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MBL doesn't
seem to offer any limit to their line of
omni-directional loudspeakers providing you
have no budget limitations. They were
introducing their newest loudspeaker, the
4-way MBL 116 ($20,790). At 83dB efficienct, I
doubt single-ended lovers can get much out of
these but for you guys out there that like the
advantages of big power; this is one open and
ambient sounding transducer, much like its
other siblings. Few omni-directional
loudspeaker designs can produce such an
immediate sense of space in such small
confines. No matter the venue, room size or
setup, MBL seems to possess that special
something that keeps it as one of my favorite
of loudspeaker designs.
 Alan
Yun of Silverline Acoustics did quite job
getting his electronics to perform in a way
that kept me in the listening seat
toe tapping
to the music. That's right
I did state
electronics... and not just loudspeakers. Alan
was proudly showing off his hand-built Silverline tube CD player (right) that
Yun claims is the best he's heard to date (of
course). But I've got to admit there was no
disagreement coming from me because the sound
was very impressive making his loudspeakers
sound much more seductive than I've heard from
past experiences.
 Hyperion
Sound Design used a system that was driven by
virtually all-Hyperion electronics. Minus an
unmodified Sony SCD-1 SACD player the system
was composed of their outstandingly affordable
Hyperion HPS-938 3-way loudspeakers ($4,500 in
beautiful piano black). Solid-state
amplification featured their new Hyperion BEC
monoblock amplifiers while the tube
amplification used was the Hyperion HT-88
(photo left, using KT88 Tubes). Cabling was
also all Hyperion Silver. The sound was
inviting, delightfully open and tonally, well
tamed considering how bad these hotel rooms
can sound. All in all, I was greatly impressed
by this new company and can safely see success
in their future based simply on their
affordable but excellently built products.
Hats off to Hyperion Sound!
Sky rockets in flight...afternoon
delight...aaaaafternoon delight!
 Albert
Von Schweikert of Von Schweikert Audio, Kevin
Hayes of VAC and Joe Ciulla of Equarack put on
some sonic display that featured the new Von
Schweikert VR4 SR loudspeaker ($8,000). The
new VAC Phi Beta Integrated presented the
music in way that can only be described as
musical (isn't that its legendary virtue?).
That said, it was nice to see and hear the
affordable Electrocompaniet DAC getting some
recognition though it was being driven by the
mighty Oracle CD2000 transport. Cabling was by
way of Verbatim while AC line contaminants
were contained via Paul Garner's Balanced
Power Conditioners.
In the
adjoining room the Von Schweikert VR4 Jr
loudspeakers ($3,995) were the featured
attraction being driven by the DK Design
Group's VS-1 Reference MKII Integrated
($2,995). Again, the EquaRack system was
supporting the fabulous Oracle CD2500 CD
player ($7,500) and DAC1000 DAC/Pre ($7,500).
Cabling was all Analysis Plus Solo Crystal
cables and Oval 2 AC cords. Considering the
price differences and all, I've got to say Von
Schweikert hit the proverbial home run with
the reworking of this loudspeaker. The
expensive Oracle digital front-end seemed too
pricey for the room when you consider how good
and inexpensive the DK VS-1 performed
alongside the affordable VR4 Jr's. The one
thing I would not have wanted to do was steal
the thunder away from these very exciting and
affordable products. I'm sure there were many
show-goers scratching their heads as to how
much of an impact did the digital front-end
had on the overall performance.
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