CES 2016

The 2016 CES was the North American Debut of the BSC's L5 Reference multi-chassis remote controlled class A line stage ($15,900). Brett D'Agostino explained the clever layout of this unusually fashioned preamplifier. Its curved surfaces give the line stage a retro look and, for reasons I can't explain, reminded me of Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. The circuitry is fully discrete, differential, and complimentary class-A from input to output. The main parts of the preamplifier—the control and processing module, the audio module, and the power supply—are all isolated and individually mounted on a single base. Sonics in the room were good, and I enjoyed chatting with Brett about old times.