D. Weight…

Analog Source: SOTA Cosmos Series III turntable, Graham 2.2 tonearm, Dynavector XV-1S cartridge.
Digital Sources: Classé Omega SACD/CD player, Plinius CD-101 CD player, Simaudio Moon Orbiter universal player.
Preamplification: Manley Labs Steelhead phono stage, VTL TL-7.5 Reference preamplifier.
Loudspeakers: Legacy Audio Whisper, Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia.
Cables: Phono: Hovland Music Groove 2. Interconnect: Acoustic Zen Silver Reference & Silver Reference II, Harmonic Technology CyberLight. Speaker: Nordost Valhalla, Shunyata Orion…

I preconditioned the big Chord SPM 14000 by running it at 172W into 8 ohms for an hour. (This is less than one third the specified power; see later.) The measured THD+noise percentage at the beginning of that period was 0.0108%. After 20 minutes, some high-order components appeared in the distortion waveform, still at a very low level, but these subsided at the 30-minute mark, with the final THD level at 0.015%, this almost pure third harmonic. The rear heatsinks were around 140°F (60°C) at the end of the hour, the side panels cooler than this.

The Chord's…

Lounging around the house on a recent weekend, sipping wine and listening to music, the total experience of grape-infused musical involvement got me a bit teary-eyed, and I counted up my blessings. I have a perfect wife, two fantastic kids, and a job I enjoy that pays me more money than I need. (And no, I'm not stupid; my boss doesn't read Stereophile.) I have my health, and have enough musical talent that I can create my own music (though I wish I had more time to do so).

I'm also grateful that I can relax and listen to original vinyl…

Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted speaker. Drive-units: 1" aluminum-dome tweeter; 5½" four-layer paper-cone woofer. Crossover frequency and slope: 2.3kHz, second-order. Frequency response: 42Hz–20kHz, ±3dB. Minimum impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 86.5dB/m.
Dimensions: 14" H by 6.8" W by 9" D. Weight: 12 lbs.
Finishes: Black ash, mahogany wood veneer; add $100/pair for cherry or maple.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: RMM 3582 & 3583.
Price: $950/pair. T4S stands, $475/pair; P2 stands, $199/pair. Approximate number of dealers:…

Analog sources: VPI TNT Mk.IV turntable, Immedia RPM tonearm, Koetsu Urushi cartridge; Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, Aurum Beta S cartridges.
Digital sources: California Audio Labs Icon Mk.II Power Boss, Creek CD53 Mk.II CD players; Pioneer DV-333 DVD player.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eklipse line stage.
Power amplifier: Audio Research VT100 Mk.II.
Integrated amplifier: Creek 5350SE.
Loudspeakers: Alón Li'l Rascal Mk.II, Alón Petite, NHT SB-3.
Cables:…

Despite its diminutive size, the Totem Rainmaker was only just below average in its voltage sensitivity, at an estimated 86.5dB(B)/2.83V/m (though this will be due in part to its exaggerated treble; see later). Its impedance magnitude dropped below 4 ohms in the lower midrange, reaching a minimum value of 3.4 ohms at 170Hz (fig.1), which means a good 4 ohm–rated amplifier will work best with the speaker. The saddle at 39Hz in this graph's magnitude trace indicates the tuning of the rear-mounted port, while the fact that the height of the upper-frequency bass peak…