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Not available for some time, from high end Simaudio Ltd., the affordable Moon CD-1 with internal upsampling 24-bit/352.8kHz processing CD player at $1,349. With BurrBrown DACs, 8x oversampling, and an RS-232 port, the CD-1 will be sought after.
Also from Simaudio, the equally affordable Moon i-1 integrated amplifier for
surprisingly the same amount, $1,349. With 50 wpc into 8 ohms and 100 wpc into
4 ohms, the i-1 offers six analog inputs and a front input for a media player,
aka, i-Pod. Class A up to 5 watts, the i-1 "audiophile" amplifier will
compliment the CD-1 in price, performance, and hey, style too.
My surprise pick of the show that impressed me was from David Macpherson and his Studio Electric speakers. After an extensive discussion about the best skiing in Utah where David is based, we got onto his Studio Electric Type Three speakers. The three-way design referred to as T3 includes an 8" side woofer, a globe-mounted 6.5" midrange, and a 0.75" silk dome tweeter. At $6,500 per pair, I was impressed!
The elegant SALAGAR S210 incorporates a sensual continuous curve, wrapping two front drivers: a large 10" mid-base driver and a 1" tweeter mounted and designed for wide dispersion. At $7,500 per pair (without stands), the American made (Lake Forest, Illinois) S210, still in prototype, uses a digital active crossover powered by two separate amplifiers for each driver.
From Meridian, the highly anticipated all-in-one G95 DVD/Surround receiver which gives you 5.1, HDMI, DVD-Audio, and 100 wpc into 8 ohms. Extremely loaded, the G95 will be available for just under $8,500.
Meridian was one the few companies showing a complete surround package with their DSP 3100 digital speakers.
If I were allowed to walk out with just one piece of gear from this show, it would have been Pierre Gabriel's Jadis DA50 Signature pure Class A integrated amplifier. At $7,995 the DA50 was paired with the Symphonia CD player, $3,500, and Proac speakers. Pierre was a gracious host and I will be taking up his offer for a sample, "just to play with". Simply, the room sounded lush and musical.
Audioengine 5 from Brett Bargenquast is a very small monitor that makes no bones about its position in the audio world. Meant for a desktop application, the reasonably priced ($349 per pair) and nicely designed A5 is available in white, black, and a bit more in wood veneer. Plug your media player right in on top with built-in amplifiers.
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