Where Measurements and Performance Meet featuring Andrew Jones

High End Munich: Audio Reference "Most Exclusive System Ever" with Wilson and D'Agostino

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CES 2015

Dynaudio's Contour S 3.4

Robert Deutsch Jan 14, 2015

Dynaudio, which often exhibits with Simaudio Moon electronics, this time was doing a demo (with Mick Tillman in the photo) of their Contour S 3.4 LE speaker ($7850/pair) in a system featuring the Octave V110 integrated, T+A Elektroakustik music player/CD transport/DAC, and In-Akustik cables.

CES 2015

Scansonics' Scandinavian Sonics

Robert Deutsch Jan 14, 2015

I have long admired the sound of the Danish-made Raidho speakers, but have found it difficult to relate to their pricesexcept for a small two-way, all well north of $10k/pair. I was then pleased to find out that there's a new Raidho-affiliated brand name: Scansonic HD.

CES 2015

PSB's AffordableT3 Tower

Robert Deutsch Jan 14, 2015

Speaker designer Paul Barton is not known for coming up with new models willy-nilly, so a new model that represents a potential advance in sound qualityrather than just meeting a particular price pointis a significant event. The new speaker is the T3 ($7500/pair), and represents collaboration with a different overseas manufacturing facility than earlier models like the T2.

CES 2015

In All Directions: the Larsen Speakers

Robert Deutsch Jan 14, 2015

"Have you heard the Larsen speakers?" The person posing this query was one of CES attendees in the elevator with me at the Venetian, who looked at my badge and noted my affiliation. "No, I can't say I have. I don't think I've even heard of them." He then proceeded to tell me that he owned these speakers, and loved them. They were exhibiting at the Venetian.

CES 2015

The Prince III Electrostatic

Robert Deutsch Jan 14, 2015

I first heard the King Audio Limited (also known as KingSound) Prince electrostatic loudspeaker several years ago at the Montreal show, and was impressed by the transparency of its sound, which reminded me of the KLH Nines that I used to own.

CES 2015

WBT's Organic Carbon Connector

Jason Victor Serinus Jan 14, 2015

A year after they were first announced, WBT CEO Wolfgang B. Thoerner is preparing to release his organic carbon Nano Gen connectors at the 2015 Munich show. As opposed to customary metal connectors, Nano Gen's carbon is claimed to transport signals faster because it does so in only two dimensions, while metal transport transports signals in three dimensions.

CES 2015

Hungry for Black Ravioli?

Jason Victor Serinus Jan 14, 2015

I hope not, because it's (presumably indigestible) vibration-damping material from Scotland. Distributed by TWN Audio/Video's Santy Oropel, the Black Ravioli line includes the Big Riser ($190/each), which goes under heavy components such as amplifiers; the Big Pad ($90/each) for preamps, DACs and the like; the Small Pad (4 for $300), which either adheres to a light component's chassis or serves as a footer; and the iMac Vibration Controller ($250not shown), a base complete with feet that goes under a tablet.

CES 2015

Finite Elemente is Back

Jason Victor Serinus Jan 14, 2015

Thanks to Brian Ackerman of Aaudio Imports, Finite Elemente's equipment supports and racks have returned to the US. market. All of the company six different Cera equipment supports models ($230$820/set of 3, depending upon model) uses ceramic bearings, and, save for the aluminum shell of the entry-level Ceraball, stainless steel housings to isolate equipment from vibrations.

CES 2015

Isotek's Mosaic Genesis

Jason Victor Serinus Jan 14, 2015

Two components in one, Isotek's Mosaic Genesis ($11,995) is, first of all, a power regenerator. Converting power to DC, and claimed to produce a perfectly clean, time-correct sinewave without sending noise back into the wall, it sends power to outlets isolated via a bus bar.

CES 2015

Stage III's new Flagship Leviathan

Jason Victor Serinus Jan 14, 2015

Yup, they grow 'em big in Pasadena. Stage III's Leviathan power cord ($14,500/1.5m) has much larger silver-palladium conductors than the previous flagship model.