CES 2006 & T.H.E. Show Pre-Event Report
     

 

  E.A.R. USA, a company that represents not only E.A.R. but also many other brands, will be featuring Marten Design and many other Swedish brands. Marten Design's new Miles III ($12,500) is a cost effective version of the company's Coltrane Supremes ($250,000). Also at the show will be Tim de Paravicini's turntable, CD player, and EA.R. 912 preamplifier. Of important note is that 'Swedish Statement, a cooperative effort of five Swedish high-end manufacturers that includes Bladelius, cable company Jorma Design, loudspeaker company Marten, turntable company Nordic Concept and interior design company, and WOO Design, will be featured. The purpose of the Swedish Statement project is to put Swedish hi-fi on the world map. The Swedish Statement system will contain the Bladelius Beowulf amplifiers ($37,500), Bladelius Gondul version 3 multiplayer ($14,000), Jorma Design Jorma Statement cables ($71,800), Marten Coltrane Supreme loudspeakers ($250,000), Nordic Concept's Artist Signature turntable ($18,000) and WOO Design furniture ($11,000) for a grand total of a staggering $402,300.

 

  Cabasse Electroacoustic will be showing their new four-way, four-driver unit mounted within a single main structure for point-source-like sound production. Based on the company's Spatially Coherent System (SCC), the key is the positioning of the drivers to reduce any delays between the different drivers. Another factor is that a polar curves, how the sound is projected into the listening environment, needs to be evenly distributed. This new quadaxil unit places all the drivers on the same axis so that they form a portion of pulsing sphere. This is said to produce a very coherent, full range, and accurate soundstage over multiple driver loudspeakers with different positioning as used in most other manufacturer's products.

 

  Oracle Audio Technologies', a company that began mastering analog replay back in 1979, will have their new Temple Phono Stage that features 3 inputs and 2 outputs to meet the needs of the vinyl lovers who own more than one turntable. Both single ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) outputs insure compatibility with any high-end audio system. Inputs include MM, MC1, and MC2 (RCA, unbalanced). Rotary switch controls input selection while another adjusts 6 different gain settings from 40dB up to 60 dB. Selectable load impedance is fixed at 47kOhms for MM, and is adjustable from 25 to 470 Ohms for MC. There are also a 6 position rotary knob for capacitance for the MM and MC between 33 PF and 1000 PF. Of note is that the MC setting employs step-up transformers. A built-in low cut filter prevents low frequency rumbling and loudspeaker protection.

 

  Renaissance Audio Group will be demonstrating their new bookshelf loudspeaker called the Sonata. Additionally, they will have the Prelude floorstanding two-way transmission line model. With a cabinet made with MDF wrapped in real wood veneer, the front holds a 1.1-inch soft dome and 6.25-inch specially treated paper cone driver that has a large 3-inch voice coil and vented magnet system. This easy-to-drive unit is 91.5dB/W/m sensitive, presents an 8 Ohm load, has a frequency response from 34Hz to 22kHz (±2dB), and weights a solid 52 lbs.

 

  Ray Of Sound, United States distributor for Audion and Ensemble, will be showing Audion's re-introduction with the complete new line of MKII amplifiers. Also, back by popular demand, is the world class Quattro preamplifier. The Premier Quattro ($14,995) is a four box unit with all united being 100 percent hard wired using silver wire. Also inside are specially selected components like Black Gate capacitors, polypropylene capacitors, etc. The multiple inputs include an MC phonostage for low output cartridges.

 

  Klipsch will be celebrating six decades of success by introducing a special anniversary edition of its legendary three-way Klipschorn speaker (tentative $11,000 per pair). Originally developed by Paul W. Klipsch in 1946, a limited run of 225 pairs of the company's 60th anniversary Klipschorn will be adorned with distinct aesthetic features that will never be available again. While the high-frequency cabinet will feature high gloss black piano finish, the front panel of the low-frequency cabinet comes in a Lacewood veneer. The black anodized aluminum kick plate at the bottom of the speaker features a silver PWK logo with a real diamond inset. For the first time ever, the rear of the speaker has received a cosmetic facelift with solid panels now enclosing the high frequency and low frequency cabinets. Furthermore, two display windows are also included on the back of each anniversary Klipschorn to show off an updated crossover network and a silver, engraved plaque that honors PWK and lists the speaker’s production number. Crossovers are made with premium components and feature high-end Van den Hul wiring. Magnetic grille posts allow for secure attachment and easy removal of the low-frequency grilles and top-grade WBT binding posts are used for loudspeaker cable connection.

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