Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2004

Friday

The Quattro turntable ($5,100) with a Schroeder Reference tonearm ($5,500) with Lyra Dorian entry-level cartridge ($800). This high-mass oil and lead dampened turntable weighs in at a staggering 100 lbs. Add to that the patented, zero friction bamboo tonearm said to be a very unique design.

eXemplar Audio's new Exception II pre-amplifier ($2,500, or $3,250 with Siltech wire and remote control) is an evolution from the previous unit. All the circuitry is actively loaded and shunt regulated allows for lower noise, yet is claimed to enhance speed and detail. It has four inputs and a pair of outputs while frequency response is from 10Hz to 30kHz.

Aural specializes in amplification devices plus offering digital products. Seen here is their Audition headphone amplifier ($2,195). Operating in "Class A", this sold-state unit and can drive headphones from 32 to 600 ohms. They also have a new 40-watt stereo unit called the Telo ($4,625) coming soon.

Audio Kit provides parts and accessories for the DIY enthusiast such as amplifiers, loudspeakers including both drivers and enclosures. 

Cardas Audio had a large table showing many of their excellent spades, terminals, wire jumpers, and many other bits. All seem very well made and of impressive quality, as one would expect from Cardas.

DIYcable.com offers attractively priced cabling from loudspeaker cables to interconnects to their Exodus phono cable ($100 depending on DIN and length). It uses Cardas 40x24 cable and jacks.

The Well Tempered Amadeus turntable ($1,000) employs a golf ball as the main tonearm bearing(!) in a sand-filled soft aluminum tube. Silicone dampening allows the golf ball to float freely while also acting as dampening.

Audio Magic has their XXX power filter ($1,999) has ten outlets with a total of seven different filters (none of which being transformers). The entire unit is Cryo-treated and MST (Molecular Stabilization Treatment) that basically stabilizes the materials. Solid 10 gauge silver wire throughout and a 20-Ampere breaker round out this unit.

Placette Audio showcased their Active Linestage ($4,595) that is said to literally be transparent. Vishay 102 resistors are in all signal paths and offers five inputs and tape loop. Operation is via wireless remote control.

Ron Audio had their Mustang two-way monitor loudspeakers ($3,000) that offer a Seas 1-inch tweeter ad 6.5-inch aluminum woofer in a rear-ported cabinet. The 85dB sensitivity and 50Hz to 25kHz frequency response is for those with more powerful (then ingle-ended tube) amplification. Two pairs of Cardas binding posts allow for bi-wiring.

Click here for Saturday's coverage.