Consumer Electronics Show 2006

Page 2

There were a number of rooms that I had the pleasure of going into that not only sounded great but also did some special things particularly with regards to soundstage presentation.

                          

In the ESP room the new Bodhran SE loudspeakers ($16,000.00) although much smaller than its larger sibling the Concert Grands SI retained the tonal balance and midrange palpability that has made the Concert Grands legends. Not only did the soundstage extend deep beyond the back of the speakers but it also extended forward as well. The total presentation was layered from front to back. Utilizing Concert Fidelity’s CF-040 linestage ($14,000.00 photo left) and the 6b4g Fusion Monoblock power amplifiers ($28,000.00) this was easily one of the better sounding rooms that I encountered at the show.

Just north of the border the good folks at Globe Audio Marketing Inc. distributor for Audio Aero and WLM – Loudspeakers demonstrated some products that were deep in texture and were just as fun to listen to both on or off axis. The WLM (acronym for Weiner Loudspeaker Manufacture) Lyra ($8,995.00) along with the rest of the line has a proprietary tweeter that they call PAC. The soundstage was high and wide and was just as focused whether I was sitting in the sweet spot or off to the left or right. An added benefit is that they are also very efficient so they were a perfect compliment for the Audio Aero Capitole power amp ($9800.00) and Capitole Reference CD player ($9580.00) with volume control. Although they can be purchased with an external subwoofer the bass was more than sufficient and this was also one of my favorite rooms.

Stopping by to see Frank, Matt, April, super audiophile Takashi, and chief designer Tierry Budge, the Escalante Design room also had one of the best sounding rooms at the show. In the same room they were using the new Fremonts ($14,990.00) with the Butler Audio Monad amplifiers ($18,995.00) and the smaller system (if that’s an appropriate word to use), was using the highly acclaimed Pinyons ($6990.00 photo right) with Unita sub ($5490.00) and DeHavilland electronics. Both systems had pinpoint imaging, and one of the best soundstage presentations that musically engulfed the room.
 

                             
Down the hall from Escalante Design and also distributed by Frank Krause of FLK Marketing, Acoustic Zen’s own famous cable designer Robert Lee has developed a transmission line loudspeaker, called the Adagio ($3700.00) that promises to be a giant killer. Powered by Red Dragon “Leviathan” amplifiers ($5995.00) and preamp duties supplied by the exceptional Modwright SWL 9.0 SE ($2,200.00) this room was very musical, transparent, and detailed with deep tight bass and all of this for less than $4000.00! This was one of the best sounds at the show and easily surpassed the sound that I heard in other rooms where the loudspeakers costs two or three times more than the Adagio’s . I would imagine that Mr. Lee is going to be very busy in between making his excellent cable series while trying to hold onto a few woofers.

If I were to give out an award for the most musical sounding room that would also leave you with enough money after the purchase to buy music, Stephen Monte over at Opera Audio would be the recipient. The Consonance line of products is very musical, very affordable and also well built. I remember writing down that this room was one of the more revealing rooms with lots of details. There are a number of very good products that start at $995.00 but the system that I felt qualified for one of the better sounding rooms at the show used the Consonance Droplet CD player at ($3200.00) with the Opera Audio Cyber Series amplifier and Von Schweikert DB-99 loudspeakers.

After it seemed like I visited countless manufactures of loudspeakers I happened to go into the VTL electronics room. They were using the MB 450 Signatures at ($13,500) with 450 watts per channel, matched up with there fully balanced TL 6.5 linestage preamp ($8500.00). Source components were supplied by VPI and DCS. I have heard the Wilson Sophia’s before in the past but because they are so revealing I feel you have to be careful with what kind of components you are going to use with them. The presentation was extremely transparent and neutral sounding. I was impressed with the overall details and the brush work on the symbols was first class. Although I wished I could have spent more time in the VTL room the limited audition that I did get a chance to hear was well received.

Biased towards loudspeakers that have their origins as studio monitors the room that I probably spent the most time in is the PMC room. Listening to the IB-2’s ($12,999.00) with the ARC Ref CD7 CD player ($8,995.00) and ARC Ref 3 linestage ($9,995) and Parasound JC1 monoblocks, I felt that this room allowed me to get closer to the actual recording. There was great extension on both ends and although they use a conventional tweeter this was the best example of high frequency extension that I experienced at the show. This was also some of the best bass presentations that I’ve heard quick and powerful. The midrange was crystal clear and vocals seemed to be present in the room.                    

I would be remised if I did not mention at least two more rooms that I also felt demonstrated some of the best sounds of the show. Unfortunately I lost my notes that contained my thoughts about the Burmiester and the Audio Physics rooms. But what I do remember is that the combination award for best sounding and looking award goes to Burmiester. I remember the presentation was pristine, powerful, with plenty of detail and authority. Audio Physics new Scorpio loudspeaker ($6500) although narrow in appearance presented a very wide soundstage with plenty of detail and low end extension. I remember coming out of this room thinking not only did I enjoy the music but they do a great job of getting a lot of quality music out of such relatively modest size cabinets.
Finally in the new discovery department ASA loudspeakers and Germincore electronics were partnered together and are imported by Victor Goldstein of Fanfare Intl. This room showed a lot of promise and once the patented technology of the switching class D amplifier becomes available I hope to report more good news.

Overall I had a great time at the show and look forward to returning. I like to thank my good friends Sandy, Regina, and Kim and Jazzman Ghalib Ghallab who I had a chance to hear play every night at Terrazza Lounge in Caesar’s Palace!




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