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Meridian/Sooloos First Offspring

The recent marriage between Meridian and Sooloos didn't take long to bear progeny. They've started resorting the Sooloos line of media server products beginning with the Control:One touchscreen which is now the Control 10.

Next they've developed a tabletop touchscreen called the Control 20 which features a 15" screen (the Control 10 screen is still 17") and along with the 10, an interface on the back allowing it to be directly connected to Meridian's powered speakers and Comm S network.

The Control 20 will retail for $3,500 and is expected to be available in a couple months…

Back of the Sooloos Control 20

S/PDIF, Meridian Speakerline, Comm S, 12 volt triggers and assorted connectors on the back of the Control 20.

Muse-ing

Kevin Halverson was excited about the latest version of the Model 200 integrated amplifier ($3750), which has a larger display than the older version, as well as an active front panel optional module ($50), which allows yu to control the 200 with any Muse remote control. Additional Modular Audio/Video Platform modules (MAPs) accommodate analog or digital inputs ($750/ea).

Driving Halverson's Avalon Indras, the 200 had plenty of moxy playing Workingman's Dead. The sound was compelling and I complained that he was making my job harder—I wanted to tarry a while and listen, but needs…

Hiato Means Something in Maori

Another massive integrated that impressed me was Plinius' 200Wpc Hiato ($8900), which can also include a modular phono section ($1275). It accepts RCA and XLR inputs. Weighing in at a whopping 60 lbs, the Hiato sounded sauve and unflappable, living up to its name, which means "coming together in harmony" in Maori.

Oh, Vincent.

Vincent was showing a room full of well-built, good-sounding, surprisingly affordable tube gear.The first thing that caught my eye (ear) was the 60Wpc V-60 ($3995). The V-60 sports four EL-34s per channel for that classic themionic caramel color (but just the teensiest bit). Pairs of 69273 and 6FQ7s complete the complement. Another sweet spot I never wanted to leave.

Across the room was the 150Wpc hybrid SV-236 mk. II ($1995). That 'un sports two 6N4s and a 12AX. It looked tasty, but it wasn't in an active system.

I'm Thor, The Thaid!

Another company new to me—another high-end integrated. Actually, I'm in favor of both. I think HE integrateds make a lot of sense and new blood is always good for the breed. Actually, Mike Bladelius is not a new name in audio, having designed for Threshold in the early 1990s, but Bladelius Design Group certainly seemed like a new kid on the block.

That kid is pretty accomplished, based on the 150Wpc Thor Mk.II ($3995). Clad in a hefty aluminum chassis and boasting a custom-wound 1800VA toroidal transformer (and 80,000µf of filter capacitance). The DC-coupled device employs 16 high…

Elicit/IllicitIt's a Fine Line

Rega had a (ta dah!) high-end integrated, the 90Wpc Elicit Mk.II ($3000). "We wanted something that was actually a step up from our separates," Steve Harris, president of The Sound Organisation, Rega's US importer confided. "The Apollo CD player was so far above its competition, we felt as though we needed to up our game with the new one—especially since the older version was considered the finest amplifier we ever made."

The Elicit comes with five line-stage inputs, but both MC and MM phono boards are available (price tbd). I surprised that the large knob n the front panel…

Uniwaving, not Unidrowning

A different take on an integrated is the two-chassis 1000Wpc Uniwave Tek Digital Anaco 2 stereo amplifiers ($6800). The switch-mode power supply is in a separate chassis from the signal-carrying elements. That 1000Wpc rating, by the way, is at 4 ohms. Bandwidth is claimed to be 250kHz.

The Anaco 2 is the product of five years of R&D. It certainly looked like a finished product and was making very musical sounds through a pair of Chateau Reference Monitors (now a part of Uniwave). I listened to some Rubenstein Chopin while in the room and it sounded properly sorted.

If…

Holy Moly McCormack!

McCormack rolled out a complete line overhaul down to the cosmetics. About the only thing the company retained was its distributed node architecture (DNA) technology for its amplifiers. There are two new amps: the 250Wpc DBA-250 ($3995) and a 750W monoblock, the DNA-750 ($4750/each). Both amplifiers feature completely re-engineered voltage gain and driver circuits.

The DP-2 compact disc player ($3495) features 24-bit/192kHz DACs.

The LD-2 line drive preamp ($2495/$2995 with phono) upgrades the older model's volume control with a new 'un from Burr-Brown. Its power supplies…

GAT!

Formally, the limited-edition GAT components from Conrad-Johnson are the Great Anniversary Triodes, but longtime C-J enthusiasts will recognize the tribute to Carwell Gatling, who used to run the service/customer satisfaction department at CJ—actually, I've always thought that Gat's real job was to be the soul of CJ.

Anyone who ever got Gat on the phone knows he treated CJ customers as family. All that preface is to say that Bill Conrad and Lew Johnson would never put the initials GAT on a product that was less than outstanding, so they must think the Limited Edition GAT…