CONNOISSEUR: From our friends north of the border comes a sweet single ended integrated amplifier. Connoisseur of Canada serves up the SE-2 MKII, a 300B based remote controlled unit rated at 9 watts per channel. Very high quality component parts and construction techniques are used, such as point to point wiring in the preamp, Multicap capacitors and Allen-Bradley resistors.
          The unit has been impressive driving the Reference 3A Di Capo speakers here. At $2900, the SE-2 Mk II represents excellent value.
          Connoisseur offers a tube based CD player, the CD-1 (also at $2900), which I have not heard.

Analog

INCOGNITO: We now have a steady supply of these outstanding Rega arm rewire kits from Germany. Long our favorite way to do away with the mediocre factory wiring, the Incognito cable is made from a single piece of Cardas wire, unbroken from headshell leads all the way out to the preamp. Great quality parts from head to toe and beautifully constructed. It’s an amazing upgrade! Install one of these along with a Michell TecnoWeight (or Origin Live counterweight) on a Rega RB-250 and you have an arm that will embarrass many far more expensive tonearms. $215. You an install the kit yourself if you are comfortable soldering small wires (the headshell clips have to be attached after the wire is pulled through the arm) We can install it for you at $75.

SUMIKO: The new 2Xeperience turntable has been added to the Pro-Ject line. The very sexy acrylic affair includes a 9” carbon fiber tonearm, suspended motor assembly, sandwich construction constrained layer platter and comes complete with a Sumiko Pearl MM cartridge for only $999. Available mid February.

ANTIQUE SOUND LABS: The Phono Lux DT phono preamp was debuted. Two 12AX7 tubes provide 48dB of gain, a 12AU7 is used as a cathode follower and buffer. $445
          A new version of the Mini Phono was released shortly before CES and features an outboard power supply. The cute little two tube phono preamp is super sweet and smooth and has absolutely no business sounding as good as it does for $249.

MUSIC HALL: Here we found two new additions to the Music Hall line of analog gear.
         A jazzed up version of the successful 2.1 turntable was shown. The Music Hall 2.1LE is a limited edition finished in eye popping Ferrari red. $299
        Also shown, a speed control box that can be used with any of Music Hall turntables. $120   

Home Theater

SIM2: As the world’s largest producer of video projectors specifically designed for home theater, Sim2 continues their leadership role with cutting edge design and implementation of the latest technologies. True to form, the HT300 E-LINK projector is the first on the market to feature the new 0.8" 720p DarkChip3™ by Texas Instruments (HD2+ DC3). The DarkChip3™ incorporates smaller mirror hinges, reduced gaps between mirrors, a flatter, more reflective surface and a new light absorbent coating for unmatched contrast and color uniformity. Also the DarkChip3™ is a Fast Track Pixel (FTP) chip that allows an approximate 50% reduction of the dithering effect for an exceptionally natural, crystal clear image.  

PARASOUND: A new surround processor and multi-channel amplifier have been introduced in the popularly priced the Parasound Classic range. The 7100 processor is a 7.1 design with support for every available format known to man. Pair that with the 5250 five channel power amp (225 watts per channel!) for a dynamite combination. The 7100 is to retail at $2999, the 5250 is priced at $2495.

We saw a number of new brands that looked interesting. Over the next few months we’ll be evaluating the best among them and submit a full report in a future Newsletter.