WINTER	2003

Each year at this time, audio “loonies” from around the World head for the deserts of Nevada and a rendezvous extraordinaire. Otherwise known as the Winter Consumer Electronics Show, it’s THE place to be for those afflicted with that most dreaded of diseases, audiohilia. The atmosphere, the weather, the music and gear are just the ticket to satiate the most ardent audiophiles’ appetite. Let’s have a look...

New Stuff
 

SHUNYATA: Shown this year were several treats to tempt the weak. The long anticipated Phoenix speaker cables made their debut. Priced at $1995 (8’ pair), Phoenix joins the Lyra speaker cable ($1250) and Aries interconnects ($650 for a 1M pair) in the Shunyata signal cable family. 
               I have been listening to the Lyra and Aries for a few months now, and am very impressed. Both cables offer a wonderful sense of refinement and coherence, excellent staging, and that silence-between-the-notes which has become a hallmark of Shunyata products. With those qualities in mind (along with the positively ecstatic recommendation from both Caelin and Grant of Shunyata) I am indeed excited about the arrival of the Phoenix. A pair should be in my hands soon after you read this (hear that, Caelin, Grant?), so give me a ring for a full report. 
               The Anaconda VX power cord has been an unqualified success. Shunyata’s top-of-the-line product has drawn raves from reviewers and audiophiles alike. Those of you fortunate enough to have experienced Anaconda VX, know what I mean! Always exploring, Caelin Gabriel decided to experiment with a new configuration designed specifically for amplifiers. Welcome the Anaconda Alpha. 
              Though the Anaconda VX works wonderfully well on most products, Anaconda Alpha caters to the unique demands posed by a high powered, audiophile grade amplifier. Designer Caelin Gabriel used the patented geometry found in the Phoenix speaker cable (along with a number of other proprietary techniques) to produce an AC cable that brings Anaconda-level performance to the amplifier. Try one, if you dare. $1995.
               Also on hand, the Guardian 4HT. The unassuming four outlet box employs newly designed thermally protected Metal Oxide Varistors in a uniquearrangement that protects equipment in all three possible electrical modes: hot-neutral, hot-ground and neutral-ground. Conventional devices only offer protection from surge events occurring on the hot-neutral mode. Guardian HT-4 protects your equipment with 6500 amps of surge suppression!
               To reduce high frequency line noise, Guardian HT-4 employs an audio-grade capacitive filter, rated at over 2000 volts. Guardian HT does not use current limiting coils, chokes or transformers of any kind, and can thus pass 20 amps of continuous current without restriction. It is fed via the superb Shunyata Diamondback AC cable, noted for its outstanding performance. All this for $395. Oh yes, there will be an eight outlet version available soon for around $695.
               Sometime in early spring we can look for the Hydra Guardian, Shunyata’s full-blown line conditioner. Though details are nonexistent, we can tell you the unit will use some unique filtration techniques.
               As usual, Shunyata products were everywhere at the show. The list includes: Audio Research, Cabasse, Edge Electronics, Electrocompaniet, Audio Aero, Halcro/Wilson, Halcro/Eggleston, Lamm Industries, McCormack Audio, Musical Fidelity, Talon Audio, Tenor Audio, Tri-Cell/ Acapella, Vaic/Lumen White/Ayon (Acoustic Dreams), Wisdom Audio. Further, Shunyata products have been a hit in the world of pro audio. A number of recording studios and mastering facilities have embraced Shunyata products. Among them, Phil Taylor and David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) at Astoria studio, as well as James Guthrie, Doug Sax and Crest National.
               Add your name to the list of satisfied owners; call today for audition!

SPENDOR: Pick a speaker, any speaker, and I guarantee you’ll be able to find those who love it and those who hate it. From my perspective, it’s easy to get into trouble when recommending a speaker for that reason. The plethora of brands and models, multiplied by the vast range of personal references, virtually insure you will offend some and befriend others. 
              A very few speakers that I have come across in my thirty years in this business, have possessed the ability to fall into the graces of most who listen. I’m not exactly sure why, maybe it’s an even handed tonal presentation, maybe it’s low distortion, or possibly a specific frequency response curve. Who knows, maybe all of the above. For whatever reason, there are indeed a very few speakers that seem to be widely accepted. 
             As you might have guessed by now, I think Spendor fit’s into that exclusive club. More than just being non-offensive, the Spendor’s have a genuinely likeable quality along with some real performance attributes. These designs are well respected for their superb recreation of all things spatial; they do the sound staging thing to a “T.” Resolution of low-level detail is admirable and, above all, a tonal palette that is musically satisfying. Oh yes, I'm told by those very sensitive to the characteristic, that they are adept at preserving rhythm and pace. 
               Spendor has been around for thirty-odd years. Founded back in the 1960’s by Spencer and Dorothy Hughes, the company grew out of expertise gained in the engineering department of the BBC. The company has designed and marketed a number of outstanding speakers over the years, gaining a worldwide reputation for quality, with models like the LS3/5, which has become a classic in its own time. Continuing that heritage, Spendor manufactures all their speakers to strict broadcast standards. As part of this regimen, each driver and every crossover component is matched to within one-half of one Decibel, speaker pairs are matched to within one dB.
                 In 2001 the company was acquired by Philip Swift, founder of the renowned Audiolab brand, with the intention of modernizing the designs to meet with contemporary expectations. Many of us long-time Spendor fans were apprehensive, feeling that the so-called modernization meant discarding the qualities so prized in their past designs. That turned out not be the case, and Mr. Swift has done an excellent job of melding the past strengths with new innovation. The Spendor “S” Series speakers are an extension of past designs; and carry forth the philosophy and performance that have made this brand so popular.
               Choose among their many products, and you’ll get a superb performer that is satisfying to both the intellect and the soul. Models available range from $999 to $3995 per pair.

AESTHETIX: A trio of new products from Aesthetix made their official debut at the show. The offerings comprise the Saturn Series, and are named for the moons of Saturn; Rhea, Calypso and Janus. These units combine sonic excellence with sleek styling and remote control convenience. But there is more here than just a pretty face, with outstanding performance in the tradition of the company’s (much) more expensive Io and Callisto.
       Rhea phono stage ($4,000) has selectable gain up to 70dB and internally balanced circuitry. Both gain and loading are adjustable via the remote control (how cool is that!), with settings visible via the front panel display. It uses 12AX7 and 6922 tubes and features 3 separate phono inputs, each with individually adjustable gain and loading. Rhea also has a built in MC cartridge demagnetizer based on the Aesthetix ABCD-1 circuit.
          The Calypso line stage ($4,500) features both balanced and single ended inputs/outputs, internally balanced circuitry, theatre processor bypass, and full remote control. The Calypso's front "touch panel" display allows convenient operation and visual status indicators. The design employs 12AX7 and 6922 tubes.
          The Janus full function preamp ($6,500) features a single phono input version of the Rhea phono stage combined with the Calypso line stage in a single chassis. All Saturn Series components use the dual power supply design of the (expensive) Jupiter Series with one transformer dedicated to the vacuum tube heaters and the second to other power supply functions.

SIMAUDIO: On the two-channel side of their exhibit, Sim bowed the powerful W-6 monoblocks. Each amplifier produces 425 watts into an 8 Ohm load, doubling into 4 Ohms. For a combination of power and control along with refinement, the W-6 should impress. This amplifier strengthens what was already a formidable line-up of goodies. Give the W-6 strong consideration next time you are in the market for a great sounding pair of monoblocks. $6495pr.

PASS LABS: I was forced to scoot to the airport to catch my return flight before I had seen everything at the Alexis Park venue (where most of the high-end exhibits are located), and I missed one of my favorite stops, the Pass Labs suite. Not only did I lament not seeing the smiling faces of all the good folks there, I also missed the debut of their new speaker. That’s right; Pass is now offering a speaker!
               The Rushmore is a self-powered four-way active design employing three Aleph amplifiers (one each for the tweeter and mid range drivers) and one XA series amplifier (driving the woofer) inside each cabinet, along with a Pass designed electronic crossover. The enclosures are made of Granite and Cherry. Price is approximately $40,000 per pair. According to Pass, other models will follow. 

PS AUDIO: The new PCA-2 preamp was at the show, but displayed at an off-site venue, and I was unable to get over there to have a look see. No matter, our unit should be arriving in the next few weeks and I’ll have the opportunity to evaluate the unit here in a controlled setting. Watch these pages for a complete review soon. Price $1995.  

Page   1   2    3    4