Sunday, April 4 -- Part 2

All prices are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

Audio Analogue changed its attractive Maestro integrated amp ($3295). The new Maestro puts out less power than the earlier model, 70Wpc, and includes a special input that's switchable among moving-magnet and moving-coil phono, and line level. [www.vmax-services.com]

Jeff Fritz will be writing about Gryphon's Antileon Signature stereo amp ($24,000)...

...and the Sonata Allegro preamp ($15,000) in his "The World's Best Audio System" column on Ultra Audio. Saying that the Gryphon gear is overbuilt is a gross understatement.

What a difference a couple of days can make. We heard Verity Audio's Sarastro ($30,000/pair) on Friday, when it sounded tight and shouty. On Sunday, after two days of constant playing, the system loosened up and sounded detailed, fast and dynamic. Electronics were from dCS and Ayre, and cables were Silversmith Audio Silver. A Shunyata Hydra Model-8 conditioned power for this system, our unofficial sixth Standout.

Graaf OTL amps provided audio power for the Alephtec home-theater demo. Above is the 200Wpc GM 200 ($20,000 CDN) stereo amp...,

...and here is the GM 20 ($7000 CDN), a 20Wpc stereo amp.