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Snobbery is Dead
according to Darren Censullo. I was mighty
relieved to hear how harmonically resolute
this system from Avatar Acoustics sounded
boasting a total system price of only $15k
(YES, fifteen thousand). Products like
Abbington Music Research CD-777 ($4k), and
AM-777 Integrated ($4k) a Dr. Feickert
entry-level turntable and Rethm Maarga
loudspeakers ($7k), really performed way
above and beyond what one would expect
considering the cost. Of course, Franck
Tchang's powerfully effective Acoustic
Resonators were seen gracing the place.
I got Rethm, you
got Rethm, who could ask for anything more?
Silicon Arts and
Concert Fidelity (confusing because it
appears to be one company with two different
names) introduced their new hybrid
line-stage CF-080LSX preamp and Concert
Fidelity ZL-200 solid-state mono amps
respectively in separate rooms. Loudspeakers
chosen were the Hansen Prince V2 and the
very tall and affordable King Sound
full-range electrostat ($8k). When forced to
choose between each setup, I thought the
King Sound won me over by way of its smooth,
yet uncolored and relaxed presentation. That
says plenty considering the Hansen Prince
V2s retail for $40k!
Enjoyed the PS
Audio suite that of course featured their
remarkable sounding Perfect Wave transport
and DAC combo. I've been listening to the PW
transport and will admit that right now it
among the best sounding transports I've ever
heard and isn't sonically embarrassed by the
three-times more expensive Nova Physics
Memory Player [but isn't quite its equal
particularly in regard to transient response
and bass slam]. In this setup, the
loudspeakers featured were the Focus Audio
Master 2.5s ($20k).
This from their
website: Veloce Audio holds dear a few
simple concepts:
* Embrace and explore all technologies, new
and old
* Keep it simple - pure sound often flows
from simple circuits
* Avoid AC power at all costs in every
way possible – DC rules
* Wrap unique technology in timeless
packages
This was another
standout room which included battery-powered
electronics from the new and exciting
company Veloce Audio. The GEMME Audio Katana
loudspeakers were more than up for the task
by way of their attractively open,
transparent and full-bodied performance.
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