RMAF 2007 Pre-Show Thursday Coverage!

  Dynavox, imported by Avatar Acoustics out of Miami, had the Dynastation tubed CD player with volume control ($6000). The tubes for rectification are the RGN1064 and analog output is 1374D. The unit, visually, seems a bit home-built, yet is said to sound amazing. It inverts polarity to save a gain stage and keep the signal as pure as possible. This is akin to conrad-johnson and other who choose to askew adding another possible distortion-causing stage in favor for simple phase inversion to appear at the output that is easily solved by reversing your loudspeaker cables.

Quite a few of rooms are still setting up, as here we have the PS Audio guys digging in.

Micropure has their new Cz201ES (¥210,000/pr) which is the sister to the highly raved about Cz302ES, which are $2100 per pair (see review here). The new Cz201ES uses a muRata supertweeter and original paper cone and neodymium magnet driver specially design by the engineer at Micropure. Care goes into everything including the Oak cabinet that is hand built and stained by Japanese craftsmen. Really stunning and very impressive sound! See the Enjoy the Music.com review of Micropure's Kotaro (Cz302ES) minimonitor loudspeaker by clicking here.

Head Honcho of this audio circus, er um show, and all around great guy Al holding up the latest The Absolute Sound magazine with Enjoy the Music.com's half-page full color ad! Thanks Al for providing an excellent show! As the event's program cover says, "America's Premier High-End Audio Show."

Atma-Sphere decided to use the RMAF 2007 for first show viewing of their MP-1 MK. III tubed preamplifier ($12,100) and according to chief designer Ralph he has added constant current sources to eliminates thermionic noise (which Ralph feels is a myth anyway). Five inputs, balanced phono, two balanced normal inputs, you can have dual outputs (XLR and RCA) and all the audiophile goodies apply. The MK. III has so much power output; you can drive 32-Ohm headphones directly using a special 4-wire jack setup. In fact for the first time ever the preamplifiers are selling more than the amplifiers. Instead of the usual remote volume, this puppy has a mechanically advanced unit (?Zunich drive?) and so they had to engineer a solution so it did not wind up between steps. They tried other types, but they "messed up the sound" according to Ralph.

McIntosh had their very first public showing of the C2300 tube preamplifier ($6000) with way dreamy green backlit tubes located at the top of the chassis! It has two phono sections (MM and MC) for vinyl junkies and you can adjust the loading and whatnot via remote control! Sweet! The unit will remember bass/treble/trim/etc levels of each input individually. There are four balanced inputs and four unbalanced plus the two unbalanced for phono. Three balanced/unbalanced outputs are also provided for and they can all be shut off for purity of headphone listening.

Tube amp by deHavilland, blue glow stand by Ultrasonic. i dunno, just felt like taking an artistic photo. Not style over substance, as found in too many places in the world, as deHavilland manufacturers some amazing units. Enjoy the Music.com has a special edition featuring four reviews of deHavilland high-end audiophile gear plus a conversation with chief designer Kara Chaffee (click here).

The location to sign in at the show is already getting busy. In fact while other USA-based public shows have a hard time selling out, the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest sold out all 100 rooms months in advance as they had to turn away some manufacturers and distributors who wanted to attend.

Nordost Odin Supreme Reference loudspeaker cable ($20,000/meter pair) and the sister interconnect ($16,000/meter) uses Total Signal Control (TSC) technology. TSC provides for extremely wide bandwidth and virtually eliminates noise/distortion. Another technology within the cabling is Dual Mono-Filament, which introduces more air space around the conductors and insulation contact within the conductors is reduced by over 85 percent.

Robert Harley and Don Bouchard

Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere

Mark Arnold and Ray Kimber

Joe Fratus of Art Audio

Get the scoop, as you heard it here first! As you know, Enjoy the Music.com's senior editor Dick Olsher was hired by The Absolute Sound about a year ago and is now writing full swing for both magazines. Today it is official as our Roots/Bluegrass/Americana music editor and Nearfield equipment reviewer Steven Stone has been hired by The Absolute Sound! Look for his excellent writings in both magazines.

 

Click here for Friday's coverage.