The Home Entertainment Show 2003

Thursday

  Edge Electronics had their unique pyramid styled amplifier called the NL Reference monoblock amplifiers ($70,000) that uses a minimum of 60A dedicated electric line supply. The unit produces 800 watts per channel in to 8 ohms and doubles into both 4 and doubles again into 2-ohm load. Centermost top in he photo is the NL12 ($15,500) dual mono amplifier that produces 300 watts per channel. Below it is their Signature 1 pre-amplifier that accepts six live level inputs. Unique to this unit is it can be either battery or electrically powered.

 

Halcro's new, yet still prototype, DM38 stereo amplifier ($18,000) that produces 180 watts per channel. Availability is scheduled for May/June.

 

World first! Ed Meitner's (EMM Labs) DAC6 ($6,500) is the same converter used for SACD production.

 

Pipedreams Reference 18 tower loudspeakers ($49,000) were being driven by VAC's new Standard 220 tubed monoblock amplifiers. Analog source was by VPI Industries while digital duties were well-served by George Mark Audio Technologies. Cable were by Silversmith Audio and all equipment were placed on Ricks Racks stands. Usually i fully reframe from commenting on the sound of rooms at a show, though this room sounded incredible. Maybe i can stay here and never leave. Alas, T.H.E. Show must go on...

 

A lovely grouping of Ayon amplifiers.

 

Going vintage are some Klangfilm Seimens Bionor hornspeakers from January 1960. Still mighty fine sounding decades later.

 

O. S. Services debuted Audion's restyled-redesigned Silver Night 300B and Sterling EL34 stereo amplifiers. They also had the 97dB sensitive Royal Device Lauras and 95dB sensitive Legend 6's. For amplification duties, the Audion Golden Dreams were in good form. For those who love all things Italian, the Aliante Pininfarina models One, Moda, and Stile loudspeakers could fit the bill. Lastly, the Nightingale Armonia (pictured above) and ADM-32 integrated amplifiers made their US showing. Lastly, the new Cadence Avita hybrid electrostatic floorstander, Samuel Johnson pre-amplifier, amplifier, CD player and DAC were in the rooms as well.

 

Weiss' new MEDEA DAC decodes signals upwards of 192kHz/24-bit via AES/EBU or SPDIF. Both single ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) outputs.

 

Audio Physic's cute little monitor loudspeakers are the Yara ($900/pr) and Brilon ($2,800).

 

Avantgarde Acoustics room had their Trio hornspeakers with their new subwoofer. We covered these days ago within our pre-show report.

 

Audiopax's new Stereo 88 ($5,970) tube amplifier that produces 15 watts per channel using a pair of KT88 tubes.

 

Audiopax's Model 5 pre-amplifier ($3,970) has a solid-state, choke-loaded single-ended design. Quite unique indeed! Five line-level inputs and wireless remote control are included.

 

World Premier! Welborn Labs Ultrapath BP stereo line stage uses one 6GM8 tube per channel and is battery powered. The basic version is $695 in kit form while Ultimate version is $1,250 in kit form. The difference between versions is that you get a dual mono attenuator and a general upgrading of other parts.

 

In the deHavillan room was their Aries 845-G monoblock amplifier ($6,000) and Alón's new Lotus Elite Signature loudspeakers (as seen within our pre-show report). You can learn more about the deHavilland amplifier within our Tube Lust page.

 

Essence loudspeakers ($3,500), imported in the USA by Sakura Systems, employ a single 4-inch driver to produce frequencies from 50Hz to 20kHz. The unique finish seen here is an example off other finished available upon request.

 

Buggtussel's Lemnisucs ($6,900) features a four-driver, three-way design. Frequency response in from 25Hz to 22kHz with a sensitivity of 91dB/W/m. Transmission line cabinet assists in extending the lowermost frequency response while an external crossover keeps the resonances from aversely affecting the sound quality of the music.

 

Electronluv, and the name is truthful, are the most lustfulicious tube amplifiers i have seen in years. Seen here is their DHT line stage ($7,500) that employs 10/801 globe tubes and 816 mercury vapor tube. The unit is customizable for inputs and output.

 

Electronluv's 75TL monoblock amplifier ($35,000) is.... well... hold on while i clean off the wet spot in my.... How shall i say this? Hmmmm... i am in love. 'Nuff said.

 

Cain & Cain Studio Ben ES ($12,000) uses an 8-inch driver for bass/midrange and a Fostex alnico supertweter. Overall frequency response is from 40Hz to 20kHz. Sensitivity is a high 97dB/W/m.

 

Highly regarded pro audio company Earthworks was showing their Cherry Sigma 6.3 ($10,000) and Sigma 6.2 ($3,500, as reviewed by yours truly). Best bet, read the review.

 

Speaker Art's new Clef Balance has all Scanspeak drivers. A 1-inch silk soft dome tweeter is mated to a 6.5-inch midrange/woofer all mounted in a transmission line cabinet.

    

Click here to see Saturday's T.H.E. Expo coverage.