Introduction I have always considered Nelson Pass one of the founding figures in high-end audio. He has a long history of innovative amplifier and preamplifier designs, dating back to the ‘70s with one of the first successful high-end corporations, Threshold. I am very familiar with Pass’ amplifiers, and have owned a variety of Threshold components through the years. I have also kept an eye on his very active DIY career, which includes informative design articles and numerous DIY projects. Not having any exposure yet to any of the products from his latest company, Pass Laboratories, I was very curious and enthusiastic about auditioning the subject of this review, the X150.5 stereo power amplifier, and indeed I had high expectations to meet. Although the X150.5 is the baby in the current X series of amplifiers, it is by no means small in any way, specified at 150 watts per channel into eight ohms, and priced at ...

Introduction In America, we love things big. We buy big houses, big vehicles and when we eat, we “super-size” our meals. We like monster trucks and enjoy watching big athletes play in the “Super Bowl” on our big-screen TVs. Therefore it’s no wonder that there is a market for huge audio amplifiers. For over 20 years, Krell Industries has been famous for making some of the biggest, baddest and most powerful amplifiers in the world. The Krell FPB (Full Power Balanced) 700cx is Krell’s latest top-of-the-line amplifier in the FPB stereo amplifier line-up. The amplifier retails for $14,000 and is rated at 700 watts per channel into eight ohms, 1400 watts into four ohms and a whopping 2800 watts into two ohms. Having recently reviewed the Krell FPB 400cx, I was reminded of the Krell’s top build quality. Weighing in at 180 pounds and measuring 19 inches wide, 10.3 inches tall and 25.5 inches deep, makes ...

Introduction Over the past couple of years, Anthem has risen from the shadows of Sonic Frontiers, its former big brother, to become a formidable brand for value conscious AV consumers. The PVA 2 is the latest in Anthem’s quest to provide high-performing, high-value electronics at a price point that the average person can afford. The PVA 2 is a 125-watts per channel, no-frills stereo amplifier that sells for $649. The PVA 2 measures 17.25 inches wide, is five-and-one-quarter inches tall, 11 inches deep and weighs 26 pounds. The PVA 2, like the rest of Anthem’s current line, features clean, unpretentious styling. The attractive yet simple front panel is manufactured from three-eighths of an inch thick, brushed aluminum, available in either silver or black. The face of the PVA 2 is decisively sparse, with nothing more than a logo, a power light and a button to power the amp. The remaining surfaces of the amplifier feature a ...

Introduction Movie buffs may remember the name Krell from the movie "Forbidden Planet," where the Krell were the most powerful race of an alien civilization. Krell Industries, manufacturer of some the world’s most exotic AV equipment, named its company after this superior species. Like Morbius, another “Forbidden Planet” character who sat in front of the Krell’s computer terminal trying to understand their science, I sit in front of Krell’s amplifier, learning about its science. The amplifier I’m talking about is the Krell FPB (Full Power Balanced) 400cx, Krell’s latest “mid-priced” offering in the FPB stereo amplifier line-up, priced at $10,500. The 400cx is rated at 400 watts per channel into eight ohms, 800 watts in four ohms and 1600 watts into two ohms. Upon unboxing the Krell FPB 400cx, I was immediately struck by its build quality. Weighing in at 110 pounds and measuring 19 inches wide, 10.3 inches tall and 19.7 inches deep, this ...

Introduction Parasound has been producing high-quality audio components at a reasonable price for over 20 years. The new HALO line represents a dramatic improvement in both appearance and performance for Parasound. The HALO series represents a departure from Parasound’s traditional black box styling and is clad in a silver brushed metal finish. Each component in the series has a groove, forming an accent line across the bottom portion of each unit. The end caps of each front panel are slightly off-color from the panel itself. Each of the HALO components has a red "P" at the top center that lights up when power is present. I give the front panel the utter coolness award for its faint blue light emanating from behind the buttons which forms like its namesake -- a halo effect. The T 3 retails for $600 and is a full-featured tuner, measuring 17" inches, by four-and-one-eighth inches in height, 13" inches ...