NYC retailer Rhapsody Music and Cinema lands exclusive US distribution for Kondo of Japan

Rhapsody Music and Cinema, (www.Rhapsodycinema.com), the exclusive US dealer for the Swiss based audio and home theater provider Goldmund, has recently been selected as the exclusive US distributor for Kondo of Japan. Kondo (Audio Note in Japan) is the heritage rich creator of the renowned "Ongaku" SET integrated amplifier. Kondo offers a complete line up of Preamplifiers, Amplifiers, the IO-M cartridge, the Biyura speakers and the Ginga TT. Kondo's latest offering is the "Overture," a $40K, 32 Watt integrated amplifier that sings with the tradition of Kondo.

Other new additional product offerings at Rhapsody M&C include the complete line of German based Acoustic Signatures TT's and phono stages along with the complete line of products and technologies from Franck Tchang's Acoustic System International, France. The Acoustic Signature "Ascona" reference turntable and stand is available for audition at the Rhapsody, which is centrally located just off 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan. Enhancing the sonic virtues of the Rhapsody studio are the mind altering "Acoustic Resonators" from Acoustic System International, along with Franck Tchang's speakers, electronics and cables.

Rhapsody Music and Cinema also represents and has products on display and available for demonstration from Avantgarde Acoustics, Kubala-Sosna, Studio Electric, Lipinski Audio, Proclaim Audio Works, Grand Prix Audio, Trodt, Avid, Ayon and Savant.

Rhapsody Music and Cinema is open to all, by appointment, to see and audition all of it's offerings seven days a week. Rhapsody is located at 27 West 24th Street, Suite 506, New York, NY 10010. The telephone number to arrange your own private demonstration is 212-229-1842.

 

Maker Audio introduces our new line of amplifiers based on our technology from the EDGE amplifier line we pioneered over the last 20+ years.

We have taken everything we have learned while building EDGE products the last 20 years and
also added some new twists to bring you the latest amplifiers from Maker Audio.

The new models will supersede the old "G" and "NL" model lineup.

The new line will sport a new look using laser cut stainless steel chassis and be branded under the Maker Audio Product line, So that you know you are getting the newest up to date product
with the backing and support of Maker Audio and founder Tom Maker.

We have updated all of the older designs and are incorporating new technologies that we have been working on over the last 3 years. Some of these include, More efficient transformers- 5%
better transformer efficiency and 20% better transformer shielding. Also we designed a new filtering power supply based on our EDGE ACF-1& 2 design.
It is built right into the amplifier, and removes any noise and unwanted dc components from the ac line, eliminating the need for external line filters or ac conditioners.

The New line also sports 20% higher output power than the previous line.

Also new to the designs is the Stainless steel chassis. These chassis are laser cut to ensure high precision and consistent fit, and finish and of course they look amazing.

We will begin selling two new amplifiers starting in July 2012 and will start pre orders in June.
The new models will supersede the old "G" and "NL" model line.
The newest addition to the Maker Audio line will be the the "G9" and the "NL14" amplifiers,
Followed by the Signature 2.1 Preamp in the fall of 2012.

The Maker Audio G9 amplifier replaces the G6/ G8 model and has the following specifications:
Specifications:
Retail introductory Pricing $ 3995.00
Chassis 1
Transformer 1
Number of channels 2
Transformer rating 1 X 1250 VA
Total capacitance 56,000 uF
Power rating into 8 ohm 225 watts/ channel
Output impedance .06 Ohms
Constant current 14.3 amps
Input Type RCA/ Balanced
Weight 48 pounds
dimensions 16"w X 15 deep X 4.5"h
Availability July 2012
Manufactured in the USA

The Maker Audio NL14 amplifier replace the current NL series of amplifiers and has the following specifications.
Specifications:
Retail introductory Pricing $ 9875.00
Chassis 1
Transformer 2
Number of channels 2
Number of Lasers 2
Transformer rating 2 X 1250 VA
Total capacitance 112,000 uF
Power rating into 8 ohm 325 watts/ channel
Output impedance .03 Ohms
Constant current 28.6 amps
Input Type RCA/ Balanced
Weight 102 pounds
dimensions 16"w X 15 deep X 6.5" h
Availability August 2012
Manufactured in the USA

 

Santa Monica, CA, April 19, 2012– Antelope Audio will introduce Rubicon, a groundbreaking 384 kHz digital audio preamplifier which integrates the world renowned 10M Rubidium atomic clock. Rubicon caters to the ever-increasing interest in high-resolution audio, addressing the specific needs of high-end consumer electronics enthusiasts for accurate audio representation and detailed soundstage of both analog and digital recordings. The new device will be presented to the public during the Munich High End Show, May 3rd– 6th.

Rubicon is the first DAC to integrate a Rubidium atomic clock, which is 100,000 times more stable than a traditional crystal oscillator. Coupled with Antelope’s 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking technology, the Rubidium achieves a breakthrough in jitter management, improving the sound quality in an unprecedented way. The same technology is implemented in the company’s flagship master clocks used for scoring blockbusters such as Avatar and available at the best recording and mastering studios around the Globe.

“I find the idea of an audio enthusiast being able to hear his/her favorite recordings clocked by the world’s most stable clock very exciting. I believe this will bring the music appreciation in the home environment to a completely new level compared only to the precision and sonic detail representation available at the finest professional listening rooms,” shared Igor Levin, CEO and founder of Antelope Audio.

Housed in a sturdy, machined-aluminum enclosure with a vintage Art Deco design, Rubicon incorporates a discrete phono preamp, ultra linear, dual stage headphone drivers and Antelope’s renowned gold-plated relay volume control.

The transformer-based, ultra-low noise, discrete JFET phono preamp is a complement that will be highly appreciated by many vinyl lovers. In addition to the 384 kHz DAC, Rubicon also includes ultra-high sample rate A/D conversion. These functionalities together with the high resolution USB recording capability provide the users with the sublime experience of digitizing their favorite tracks, still keeping the depth and the warmth of the original analog recordings.

In addition to the 384 kHz USB streaming, Rubicon offers extended flexibility and smooth user experience provided by the implemented DLNA capability. The DLNA streaming gives users the opportunity to wirelessly push audio files from their smart phone, PC or NAS (Network-attached storage) server and play the content through the high-sample rate DAC.

Rubicon inherits the D/A conversion technology from 384 kHz Zodiac Gold DAC - the 2012 winner of the Audio Excellence Award in Japan and often described by reviewers and prominent sound engineers as “future-proofed,” “clean,” “neutral” and “accurate". The A/D circuit comes from the 2011 winner of the Audio Media Gear of the Year award, high-end professional mastering converter Eclipse 384.

Antelope Audio plans to present the Rubicon for the first time to the public and the media during the Munich High End Show, in hall 3, booth A 04, at 2 pm, on May 3rd.
 

           Monarchy Audio's C.C. Poon Seeks Retirement

With appreciation for decades of dedication to the consumer audio industry and many fond listening memories I've been entrusted to announce that C.C. Poon is putting Monarchy Audio up for sale.

Monarchy Audio was founded in 1979 by C.C.Poon and began by selling amplifier kits from Japan. My earliest memories of Monarchy audio began in the early 1990's when I bought a modified Model 22 D/A converter from a friend and used it as my reference DAC for many years thereafter.

In the latter 1990's I became smitten with Monarchy Audio's amplifier line. I reviewed different versions of the Monarchy SM-70, SE-100, and SE-160 amplifiers and liked them enough to buy them and use them in my reference systems. The SE-160, in particular powered the ESL panels in my InnerSound Eros speakers with more finesse and verve than any other amplifiers I tried.

In the 2000's I enjoyed reviewing and owning Monarchy's M24 DAC which was a very well-built tube hybrid unit with a volume control and an auxiliary line input. And later I became enchanted by Monarchy's AC Power Regenerator because it allowed my digital sources to sound their best.

Over the years I've enjoyed and owned most of Monarchy Audio's excellent bang-for-the-buck products that achieved levels of performance well beyond their price-points, many of them built right here in the USA. So for me the thought of C.C. Poon retiring is bittersweet although I do understand a man's right to retire and spend his latter years with his family and loved ones.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact Mr. Poon regarding the particulars of the sale. He may be contacted through the Contact link at www.monarchyaudio.com

We at the Stereo Times wish C.C. all the best in his retirement and future pursuits, and we thank him for his decades of commitment to audiophiles around the world.

Frank Alles

The Jazz Committee,
Midtown Arts Common
at Saint Peter’s Church
Presents

Prez Fest 2012
Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie:
Trumpeter, Composer, Arranger, Bandleader
and NEA Jazz Master
 

Featuring Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra,
David Sanchez Quartet
The New York University Jazz Orchestra conducted by
Rich Shemaria
featuring “Special Guest Trumpeter”
and other festival participants:
Donald L. Maggin, Stanley Crouch, Gary Giddins, Jimmy Heath, Mike Longo & Jeanie Bryson

Sunday, March 4, 2012
619 Lexington (at 54th Street), New York City

New York, NY – The Jazz Committee, Midtown Arts Common at Saint Peter’s Church, will present
“Prez Fest 2012 – Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie.” The festival takes place on Sunday, March 4 with a panel discussion on Dizzy Gillespie at 3:30 PM, Jazz Vespers at 5 PM and Concert at 7:30 PM “From Big Band to Bebop to Afro Cuban – The Music of Dizzy Gillespie” includes Dizzy’s celebratory Afro Latin pieces for big band, arrangements of classic pieces for big band and small ensemble as well as Dizzy Gillespie-inspired compositions.

“Dizzy Gillespie (1917 – 1993) trumpeter and a founding father of modern jazz, was a major figure in 20th-century American music. His signature moon cheeks and bent trumpet make him one of the world’s most instantly recognizable figures. In a nearly 60-year career as a composer, band leader and innovative player, he had a major effect on the jazz world. In the early 40’s, along with alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, he initiated be-bop, the sleek, intense, high-speed revolution that has become jazz’s most enduring style. In subsequent years, he incorporated Afro-Cuban music into jazz, creating a new genre from the combination. In 1956 he formed a big band which,at the behest of the United States State Department, toured the Middle East and South America. In the last decade of his life he became ubiquitous on the concert circuit as a special guest. He had a Latin band and small groups. In the naturally effervescent Gillespie, opposites existed. His playing was meteoric, full of virtuosic invention and deadly serious. But with his endlessly funny asides, his huge variety of facial expressions and his natural comic gifts, he was as much a pure entertainer as an accomplished artist. In some ways, he seemed to sum up all the possibilities of American popular art.” Peter Watrous – The New York Times, January 7, 1993.

“His playing showcases the importance of intelligence. His rhythmic sophistication was unequaled. He was a master of harmony – and fascinated with studying it. He took in all the music of his youth – from Roy Eldridge to Duke Ellington – and developed a unique style built on complex rhythm and harmony balanced by wit.” Wynton Marsalis Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life.

Donald L. Maggin, author of Dizzy—The Life and Times of John Birks Gillespie, will moderate the panel The Life and Continuing Legacy of Dizzy Gillespie at 3:30 PM. Panelists include Stanley Crouch, Gary Giddins, Jimmy Heath and Mike Longo. The David Sanchez Quartet leads the music at Jazz Vespers at 5 PM. The 7:30 PM concert emceed by Jeanie Bryson showcases two big bands: The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra led by Arturo O’Farrill and the New York University Jazz Orchestra conducted by Rich Shemaria, featuring “Special Guest Trumpeter.” The David Sanchez Quartet also performs.

Prez Fest is an annual jazz festival that showcases the talents of jazz legends no longer with us and about whom people should learn more. Over the past several years Billie Holiday, Billy Strayhorn, Art Blakey and Gil Evans have been celebrated. The name “Prez Fest” blossomed out of “To Prez with Love,” an annual tribute to Lester Young held at Saint Peter’s for more than 30 years.

The Jazz Committee, Midtown Arts Common at Saint Peter’s Church, produces Prez Fest. Other events produced by The Jazz Committee include All Nite Soul, Jazz on the Plaza (free Thursday concerts at midday, May-August at 53rd and Lexington), and First Tuesdays, (a free professional development seminar series for musicians) in collaboration with Chamber Music America.

Prez Fest 2012 is made possible in part with public funds from the Fund for Creative Communities, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Prez Fest 2012 – Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie takes place on Sunday, March 4 at Saint Peter’s Church at 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street.) 3:30 PM: Panel moderated by Gillespie’s biographer Donald L. Maggin with Stanley Crouch, Gary Giddins, Jimmy Heath and Mike Longo. Free The Dizzy Gillespie Legend Wall – an exhibit about Dizzy. 5 PM: Jazz Vespers — music of Dizzy Gillespie led by David Sanchez Quartet. Free Will Offering 7:30 PM: Concert — Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, David Sanchez Quartet, and”Special Guest Trumpeter” with the New York University Jazz Orchestra. $25 Suggested Donation for tickets available at the door. $10 student suggested ticket donation with student ID. $20 tickets available in advance at www.saintpeters.org/events 212 935 2200. “E” train to Lexington Avenue or “# 6” to 51st Street.

 

Meridian Audio Releases Limited Edition Anniversary Sound System - Marking 40 Years of Achievement for an Outstanding British Design Duo

With more than 165 international awards bestowed on their product designs, the two founders of the British luxury brand Meridian Audio celebrate 40 years since their creative partnership began.

To honor this, Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd have collaborated once again to produce a limited edition 40th Anniversary System comprising an enhanced pair of the company’s flagship DSP8000 loudspeakers and a special version of their 808 Signature Reference CD Player. This exclusive system offers the ultimate listening experience for a small selection of music aficionados.

Limited to only 40 numbered editions worldwide, each system is signed by Bob and Allen, and comes with an engraved plate showing its unique system number. Like all of Meridian’s award-winning audio products and systems, it promises to deliver a superior listening experience. What’s more, this limited edition system includes a number of unique additions that make it a truly special purchase.

Aesthetically, the Anniversary System will exude elegance and flair. Available in an exclusive “Ruby” finish—not available on other products in the range—this sleek color skin comes with coordinated glass inset panels, loudspeakers grilles and tweeter surround. Even the drivers are treated with a new, polished bezel. Each system will also come with a book, illustrating the rich history of Meridian’s exceptional Digital Signal Processing (DSP) loudspeakers, which is also signed by Bob and Allen.

Reflecting the high-level of customer service which Meridian prides itself on, owners of the Anniversary System will be offered the opportunity to receive a Meridian Engineer to fine tune the sound system in their homes following installation.

Boothroyd and Stuart’s shared passion for music, and their desire to ensure that the full quality of an original recording is maintained when it is reproduced on any system that bears their names, is at the heart of everything Meridian does. They acknowledged early on in their working relationship that it was through technology that they could lead the market, but that it was crucial that the technologies they employed genuinely improved the overall musical performance of a system in order for them to succeed.

The 40th Anniversary System is a complete package that exemplifies the state-of-the art sound technology Meridian is respected for. The 808 Signature Reference CD Player features a CD-ROM-based drive which allows for data recovery and error correction many times better than that employed in standard CD systems. A master clocking system and timing circuitry minimize jitter for improved sound source localization, clarity and imaging while unique Meridian DSP technologies add new accuracy and clarity to CD replay, even correcting faults in the original recording, helping to make CDs sound like high resolution recordings.

Meridian’s high-performing Digital Active Loudspeakers set completely new standards for clarity, dynamics, imaging and realism. DSP8000 can accurately reproduce both the power and subtlety of a concert grand piano and is designed to reproduce sounds at up to full natural level while providing all the resolution required by high-definition audio sources up to 24-bit. All Meridian products are constructed from the finest materials and all electronic parts are individually selected for sound quality.

From the beginning, Bob and Allen have synthesized the design and technology of all Meridian products, resulting in an unusual yet welcome symbiosis of form and function, winning numerous prestigious design awards along the way. Allen says, “It is our job as product designers to create something people feel they can live with and take enjoyment in using, while instilling them with confidence that the product has longevity”.
Beyond creating extraordinary sound, Meridian has always set new standards for elegant, iconic design, as evidenced by one of Boothroyd and Stuart’s earliest creations – the classic 1970s Lecson Audio product line, which can be found as part of the permanent collection at the New York Museum of Modern Art. During their forty year partnership, Boothroyd and Stuart have won the coveted British Design Council award for Outstanding British Products three times – the only design pair to ever achieve this recognition.

Available from October 2011 the Anniversary System is on sale at a suggested retail price USD $100,000.00

About Meridian Audio Limited
Meridian is based near Cambridge, UK, and was founded in 1977 by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd. With over 30 years’ history of innovation and development of uncompromised consumer home entertainment systems offering exceptional performance, this award-winning company is widely recognized as a world leader in high-quality audio and video reproduction. Meridian developed the first audiophile CD player, the world’s first consumer digital surround controller, and the MLP lossless packing system included in Blu-ray Disc. The company’s optical disc players, DSP-based loudspeakers, video projectors, and scalers are unique in the industry, maintaining a super-quality digital signal throughout the path from the studio to the home, using advanced digital signal processing to deliver both a sweet, natural sound and smooth, crystal-sharp images with true cinematic realism. In late 2008, Meridian acquired leading networked media server developer Sooloos, and today the Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System offers a unique combination of superb digital audio quality with the world’s most innovative, flexible and intuitive touchscreen-based home entertainment system.
 

                         The Audio Power Labs 833TNT™

Columbus, OH – September 22, 2011– Audio Power Labs, a company born of a desire to create products that provide the ultimate listening experience for music lovers and audiophiles is proud to announce the 833TNT™ monoblock amplifier. The 833TNT™ combines the best of old and new audio technologies to deliver amplified sound with breathtaking clarity, warmth and faithfulness. The ability of tubes to amplify audio without the harshness often associated with solid state technology is well known. The drawback with most vacuum tubes, however, is their tendency to add distortion to the signal as volume is increased and their need for large power supplies to provide the level of voltage and current needed for their operation.

With the 833TNT™, our audio and electronic engineers have overcome these challenges. Using the newest switched-mode technology, they developed a power supply system of manageable size that enables our unit to be self-contained and to sustain continuous low frequency tones without distorting the audio far longer than most other tube based power amplifiers. In addition, the audio signal path is devoid of any capacitors or solid state devices, using tubes and coupling transformers exclusively. As a consequence, distortion is kept to less than one percent across the unit’s entire two hundred watt power range.
Innovative technology also includes a microprocessor with color LCD user interface that performs periodic auto biasing of all the tubes in the amplifier, as well as providing automated startup and shutdown sequencing of the power supply subsystems.

            

The 833TNT™ is designed with a push-pull configuration of large 833C direct heated triodes with zero negative feedback to deliver the highest quality sound. Because the output transformer operates with little or no quiescent magnetic field, push-pull is considered superior to the alternative single-ended configuration, especially in terms of the ability to deliver greater amplification with little or no increase in distortion.
The ultimate marriage of astounding audio transparency and stunning physical design, the 833TNT™ is the product of over two years of work by a team of audio, electronics and design engineers. This is the only 833C push-pull amplifier being manufactured in the world today.

      

Our design engineers were as concerned with the appearance as our audio engineers were with the sound. So the 833TNT™ is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear. The hand-polished aluminum housing is a work of art and is a home worthy of the masterpiece of audio engineering it houses. The design is at once contemporary and classic. The art-deco style is bold, yet refined. The two tube towers showcase the 833Cs, inviting the eye to study the intricate construction of the filaments, plates and electrodes, which bask in a warm glow when the unit is powered.

Availability: Accepting orders now
Price: $175,000 per pair
For more information, visit us at www.audiopowerlabs.com or contact:

Mr. Dana Earl
Sales and Marketing
Audio Power Labs
dana@audiopowerlabs.com
+1 614 436 2300

About Audio Power Labs:
Audio Power Labs is located in Columbus, Ohio. The staff is made up of gifted electronics and audio engineers who share a passion for audio excellence and a dedication to perfection. Together, this tight-knit team has over a hundred years of audio and electronics experience.

The company, housed in a 15,000 square foot facility, recently leased an adjoining building which has been remodeled to house additional offices, a specially designed listening room where products can be tested and demonstrated, and an expansive workspace. It’s in this space that each 833TNT™ is meticulously assembled to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability, and exceed the expectations of the most critical connoisseur of music and sound.

In celebration of its 80^th anniversary, Vitavox, one of the UK’s most respected loudspeaker manufacturers, has launched its new website:

In celebration of its 80^th anniversary, Vitavox, one of the UK’s most respected loudspeaker manufacturers, has launched its new website: www.vitavoxhifi.com

This heralds a period of trade consultation before deliveries recommence in the Autumn. The S2 pressure unit, a landmark product in British audio history and in near continuous production for over 60 years, is joined by the AK range of 15” alnico magnet cone drivers and a new, all hardwood, variant of the CN157 radial dispersive horn. Cabinet loudspeakers available include the classic CN-191. Vitavox will also offer a full spare parts and refurbishment service for existing customers all around the world.

For more information contact Mike Harvey at info@vitavoxhifi.com.

This heralds a period of trade consultation before deliveries recommence in the Autumn. The S2 pressure unit, a landmark product in British audio history and in near continuous production for over 60 years, is joined by the AK range of 15” alnico magnet cone drivers and a new, all hardwood, variant of the CN157 radial dispersive horn. Cabinet loudspeakers available include the classic CN-191. Vitavox will also offer a full spare parts and refurbishment service for existing customers all around the world.

For more information contact Mike Harvey at info@vitavoxhifi.com.

          Epiphany Acoustics EHP-1 Headphone Amplifier

     


Epiphany Acoustics, a new British manufacturer, have just launched their first piece of hi-fi - the EHP-1 headphone amplifier. Aiming to bring the high end of hi-fi to more people is one of their key aims and they claim to have cut no corners in the design nor when specifying the premium components used.

The class A design employed by the EHP-1 uses specially optimised shielded op-amps in a dual mono configuration followed by a high power discrete MOSFET output stage. A robust linear regulated power supply using a toroidal transformer and copious filtering capacitance lets the amplifier perform at its peak.

The EHP-1 comes with one input, a line out so that it can slot into an existing system and also has a variable output allowing it to be used as a high quality pre-amplifier.

All of this comes in a custom steel enclosure with a hand finished solid walnut front panel and a power cable is included.

Pre-orders are open and there is an introductory price of £180 for the first 20 pre-orders. After that, the price reverts to the full £245. For more information, please visit www.epiphany-acoustics.co.uk or feel free to email Oliver Freeborn at oliver@epiphany-acoustics.co.uk.
 

Bowers & Wilkins is proud to announce C5 in-ear,
noise-isolating headphones
  

C5 in-ear, noise-isolating headphones offer pristine sound quality on the move. The innovate Secure Loop design keeps C5 comfortably in place, and aids fit and performance. Plus the proprietary Micro Porous Filter enables C5 to produce a wonderfully open, natural performance, perfect for longer listening sessions.

N. Reading, MA—July 11, 2011 B N. North Reading, MA—July 11, 2011 Bowers & Wilkins’ debut of the C5 in-ear headphones brings the option of amazing clarity of sound, innovative design, and high-quality materials for the discerning customer who demands premium performance from in-ear headphones.

Best in class sound quality is an attribute long associated with Bowers & Wilkins products. From the 800 Series Diamond to Zeppelin Air to the highly-regarded P5 mobile hi-fi headphones, Bowers & Wilkins products have stood out within their respective categories for 45 years. C5 takes this quality to a new arena: in-ear headphones.

As with all Bowers & Wilkins products, C5 is a mixture of long-held acoustic principles and technological advances. Key among the advances is the Micro Porous Filter. This acts as a diffuser, enabling C5 to deliver pristine, natural audio, while also providing a more spacious performance than previously possible from in-ear headphones. It also has the advantage of limiting noise bleed, and together with the noise-isolating properties of the sealed fit, this allows users to lose themselves in flawless audio.

Almost as vital as performance in the in-ear headphone arena is comfort and quality of fit. C5 addresses this with the introduction of the proprietary Secure Loop design, an ingenious innovation where a cushioned loop fixes quickly and comfortably in the inner ridge of the user’s ear. This solution holds C5 in place for improved sound, and also makes it ideal for use on the move and during activities. The Secure Loop is infinitely adjustable, so it works perfectly with anyone’s ears.

Adding to this sense of comfort is C5’s Tungsten Balanced design. Here, high-mass material is located closer to the user’s ear, for an improved seal for better sound and noise isolation. Elsewhere C5 is crafted from high-grade aluminum for a premium-quality finish.

C5 comes supplied with a Made For iPhone compatible cable, which is ideal for making calls on the move, and a quilted pouch for easy storage.

For additional information visit: http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Headphones/Headphones/C5/product-details.html

C5 is available August 2011 and will cost: $179.95 (U.S. & Canada)

 

Los Angeles, California - WyWires, cult producer of hand-made high-end audio interfaces, announces participation in two shows this month, a continuation of ramped-up marketing efforts for the company in 2011.

WyWires will be showing in Room 319 at the Capital AudioFest in Rockville, MD July 8th - 10th with partners Digital Pete, AudioNote Kits, and Cathedral Loudspeakers. There will be a cable giveaway each day for visitors to Room 319, including WyWires LITESPD Digital Cables, and Power Cords.

Capital AudioFest will be the only East Coast show in which WyWires will have a presence in 2011.
At the upcoming California Audio Show in Burlingame, CA July 15th - 17th, WyWires once again partners with Fritz Loudspeakers, Zesto Audio, and Modwright Instruments in Room 520; this team has a major partnership agreement for the year in four major audio shows across the country.

There will be a cable giveaway each day for visitors to Room 520 - as well as a reprise of the 4:30 pm happy hour tradition started in June at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach. Specialty cocktails including fingerling potato vodka over rocks with a dash of cracked black pepper - and tastings of super-premium California and Italian wines will be featured. Attendees, press and manufacturers are all invited to Room 520 for happy hour schmoozing on Friday and Saturday afternoons at the show.

These shows mark a mid-year outreach milestone for WyWires - marketing, advertising, social media and sales efforts have been increased to represent 15% of gross sales for WyWires. Advertising committments in Positive Feedback, The Stereo Times, AudioEvo.org, Mono & Stereo, Record Collector News, and other web-based audiophile communities are on-going. 2012 investments will increase in the areas of marketing and advertising, distributor support, and participation in all major audio shows in the US and global markets.

"We're seeing the results of a very busy first year of business," says President & Chief Engineer Alex Sventitsky. "I cannot be more pleased by all of the support we have received from the audiophile community and from industry leaders."

About WyWires
WyWires' product line is a truly revolutionary departure from industry norms, even for cables in upper price ranges.

The company produces a full line of cables - analog and digital interconnects, phono, speaker cables, and power cords - all with WyWires' hand-crafted and proprietary wire formulae. All WyWires products provide greater retrieval of musical detail, a heightened sense of realism and eliminate listening fatigue with a natural, organic presentation.

WyWires cables have virtually no shielding, and are all handmade with a proprietary Litz wire formula - not pre-manufactured wire made outside of the US. All components are made in the USA, Canada or the EU - and cable crafting is done locally in Los Angeles. Each cable is tested before it goes out to the customer and no sale is made until a consultation session is completed. The company offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

WyWires products are available for purchase on a factory direct basis as a global distributor/dealer network is being built. Please visit http://www.wywires.com for more information about the company and its products.
 

Acoustic System International (ASI) introduced their new reference electronics and loudspeakers at the Munich High End show!

Grand Mono Reference Statement Amplifier ($70k)
The Grand Mono is our reference statement amplifier. It delivers a crushing 2.400 watts into 8 ohms (3.600 into 4 ohms, 4.500 into 2 ohms) and peak current and voltage swing figures of 240A and 140V. Even so its reflexes are blindingly fast and frequency response is a very broad DC to 500kHz ±0/3dB. Damping factor for uncompromised speaker control is 10.000 from 20Hz to 20.000Hz and the signal-to-noise ratio is better than 120dB to keep up with today's high-resolution music material. Each monaural amplifier weighs 90kg (198lbs) and measures 505 x 630 x270mm WxDxH (19.9 x 24.8 x 10.6"). Rear panel provisions are two IEC power inlets, biwire terminals and XLR or RCA* inputs.

(* To use the RCA inputs, the provided metal bridges must be inserted into the XLR terminals.)

Power: 2400W into 8 Ohms
3600W into 4 Ohms
4500W into 2 Ohms
Maximum instantaneous current: 240A peak
Maximum Voltage swing: 140V
Class A active bias operation
Frequency response: DC-500 Khz +0/-3db
Distortion: THD using balanced input: <0.003% for maximum power
IMD using balanced input: <0.003% for maximum power
Damping factor: 10,000 (20 Hz – 20 Khz)
Noise: signal to noise ratio: >120db
Weighted ASA A: >130 db
Weight: 2 x 198lbs net weight, 2 x 244.2lbs shipping weight
Warranty: 5 years, parts and labor

Grand Stereo ($33k)
The matching Grand Stereo utilizes the same chassis but scales back power to 650 watts into 8 ohms, 1.000 watts into 4 ohms and 1.800 watts into 2 ohms. Its instantaneous peak current delivery is 120A and maximum swing voltage is 75V. Weight and dimensions are identical to one mono amp. Rear panel provisions are two power IEC inlets, RCA and XLR inputs and biwire loudspeaker terminals.

Power: 650 W into 8 Ohms
1000 W into 4 Ohms
1800 W into 2 Ohms
Maximum instantaneous current: 120A peak
Maximum voltage swing: 70V
Class A active bias operation
Frequency response: DC-500 Khz+0/-3 db

The LiveLine twin-enclosure preamplifier offers three RCA and three XLR inputs and two XLR outputs. Maximum swing voltage is 18V RMS. Input and output impedance are 30K and 30 ohms respectively. Frequency response is a very wide DC to 600kHz ±0/3dB. Channel separation is <120dB and the A-weighted noise floor is <130dB. Maximum power consumption is 60 watts and the unit operates at up to 40°C in room (internal temperatures may approach 60°C).

LiveLine Reference Preamplifier ($30k)
Frequency response: DC-600 Khz +0/-3db
Channel separation <120db and A-weighted noise floor <130db
Distortion: 1V rms output level into a 600 ohm impedance is 0.0001% THD across the
Audible bandwidth and 0.0001% IMD
Inputs: 3 RCA and 3 XLR
Output: 2 XLR
Size: Main Unit: 19.9” x 14.2” x 4.7”
Power supply: 19.9” x 13 x 4.7”
Weight: Main Unit: 26.4lbs
Power supply: 28.6lbs

Grace Digital Audio Now Allows XM Customers to Sign Up For SiriusXM Service on all Internet Radios

Previously open to only Sirius customers, now XM users can bring their favorite stations to the tabletop with Grace Digital’s family of internet radios

San Diego, Calif. -  Grace Digital Inc, a leading brand of wireless internet radios, is pleased to announce the addition of SiriusXM Internet Radio to Grace Digital’s services. For the first time ever, the Grace Digital Audio family of internet radios is open to all XM customers. To explore SiriusXM’s features, stations, and packages visit www.SiriusXM.com.

SiriusXM is the only way to enjoy all of Sirius and all of XM, all in one radio. With SiriusXM all your radio needs are covered including news, entertainment, music, sports, traffic, weather, and more. From Oprah Radio® to Howard Stern, SiriusXM provides content from the biggest names in radio. Users will also have access to the most comprehensive sports coverage available, including the NFL®, MLB®, NASCAR®, NHL®, NBA®, and even college sports.

Get the most out of your music with SiriusXM commercial-free music channels from every genre, plus artist-dedicated channels like Grateful Dead, E Street Radio, Siriusly Sinatra, and Elvis Radio®. Stay up on the latest news with constant headlines from CNN, CNBC, NPR, and BBC. SiriusXM also includes 24/7 comedy channels as well as local traffic and weather.

“Starting today all XM customers can now sign up for SiriusXM service on all our radios,” says Grace Digital Audio’s Chief Marketing Officer, Greg Fadul. “We are excited to open up our internet radios to the XM customers. The addition of SiriusXM to our line of services is just another reason Grace Digital radios are the most complete internet radios on the market.”

The complete line up of Grace Digital internet radios featuring SiriusXM Internet Radio is available online at www.GraceDigitalAudio.com. Select models are available at Best Buy, SEARS, J&R Music, Ultimate Electronics, London Drugs (Canada) and other select regional and national retail locations.

To request additional information about Grace Digital Audio, please contact PR Representative Brad Hobbs at (305) 576-1171 x19 or by e-mail at bradhobbs@maxborgesagency.com.

About Grace Digital Audio:
Based in San Diego, California, Grace Digital Audio provides a family of audio products with the highest levels of quality, support and service. From wireless internet radios to indoor/outdoor wireless speakers, Grace provides audio solutions for every situation. Grace’s innovative iPhone & iPod Touch application allows users to control their entire Grace audio system with one convenient control. Grace sells its products through major retailers, ecommerce sites, dealers and distributors throughout North America. To learn more about Grace Digital products please visit them at www.gracedigitalaudio.com.

Connect your PC/MAC to hi quality music machine!
U-4DAC is the link device between the PC/MAC to your hi-fi system by USB connector,
otherwise is suitable also the SPDiF output RCA connector to convert
the USB to SPDiF at any frequency as: 8 / 11.025 / 22.05 / 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 Khz

The construction respect a real massive cabinet made from hi-tickness metal sheet, the front panel is a special extruded plexiglas/PMMA at 10 mm thickness. The best solution for low jitter is a single, hi-precision stable oscillator that perform exceptional value.

The input circuit is based as interface USB new generation microcontroller perform Hi-speed / High definition real compatibility V2/V3, decode all audio frequency from any computer .

No need for any special driver, MAC/OSX is native! The computer recognize the interface automatically due the U-4DAC processor dialog directly to the computer, just to modify the midi panel set-up, for Windows OS we supply right own driver for hi-resolution files reproduction. An “update on line” procedure program software charge directly by internet the last firmware!

TYPE: USB DAC & SPDiF adaptor Asynchronuos mode supported
INPUT: USB 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0
Resolution support 16/24 bit wih sampling rate supporting:
8/11.025/22.05/32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 Khz
OUTPUTS: Analog R/L and digital SPDiF by AK-4396 DAC
THD distortion: 0,01 %
Frequency response: 20 - 96 Khz +/- 0,5 db
Analog output level: 0 db > 2 volt rms
IN / OUT line connectors: USB/ OUT RCA analog/ OUT RCA spdif
Built in one IEC60958 professional 24 bit/192 kHz spdif tx as very
low jitter as one single hi precision master oscillator < 500 pS
POWER SUPPLY ADAPTOR: ADAPTOR 100-240 Vac 9 volt AC out
OUTLINE DIMENSION/WEIGHT:200 (L) 6 (H) 160 (P) mm KG.1,5
APPROVAL: CE-EMC / CE-LVD / IEC-65

Performance
Docet Digital Hi-Fi
Via Assi San Paolo,6
27100 Pavia (PV) Italy
Tel. +39 (0) 382 481022
Fax +39 (0) 382 481021
Email: infoaudio@docethifi.com
Web: www.docethifi.com
 

MartinLogan Ships ElectroMotion ESL for Budget Conscious Audiophiles

Lawrence, KS – MartinLogan, The Great American Speaker Company, announces shipping of the all new ElectroMotion-ESL (EM-ESL). Not a traditional tweeter and woofer-based design, the EM-ESL features the most affordable full-size (34-inces tall) XStat™ electrostatic transducer ever designed. Now available throughout the United States for $1,995 per pair, the EM-ESLs will soon be available at high-performance audio retailers worldwide.

Loyalists may remember the Aerius, the first sub-$2K electrostatic speaker launched in 1992 that provided MartinLogan with record sales and more space in the showroom alongside elite speaker manufacturers. Taking the reigns as the newest budget audiophile option, compared to the Aerius, the EM-ESL boasts 40 percent more radiating surface (129 sq. inches) in its re-vamped electrostatic panel and a sensitivity of 91dB into 6 Ohms.

A unique XStat™ transducer (speaker panel) was developed for the ElectroMotion ESL to reduce the gauge thickness of the electrostatic panel's steel stators. The reduced gauge does not alter the performance characteristics of the panel, however, as a natural byproduct of tighter build tolerances, it does increase the visual transparency of the panel while still allowing the EM-ESL to be effortlessly powered by both receivers and high-end amplifiers alike.

EM-ESL’s XStat MicroPerf electrostatic panel is housed within a radical aluminum and composite AirFrame™ similar to those found on MartinLogan’s flagship products. AirFrame technology rigidifies the electrostatic panel without obstructing playable surface area or interfering with ambience enriching dipole sound radiation. Proprietary Vojtko™ filtering technology seamlessly blends audio output from the high- and mid-frequency electrostatic panel to the low-frequency woofer.

The EM-ESL also features an 8-inch high-excursion, audiophile-grade, doped fiber cone woofer custom designed by MartinLogan’s in-house design and engineering team. This woofer optimizes cone suspension and magnetic flux field to produce high levels of bass output with vanishingly low distortion. Rigid and light-weight, the custom woofer’s diaphragm eliminates cone flexure and maximizes response time to achieve levels of performance approaching that of MartinLogan’s award-winning electrostatic panel design.

Priced at $1,995 per pair (US), matching center and surround channels featuring Folded Motion XT technology will debut in spring of 2011.

More information on MartinLogan’s new EM-ESL speakers can be found on the EM-ESL section of their website.

About MartinLogan, Ltd.
MartinLogan, one of the most respected names in audio, is located in Lawrence, Kansas. The speaker systems, incorporating MartinLogan's patented CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) high-resolution electrostatic technology and Folded Motion transducers, range in price from $199 to $30,000 (U.S. Retail). The subwoofer systems range in price from $495 to $3,495 (U.S. Retail).

CEntrance Goes 'Pro-Audiophile' with Release of "DACmini"

Audiophile Quality Headphone Amp & DAC Bridges Professional Audio Sensibility and Audiophile Quality

CEntrance, Inc., a boutique design agency and manufacturer of the popular USB converters, DACport(tm) MicPort(tm) Pro and AxePort(tm) Pro, announced a refocused company direction with a brand-new product -and product category- for critical listening. With the introduction of the DACmini CX, an audiophile-quality headphone amp and digital audio converter (DAC), CEntrance brings its 11-year history of professional audio sensibility to the home Hi-Fi environment, creating a new category of 'Pro-Audiophile' products.

"'Built like a tank' and 'Pristine audio quality' are no longer mutually exclusive," stated Michael Goodman, Managing Director of CEntrance. "Through our expertise in the professional audio industry, we're bringing reliable design and robust performance to the world of Hi-Fi. We have Mastering engineers endorse our products-they use the best gear from the Pro Audio and the Audiophile markets to create their listening systems. Their goal is to hear exactly what the music sounds like and make the recording the best it can be. We create sophisticated products to do the same thing: let the consumer hear the best possible sound - all at a great price-point. The DACmini is a perfect example of this philosophy."

The newly announced DACmini CX(tm) is a compact 192kHz 24-bit USB DAC and Class A Headphone Amplifier. It's a preamp and digital to analog converter with multiple I/O options including: USB, optical, Coax S/PDIF, analog input and output, and a front-mounted 1/4-inch connector for professional headphones. DACmini's stylish form-factor matches the classic Apple "Mac mini" computer footprint, creating a perfect platform for an audiophile-level music server.

DACmini features galvanically-isolated, gold-plated output jacks, a proprietary JitterGuard(tm) jitter elimination system, and plug-and-play driverless USB connection on PC or Mac. The extended range volume control accommodates the widest array of headphones, from IEMs to professional high-impedance models. DACmini is engineered to excel at rugged reliability and is constructed for quiet, interference-free performance. Placed near your computer monitor, DACmini becomes the center of your desktop audio system. Priced at $795, DACmini CX excels at Professional and Home Audio applications alike.

CEntrance already offers several professional recording tools. The MicPort Pro, popular with Broadcasters, is a 96k 24-bit USB Mic Preamp. The AxePort Pro, used by world-famous touring musicians, is a 96k 24-bit USB Recording Preamp for guitar and bass. The DACport is a portable USB-powered headphone amp capable of 96k 24-bit audio, designed for critical 'anywhere-listening' from a laptop. These portable products offer professional recording and playback quality, earning enthusiastic endorsements from famous artists such as Harry Shearer, Nathan East, and Will Lee, and mastering engineers Bob Katz, Brian Gardner and Mike Wells, among other music industry professionals.

The new DACmini CX is now available and has a suggested retail price of $795 US. Get the latest details at http:/www.CEntrance.com 

CEntrance is expanding its dealer network in the pro and home industry segments. To inquire about becoming a dealer, please call +1 (847) 581-0500 or e-mail us at sales@centrance.com


     

                              

Cult Favorite WyWires Debuts LITESPD Digital Cables

Los Angeles, California - March 30, 2011 - WyWires, cult producer of hand-made high-end audio interfaces, announces the launch of its latest product - the LITESPD series of digital audio cables
priced from $329.

"The LTSPD series makes WyWires' engineering accessible to every music listener who owns a Digital to Analog converter (DAC), a laptop computer, music server - any digital source component that has USB, S/PDIF and or AES/EBU inputs and outputs. The LITESPD series of cables will bring your digitally-based music system to the best performance level possible, even rivaling analog in most cases" according to President & Chief Engineer Alex Sventitsky.

"With the ubiquitous nature of on-line music downloads and the storing of music files on computer hard drives, the WyWires LITESPD series fits an important niche in the audio market. WyWires cables have developed a reputation for detailed, accurate, organic and majestic sound. The digital interfaces are no different in that they dramatically improve the sonic performance of digital components with a very detailed, spacious and non-fatiguing presentation. The LITESPD USB cable enables any laptop computer to perform as well or better than any expensive high end CD transport."

This extraordinary claim is based on WyWires' construction techniques and patent pending wire formulae - ultra high-speed data transfer along with very low capacitance and a natural ability to completely reject noise.

The introduction of the LITESPD series of digital interfaces marks the fourth launch of custom-made audio cables for WyWires since its inception in 2010. It opens up a new market segment for the company, both in equipment interfaces and in demographics. The LITESPD digital cable is priced to attract the broadest audience and allow digital-only listeners to easily upgrade systems with the least expensive and most noticeable results.

The LITESPD is already in the market with several customer reviews...

"Female vocals were drop dead beautiful. The WyWires cable seemed to bring more texture and human-sounding flesh to vocals and organic elements like guitar picks and vocalists breathing etc. I guess it is just the WyWires effect!" Clayton B, British Colombia, Canada.

"I experienced a very high resolution, rich and sophisticated sound which really let the music through in a pleasing way. Warmth, holography, human, emotion." Fred A., Long Island, NY, USA

"The new cable has provided the needed sparkle in the treble region without increased treble energy, totally non-fatiguing. The increased resolution is throughout the entire range of music and the bass is tight and without any bloom. It has taken my system to a level only thought possible with "cost no object" components. If you're in need of a digital cable and want awesome transparency but with dense rich musical ability, you have got to try this new WyWires digital cable. VERY impressive!" Keith N, Austin, TX, USA


About WyWires
WyWires' product line is a truly revolutionary departure from industry norms, even for cables in upper price ranges.

The company produces a full line of cables - analog and digital interconnects, phono, CD and speaker cables, and power cords - all with WyWires' hand-crafted and proprietary wire formulae. All WyWires products provide greater retrieval of musical detail, a heightened sense of realism and eliminate listening fatigue with a natural, organic presentation.

WyWires cables have virtually no shielding, and are made with a proprietary Litz wire formula - not pre-manufactured wire made in China. All components are made in the USA, Canada or the EU - and cable crafting is done locally in Los Angeles. Each cable is tested before it goes out to the customer and no sale is made until a consultation session is completed. The company offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

WyWires products are available for purchase on a factory direct basis as a global distributor/dealer network is being built. Please visit http://www.wywires.com for more information about the company and its products.
 

                                      Spectron Audio

Spectron Audio is proud to introduce the next generation of Remote Sense Standard & Signature Mk2 speaker cables, as well as Thunder & Thunderbolt Mk2 power cords. These were designed to even more effectively carry the instantaneous current demanded by any amp or speaker load in response to the music. (The new THUNDER Mk2 also provides extraordinary sound to the low to medium current demand components like that of tube or transistor preamplifiers, SACD/CD Players, tuners etc.)
We submitted our power cords for the review where they suppose to compete against a number of cables from well established cable manufacturers. The first reaction was highly positive and reviewer indicated that he intend to order these for himself.

These cables and power cords feature new highly sophisticated alloys consisting of gold, silver and the purest stress-free copper (99.999997%) - 10 fold improvement over older designs! The actual wires consist of up to 180 ultra-thin strands twisted in a complex geometry. Advanced vibration control, the best copper foil EMI/RFI protection, an ultra low noise path from wall to components and particularly, specially developed dielectric materials, maintain the integrity of the signal. Your system will get an articulated low frequency bass response, while depicting in stunning 3D all small, delicate, lifelike nuances of the midrange and extended highs.
More details are available on our web site - see  http://spectronaudio.com/cables.htm . Special introductory prices are below:
New Remote Sense Cables

Remote Sense RS Mk2 Loudspeaker cables (10 awg):
1.5 m /5ft pair: US $999.95 (MSRP-$1,495) +$199.95 per each additional 0.5m
Remote Sense RS Signature Mk2 Loudspeaker cable (7 awg):
1.5 m /5ft pair: US $1,999.95 (MSRP-$2,995) +$399.95 per each additional 0.5m
Biwire Jumpers for RS come with Rhodium/Silver plated spades (8 mm): $349.95 per set of four (0.25 m length)
Biwire Jumpers for RS Signature come with Bocchino spades or bananas: $995 per set of four (0.25 m length)
New Power Cords
High Current Power Cord, Thunder Mk2 (11 awg) 1.5 m (5ft): $799.95 (MSRP-$999.95) +$149.95 per each additional 0.5m
High Current Power Cord, Thunderbolt Mk2 (8 awg) 1.5 m (5ft): $1,899.95 (MSRP-$2,495) +$299.95 per each additional 0.5m
Cable Demos are Available.
 

                                 

    NSM Audio is changing its name to NSMT Loudspeakers

                                           

By NSM Audio


NSM Audio has changed its brand name from NSM Audio to NSMT Loudspeakers. The name change will help to distinguish our brand from several other companies and organizations using the NSM acronym. This is only a brand name change. Ownership of the company has not changed, and all warranties and obligations of NSM Audio are assumed by NSMT Loudspeakers. All payments will continue to be transacted under NSM Audio which will remain the parent company of NSMT loudspeakers.

NSM is named after the first three children of the company's founder. With the addition of a fourth child there has always been discussion as to when it would be best to change the company's name. Our name change coincides with our shift to manufacturing eco-friendly, "green," non-toxic, formaldehyde-free loudspeakers, and a shift from manufacturing mostly minimonitors and bookshelf loudspeakers to manufacturing mostly compact towers and architectural loudspeakers.

As we begin to mount a new advertising campaign for our formaldehyde-free loudspeakers, we thought this was the best time to make the name change. Indeed, we hope the name change will coincide with the publication of the first two reviews of our new flagship, formaldehyde-free, 100M loudspeaker.



NSMT Loudspeakers is the leading manufacturer of Eco-friendly, non-toxic, certified green,
Formaldehyde-free, acoustic suspension and transmission line loudspeakers.

NSM Audio
P.O. Box 3396
Research Triangle Park, NC
27709-3396
United States
Phone 919-244-8777
Fax 206-339-9034

                    The Dynaudio Confidence C1 Signature

Montreal, Quebec - March, 31 2011 - Dynaudio North America will premiere the new Confidence C1 Signature at the Salon Son & Image in Montreal, March 31-April 3 2011. Incorporating Dynaudio’s renowned Esotar² tweeter, select high-performance woofers, and the finest hand-crafted wood veneer finishes, the new Confidence models have been
refined from the loudspeaker specialists at Dynaudio in Denmark. The crossover has been further optimized, the tweeter features an improved precision coating, while the internal wiring has been upgraded. With this upgrade to theConfidence range, the second-generation model designations are now Confidence C1 Signature, C2 Signature, C4
Signature, and Center Signature.

The Confidence Signature models are offered two new finishes: either dark-brown Mocca or dark-red Bordeaux finishes. Each begins with a Bird’s Eye Maple natural wood veneer, which is stained Mocca or Bordeaux and then finished with a clear Gloss Piano Lacquer. The Mocca and Bordeaux finishes first ennobled Dynaudio’s 30-year anniversary model, the Sapphire, and are now exclusive to the Confidence Signature models. The Confidence's distinctive, sound-optimized front baffle is now finished in a smooth black lacquer to perfectly round
off the design.

The Signature models proudly feature an aluminum back-plate adorned with the signature of Dynaudio’s founder and sole owner, Wilfried Ehrenholz and feature a 10-year warranty. Dynaudio will also make the new Confidence models available in the company’s standard finish offerings, designating such as the Confidence C1 II, C2 II, C4 II, and Center II, respectively. The Confidence II models will feature a 5-year warranty.

The Confidence Signature project was inspired by Dynaudio’s founder, Wilfried Ehrenholz. Alongside some legendary Dynaudio classics of the past, the Confidence remains his favorite Dynaudio loudspeaker series. Listing to his personal Confidence C1 and C2 models, he has always had the ambition of one day making the best even better.

Efforts to improve these models were quite difficult, as every part of the Confidence, from the shape of its soundoptimized baffle to the premium drive units and the innovative DDC technology, already makes each model a finely balanced, inherently consistent loudspeaker. A new, higher level of fine-tuning and the experience gained from the development of the Dynaudio Sapphire and Consequence Ultimate Edition loudspeakers have helped yield the
refinements implemented into the Confidence Signature edition.

Every Confidence model incorporates Dynaudio’s finest tweeter, the preeminent Esotar² tweeter with neodymium magnet. In its newest version, the 28 mm fabric dome is further optimized via Dynaudio’s precision coating, improving the exceptionally smooth response and the authentic reproduction of all fine musical details.

All bass drivers feature ultra-light, thermally stable aluminum coils wound on special lightweight, stiff yet extraordinarily heat-resistant Kapton formers. The combination of the advanced voice coil construction, the Magnesium Silicate Polymer diaphragms and the ultra-rigid die-cast aluminum frame enables a most precise and dynamic bass performance.
The drive units are mounted onto the Confidence’s distinctive sound-optimized baffle. The shape has been designed to reduce unwanted reflections at the corners, while the baffle itself is further decoupled from the cabinet with a fiberboard layer between the baffle and cabinet. The tweeters are mounted onto a solid aluminum block, itself embedded into the baffle, in order to achieve the most rigid and anti-resonant foundation. All of these efforts ensure perfect sound radiation as well as a dynamic and powerful sound even at higher volumes.

The crossover has been improved and upgraded via implementation of the latest ceramic resistors, air core coils and high-quality capacitors along with new thin film resistors and new internal wiring. The result is an even better, more authentic reproduction of all musical details, especially the delicate sounds from strings, piano and vocals.

Dynaudio Directivity Control – DDC
Any loudspeaker interacts with the room acoustics and can only perform as well as the room allows. But what about a loudspeaker that is virtually immune to room acoustics? Dynaudio Directivity Control (DDC) enables exactly this. The floor-standing Confidence models render an authentic, three-dimensional sound stage between the two speakers, even in rooms with a long listing distance. DDC consists of a finely-tuned balance of symmetrical dual drive units, optimized drive unit positioning and advanced crossover design, and reduces sound reflections from the floor and ceiling of any room by at least 75%. DDC essentially reduces room-acoustical problems without altering the music signal through room correction electronics, and without the need for visually distracting room acoustic treatments.

Each Confidence model is engineered and hand-built by Dynaudio in Denmark. The cabinet is crafted by skilled master carpenters who finish and polish the real wood veneer to perfection by hand, while the innovative front baffle is produced by advanced multi-axial CNC machines to achieve the most precise shape – accurate to a micrometer.

All tweeters and bass drivers of every Confidence Signature are created through a balanced mix of elaborate hand craftsmanship and the highest-precision CNC machines, benefiting from Dynaudio’s over 30 years of experience in designing and producing the finest loudspeaker drive units. Only by this approach Dynaudio can guarantee its renowned quality in both finish and sound.

The Confidence Signature and Confidence II models will begin shipping in June 2011 and projected retail pricing is listed below:
Dynaudio Confidence Signature models
Confidence C1 Signature Mocca
Confidence C1 Signature Bordeaux
Projected MSRP: $8,300/pair

Confidence C2 Signature Mocca
Confidence C2 Signature Bordeaux
Projected MSRP: $15,000/pair

Confidence C4 Signature Mocca
Confidence C4 Signature Bordeaux
Projected MSRP: $22,000/pair

Confidence Center Signature Mocca
Confidence Center Signature Bordeaux
Projected MSRP: $8,300/each

Dynaudio Confidence II models
Confidence C1 II available in Maple, Rosewood, Cherry or Black Ash finish
Projected MSRP: $7,500/pair
(10% additional for Confidence C1 II in White Piano Lacquer or Black Piano Lacquer finish)

Confidence C2 II available in Maple, Rosewood, Cherry or Black Ash finish
Projected MSRP: $13,500/pair
(10% additional for Confidence C2 II in White Piano Lacquer or Black Piano Lacquer finish)

Confidence C4 II available in Maple, Rosewood, Cherry or Black Ash finish
Projected MSRP: $20,000/pair
(10% additional for Confidence C4 II in White Piano Lacquer or Black Piano Lacquer finish)

Confidence Center II available in Maple, Rosewood, Cherry or Black Ash finish
Projected MSRP: $7,500/each
(10% additional for Confidence Center II in White Piano Lacquer or Black Piano Lacquer finish)

www.dynaudiousa.com