WINTER |
2004 |
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Page Two |
MUSICAL
FIDELITY: Heard
here, the fabulous Kilowatt Series amps and preamps,
Tri-Vista DAC21 for digital and the
M1 analog rig
driving the magnificent Aerial 20T speakers. The sound was
gorgeous.
Ambitious and prolific as ever,
Antony Michaelson’s Musical Fidelity plans no less than 19
new introductions in the upcoming year. Some I can tell you
about, but since I value my life, some I can’t.
The previously announced Tri-Vista 21
tube DAC has already garnered a tremendous amount of
interest as a result of the over-the-top review in
Stereophile. Using the same circuitry found in the
incredible $6500 Tri-Vista SACD player, the 21
promises to be a digital standout at just $2495. Owners of
the A324 DAC are eligible for a $800 trade-in. Call now to
reserve yours!
Musical Fidelity plans to fill out the “X” Series
line of compact chassis offerings with an integrated, power
amplifier, preamp, DAC, CD player and tuner. Prices aren’t
firm, but we’d expect around $1300 for the CD and
integrated, no idea as yet on the other goodies. I’m told
the new designs sound first-rate.
At the high end will be more cost effective
versions of the stellar Kilowatt range. I think there will
be an amp and preamp and integrated. No pricing yet.
TOTEM: A new
member of the Totem clan was welcomed into the fold
at CES. The small, no, tiny (14” x 6.8” x 9”) Rainmaker
unleashed a positively huge soundstage into the room. The
scale of the music had show goers grinning from ear to ear. It
was a hoot observing people’s reaction to the mini. Disbelief
was the obvious initial reaction, with the most often heard
question; “Where are you hiding the subwoofer?” - there was
none. Even more interesting was to watch the jaws drop when
they learned the price; $900 a pair!
True to form, the Rainmaker performs far, far beyond
what you’d expect for the size or the price. Bottom line, I
simply haven’t heard a better speaker at the price. Even if
you own a big rig, you’ll want a set just to amaze your
friends!
SPECTRON: The new
Musician 3 was seen and heard. We’ve come to expect a
lot from Spectron, their Musician 2 being one of the best
amplifiers available, at any price, so we’re really looking
forward to the replacement. We know designer
John Ulrick
and tweaked and twiddled a
bit, but
if the new model sounds any better, it’ll be downright scary!
Though cosmetics have not been finalized (though the
pictured rendering should be very close), the prototype on
hand offered a simple, clean and refined appearance. Final
production issues are being ironed
out as you read this, and we’re expecting the Musician
3 very soon. Price $4995
Spectron showed a mock-up
of their planned upscale integrated. Employing the amplifier
circuitry of the Musician 3 (500 watts per channel), the
M3D adds a complete compliment of inputs including three
analog via XLR, three analog via RCA and four digital with
24/192kHz up-sampling and full remote control. Anticipated
delivery is late Spring or early Summer at an anticipated
retail of $5995.
SHANLING:
Introduced just prior to CES, the Mambo solid state, 50
watt per channel, pure class A integrated amplifier. For a
paltry $1300 the Mambo delivers great sounds along with
a host of features including: five analog inputs, two digital
inputs with 24/96kHz up-sampling, full remote control, great
build and parts quality. Smooth, sweet and yet controlled,
with a good grip on the speakers.
Tube guys will revel in the warm glow of the all new
STP-80 integrated. Shanling serves up a tasty 35 watt
per channel unit (using two EL-34’s per channel) with
auto-biasing, full remote control and the stunning Shanling
cosmetic design. Just $1750.
Online
Catalog Information.
????: Way
back in 1993 I was introduced to two
companies that
eventually became real favorites of mine. In a suite together,
Audio
Prism and Totem teamed up for some of the best sound of the
CES
show. Quite an achievement
considering their entire system cost as little
as 1/10th
that of some other impressive displays.
Most of you know how popular Totem speakers have
become. The Audio Prism guys (Victor and Byron) had success
too with their tube electronics and range of accessories. In
1999 their products caught the eye of Mark Levinson (the man),
who purchased the company. He renamed the gear (Red Rose
Audio), doubled the prices and sold a boatload. Victor and
Byron were retained for their abilities and continued to
design electronics and speakers for Red Rose.
That association recently came to and end with
Victor and Byron striking out on their own once again. I was
happy to see them at CES and to have the opportunity to sample
their two initial offerings; speakers. The as yet unnamed
speakers (from an as yet unnamed company) sounded really,
really good.
Two models exist; both couple a ribbon midrange/tweeter (made
in house) to a transmission line loaded woofer. The smaller
model will be about $3500pr, the larger model targets the $5 –
6k range. The larger of the two was playing.
Exceptionally
coherent, these speakers exhibited the wonderful refinement
noted in ribbon designs, without the often over accentuated
sizzle. The bottom end was also excellent; controlled,
powerful, tuneful and extended. What struck me about the bass
was that it never sounded overblown. Some speakers with
extended bottom end seem to have heavy bass all the time, even
when the music doesn’t call for it. If that makes sense.
All in all a very impressive debut, especially
considering the speakers were finished at 2AM the night before
the show and were nowhere near full break-in. Nonetheless, I
liked them. Allot. Enough to put my money where my ears were,
and ordered a pair.
Victor and Byron promise a full
range of components including both tube and solid state
electronics. Keep in touch for more news.
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