We put a jewel case next to the Blue Circle
BC208 mono amp ($26,800/pair as shown) to demonstrate its immensity. It looks like a
speaker that's been tipped onto its back. Like the other BC-series amps, the 220-watt '208
is a hybrid that uses 6922 tubes and power op-amps. The pair took Gilbert Yeung a month to
build. [www.bluecircle.com]
Fans of serious solid-state amps will
covet the Vitus Audio SS-101 pure class-A mono amps ($49,000/pair), which sounded sweet
and dynamic driving Focus Audio Master-series speakers. Just remember to lift with your
legs -- each SS-101 weighs 176 pounds.
Wadia's new 581 ($6950) replaces the company's
861 CD player and takes the latter's functionality one step further by adding SACD
playback. DSD is processed via Wadia software and converted to PCM.
The new 781 is an upgraded/SE version of the
581. It, along with a version with digital volume control, the 781i, will be available
later this year for "under $11,000." A 581 can be fully upgraded to a 781i.
Boulder's handsome (and
difficult-to-photograph) new 850 monoblocks are still expensive at $10,000 per pair, but
they also represent the company's entrance to a lower price point, as does...
...the new 810 line-stage preamp (price not
set). An 865 integrated amp is also in the works.
