Series 2

All prices are quoted in euros unless otherwise noted.
1 €  is approximately 1.19 US dollars at time of report.

Ballmann Electronica's Behold APU768 is an all-digital, modular preamplifier that is configurable in nearly countless ways. In its basic setup, which includes a 192kHz DAC and a digital-output module, the price is 14,980 €. More full-featured configurations recommended by the manufacturer bring the price up to 41,050 €. Some of the unique features available to Behold users include...

...a 768kHz analog-to-digital converter (5720 €, which includes the ADC above, the MCK768 master clock, and the SDI768 phono-input module for the preamplifier), which feeds an all-digital signal to the Behold APU768 preamp.

Furthermore, because the cartridge's analog signal has been converted to digital, the company also offers software for phono equalization that can be customized with a Windows-based PC.

Finally, the digital signal is routed out of the preamplifier and fed into the Behold BPA768-484 power amplifier (25,000 €, featured in our Daily Coverage) using a 50-ohm transmission cable -- it's inside the amplifier that the conversion from digital to analog finally occurs. Interestingly, the same goes for the volume attenuation. While the volume is changed from the preamplifier, the actual attenuation is done inside the power amplifier in the analog domain, and the company says there is absolutely no loss of resolution whatsoever, which is not the case with digital volume controls.

Germany's T+A showed two new top-of-the-line loudspeakers. On the left is the Criterion TCI 2E three-way transmission-line floorstander that sells for 7700-8600 € per pair depending on finish. It features dual 220mm woofers, a 180mm midrange driver, and an electrostatic tweeter section. The Criterion TCI 1RE on the right also features an electrostatic tweeter, but...

...its tweeter is active -- and uses tubes, one of which you can barely see through the grille. The Criterion TCI 1RE retails for 12,800-13,800 € per pair depending on finish and has 260mm woofers and a 180mm midrange driver.

O'heocha has always offered some rather radical-looking designs. At High End 2004, the company displayed the towering D1-F4 RX active loudspeakers. And, yes, we were wondering about that top appendage, too -- after all, we did take a close-up of it. Seems that the D1-F4 RX is not only self-powered, but wireless, and the top piece is its remote receiver. Incidentally, wireless also goes for the internal power amplifier, which is battery powered with a charge that's claimed to last eight weeks. The D1-F4 RX is a prototype, and pricing is yet to be established.