Consumer Electronic Show 2003
![Consumer Electronic Show 2003 (CES)](../ceslogo.gif)
![](../../bar.gif)
Saturday
![](bluecircle.jpg)
Blue Circle had their BC24 hybrid power amplifier ($2,495) and BC28 hybrid power amplifier $3,999). Both units are based on Blue Circle's AG8000 amplifier, these two new units employs a 6922 triode tube for pre-amplification and "Class AB" for main power output. The BC24 produces 80 watts per channel/stereo while the BC 28 produces 120 per channel/stereo.
![](zucable.jpg)
Zu Cable has their new loudspeaker ($1,000/8 foot) and Xaus tonearm cable ($240). The Xaus is a silver alloy, totally discrete ground plane design. Channel separation is greater than 90dB to upwards of 20kHz. Both DIN and RCA ends are available.
![](shanlingscd200.jpg)
Shanling, known for their CD player, now have an SACD incarnation version called the SCD-200 ($2,695).
![](shanlingsp80.jpg)
Shanling also has their SP-80 dual-mono tube amplifier ($2,495) with built-in pre-amplifier and front LCD panel.
![](manleymahi.jpg)
Manley Labs new Mahi monoblock amplifier ($2,500 per pair) uses four EL84 tubes, 6414 as driver and 12AT7 for pre-amplification duties. The Mahi has a front switch for either triode operation (26 watts) or ultralinear (40 watts). There is also a variable feedback three-position switch for minimum (6dB), standard (9dB), or maximum (12dB).
![](venture.jpg)
Venture's Reference S-One 25-watt stereo amplifier ($17,000) looks drop dead gorgeous with chrome and gold highlights. Frequency response is from a super wide 8Hz to 70kHz and input impedance is an easy to drive
1Mohm.
![](threshold.jpg)
Threshold was proudly showing their Stasis 8.0 stereo amplifier ($8,000) produces 200 watts per channel. Both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs while two sets of loudspeaker posts per channel aid
in bi-wiring.
![](vtl.jpg)
VTL had their new Siegfried 800-watt tubed monoblock amplifier ($40,000). Twelve 6550 tubes are operated in "Class AB" and is tetrode/triode switchable. A special automatic biasing and fault sensing insure long-term reliability. A multi-stage soft start adds life to tubes while the precision regulated power supply is said to virtually eliminate power source fluctuations.
![](lamm.jpg)
The Lamm room had their ML-1 ($20,000, front left) 80-watt monoblock amplifier. Cabling for the system consisted of the Stereovox SEI as reviewed within
our Review
Magazine.
Click here to see
a complete listing of
specialty high-end audio show exhibitors.
Click here to see last
year's show coverage.