CES 2009

 

The second Avatar Acoustics system consisted of the Rethm Saadhana ($9995) loudspeakers, using a crossover-less design with a single Lowther DX 55 6” driver in a horn loaded cabinet. It sounded extremely open, detailed and transparent. The AMR debuted the all new 777 series. The AMR-777 ($3500) 60 watts drove the Saadhana effortlessly, and according to the AMR, AM-777 can be connect to any PC via its Opti-bus USB digital input. All music content (including WAS, AAC, WMA, MP3 etc) stored on a PC can then be played back directly with the signal integrity preserved in its full glory”. The digital source was a new CD-777 ($3500) and all cabling was by LiveLine.


Mastersound/Audes/Reimyo

 

The Mastersound’s Ref. Evolution 845 integrated a dual mono amplifier ($13k) is a parallel single ended dual mono which runs in Class-A, uses no negative feedback and employs four 845, two ECC82 and two 6SN7 tubes. The Evolution 845 delivers is rated at 55 watts per channel and I think powerful enough to drive my Censensus Audio Conspiracy loudspeakers. I enjoyed listening and talking to Lorenzo Sanavio, their designer and owner of Mastersound. Sanavio looked happy posing next to his baby, the Evolution 845, and it sounded wonderfully warm and luscious driving the Audes Orpheus loudspeakers ($11k). Digital playback was by way of the Reimyo CDT-777 transport and DAP-999EX. Rossini’s Sonate a Quattro was very naturally reproduced: strings were rendered beautifully.

Here's another one of Lorenzo Sanavio's designs based on a 300B tube. This was only a static display but that didn't stop my intrigue and this particular photo.

Focus Audio/Oracle Audio Technologies

 

Focus Audio FP90 ($10k) sounded impressive driven by all Oracle Audio Technologies electronics. The sound was non-fatiguing, transparent and musical. The FP90 was finished in an eye candy piano ebony; it’s a 3 way one 9” woofer, one 5 1/2” midrange and one 1 1/8” tweeter. Oracle Audio Technologies featured P 1000 MKII amplifiers, DAC 1000 D/A converter/preamplifier and a CD 2000 transport completed the system.


Amphion/the LARS

   

The LARS beautifully crafted work of art, mono integrated amplifier ($100k) was a show stopper. It’s a fully balanced Class-A amplifier, employing no negative feedback. C-core type transformers are used and silver plated wiring is used through and through. Rated power is 20 watts per channel. The company calls the LARS the Stradivarius of amplifiers.

Listening to a chamber music piece through the LARS driving Amphion Prio speakers ($6k) was impressive soundind to say the least. I couldn't help but imagine what this system would have performed like with higher caliber (and highly efficient) loudspeakers.

Until next year...