And after
going twice through many rooms and walking all the hallways, up and down
strains, many elevators rides, etc here are the picks for products that have earned
my Excellent Value 2011 Award.
Zu Audio was spinning vinyl on the legendary,
and sadly now no longer being produced, Technics SL-1200 turntables. Zu Audio
will tweak a 1200 for even better sound quality and you can figure around
$1000 for a tricked out setup. If you want more, they offer more, more and yes
more!
AudioEngine
A5 small powered monitors are a mere $350 per pair and really sound amazing
for the price. When on holiday for three months away from home I personally
purchased my second set because of all the inexpensive speakers I could live
with, these were the ones chosen. So proof is in how I voted with my own
hard-earned cash. See
my review of the AudioEngine A5 by clicking here.
Vincent
PH-8 is a $400 MM/MC phonostage includes a substantial external power supply
(not pictured and no it is not a typical 'wall wart') and is one heck of a
great value! Internally there are some high quality parts and was recently
called “A $400 wonder” by a TAS writer too.
Napa
Acoustics NA-208A tube integrated am will only set ya back $399 and produces
25 wpc Class AB solid-state. For preamplification a pair of 6N1 tunes is
employed and inputs include aux, CD and iPod (analog, not USB DAC) Cute little
guy too at only 7 x 5 x 9.5 (WxHxD in inches).
Kevin
Deal of Upscale Audio has great 'deals' on tubes. And yes, pun is indeed
intended. Ok, maybe this $225 each smooth plate Telefunken 12AX7 might seem
costly, yet over a lifetime they can really make a big difference in your tube
preamplifier or phonostage.
By
now every vinyl junkie knows about the Spin Clean is a meager, small, super
cheap $125 as a package deal that includes an extra 32 ounce bottle of fluid, 5
extra drying cloth and an extra pair of brushes. See
Enjoy the Music.com's review of the Spin Clean by clicking here.
Cables
can be great yet not expensive as Kimber Kable's TC series is $360 for 8 foot
pair of the 8TC, the 4TCF is only $206 and if you want the top line 12TC it is
only $566 for 8 foot pair. I personally use the 12TC (top photo) in bi-wire
configuration and they really are working great with my Dunlavy Signature
Series SC-IV six-foot high five-drivers each speakers.
Need
a 24-bit/96kHz USB DAC with headphone amplification (or be sneaky and try this
as a USB DAC with built-in 'preamplifier' to feed your amplifier). Price?
Only $399 for this CEntrance DACport folks! It uses the power off the USB
port and is plug n' play for all major computer operating systems.
And
perhaps the best take home item here at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach 2011 is....
Not just due to its
low price, but for the sheer massive quantity of information to educate you
about audio, how to tweak your room, your equipment, etc. So if you do not
have the Fourth Edition of The Complete Guide To High-End Audio by Robert
Harley then get it now! No, seriously, get it now. You can buy the print
version, Kindle version ($16) and it is in the Apple app store. See
our review of Robert Harley's Introductory Guide To High-Performance Audio Systems
by clicking here.
Click here for the main T.H.E.
Show Newport Beach 2011 show page.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
