Wandering around the show, people
would stop me to ask if I'd seen anything really interesting yet. Yes I
had. Called simply Xd, with the slogan "everything you've never heard before,"
this is a new system from NHT. John Johnsen of NHT and Terry Hawco of In
Tandem Canada were on hand to explain how it all works. Xd comprises two small
satellite speakers (XdS) in rich color on futuristic stands, a matching
subwoofer (XdW) and a Digital Processor /Amplifier (XdA) which sell as a
package for $6,000 US. We were seeing the very first public appearance of the
production Xd system, which started shipping April 1st. So what is
special here?
Besides
the stunning cosmetics! NHT has designed these three components to work
together, sacrificing compatibility with other amps, speakers and subs. The
XdS satellites contain just the drivers. The crossovers, featuring advanced
DSP speaker correction, are in the XdA unit, built by the Australian company
DEQX. You can select settings for various speaker locations, and you will be
able to download upgraded DEQX processing software via a rear-panel USB 2.0
connection. The four power amplifiers in the XdA are from Power Physics of
Orange County and feature high-efficiency switching outputs. The XdW bass
module holds a powerful amplifier and a pair of bass drivers in a
force-canceling configuration. All cabling is included and special connectors
are used on the rear of the speakers. You can build a 4.1 system or a 6.1
system by adding pairs of the XdS satellites and extra XdA Processor/Amps, and
you can also add a second subwoofer for $1200 US. All this would be academic
if the sound was nothing to write home about. But it is! This is certainly a
system I would like to spend an extended time getting to know and I
congratulate all involved for pulling this particular rabbit from the hat.
Bruno Bouchard from Verity Audio introduced the new Parsifal Ovation
speaker ($24,500 Cdn - $33,900 Cdn according to finish), replacing the
Parsifal Encore, which has been around since 1997. Fed by a DCS Verdi SACD
player, Nagra amps and linked together by Silversmith cable, this was one of
the best sounds of the show, remarkable for its openness and clarity. The
Parsifal Ovations use ultra expensive AudioTechnology drivers and a new 1-inch
soft dome tweeter. Verity is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
How often do you see an audio component in the shape of a piano? Robin
Landry of distributor FixAudio showed me the Jasmine's EL34PP integrated tube
amplifier ($1,999 Cdn) which pulls off this neat little trick while putting
out 43wpc into 4 or 8 ohms. The Jasmine is paired with RL Audio's custom built
speakers ($3,000 Cdn).
Also on display, the cute 5wpc Jasmine T200 stereo amplifier ($699 Cdn)
with USB and RCA inputs and using EL84 tubes, available in a variety of
finishes.
I spoke with Doug Graham, Sales Manager for Naim Audio, pictured here with
an array of Naim electronics, this time mounted in the elegant modular Fraim
support system. No new products on display this time around. Seen
here are the top of the line CDS3 CD Player with XBS Power Supply, a NAC 252
Preamp with a Super-Cap Power Supply, and the two-box NAP 300 Power Amp. Doug
described how Naim has stayed very close to its roots with the 2-channel
stereo enthusiast despite the obvious temptations of AV. Naim components are
now much more compatible with components from other manufacturers, having
sprouted RCA connectors, but they still recommend using the DIN connectors for
superior grounding.
Prize for the wildest (and widest) speakers at the show go to Jeremy Tavan
of Qubit Music Systems. Jeff Poth put this room together and that's him behind
in the corner. Qubits are custom built with cabinets by Middlebranch
Furniture. Other components shown here are a Poth Audio Power Filter, a Linn
LP12 with Ittok arm, Dynavector XX2 cartridge and Armaggedon Power Supply, a
Coph Nia Phono Preamp, a Coph Nia Preamp used in conjunction with a Poth Audio
Preamp, and power amplification from a Transcendent OTL for the treble, an Art
Audio Jota for the midrange and a solid state amp for the bass. Everything is
tied together with Poth Audio cable of course. Perhaps that's why there are so
many components involved -- to maximize the market for good cable. I'm so glad
the guys left the grills off those speakers!
Moving
over to the Holiday Inn, I met Howard Getty representing Accentus. He was
holding the fort while the boss was having breakfast. These speakers are all
made in China. Driving the Accentus A101 ($14,900 – $18,900 Cdn depending on
finish) are the new Chapter Preface preamp and the Couplet power amp. The
source is a Tube Technology 64 CD Player ($5,200) and the cables are Virtual
Dynamics Reference. The sound was glorious, at least until someone slipped his
own favorite CD into the player while Howard wasn't looking. Accentus is new
to North America. I pumped Howard for some more information on the A101's. The
drive units are very interesting. There are two aluminum ribbon tweeters, one
in front and a smaller one in the rear. The midrange drivers are 5.2" wide,
made of a sandwich of non-woven carbon fiber and non-woven Kevlar. Two 10"
woofers are again of sandwich construction using a layer of rohacell
surrounded by two layers of non-woven carbon fiber. These speakers weigh close
to 200 lbs. each.
Other speakers in the range A102, A103 and A104) use similar drivers but
forego the rear facing tweeter. The ribbon tweeters are made by Accentus and
are pretty darn heavy. When the boss came back from breakfast, the tables were
turned and yours truly ended up in the picture. Left to right that's Professor
Nick Wickendon, me, Howard, and Ben Hoang. Ben is the president of Universal
Karake & Audio of Edmonton, Alberta, the distributor of Accentus speakers.
Ben was very proud of another new product under the Unico brand-name, AVM
(Anti-Vibration Magic). This is a thick self-adhesive paste that you can use
to coat your tubes and other components. I haven't tried it myself, but those
who like it, like it a lot!
Paul Wakeen of Stillpoints showed me the sophisticated new rack system,
introduced at the CES. It is the Equipment Suspension System or ESS, and it
will run you $3,499 US for a 4-shelf unit. It features Stillpoint feet and
Compression Hub technology. You can expand the system horizontally. On the top
shelf sits an Audio Aero Capitole CD player. But what is that stunning
component sitting on the next shelf? It's an amazing prototype preamp from
David Berning. Still a couple of years away from production, it is the first
tube preamp to use a tube switching power supply, and that's not even its most
radical feature. Believe it or not, to adjust the volume, you rotate two of
the tubes! Alan from Berning detailed the use of 6L5 tubes as voltage
regulators and attenuators and 5OC5 tubes in the switching power supply. Here
is Alan crouched over upcoming Berning Monoblocks with EXPERIMENTAL
label spelled out in large friendly letters.
With our eyes firmly set on the future, that seams like a good place to
wrap up our coverage of the Festival Son et Image. A la prochaine!
High-Performance Audio Reviews
