WINTER	2003
Page Two

SHANLING: Noted for their sexy looking CD players (and now an SACD player; see below), Shanling has added an amplifier to the line. Visually matching the CDT-100 CD player and SCD-T200 SACD player are the SP-80 full tube monoblock amplifiers (and they are indeed stunning). The 50 watt amplifiers utilize a pair of E-34 output tubes along with two 6N8 and two 6N9 drivers. The SP-80’s feature remote control of volume, making them ideal for a single-source system. 
                 Music Hall employed the SCD-T200 SACD player feeding the SP-80 monoblocks directly, which were driving a pair of Epos speakers. The sound was quite nice. That said, it isn’t possible to ascertain the specific abilities of any given product in the unfamiliar surroundings of the CES. However, one can assume that if the system sounds good (as this one surely did), we know there are no weak links. So, a detailed appraisal must wait until a " face-to-face" here (which should be about four weeks). 
               The most outstanding feature of these amplifiers is the price; just $2495 pr! I am still pinching myself. Man, oh man, these amps look to be an incredible value.

PLINIUS: Plinius was asked to develop an amplifier for a prominent home theater speaker manufacturer. The specification called for a very high powered amplifier that could handle difficult loads and insure wide dynamic swings without overload. The result of the work is the SB300, a powerful brute of an amplifier; and Plinius couldn’t be happier with the results. Performance of the SB300 even surprised Plinius, feeling that the AB design was remarkably close to their Class A models.
                 We’ve long enjoyed the sweet sounds of Plinius gear and were excited to see the new SB300 amplifier. A bit of a break in tradition for Plinius, known for their Class A topology, the SB300 runs in class AB. The advantage is more power and less heat. The new model pumps out 300 watts per channel into 8 Ohms, and coupled with the Plinius high reserve short-term current delivery, this amplifier should be able to drive anything you can throw at it. Price $5995.

Bits

MUSICAL FIDELITY: Here to greet our return from the show was the new Tri-Vista CD/SACD player. This tube hybrid design follows in the footsteps of the heralded Nu-Vista products, but differs from its predecessor with its use of the trivistor tube (a Raytheon 5703 subminiature triode originally designed for demanding military use), and its ability to play SACD. The power supply is massive, making the Tri-Vista a real heavyweight. You know you’re buying quality when you try to lift this thing! 
               I’ve spoken with many who have bought, and then sold, SACD players. To a man, the reason was the same - the player was simply not the best way to reproduce 44.1 red book CDs. Interestingly, Musical Fidelity believes that the circuit topology must be different for each format to obtain optimal performance. In the Tri-Vista, Musical Fidelity has created two discrete circuit paths; one optimized for CD, the other designed for SACD. There are even two completely separate power supplies, one for each path.
               As all audiophiles know, warm-up of equipment is a prerequisite to serious listening. Musical Fidelity has taken the guesswork out of the process by providing illuminated status indicators displaying the condition of the unit. Uniquely, the indicators are in the feet! When first powered up, a translucent ring around each footer glows red. After a few minutes the color shifts to a soft amber, then, after about thirty minutes, the indicators display blue (which matches the display), signifying the unit is at optimum temperature. Here is feature that is both cosmetically appealing and truly useful.
            My sample is breaking in as I write, and should be up to snuff soon. I'll report here soon about my findings, but I welcome your call in the mean time.
               Certain to draw raves in the press, you’d better order early, as only 800 will be made for the worldwide market. $6495.

ACCUSTIC ARTS: The German company, Accustic Arts (yes, that’s the way they spell it), offer a marvelous CD transport. I’ve compared the Drive 1 to a number of CD drives, and each time it emerges the winner. The Drive 1 has a wonderful sense of transparency and air that I find lacking in the competition. It has become my new reference.
               The Drive 1 is a top-loading design utilizing a Phillips CDM Pro drive which is isolated using proprietary mechanical decoupling. A magnetic puck securely locks the disc into place on the spindle. Inside the damped aluminum chassis are separate, shielded compartments for the drive mechanism, mains power components, digital signal processing and display.
            Attention is lavished on the power supply where four independent units feed the laser control, digital signal processing, display control and display heating systems. Maybe the key to the Drive 1 is the digital output stage which features:

* Extra large power supply unit with voltage stabilization
* Jitter minimizing output stage
* Professionally designed balanced output (XLR) with HF-transformer
* Professionally designed unbalanced output (RCA) with HF-transformer

Of course, who can miss the beautiful build quality, cosmetics and way-cool soft blue lighting emanating from the drawer? $3800.

SHANLING: The eye-popping Shanling tube CD player has been getting lot’s of attention. Sure to draw even more interest, their new SACD player, the SCD-T200. Almost identical in appearance to its sexy sibling, the SCD-T200 retains the tube output stage so valued in the CDT-100. Inside we find the latest Sony 2334 drive mechanism and the CXD2752R SACD decoding chip partnered with a Burr-Brown PCM1738 DAC, custom tailored for SACD. $2695.

MUSIC HALL: To partner the popularly priced ($600) CD-25 CD player, Music Hall announced the CD-50 SACD/CD player. The unit on hand arrived literally the day before the show, so details were sparse. About all we know is that the CD-50 will use a Sony drive mechanism and will have up sampling. Price is estimated at $1500, with March/April availability.

Analog

LYRA: I confess, I have been an unabashed fan of the Lyra Helikon MC cartridge since the day it appeared, so it won’t strike you as odd that I am frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the latest offering from Lyra. The new Argo is based heavily upon the Helikon (making it all the more interesting), but will come in at just $1200 (the Helikon is $2000). Using the same disc magnet technology, stylus and rigid structure of the Helikon, the Argo should be a superb performer at the price point. I’ve got one order, so stay tuned for a full report soon. 
               Also on hand, the new top-of-the-line Titan. This special design utilizes a titanium body for incredible stiffness and rigidity. Price $4500.
               Yet another new introduction, the Dorian represents the entry point for the line, replacing the Lydian Beta. This .5mV cartridge utilizes many of the same technical developments in the Lyra family, but will be offered at just $800. Should be available late summer.  
 

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