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The Merlin ESM-MX loudspeakers ($10,000) includes the electronic base EQ BAM unit were mated to Joule Electra VZN-100 tube OTL monoblock amplifiers ($18,000). All wiring by JPS Labs including interesting prototypes!
Audiotakne model Simona tubed pre-amplifier ($11,000) is being offered through Sanibel Sound.
A very unique design with a single tube employed for output.
Almarro, makers of the raved A318A integrated amplifier (see review
here) is now offering their M0A loudspeaker ($1,200) with unique paper 4-inch tweeter and 6-inch midrange driver. Sensitivity is 90dB/W/m with a frequency response from 45Hz to 20kHz.
While i normally do not comment on the sound of a system at shows, the Studio Acoustics room, with their front end electronics
and HIPS-938 floorstanding loudspeakers ($4,000) were darn good. With a usable 90dB/W/m sensitivity frequency response from 35Hz to 22kHz, and separate cabinets for the upper and lower frequencies, the sound was fast, clean, and tonally very enjoyable. Hmmm....
Gershman Acoustics' Opera Savage ($23,000) uses a 1-inch silk soft dome, 6-inch polypropylene midrange, and a pair of 10-inch dual-voice coil woofers. Especially noteworthy is the new X1R rear channel ($1,700) that produces full range sound from 40Hz to 20kHz.
Naim had a plethora of new products including their Ariva loudspeaker ($2,400) that includes a special "substand" that decouples the loudspeaker from the floor. Also new is their CD5X compact disc player ($2,900) has a PDM200 chipset for HDCD and the entire unit is upgradeable for an outboard power supply. Lastly, their 112x pre-amplifier ($1,300) and 150x amplifier$1,600) that can also be aided with Naims Flatcap external power supply.
Click here to see
a
complete listing of show exhibitors.
Click here to see our
2003 show coverage.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
