ShowStoppers -
Series 3
All prices are quoted in US dollars unless
otherwise noted.
The diminutive Audio Zone dual-mono
two-chassis integrated amp ($1495) has a claimed 9mm signal path and a mere eight parts.
It delivers 45Wpc.
Audiophile recording label Fidelio used an
extremely good-sounding system -- Verity Parsifal speakers, Nagra electronics, and dCS
digital equipment -- and a Nagra T analog recorder to show how closely their new SACDs are
to the master tapes from which they were made. The verdict? So close that any differences
could easily be attributable to the hardware used for playback and not the formats.
The Fried Products Studio Valhalla is not a
Bud Fried design, but does use Fried's series crossover and dual-transmission-line
approach. It appears to be a lot of speaker for its $3995/pair asking price.
Wharfedale's two MovieStar systems, the
MovieStar 60 (top, $400) and 70 ($600), impressed us with their solid build, good looks,
and low prices. Both include five speakers and a matching powered subwoofer. |
