Top Audio & Video 2000

 

  D.Kilmo were showing their new tube goodies yummy! From preamplifiers to amplifiers, many things tube are made by them. Very high quality components are used throughout.

 

Seen above is JMlab's new Chorus line (pun intended). Their full range uses a more economical loudspeaker enclosure. From their CC700 center channel loudspeaker (493,000 Lira) that uses two 16.5cm polyglass woofer/midrange and an inverted single tweeter. Other models like their 715 (seen without grill below) use the same two woofers and tweeter and retail for 1,299,000 Lira. Next to the 715 is JMlab's larger 725 (1,899,000 Lira) is a four driver configuration design that adds a dedicated 16.5cm to the two 16.5 woofers and inverted tweeter.

 

 

Made of hand rubbed and lacquered real wood, the Ultrasound Hornblower (60,000,000 Lira). The four centrally mounted tweeter are flanked by two midrange units. These are all mounted "boxless (not confined within a sealed box) while the top and bottom woofers are mounted within an all wood box. The entire structure is carefully mounted on black colored bracing.  Can you say drop dead gorgeous? Amazing visual beauty like that seem to only be found in Italy my friends.

 

Sony was of course in full force touting their proprietary SACD format, small stylish minisystems and video gear. The new SCD-XB940 offered digital output via coax and TOSlink, but is confined to the compact disc 16-bit/44.1 standard.

 

It is good to finally see Italy take hold of the internet as many more companies, and magazines, have a web presence. AF Digital had a team hard at work with digital cameras and laptop computers working feverishly to cover the show. As we here at Enjoy the Music.com pioneered the "virtually live" show reports, it brings us joy to see others bringing so much great information to music lovers all around the world. In fact seeing their webmasters and writers at work almost felt like... home. Hmm... i need to get out more often.

 

The crowds are quite big, even on a mid weekday! Here in Italy the attendance seems bigger than last year's very well-attended show. Too bad America with it's vast resources and population can not find a way to deliver a proper show for high-performance music lovers (sigh). "Maybe it is time for a web magazine to start a show" said the soothsayer?

 

Clearaudio Master Reference turntable display in lobby. Others such as Pearl were showing what i have nicknamed their "Noah's Arc" Arch loudspeakers as seen below. While the Arch is huge and visually stunning, it makes images sound quite a bit larger than life. Of course the loudspeakers may be comfortable to lay inside and, hence, make a nice coffin. Of course should your home be suddenly be struck by water flooding in, a spare boat oar used in concert with this unit might spell the difference between swimming and more comfortable boating experience. 

 

Keeping the music as the important part of the show, as only the wonderful Italians can do, live music band strolled throughout the hallways of the show.

 

In the "a name we do not hear any more file" is Naim. In fact i had virtually completely forgotten about them. Alas, their all black boxes did not photograph so well. A very quiet room as i was the only one in it.

 

Coming with a staggering large platter and incredible looks is the Symphonic Line turntable (13,000,000 Lira w/o tonearm). Truly one of the more wonderful sights of the show. While i had wished for more information, yet the literature here is a bit sparse :-{(  .

 

The famous Ken Ishsiwata with Marantz is proudly standing next to the new SA-1 SACD unit (12,000,000 Lira). This 2-channel unit comes in a Champaign color and includes wireless remote control. When it plays CDs, you can use the included coax digital output. For analog and SACD replay, the supplied XLR and RCA outputs must be used.

 

Click here for Friday's coverage.