High End Society 2002 Show Frankfurt Germany

Thursday Page 2

  Eichmann, those blokes from down under, are now making a silver version of their Bullet plug to augment their all copper version (silver is $110 while copper is $40 for a four jack set).

 

Eichmann is now offering their enhanced, resonant controlling electrical cord called the eXpress Power AC Enhancing Cable ($295). They claim it lower distortion and provides cleaner power to components.

 

Vacuum Stage Electronics' had their prototype tube amplifiers.

 

47 Labs System Shigaraki system on Willi Bauer stand provides a small, efficient system for those not needing or desiring a physically large systems. Regardless of its diminutive size, the system did produce a full sound.

 

The new Shigaraki 4717 stereo integrated amplifier has three inputs, tape loop, and produces 20 watts per channel (€2,000). Like all 47 Labs, it uses an outboard power supply (included in price).

 

For those of you looking to grasp the legendary yet no longer made EMT turntable, Studiotechnique Dusch is operated by one of the former engineers and provides rebuilt units www.emt-profi.de. Well worth checking out! Also check out our EMT book review by clicking here.

 

The German distributor of ProAc had the new D15 floorstanding loudspeakers (€3,600) in standard finishes. A 0.75" tweeter is mated with a 6.5"midrange/woofer.

 

Acoustic Solid had their Solid Edition turntable (€2,500) and custom stand (€1,000). An outboard motor control (€500) keeps precision speed.

 

Thorens "gift" is a rebirth consisting of a new reference turntable. No price, but it will go under the Reference MK.II name.

 

Crevasse horn loaded ribbon (€6,000) loudspeaker.

 

Trigon integrated amplifier, CD player, and pre-amplifier.

 

Metronome Technologie's way cool looking Kalista CD transport (€20,000) uses five transformers, eight regulation stages to reduce jitter. Two S/PDIF, one AT+T optical and one AES/EBU. An outboard power supply keeps noise away from the unit while a Corian top piece reduces resonances. A continuous ground scheme is employed to dissipate static charges from the CD.

 

Solid Tech from Sweden has their modular stand (above) that has the capability of using their optional built-in spring suspension (see close-up photo below). It isolates both the vertical and horizontal plane.

 

 

Penaudio's Charisma monitors with stand can include the Charm subwoofer (€5,000) for a complete system. The Charisma is a two-way minimonitor with 20mm soft-dome tweeter and 120mm midrange/midbass driver. Frequency response is rated from 50Hz to 20kHz. The Charm woofer covers 16Hz to 120Hz with two 215mm long-throw drivers. The unusual cabinet finishing is custom plywood!

 

The big scoop of today has to be Pro-Ject's new top-of-the-line Studio turntable (€1,500) features belt driven acrylic patter with inverted bearing design. Ceramic ball and main plate... and are you ready for the kicker. Both the 9" and 12" carbon fiber tonearms are included in the price! Spring suspension, silicone dampened, is also provided for.

 

A special room with Klipschorns... And it saddens me to report that the founder and chief designer Paul Klipsch (98) has passed away. He founded Klipsch back in 1946 and the rest, as they say, is HIStory. His hard work and dedication has been enjoyed by millions of music lovers worldwide.

 

 

Click here for Friday's coverage.