Stereophile Recommended Components

Posted by: Dr. Exotica on 26 March 2002

The current Stereophile contains their annual listing of 700 recommended components. There are many on this forum that do not hold this magazine in particularly high regard; however, there is no disputing its influence on the high-end hi-fi community here in the US. In case others are interested, here is a list of the Naim (and Linn) products that are currently recommended.

Here is a brief description of what the class listings mean:

Class A - Best attainable sound for the component of its kind.
Class B - The next best thing to the very best sound reproduction.
Class C - Somewhat lo-fi sound, but far more musical that standard home component hi-fi.

Here is what they are currently recommending:

Linn Sondek LP12 with Lingo - Class B
Linn Ekos - Class A
Naim Aro - Class A
Linn Arkiv B - Class A
Naim Armageddon - no ratings in accessories category
Linn Linto - Class A
Naim Stageline - Class B
Linn Sondek CD12 - Class A
Naim CD5 - Class A
Naim CDX - Class A
Linn Kivor Tunboks - Class B
Linn Klimax 500 Solo - Class A
Linn Classik K - Class B
Linn Komri - Class A (on the cover of the mag)
Naim NBL - Class B
Linn Knekt Kivor - Class A
Naim NACA5 - no ratings in category

Certainly interesting. The obvious omissions are frustrating - Stereophile obviously needs to review more Naim gear.

Erik

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Dr. Exotica

quote:
Now, do I get a bunny?

I've been subscribing to Listener for a short while now, but have yet to understand the significance of the bunnies. Hugh Hefner's I understand; the Listener ones I do not. Can someone clue me in?

Erik

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Mike Sae

I'd also like to know about the bunny thing. AD is bound to run out of bunny pictures before the year's out.

PS Rob Doorack, Did I misread, or have you replaced your Nait3 with the 5?

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Arthur Bye

Dr. Exotica wrote:

quote:
I've been subscribing to Listener for a short while now, but have yet to understand the significance of the bunnies.

Forget about the bunnies. What you really want to know is why WILMER SAYS NO TO POT.

Just keep reading grasshopper, and all will be revealed.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by dave simpson

Wilmer and Gizmo...

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by samo7

And that has to be UHF...Ultra High Fidelity...the rest are just fodder.

They don't call me "Headwound Sammy" for nuttin'...HUH??

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Rob Doorack

quote:
Rob Doorack, Did I misread, or have you replaced your Nait3 with the 5?

I reviewed the 5, liked it a lot but I didn't buy it. I'm currently listening to the 112 / 150 that Art reviewed. I also have an Audiomat Arpege tube integrated.

quote:
I still wonder how [Art Dudley] can jump back and forth from Tube kit to Naim or Linn kit.

Well, I have room in my heart to admire both Natalie Wood and Pamela Anderson equally. It's sort of the same thing with Art and hi fi.

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Arthur Bye

Rob Doorack wrote:

quote:
Well, I have room in my heart to admire both Natalie Wood and Pamela Anderson equally. It's sort of the same thing with Art and hi fi.

Hmmmm...........

Pamela Anderson.....boobs.......toobs!......

Does this mean solid state is like Natalie Wood?

I think I'm confused.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Justin

You know,

If you check the most recent issue of Listener (In which Wilmer's obit. appears) you will find an advertisement for Listener back issues. This advert contains a picture of all the old issues lined up on a shelf. The secret message on the spines does NOT spell "Wilmer says no to pot sm. . ." Anyway, check it out.

Judd

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Arthur Bye

Justin:

Thanks for that. I had to go find a magnifying glass to read it. How did you ever find that? You must have waaaaay too much time on your hands.

I liked the letter about counting asses and Arties header and replies.

Passive preamps? two horn speaker reviews? obits? more SET reviews? I doubt that Listener's new subscribers are lining up in breathless anticipation. Feels like you're back in the 50's and 60's reading this stuff. Sounds so dull, but reads so well.

It's still the only magazine I can read cover to cover.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 30 March 2002 by Eric Barry

I believe the 112/150 review will appear in the May/June issue, and a "Classics" piece on the 32-5 in the July/August.

--Eric

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by Rob Doorack

quote:
Does this mean solid state is like Natalie Wood?

Oh no, look at Pam Anderson: all those hard edges, she's definitely solid state.

As for the Listener bunnies, that's Art having some sport with the hot - heads who send him angry letters. He's saying "calm down, it's just hi fi, perhaps if you look at a picture of a cute bunny rabbit you'll relax."