The trend toward smaller, less imposing systems is continued at SSI by Verity Audio, showing their gorgeous Parsifal Ovation Monitor ($9000/pair). While <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/ssi2009/simaudio_reaching_for_the_moon/">Si… and Dynaudio</a> were showing what can be achieved at the lower end of the price scale, Verity, Nagra, and dCS put together a room-friendly system made to slay giants.
Lucien Pichette stands with the Avalon Acoustics Aspect ($8500/pair), introduced at <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2009/aspects_of_avalon/">January's CES</a>. Here in Montreal, the Aspects were creating soul-stirring sound in the <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/ssi2009/coup_de_foudre/">Coup de Foudre</a> room.
This is my first time attending a Montreal hi-fi show, and so it makes sense that I would make some new acquaintances. It is a pleasure to meet Graeme Humphrey and Danny Labrecque of Coup de Foudre, a pretty sweet looking hi-fi shop in Montreal. Here Graeme and Danny assume a sort of pirate-gangster pose. They appear pretty tough, but they're actually quite gentle.
I know it's only the first day and I've hardly listened to any music, but my Best Music of Show Award goes to the Tone Imports/DeVore Fidelity/Box Furniture Co./Clearaudio room. I doubt there'll be any other suite at SSI where you can hear Q-Tip's <i>The Renaissance</i> followed by some radically bad-ass, virtuoso tabla.
You would never guess that just moments before the photo was snapped, Tone Imports' Jonathan Halpern was bent over, purple-faced, and teary-eyed with delirious laughter. I'm not sure what it was all about. It had something to do with "championship wood."
It was a pleasure to finally meet <i>Stereophile</i> <a href="http://forum.stereophile.com/forum/ubbthreads.php">forum</a> member, KBK, also known as, Ken Hotte. If you think he looks a little crazy here, you should read his forum posts.
Dynaudio's Mike Manousselis introduced me to the OCOS (Optimal COnnection System) coaxial, copper speaker cables ($500/3m pair). OCOS insists that a speaker cable should be completely transparent, imposing no sonic signature of its own. Manousselis explained that the cable provides a constant impedance throughout the entire frequency range, so as to stabilize the partnering amplifier, allowing it to "see" the speaker directly.
Dynaudio's Michael Manousselis palms the Excite X12 loudspeaker ($1200/pair).
Simaudio's Costa Koulisakis was excited to tell us about the company's new "Reach For The Moon" trade-up program. For up to a year after initial purchase, Simaudio customers interested in moving up the Sim price ladder can receive a 100% refund on their well-maintained gear. After the first year, Sim owners can receive a 75% refund on their used gear. "It's a way to stimulate the economy, while building brand loyalty," he said.
Monitor Audio took advantage of one of the show's larger suites by setting up a home theater system, a two-channel hi-fi, and a static display. Starting from the far right, here we see Monitor's entry-level Bronze series, the Silver series, and the Gold series. The flagship Platinum series, including the <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/ssi2009/monitor_audio_pl200/">new PL200 floorstander</a>, is just outside the frame.