We're always adding new products to our list of quality offerings.

Here are a few tidbits to temp you further...

Latest Newsletter now online! Click here

ZESTO AUDIO: It's here and sounds awesome!
         Garnering quite a bit of attention lately has been the new Andros PS1 phono stage from Zesto Audio. Designer George Counnas has a background in designing electronics for the pro audio industry and he brings knowledge of building very noise, extremely wide bandwidth electronics to the design of the PS1 phono stage. The all tube design offers outstanding flexibility for setting both gain and loading and will accept both MM and MC cartridges.
        Recently reviewed in Positive Feedback, Robert Levi writes: "As a brand-new company whose first product is a made-in-America phono stage, Zesto has introduced a break-out product and brought to market a winner! Their Andros tube phono stage sports tons of flexibility with bold musicality at an unheard of price point for this level of performance. I am shocked by what they have managed to include for the audiophile under $4000! Plus, the Andros is a world beater in quietude, a wonderful attribute for a phono section. I wish more designers paid attention to this when they design phono stages, particularly tube designers. I think that you will love the sense of reality the Andros delivers; in addition, the flexibility of its controls, all placed externally for a change, are similar to units costing $10,000. Soundstaging is extraordinary, too. The Andros both over-delivers and under-prices the competition. If you need a phono stage, I wouldn't wait for the price to go up on this beauty. It begs the question, why spend more than the cost of the Zesto Andros PS1? The Andros receives my highest recommendation and top-choice rating for a phono stage anywhere near this price!"
        
Zesto Audio Andros PS1

PURIST AUDIO DESIGN: The Genesis series of cables is designed with the goal of crafting cables with detailed musical sound at a low price. Over the past 26 years, Purist Audio Design has never stopped improving and expanding wire technology. Working with advanced computer models, they were able to construct a cable design employing finely stranded alloy conductors of copper and gold. The design for the Genesis interconnects makes use of these alloys with the primary conductors encased in a santoprene dielectric. The design for the Genesis speaker cables also uses the same alloy design for the conductors, and utilizes a PVC dielectric.
        As with all Purist Audio Design cables, the custom designed connectors function harmoniously with the materials in the cable. The Genesis cables give a level of performance that is unheard of, for its price point, in the Audiophile community! 1M RCA interconnects - $310, 2.5M Speaker Cable - $500.

REL: Since its inception over 10 years ago, REL subwoofers have established a name for themselves among the audiophile community as one of the best (if not the best) subwoofer for high end audio and video systems. We are pleased to welcome this highly respected name to our line of quality products. Over the years I‟e heard dozens of systems employing REL subwoofers and I can't think of one where I felt the sub was the weak link in the chain, surely a testament to their fast, articulate sound and also their basic philosophy and design which allows for a seamless blend.
        I have found REL woofers easier to integrate into a system than other subs I've used. I believe a prime reason for this is that REL subwoofers derive their input signal from the amplifier outputs. The "sound" or "voice" of any system is the sonic summation of all the components and reflects the signature of each and every component in the signal chain. Unique among subwoofer designers, Richard E. Lord (the R.E.L. of REL) understands this and his input circuitry requires the use of a unique high-level cable that allows for the full system‟ voice to be built forward into the final sound, joining with a REL for perfect system integration. REL is a broad line offering quality subwoofers starting at just $599 for their new T-5 and extending all the way to their Flagship Studio III at $9995, including many stops in between.    

MODWRIGHT: It's here! The newest release from ModWright is their much anticipated KWI 200 integrated amplifier. It's a stunningly good looking unit, sporting the awesome casework found on all the ModWright gear. More importantly, the sound quality matches the looks!
         With 200 watts per channel on tap (400 watts into 4 Ohms), the KWI 200 is powerful enough to handle virtually any speaker with ease. KWI 200 has incredible current reserves thanks to a hefty 1.5KVA power transformer and over 127,000 microfarads total capacitance.
         Available with optional Phono and DAC (24/192 Asynchronous USB and RCA), the KWI 200 offers freedom from the physical space requirements of complex audio separates. The KWI 200 requires only power cord, speaker cables and speakers, to make a True High End Audio system.
$4995

SANUS: Several speaker manufacturers have recommended the Sanus Foundation Ultimate Speaker Stands to us, so we decided to give them a try. I must say, we've been very impressed.
         Speaker stands are a critical (and most often overlooked) component. A solid, stable, non-resonant support for the speaker is absolutely mandatory if you expect to realize optimum performance from your monitor speakers. The Sanus Foundations Ultimate speaker stands offer a great combination of performance and value. The 26" version (best option for most speakers) are only $289, with free shipping. 22" and 30" also available.

REGA: Rega has officially announced the new Fono Mini A2D Phono Stage. Not only is it a fantastic (and cost effective) moving magnet phono amplifier, it also allows you to simply and easily transfer your vinyl collection to computer!
        Simply install a digital audio editing program onto your computer. Such programs are widely available and often free (such as Audacity). The software acts as a simple interface to monitor volume and balance while performing the transfer. Using the controls on the front panel of the Fono Mini A2D, you can adjust the levels for optimum recording quality. That’s it!
        The Fono Mini A2D carries inside it Rega’s legendary sound and build quality. Based on the MM phono stage of the Mira integrated amplifier, the Fono Mini A2D offers the listener a superb musical experience with the added capability of vinyl to digital transfer, at a very competitive price point. Just $175

NORDOST:  For years our customers have been asking for a quality power cord to fit their components using the C7 connector. A great deal of products such as Blu-Ray players, DVD players, SONOS, flat screen displays, video projectors and many other consumer electronics use this smaller connector. We finally have a solution for you in the form of the Purple Flare power cord from Nordost.
         The Purple Flare power cord employs a dedicated, two-core topology designed to maximize the performance of screens and electronics using Figure-8 (C7) AC inputs. If you've never seen your video display and source equipment fed by a high-quality power cord, Purple Flare is the one to try. UL approved. Price starts at just $149 for a 1M length. FREE SHIPPING!

GOLDEN EAR TECHNOLOGY: Introduced at CEDIA to rave reviews by dealers and the media, the new Aon 2 and Aon 3 monitor speakers. 
         The Aon 2 and Aon 3 are exceptionally compact, ultra-high-performance bookshelf speakers that incorporate GoldenEar-designed cast-basket bass/midrange drivers with technology derived from the midrange units developed for the Tritons. In addition, they both use the same extraordinary and costly High Velocity Folded Ribbon (HVFR™) high frequency radiator used in the Tritons. Lastly, each Aon model utilizes two side-mounted planar low-frequency radiators in a dynamically balanced configuration in order to properly load the bass/midrange drivers for an open, box-less midrange, while also contributing to the Aons’ remarkably extended bass (down to 42Hz for the Aon 2 and a remarkable 38 Hz for the Aon3) for such small enclosures.
         They look impressive on paper and if they live up to the standard set by the Triton 2, the new mini’s should be amazing! Projected Retail Prices: Aon 2- $399 each, Aon 3- $499 each. Click here to read the brochure.
          Check out the following comment from Andrew Robinson of Home Theater Review upon hearing them at CEDIA: "...the Aon bookshelf loudspeakers were nothing short of astounding. I sat for not one but two demos featuring the Aon 3 bookshelf loudspeakers and came away speechless each time. The Aon 3's bass was impressive to say the least and its control was extraordinary. The Aon 3 sounded positively huge, casting one of the most enveloping soundstages I've heard from a bookshelf speaker and the level of detail contained within the soundstage was stunning. The best word I've managed to come up with in order to describe the Aon 3's sound is "effortless" for that's exactly what they sound like - effortless. As impressed as I was by GoldenEar's Triton Two floorstanding loudspeaker, I think the Aon 3s may be better - maybe."

REGA: Just in, the new Rega RP3 turntable! With the RP3 we see once again Rega's attention to engineering and performance. The RB303 tonearm is a brand new model featuring a tapered arm tube and new bearing housing.  In the words of Rega's Phil Freeman, "it just lets the cartridge do its job," and certainly the Elys and Exact have never sounded finer.  The bracing on the plinth is born out of Rega's work on the new flagship design, allowing for extra rigidity where it matters most.
        While the RP3 has been introduced around the world at a substantially higher price, we have decided to maintain pricing for an introductory period at $895 & $1095 (with Elys). The RP3 is available in the same colors as the RP1: Cool Grey, Titanium, and White, with and without the Elys2 package.
        "The RP3 stands as one of the best price/performance ‘tables on the market today. If you can add the Exact and TT-PSU to your budget, all the better. But if not now, they certainly make for a great upgrade path as you go further down the road. Enthusiastically recommended." - Jeff Dorgay, TONE Audio

BRYSTON: The BDP-1 is a technically sophisticated digital music player incorporating the finest solid-state electronics. It has been designed to operate either all by itself or link up to your home network to be controlled by a variety of graphic interface devices. The BDP-1’s graphic interface operates under 'open source' software protocols, ensuring long-term future proofing and compatibility with the widest possible range of user interface (UI) devices.
        The Bryston BDP-1’s sole function is to give music aficionados the ability to enjoy their library of high-resolution digital music files (resolutions of up to 24-bit/192kHz are supported) residing on a USB storage device, which in turn is directly connected via standard USB cable or thumb drive to the BDP-1 digital music player.
         The BDP-1’s feature set is unique and it is most easily defined by clarifying what it does not do. The Bryston BDP-1 does not contain an internal DAC, a hard-drive, a streamer, a CD player/ripper, noisy fans or switching power supplies. The BDP-1 connects to an external DAC for playback through AES-EBU or BNC digital outputs. Quite simply, the BDP-1 is an ultra high-performance digital music player when connected to an external drive and DAC.
        The recent review in The Absolute Sound sums it up nicely: "It provides all the sonic benefits of file-based playback, with none of the liabilities of general-purpose computers. With the BDP-1, Bryston has created a reference-grade source component that merits comparison with anything at any price - a remarkable achievement." - Ken Schuster, TAS

After a very long backorder, Berkeley DACs are back in stock!
We have both silver and black ready to ship today -
call before they disappear again!

BERKELEY AUDIO: There are those that would argue the Alpha DAC from Berkeley Audio is the best sounding DAC you can buy, at any price. Their contention is that the Alpha DAC, more than any other competing model, serves up a sound which is more like good analog than digital.
        I first heard the unit (and was blown away) at Winston Ma’s First Impression Music suite at last year’s CES. Winston’s been developing a music server and, after listening to virtually everything on the market, is recommending the Alpha DAC to decode the digital data stream. Winston has some of the best ears in the industry and everything he has recommended to me has always been a winner - the Alpha DAC is no exception. It’s smooth and refined (just like good analog), and yet resolves every last nanogram of subtle detail (like the very best digital). A feat every DAC aims for and very, very few achieve.
        There are indeed a good number of outstanding DACs on the market, but I’ve heard nothing that bests the Alpha DAC at its price point. Wait a second, forget the price point; there may not be a DAC on the Planet that is better overall! Pretty strong words, but I think you’ll agree when you listen to one, the Alpha DAC is a stunner, and at the asking price of just $4995, truly a remarkable bargain.

BERKELEY AUDIO: Announcing the Berkeley Audio Alpha USB Interface! We just received word from Berkeley Audio regarding the release of their new Alpha USB Interface. This hotly anticipated product allows, for the first time, ultra high performance audio from the USB interface.  Michael and his talented design team invested a tremendous amount of effort into this product, which promises to be as revolutionary as the Berkley Audio Alpha DAC.
        The Alpha USB features a High Speed USB 2.0 input data connection and selectable audio output signal type – either coaxial SPDIF using a BNC connector or balanced AES using an XLR connector. Sampling rates up to 192 kHz and word lengths up to 24 bit are supported.
        Great care has been taken in the design of the Alpha USB to isolate the noisy computer/USB environment from the digital audio output. The USB receiver and processing are powered by the computer, while the output master clocks and line drivers are powered by a separate linear power supply.
        Two key factors account for the amazing audio performance of the Alpha USB: the unprecedented electrical isolation between USB input and audio output and the ultra low noise/low jitter performance of the custom audio output master clocks. $1695. Accepting pre-orders now.

Be sure an read the rave review by Robert Harley in July/August issue of The Absolute Sound

In stock, ready for immediate shipment!

AUDIOQUEST: Our friends at Audioquest have put together a nice step-by-step tutorial to help anyone getting in to computer audio.
        For those not comfortable with computers, or anyone who's just beginning to experiment with a server based system, this information can save you a lot of hassle and confusion.
        The fact it was produced by Audioquest is great reminder that cables do make a difference. All digital cables, including USB, FireWire, TOSLINK, SPDIF, AES/EBU and Thunderbolt are all important in achieving optimum performance.
        Along with cabling, power cables, line conditioning and isolation from vibration are important considerations to address. Just as with analog applications, maximum performance will be only realized when you are mindful of the details.
        Download the Audioquest PDF - Computer Audio Setup Guide

WHARFEDALE: A new line, just arriving! A classic speaker series that has been a best-seller, and been critically acclaimed, for the last 30 years, the Wharfedale Diamond series has always raised the bar for entry level home audio. The Diamond 10.1 speakers push the boundaries further and  outperform all of its predecessors with numerous enhancements. The Diamond 10.1 speakers have classy and elegant sound that's crisp, focused and spacious, effortlessly dynamic yet firmly in control.
         ”Such was our admiration for these Wharfedale bookshelf speakers that we gave them a 2009 What Hi-Fi? Sound And Vision Award, and handed them a highly-coveted Product Of The Year gong in our ‘Stereo Speakers & Subwoofers' category.
         “On the whole, the 10.1s are versatile enough to do justice to a wide variety of music, and they're relatively unfussy about positioning, too. What HiFi
        Just $349 per pair, with free shipping!

MUSICAL FIDELITY: There are painfully few choices in dedicated CD transports these days, and ones that are available can be very expensive. Musical Fidelity to the rescue!
         A compliment to the existing M1 range of products the M1 CDT transport features a high quality slot load drive mechanism and fully stabilized clock in order to ensure ultra low jitter. The M1 CDT like the M1 DAC features a choke regulated power supply, however the M1 CDT features twin choke filtration and seven separate sections to help achieve the greatest possible data retrieval and lowest possible jitter levels. Digital outputs include balanced AES/EBU, SPDIF Coax via RCA and TOSLINK.
           Review excerpt: Listening to the units connected via the AES connection and via the balanced output of the DAC show that the pairing is sonically competitive as well. The overall impression is one of even-handedness and there is a sense that the M1′s main ability is to get out of the way of the music and let the disc speak for itself.
         "The M1 pairing impressed us greatly. This is a well-thought-out and capable duo that stands comparison to any £1,000 CD player we have tested recently.”  Ed Selley - TechRiot.net
           Price is $995, late July arrival.

Home Theater

ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY: A new line for us, Atlantic Technology brings an enviable reputation for producing some of the highest value home theater speakers in the industry. The 4400 System is an excellent example of their craft, offering uncompromised THX-certified performance at a surprisingly reasonable cost
        Compact, elegant, but extremely powerful, the 4400 features high-performance drivers and acoustic optimization controls, for perfect integration in a typical living room or den. There is always one product in the lineup that seems to defy the price/performance relationship. People have told us that this one is it.

“This package is a stellar performer!” — Mark Fleischmann, Home Theater, Dec 2009 

VideoTour

Download the 4400 System brochure
 

WIREWORLD: The Wireworld Island HDMI cable’s flat and compact design, at less than 1⁄8-inch thick and a half an inch wide, makes it ideal in tight system racks. The high quality terminations employ unusually compact connectors, making the cables even easier to use in tight spaces. The Island cable is fully compliant with the latest HDMI 1.3 version and 1080p resolution output making it an inexpensive, but valuable upgrade for current high definition displays and sources, including Blu-Ray 1080P disc players. Prices start at just $29!

Recently there have been questions regarding the reliability of posted speed/bandwidth rating of HDMI cables. Wireworld has maintained strict adherence to testing procedures to certify their HDMI cables meet  or exceed their published spec. We received the following information from Wireworld cautioning purchasers about the problem.

HDMI Standards Organization issue word of caution

In recent months we have seen improbable and dramatic claims being made by various manufacturers and distributors of HDMI cables both from UK and overseas.
         The claims were all vague and were not supported by any substantiated measurements of specific models or their length.
        At WireWorld we elected instead to provide full disclosure of our testing results, and in addition clearly marked each cable variant for its performance capabilities since 2005.
        We therefore welcome the latest clarifications that were posted by HDMI international licensing body last week.
        Extracts from: What do Speed Ratings on HDMI Cables Measure? News from the HDMI Standards Organization, March ‘08
         “A Standard HDMI cable is tested to support a throughput of 2.23 Gbps, and can reliably transmit an     uncompressed 1080i signal at 60Hz.”
         “A High Speed HDMI cable, by contrast, has been tested to the full 10.2 Gbps bandwidth of the most current HDMI standard, and is capable of transmitting uncompressed 1080p and beyond.”
          “One word of caution. Do check to make sure that the speed rating indicated on the package applies to the actual length of the cable. Cable performance deteriorates over length, so any speed rating should apply to the actual length of the cable in the package.”
                                  Read More: Tech Alert--Speed Ratings on HDMI Cables
         We sincerely hope that in future both the press and retailers will take a more cautious approach towards performance claims made by manufacturers of HDMI cables and ask factual information rather than relying on creative marketing material.
 
Visit the Wireworld website to see how they rate their cables: www.wireworldcable.co.uk