In the Audio Note Japan room, distributed by Sound of Silence in America, was the Ongaku ($89,000) and Ginga turntable. The 110 lbs. turntable is a very solid unit with small ring on the platter and you use a top weight to ensure the record lays flat. A glass mat goes atop the aluminum main latter structure, while the bearing is a single ball bearing that sits in an oiled structure. A synchronous 4-pole motor, in this prototype, may give way to an 8-pole unit. Both 33.3 and 45 rpm are accommodated for.
Acoustic Zen's Adagio Jr. ($3500/pr, stains add $250/pr) loudspeaker that uses a circular ribbon tweeter and pair of 6.5-inch underrhung voice coil midrange/woofer. The driver configuration is D'Appolito to produce and overall near point source sound. The gorgeous Figured Maple is a very deep and lustrous red. Four other finishes are available.
Filed under the really interesting is Acoustic Plan's Sarod (€6600) tubed stereo preamplifier with phonostage. There are many, many transformers inside for interstage use and aid in amplification. This allows for only one triode tube to be placed within the signal path of a non-phono input. The MC stage uses transformers to bring them to MM levels. Volume is adjusted via a 24-stepped attenuator. Outputs are both stereo pair of balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA).
In the deHavilland room was their GM-70 ($9995) and Nola Viper 2 Signatures ($8000). Instead of giving the details here, wait for the review of these by our Review Magazine's senior editor Dick Olsher.
Edgarhorn and Cyrus Brennerman Audio's, with the goodies being the Titan II speakers and Cavalier plus integrated tube amplifier. The amplifier comes with KT-100 tube, tho0ugh can also use KT-88, 6550, EL34, etc. Frequency response is from 20Hz to 30kHz and has four inputs and two sets of line outputs for bi-amp'ing or to feed a subwoofer setup.
An always-enjoyable combination is he atma-sphere and Classic Audio Project T-1.3 loudspeaker ($27,500). The OTL amps are the model M-1 MK III ($13,600) are 140 wpc Class A triode, single stage gain, etc as one expects from an OTL design. A cool front panel analog VU meter and a 10dB lower noise floor over previous designs are just a few of the highlights.
Soundcare specializes in footers and resonant control devices. A very wide array, i might add, depending on you system's requirements.
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High-Performance Audio Reviews
