Consumer Electronics Show 2007 Pre-Show News Report

 

Cambridge Audio Azur 840A integrated stereo amplifier features the company's patent pending proprietary Class XD technology. This unique design produces pure Class A operation at low levels that moves to an enhanced version of Class B at higher levels. To quote Cambridge Audio, "XD technology feeds a controlled current into the output stage in a new way so that the usual Class B crossover point no longer occurs at zero volume -- the worst possible position in terms of distortion -- but at a significant output level. The result is a smooth and linear transition between the two modes of operation, which differs significantly from the abrupt, distorted gain transition of a Class AB amplifier." The Azur 840A uses an oversized low flux toroidal transformers within the power supply, produces 120 wpc @ 8 Ohms (200 wpc @ 4 Ohms), completely separate pre-amplification and power amplifier toroidal transformers, 8 audio inputs including 1 with balanced, plus RS232 port, IR emitter In and Control Bus In/Out for seamless integration with custom install systems. Externals include nameable inputs on front panel backlit LCD, extruded aluminum side panels and solid aluminum front panel, and navigator style Azur remote control which also controls Azur CD players plus the Apple Universal Dock. Cambridge Audio's Azur 840A is available in silver or black. 

 

Bel Canto Design Dac3 digital preamplifier/processor features a staggering 130dB dynamic range, Ultra-Clock technology, and digital level control for four PCM digital inputs and USB link. The Ultra-Clock is claimed to provide jitter performance 50x better than other clocks, with specifications of 1 picoseconds RMS and frequency accuracy of 0.0001 percent. Bel Canto's Dac3's digital input isolation and switching ensures complete separation between inputs. The unit also has multi-stage Jitter rejection, linear phase digital filters, low noise digital to analog conversion (DAC), and Class A analog output stage. The PCM1792 dual-differential multi-bit delta-sigma DAC circuit feeds a 4.5VRMS true balanced XLR outputs while the digital level control is dither applied to the 24-bit word for no loss of effective resolution. See Bel Canto S-300 review by clicking here.

 

Teresonic's Integrum Jazz Legends limited edition ($10,950 and only 10 pairs available) loudspeakers features the likeness of legendary jazz artists detailed on the side of the loudspeaker. Jazz greats include Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan. Each pair also includes one set of 10-foot Clarison Speaker cables, original artwork (framed picture), and free shipping in continental USA. Other features of the Teresonic Integrum JL include a real wood Rosewood/black enclosure type ETQWT transmission line with Helmholtz resonators, an 8-inch Lowther DX3 driver, frequency response from 30Hz to 22kHz (±3dB) and a very high sensitivity of 101.5 dB/W/m. The loudspeaker requires only 4 Watts and can handle 100, with loudspeaker connection being very high quality WBT posts. Dimensions are 47 x 10.5 x 20 (H x W x D in inches) and each loudspeaker weights 70 lbs. See a review of the Teresonic Integrum by clicking here.

 

Pathos Acoustics will be showing their Endorphin upsampling CD player. This Italian designed unit employs dual differential 24-bit delta-sigma DAC with upwards of 192kHz sampling rate. Of interesting note is the use of a Class A vacuum tube amplification for the analog stage with zero negative feedback for top-notch sound quality. A dynamic range of 120dB is possible and signal to noise is a low -100dB. Dual-mono stabilized power supply ensures clean supply to internal components. Outputs include a pair of RCA and XLR for both unbalanced and balanced analog output. Digital output is via coaxial SPDIF and optical TOSlink.

 

Final Sound 300i line array panel loudspeaker is based on the company's patented flat panel electrostatic loudspeaker technology. Where previous electrostatic designs moved the audio signal across positive and negatively charged stator plates on each side of a Mylar diaphragm to 'pull' the film and create the sound, Final Sound's Inverter technology 'inverts' that process by embedding the audio signal inside a sealed diaphragm. The simplicity of the new inverter enables speaker impedance to remain well above 4 Ohms, allowing use of smaller amplifiers to drive the loudspeakers. Their 300i has a frequency response from 95Hz to 22kHz with an 86dB/W/m sensitivity and 4 Ohm nominal impedance. Dimensions are 49.2 x 8.1 x 1 (HxWxD in inches) and weights 17.6 lbs.

 

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