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The Best Show Reporting
Coverage of CES 2000 from Las Vegas, NV --
Jan. 6-9, 2000
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| SoundStage!
LIVE Product Coverage - January 10 |
Antique Sound Labs showed an all-new product line
consisting of roughly 20 different moderately priced tube components. On the top shelf of
the rack is the AQ 2004 line preamp ($280). Next shelf down is the KMP 22 Fox mono
cathode-follower power amp using the 6C33C tube for 22 single-ended watts ($1550 per
pair). Next shelf down is the KMP 60 Fox mono with 60 watts from push-pull pairs of 6C33C
tubes ($2050 per pair). On the bottom shelf is the 22Wpc KI 15 Fox, a stereo integrated
amp for $1400. Other products on display included 300B and 845 SET amps, a phono stage, a
headphone amp, and KT88-based and EL34-based power amps.
The Artemis DMM1 three-way speaker with 24-bit DSP crossover, ceramic midrange drivers and
tweeter, and woofers mounted on both sides of the cabinet will set you back $35,000 per
pair. The speakers require six channels of amplification.
The small silver box on the right of the DreamVision projector is the Izahi video
processor ($2500). AudioNut was giving demonstrations of it in their room.
David Berning premiered the micro-ZOTL personal tube amplifier (sold direct for
$680). It has push-pull 6SN7 tubes, class-A output stage and produces about one watt
per channel. There are no output transformers due to Berning's ZOTL impedance-conversion
technology. Berning expects people to use this amp in small bedroom or office systems or
as a headphone amplifier via the included headphone jack. Other applications are as a
tweeter amp or an amp for ultra-sensitive loudspeakers. There is a 12-volt power
connection that allows the amp to be operated on batteries, but 100-240 VAC operation is
also supported. The window on the front of the amp, as shown in the photograph, is
standard. Berning will change the color of the amp after each production run of 50. When
asked what the next color might be, Berning answered, "pink?"
Bright Star Audio showed the new Air Mass DVD, an air isolation platform intended for DVD
and CD players or transports. Retail price is $149 and includes air pump and bubble level
to ensure that the "floated" transport or player is level. Also included are
adjustable brass feet that assist in leveling the player or transport. In tight embrace is
a Shearne Audio Phase 2 Reference integrated amp ($1895), which is imported by O.S.
Services. This is the first time products from England's John Shearne have been shown in
the US.
The Clearaudio Solution turntable ($1600 without tonearm, $1900 with a Rega RB250 rewired
with Discovery Cable) looked as distinguished as the more expensive Clearaudio turntables.
Dunlavy’s two-channel audio exhibit at the AmeriSuites hotel showed off their (left
to right) SC-III ($3995 per pair), Corinthian II ($12,995 per pair), Corinthian I ($7795
per pair), and SM-I ($1995 per pair) loudspeakers. The Corinthian models in the center
feature downward-firing woofers; the Corinthian II has an upward-firing driver as well.
Both are in a faux-marble finish. The demo system in use featured a Sony SACD player and a
stand-mounted switch allowing listeners to select different speakers on the fly.
Dr. Bruce Edgar, said by many to be the manufacturer of the most musical-sounding
horn-loaded loudspeaker systems you can buy, showed two speaker systems: the Titan, which
is sold direct for $11,900 per pair, or through dealers with silver wiring for $18,900;
and the Slimline selling for only $1800 per pair in finished form. The Titan is a
three-way system with tractrix horns and TAD drivers with 16-ohm impedance and 107dB
efficiency. The 100dB sensitive 3-way Slimline has two 5" horn-loaded drivers that
extend bass to 60Hz, a tractrix midrange and a vertically aligned tweeter. The Edgarhorns
were driven by Cyrus Brenneman SET cathode-follower amps to produce some excellent SET/
high-sensitivity sound.
Evett & Shaw displayed their elegant Pesaro loudspeaker ($3300-$3600 per pair
depending on finish), which now incorporates DiAural crossover technology. The distinctive
Evett & Shaw Flatte 50 amplifier ($1795 in powder coat, $1995 in nickel) sits next to
the speaker.
David Gill, designer of the audio products that bear his name, next to a rack that
includes his Elise 24/96 DAC ($6000). David Gill Audio products are distributed by Art
Audio USA.
Greybeard Audio showed the new K/3/3 three-way speaker with four drivers ($13,500 per pair
in slate, $17,400 in Italian granite).
A complete new line of signal cables and power cords from GutWire. All are cold-welded (no
soldering), and the power cords feature a tight-grip IEC connector that is claimed to not
fall out of IEC sockets.
This simple black box is a GW Labs 12Wpc tube amp that
sells for a surprisingly low $499.
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