PBN Audio

May 3, 2013

As in the Quintessence Audio suite, the PBN Audio suite consisted of a pair of  wildebeest sized PBN model WAS-2 loudspeakers, a Groovemaker turntable and Olympia series electronics through and through. This was one of those rooms I just never got around to sitting in for any length of time that would justify a report. […]

Lotus Group. PTE.

May 3, 2013

      Another huge suite and exotic setup featured the Lotus Group’s Granada G2 loudspeakers ($75k), Audio Power Labs TNT833 amplifiers ($175k), WAVAC MD-805 Mk IIs ($59k), Steve McCormack’s SMc Audio VRE-1C preamp ($16,500) and a Hanss T-60 BL turntable ($8k) that featured a Durand Talea tonearm and Lyra Olympus cartridge ($8500 ea).   […]

Fidelis AV. Stein. Exemplar Audio.

May 3, 2013

    Audio veteran Walter Swanbon, who owns and operates Fidelis AV in Derry, New Hampshire, always seems to have something new and exciting to show off at these events. The Kudos loudspeaker ($6500) is a sleek two-way that hails from the UK and is built by former NEAT speaker designer Derek Gilligan. Another interesting […]

Magnepan. King Sound. Concert Fidelity

May 3, 2013

    Curtain act? I didn’t stay to see what else was behind the curtain here, but I’m told it was a new version of $600.00 Magnepan model MMGs. Nevertheless, they’ve always impressed and to hear them without knowing or seeing, only impressed me that much more. Of course, I asked if there were subs […]

Clarity Audio. Zesto Audio. Lindemann

May 3, 2013

  CES Sponsor       Had a great time with the folks who make the affordable but excellent sounding Clarity Cables from Wichita Kansas. Designers Chris and Melissa Owen had a very well-balanced sounding setup compliments of AMR electronics and the Legacy Audio Signature SE 4-way loudspeakers. Bravo!       The Gradient Revolution […]

The Revolution Will Not be Televised!

May 3, 2013

The Revolution Will Not be Televised!     From the sensible…. …to the sublime. Computer-based audio was everywhere at this years CES. “We don’t have a CD Player” was the catch-phrase this year. I cannot remember how many rooms didn’t have a CD player when I requested to hear some of my CDs. I’ve been […]

People, Places and Things

May 3, 2013

People, Places and Things     Lost Wages, Nevada…. …The only place where you’ll find Mickey Mouse down on his luck!   There’s our own Dave Thomas caught under the hypnotic spell of tubes in the Audio Power Labs suite. Double-vision? Nope. A pair of identical and dapperly dressed twins.   (Left to right) Vladimir […]

Wisdom Audio. Lamm Wilson Audio.

May 3, 2013

  Leaving the relatively relaxed confines of the Flamingo to the insanity that awaited me in the Venetian is something I have never really gotten used to.       CES Sponsor     No, I didn’t float along the gondola or shop at Burberry – nor did I feel like I was in Venice […]

Bob Carver King Audio. Purity Audio

May 3, 2013

      CES Sponsor     One of the biggest surprises – and Best Sounds – at this year’s CES came when I entered into the Volent room and heard their new VL-3 Loudspeakers ($11k).  Driven by a slew of MSB electronics, I was absolutely astonished at the incredibly high resolution – coupled by a […]

WADAX. Scaena. Perfect 8 BA

May 3, 2013

  CES Sponsor   The WADAX website has this to say about their newest loudspeaker in their La Pasion active loudspeaker system “Only a source is required to complete the system. Each driver is independently powered. DACs inside each La Pasión loudspeaker have a specifically designed current output stage to directly drive the tweeter with […]