The Editor’s Equipment List

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity - John E. Johnson, Jr.

John E. Johnson, Jr. holds four university degrees, and has published numerous scientific books (three in 2014 and one in 2015), along with dozens of scientific articles on biomedical research topics as well as imaging technology. He was Editor-in-Chief of two medical/scientific journals for 20 years. John holds several patents, including one on high resolution image analysis and one on a surgical instrument. Dr. Johnson has been affiliated with NASA, The National Institutes of Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Stanford Research Institute, and The University of California at Berkeley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. John has been involved in audio and video for more than 50 years, having built radio transmitters, amplifiers, turntables, and speakers from scratch. He is President of the consulting firm Scientific Design and Information, Inc., which is based in Redwood City, California. He is also the founder of the Northern California Audio Video Association, which is now called The Bay Area Audio Society.

Below is a list of equipment that John utilizes at the main office in Redwood City, California, for reviewing products.

Lab 1 (Home Theater):

OPPO BDP-105 Universal 3D Blu-ray Player – Wireless Networked

OPPO UDP-205 Universal 3D Blu-ray Player – Wireless Networked

Pass Labs XP-20 Stereo Preamplifier

Classé SSP-800 Surround Sound Processor

Emotiva XMC-1 Surround Sound Processor

Classé CA-5200 Five-Channel Power Amplifier (200 Watts per Channel)

Pass Labs X600.8 Power Amplifiers (4) (600 Watts/Each)

Audio Control Phase Coupled Activator (Sub-Harmonic Generator)

Carver Platinum Mark IV Ribbon Speakers

MartinLogan Summit X Hybrid Electrostatic Speakers (2) (Rear Left/Right)

MartinLogan Stage X Hybrid Electrostatic Speakers (3) (Center and Sides Left/Right)

Velodyne DD-18+ Subwoofer (3)

Sony VPL-HW55ES 1,920 x 1,080p Digital Projector

90″ (Diagonal) Stewart Grayhawk Projection Screen

Sony 75″ UHD Flat Panel Display

Cables: Wireworld, Mogami

 

Lab 2 (Two-Channel Audio with Digital and Analog Sources):

OPPO BDP-105 Universal 3D Blu-ray Player – Wireless Networked

Balanced Audio Technology VK-5i Pure Class A Triode Stereo Preamplifier (Fully Balanced)

VPI-HR-X Turntable with Sumiko Blackbird MC Cartridge

Manley Labs Steelhead Phono Preamplifier

Pass Labs Xs Preamplifier

AURALiC VEGA DAC

Pass Labs Xs 300 Monoblock Power Amplifiers (2) (300 Watts/each)

Emotiva XPA-1 Monoblock Power Amplifiers (2) (500 Watts/Each)

Emotiva XPR-1 Monoblock Power Amplifiers (2) (1,000 Watts/Each)

MartinLogan CLX Full-Range Electrostatic Speakers

Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2 Subwoofers (2)

Custom-Built Computer for Audio Analysis

Accupel HDG-3000 Digital Color Signal Generator (1080i capable), Component Video and DVI Output

ColorFacts Pro Video Test and Calibration Software, Version 6.0, Spyder Sensor

SpectraPlus Audio Analysis Software

Audio Precision SYS-2722 (Measurement Instrument)

Staco 3PN2210B-DVM 22 Ampere Variable Transformer (for adjusting line voltage to 120 volts during amplifier power output tests)

Cables: Wireworld, Mogami

 

Lab 3 (Two-Channel Audio):

OPPO BDP-105 Universal 3D Blu-ray Player – Wireless Networked

Balanced Audio Technology VK-5i Pure Class A Triode Preamplifier (Fully Balanced)

Balanced Audio Technology VK-500 Solid State Stereo Power Amplifier (Fully Balanced) (250 Watts per Channel)

Magnepan 20.7 Planar Magnetic Full-Range Speakers

HiFiMAN HE1000 Planar Magnetic Headphones

OPPO PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones

OPPO HA-1 Headphone Amplifier

Bryston BUC-1 USB Converter

Cables: Wireworld, Mogami