High End Audio Part 1.

All prices in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.

Mark Levinson
Mark Levinson brought to Vegas an advanced prototype of the stereo Reference Controller No.32. Providing eight inputs--three balanced and five unbalanced--it features an unprecedented array of communication ports. The company wasn't prepared to speculate on the price but we here at Audio Revolution venture to estimate it will run between $15,000 and $20,000. It should be available sometime in the summer.

Sonic Frontiers

Sonic Frontiers introduced an entire new product line called Anthem, available in black or silver face. The $895 Pre 1P phone stage is an all tube design, while the CD1 Six Disc Changer with an HDCD filter will retail for $1,595. The CD employs the Burr Brown PCM1702 20 bit D-to A converter. The Pre IL preamplifier is a simple design with the most basic of features, including a headphone connector at a retail of $995. The Amp1 is a class AB design delivering 40 watts-per-channel at $1,195.

Thiel

Thiel introduced the CS2.3 and CS7.2 as new additions to their impressive and natural sounding line of loudspeakers. The drivers are made of aluminum to avoid cone breakup and crossover drop off. Frequencies below a 200Hz are produced by a 12 inch woofer in conjunction with a passive 12 inch bass radiator. Not only does this result in deep bass but port noise and unwanted resonance are eliminated. The speakers are priced at $3,300 and $13,500 respectively.

VAC known for their excellent audiophile tube gear, unveiled The Visionary Series of components. The new VAC components stack on top of each other and have a slick, uniform look. Tubes are used when they can improve the sound however the design is a complete package including a forthcoming A/V processor. Talk about re-inventing themselves...Well done VAC.

Aerial Acoustics' 7B rounds out the top of their impressive and extensive line of loudspeakers. The 7B is a three-way, floor standing speaker with twin woofers and a rear port. It's rated flat out to 35Hz. The Black Ash version runs $3,500 and the Rosewood cabinet will run higher at $4,500. (not pictured)

Nakamichi

Nakamichi showed a prototype of lifestyle product they plan to bring to market in the early summer. The basic model at $1,100 is a stereo amp, with preamp controls, tuner and CD in one sleek brushed aluminum package. The full-featured version will incorporate Dolby Digital at $2,500. The unit comes with ultra small speakers and a subwoofer for an amazingly coherent and satisfying listening experience.

Celestion is releasing the bookshelf Acompact speaker for $999 a pair in cherry and back finish (rosewood $ 1,099). An additional $400 will buy you matching speaker stands.

Voce Divina loudspeakers matche natural beauty with sonic performance. The Soprano's retail for $4,500 but aren't fully complete without the subwoofer that acts as speaker stand for an additional $3,500. The larger Tenore is $7,995 for the pair and the Pear consists of two pieces. The two-way top piece retails for $4,995 and the dual nine inch subwoofers in the bottom portion cash in at $6, 995.

Citation

The Citation System 500 is a complete home theater system that includes the 5.1 Multichannel amplifier, the 5.0 AV Controller, the 5.2 Front Channel speakers, the 5.3 Dual-dipole surround speaker and the 5.4 Subwoofer.

The $1,800 5.1 amplifier can be configured in three ways, as a four channel amplifier with 100 watts-per-channel, as a three channel amplifier with 100 watts for two channels and 300 watts for one channel, or as stereo amp with 300 watts-per-channel.

The 5.0 AV Controller has six digital inputs (four coax; two Toslink) and incorporates Dolby Digital for $3,350. The DTS processor can be added for an additional $300.

The 5.2 Front Channel speakers retail for $475 a piece and you need three for 5.1 audio palyback. The 5.3 Dual Dipole Surround speakers are $1,000 for the pair. The main feature of the 5.3's is they can be used as point source speakers for music or as diffuse speakers for movie soundtracks meeting THX's specifications. The 5.4 Subwoofer requires amplification and runs $795 a piece.

A total of three amplifiers were used for the system demonstration at CES. One for LCR, one for surrounds and another for a pair of subwoofers.

Last year Harman introduced their cost-no-object line of products called Revel. Adding to their Ultima line is the Ultima LE-1a subwoofer amplifier designed specifically for the Ultimia Sub 15. The amp is $6,000 in addition to the $2,500 subwoofer. The Ultima Voice is a dedicated center channel speaker that matches the existing Ultima Gem left and right speakers. The Ultima Voice will be $5,000 with the stand. The Ultima Embrace is a dipole speaker for rear channel speakers and will cost $5,000 for a pair. A floor standing prototype of new $15,000 a pair loudspeakers was also on display and should be available sometime in the fourth quarter.

Kimber Kable announced the release of the Select series of ultra high end cables for analog and digital interconnects, loudspeakers, bi-wire jumpers with an array of termination options. Kimber Kables range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Resolution Audio demonstrated the dedicated VT960 DVD/CD Transport for $3,500 with a dual 20bit/96kHz D-to-A converter which sells for $1,500. The CD50 employs a Burr Brown 20 bit D-to-A converter. It's possible to go directly from the CD player to the amp (assuming you don't play anything other than CD) due to the analog volume control output.