WINTER	2006
Page Three

CREEK: Mike Creek debuted his new Destiny series CD Player and integrated amplifier. Rated at a strong 100 watts per channel, the Destiny Integrated offers six inputs and full remote control. It goes for $1995. The Destiny CD player employs three discrete power supplies and incorporates the new OPA134 op-amps. Price is $2395. Both units are built in the UK to Mike Creek’s high standards. Stereo Times Review of the Destiny Integrated

            I heard the Destiny pair in two systems, both driving EPOS speakers. Both were outstanding. Particularly captivating was the system pairing the Destiny combo and the EPOS 12.2 speakers. Though maybe not the last word in resolution, the system was superbly musical – the sort of sound you could listen to all day. So a plug for the EPOS 12.2; if you’re looking for a pair of monitors in the sub-thousand Dollar range, don’t miss these. At just $895 they are an outstanding bargain.
            Also shown at Creek, the new A50iR 50 watt integrated at $995.

 LYRA: The guys at Immedia unveiled a new Lyra cartridge. The Skala uses what Lyra terms a “knife edge” design concept. The goal is to transfer vibrational energy from the cartridge to the tonearm as efficiently as possible. Lyra optimizes transmission through the use of material selection and mechanical design. The result is increased dynamic contrasts and greater clarity. According to Immedia, after listening to the prototype, we can expect a bit fuller midrange than the Helikon it replaces. What, replacing the Helikon you say? If the Skala trumps the wonderful Helikon it will be real honey. Price is $2495 and delivery is scheduled for March or April.

MUSICAL FIDELITY: Musical Fidelity has a way with all things digital. Their previous success in this arena guarantees a strong interest in their latest introductions. Available as a package or separately, the kW DM 25 DAC and kW DM 25 Transport follow the Musical Fidelity tradition of outstanding build quality and exceptional attention to detail.
         The DM 25 DAC features 24 bit 192kHz Dual Differential DACs with true upsampling. Four independent choke-regulated power supplies provide superb isolation between circuits. Both tube and solid state output sections run in tandem, allowing one to switch back and forth, choosing the sound you prefer. Cool! $3500
         Unique in design, the DM 25 Transport uses a turntable-style isolation system to reduce the influences of vibration. The system features adjustable ride height and level. $3000

As every audiophile knows, isolating an audio component from vibration is a prerequisite to optimizing performance. Though a new player to the game, Musical Fidelity will be releasing an isolation platform.

The Stable-1 was born out of the development effort of the seismic isolation system for the kW DM25 CD transport. The platform has a custom-made, high-purity aluminum, die-cast mounting tower at each corner, with an independent suspension system inside every one. The platform itself is made from non-resonant, one-inch-thick MDF.

The Stable-1 is suitable for use under any audio component: turntable, CD player, amplifier, preamplifier, power amplifier or tuner. Musical Fidelity sates: “They all benefit from improved performance as a direct result. On turntables and CD players there is an instant increase of resolution and ambient detail (not surprising, really). On any component with tubes in it, the effect is similar, perhaps even greater. Surprisingly, conventional amplifiers like the A5 integrated are also improved by using the Stable-1. We do not understand that one, because, from a cold, scientific standpoint, the transistor circuitry should not be microphonic. Nonetheless, we can hear the difference. Not as much as can be heard with turntables, CD players or tube amps, but nevertheless it is there to hear”.

February availability, price to be determined. I would expect under $300.

HALO: Halo teamed up with Sound Labs this year in a shared suite. The Halo JC-1 amplifiers drove a pair of big Sound Labs, making beautiful music together. As you may know, Sound Labs are a very tough load and few amplifiers have the guts to drive them, the JC-1’s seemed to lope along.

Brand new here, the Halo D3 universal disc player. Priced at only $2500, the D3 looks to be a killer value. The unit boasts a long list of features including: CD, SACD, DVD-A (with bass management) DVD-Video, DVD+R/RW, CD-R/RW, MP-3, JPEG, WMA, DivX, defeatable video and digital circuits for optimum analog performance, 192kHz/24bit audio DACs, XLR and RCA, SACD (DSD bit stream goes directly to audio DAC), 480P/720P/1080i, multi-channel output, HDMI video and audio outputs with HDCP, Faroudja DCDI processing, 216mHz/12 Bit Precision Video DAC, Pure Black Mode.

Though I haven’t heard the D3 in my set-up (due February), the system at CES sounded fantastic, so we know it’s a great player. Mine is on order, you may want to add your name to the list as well!

            There will also be a less costly version of the D3 universal player offered in the Parasound Classic line. Sporting similar features, though lacking the true differential balanced circuitry found in the D3. Priced at only $1500, the D200 will be tempting.

Another new faceplate seen here carried the designation JC-2. The preamp (which was clearly a pre-production unit) seemed like an obvious direction for Parasound as a mate for the amps. So while not a surprise, it was a welcomed sight.

Designed by industry legend, John Curl, the J-C2 is sure to be a winner. Somewhat surprisingly though, the JC-2 will not include a phono stage (old timers will recall John was responsible for the Vendetta phono stage, considered by most to be one of the finest phono preamps ever designed). Could there be a John Curl designed Halo phono stage in our future?

Though pricing has not been finalized, expect the JC-2 be just North of $3k.

 MUSIC HALL: Interesting stuff here. On display, the new RDR-1 table radio. Yes, a table radio! Don’t laugh, the little guy sounded quite good, and looks very cool ensconced in it’s wood cabinet (several finishes to be offered). The RDR-1 features both AM and FM, an auxiliary input, full remote control, clock and alarm. As the RDR-1 gently wakes you with music, you’ll appreciate the large LCD display while your eyes are struggling to focus early in the morning. Don’t blame me if the sweet sound lulls you back into dreamland. Just $189.

            Music Hall displayed their new T24-2 AM/FM tuner, which was designed to partner the 25.2 integrated amp and 25.2 CD player. The CD player and integrated go for $600 each, the tuner sells for $400. Put that together with a pair of EPOS 12.2 ($895) and you’ve got a darn musical system for a tick over $2K. I don’t think you can do any better for the price.

The RD-1 has been voted "Best of Show" by Wayne Garcia of the Absolute Sound

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