Home Entertainment 2004
Hi-Fi and Home Theater Event

Saturday
Page 2

 

  Aperion model 522D-PT floorstanding loudspeaker ($599) is a three-way design with the subwoofer feeding off an included amplifier (150 watt). A 1-inch tweeter is mated with a 5.25-inch midrange driver on the front panel. The side-firing 8-inch treated paper cone woofer produces the lowermost frequencies (down to 30Hz). This has to be among the best "bang for the buck" loudspeaker dollar at the show!

 

Tektron-Italia 2A3/50SI ($1,779 without output tubes) integrated amplifier uses a Sophia 300B, has three inputs, and both a fixed and variable pre-amplification output. While only producing 1.5 watts, the sound was quite full with their Omega Grand 8 ($999) uses the Fostex driver.

 

Living Voice Avatar ($5,695) three-driver floorstanding loudspeaker was garnishing fans like Art Dudley and John Marks of Stereophile. Only minute later Robert Harley of The Absolute Sound shows up! The plot thickens!

 

A gaggle of Goldmund with their Eidos 18D universal digital disc player ($10,000, top) that also offers DVI video output. In the middle is their Mimesis 24 thirty-two channel audio controller (pre-amplifier, $40,000), and at the bottom is the Mimesis 22 Millennium analog/digital stereo pre-amplifier ($40,000).

 

French company Prame is an upstart with their custom made wood horn (100dB sensitive) HR2 ($12,000) with a pair of 30cm bass drivers. The horn is crossed over at 800Hz with bass going down to 45Hz. The HR2 is also bi-wireable.

 

Marten Design Coltrane Alto loudspeakers ($24,000) were making good music with the Brinkmann USA Mono power amplifiers ($11,950). Like all Brinkmann Audio products, the top plate is tempered glass. These monoblocks feature a symmetrical circuit topology to prevent electrical interference, hence there are twice the amount of signal devices (one operating 180 degrees out of phase) to insure any noise or distortion is cancelled. A staggering 500 VA transformer is claimed to allow for 1500 watts of power bursts(!). Brinkmann turntable, tonearm and other goodies were also within the system.

 

Shakti Inovations Hallograph was also used within the Brinkmann USA room. Best bet is to see our exclusive review by clicking here.

 

Click here to see a
complete listing of show exhibitors.

Click here to see our 2003 show coverage.