Matched with Tangent Audio's budget-priced CD50 and AMP50 ($259 each), the Indiana Line 5.02 provided stable, appropriately-sized images spread across a…
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The totally new-to-me Indiana Line, imported by VMAX Services, was a great surprise. VMAX Service's Richard Kohlruss tells me the company's been around for 30 years. Their Arbour Series of loudspeakers are finished in an attractive real-wood cherry veneer with nicely rounded front panel edges. At just about 37" high and only 25lbs, the 5.02 is not only easy on the eyes, it's also practical for small listening rooms like mine.
Both the GT 1 bookshelf and GT 2 floorstander loudspeakers offer a handy tweeter control for "precise adjustment of the frequency response in relation to the listening room and associated equipment," said Thierry Comte.
The tonal shifts from "soft" to "medium" and from "medium" to "bright" were subtle, but noticeable.
The Atohm Grand Thrill Series made its world premiere at CES 2008. Designer Thierry Comte is pictured here with the very handsome GT 1 bookshelf speaker which exhibited an almost uncanny ability to fill the room with deep, powerful bass. Highs were also impressive: crisp, clean, and fast. Overall, I felt the presentation was tightly focused and lively, without being overly sharp.
I met Hegel's Bent Holter at HE 2007, and I was instantly attracted to his combination of tech-talk and passion for music. Bent is at once serious and strangely wacky.
When I asked if he'd please pose with his top-of-the-line CDP4A CD player ("Sorry about all the numbers and letters," he said), P4A preamp, and 2 x 300W H4A power amp—all making their US debuts—he immediately jumped down onto the floor and gave me a big smile.
The CDP4A ($4500) uses Hegel's own server board and offers 24-bit/352kHz synchronized upsampling. The P4A ($4500) is a fully-…
It was late. I was exhausted. After a delicious dinner, I stopped at the Venetian with the intention of picking up my laptop, camera, and other heavy things before returning to my hotel room and passing out. When I reached the 29th floor, however, I ran into Richard Vandersteen and his family. They were also coming from a dinner, also looking exhausted.
"Stephen Mejias," announced Richard’s daughter, Jaclyn Gooding.
"Hello, Stephen," said Richard.
"Hello. How are you?"
"Doing good. Why haven't you been to our room?"
"I have been. Every time I…
As usual, Totem did a wonderful job of transforming their booth to provide a fun and distinct listening environment. The company was also playing their Tribe wall-mount, which provided a surprisingly robust sound.
Totem's The One sounded excellent with Naim's CDX2 CD player, amplification, and power supplies.
I'd never heard the Totems matched with Naim gear. "I really like this combination," I told Totem's Nico Bruzzese.
"We like to match our speakers with lots of different brands of electronics to show just how versatile they are," he replied.
Totem was showing their special anniversary model, The One ($3595). Along with Naim electronics, the sound created was powerful, fast, and fun. We listened to "How I Love That Woman," a soaring instrumental by Bob Brozeman.
And I could tell exactly how Brozeman loves that woman.
It's a serious kind of love. And it was clear that he was playing a National Baritone Tricone guitar. No doubt about it.
The One hits the US market in about three weeks. It's a beautiful speaker.
I got another chance to see—and this time, hear— the $9000 MT10 turntable. "You know, this product generated more comments in our CEDIA2007 blog than any other component."
"Yeah," said the McIntosh rep. "Mostly about how ugly it looks. I think it looks a lot better in person." Me, too—plus, they were playing a huge stack of new Warner Music Group LPs. What's cooler than new vinyl?
Big Mac is touting the MT10 as plug-'n'-play: Tracking force, antiskating, and cartridge "position" are preset at the factory. The tonearm has two horizontal sapphire bearings and two vertical…