 Krell
Krell introduced their new line of home theater products at CES 2001. Sporting a new look, the Theater Amplifier Standard is a 200 watts x five, a fully balanced modular amplifier expandable between two and five channels. Also new is the amp’s 17.25 width for rack mount compatibility.
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Meridian
Meridian was the first company to show an all digital connection of DVD-Audio with their 800 DVD machine hooked into to their 861 AV preamp. DVD-Video players have an agreed standard for digital conncetion but because of the fears of the music industry based on a silly concern regarding piracy, DVD-Audio's standard currnetly forces an end user to run their high resolution two channel or 5.1 channel audio throught the DAC built into the DVD-Audio player and into their AV preamp via 5.1 analog inputs.
 Meridian offers a solution to the two problems that exist with this standard. First, there is an entire digital to analog conversion that isn't necesarialy needed in the audio chain. Secondly, many if not practically all, (Meridian's 861 excluded) don't have the needed 5.1 analog inputs thus making connecting a DVD-Audio player very hard, if not impossible nearly all end users. Meridian showed how a DVD-Audio player could be connected digitally and how it sounded. With the 5.1 DVD-Audio recording of The Door's "Riders on the Storm" Meridan earned a roomful of belivers with just a few minutes of music. |
 Conrad Johnson
Conrad Johnson introduced four new pieces at CES. The ART Series 2 ($15,995) features lower impedance power supply regulators and faster high-current rectifier diodes, as well as improved wiring and connectors to improve the sound. Their new Premier 18LS ($3,495) is the first solid state model in the Premier line. This line level preamplifier is remote controllable and features CJ’s auto-linear distortion canceling circuit. The new MV60 ($2,795) is a 60 wpc amplifier, similar in design to the Premier 11. Like the Premier 11, the MV60 utilizes a pair of EL34's per channel. The last new CJ piece is the PV10B preamplifier ($1,295 line, $1,595 with phono). The ‘B’ upgrade eliminates local feedback and improves the power supply for better sound.
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Gryphon
The Gryphon Antileon Signature Monoblocks sported a mean look. This dual-mono Class A 200W amplifier is priced at $39,900. If that stretches the pocketbook a tad much, Gryphon offers the sleek Antileon Signature Stereo Amplifier at $19,800.
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 Sony
One year ago, SACD was a $5,000 tweako product. Now Sony has a five CD SACD changer for $399, along with 180-plus titles. SACD like DVD-Audio has high-resolution two-channel audio and high resolution 5.1 sound on the same disc. The unit does have 5.1 analog outputs, which works if you have an AV preamp or receiver with the inputs. It doesn’t have a 5.1 DSD output. The digital out is reserved for CD digital use only.
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 Balanced Audio Technologies
Unfortunately, BAT’s new AV10 surround processor was damaged while being shipped to CES. Fortunately, BAT’s VK-75SE and VK-60/200 made it to CES intact. The VK-75SE ($8,500) monoblock (pictured) features the 6H30 supertube from Russia. The VK-60/200 is a modular solid state design featuring zero negative feedback. It is available in two-, three-,four- and five-channel configurations, starting at $4,995 for two channels and $1,250 for each additional channel.
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 Pass Labs
Pass Labs displayed their X250 ($6,000, pictured), which is scaled down from their previous X series stereo amplifiers. The X250 is a two-channel, 250 watt per channel amplifier. The X3 ($4,250) is a three-channel, 150 watt per channel amplifier, designed to be used with stereo X series amplifiers for home theater applications.
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 Wadia
Wadia is back. Wadia is now an entirely new company, distinct from the Wadia of days gone past. While the companies are different, the product remains the same. New software was introduced for the 27ix decoding computer, as well as for the new 831 CD Player ($3,000-$4,000), which will be shipping soon.
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Muse
Muse displayed their Erato/8 DVD Audio player ($4,500) and MAP processor. The MAP processor is in its prototype stages. It is a modular card cage design that will be able to accept DAC, ADC and other modules.
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 McIntosh Laboratory
McIntosh introduced two new products. The MC1201 ($7,500 each) 1200-watt monoblock is a double-balanced, push/pull design that maintains McIntosh’s use of meters in their panel design and features the largest meter I have seen on any audio product. The C200 ($7,000) preamp is a dual chassis design that features McIntosh’s unique variable rate volume control.
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 Magnum Dynalab
Magnum Dynalab is best known for their outstanding tuners. Their MD108 ($6,000) utilizes Magnum Dynalab’s trademark tuning eye, rather than the traditional meter and tubes. The MD208 ($2,990) was a new introduction, a receiver utilizing a Magnum Dynalab tuner. Also on display were the MD308 ($2,400) 100 wpc integrated amplifier, and the MD102 ($2,500) solid-state tuner. Magnum Dynalab also showed their new MD10 ($600), which creates virtual five-channel Dolby digital sound out of two speakers and is said to eliminate many of the problems found with other virtual surround sound processors.
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 Burmester
Burmester introduced several new products at CES including the 007 surround processor, the 001 Belt Diven CD Player ($7,550), the 006 CD Player ($6,520), and the B99 reference speaker ($47,780). Burmeister also introduced their lower-priced Rondo line to the United States. The Rondo line currently consists of an integrated amplifier, CD player and tuner, all under $5,000 each.
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 Creek Audio/Epos Acoustic
Creek’s 5350SE integrated amplifier features 90 wpc, remote control and a passive preamp section for $1,495. The CD53SE CD player ($1,595) is 24-bit/193 khz-capable and replaces the CD43 CD player. Epos Acoustics was recently purchased by Creek and now features shielded speakers for use near video monitors. Epos displayed their new M12 ($895) bookshelf monitor and M15 ($1,395) floor-standing monitor. The M12 and M15 feature woofers molded integrally with the front baffle.
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VAC
VAC displayed several new tube products. In the Renaissance Series, they showed the Renaissance 30/30 Series V ($8,000), a 32 wpc stereo amplifier, the Renaissance 70 Series V Monoblock ($8,000 each) and the Renaissance Preamplifier ($7,000). In the Standard Series, they had the new Standard 240 Monoblock ($7,000 each). VAC also displayed their new Auricle Series, consisting of a line stage preamplifier ($2,000) and 50 wpc stereo amplifier ($2,000).
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 Rogue Audio
Rogue Audio showed their new Tempest integrated amplifier ($1,995), featuring 60 wpc and remote volume control. The Tempest has a user selectable triode or ultralinear option. Rogue Audio’s monoblocks likewise feature this option. Rogue also displayed their 120wpc M120 ($2,625) and Magnum ($3,495) monoblocks.
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 Bel Canto Design
Bel Canto displayed their DAC-1 ($1,425), Pre-1 preamplifier ($2,495), Evo 200.2 ($2,395) and Evo 200.4 ($3,795) amplifiers, rated at 120 wpc into two and four channels, respectively.
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 Emotive Audio Designs
Emotive displayed their Sira and Erato preamplifiers, priced at $4,200 and $2,600, respectively. The Erato is unique in that it utilized the type 27 tube in the input stage. Also on display was Emotive’s prototype amplifier using 300B tubes, which will be priced between $8,000 and 10,000 per pair.
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Acurus – Aragon
In case you missed it, Klipsch was the white knight that saved Mondial. They seem to have both lines still intact.
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Western Electric
Western Electric proudly displayed their new monoblocks, the WE-91C ($16,000 per pair). The 91-C’s, of course, feature Western Electric 300B tubes and weigh over 100 pounds each, produce 13 wpc and sit on granite bases.
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