High End Society 2003 Show Frankfurt Germany

Friday Page 2

  What's in a Naim? Well sit right back and let me tell you. Naim had their CDS 3 CD player (€7,748), NAC 552 reference pre-amplifier (€21,498), and NAP 500 stereo amplifier (€18,498). The NAP 500 produces 120 watts per channel at 8 ohms who's cabinet is built as a massive heat sink to keep the temperature cool. The 007 output devices are specifically made exclusively for Naim as the advantage of this special output device allows for high current with noise.

Dynavox UniQorn (€1,995) loudspeaker has a bullet tweeter mated with their 20cm driver. Paper cone with cloth rolled surround and an overall 95B/W/m sensitivity. Frequency response is from 45Hz to 20kHz.

Dynavox were also showcasing their tube amplification consisting of the DynaStation CD player (€1,490, left), DynaControl pre-amplifier with MM phonostage (€4,990, center), and DynaWatt 2A3SE (€4,990, right) single-ended tube amplifier.

ASR Audio Systeme offers true reference solid-state electronics such as their Emitter II HD stereo integrated amplifier (€9,580). This unit includes two outboard power supplies (one for each channel). All voltages are carefully regulated/pre-buffered and connected to the main unit via double shielded cable. The input sockets (RCA) are made from gilded brass and insulated with Teflon. Incredibly massive custom fabircated 100-Ampere loudspeaker terminals are at the end of 20 powerful Mosfet transistors to turn out 150 watts for each channel. The list goes on and on...

The LUA Sonata integrated stereo tube unit has four inputs plus two tape facilities. It creates 60 watts per channel using a pair of 6550 tubes per channel and has a frequency response from 20Hz to 30kHz. Six smaller, supporting tubes are on the front and encased in metal "cans" for shielding and to reduce undesired resonances.

In the Audio Note UK room was their TT3 turntable (€6,000) with Reference bearing and platter. The tonearm is their Arm 1 with AN-Vx silver wire (€4,600) with I1 cartridge (€2,290). Based on the VOYD turntables, the TT3 has three motors to create amazing platter drive capabilities and speed stability. An outboard power supply is included for the three motors.

The Contatto loudspeaker (€25,000) by Lanche Audio Systems is 93dB/W/m sensitive featuring their special tweeter mated to a horn loaded midrange driver and cone woofer. A side-firing subwoofer produces he lowermost frequencies.

Restek was showing some cute little units such as their MiniPre (€498), MiniDAC (€498), and MiniAmp (€498). The pre-amplifier has four inputs, the DAC has two coax and TOSlink digital inputs while the monoblock amplifier produces 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms. The DAC decodes digital signals upwards of 24-bit/96kHz. The pre-amplifier, while value priced and very small physically, has an impressive frequency response from 0Hz to 100kHz.

EuroAudioTeam (EAT) proudly displayed their new 300B (€265) that has a broader, large glass envelope and silver getter on the top. This new design is said to give a more natural sound. EAT has also begun making their KT88 (€80) with the aim of being very closely based on the old GEC tube (including silver getter). They also had on display their 52B tube.

In the Manger room was their new 109 IIe (€3,200). It  naturally features their special tweeter/midrange driver plus a ScanSpek 8-inch woofer. This is an improved version of their 109 with more inner dampening and superior crossover network.

Clearaudio's Master Reference AMGb turntable (approximately $15,000) is an advancement over the standard Master Reference as acrylic parts are between two aluminum layers to reduce resonances. It also enhances the rigidly of the unit. This upgrade can be implemented for current Master Reference owners (no price set at this time).

Click here for page 3.