Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2005

Sunday
Page 1

  Eben had their X-Streme loudspeaker mated with the new Nordost cables. Nordost has many new cable solutions including the Baldur, Heimdall, Frey, and TYR.

 

HighEndAudio.com had their award winning Duevel line of loudspeakers (see review of the Duevel Bella Luna here), Thor Audio tube amplification, Star Sound Technology resonance control devices, and the VRS Audio Server. The system came alive and sounded great in a proper room as they struggled in the Munich make shift room on the show's main floor.

 

Balanced Power Technologies had their new 10.5 ($1,799) is unique as it has five separate output winding that require 10 secondaries. It also has a cap per bank of two to filter out noise starting at 100kHz. As for heft, try 60 lbs on for size!

 

Shindo's cute little EL84-based integrated amplifier called the Montille ($3,800) produces 15 watts per channel. Technically, it is a stereo amplifier with a simple volume potentiometer on the front so single source systems has no need for a preamplifier.

 

conrad-johnson's new CT5 preamplifier ($7,500, review of the Premiere 17LS preamplifier is here, MV60 amplifier review is here) is a composite triode circuit to form a single triode that avoids the need for an output buffer stage. The entire active circuit acts as a single triode amplifier stage. Cool!

 

 

Stillpoint showcased their new ESS (Equipment Suspension System) rack ($3,100 in three shelf configuration, review of their product is seen here). It uses Stillpont technology for the feet, extensive use of various dampening technique, and is a low mass, low energy storage system.

 

 

RayOfSound.com had to twist my arm to cover the Audion PX25 amplifier. Ok, well, not twist my arm, as I am a sucker for tube amplifiers. The PX 25 ($5,500) stereo amplifier produces 6 watts per channel, hand wound transformers, point to point internal wiring... The philosophy is to offer the ultimate available at a reasonable cost.

 

Audio Space's cute and cuddly Mini-2004 ($990) integrated stereo amplifier produces 13 watts per channel, has an external power supply, and comes in a variety of color. They also offer larger yet still very affordable gear. Look out as this could be the Next Big Thing at very affordable pricing.

 

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