Home Entertainment Show 2005

New York's Andy Singer of Sound by Singer usually puts on a huge display and this year was no exception. JM Lab's Nova Utopias ($37,500) were easily driven by four Balanced Audio Technology's VK150 SE mono amplifiers ($8,500 per chassis) along with a slew of BAT front-end gear designed by Victor Khomenko (photo right) featuring the BAT VK51SE ($9,000 with remote) and VKD5 CD player ($6,000). Sound was open and sonically delightful as one could and should expect from such lofty electronics. Rack as well as amp stands used were (H)armonic (R)esolution (S)ystems ($8,995). Analogue featured the Avid Acutus 'table ($12,000) and SME 5 tonearm ($4,000). Cabling as well as AC power conditioning was supplied by Shunyata Research. It didn't stop there...

The adjoining Sound By Singer room featured the Peak Consult El Diablo  loudspeakers ($70,000) driven by the VTL Sigfried reference monos ($40,00) and VTL 7.5 preamplifier ($13,500). Digital was by way of the new dCS T5E transport and DAC5E converter ($25,000). These Danish transducers leave a lot of explaining to do as the price for the extravagant has obviously soared causing one of my good friends who toured the show with me to gasp "I heard that" upon hearing of their $70,000 price tag. He also gagged upon hearing their performance, stating "I don't know if they're worth it but they damn sure sound good!"

The dCS P5i ($15,000 above) debuted their first all-in-one CD player which according to folks in the know, is said to rival their more expensive separates. 

I thought I died and went to Planet Affordable when the heard the sound of these electronics from New Yorker Roy Hall. His Epos Acoustics ELS3 mini-monitors, which retails for a whopping $650.00, stole the show with respect to what is considered affordable audiophile-grade playback. Their line of affordable Music Hall 'tables didn't let show-goers down either.

Sonic Spirits, another New York based audio dealer displayed their line of impressive electronics featuring Focus Audio's FS-78SE 10th anniversary loudspeakers (top $3,450), and the smaller alternative Focus FS-68SE ($2,050) monitors. Digital was by way of Dodson Audio's DA-218 Dac ($7,995) using an Empirical Audio modified Sony DVD player. Amplifier used was the Blue Circle NSCS 110-watt Integrated ($2495) as well as the BC202 hybrid amp ($5,295 shown on right of rack) and the Galatea preamplifier ($4,995). Interconnects used were Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II while speaker cables were Acoustic Zen Hologram II. Power cords as well as AC conditioning throughout was Audience AdeptResponse and PowerChords.

The sound of this room was impressive throughout the many days I came back for second, third and fourth auditions. I think as good as the system sounded via the floor-standing Focus signatures, I really was as impressed as Greg Petan listening via the FS-68SE monitors. Their sound appeared more appropriate for the size of this relatively small hotel room though they did lack the bottom-end oomph the FS-78SE's provided in waves. Pick your poison 'cause you're gonna die from something. Guess it might as well be from too much low-end. 

David Chesky of Chesky Records, a soon to be NY icon, is smiling brighter these days. Wonder why? I know, it's because Sal, his long time right hand man is on his right should opposed to his Brazilian sweetheart's left.

                                                       Back/Next