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Conrad-Johnson Premier Four power amplifier
It says something for the state of technology that, after a quarter of a century, there still is no authoritative explanation for why so many high-end audiophiles prefer tubes. Tubes not only refuse to...
View ArticleAudio Research D-160B power amplifier
The Audio Research D-160B has been heavily modified since the D-160A, and uses the same technology as the D-70, D-115, and D-250. It embodies William Z. Johnson's latest transformer and power supply...
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Music Reference RM-200 Mk.II power amplifier
In his "Manufacturer's Comment" in response to my review of the original Music Reference RM-200 power amplifier in the April 2002 issue, designer Roger Modjeski admitted that being a manufacturer was...
View ArticleConrad-Johnson LP125M monoblock power amplifier
For anyone who's been around the audiophile block a few times, Conrad-Johnson Design is a brand that needs no introduction. My first acquaintance with Conrad-Johnson was before I began writing for...
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Listening #109
"Have you really listened to all those records?" My guest, an occasionally nice person, didn't mean her question in a nice way. It was pointed and derisive: a needle intended to burst whatever it was...
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Listening #111
Years ago, while editing Listener Magazine, I received a call from a record-company publicist with whom I was friendly: The drummer Ginger Baker, whose work I admire, was promoting a new release, and...
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Rogue Audio Titan Atlas Magnum power amplifier
One drizzly, gray morning I found myself with an unexpected hole in my schedule and an unusual hankering for doughnuts. Since my move to Portland, Oregon, last August, people from around the country...
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Allnic Audio A-5000 DHT monoblock power amplifier
Even at its humblest, a 300B is a fine thing. And at its best, this classic triode output tube can deliver some of the most intoxicating music playback imaginable. If tubes are liquor, the 300B is...
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Audio Research Reference 150 power amplifier
It's always good to have a reference. No matter the endeavor, references help guide us and set standards for all we do. For many hours of every day, I'm lucky to enjoy the reference of live,...
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Jadis Defy-7 Mk.II power amplifier
Owning a powerful tube amplifier is like owning a classic automobile. Great pleasure may be had, but ownership involves a little more care and maintenance than usual. Jadis, an audiophile company...
View ArticleMcIntosh Laboratories MC275 power amplifier
Tubes, tubes, tubes. The amps (and preamps) keep coming. McIntosh Laboratories is back in the act with a limited-edition revival of the MC275 tube amplifier, the original of which was produced from May...
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Jadis SE300B monoblock amplifier
I've never written a love story before, but then, there's always a first time. This romance concerns the stunningly anthropomorphic Jadis Eurythmie II (mostly) horn speakers and the petite, jewel-like...
View ArticleManley Labs SE/PP 300B Monoblock power amplifier
This should have been a recipe for disaster. It's no secret. David Manley has not been big on single-ended amplifiers. Not enough muscle. You're better off with push-pull. Still, with a growing market...
View ArticleMcIntosh Laboratory MC275 50th Anniversary Limited Edition power amplifier
It began when I reviewed the MartinLogan Montis loudspeaker (September 2012). The amplifiers I had to drive the pair of them were the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premier integrated ($2999), the Audiopax Mk.II...
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Rogers High Fidelity EHF-100 integrated amplifier
I can imagine the gaiety and mirth that filled the halls of the electronics industry in the 1950s, as engineer after bespectacled engineer realized that the transistor would soon consign to the...
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Octave Audio RE 290 power amplifier
Ever since I became a Stereophile contributing editor, people have asked me, "How do you determine what equipment you're going to review? Do you get to pick your own, or does John Atkinson tell you...
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Music Reference RM-9 power amplifier
Do you believe in beginner's luck? If so, some of your personality traits should be quite predictable. Let's see. You're very likely an optimist with a "bull-market" mentality, play the lottery, and,...
View ArticleYpsilon Aelius monoblock power amplifier
I knew nothing of Ypsilon when I first saw its products in a room at an overseas audio show. Even though the speakers in this system were complete unknowns, I was convinced that it was the electronics...
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Lamm ML2.2 monoblock power amplifier
The challenge is biblical in character, if not in scope: A half year after railing, in these pages, against our industry's overabundance of products that cost more than $20,000, fate has given me such...
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Audio Research Reference 75 power amplifier
After I read Brian Damkroger's rave review of the Audio Research Corporation's Reference 5 SE line stage in the November 2012 Stereophile, I was excited about getting the review sample into my system...
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