Hi-Fi News 2000

  Live music filled the air with a glorious stringed quartet. They played in various places, at various times on the main floor of the show. It was great to enjoy some drinks and a nice cigar as the live music played on.

 

Absolute Sounds (no association with the magazine) is a UK distributor of many high-performance audio manufacturers, were showing a complete system using the new Martin Logan Ascent, Theta Carmen CD/DVD transport, Theta Pro Basic III DAC and the Audio Research LS25 preamplifier which is partnered with their VT200 valve power amplifier. Cabling is by Transparent Cable of course.

 

Seen above is none other than Dan D'Agnastino of Krell fame. He's the boss, head honcho and owner of Krell. Next to Dan is Krell's KPS 25sc CD-transport/CD player/preamp and 300c amplifier. The transport uses 24-bit/96kHz technology within the digital section while their Current Mode and balanced circuitry also reside inside. The 300c stereo amplifier boasts a whopping 300 watts per channel with "Class A" operation and can double as the impedance halves (1,200 watts into a 2 ohm load!). Fact is we never discussed audio. Instead, we opted to discuss things such as our shared love for things that come in Rosso (Red). To be more specific, things Ferrari. Sometimes it feels good to talk about something other than audio and Dan is surely a great Ferrari enthusiast. Maybe one day Krell will come out with a special edition of components in a pleasing color of red to match his Ferrari 360 Modena.

 

As first reported on the Enjoy the Music.com News Page, B&W had their new CDM-9NT loudspeakers ($2,600/pr USD). This is their new top-of-the-range CDM series floorstanding loudspeaker. It uses key technologies as derived from their Nautilus family. Specifically, a unique tapered-tube tweeter that "loads" a free-standing tweeter "pod". One 6.5" bass driver and one dedicated 6.5" midrange incorporate woven Kevlar diaphragms. The CDM 9NT is available in three real-wood finishes: Black Ash, Red Ash, and Cherrywood.

 

Manning, or shall i say womanning the Hi-Fi News booth are Anna Jackson and Becky Goode. They both said they want to make the world a better place (their words, i swear). Hmm... maybe this is more the Hi-Fi News beauty pageant?

 

The Direct Disc were selling vinyl, vinyl, vinyl... and some CDs too.

 

Seen here first: Wharfale's all new Pacific Series is geared for the audiophile market. Being their top range product line, the midrange and bass drivers use bi-directional Kevlar drive units while the cabinets are heavily braced and constructed from MDF wood. Each model of the Pacific are wrapped in hand finished real wood veneers. Tweeters are of the 25mm silk dome variety and the tweeter pods are time aligned to give the best time coherent sound. Due to mass production, they keep the retail pricing quite reasonable at £500 for their top line Pacific 40. The Pacific 40 includes two 6.5" drivers (one for bass, the other for midrange) and one tweeter. Claimed frequency response if 20Hz to 20kHz.

 

The DJ legend continues with Technics SL-1210MK2 direct drive turntable. While many audiophiles seem to not believe in direct drive turntables, DJs all around the world (myself included) swear by them very highly as quality music reproduction providers. Unlike the fragile "audiophile" turntables, the Technics DJ turntables are made for rough and tumble operation including "back scratching" where you literally move the vinyl backwards across the needle for DJ music sounds.

 

Seen here first: While Technics were showing their DVD-A10 DVD Audio unit (that we have covered in our Milan Show report and also our News Page), they also had their new SC-HDA710 complete DVD-Audio/CD/Cassette/Tuner mini system. Price not set yet, though it should be approximately £900.

 

As recently reviewed on our very own Review Magazine, the Audiofreaks room has the amazing conrad-johnson Premier 17LS preamplifier ($4,495 USD) was singing sweet music to the ears of many show goers. This preamplifier uses four 6922 in the analogue output stage for a gain of 26dB. Five stereo inputs plus two stereo External Processor Loops (tape loops) all via female RCA jacks. Two pairs of stereo outputs via female RCA jacks. Frequency response is claimed as 2Hz to 100kHz.

 

 

Coming in eight glorious colors is Pro-ject Debut MK.2 (£125 in colors, £110 in black). These Pro-ject turntables use MDF plinths with a pressed steel platter. The motor is suspended to reduce motor noise from negatively affecting the music. These turntables use Pro-ject's own tonearm and bearing. Everything on this turntable is built in-house to keep costs down. They include an Ortofon OM10 moving-magnet cartridge. While in stock form they play 45rpm and 33.3rpm vinyl, there is a 78rpm kit available (£20) that includes a new pulley and belt (add  £30 more for the stylus).

 

Click here for Saturday's coverage.