J. Gordon Holt

Sort By: Post Date Title Publish Date

Audio Research SP9 preamplifier

J. Gordon Holt, Various Nov 29, 1995 First Published: Nov 29, 1987 0 comments

Following the introduction of their very expensive, tube/FET hybrid SP11 preamplifier, there were rumors that Audio Research was working on a hybrid tube/transistor preamplifier targeted to cost less than $2000. The rumors were confirmed when ARC showed a black-and-white photo of the SP9 at the 1987 Winter CES. Obviously, like all magazines, we were impatient to receive a review sample, but the first review of the SP9 actually appeared in the summer '87 issue of Peter Moncrieff's IAR Hotline. Peter's review was almost intemperately enthusiastic, comparing the SP9 positively with early samples of the SP11 and suggesting that its sound quality was considerably better than would be expected from its $1695 asking price. Naturally, we were anticipating good things when our review sample arrived in Santa Fe in late July.

Interviews J. Gordon Holt

Bill Firebaugh: The Well-Tempered Innovator

J. Gordon Holt Oct 08, 2006 First Published: Oct 08, 1987 0 comments

Bill Firebaugh's first product, the outrageous-looking Well-Tempered">http://www.stereophile.com/tonearms/485well">Well-Tempered (tone) Arm, established him as one of audio's most innovative designers. At the 1985 Winter CES, he showed a prototype companion product—the Well-Tempered Turntable—and was producing production units by January 1987. He discusses here the WTT's unusual design features. (Readers should note that, since we have not yet tested the new turntable, this interview is not to be interpreted as an endorsement of the product.)

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

Recording Rules for Orchestras

J. Gordon Holt Feb 26, 2010 First Published: Sep 26, 1987 0 comments

During my recent interview with the Sheffield Lab people in connection with their Moscow recording sessions (Vol.10 No.3), both Lincoln Mayorga and Doug">http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/sheffield_steel_doug_sax">Doug Sax had some unkind things to say about the cost of recording an orchestra in the US. Their complaints are justified. It costs more to record in the US than anywhere else in the world, and these astronomical costs are detrimental both to symphonic music in the US and to the audiophile's pursuit of sonic perfection.

Solid State Preamp Reviews J. Gordon Holt

Klyne Audio Arts SK-5A preamplifier

J. Gordon Holt Feb 03, 2007 First Published: Sep 03, 1987 0 comments

Klyne Audio Arts has an almost Zen-like approach to the design of its products. Like the best Japanese designs, Klyne's preamps are aesthetically pleasing in appearance, do exactly what they're supposed to, and their controls are not only where you would expect them to be, but have an almost sensually smooth action. Internal construction, too, is a work of art—the kind of design which, transferred to a tapestry, would grace the wall of any listening room. You have to see the insides of a Klyne preamp to appreciate how attractive-looking an audio component can be. But physical beauty is only one aspect of Stan Klyne's designs; of all the electronics manufacturers I know of, Klyne Audio Arts also makes products more adjustable than any others, so as to appeal to the needs of what I call compulsive tweaks.

Solid State Preamp Reviews J. Gordon Holt

Threshold FET 10 preamplifier

J. Gordon Holt Feb 03, 2007 First Published: Sep 03, 1987 0 comments

This product is a pre-trol. What, you may well ask, is a "pre-trol?" Well, Threshold Corp. calls its FET-10 a preamplifier, but it isn't, really. In fact, it isn't an It at all; it's a Them. Only half of Them is a preamp, and you can buy each half separately. If that sounds a little confusing, maybe it's because some of the old, familiar language of audio is starting to lose its relevance.

As We See It J. Gordon Holt Historical

Copycode: Diminishing DAT

J. Gordon Holt, Alvin Gold Mar 02, 2010 First Published: Aug 02, 1987 0 comments

How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips move. How can you tell when a recording system is perfect? CBS tries to outlaw it.

Floor Loudspeaker Reviews J. Gordon Holt

Acoustat Spectra 3 loudspeaker

J. Gordon Holt Nov 09, 2017 First Published: Aug 01, 1987 0 comments

Founded in the mid-1970s, Acoustat was the first manufacturer of full-range electrostatics literally forced to address what had long been a major weakness of such speakers: high-voltage breakdown, or "arcing." The original design was built and used in JP (Jeep) Harned's home, where the living-room french windows opened out onto a stream in the back yard. That, plus Florida's legendary humidity, conspired to produce summer days when moisture would trickle down every vertical surface in the house, including the speaker elements.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews J. Gordon Holt

Onkyo Grand Integra M-508 power amplifier

J. Gordon Holt Aug 17, 2012 First Published: Jun 01, 1987 0 comments

"Grand Integra" is the name Onkyo has given to its line of perfectionist-oriented audio products, and the M-508 is the cheaper of Onkyo's two Grand Integra power amplifiers. (The flagship model is the $4200 M-510, reviewed by Larry Greenhill in Vol.8 No.8, featuring "high current capability," and rated at 300W continuous per channel.)

Floor Loudspeaker Reviews J. Gordon Holt

dbx Soundfield 1A loudspeaker

J. Gordon Holt Aug 02, 2018 First Published: Jun 01, 1987 0 comments

The unsung sage who first observed that high-end audio is a solitary vice was probably not implying that audiophiles are antisocial; he was merely acknowledging the fact that a decent stereo stage is usually only audible from one place in the entire listening roomthe so-called sweet spot. Stray from that spot, and the whole soundstage shifts to one side, spaciousness collapses, and images become vague and unstable. This is the antisocial aspect: only one member of a group can hear good stereo at any one time. (The gracious host at a listenfest will take a secondary seat, allowing his guests to take turns sitting in the sweet spot.)

Recording of the Month J. Gordon Holt

Recording of June 1987: Copland: Appalachian Spring, etc.

J. Gordon Holt Oct 24, 2013 First Published: Jun 01, 1987 0 comments

Copland: Appalachian Spring (Suite), Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson, An Outdoor Overture (CD only)

Pacific Symphony Orchestra/Clark/Marni Nixon (soprano)

Reference Recordings LP RR-2 and CD RR-22CD. Tam Henderson, prod.; Keith Johnson, eng.

This is unquestionably one of the best recordings Reference Recordings has done. The sound of the LP is up-front and quite bright, giving the orchestra that peculiarly nasal quality I usually associate with small French orchestras. There is truly remarkable detail and naturalness here; I was about to write that the recording makes the orchestra sound very small and pinched in Appalachian Spring when I noticed on the record jacket that this is the "Original version for 13 instruments." Okay, so I know what it costs to hire musicians in the US, but I still prefer the version of this work scored for full, bombastic, overblown 108-piece symphony orchestra. The 13 instruments are superbly balanced, thougheven the piano, which is usually (and wrongfully) relegated to behind the orchestra. About a half a block behind it.