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Description: Seven-component, four-loudspeaker array composed of two Type A Reference Towers, two SUB 1800 reflex-loaded subwoofers, two isolated, outboard, five-way passive filter networks including custom wiring harnesses (two per system) and an outboard electronic crossover for the subwoofers.

Type A Reference Tower: Three-way, acoustic-suspension (sealed) system. Drive-units: four 6.5" mineral-filled polypropylene-cone woofers with 32mm voice-coils, cast-magnesium baskets, and rubber surrounds; two 5" mineral-filled polypropylene-cone midrange units…

This physically large audiophile system call outs for installation in a large listening room. During a 1988 home renovation, I made the first floor of my house as open as possible, so that the listening room has approximately 5500 cubic feet with an effective room length of 51'. The main listening area is 26' long by 13' wide by 12' high. An 8' high by 4' wide doorway at the back of the room opens into our kitchen, adding an additional 25' by 15' area. The Reference Type A loudspeaker system was set up within 6' of the back wall,$s6 with the…

My estimate of the Type A's B-weighted sensitivity was a little lower than the specification, 86dB/2.83V/m. Its impedance, however—measured with the Audio Precision System One—was only moderately demanding, and then only in the treble, where the impedance dips below 4 ohms. Fig.1 shows the tower's impedance magnitude and phase with the tone control set to its "flat" position and the rear-firing tweeter switched off. Though the phase angle is moderate through the midrange, the magnitude is high. The peak at 46Hz indicates the sealed-box's tuning; this is high for…

Three small recessed knobs on the P-2's right side panel allow the user to adjust the front-panel display brightness and…

I've been listening to the Esoteric P-2 for about six months with a variety of digital processors. My current reference system is comprised of Hales System Two Signature loudspeakers driven by VTL 225W Deluxe monoblocks via 3' runs of bi-wired AudioQuest Clear. Digital processors auditioned with the P-2 included the VTL tubed unit reviewed in this issue, Stax DAC-X1t, Theta DSPro Basic, and Proceed PDP. Other digital processors used with the P-2 in the past few months include the Melior Digital Center, Aragon D2A, Esoteric D-2, D-10, and D-500, Wadia 2000, and…

Description: Dedicated CD transport with infrared remote control. Laser type: AlGaAs semiconductor, 780nm wavelength, 3-beam. Outputs: two coaxial on RCA jacks (0.5V p-p 75 ohms), two optical on TOSLINK jacks, Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF). Power Consumption: 10W.
Dimensions: 8 7/8" W by 5¼" H by 1 9/16" D. Weight: 28.7 lbs (net).
Price: $4000 (1990); no longer available (2009). Approximate number of dealers: 25.
Manufacturer: Esoteric, a Division of Teac America, Inc., 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, CA 90640. Tel: (323) 726-0303. Fax…

You can't be too rich, too thin, or praise a great product too much. The P-2 transport has impressed me at least as much as it did Robert Harley in Vol.13 No.12. I would like to accentuate his positive impressions with a few of my own observations.

I was impressed when I encountered the transport that started it all, the Esoteric P-1, and it happened again when the P-2 arrived—each time a transport of this caliber was included in my system the sonics took a turn for the better.

I'm not talking…

Since the death of Milt Jackson, in 1999, Gary Burton has been the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the vibraphone. It is a specialty jazz instrument with relatively few practitioners, but fans of the vibes will tell you that no other instrument offers its seductive tonal…