FALL	2007
Page Three

New Stuff

MODWRIGHT: So, you thought the SWL-9.0SE preamp was good? No question it is, but just wait, ModWright fans, there’s a fresh offering afoot. Welcome the all new LS-36.5.
        The innovative new design features an advanced tube analog stage with a four times lower noise floor and markedly improved bandwidth. Inside is a full complement of MWI Custom capacitors, designed by ModWright to their exacting specifications. These pure Teflon film/foil and oil-impregnated poly caps are used extensively in the signal path and tube regulated power supply.
        The exterior is immediately impressive, and gorgeous, with lovely casework wrapping the LS-36.5. Machining is first rate, the quality of materials exceptional and the attention to detail outstanding. The obvious care and attention to detail continues inside where you’ll discover a very tidy layout of boards and cabling, along with precision assembly. Nice work, Dan!
        The 36.5 is a significant step beyond the (already wonderful) SWL-9.0SE. It only takes a couple of minutes and you’ll know this is a really wonderful preamp, but more extended session reveals the real strengths of the LS-36.5. You’ll thoroughly enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies of your favorite tunes, revealing the subtle nuances and shadings of texture and resolution. They were there all along; you just needed the LS-36.5 to expose their hiding places!
        Get your hands on the new LS-36.5 and you won’t let go. There’s magic in this box! Highlights include: XLR and RCA inputs and outputs, phase switch (accessible both on front panel and remote), 6H30 line tubes and 6X4 rectifier tube. It’s great; you’ll want one. $4995.

QUICKSILVER: Mike Sanders has released a new product - a rare occurrence indeed! His latest creation operates in full triode configuration, all the way from input to output. The aptly named, Triode Amplifier, uses a pair of KT-88 tubes turning out 50 delicious triode watts, enough to drive a wide range of speakers. There’s an on-board meter that makes biasing a snap and allows for quick verification of settings at the touch of a button.
        Designer, Mike Sanders, believes in solid engineering and proven concepts over current fads. His amplifiers are simple in design, conservative in execution and constructed using the time honored concept of point to point wiring - all by hand, and 100% made in the USA (boy, is that a rarity these days!). It’s this no nonsense approach that has earned him the respect of many, and established a large group of devoted fans. No question, the new Triode Amp will further his reputation! We think you'll like this one! $3595 per pair.

EMM LABS: We've been inundated with requests for the EMM Labs digital equipment, especially the new CDSA-SE CD/SACD player. Interest has been high for this piece for some time but has grown exponentially thanks to the recent 2007 Golden Ear Award from Harry Pearson of the Absolute Sound. HP comments: "Quite simply, the best two channel CD (and two channel SACD) playback device of the many, many we've tested in Sea Cliff over the past year...The Ed Meitner design comes closer to that goal than any other player I've heard, and does so to the point that you can listen with pleasure, and for hours and hours."  You can download the entire review in pdf form on our website. Also check out the Positive Feedback review.
        The CDSA-SE is unique in that it upsamples CDs to SACD resolution, taking the 44.1kHz signal to an astonishing 5.6448MHz!  That's double the SACD sampling rate.
        No question, the CDSA-SE is a remarkably good sounding machine. The smooth and relaxed character is captivating. Soundstage is expansive with a great sense of not only width, but height as well (which is easy to hear on our new Final Sound model 1000i electrostats); depth aplenty. We’re really enjoying this machine and think you would too. Line up, we've got them in stock! $10k

TARGET: Back by popular demand are the excellent stands from Target. Long regarded as some of the best around, Target stands offer exceptionally high quality and great value.
        Awarded a Five Star Rating by What Hi-F in the July 2006 issue, the review points up the importance of a good quality speaker support. A quote from their review: Verdict: "The Targets are splendid: They dig deep and differentiate low-end tonality better than any here. They're subtle too: the top end is crisp, while voices enjoy a secure position on the wide-open soundstage."
        Three different ranges of speaker stands are available, with prices starting as low as $100. The MR-24 (pictured) is the top of the line and features fully welded, extremely stout uprights for maximum rigidity. Retail is $329.
         Ever popular are the wall mounted turntable shelves. Both are a great way to isolate your turntable from floor-borne vibration and to prevent skipping. These are available in two sizes; 18.5" x 16.2" for the VW-1 and 19.5" x 16.2" for the VW-1 Pro. Two shelf versions can be had, with the second platform making a great place for power supplies or cleaning paraphernalia.
         I don't think you'll find a better stand for less money. Check out our website or give us a call with your requirements.

NUFORCE: NuForce has released the new V2 versions of Reference 9 (V2 describes the latest generation of NuForce’s main circuit board, which is the heart and soul of the amplifier). The latest V2 board outperforms its predecessor in several respects. It lowers the noise floor by 20dB (yes, 20dB – that’s huge!) and elevates the output stage to 85% efficiency. Circuit pathways have been shortened resulting in a 20% improvement in through-put. In addition, NuForce has incorporated many of the design features of their top-of-the-line Reference 9 SE amplifier into the standard amplifier board. As a result, a new Reference 9V2 actually outperforms the previous Reference 9SE… at half the price! Of course the V2 elevates the phenomenal Reference 9 SE to stellar heights, making one of the best digital amps out there.
          "I can't name a solid-state amp that gives you soundstaging, imaging, or depth perspective better than these little guys at under $8000! Moreover, at this kind of high power. What a deal! The Reference 9V2s are the best yet from NuForce and receive my highest recommendation." Robert Levi, Positive Feedback.  
          As always, previous owners of NuForce products are eligible for upgrades at very special pricing. The cost to upgrade your Ref 9SE to V2 is just $500 per amp. And with the upgrade, your warranty is extended to 5 years! Is it worth it? Yes!
           Mike Silverton for Stereo Times writes: "I’m in love with the Ref 9 SE V2. I don’t see how amplification can get much better than this. Different, certainly, which is why so much zealous partisanship informs perfectionist audio. If you’ve a hi-rez system and value verisimilitude, the Reference 9 SE V2 belongs on your short list."

ESOTERIC: Esoteric introduces the D-05/P-05 separate DAC and transport mechanism ($7000 apiece). The transport features a completely new VKM-5 VRDS-NEO mechanism that has been optimized for the high rotational speeds required by Super Audio CD discs.
        Esoteric debuts the world's first 32-bit D/A converter in the D-05. Utilizing the AK4397 Delta-Sigma DAC device from AKM Semiconductor, Inc., the D-05 achieves 32-bit processing and "combines the best properties of a 1-bit and multi-bit device." PCM signals can be converted to full DSD standard.
        The P-05 transport incorporates the newly developed NEO VMK-5 mechanism combines two ESOTERIC proprietary technologies; the VRDS (Vibration free Rigid Disc clamping System) disc clamping system and the unique VOSP (Vertically aligned Optical Stability Platform). Here the turntable securely clamps the disc, reducing unwanted movement or vibration of the disc. The new lightweight turntable design ensures low inertia for optimal performance at the higher speeds required for SACD while adding extra stability of regular CDs. In combination with this turntable system, the VOSP mechanism provides extremely accurate data retrieval by positioning the laser optical axis at the very center of the data track and thus eliminating off axis tracking and off axis error correction.
         To further enhance performance, Esoteric announced a new outboard word clock, the G-03x, boasting a stunning accuracy of .1 ppm (one-tenth of one part per million). Our experience tells us to expect better image stability and a cleaner top end when refining timing accuracy. The D-05 and P-05 retail for $7000 each.

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