WINTER	2006
Page Four

MODWRIGHT: We love the ModWright 9.0SE tube line stage preamp. No surprise, everyone who hears it has fallen under its spell. Dan Wright has been promising both a separate phono preamp and a phono inclusive version of the 9.0 as well. They’re here!
            The versatile SWP 9.0 SE outboard phono stage offers variable loading and gain for both MM and MC cartridges. The three gain stage design can handle the very lowest output MC cartridges, and features split RIAA passive filters utilizing no negative feedback. Tube complement is 2 x 6C45, 2 x 6N1P, 2 x 5687 (and 1 x 5AR4 if you order the optional tube rectified power supply). My brief listen to their system tells me this will be a very special piece. $2995
          Shipping soon will be the SWLP 9.0SE preamp with built in phono. There are painfully few full function preamps these days, so this is a welcome introduction. For $3995 you get (what we already know to be) an outstanding line preamp with the new MM/MC phono circuit built right in. Tube Complement is 2 x 6C45's, 2 x 6N1P's and 2 x 5686 tubes providing up to 68dB (selectable) gain, enough for almost any cartridge. The MC gain stage is tube/FET hybrid for low noise performance. Five line inputs are provided along with two phono inputs. On the front panel you’ll find a rare but much appreciated feature, a stereo/mono switch. Power is delivered from an outboard supply, which keeps noise to a minimum while permitting the use of a much larger transformer than could be mounted inboard.
            Also on display, the LS 36.5 upscale line stage preamp. The new LS 36.5 line stage (no phono) will have their tube rectified supply as well as custom made capacitors - both oil-impregnated poly and pure Teflon film/foil. Inside you'll find 6H30 tubes in Teflon tube sockets. Balanced inputs and outputs are a departure from the single-ended-only SWL9.0SE. A phase switch (both on remote and faceplate) will make a lot of people very happy. Available in April. $4995

MUSICAL FIDELITY: CES was the formal debut of the X-Components. Four products make up the line. The XT-100 ($1400) tube hybrid integrated amp, X-Ray v8 ($1600) CD player, X-DAC v8 ($1200) and the Triple-X ($600) power supply and a tuner. The idea is to build a system with the different components, all using the same Triple-X power supply (indeed none of the units come with an internal power supply, so the Triple-X is a requirement). The advantage of having an outboard power supply is twofold. First, the physical separation reduces hum and noise; second you save the cost of replicating power supplies for each and every unit. Because of the resultant savings in each unit, M.F. has been able to pack the X-Series components with more expensive technology from well up in their line. The compact chassis of X-Series (8.6” wide) allow side-by-side placement on most standard size shelves. Packages are available, offering savings over single piece purchases. “The beauty of this MF system is that the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts, and those parts are pretty damn good to start with. You could spend Hundreds more and get less.” Alan Sircom
 

·         The X-T100 integrated amp is based around the same concepts as used in their upscale integrated series (Nu-Vista M3, Tri-Vista 300, kW500 and kW550). Not surprisingly, even though it has much less power, the sound quality is almost indistinguishable from its illustrious siblings. Pair it with the right sort of loudspeakers and you really can get a true high end sound. A phono stage is included. $1400

·         The X-RAYv8 offers exceptional technical performance, in many cases better than CD players at three to five times its price. The player uses 24 bit Delta-Sigma (Bit stream) dual differential DACs with 8X over sampling and up-samples to 192 kHz. The X-Ray v8 offers the same refined and grain-free sound that makes the Musical Fidelity digital products so prized. $1600

·         X-DAC v8 offers similar digital technology to the X-Ray v8, but employs a tube analog stage for a sweeter and more dimensional sound. Musical Fidelity sates: "The X-DACv8 is virtually indistinguishable from the KW25." That's some achievement considering the $2300 price differential. The USB input opens this product to a whole new market as a more people are listening to their music off computer hard drives.$1200

·         To power all your X gear, you'll need a hefty power supply. Musical Fidelity has you covered with the Triple-X.
         An external power supply offers a number of advantages. Lower noise: Eliminating large power transformers from inside the individual components reduces hum and noise, thus increasing signal to noise ratio. Cost: Sharing one power supply significantly decreases the cost of each component, allowing higher quality parts to be used in the circuits. $600 

·         An all new integrated will land on these shores in a few months. Details are virtually nonexistent, but we do the A-1008 will offer a hybrid/tube preamp, internal DAC, Home Theater bypass, and a separate power supply. Estimated price is $5000

MUSIC HALL: Music Hall adds a nifty new creation to their line of budget electronics. The Trio combines a CD player, amplifier and tuner into a single chassis; just add speakers you’re making music. $995

 NU FORCE: I hadn’t heard the NuForce S-9 speakers and was anxious to have a listen. They were being driven by the well respected Reference 9SE amplifiers and the new P-9 preamplifier. It was another case of the “bad room affliction,” but I heard enough to know the S-9 speakers are worthy of wearing the NuForce badge. Bass extension was surprising for a modest sized monitor and soundstaging was expansive yet focused. Now more about the P-9.
       Respected industry guru, Damian Martin (of Spectral fame), was engaged to pen the design for the upscale effort. Respected for his past successes (DMC-10 preamp and DMA-100 power amplifier), Mr. Martin certainly comes with a rich pedigree.          
       True to form, the P-9 employs the ultra-wide bandwidth, ultra-low distortion philosophy that has characterized Damian Martin designs. Indeed, the P-9 breaks new ground with a remarkable spec of 0.0004% THD and the ability to reproduce a 126 kHz square wave.
       I wish I could give you real specifics on the sonic character of the P-9, but I just haven’t had the opportunity to evaluate one in my system. I can tell you that if you’ve admired Spectral products, but didn’t feel comfortable with the price, you must look in to a P-9. $2950

 OUTRIGGERS: This is product we picked up before CES, but I wanted to mention them here. Outriggers are an ingenious design that couple high quality spikes to a solid ¼” steel beam. Bolted to the bottom of the speaker (using the existing mounting points for the spikes), the Outriggers provide solid, stable footing for increased coupling. You’ll appreciate the added stability and be surprised by the improvement in performance. Tighter more dynamic bass and cleaner high frequencies with better soundstage focus are common.
        In an effort to reduce front baffle reflections, designers have reduced cabinet width, resulting in a speaker that is tall and narrow. That’s great for sound, but it makes for a very unstable speaker. Children, large pets, or even accidental contact, can topple a speaker, with disastrous results. Here’s a great solution to the problem that will not only add stability but improve performance as well. Outriggers come in four sizes, which you’ll need depends on the width of your speakers. Prices range from $95 - $105 per pair and you’ll need two pair. You can read more about them on our website.

 PARASOUND: Announced last year, but making its real world debut here, was the Halo JC-2 high end two-channel preamp, a product designed to partner the outstanding JC-1 mono blocks. As with most of the upscale Halo range, the design was authored by the inimitable John Curl, legendary design guru of the solid state persuasion. The JC-2 is a fully differentially balanced design and loaded with features. Just as with the JC-1 amps, built quality and fit and finish is excellent. April delivery is anticipated. $3500
          Another new preamp was introduced, this one in their Classic Series lineup. Also a two channel product, the 2100 offers a unique cinema pass through with sub channel in/out jacks and analog bass management for systems using subwoofers. First shipments begin in April. $600. Note: The photo shows the main unit on the bottom with a mock up of the back panel on top.

 PASS LABS: Nelson Pass and friends debuted two products, an integrated amplifier and passive speaker system. We’ve been waiting a long time for an integrated, and it’s finally (close to being) a reality. Though perched in a static display and not available for audition, it looked great and I’m sure it will have the Pass magic we’ve come to expect from these fine components.
        Though the piece on display was a working prototype, and they were happy with performance, the design has not been finalized. Opinions were being sought regarding preferences for the final look and list of features. The final price will depend on how the unit is configured, bur we can expect it to be less than Pass separates, which means many more people will be able to experience the quality and performance that has made Pass such a popular product line.

 PATHOS: A digital partner to the wonderful Classic One tube hybrid integrated amplifier was debuted. The Digit CD player is such an obvious mate it’s a wonder it hadn’t been thought of before. The Digit looks cool on its own, but paired with the integrated makes for some real eye candy! Hey, it’s a good CD payer even if you don’t own a Classic One!
         The folks at Pathos noted that the Digit shares the same circuit topology with its pricey sibling, the Endorphin ($7995). Indeed, short of the exotic machined chassis and more upscale drive mechanism, the two machines are quite similar. Quite a feat in light of the $4000 price differential!