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)
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 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)
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)
Magnepan 20.7 Planar Magnetic Full-Range Speakers
HiFiMAN HE1000 Planar Magnetic Headphones
OPPO PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones
Cables: Wireworld, Mogami