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Associated equipment used during the review was similar to that used in other recent reviews: CD playback via the Esoteric D-2 processor driven by the digital outputs of an NAD 5000 CD player, and also via a California Audio Labs Aria III.

Vinyl playback this time out was via the Oracle Delphi Mk.IV turntable with the Oracle/SME 345 tonearm and a Dynavector XX-1L phono cartridge. The preamp was, in all cases, the Rowland Consonance. Power amps were the Rowland Model One, Classé DR-8, Threshold SA/12e monoblocks, and Levinson No.23.

Interconnects…

While not as crisp in appearance as that from several recent loudspeakers reviewed in Stereophile, the MLSSA-derived impulse response in fig.1 shows good control, the soft-dome tweeter exhibiting none of the (ultrasonic) ringing evident from metal domes. The step response (fig.2) indicates that all the drive-units are connected in the same positive acoustic polarity, with each step handing over smoothly to the next lower in frequency, which implies a crossover that has been optimized in the frequency domain. However, the relatively low amplitude of the tweeter step…

I'll never forget the evening of gourmet dining and right-wing dogma I shared with Tiefendrun…

The Linto's small size and weight results from Linn's use of its Brilliant (their name) switch-mode power supply, which uses neither a large transformer nor soda-can-sized capacitors. Instead, it converts incoming AC to high-voltage DC, then "chops it up" (Linn's words…

Description: Small, reflex-loaded monitor loudspeaker with separately enclosed, reflex-loaded woofer system. Drive-units: two 8" polymer-cone woofers, 7" treated-paper midrange unit, 1" inverted titanium-dome tweeter. Frequency response: 28Hz-21kHz, +0/-3dB. Nominal impedance: 4 ohms. Nominal Sensitivity: 93dB/W/m. Minimum power required: 10W.
Dimensions: 12" W by 39" H by 16.5" D. Weight: 324 lbs/pair.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 3975/6 WATT, 3517/8 Puppy.
Price: $14,990/system in standard finish; color-matching available at extra charge.…

First of all, you have to realize that the boundaries are the enemy: they reflect sound, and most dynamic speakers are not designed to compensate for these reflected sounds. Of course, by definition, all rooms have boundaries. There are two ways to approach the problem of boundary interaction: one is to alter the boundary itself—make it so absorptive that it has no reflective quality. Or, you could make it so randomly diffusive that it breaks up the comb-filter effect and the standing waves. The approach that I use, however, is…

Coupled with a very high sensitivity—calculated at 91dB/2.83V/m (B-weighted)—the impedance of the Series 5 WATT by itself (fig.1) is definitely kinder on amplifiers than the earlier versions. Its minimum value is 5.2 ohms in the lower midrange, and the phase angle is moderately low above this region. The WATT's reflex-port tuning frequency is revealed by the impedance dip between 35Hz and 50Hz, though the high values of the impedance peaks either side of this "saddle" have implications for the crossover to the Puppy, as will be seen later. The two wrinkles in the…

Fig.6 Wilson WATT 5, vertical response family at 57", normalized to response on optimal axis, from…

Wilson Audio's WATT/Puppy 5.1 is the latest version of that long-time audiophile reference loudspeaker. What's involved in the change? The Puppy Tail—the wire connecting the high-pass outputs of the Puppy subwoofer to the WATT's inputs—has been replaced with a new cable, designed by Wilson to act as "a more perfect electrical interface." The system's list price has risen from $14,990 to $16,290; owners of the WATT/Puppy 5 can upgrade to 5.1 status for $695.

When I reviewed the WATT/Puppy 5 back in…