Hi-Fi News 2000

  In the Redgum room they were showing off their complete system from loudspeakers to a unique Creative Labs computer CD-Rom drive (£2,800, bottom unit) that in turn feeds their 20-bit/44.1kHz DAC. The top unit is their dual mono preamplifier with their monoblock power amps in the middle.

 

In the Quad room was their Quad II-forty valve amplifier. A classic! Pictured below is the JA Mitchell Gyro SE turntable that was also in the Quad room.

 

 

The Renaissance Amplification room had their lovely RA-01 monoblock valve amplifiers  (£5,995/pr) that produce 22 watts via a pair of 300B valves operating in "Class A" operation. Black Gate electric capacitors, Jensen paper and copper foil in oil capacitors, Nordost input signal wire and Kiwame hand made carbon resistors are just a few examples of the exotica used within the RA-01. Frequency response is claimed as 12Hz to 70kHz (+-3dB). Quite amazing!

 

American Acoustic Design (AAD) loudspeaker company's head designer Phil Jones proudly stands next to their Q50 ($2,500 USD/pr). Some of you may remember that Phil is the genius behind the early and critically acclaimed worldwide Platinum Audio line. In fact we here at Enjoy the Music.com™ also interviewed Phil a few years back. AAD only use their in-house designed drivers. The Q50 has two 12" side-firing woofers, two 6.5" carbon fibre midrange drivers and a 1" titanium dome tweeter. It also features a "dual alignment" venting/porting system. These unique venting systems that are separate for either the woofers. In appropriate audiophillia, they are also tri-wireable. Frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz with a high 94dB/W/m @ 6 ohm sensitivity rating.

 

Seen here first: Pavaricini 312 Control Centre ($10,000 USD) is EAR's first solid-state preamplifier product. The unit is transformer coupled, fully balanced with four preamp inputs, one phono, and three balanced inputs and six outputs on RCA or XLR jacks (!!!). The circuit uses just three transistors in single-ended configuration. The wickedly cool front meter displays the volume output. Seeing it in person makes the above picture pale by comparison. 

 

Seen above is the Silvernote RC1 turntable (£10,000) that is based around the infamous Lyrec cutting lathe... yet belt driven. A direct drive version will be coming soon according to the Silvernote representative! The platter weighs in at a staggering 100 lbs. or so!  The RC1 uses a DC motor and is seen here with a modified SME tonearm.

 

Seen here first: Seen here is Lorrane Knight with Timerstage's Legend Marque equipment rack (£3,200). Timerstage has just launched their company and now offers a large variety of stands for audio and video components. They also make various models in MDF (painted) wood veneers as well.

 

VYGER turntable company, who we covered their Indian model in our recent Milan Show report, were showcasing their Atlantis (40,000,000 Lira). This turntable must be seem to be believed. Staggering!

 

Synthesis were showing new colors for the Nimis amplifier and other components. You may remember Steven R. Rochlin and Eli  Rochlin independently reviewed this cute Nimis amplifier recently. systems. Seen here is their orange colors. Synthesis has begun offering new color-matched loudspeakers. Expect a review shortly in our very own Review Magazine.

 

Rogue Audio is showing their Tempest integrated valve amplifier. (£1,995 without remote control, £2,145 with remote). It produced 60 watts per channel, five inputs and two pair of outputs. Output tubes are a pair of KT88 operating in push-pull configuration. In triode mode the Tempest produces 40 watts per channel.

 

Sudgen has an all new CD player called the Master Class (£2,500). It is claimed to be 16-bit done "properly" according to their representative. It uses what some consider the best sounding DAC chip. Specifically, the 4x oversampling via the Philips TDA1541 Crown DAK. It also uses the Philips 7220 filter. The Master Class also has two digital inputs via BNC coax. Analogue output is via female RCA and also balanced output via XLR.

 

Click here for Sunday's coverage!