Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2005

Sunday
Page 2

  Teres... accept no substitutes.

 

Getting my vote for the system to achieve the best 3D music loudspeaker disappearing act is the ESP Loudspeakers model Bohran SE ($16,000), Concert Fidelity's CF-040 linestage ($14,000) and 6B4G monoblock amplifier ($28,000 per pair). The amplification devices are incredibly carefully constructed with an extremely short signal path and carefully hand chosen parts.

 

McIntosh's new C1000 tubed preamplifier is also available in solid-state form and to make matters more interesting for the tube vs. solid-state guys, you can configure a system so both units can be switched back and forth easily for comparison! The control section is $8,000 and the solid-state or tubed section is $9,000 each. Too many features to list though rest assured to say it is the 'end-all be-all' for McIntoch-o-philes.

 

Bastanis had their Apollo loudspeaker ($15,800) with a horn-loaded open back dipole, a wideband crossoverless 12-inch open baffle midrange/woofer, and a 15-inch self-powered 250-watt unit. Not only were they using SACD and CD sources, but also reel-to-reel tape!

 

Someone at Suzi-Q is a bit horny and ready to party as their Mardi Gras loudspeaker ($7,000 approximately) has a top-mounted 1-inch soft dome tweeter, the horn is used for the back wave of the 6-inch full range driver, and a at the bottom kinda hidden is a 7.5-inch full range driver. The minimalist design means there are only four parts in the entire crossover network. The transparent acrylic horn is available in blue, red, and a silver-grey. Part of the system is a single 12-inch, dual voice coil driver.

 

Allen Wright went from underground Cable Cookbook writer and master tweaker to now offering commercially available esoterica like this DPA-300B monoblock amplifier ($16,995, reviewed here). Enjoy the Music.com™'s own Bill Gaw has gone into great detail reviewing the Vacuum State's products.

 

Marten Design's Coltrane ($50,000) are truly full range, producing 20Hz to 100kHz (+-2d). Thee 104 lbs behemoths are 89dB/W/m yes use light-yet-rigid carbon fiber enclosure. They were being driven by the Audio Note UK Kegon monoblock ($49,000) that produce 22 watts each using a pair of 300B tube operating in parallel 'Class A.'

 

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