NORDOST: New
here are a range of AC
cables and high definition video cables
(see details in our Home Theater section). Three power cables
are being offered: Shiva at $300, Vishnu for
$600 and the top of the line
Valhalla for $2500, all in 2M lengths. All three designs employ the
same Nordost unique Micro Monofilament technology used the
Valhalla and Valkyrja interconnects and speaker cables. Their
technology is said to improve signal transfer speed, allowing
transmission at 81% the speed of light through the Shiva,
Vishnu comes in at 85% and
Valhalla lets
those electrons speed their way along the audio autobahn at
90%.
Those
who’ve heard them
have very positive things to say, with . Roy Gregory writing
for the British rag Hi-Fi+ (issue 28) states: “It’s
a massive advance in terms of musical communication and
authority.”
My first samples
arrived just a couple of days go, so I really don’t have the
full measure of them, but I can tell you they are very special
cables indeed. Much like other Nordost products, they are
incredible fast, very open and have a wonderful sense of air.
CARDAS: Cardas
recently introduced three new speaker cables.
Aimed at the
single-ended amplifier crowd, the concentrically wound copper
litz conductors form a cable said to be a particularly good
match with the electrical characteristics of SE. According to
Cardas, the cables are also at home (the SE 9 model, in
particular) more typical applications.
Three versions are offered: SE 15 ($162 for a 2M
pair), SE 11 ($271/2M) and the SE 9 ($500/2M).
ANTIQUE
SOUND LABS: The
incredibly popular MG Head DT/OTL MkII tube headphone
amplifiers gets a facelift. The MG Head DT/OTL MkIII
gets a thicker front panel for the main unit and a metal
chassis for the power supply (replacing the plastic box used
previously) give the unit a more sophisticated look. No
circuit changes were mentioned and it hadn’t been decided at
show time if there will be a price increase. Currently the
MKII retails for $359
EASTERN
ELECTRIC: Just
prior to the show we received the new partner to the great
little Mini Max preamp, the aptly named Mini Max
Amplifier.
The petite all tube power amp mates four 6BM8 tubes with a
5AR4 rectifier, producing 8 engaging tube watts. While not a
powerhouse on paper, the little guy (12.5”W x 7”D x 5”H) is
surprising in its ability to drive a range of loads.
Not a well known tube, the 6BM8 is an unusual half
triode, half pentode design. I understand that the tube was
specifically developed for audio and is very is well adapted
for this application.
The limited amount of time I’ve had with the Mini
Max Amplifier has been very enjoyable indeed. $1350
Digital
ESOTERIC: The
DV-50 universal player has been a runaway success. If
you’ve heard it, you know why. Not only does it play the new
formats well, it does a killer job with our old friend, the
44.1 Red Book CD. If you’re looking for a machine that does
it all (CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video), with outstanding
performance on every format, go for a DV-50 and you’ll be a
happy camper.
Esoteric displayed several
products at the show, though none were available for
audition (rats!). The UX-1 universal player is an
upscale version of the DX-50, sporting an all new VRDS
(Vibration free Rigid Disc clamping System) transport
mechanism that you have to see to believe. No one, I repeat,
no one else builds a transport mechanism, like this. Heavy
duty is an understatement, the drive assembly sports solid
blocks of machined aluminum for rigidity. The thing must
weigh twenty five pounds by itself.
If the DV-50 is any indication,
the UX-1 should be audio/video dynamite! About $13k
Also on hand was the X-01.
Employing the same cosmetics as the UX-1, the X-01
is optimized for replay of SACD and CD, loosing the ability
to read DVD-Audio and DVD-Video. Price also about $13k
EASTERN
ELECTRIC:
The
folks that bring
you the adorable Mini Max
preamp and amp have
introduced a tube-based CD player. The Mini Max Tube CD
Player features two rear-mounted 6922 vacuum tubes.
Deliveries should begin around the first of February, so check
back then
for a
full report. $1350
News
Item:
It
appears that full scale release of the DVD-Audio/CD “flip disc” is eminent.
The so-called flip disc features a standard 44.1 Red Book
version on one side, with a 24/192 DVD-Audio edition on the
other, thus making the discs backward compatible. The ability
to play the DVD-A discs on standard CD players significantly
broadens the formats appeal. Additional information offered by
the DVD-A camp at CES noted that the format now offers over
one thousand titles. You can check information on current and
future releases at http://www.dvdinformation.com/
