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Spectral SDR-2000
Professional HDCD D/A Processor
($8895; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol. 18 No. 5,
May 1995; and Thomas J. Norton, Vol. 18 No. 11,
November 1995)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Audio Alchemy DTIˇPro ($1295^; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol. 17
No. 11, November 1994, and Vol. 18 No. 3, March 1995)
Krell KPS-20iL CD player/digital control center ($11,000; reviewed
by Martin Colloms, Vol. 18 No. 10, October 1995)
Mark Levinson No. 30.5 HDCD D/A processor ($15,950; reviewed
by Robert Harley, Vol. 17 No. 10, October 1994, and Vol. 18
No. 4, April 1995; and John Atkinson, Vol. 18 No. 3, March 1995)
Muse Model Two D/A processor ($1700; reviewed by Shannon
Dickson, Vol. 18 No. 7, July 1995)
Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 Mk.II HDCD D/A processor ($5295; reviewed
by Robert Harley and John Atkinson, Vol. 18 No. 3, March 1995; and
Thomas J. Norton, Vol. 18 No. 11, November 1995)
Sony DTC-2000ES SBM DAT recorder ($2500; reviewed by J.
Gordon Holt, Vol. 17 No. 11, November 1994)

^Since replaced by the Audio Alchemy DTIˇPro 32.

Tightly contested, with strong showings both from the inexpensive Muse unit and from the latest versions of two previous winners, this strong field did yield a dominant winner in the Spectral SDR-2000, a two-chassis unit that separates the power supply from the D/A processor itself. "The unit is a tour de force in digital design," raved Bob Harley, adding, "This is the state of the art." Indeed, it may redefine listeners' expectations of what digital can accomplish. Panelists commented on its superlative resolution of inner detail, unequaled spatial presentation, and its lack of glare and edginess. The SDR-2000 may not reveal all of its glories to those lacking Spectral systems, since the firm takes a holistic approach to audio design: careful audition in the system that the unit will reside in is necessary, as is utmost attention to setup and cable routing.

Yet, along with JA's reference system, which features the more costly Levinson No. 30.5, the full blown Spectral/Avalon/MIT system that Goodwin's Hi-Fi demoed at HI-FI '95 in Los Angeles has been one of the very few hi-fis that caused WP to forget about digits, grooves, or lunar phases, and just merge with the music. To paraphrase RH: regardless of the cost, what more can one say?