Gryphon
Audio was also showing their new Antileon Evolution (EVO) stereo amplifier
(€29,000) that is also available in monoblock form (€58,000). Their Antileon EVO
draws heavily on concepts, technologies and components developed for the
Gryphon Mephisto, the brand’s top-line power amplification statement. This true
high current design has exceptional peak-to-peak current capability to ensure
compatibility with even the most power hungry reactive loudspeaker loads.
Antileon EVO Mono employs 40 high current bipolar output transistors and a
670,000 μF power capacitor bank to deliver 175 Watts of pure Class A
power. Antileon EVO Stereo employs the same configuration to deliver 2 x 150
Watts pure Class A. While most monoblock amplifiers are just series-coupled
(bridged) versions of a stereo model, Gryphon monoblocks employ
parallel-coupling to cut distortion and output impedance in half, while
doubling damping factor and doubling current capability. The fully discrete
pure-Class A Antileon EVO power amplifiers are fully balanced from input and
Voltage Amplifier Stages employ twin-tiered banks of electrolytic capacitors
and twin custom-designed 1500 Watt toroidal power supply transformers. A
special epoxy resin provides effective vibration damping for the transformer.
For additional isolation, the transformer housing is mounted in a suspension
system for effective vibration control.
WBT's new nanoGen connectors establishes an entirely new
class in plug connector technology. In fact many top-end speakers, amplifiers, etc from a variety of equipment manufacturers are using these in their products! This is said to be the first industrially mass-produced application of
"crystalline carbon" as a signal conductor. Crystalline carbon, according to WBT, "opens up unprecedented possibilities and is
far superior to conventional conductors such as metals in terms of transmission speed, bandwidth and signal fidelity. WBT-nanoGen connectors are closer to the
"ideally" conductive graphene than any other signal conductors before them." Based on the WBT-nextgen series, they have developed an innovative procedure that enables them to shoot pure carbon onto an electrically neutralized substrate (anodized
aluminum) using the PVD method (physical vapor deposition). Very interesting use of new technology!
Avantgarde Acoustics hornspeakers are available in a wide variety of colors. Alas, no new speaker design this year yet they still top my list of speakers that really are in desperate need of a proper North American distributor.
The McIntosh MHA100 DAC/headphone amplifier was joined by a variety of their other amplification products. McIntosh has been pushing their Made In The USA mantra and note how their room display is
presented.
Devialent has upgraded their software for ease of use in general and app too! Their model 800
(€22,900) is a powerhouse with two channel of amplification rated at 800 Watts each. It can be daisy-chained for bi, tri, quad, etc amplification. Their SAM, which stands for Speaker Active Matching to then adjust output for time and phase correction for specific speakers. As their ultimate in audio solutions, it is designed built with no compromises whatsoever after an extensive five years of regular developments. All signals are over-sampled to 384kHz via a unique design that uses the potential of their DAC "Magic Wire". They also claim to have the shortest signal path in the world with an overall length of less than 4" between the DAC and the loudspeaker output connectors. Signal to noise ratio is an outstanding > 133 dB with a total harmonic and intermodulation distortion of 0.00025%. Wi-Fi and Internet
'AIR' feature brings high precision audio streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz. Latency is a low 50ms with proper buffer size and the signal path employs Devialet's master clock controlling an asynchronous protocol. Did I mention they have an app to control the unit too? Sweet!
Tim de Paravicini’s Disc Master turntable with TriPlanar tonearm
(€17,000) looked sexy! This turntable began life as Tim contemplated a radical new design several decades ago. A special no-contact drive system is mated with a low-noise motor controlled by an optimized servo loop that drives a
sub-platter via geared belt. Precision-made Swiss bearings employ precise angular contacts. The platter is made of an ultra-low-resonance composite of resin and inorganic filler, which is extremely accurately machined and supported on an instrument-grade aluminum chassis. Adjustable damped feet support the assembly. The Disc
Master turntable has three speeds that include 33.3, 45, and 78 rpm.
Wolf Von Lanyard open baffle model Salon
(€350,000/pair) is energized and biased to achieve the highest sound quality. All drivers are handmade. Amp is by Vinyl Savor model
(€115,000) and uses all silver transformers. Love the look for the clear enclosure, yet you can also have a real wood enclosure instead. Very sexy
in a geek-love way.
Much more to appear tomorrow once I get a good night’s sleep as have been awake for over 44 hours(!). Ahhh yes, the bed looks ever so enticing! Head meet pillow.
---> Friday's High
End 2014 Munich show coverage.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
