Notably absent at the show was Sony, who
usually has a major press conference and also one or more of the large downstairs rooms. Well, since our
Industry News page announced quite a change of the top management at Sony in
Japan recently, perhaps the next news heard will seem like a natural. While independent labels may continue making new titles on SACD, it seems Sony stopped producing their own SACD titles as of two weeks ago. Rumor? Fact? My guess is fact, though am sure someone will
e-mail me shortly confirming this.
Speaking of large rooms, how does a quad of BAT VK-150SE ($17,000) driving a pair of
Focal.JMlab Nova Utopia ($37,500) sound? Very dynamic and loud even for this quite large room.
Our very own British journalist Alvin Gold reviewed both their Grande Utopia Be
(click here)
and Mezzo Utopia (click
here).
David Chesky and Patricia were happily offering excellent music titles at discount show pricing.
The Lotus Group had a magical case filled with tweaks by Oyaide. You want carbon fiber wall plates or electrical jacks? They got it. Also available are various plating method power outlets. The Lotus Group also offers
Acrolink line of goodies including their isolation power transformer, cabling, etc.
Benchmark was at the show with their all-singing DAC1 ($975) that our senior editor Dick Olsher recently reviewed
(click here for
review).
WBT's nextgen RCA connector, available in copper or silver, uses a special configuration to insure proper 75-ohm impedance. Have
heard that analog connector guys enjoy this connector for its purity in sound (for those tweakers who enjoy playing with end connectors).
Kimber's top range Select cables now include the nextgen RCA.
In the In Living Stereo retailer room was the DeVore Silverback Reference ($14,000) being driven by all Moon Audio electronics. So far the coolest tunes of the day as they were playing Flanger
"So What."
In the Manley Labs and Joseph Audio room they were enjoying three-channel sound with three Manley Labs Neo-Classic 250 ($4,500 each) and Joseph Audio RM-55 ($12,500), Pearl Center channel ($11,000) that includes the separate upper and lower frequency cabinets. Three channel audio... retro-futuristic!
thiphi/Audio had these cute little Mojo two-way loudspeakers ($400) that sounded damn good for the price! A 0.75-inch aluminum dome tweeter and 4-inch aluminum dome midrange can be mated with their David ($699) self-powered woofer (300 watt) that has a 8-inch long-throw
driver. Really, the sound was impressive and for those who are looking for nearfield audio, better computer audio, or inconspicuous sound should check these out.
Moscode is back! Seen here is their new 401HR ($4,995) with four front located tubes. Flexibility is amazing as your choice of tubes that can be used include 6H30Pi, 6GU7, 6DJ8, 6FQ7, 7730, or 12AU7. Main output is via solid-state that produces 200 watt (8 ohms, 300 watt 4 ohm) in "Class AB." Other features include low level of negative feedback in only a single amplification stage, no output inductors, optical-coupled floating bias, lots of regulation... MultiCaps, Solen... separate fuses for each amplifier power rail... You get the point. The front panel illumination is adjustable via rear knob.
Click here for Friday's
coverage.
