Hi-Fi News' Hi-Fi Show & AV Expo 2002

Friday

 

  First seen as you walk in to the Renaissance Hotel are Sandra, Pamela and Melanie who were happily greeting and helping show goers.

 

The Hi-Fi News' booth, as managed by the ever-helpful Maxine, was successfully handling all show to insure they were able to find various rooms while also selling the most recent edition of Hi-Fi News' print publication.

 

Naim Audio, who manufacturers both electronics and records original music, has a new Chris Anderson album. The personnel at Naim Audio are especially proud of Patrick Norland's new CD titled Peace, as it is dedicated to the company's founder Julian Vereker.

 

For those who love building kits, tweaking, and/or finding new bits to enhance their music reproduction system may find the Hi Fi Accessories Club a wonderful resource. Touting their new Producers Cut Test LP, it expands upon their original test LP that many vinylphiles use as a reference tool for setting up and tweaking their record player/tonearm.

 

The Hi Fi Accessories Club was also showcasing their hefty and impressive new 4.0KVA Pure Power line conditioner (approximately £1,600. Various versions of the unit will be available as customers can customize options and features to meet their power conditioning needs.

 

Popular cable manufacturer Chord has received many rave reviews in the British press.

 

British based hi fi+ magazine's Andra and Rebecca was having a great time at the booth. In the past years they has a relatively small booth and also shared space with American print publication Ultimate Audio who, sadly, is no longer publishing new issues.

 

With an impressive display showcasing a very wide variety of products, Kimber Kable has reached out to the more price conscience music lover with their just released Tonik braided interconnect. Featuring three ultra-pure copper conductors that are polyethylene insulated, these jewels come in at roughly $50 for a meter length and look to be a very high value for the dollar, er, um, Pound Sterling.

 

Extraordinary from the get go is Loricraft Audio's innovative Professional Phono Equaliser (£2,200). Vinyl lovers will rejoice, as it is capable of playing virtually any stereo vinyl record (including shellacs). The gain is adjustable from 36dB to 60dB with variable adjustments for low bass, bass and treble. Selectable output mode including mono, stereo, L+R or L-R are also provided for. Inputs and outputs are via female RCA connectors.

 

Speaking of vinyl... The Direct Disc was once again at the Hi-Fi News show with thousands of vinyl records, many at very attractive pricing. If they do not have what you desire at the show, they will do their best to find it for you.

 

Also with vinyl, and CD, SACD, dts, and DVD-Audio digital discs were Vivante who are one of Europe's larger mail order companies.

 

And in keeping with the music theme, Chesky Records had a very wide variety of their original music titles. Their online website is quite extensive and informative. A must see!

 

Meridian's Digital Surround Sound Controller 861 and model 800 DVD player (£20,638) are for those seeking playback for both music and movies, if a bit on the pricey side of the pond. Featuring the ability to upgrade through software enhancements, this system is virtually future-proof as new technological advancements are made.

 

Click here to see a
complete listing of show exhibitors.

 

Click here to see our previous year's show report.