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 Behold
Gentle
($15,500.00): Attractively styled,
shockingly lightweight, and filled with more
features than a Hollywood Cineplex, the
German-built Behold Gentle is a remarkable
achievement. It can be used as an analog or
digital integrated amplifier, music server,
DAC and or much more. It sounds fantastic,
with finely etched detail in the mid and
upper frequencies and amazing control of the
low frequencies despite a rating of only
80wpc into 8 Ohms. This is a must audition
product for anyone seeking the highest
performance in an all-in-one package. (Dave
Thomas)
The
Beyond Frontiers Audio TULIP -Hybrid Stereo
Integrated Amplifier w/DAC ($17,200)
 This
new Serbian-built integrated hybrid
(200-watt per), replete with its internally
based DAC (Burr Brown 24-Bit/192kHz) and
tube gain stage is the brainchild of former
Sonic Frontiers designer
Zdenko Zivkovic (hence the name Beyond
Frontiers). Built like a Sherman tank, I'm
enjoying the Tulip's ease of functionality
and wonderful sonic grace regardless of my musical
whims.(under review Clement Perry).
 Digital
Amplifier Company Cherry Plus
($3597 web site price at this writing, was
$4995 at original review)
You’ll be hard pressed to find better bass
combined with the stellar clarity &
liquidity this amp conveys. If you’re
looking for an amp with a prodigious amount
of authority, speed inner detail, massive
amounts of micro and macro dynamics then
look no further: the Cherry Plus is just
about the finest Solid State amp I’ve ever
had the pleasure to experience. In my
opinion this amp could live in the finest
consumer and pro audio setups. Just be
forewarned that if you have any acoustical
issues with bass boom in your room this amp
puts out a lot of energy – it’s tight,
controlled and plunges to the stygian depths
with seemingly endless headroom. (See review
here Alvester Garnett, Clement
Perry)
 Elliott
Studio Arts 66-001 stereo preamplifier:
($3995.00).
Finally got
the perfect compliment for the powerful but
always easy sounding Elliott Arts 66-100
tube amplifier (reviewed
here). Here's a gorgeous sounding
tube pre that boasts a pair of ECC99 input
tubes, point-to-point wiring, 5-input
connections, a phono-stage that comes
standard and a wonderful sounding headphone
jack. I'm enjoying it thoroughly and should
also add that it's build quality is also top
flight (under review Clement Perry).
Esoteric SA-50 SACD/CD Player
($5,800.00): I hadn’t been onboard with the
SACD format until now, thanks to the
Esoteric SA-50. The subtle refinement of
musical textures has made listening to SACD
discs more meaningful for me. It pulls off
the last veil on the music and brings you
much closer to the performance. Given the
level of musicality, rock solid build
quality and features, the SA-50 is a superb
bargain and with the growth of computer
based sources, could be the last disc player
you’ll ever need. (Dave Thomas)
Harmonix Reimyo CDT-777
transport and DAP-999EX DAC:
This
extremely musical and non-fatiguing dynamic
duo is among the best sounding combos I've
ever heard. Hailing from the mind of Kazuo
Kiuchi whose designed many outstanding
products under the Combak insignia, these
are certainly among the most natural
sounding I've heard from a conventional
CP/DAC combo. Bravo. (Clement Perry)
 London
Decca Reference Phono Cartridge.
This $5295 outgrowth of the old London Decca
cartridge of the 1970s lacks any real
cantilever and brings the immediacy that so
endeared audiophiles in the past who would
ignore the mistracking of the 1970s Decca
for its gusto. Now the Reference tracks
well. Perhaps it is nostalgia, but I want
one. (Norm Luttbeg)
NuForce Reference 9 V3.01 Special Edition
Mono Amps
($5000)
 With
the “.01” version of the V3, NuForce has
made such an improvement in this amp as it
relates to my system that it might even pass
as a different amp than its earlier cousin.
The .01 upgrade addresses ringing issues
related to the amp’s ultra high bandwidth
(100kHz +) & overshoot ringing occurring at
high frequencies when driving some rare
speakers with very high impedance tweeters.
A big salute is in order for NuForce (and
NuForce support technician Bob Smith, the
.01’s upgrade designer) for even addressing
this issue that was occurring only when
paired with certain speakers. Pushing the
cutting edge of amp technology is tricky
business and apparently Nuforce is still
improving its approach and willing to pass
it on to the customer via a generous and
optional upgrade program. While I felt the
Cherry Plus from DAC had supplanted the 3.0
Ref 9SE, the 3.01 version rejoins the party
with noticeably sweeter highs, greater ease,
cohesiveness, liquidity and clarity than the
earlier 3.0 version. NuForce has always made
amps with “inviting” characteristics, and
with this version they are stepping closer
to the “compelling”. The 3.01 still doesn’t
have the same level of authority as well as
bass weight and extension as the Cherry Plus
but it makes up for it in its ability to be
engaging while at the same time relaxed for
hours and hours of listening. The 3.01’s
bass is still great just not as powerful as
that from the Cherry Plus. Harmonic
richness, texture, timbre, liquidity,
clarity and speed combined with excellent
dynamics are this amp’s strong points. If
musicality and long listening sessions are
your cup of tea this, is amp might just be
perfect for you. (Alvester Garnett)
Ray Samuels F-117 Nighthawk MM/MC Phono
Preamplifier:
($795): This extremely versatile phono stage
has won my heart. It’s tiny in size but
large on sound quality. Up to 48 hours of
play time is provided by its Lithium-Ion
battery before recharging is needed, and the
6-position rotary front control knobs make
it a snap to set the gain and cartridge load
for virtually any cartridge. This is a great
stocking-stuffer for any vinyl lover that
will actually fit into a stocking. (Frank
Alles)
 Raysonic
CD-138 CD Player:
($1,950.00): This is a drop dead gorgeous,
easy to use and eminently musical performer.
Some people may feel that servers and other
computer based music sources may be making
CD players obsolete, but if you’re still
inclined to buy a new one this one would be
hard to beat. It’s a nice combination of
appealing aesthetics, musical enjoyment and
reasonable pricing. (Dave Thomas)
Red Dragon Audio M500 mono amps:
(Introductory price $500 ea).
Baby brothers to the famed Leviathan mono
amps, these are perhaps the best sounding
and affordable amplifiers I've heard. Gusty,
authoritative bass coupled to a sweet but
slightly forward treble makes these among
the elite of what could be considered
affordable and still excellent sounding.
Rare. (Clement Perry)
Well
Tempered Amadeus GTA.
I have only once seen and heard this
turntable. It has extraordinarily good
sound. It also troubles me to have no cuing
mechanism, but like everyone who has heard
it, I was shocked at its excellence
especially for the price. I am tempted to
add it to my present Berman Sindre
turntable. (Norm Luttbeg)
Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 Comput er-Friendly
Digital Processor:
($1499.00): The W4S DAC-2 is a 24-bit 192
kHz hi-res processor that can be used in any
High-End 2-channel audio or computer-based
audio system (via USB). It offers full
preamp functionality from the remote control
and its settings can be tailored to suit
specific system requirements and listening
tastes. Whether playing redbook CD’s or
hi-res music files off your computer, the
DAC-2 will put a smile on your face. Its
best feature is to provide extremely
neutral, detailed, and dynamic musical
performances on demand. (Frank Alles)
Ypsilon Alelius Monoblocks.
 I
have heard these on several different
excellent speakers, but not on my Tidal
Contriva Discera SEs. These push pull hybrid
amplifiers produce 220 watts into 8 ohms
(with the first 60 watts being class A) and
have a purity that is enthralling. They cost
$34,000 per pair. Beautiful to hear and see.
(Norm Luttbeg)
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