SUMMER	2004
Page Three

JOLIDA: The JoLida goodie from comes in the form of the JD-707. This full tube integrated has been designed to mimic the warmth of single ended amplifiers, but with much more practical push-pull topology. At 40 watts per channel, the JD-707 can drive a wide range of speakers, especially when compared to very low wattage single ended amps.
           The JD-707 employs four 6p3p output tubes (6L6GC/KT66/5881), two 12AX7 and two 12AT7.
            Having just arrived, the JD-707 is still breaking in so I’m unable to give you much detail at this point. That said, I very much like what I’ve heard so far. Knowing JoLida, it’s sure to be a winner. $1199

 MUSICAL FIDELITY: The limited edition Tri-Vista integrated amplifier was heralded by reviewers worldwide and established a new benchmark in the industry. What do you do for an encore? If you're Musical Fidelity you start with their awesome $28,000 Tri-Vista kW mono block amplifiers, $15,000 kW preamp and distill their essence into an integrated. Greet the Limited Edition kW 500 Super Mu-Vista Integrated Amplifier.
         As with the Nu-Vista and Tri-Vista offerings before it (both sold out), the kW 500 Integrated employs vacuum tubes in the preamp stage. Not just any tubes, mind you, Musical Fidelity has selected the unique 6112 mu-vista tube, a mil-spec offering built for ultra-high reliability and long life. The Super low noise dual triode was used by the military in crucial missile guidance circuits. The incredibly rugged tube was designed to be immune from vibration and tough enough to withstand the staggering powerful electromagnetic pulse generated by a nuclear explosion! So, unless the power goes off, you can continue listening to your kW 500 right through Armageddon! Ah, what a great way to go.
         With an awesome 500+ watts per channel and over 100 amps of peak current available, this monster can drive any speaker ever built, with an iron-fisted control that must be experienced. And yet, as with the kW mono blocks, the brute force does not overwhelm the sense of warmth, substance and clarity. The massive power supply behind all this power is housed in a separate chassis matching that of the main unit.
         Only 500 people in the world will be able to call the kW 500 their own. As with the Tri-Vista, this amplifier will sell out quickly. If you plan on being one of those to enjoy this experience, order early! $7000 buys you a ticket.
         Just in, the all-new replacements for the previous "X" Series products. Not just a rehash of the old, Musical Fidelity began with a clean sheet of paper to craft the new X-150 Integrated amplifier and X-Ray CD player (see it in the Digital section).
         The X-150 amplifier employs a very sophisticated drive circuit borrowed from the Tri-Vista series. The low feedback design features a robust power supply that has been carefully designed not to interact with sensitive signal carrying circuitry. Indeed, careful attention to specific parts layout within the signal path has been observed. The precise orientation and relationship of resistors, capacitors and other components in the signal path is a significant factor in maximizing performance.

*75 watts per channel into 8 Ohms, doubling to 150 watts into 4 Ohms *75 Amps peak current delivery *0.01% distortion *Highly linear +/- 0.5db 20Hz - 20kHz response *Price is  an AMAZINGLY low $999

CARY: I’ve always been impressed with Cary amplifiers, yet (most of) the preamps, while good, haven’t taken my breath away. So the new SLP-308 has been quite a surprise for me. This new beauty comes in at the very popular $2000 price point, offers very sexy cosmetics and the convenience of remote control. More importantly, the sonic abilities of the new family member are outstanding. Excellent spatial relationships, integrated harmonic structure and overall detail. It’s an easy listen.

            If you like the smooth, warm “Cary sound,” you will take an instant liking to the SLP-308.

AUROIS:  Aurios has begun shipment of an all new Music Isolation Bearing (MIB). Previous Aurios products were greeted with enthusiasm by audiophiles and reviewers alike. The all new design offers the same exemplary performance in a smaller and more attractive form.
            Replacing the earlier 1.1, 1.2 and 2.2 is the 2.0. The new model eschews the enclosed captive bearing design of its predecessors for multi part system. The bottom disc has three concave recesses, into which tungsten carbide ball bearings are placed. A separate top cap, with three identical concave cutouts, completes the sandwich. When assembled, the top floats easily in a lateral plane.
            In previous MIBs, a level surface was a mandatory requirement. The 2.0 is much less sensitive in that respect, making set-up a breeze. Further, the top cap is slightly convex thus reducing the contact surface area. One is free to use the 2.0 cap up or cap down for further tuning options.
            A set of three Aurios 2.0 goes for just $249. This represents a significant price reduction over its predecessors and makes them a great buy.

Read our new Article on Isolation Devices

JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN: Released early this year, the new Rowland 201 amplifiers ($4700pr) have become fantastically popular. In the just the short time this amplifier has been available, the number sold have surpassed every other Rowland product, present or past.
            The host of new releases shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in January of this year is now coming to market. The Model 501 amplifiers ($6800pr) utilize the same revolutionary technology found in the 201, but with double the power. At 500 watts into 8 Ohms and a bone crunching 1000 watts at 4 Ohms, the 501 should drive any speaker in the known universe. Amazing though is the petite size (2.85" x 8.4" x 13.0") and exceptionally low heat dissipation (the chassis never warmer than body temperature). If you need powerful, compact and practical amplification, or if you’re just looking for the legendary Rowland sound, the 501s are your ticket to paradise.
            A preamp designed to partner the new amplifiers is also on the way. The Concerto Preamp is a svelte, slim line design that should come close to the respected Rowland Synergy II preamp in performance, but at a much lower price ($3900). My sample is on the way and I’ll be happy to give you my impressions; give me a ring.
            The Rowland Concentra integrated amplifier has been considered by many to be the best unit of its kind money could buy. The all new Concerto Integrated looks to build on the strengths of its predecessor, and doing so at a lower price ($5900).

SPENDOR: The new “e” series speakers from Spendor have garnered a great deal of positive press. Hi-Fi+, Hi-Fi Choice and What Hi-Fi have all written great reviews of various models. Prices are $1399 for the S3e monitor, $2399 for the S5e floor stander, $2899 for the S6e, $2899 for the S8e and $4799 for the top of the line three-way S9e. All models present an easy load to the amplifier, making them very tube friendly, and all possess the wonderful midrange that Spendor designs are known for.

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