New York Home Entertainment Show 2007

It’s a major blessing for me whenever The Home Entertainment Show takes place in New York City. But it was especially nice this year because it was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, only a 15-minute walk from where I work. Couple that with the fine May weather we had that weekend and you’ve got one happy audiophile. Judging from the opening-day attendance, it seemed I wasn’t the only happy face in the crowd. If walls could talk, I’m sure I would have heard them whisper, “Rumors of high-end audio’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.” Considering all the negative press of the previous HE show, held in LA, this one was like a shot of adrenaline for a community of fatigued audiophiles. So, let’s begin!

 

Silicon Arts Design/Continuum Audio Labs/Peak Consult

      

The Hi Fi One room featured the marvelous Continuum Audio Labs Criterion turntable with the Copperhead Tone Arm ($51,500) which transported a pure analog signal to the impeccably designed Silicon Arts Design electronics. The silicon Arts Design ZL-120 Mono amps ($23k) and the CF-080 Line Stage ($18k) were both utilizing unique Direct Signal Path Technology (DSPT). These electronics drove the Peak Consult Princess 2-way loudspeakers ($10,500) incredibly well. All gear were supported on the Stillpoints ESS 405-26 rack ($9,500) and CS-4S-9 component stands ($999) and wired with all Stereovox cables. The sound was impressive, always inviting and non-fatiguing. I listened all 4 days and each visit was music to my ears.

Behold/ Ascendo/ Nova Physics/Sunny Cables

       

The Laufer Teknik room proved sonically outstanding. Three words kept coming back: transparent, open and natural. The Ascendo M-S loudspeakers ($45k) were driven by one of the super-advanced Behold BPA768 amplifier and the APU768 preamplifier ($25k-$66k depending on options) with their own hi-tech room correction. The digital source was the Nova Physics Group Memory Player ($10,500) while the electronics were supported on Halcyonics Micro-40 active iso-platform ($8,500). All cabling was compliments of the superb Sunny Cable.
 

High Water Sound and Avatar Acoustics

       

This room treated in many ways like my own. Equipped with plenty of Acoustic System Resonators ($200-2,500), diffusers and wooden sugar cubes, this room was treated to the hilt. Jeff Catalano, owner of High Water Sound, put up a room that produced brilliant sound. Both analog and digital were on the mark. The sound was amazingly natural and life-like. You really had to listen to appreciate both mediums. The TW Acustic Raven AC turntable ($15k with 3 motors) and Graham Phantom ($4,300) with Miyabi 47 ($4k) were terrific. The talk of the town digitally speaking was the AMR CD-77 player ($8,500). Built like a Sherman tank, it features a proprietary top-loading transport mechanism, and at its heart, employs the “king of the multi-bit DACs” in the Phillips TD1541A chipset. I’ve a review sample and will report on my findings shortly. This system consisted of solely of electronics from Tron. The Tron Jubilant mono amplifiers ($25k) drove the Aspara Acoustics HL loudspeakers ($25k) wonderfully and with lots of soul I might add. The Tron Syren preamplifier ($22k) along with the Tron Seven Reference phono stage ($8k) was wired with WSS Platinum cabling and supported on Silent Running Audio racks.


Reimyo

The Reimyo room also provided extraordinary sound. Kiuchi san debuted the long awaited, beautifully made CDT-777 transport ($8.500), utilizing the Phillips top loading mechanism to match with the DAP-777 ($5,195) digital to analog converter. As always the sound was special. It was open and very transparent with a pure midrange to lust for. The PAT 777 300B stereo tube amplifier ($22k) and the CAT-777 ($15,495) vacuum tube control amplifier made the Bravo monitors disappear. Harmonix cables, tuning devices and an ALS-777 ($5,195) and AC power stabilizer completed the set up.


Zanden/Peak Consult

It was great to see Kazutoshi Yamada, designer of Zanden Audio in New York. Located in the Sound by Singer room, these electronics provided a stellar sounding room. Once again, natural, musical and inviting are very important attributes. The Zanden Model 9500 monos with KR 845 ($45k), Model 3000 preamplifier ($15k), Model 1200 transport along with the Model 5000 signature handled the digital side of the equation. The Zanden electronics with the Peak Consult El Diablo Loudspeakers ($65K) proved a great sonic match.


Oracle Audio Technologies/Usher/JPS Labs

Once again, Rusty Taub of Audiotion put up wonderful sound just as he did at the last CES in 2007. He showed the new beautifully finished Usher Audio Dancer BE-718 Reference Monitor speakers ($2,500). The Oracle SI 1000 integrated amplifier ($9,250) drove the Usher loudspeakers with control and authority particularly for an integrated device. Wired with the JPS Labs Aluminata cabling throughout, I was quite impressed with the Usher’s performance, especially when considering the price.


Kef/Chord

All the products in this room were from Great Britain and provided a beautifully rich and harmonious sound. The Chord reference amplifiers drove the Kef Reference Series 207/2s ($20k) outstandingly. The sound was open, transparent and dynamic and yet very delicate when necessary.

Hyperion

This room was very inviting with good excellent sound that won’t break your bank. The Hyperion HPS-968  loudspeakers ($6,500) were bi-amp with their HT-845  mono amps ($4,800), and BEC-P25T  preamplifier ($1,700). This setup also featured Hyperion cables throughout and again, sonically did not disappoint. Lastly, a Sony SCD-1 served as the source.
 

Key Kim