Las Vegas 2001

 

Added 12 / 09 / 00

Tube mavens Kora will have their Eclipse triode preamplifier, Cosmos 100 watt triode monoblocks and Hermes DAC units for all to hear during T.H.E. Show. The Eclipse triode preamplifier offers both MM and MC phono stages or two separate inputs. Four high level inputs are equipped with military Sovtek 6922 triodes plus a single-ended "Class A" headphone output are included. The Cosmos 100w triode monoblocks use eight Svetlana 6AS7G power tubes in push-pull configuration. Kora's new Comparative Signal Correction™ (CSC) design takes the output signal and compares it with the original input signal to increase accuracy. If a difference is detected between the pure signal and output signal, the CSC is applied. Normally, feedback control is constantly applied, even where there is no need for correction whereas CSC is said to only apply correction as needed. Kora's Hermes DAC provides 18-bit Sigma Delta digital to analog conversion. Digital inputs include two coax and one XLR. The analog output is 100% tube (filter & output stages). Completely separated digital and analog power supplies are used to keep digital noise from affecting the purity of the analog output stage. Other equipment planned for use in the Kora room include Helios Model 1 CD player, B&W 802 loudspeakers, ASA/Stella Standard & Pro monitors.

 

 

Audio Aero has been in business since 1997 offering high-end products. Within their tube amplification units they use a specialized circuitry called TRAC (Tube Relay Amplification Concept). During the CES they will be displaying their new Prima line with Grand Reference Monument speakers from Osborn Speakers and wired by Nirvana Audio. The Prima 24/192 D/A Converter ($3000) provides for 24-bit/192kHz re-sampler and DAC 24/192 mated to a subminiature 6021W tube in the analog output stage. Digital inputs include BNC, RCA, AT&T, AES/EBU. The new Prima CD Player 24/192 features 24-bit /192kHz DAC with 4x oversampling (Burr-Brown PCM1739E) and uses a subminiature 6021W tube in the analog output stage. Overall frequency response is claimed as 15Hz - 20kHz (-1dB) with a peak output level of 2.3 V RMS. Audio Aero's new Prima Integrated stereo amplifier ($1,500) uses hybrid amplification. The subminiature 6021W and DMOS integrated amplifier to offer 55 watts per channel output. Wireless remote volume control is included.

 

 

HALCRO is claiming their dm68 monoblock amplifier is the worlds most accurate audio amplifier. Due to distortion figures of less than 2000 parts per billion (0.00001%) at full power, 20kHz, using HALCRO's ZeD technology. Impressive six-layer circuit boards are used (most manufacture use a two-layer board) with voltage to current converters make up just part of their new dm68 amplifier. This unit is designed to drive all loudspeakers including including electrostatics. Four input options including balanced voltage input, unbalanced voltage input, current input and minimal path voltage input. Series and common mode filtering is employed on the mains input. An elegant aluminum casing with a satin anodized finish with solid rosewood feet give the dm68 monoblock amplifier visual beauty.

 

 

Legend Audio Design will be featuring their Starlet integrated triode amplifier ($2995). The Starlet produces 40 watts per channel and offers three line level inputs. A dual mono design is incorporated as the tubes are operated in triode "Class A". The pre-amplification stage offers +20dB of gain. High performance Alps volume switch, Holco resistors, Solen and Siemens capacitors insure top quality performance. Some circuitry is point-to-point hand wired with Legend Audio's silver wire. Frequency response is said to be 20 Hz - 20 kHz at 40 watts or 10Hz - 25kHz at 1 watt output. The Legend Audio Starlet comes in purple with silver cage or black with a classic brass cage.

 

 

Italian company S.A.P. will be showcasing their Cinema five-channel amplifier (as first seen worldwide on our CES 2000 show report). This all tube 35 wpc unit is a modular design whose chassis can accommodate up to five single-channel circuit boards. Two 5881 tubes operating in push-pull configuration provides the 35 watts of output power. The Cinema retails at $2,500 for two channels or $5,100 for a compete five channel unit. Frequency response is claimed as 18 Hz to 250 kHz.

SAP will also be featuring two loudspeaker systems. Their J2001 (seen right) is a handcrafted unit gorgeously wrapped, as only the Italians seem capable of doing, with aged birch-tree plywood. The standard finish is Italian walnut. Bass frequency (12" driver) tuning is of the classic Jensen-Onken technique while the midrange and high frequency drivers are suspended on top of the bass cabinet using a special magnetic insulation system. Sensitivity of the 12" woofer is 99 dB/w/m while the midrange driver with titanium diaphragm and aluminum voice coil has a rating of 102 dB/w/m. The Alnico magnet super tweeter is of the bullet type with a sensitivity of 105 dB/w/m. The included 12dB/octave network is hard wired using paper in oil capacitors and also double metalized polypropylene capacitors. All coils are air core while resistors are metal oxide. The other loudspeaker SAP will be show is their Mondiale. It is their smallest loudspeaker system using the same Jensen-Onken bass tuning as the J2001 and was released the same day that Ferrari won the 2000 F1 world championship ("Mondiale" is the Italian word for world championship). i love those Italians! So in celebration to Ferrari's accomplishments SAP decided to offer a loudspeaker with incredible performance at an attractive price.

 

 

Added 12 / 07 / 00

Audio manufacture RBH Sound will be introducing their new self-powered 12-SE subwoofer as the new addition to their Signature Series. An included 300 watt amplifier is mated to a 12" proprietary metal cone driver that can produce frequencies down to 30Hz. The voice coil winding lengths for RBH Sound woofers are increased almost 40% over standard units to faithfully reproduce low bass notes during long excursions. Making the unit easy to implement into most homes, the 12-SE is available in 30 different real hardwood finishes! Also being introduced during the show is RBH Sound's home theater bipole/dipole model 66SE. Housed in a trapezoidal cabinet containing two opposing 1" Ferrofluid fabric dome tweeters run operating in dipolar (out of phase) configuration combined with two 6.5" woofers in a bipolar (in-phase) configuration.

 

 

The flagship Gold Reference line of Monitor Audio, as first seen anywhere in world on the Enjoy the Music.com™ Hi-Fi Show 2000 report in September, will be making their CES 2001 appearance. The Gold Reference 60 (£2,300/pr, seen right) is a direct replacement for the studio 60 and is now their flagship loudspeaker in their Gold Reference line. The complete line consist of four units such as their Gold Reference 20 (£1,499/pr), Gold Reference 10 (£799.95) and their center channel Gold Reference Center (£599). All models use their C-CAM tweeters that are an aluminum magnesium done and Ferrofluid cooled. All the models are made from 22mm MDF and for visual beauty use mirror image veneers. Monitor Audio's Rigid Surface Technology (RST) and PureSound crossover technology are employed in all models while the crossovers use no capacitors in the midrange filters. Cabinet construction uses 22mm thick MDF that incorporates multiple internal bracing while they are wrapped in mirror matched veneers.

 

 

ATC Loudspeaker Technology, makes of very high-end home and recording studio monitor loudspeakers, will be demonstrating DVD-Audio and DVD Video with a Technics DVD A10 player. A complete ATC Multichannel Concept 7 Collection includes six active loudspeakers will be used in this demonstration. The specifics of the loudspeaker configuration is four SCM 70 ASL 3-way L/R/LS/RS loudspeakers (pro version seen to the right). Each of these units include discrete amplifiers of 50 watts for the tweeter, 100 watts for the midrange and 200 watts for bass duties. One SCM 2C70 ASL horizontal center channel loudspeaker and a SCM 0.1/15C7 self-powered subwoofer (1,000 watts peak) will also be employed.

 

 

DIVA from Singapore, now in their third appearance at T.H.E. Show, will unveil a new amplifier featuring a unique combination of tubes that has not been commercially used before! Specifically, 2A3 tubes driving a pair of parallel single-ended EL34s. Designer T. S. Lim claims this configuration combines the beauty and refinement of the 2A3 with the power and realism of the EL34s. Lim's original idea was to have the 2A3s driving 300Bs, but he felt such a combination might turn out to be too sweet-sounding(!). Delivering approximately 22 watts per channel, this unit is said to drive a wide variety of loudspeakers and will retail at under US$3,500. DIVA will also show their top-of-the-line M-7 preamplifiers and a new tube headphone amplifier. The ReTHM single-driver horn-loaded loudspeakers will be used in their room as well.

DIVA will also have their QI CONE, two brand new types of isolation cone making their world debut at T.H.E. Show. Unlike other brands of isolation cones which have the same basic product to be placed under everything, QI CONE comes in two very different forms: a wooden cone specially designed for loudspeakers, and a wood / crystal cone for audio electronics. The developer of QI CONE is GO YONG KUNG, a Singapore-based audiophile with very unique skills, developed out of a very unique "handicap". GO is a carpenter by profession and he plays the erhu, a two-stringed instrument equivalent to a violin, in a Chinese Orchestra. His handicap is that he has a hi-fi listening room, courtesy of his employer, that measures just 5" by 7". QI CONE will be at Room 2303 of T.H.E. Show. DIVA is also lookin gor other exhibitors who wish to use QI CONE in their rooms and may contact QI CONE distributor Richard Seah.

 

 

Added 12 / 05 / 00

Audio Line Source, makers of the Richard Grey's Power Company products will be showcasing their new 1200S ($2,000) offers the power of two 400S' in a shelf or rack mountable unit. Providing 12 Hubbell electrical outlets and a 20 amp system, it claims to offer cleaner, clearer audio and video through various power filtering without limiting current. It's "electric-flywheel" effect stores and releases energy instantaneously to components that are often starved for current by the resistance on a soft AC line. A/C line noise, internal cross talk and reflected back EMF are said to be eliminated.

 

 

Italian company MasterSound SAS will be showing their new Tube Final amplifier and MasterSound 220 S.E. stereo tube amplifier. The 220 S.E. is a 20 watt/channel unit using two EL34 tubes in pentode mode. Also showing will be their 300B S.E. unit and Reference 845 tube amplifiers. Rumor has it they will also be launching a new loudspeaker! Stay tuned as we find out more in our exclusive show report.

 

 

Sumiko, representatives for the critically acclaimed Sonus Faber loudspeakers, are introducing the newly revised Concert Home series. As time has gone by advances have been made to the point where Sonus Faber has chosen to showcase the new evolution of their Grand Piano, Concerto, Concertino and Solo. Also being shown is their first wall-mounted loudspeaker called the Wall, pictured right, that was first seen worldwide on the Enjoy the Music.com™ Frankfurt Germany 2000 show report. Pricing of the Wall is 800DM in Germany or $995 in the USA.

 

 

Dolby Laboratories will play the latest DVD-Audio music titles produced with Meridian Lossless Packet (MLP) technology. Dolby will also be showing their new Dolby Headphones and Pro Logic II. Pro Logic II is the next generation in Dolby Surround Pro Logic technology that increases the enjoyment of both movies and music.

 

 

Blue Circle will be releasing their all new BC8 he-man 225 watt solid-state monoblock power amplifier. It feature a complete balanced construction, stainless steel chassis and massive power supply to handle the heavy demands of today's loudspeakers. In fact the BC8 can produce an outstanding 1600 watts into a 1 ohms load!

 

 

Loth-X will be showing their most affordable 300B integrated amplifier to date! The ANT amplifier uses 12AT7, 12B4 and 300B tubes, specially hand-wound nickel transformers and nickel four chokes to produce. The three stages tube amplification are said to produce better bass control over other types of circuitry. The ANT offers four line inputs while the entire unit is housed in a 5mm anodized aluminum casing. Also being shown by Loth-X is their new 100% Battery operated components that employ all silver transformers and capacitors. The Silbatone 300B SE power amplifiers and Silbatone C102 preamplifier.  Loth-X also makes quite an extensive line of high-sensitivity loudspeakers. Their new Polaris is their most affordable unit using the Stamm Full Range driver custom made for their loudspeakers. Horn folding of 2.8 meters allows for good bass extension. The Polaris has a high sensitivity of 104db in a cabinet only 350mm x 500mm x 1300mm (WxDxH). You can expect to see more about these products on our complete show report. Loth-X will be at the Alexis Park hotel in room AP2501.

 

 

Soliloquy Loudspeaker Company will give the world a first look and listen to their Model 6.5 floorstanding unit. This hybrid 3-way design consists of Soliloquy's new 1" tweeter design, a 2" soft dome midrange and three 6.5" woofer drivers. Every detail of the model 6.5 construction, from the choicest select woods to the computer matching of electrical components undergoes uncompromising quality control to ensure a lifetime of consistent performance.

System listing for Suite #1753 is planned to be:
Cary CD-306 24/96 upsampling CD player with dual-differential DAC architecture ($5,000) 
Cary SP-98 preamp with remote ($3,100) 
Cary CAD-280 SA "V12" amplifier in Jaguar automobile carnival-red clear coat lacquer ($4,000)
Soliloquy Model 6.5 five-driver 3.3way floorstander ($5,995) 
Analysis Plus Silver Oval and Oval 9 cabling 
Sound Application CF-X power line conditioner and RF filter 
"Spider" by Finite Elemente equipment supports

Suite #1763 will display a complete Cary Audio / Soliloquy multi-channel system around the Soliloquy models 6.2, C-3, S-10 and 5.0 while Cary will premiere their new Cinema-series solid state electronics.

Complete system listing is:
Cary Cinema D-3 DVD/CD player ($3,000)
Cary Cinema P-7 7.1 processor ($3,000)
Cary Cinema A-5 multi-channel amp ($3,000) 
Soliloquy Models 6.2 [$2,500], C-3 ($795), S-10 ($1,395) and 5.0 ($1,395 with custom stands) 
Philips HDTV monitor 
TARA Labs cabling

Suite #1405 of T.H.E. Show will premiere Art Audio's PX-25 single-ended triode amplifier and Resolution Audio's CD55 CD player with 705.6kHz internal upsampling and analog domain remote-controlled variable outputs, driving Soliloquy Model 6.2s.

The complete system will be:
Resolution Audio CD55 ($3,000) 
Art Audio PX-25 6wpc zero-feedback SET amplifier ($5,000) 
Soliloquy Model 6.2 ($2,500)
Sound Application CF-X power line conditioner and RF filter 
Cabling by Acoustic Zen

 

 

Totem Acoustic is going to introduce their HAWK mini-tower loudspeaker and Lightning subwoofer. While little is available about their new subwoofer, the Hawk is said to be an incredibly musical, visually slender and an aesthetically pleasing design that will easily fit into virtually any decor. Features include the Claw decoupling system, bi-wireable W.B.T. connectors and gorgeous wood cabinet.

Some preliminary specifications: 
Frequency response: < 38 Hz +/- 3 dB in room.
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 86 Db
Power handling: 120W max. program
Crossover: 2.5 .kHz, 2nd order.
Woofer: 5 1/2 inch (14 cm) with 3 inch (7.6 cm) voice coil.
Tweeter: 1-1/4 inch (3.2 cm) 
Dual concentric diaphragm.
Controlled directivity design
Wave guide center plug
Maximum SPL in average listening room: 107 dB peak from pair at 2 m.
Dimensions: 6.75" x 9.5" x 36" (WxDxH) 

 

Verity Audio will be demonstrating their new Lohengrin. This is their new flagship loudspeakers and joins their already highly regarded floorstanding offerings.

At the Alexis Park Hotel room 1652 they will have:
Verity Audio's New Lohengrin Flagship Loudspeaker
Two pairs of Lamm's ML2 Amplifiers (bi-amp)
Lamm's New L2 Reference Preamplifier
Purist Audio Design's Dominus Cables
Clearaudio's Master Reference Turntable, Insider Cartridge
Theta DaViD Transport
dCS's Elgar D/A Converter
dCS's Purcell Upsampler
Silent Running Audio Stands & Racks

The Verity Audio's Parsifal Encore will be exhibited at the 
Alexis Park Hotel, room 1952 with Symposium Acoustics.