The Absolute Sound Issue 156 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!