Introduction Linn has been designing and manufacturing ultra-high performance electronic components for over 30 years. Historically, it was the venerable Linn Sondek LP12, a turntable that revolutionized the high-end vinyl market forever. In 1998, Linn introduced the Sondek CD12, a lofty $20,000 CD player that I reviewed in October 2001. I concluded at the time that it was the best-sounding player that I had heard. To date, even with SACD and DVD-Audio fighting for high-resolution audio prominence, the Linn CD12 is still king of the hill. In 1998, Linn introduced their Klimax Solo amplifiers, a touted component that paved the way for a more affordable reference amplifier, the Linn Klimax Twin. The Linn Klimax Twin is a stereo power amplifier that produces 125 watts of power into eight ohms, and 230 Watts into four ohms. Its ultra-compact size measures 13-3/4 inches in width, 14 inches in depth and a slim two-and-one-quarter-inches in height, weighing a ...

Introduction Bob Carver is back with a new version of his most beefy home theater amp, the Sunfire Cinema Grand Series II. There are now two different ways you can order up this 425-watt-times-five-channel powerhouse – as a 19-inch “Standard” unit or a 17-inch “Architectural” version. The Architectural version is pretty much the same internally as the Series II standard unit, except for the fact that it is slender enough to fit into an equipment rack. In the golden age of audio, no respectable audiophile would think of hiding his power amp. Power amps were presented in full glory, often on a polished chunk of granite, on the floor of your listing room directly between your most lust-worthy two speakers. Things are different now. Movie and music enthusiasts (and wives) require their gear to be visually stealthy and most of their equipment to be rack-mounted neatly in a custom cabinet. For those who demand the ...

Introduction The Z110 CD Player and Z140 Integrated Amplifier are part of the new Z-Series, the latest line from the venerable British electronics company, Myryad. The Z-Series is designed to be an affordable performance product in aesthetically pleasing clothes. Both the Z110 CD Player ($849) and the Z140 Integrated Amplifier ($895) feature attractive silver faceplates that feature a slim profile measuring 17 inches wide by three inches tall. A horizontal accent line bisects the front panels of both units. The front panel of the Z140 is dominated by a black conical volume control knob in the center of the panel. The metal knob features a finger-sized indentation for ease of use. The left side of the panel features the Myryad logo. Along the center line, there a small black standby button and an indicator light that glows red for standby and green when powered up. To the right of the volume control, also along the center line, ...

Introduction While even the most hardcore movie enthusiast would be hard-pressed to rattle off more than a handful of DVD or music titles in DTS ES (6.1 Surround) or THX EX (7.1 Surround), Anthem believes that 6.1 and 7.1 channel formats will eventually be the norm. DVD-Video mastering is exploring exciting new territory with surround mixes, as are the engineers mixing the first generation DVD-Audio and some SACD titles, yet it is the emerging market of video gaming that offers the most hope for advanced surround sound formats – both discrete and matrixed formats. To prepared for the future, Anthem has created the PVA 7, a power amplifier that will allow you to use all of the capabilities available in the most advanced audio/video receivers and AV preamps. The Anthem PVA 7 is a seven-channel, single-chassis power amplifier rated at 105 watts x 7 into 8 ohms and 140 watts x 7 into 4 ...

Introduction Krell has updated their home theater line, along with the rest of the KAV series, resulting in new products such as the Theater Amplifier Standard. The new Krell Theater Amplifier Standard ($7,500) is the only five channel amplifier in the line, designed to be used in conjunction with the newly released Home Theater Standard 7.1 AV preamp. The Theater Amplifier Standard is the largest multi-channel amplifier I have ever had in my system, measuring 17.25 inches wide, 9.75 inches high and 17.25 inches deep. This hefty amplifier weighs in at a solid 100 pounds. The Theater Amplifier Standard, like the rest of the new KAV series, features an attractive new and modern exterior design. The Theater Amplifier Standard is made out of a heavy gauge, brushed aluminum including the polished and rounded corners. The top panel is heavily perforated, with slots that allow heat to escape from within the amplifier. The front panel features the ...