Lew Johnson of conrad-johnson gave me a fast n' tasty view of their upcoming DVD 24-bit/96kHz unit shown above.  Seen here for the very first time anywhere in prototype form it's one heckofva sight for sore eyes from all those ugly plastic or all black DVD players.  If it's anything like all the other c-j gear (i.e. ART preamplifier), what we will have here could be the next best thing to being at the live performance given the right source material!  Go Lew go!!!

 

Z-Systems Audio Laboratories for the first time is showing their killer new rdq-6 six-channel all digital equalizer/processor.   If any of you happen to have read my review of their two channel unit (rdq-1) for Ultimate Audio, you'll remember how deeply i fell in love for the very first time with an equalizer (and i've tried many units including the Cello Palette).  This new unit is true 24-bit resolution and can be purchased with the optional 96kHz sampling chipset.  When this six-channel unit is used in "Super Two-Channel" mode you can equalize digitally with 18 bands for the right and left channels!  In the six-channel mode you have six filters per channel to adjust.  All i can say is that as much as i love my Z-Sys rdq-1, the new rdq-6 had me begging for the chance to review it ASAP.  Retail pricing is set $7,500 which makes it priced almost the same as the Cello unit, yet it is more flexible in two-channel mode and if it "sounds" like the rdq-1 will totally blow away the Cello unit in my humble opinion.  My guess here, expect to see A LOT of Cello Palette units for sale shortly.

 

Presented here is the new Wadia 270 transport ($7,450) and the 27i DAC ($8,950).  The 27i comes standard with output resolution claimed at 22-bit/48kHz though they are planning on offering a two chip upgrade to 24-bit/96kHz when more software and demand is achieved.  In fact Wadia told me they are planning on showing how they can upgrade one of the older units with just a few chips upgrade to have it play 24-bit/96kHz software!  The Wadia was used with the big $200,000 system which included the $70,000 Martin Logan Statement speakers, six VTL Wonton monoblock amplifiers....  A full panorama photo and more details on what i call "The BIG System" is now available on the Enjoy the Music Channel.