WINTER	2010
Page Three

ORTOFON: It’s radical, it’s revolutionary it’s flat out a-m-a-z-i-n-g! The new MC A90 moving coil phono cartridge has arrived and stunned the critics with it’s incredible performance - dead nuts neutral and yet not a hint to stridency or glare. This cartridge, more than most any other I’ve heard, is able to walk that fine line between resolution and musicality. You know what I mean, there are those cartridges revealing enough to resolve a rat fart at 100 yards and those so rich and lush they lull you to sleep. What we really want is something right in the middle – resolved, yet relaxed. Got it right here for you… the MC A90.
        The form factor is super unusual. You like it or you hate it, but it’s truly a case of form following function. The open design of the structure completely avoids any issue whatsoever with body resonance and the unique manufacturing yields an assembly that is both incredibly rigid and exceptionally well damped. Ortofon employed the technically advanced Selective Laser Melting System (SLM) that uses a powerful laser to fuse micro-particles of stainless steel into the desired shape. The process allows precise control of all mechanical parameters including profile, contour and density, giving Ortofon complete freedom to optimize every aspect of the design. The result is another-worldly shape, with truly out of this world performance! $4200.        

This is a limited production cartridge, folks, with only 400 available worldwide.
I suggest you get yours on order now before they’re history!

STILLPOINTS: We’ve brought in the Stillpoints lineup of resonance and vibration control products. If you’re not familiar with the product, the Stillpoint is certainly a unique device. Unlike cones or spikes which transfer energy (by tightly coupling a component or speaker to the rack or shelf), Stillpoints actually absorb vibration. They accomplish this by converting the mechanical motion of vibration into heat, thereby dissipating its harmful effects. The patented design is both ingenious and elegant, but most of all, Stillpoints are effective (i.e. improve sound). Externally, what you see is a black pyramid shaped affair with a white ball at the apex. The white ball is made of ceramic and couples inside to two additional layers of ceramic balls resting on an array of stainless steel petals or leaves. The internal mechanism is supported on a stainless steel base for stability and rigidity.
        We began experimenting with Stillpoints a few months ago and to say we’ve been impressed is a wild understatement. Without a doubt, this family of products has done more to improve our sound than any other similar product. I wanted to briefly introduce Stillpoints here, but I feel so strongly about their worth I will be writing a Special Feature that will appear on our website soon. But don’t let that stop you in the mean time. Do give us a call and let us show you how to unlock the full potential of your system – dramatically improving performance – with the addition of Stillpoints products.

 REFERENCE 3A: A host of significant upgrades have been introduced, making this wonderful line of speakers even better. The improvements have been applied across the board, to all models, and include:

• Internal Wiring:  New CCC (continuous cast pure copper) internal wiring with clear Teflon dielectric. Appropriate thickness of the wire is used for each driver (0.6mm. dia. for tweeter, 0.8mm. for full range and 1.2 mm for bass etc...). 
• Mechanical Grounding of the Drivers: Drains spurious vibration energy from the driver frames.
• Copper Shorting Ring: Improves linearity in driver voice coil magnetic gap. 
• Soft brass screws and phenolic washers used to fasten and isolate drivers: Reduces interactive driver/frame resonances and isolates drivers from the cabinets.
• New larger, height adjustable brass cones and brass floor pads: Better than aluminum alloy or steel isolation cones.
• New five way binding posts with gold plated tellurium copper conductors: Better conductor than the commonly used brass for further improved clarity. 
• New C.C.C. copper bi-wire jumpers: Clearly better than the jumpers previous used.
• Cryogenic treatment: All connectors, internal wiring, and metal driver parts are now cryogenically treated 

We been listening to a pair of the new Grand Veena with the latest upgrades, and they are incredible! If you're in the market for loudspeakers, you really need to check out the Reference 3A line. Models start at well under $2000.

PARASOUND: For me, the hot news here was the introduction of the John Curl designed Parasound Halo JC 3 mm/mc phono preamp. It’s been many moons since Mr. Curl has focused his talents on a dedicated phono preamplifier, and we can thank the good folks at Parasound for prodding him so.
        The unit is surprisingly hefty, a result of the efforts paid to internal shielding, employing three types of metal and multiple partitions to isolate the sensitive high gain circuits. The phono boards are encased in sub enclosures mounted toward the rear of the unit. To further reduce noise, Parasound utilizes an expensive R-Core transformer that is (electrically speaking) much quieter than a torroid, but far more costly. There’s also an AC polarity switch that can be a very beneficial tool in eliminating hum. The substantial power supply is a scaled down version of the one used in the JC-2 line preamp. Anticipated early summer delivery with a pricing target of $2k. Accepting pre-orders now! Reserve yours!

MUSIC HALL: Tired of the fear filled recession news? Strap on a pair of headphones and drown out the noise with the new Music Hall ph25.2 tube hybrid headphone amp. It has two buffered headphone outputs, two line inputs, tube pre-amp section, solid-state amp, and pre-output.
        Marrying a great sounding tube pre-amp with solid-state amplification has been a technique for achieving unequaled sound quality in hi-end component audio since the advent of the transistor. While kicking around ideas for their new headphone amp Music Hall thought, why not try this same technique in a single component? They built one and were blown away by the increased detail, clarity, and presence the design offered. The tube hybrid headphone amp was born. Hand assembled using the highest quality parts, the Music Hall ph25.2 will have you singing along with your favorite tunes. Just $399.

GRAHAM ENGINEERING: Bob Graham's latest creation, the Phantom II, is now shipping. This marvel of an arm vaults what was already a remarkable product into a new realm. It has captivated Harry Pearson, whose review (October 2009 issue of The Absolute Sound) lavishes the arm with praise. Mr. Pearson speaks of how the Graham Phantom II has allowed him to hear his reference analog chain in a whole new light. The TAS review is likely to be just the first of many exploring the wonders of this incredible tonearm.
        Compared to the original Phantom, the new Phantom Series II has a similar outward appearance, but there are many important internal differences. These include a refined Magneglide (tm) stabilizer, new internal wiring for even better detail and improved freedom from mechanical resistance, an upgraded pivot design for even greater dynamics, and a new titanium armwand. Together, these improvements yield improved performance in the areas of dynamics and sheer musicality, while retaining the features the earlier Phantom was noted for.
        At the 2010 CES, Bob Graham devised a “tracking torture test” for the Phantom II. Here is a quote from The Audio Beat and their Show Coverage: “He (Bob Graham) placed a stack of business cards under a record, creating a hump that would equal a massive warp. When you see a tonearm rise this much, you brace for what you'll hear, but the Phantom II tracked the record without issue. It's neutrally balanced, so tracking force doesn't change as the tonearm moves up and down, and the stylus doesn't jump out of the groove.
        Neutral balance isn't even the most ingenious feature of the Phantom II. From mounting a cartridge to leveling front to back and side to side, the Phantom II proves itself to be one of the world's great tonearms. You'll read more about it on The Audio Beat later in the year.”
       So unique is the Graham Phantom II that it has been granted three patents with even more patent applications pending. $4900

WIREWORLD: The best just got better! Wireworld introduces their Series 6 SuperNova glass TOSLINK cable. According to designer, David Salz, new termination techniques have significantly reduced loss, resulting in improved performance. Price remains the same for a short time, but increased manufacturing costs for the new cable will force an increase before long. Get them while you can! Here's great news for MAC users, the new SuperNova Series 6 is now available with mini TOSLINK connectors!

        Also just in from Wireworld, the Series 6 Eclipse and Silver Eclipse interconnects and speaker cables. All I can say is WOW, you really have to try these cables! David Salz has made a HUGE leap forward in performance with his new designs. If you haven't ever heard Wireworld cables, or haven't tried the new Series 6, call us right this minute for an audition. They're really terrific!

        The technical advances in design and materials that have resulted in the recent (and dramatic) improvement in performance extend throughout most of the cables in the very broad Wireworld lineup. Interconnects start at under $40 with the modestly priced Luna 6 to the Solstice 6 at just $60, the amazing Oasis 6 at $110, the Equinox 6 for $199, Eclipse 6 for $449, Silver Eclipse 6 at $699, Gold Eclipse 6 retailing $1599 and up to the monumental Platinum Eclipse 6 at $3k, each and every cable in the line offers simply outstanding performance for the price. Series 6 speaker cables are equally amazing.
       Following on the heels of their superb Ultraviolet USB cable, Wireworld introduces the next step up, Starlight Ultra High Quality USB. The unique flat design of the Starlight USB cable was derived from Wireworld’s award-winning flat HDMI cables. The cable utilizes oversized 24 gauge silver-clad OFC conductors and a proprietary low loss ground path to provide substantially higher fidelity than other USB cables, regardless of cost. Those advantages also enable Starlight USB to function in much longer lengths than other USB cables, while enhancing the clarity, depth and dynamics of media server, PC audio, and other digital music applications. Both the Starlight USB and Ultraviolet USB are now available with the Mini USB connector!
                                         USB cables do make a difference!

        Seen for the first time at CES, Platinum HDMI, Wireworld’s assault on the zenith of HDMI cable technology and performance. At $1000 for a 1M, it’s not for the faint hearted, but for those that demand the absolute best in video and audio transmission over HDMI, this is it. The best HDMI on the planet!
         Speaking of Platinum cables, we have some of the remarkable Platinum Eclipse cables headed our way and will be reviewing them shortly.  

MUSICAL FIDELITY: The extremely well respected from the UK marks a new beginning with the appointment of a new US Distributor.
        Shown for the first time in the U.S. at the 2010 CES was the new M6 range of products. The M6 series features the dual-mono, 200wpc M6i integrated amplifier ($2999), 24bit/192kHz Upsampling M6CD CD player/DAC with USB input ($2499), M6PRE fully-balanced preamplifier ($2399), and the dual-mono, bifilar-choke- regulated, 260wpc M6PRX power amplifier ($3499). All will be available in both silver and black finish. Build quality and finish on all units was exceptional.
         Our first shipment will be arriving soon, and we can’t wait to get our hands on them!

M6i

M6CD

Also coming soon, the junior siblings to the M6 range, Springtime welcomes the M3i Integrated and M3CD CD Player. At only $1500 each, these should be ever so popular.

  M3i

M3CD

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