Part 4

                 Hmm......was about all I could muster from this setup.

Behold proved beyond the shadow of doubt just how excellent the Isophon Europa II loudspeaker really is (and why I own a pair). I know, I know, we've covered this product enough but many weeks after the show I'm still bowled over by the unbelievable sound this combination displayed. My hope is that when they make it over to CES 2005 (they've committed verbally to attend), they're going to make their room as good, if not better that what I heard here. I take my hats off to Dr. Roland Gauder of Isophon, and Ralf Ballman of Behold.

Coming soon to a home theater near you! Small, light, hi-def compatible, with a long bulb life. Now that's what we need. Projection Design's Action One DLP projector (shown above with engineer Anders Lokke), debuted their 7-segment color wheel, produced a picture that was absolutely breathtaking! The Action One sports a display that boasts the latest HD2 + Mustang DLP Technology with a 1280 x 720 aspect ratio (16:9 wide screen). In addition, it can handle a multitude of input signals: 1080i, 720p, 480i/480p, PAL, SECAM, NTSC as well as connectivity to DVI-D and RGB. With a contrast ratio of 3000:1 and Faroudja's famous DCDi video processing the Model One displayed one of the sharpest, most colorful, noise-free pictures I've seen. Available in a variety of colors and slated for release summer 2004, with a retail price of $12,000, this is yet another great Danish product that I think will have heads turning and jaws dropping.

Italian loudspeaker designer Domenico Foirentino (right), of Eventus Audio proudly displays the special patented innards  of the Metis loudspeaker. The technology, called SACC (Simulated Anechoic Cabinet Construction) is said to dampen internal spurious reflections. I can't vouch for how well this technology works but strapped to the Italian Audia Flight 100 amplifier and Flight 1 preamp, the system was quite impressive considering both the size of the loudspeakers and the room as well. Certainly a product worth keeping an eye on.  

Sony put on a studio style surround demo that had me along with many show attendees impressed. Using a full arsenal of DSD fed surround music featuring Meitner Labs and  professional coax studio monitors from German loudspeaker company Musikelectronic Geithain. I would say the sound was some of the best I heard in 5.1.

Avalon's legendary Eidolon Diamond loudspeaker strapped to a pair of hand-shredding Pass mono amps led the way, while Ayre, Hovland, Grado and Tri-planar kept toes tapping. Together they set the stage for some serious musical enjoyment. With room dimensions that any respectable audiophile would die for, along with DAAD acoustic treatment and Transparent Cables, this was some of the best sound I heard at the show. 

Thomas Fast (left) of Fast Audio,  showed he didn't get that name for nothing, wasn't missing a beat in discussing the effects of proper room treatments while Acoustic Resonators designer Franck Tchang (bottom right), is caught on camera taking a breather. I must admit, I doubt anyone can keep up with Thomas Fast's hectic pace and absolute salesmanship. Then again, I doubt there's a tweak for enhancing room harmonics as successful as Tchang's resonators. 

Thomas Sillesen (above), Densen Audio Technologies' chief of design put on some show that featured a lineup of their sleek 'n neat BEAT electronics . I was a big fan of their B-100 preamp some years back if for nothing else, its amazing low noise floor (a virtue of its printed circuit board made of Teflon and double sided to allow a signal on one side and ground plane on the other. This is said to optimize an interference free signal transfer). Shown from top to bottom (right), is the new B-400XS  CD player ($4000) boasting a new 25 bit PlusBit Technology: Essentially, through a mathematical process PlusBit technology adds one extra bit to the original source material says Densen. B-200 preamp (remote controlled ) and the BEAT 300XS ($2695), stereo 100 watt per-channel amplifier.  All in all, I would have to say I am dying to get a review sample of these exciting new products...again hailing from Denmark!

It was also quite a surprise to see the all-new Meitner DSD combo transport and DAC showing with Densen. Electrocompaniet's new line was also shown (right). My guess is Densen wanted everyone to know that they also are quite privy to what great and expensive digital sounds like too. Which is why they compared their B-400XS to it.

Just wondering if it's me or do these loudspeakers bear any resemblance to ET?

Piega loudspeakers of Switzerland (above) sure had a lot of wonderful sound coming from their new P5 LTD MkII (right), and C10 LTD (left). Hard to see but behind its grill is a coax ribbon midrange. I, along with Key Kim, had the opportunity this past weekend to hear the original Piega P10 at the home of Lewis Lanese and I've got to say, driven by the Ayon signature amplifiers and using Esoteric's best digital combo, the sound was just superb. I grew a new appreciation for what ribbons, tubes and an excellent digital front-end can sound like.

The Ascendo Room put on quite a show that featured Audio Aero's Prestige SACD player and power amps (center and rear channels only). The front two loudspeakers were the reference System M's and they were handily adept compliments of Convergent Audio Technologies' JL3 amplifier and SL1 Ultimate preamplifier. Ascendo showed once again their own version of room correction preamplification in the DASK-V. Used in two channel mode only, it was quite impressive to hear what the DASK-V succeeded in removing most of the boominess in this room. Ascendo's Jurgen Scheuring couldn't help but demonstrate this feature by hitting the by-pass button over and over. CAT's chief designer Ken Stevens (above right) was also in attendance and was quite proud of the sonic results achieved here. When Steven's wasn't greeting show goers, he could be seen just blending in checking out the sights and enjoying himself like everyone else. Ascendo introduced their new floor standing loudspeaker in the C6 (left) which is essentially a beefier version of their C5 monitor sporting the same coax driver with dual woofers. Considering the size/build/price ratio (slated to be around $4000 Euro), I think this may be the runaway performer in the Ascendo lineup.