SSI 2010

I first heard the battery-powered amplification from Veloce at the 2009 SSI; this year the Philadelphia-based company was sharing a room with YG Acoustics, whose 3-way Kipod speakers ($38,500/pair) were being driven by the V6 mono 180W amplifiers ($12,500/pair) via Kubala-Sosna Emotion cables. A V.Y.G.R. Baltic M turntable, fitted with a 12" SME 312 tonearm and Air Tight PC-1 cartridge fed Veloce's new LP-1 transformer-based phono module ($3000) and the Veloce Platino LS-1 tube preamp.

The power amps use the well-regarded Hypex class-D modules from Holland, whose efficiency at turning electrical power into audio allows them to be powered by rechargeable batteries.which are guaranteed for a 5-year life. The solid-state Hypex driver is replaced by a tube stage. Both power amp preamp do use AC power for the tube heaters and the display, but there is a not a solid-state device in the entire circuit path ahead of the power amp's Hypex class-D stage. Coincidentally, the Kipod speaker also uses a Hypex class-D module for its powered woofer section.

The YG-Veloce-KS system threw a large soundstage with grain-free, natural-sounding vocals and clean highs, though the relatively small hotel room was adding some upper-bass warmth, a constant factor at the Show.