Again, I listened to “Watershed” from Mark Hollis, and, again, I was impressed by the overall scale—just as well-balanced as in the larger GTT Audio room, but only appropriately smaller. Tonal qualities were similar to those found in the larger room…
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In a much smaller room next door to GTT Audio's main suite, YG Acoustics’ Carmel loudspeakers ($18,000/pair) were driven by a Devialet D-Premier integrated amplifier/DAC ($16,999). Source components were Bryston’s BDP-1 digital media player ($2250) and PS Audio’s Perfect Wave Transport ($3000). Cables were Kubala-Sosna’s Emotion.
My kind of style in the Music Hall room, where the featured system came in at under $4000: Music Hall’s new a70.2 integrated amplifier ($1499), MMF-2.2 turntable ($449) with Cruise Control 2.0 power supply and speed control ($299) and cork record mat ($50), a15.2 CD player ($499), the new DAC15.2 ($299), and Epos Epic 2 loudspeakers ($799/pair; see our reviews in the November and December issues).
The a70.2 integrated amplifier delivers 125Wpc and has a built-in phono section (yes!) and a home theater bypass. The DAC15.2 has USB, coaxial, and optical inputs and uses a Burr-Brown DAC.…
Speaking of affordable, high-quality audio, The Sound Organisation was showing Rega’s new Fono Mini moving-magnet phono stage with USB output ($175). I want one.
Sources were Rega’s sweet RP3 turntable with Elys cartridge ($1095; see Mikey Fremer’s review in December) and old-school Apolla CD player ($995). Rega’s DAC ($995; see our reviews in the May and October issues) and the new 50Wpc Brio-R integrated amplifier ($895; see Sam Tellig’s review in December) also got in on the fun.
I listened to the new Dali Zensor 1 loudspeakers ($475/pair), as well as the great-looking Dali…
Audioengine’s new A5+ ($399/pair in gloss black and white; add $70/pair for bamboo) adds a remote control, RCA and mini-jack inputs, a rear-panel USB charge port, rear-panel heatsink, upgraded speaker binding posts, and a variable preamp audio output. In addition, the A5’s large circular ports have been replaced by narrow slotted ports, said to provide a smoother, cleaner low end. (Who doesn't want that?)
And I thought the A5 had a smooth, clean low end to begin with! If you haven't heard Audioengine's line of powered loudspeakers, now's a great time to check them out. They look and…
Wes Bender’s been in the hi-fi business for a long time and he’s finally decided to open up his own shop. Wes Bender Studio NYC is perhaps the newest audio salon in New York. I say “perhaps” because new hi-fi dealers seem to be popping up like mad around here. I can't keep up. This is a good thing. The more good places we have to listen, the better chance we have of growing.
Bender explained that manufacturers needed a place where they could display their products and where customers could hear those products. He currently represents Wavestream Kinetics, Hansen Audio, Redpoint Audio…
Avatar Acoustics’ Darren Censullo always puts together an impressive system. Every aspect seems carefully considered, made to complement the whole.
Rosso Fiorentino Sienna loudspeakers ($26,995/pair); Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable ($7995) with DFA 12.0 tonearm ($1495); AMR CD-77.1 CD player ($10,995), PH-77 phono preamp ($11,995), AM-77.1 integrated amplifier in mono-vertical biamp mode ($9995), and DP-777 DAC ($4995); AMI-HIFI Mini Server music player ($2995). Accessories included Acoustic System International cables, interconnects, power cords, equipment racks, and feet…
Bea Lam discusses the voicing process. Photo: John Atkinson.
VTL opened the 2011 RMAF with a special press event, introducing the company’s new Siegfried Series II Reference monoblock power amplifiers ($65,000/pair).
The redesigned audio circuit is now fully balanced and employs a shorter, faster negative feedback loop and zero global negative feedback. In addition, VTL’s variable damping factor feedback control allows the user to precisely adjust the amplifier’s output impedance to best suit the loudspeaker load. Mundorf silver oil capacitors are said to provide a sweeter, more…
There was a lot to see and hear in the PSB/NAD suite. Here we see JA rocking PSB’s first headphone, the noise-cancelling M4U 2 ($400). The M4U 2 uses battery power in active mode, but also works passively without battery power. The oval ear pads are thinner at the front, thicker at the back, for increased comfort and an effective seal. The headphones come with a tangle-free cord and protective travel case. I popped them on my happy head, listened for a bit, and was impressed by the lightweight, comfortable feel.
PSB’s Imagine Mini loudspeakers ($760/pair) use technology…
It is obviously an Avalon design but the new Idea loudspeaker ($7995/pair) continues the Colorado company's goals of combining transparency and articulation with expansive soundstaging. All these qualities were in evidence at RMAF, with the Ideas driven by Electrocompaniet monoblocks on cuts from Johnny Cash and Luka Bloom. The Idea combines a 1" dome tweeter with two 7" Nomex-Kevlar–cone woofers. The woofers are loaded with a downward-firing port.
Avalon has just expanded its Boulder facility to cope with increased demand, I was told, particularly from overseas.