High-Performance Audio Reviews
Music News, Show Reports, And More!
Celebrating 29 Years Of Service To Music Lovers
International CES 2009
& THE Show Report
Consumer Electronics Show & THE Show 2009 Preview
Ayon Audio
will have their Triton ($8495) zero feedback tubed stereo integrated amplifier. This model operates in pure Class A and produces 125 watts per channel via a quad of either KT88 or KT90 tubes. The Triton comes equipped with four stereo inputs plus a bypass so it can be used simply as a stereo amplifier. Special low level variable sub-woofer output is also included. The 12AU7 is employed for signal and driver, a special timer warm up circuit for all tubes extends tube life, plus dual choke filtered power supply helps to ensures a clean and steady electrical power delivery. Ayon's Triton has one power
transformer per channel and is encased and dampened plus has RFI/EMI shielding. Selected, premium quality passive components are used in all applications as are high speed capacitors and
Teflon isolated internal wiring. Frequency response is a very wide 8 Hz to 70
kHz while SNR at full power is -98dB.
Magico will introduce their V2 ($18,000
per pair), backed by the company's 15 years of research and development of advanced scientific research and proprietary driver technology. The V2 embodies the spirit of the award-winning Mini II and utilizes a unique 2.5-way configuration. This models contains a pair of 7-inch Nano-Tec drivers operating on separate circuits and mounted at different depths on a 'zero horizontal-diffraction' baffle. Naturally Magico's proprietary
MR-1 ring radiator tweeter and Elliptical Symmetry Crossover (ESXO) help to round out the driver compliment. This design also employs Magico's signature engineering innovations with rear-mounted drivers coupled to an aircraft-grade 6061-T aluminum baffle. The cabinet is made from 17-ply vertically stacked Baltic Birch and includes a tension-coupling mechanism, which uses special aluminum rods and fasteners to create a hermetically sealed, acoustically inert
platform. Sensitivity is 89dB @ 4 Ohms, with overall frequency response being 32
Hz to 40 kHz.
Special seminars will be held by Steve Hoffman
during the CES, in partnership with Precision Audio & Video, Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity and
Venture. The seminars will feature Mr. Hoffman playing back his own mastered material through the equipment he uses in his work and private listening, with interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the recordings and the mastering process.
The schedule and rooms for the seminars are:
Jan 8th (Thu)
2:00pm (Venetian Suites Room 31-102)*
Jan 9th (Fri)
11:00am (Room 31-101)**
2:00pm (Room 31-102)*
Jan 10th (Sat)
11:00am (Room 31-101)**
* Room 31-102 Equipment:
Spiral Groove/Lyra Analog Front End, Weiss Digital Front End, Venture Amplification, Venture Speakers, Sound Application AC Conditioning
** Room 31-101 Equipment:
Spiral Groove/Graham/Trasfiguraton Analog Front End, Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity Electronics, Venture Speakers, Sound Application AC Conditioning
Bel Canto Design, manufacturers of analog and digital source components plus amplifiers, will be
demonstrating their USB Link 24/96 ($495). This device converts a computer-derived USB input of up to 24 bits and 96 kHz to
S/PDIF and outputs the signal on a 75 ohm BNC. The USB Link 24/96 includes a Stereovox SV2 BNC/BNC cable with RCA adaptor to feed your audiophile DAC of choice. Convenient audiophile features include:
— Converts USB computer-sourced files to
S/PDIF output
— Compatible with native drivers on Mac and Windows
— Accepts high-resolution audio files with data rates up to 24 bits and 96KHz
— Quality Stereovox XV2 BNC/BNC with RCA adaptor connects to any quality DAC
— USB Link 24/96 disables system volume control
— Low-jitter clock recovery features reference crystal oscillator
— Self-powered via USB input benefiting from LC filters and low-noise local regulation
— Galvanic isolation between computer and audio system prevents high-frequency noise from polluting signal
ESS Technology Audio, designers and manufacturers of high-performance digital video/audio semiconductors for the consumer digital entertainment, digital home and automotive markets, will be showcasing their Sabre32 Reference DAC.
Heralded as the world's best 32-bit audio DAC with 135dB of dynamic range, this new chip is said to offer "unmatched sound clarity made possible by ESS's patented Hyperstream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator." The 24-bit Sabre DAC is designed into leading-edge high-end audio products by McIntosh, Krell and Samsung. The Sabre32 Reference DAC extends the musicality of the original Sabre Reference DAC from 24 to 32 bit music and raises its performance to 135dB
dynamic range and -120dB THD. Total harmonic distortion is a low -118dB (0.00013%), the chip supports stereo analog XLR or RCA output, and has S/PDIF or
I2S/DSD header input.
Leading consumer electronics manufacturers will showcase their ultimate home theater solutions in Las Vegas at THE Show. Also, attendees will be eligible to win a pair of $10,000 Montana EPS2 Loudspeakers. High-performance audio manufacturer
PBN Audio, along with partners Digital Projection International (DPI),
dnp Denmark, Edge Electronics and Straight Wire, will present the latest in sound and home theater solutions. A demonstration and giveaway of one pair of Montana EPS2 Loudspeakers valued at $10,000 will be awarded to one lucky
attendee.
Cable Research Lab
(CRL) will be exhibiting their Silver Series Cables and Power Cords together with
deHavilland Electric Amplifier and Sonist Loudspeakers at THE Show. The CRL Silver Series Cables are built from solid copper wire technology with durable PVC outer tubing and abrasion-resistant outer mesh covering. The Silver Series Speaker Cables ($1,700.00 a pair) are 6 solid core OFC conductors per leg (6 plus, 6 minus) and conductors are individually insulated with pure propylene dielectrics. Available in bi-wire configuration (2:4 or 4:4) with
Bocchino Audio compression spades of solid copper, plated with silver. Spade lugs to fit WBT binding posts are available. The Silver Series Interconnects contain multiple solid core OFC conductors. Conductor insulation is polypropylene. Shielded with braided OFC to reduce RFI/EMI. Available with Bocchino Audio RCA
($1400 per pair) or BAXLR ($1550 per pair) connectors. The CRL Power Cords
include the Mk II for amplifiers and the Mk IV for front end equipment ($795.00 each) are manufactured from either OFC/6N or OCC/6N (respectively) solid copper conductors with extensively polished and plated Oyaide connectors of deoxidized phosphorous bronze. Both are available in 15 or 20 AMP IEC
configurations.
Danish manufacturer Bergmann Audios' philosophy is to optimize the
air bearing principle and to produce an exceedingly user-friendly turntable at the same time. The Sindre (13,000€) turntable consists of as few parts as possible
and are assembled in a simple and timeless design. This traditional
air bearing turntable/arm combination are mated with a platter and linear tracking tonearm, which is supported by air. The Sindre is extremely simple to adjust and operate. while the company has paid a great attention to the
air supply that deliver a smooth and clean dry airflow. The very quite air
supply, made by Bergmann Audio, is specially designed for their turntables and may be placed in the listening room due to its quiet
operation.
German Physiks, a manufacture of an unconventional type of loudspeaker that employs their own proprietary DDD driver, will be at Las Vegas. The DDD driver
(pictured right) is a bending wave device that covers the frequency range from about 200 Hz (depending in the model it is used in) up to 24 kHz. It is omni directional and, thus, works as a near perfect point source. Covering such a wide frequency range obviates the need for a crossover point in the mid-range and all the drawbacks and disadvantages this would cause. German Physiks plans to have a set of HRS 120s, one of their most popular designs, and a set of
Unicorns. The Unicorn is a slightly unusual looking loudspeaker that is very interesting technically and sonically. It uses a single DDD driver and instead of cutting it off below about 200 Hz, the company operate it at full range. The bass output is delivered via a horn.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
Ayon Audio
will have their Triton ($8495) zero feedback tubed stereo integrated amplifier. This model operates in pure Class A and produces 125 watts per channel via a quad of either KT88 or KT90 tubes. The Triton comes equipped with four stereo inputs plus a bypass so it can be used simply as a stereo amplifier. Special low level variable sub-woofer output is also included. The 12AU7 is employed for signal and driver, a special timer warm up circuit for all tubes extends tube life, plus dual choke filtered power supply helps to ensures a clean and steady electrical power delivery. Ayon's Triton has one power
transformer per channel and is encased and dampened plus has RFI/EMI shielding. Selected, premium quality passive components are used in all applications as are high speed capacitors and
Teflon isolated internal wiring. Frequency response is a very wide 8 Hz to 70
kHz while SNR at full power is -98dB.
Magico will introduce their V2 ($18,000
per pair), backed by the company's 15 years of research and development of advanced scientific research and proprietary driver technology. The V2 embodies the spirit of the award-winning Mini II and utilizes a unique 2.5-way configuration. This models contains a pair of 7-inch Nano-Tec drivers operating on separate circuits and mounted at different depths on a 'zero horizontal-diffraction' baffle. Naturally Magico's proprietary
MR-1 ring radiator tweeter and Elliptical Symmetry Crossover (ESXO) help to round out the driver compliment. This design also employs Magico's signature engineering innovations with rear-mounted drivers coupled to an aircraft-grade 6061-T aluminum baffle. The cabinet is made from 17-ply vertically stacked Baltic Birch and includes a tension-coupling mechanism, which uses special aluminum rods and fasteners to create a hermetically sealed, acoustically inert
platform. Sensitivity is 89dB @ 4 Ohms, with overall frequency response being 32
Hz to 40 kHz.
Special seminars will be held by Steve Hoffman
during the CES, in partnership with Precision Audio & Video, Silicon Arts Design & Concert Fidelity and
Venture. The seminars will feature Mr. Hoffman playing back his own mastered material through the equipment he uses in his work and private listening, with interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the recordings and the mastering process.
The schedule and rooms for the seminars are:
Bel Canto Design, manufacturers of analog and digital source components plus amplifiers, will be
demonstrating their USB Link 24/96 ($495). This device converts a computer-derived USB input of up to 24 bits and 96 kHz to
S/PDIF and outputs the signal on a 75 ohm BNC. The USB Link 24/96 includes a Stereovox SV2 BNC/BNC cable with RCA adaptor to feed your audiophile DAC of choice. Convenient audiophile features include:
ESS Technology Audio, designers and manufacturers of high-performance digital video/audio semiconductors for the consumer digital entertainment, digital home and automotive markets, will be showcasing their Sabre32 Reference DAC.
Heralded as the world's best 32-bit audio DAC with 135dB of dynamic range, this new chip is said to offer "unmatched sound clarity made possible by ESS's patented Hyperstream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator." The 24-bit Sabre DAC is designed into leading-edge high-end audio products by McIntosh, Krell and Samsung. The Sabre32 Reference DAC extends the musicality of the original Sabre Reference DAC from 24 to 32 bit music and raises its performance to 135dB
dynamic range and -120dB THD. Total harmonic distortion is a low -118dB (0.00013%), the chip supports stereo analog XLR or RCA output, and has S/PDIF or
I2S/DSD header input.
Cable Research Lab
(CRL) will be exhibiting their Silver Series Cables and Power Cords together with
deHavilland Electric Amplifier and Sonist Loudspeakers at THE Show. The CRL Silver Series Cables are built from solid copper wire technology with durable PVC outer tubing and abrasion-resistant outer mesh covering. The Silver Series Speaker Cables ($1,700.00 a pair) are 6 solid core OFC conductors per leg (6 plus, 6 minus) and conductors are individually insulated with pure propylene dielectrics. Available in bi-wire configuration (2:4 or 4:4) with
Bocchino Audio compression spades of solid copper, plated with silver. Spade lugs to fit WBT binding posts are available. The Silver Series Interconnects contain multiple solid core OFC conductors. Conductor insulation is polypropylene. Shielded with braided OFC to reduce RFI/EMI. Available with Bocchino Audio RCA
($1400 per pair) or BAXLR ($1550 per pair) connectors. The CRL Power Cords
include the Mk II for amplifiers and the Mk IV for front end equipment ($795.00 each) are manufactured from either OFC/6N or OCC/6N (respectively) solid copper conductors with extensively polished and plated Oyaide connectors of deoxidized phosphorous bronze. Both are available in 15 or 20 AMP IEC
configurations.
Danish manufacturer Bergmann Audios' philosophy is to optimize the
air bearing principle and to produce an exceedingly user-friendly turntable at the same time. The Sindre (13,000€) turntable consists of as few parts as possible
and are assembled in a simple and timeless design. This traditional
air bearing turntable/arm combination are mated with a platter and linear tracking tonearm, which is supported by air. The Sindre is extremely simple to adjust and operate. while the company has paid a great attention to the
air supply that deliver a smooth and clean dry airflow. The very quite air
supply, made by Bergmann Audio, is specially designed for their turntables and may be placed in the listening room due to its quiet
operation.
German Physiks, a manufacture of an unconventional type of loudspeaker that employs their own proprietary DDD driver, will be at Las Vegas. The DDD driver
(pictured right) is a bending wave device that covers the frequency range from about 200 Hz (depending in the model it is used in) up to 24 kHz. It is omni directional and, thus, works as a near perfect point source. Covering such a wide frequency range obviates the need for a crossover point in the mid-range and all the drawbacks and disadvantages this would cause. German Physiks plans to have a set of HRS 120s, one of their most popular designs, and a set of
Unicorns. The Unicorn is a slightly unusual looking loudspeaker that is very interesting technically and sonically. It uses a single DDD driver and instead of cutting it off below about 200 Hz, the company operate it at full range. The bass output is delivered via a horn.
