|
CES 2007
Navison Audio
Vietnamese
company Navison Audio showed a series of
beautifully made products that I think offers
incredible value. Their NVS-003G OTL Class A
mono amplifiers using four 6C33C-B output
tubes at $8900 seem impossible when you look
at these versus other designs employing the
same tubes costing usually twice to three
times as much. The beauty of these electronics
were matched by the sonics produced out of the
impressive Tannoy Prestige Yorkminster
loudspeakers ($14k) boasting Tannoy's 94 dB
sensitive dual Concentric drivers.
Scaena/Nova Physics Group
The same group
that bought you the Nova Physics Memory Player
debuted their new line array in the Scaena
loudspeaker ($70k). Totally scalable from the
line array and subs: from a single driver up
to whatever your budget or ceiling can handle!
With a relatively high 93 dB sensitivity and
nominal 4 Ohm load, the sound of this
futuristic transducer was clean, weighty and
dimensional as one could ask, especially
considering the room. What makes this
particular line source different is the
rounded enclosures are built around the
drivers and don't hint at boxy colorations
normal enclosures can suffer from. That said,
there was plenty to admire with respect to the
overall sonic landscape that most speakers
simply could never replicate due to size
constraints. Coupled with an uncanny freedom
of "box" sound, the Scaena performed quite
impressively for a first listen. Cabling was
by virtue of Nordost while the equipment rack
and amp stand was by way of Acoustic Dreams.
FYI, the Nova
Physics Memory Player which was operated by
George Bischoff himself, also debuted for the
first time at this year's CES. Its performance
was top tier though these show conditions only
offer a glimpse of what is really possible
when compared to what I hear in my listening
room via this amazing product.
Laufer Teknik
 Sam
Laufer of Laufer Teknik, importer of the
German Ascendo loudspeakers, the mighty Behold
series of electronics and Halcyonic's active
anti-vibration platforms, were in rare form at
this year's event. Laufer's very delicate
integration of the loudspeakers and
electronics via the Nova Physics Memory Player
was simply stellar sounding. Having all these
components as a reference in my own home gives
me another example of how important the room
is. Attempting to get the sound right from
this room proved an enormous undertaking.
However, thanks to the internal room
correction software via Behold's Audio
Processing Unit (APU), it wasn't that big of a
deal once Laufer's gang (side photo Dave
Bowkett and Tommy Moore) got things up and
running. As good as things were initially
during the beginning of the week, they got
even better on the two remaining days. Using
the Acoustic Dreams iso-rack and all Sunny
Cabling, the room took on a rather special
sound by Thursday. Knowing these
electronics personally as I do, I know very
well what they can ultimately provide
sonically speaking. Unfortunately these
designers and importers can only manage what
is potentially possible under these very tough
show conditions. How frustrating.
For this reason alone, I take my hat off to
all those who obtained sound beyond what would
have been thought possible considering the
sometimes severe limitations they were faced
with this year. Bravo!
All in all, I
would have to say it
was a great show. See you next year!
Back to Show Page
|
