Saturday, May 7, 2005
All prices are quoted in euros unless otherwise noted.
1 €  is approximately 1.29 US dollars at time of report.

Pioneer showed what they claim to be the world's first THX Select2-certified audio/video receiver. The VSX-1015, which is available in black and silver finishes, is priced at 699 € and is said to deliver 150W to seven channels. It comes with an MCACC calibration microphone to "measure and adjust acoustic parameters."

Another Japanese electronics giant, Denon, showed a well-built, nicely styled stereo integrated amplifier, the PMA-SA1, which retails for 8000 €. The phono-stage-equipped PMA-SA1 is said to deliver 50Wpc into 8 ohms and 100Wpc into 4 ohms, and it features a single balanced input as well as six single-ended inputs. Denon also showed...

...the matching DCD-SA1 SACD player that's priced at 7500 €. The DCD-SA1 features single-ended and balanced outputs in addition to Denon's proprietary Advanced AL24 digital-processing circuit.

Last year we featured Behold's amazing array of "digital" products, including an all-digital preamplifier, a power amplifier that accepts an incoming digital data stream, and even a cartridge-mounted analog-to-digital converter for vinyl enthusiasts. This year Behold showed the PS192M analog-to-digital phono stage, which features an integral "equalizer" and retails for 1800 €. It is also available with an optional "synchronous motor driver" that controls turntable speed and raises the price to 2100 €.

Sun Union Audio is one of an ever-increasing number of manufacturers from China. In Munich, Sun Union had on display a wide range of speakers, including a statement piece: the Dragon Prince, priced at 21.600 € per pair. The three-way Dragon Prince has a 16cm Alian "true ribbon tweeter."

Cayin, also from China, has a new all-tube stereo integrated amplifier, the A-300P, which uses four 300B tubes to deliver 24Wpc. The A-300P is priced at 2900 €