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The Absolute Sound

  Welcome to The Abso!ute Sound online! We explore music and the reproduction of music in the home. We believe that the sound of music, unamplified, occurring in a real space is a philosophic absolute against which we may judge the performance of devices designed to reproduce music. Our goal is to provide the resources consumers need to judge how a component's sound either honors or departs from the music's truth, and to make sound purchasing decisions that maximize their experience of reproduced sound. Below is our Issue 156, October / November 2005 table of contents and editorial.


October / November 2005

Viewpoints
8 - Letters
 
120 - Manufacturer Comments
 
Columns
14 - From The Editor
 
16 - Future TAS: New Products on the Horizon
 
20 - Mainstrem Multichannel: Yamaha RX-v657 and Sony STR-DA7100ES Audio/Video Receivers
Chris Martens checks out two musically satisfying AVRs.
 
34 - Recording a World-Class Orchestra with Two Microphones
Bruce Bartlett chats with Water Lily's Kavi Alexander about recording the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestras.
 
92 - TAS Roundtable: The Art and Science of Loudspeaker Design
Robert Harley gathered Revel’s Kevin Voecks, MBL’s Wolfgang Meletzky, Matthias Ruff of Avantgarde, and Magnepan’s Mark Winey to explore their different approaches to the absolute sound.
 
Equipment Reports
84 - Cover Story
B&W 800D Loudspeaker

B&W ups the ante on its designs with diamond tweeters and other refinements. Sue Kraft listens to the 800D, while Manoj Motwani comments on the smaller 803D.
 
24 - Absolute Analog
Great analog is like a drug, says Wayne Garcia, as he gets euphoric with the Tri-Planar Mk VII arm, Clearaudio’s Solution and Master Solution turntables, and the Redpoint Audio Model B turntable.
 
42 - Arcam Solo Stereo Receiver/CD Player
Chris Martens thinks this all-in-one music-maker may turn skeptics into believers.
 
44 - Bright Star Audio IsoRock GR3 Speaker Stands
Bob Gendron evaluates to a dedicated stand for Gallo’sNucleus Reference 3.
 
46 - The Headphone Diaries—Coffee Table High-End
Recording engineer and bass player Dan Schwartz surveys a slew of head-phones. Our own BMI-credited songwriter, Neil Gader,comments.
 
52 - PrimaLuna ProLogue Three Preamplifier & ProLogue FivePower Amplifier
Sallie Reynolds on some inexpensive gear for the tube lover.
 
56 - Triangle Esprit Altea ES Loudspeaker
A French contender for affordable excellence, says Neil Gader.
 
60 - Vincent Audio SV-236 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
Barry Willis reports on a German-designed, Chinese-built amp.
 
64 - Quad 22L Loudspeaker and L-series Subwoofer
Jim Hannon ponders whether a non-electrostatic Quad can be a true Quad.
 
68 - Plinius CD-101 CD Player and 9200 Integrated Amplifier
According to Neil Gader, this new Plinius gear delivers high levels of sound and style.
 
72 - Audio Physic Padua RR Loudspeaker
Robert E. Greene on an elegant, well-engineered German speaker.
 
76 - Ayre C-5xe U2 Multi-Format Disc Player
The best stereo-only digital playback Shane Buettner has heard.
 
80 - Balanced Audio Technology VK-31SE and VK-250
Wayne Garcia listens to BAT’s newestpreamp and amp.
 
The Cutting Edge
108 - HP’s Workshop: Revolution in a Black Box - The ASR Emitter II Amplifier
An extended essay by TAS founder Harry Pearson on an integratedamplifier he is calling nothing short of revolutionary.
 
Music
138 - Recording of the Issue
Tom Brosseau: What I Meant to Say Is Goodbye
 
124 - Classical
An overview of Naxos’ American Classics series with an emphasis on Charles Tomlinson Griffes, plus reviews of Iva Bittová and Bang on a Can, Rachel Barton Fine’s Scottish Fantasies, and the latest SACDs from Mobile Fidelity, Water Lily, and RCA.
 
138 - Rock Etc.
Reviews of 14 CDs, four LPs, and six new multi-disc collections, including the latest from Richard Thompson, My Morning Jacket, Wolf Parade, Nickel Creek, The Redwalls, Son Volt, Marty Stuart, The Juan Maclean, and the Children of Nuggets box.
 
163- Jazz
The latest album from Wynton Marsalis, the verdict on Mobile Fidelity’s Patricia Barber 45rpm reissues, the scoop on Legacy’s newest Miles Davis set, a sonically spectacular SACD, and more.
 
176 - The TAS Listening Room
Bob Gendron, Robert E. Greene, Chris Martens, and Barry Willis tell you about a few records you’d probably hear, should you be invited into their listening rooms.
 
Finale
173 - Classifieds
 
174 - Where To Buy The Absolute Sound
 
175 - Ad Index
 
In the Next issue:
Editors' Choice Awards
Great and great-sound Jazz LPs
A multichannel controller survey
Accuphase DP-57 CD player
And More!

Previous Issues

2005

January   February/March  April/May

June/July   August/September

 

2004

January   February/March   April/May

June/July   August/September  October/November

December

 

2003

December/January   February/March   April/May

June/July   August/September   October/November

December

 

2002

June/July   August/September   October/November

 

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