STEREOMOJO SPECIAL DUAL REPORT
Part 3
As always, most of the amplification at any hi-end audio show
consists of tube driven amps. Tom Vu of KT Audio Imports was showing his line of LA Audio tube amps. LA amps are not made in Los Angeles, rather Taiwan, thus the very value oriented prices. The amps look well made and high quality and so does the rare CD player you see here.
Of particular interest, mainly because it was the only amp playing in the room, was this model 6550 integrated. It sounded mighty fine driving big Gamut speakers (Tom also imports that brand). We couldn't believe it when he told us the 100 wpc integrated (with remote) sells for only $4,500. Tom will be sending one for review soon. We can't wait to hear what it sounds like here.
●Power output：100Wx2
●Frequency response：10Hz～45kHz
●harmonic distortion：0.5%(1kHz)
●Input sensitivity：300mV
●input impedance：50KΩ
●output impedance：4Ω 、8Ω
●Signal to noise ratio：88dB
●Input signal：4 sets
●Tube Complement：
6550×8,ECC82(12AU7)X4,ECC83(12AX7)X2
●power consumption：550W
●Dimensions：40(W)x57(D)x20(H)cm
●weight：23Kgs
Mr. Vu not only imports stereo gear, he designs and sells his own turntables. This massive, sparkling Reference table from his Triangle Arts company weighs an impressive 350 lbs with a hefty 45lbs solid 4” thick T6 solid aluminum platter. He also uses non-inverted aluminum ball bearings to support the heavy platter.
The new AC Motor comes inside the 20 lb aluminum motor housing driving the heavy platter.
List Price: $13,990.00
He also makes the Signature that sells for about $10,000. It's only (cough) 250 pounds...
Here's another turntable, this time from Pyon. It's called the Muzika Ultima Tankwood Edition.
The so-called Tankwood is laminated birch, to 250 tons of high-pressure forming, its hardness is said to be like steel, it is also known as bullet-proof wood. However, it is also lighter than aluminum. The table uses a sandwich structure, the bottom is iron, the middle is bullet-proof wood, the top is acrylic. Using a combination of three different materials to achieve the best suspension requirements and the best internal damping characteristics. It weighs 78 kg.
This Tankwood Edition design features the encoder-bassed motor control, the dual-directional bearing mechanism, the spiral-disk spring suspension, the triple ceramic ball foot mechanism, and the cast iron plinth and platter, etc.
The exotic and ultra-performance tankwwod is now used for the middle platter, while multiple ceramic ball pockets are added to the top acrylic platter.
- The plinth now utilizes the tankwood for better vibration and resonance draining and absorption.
- The metal parts are now chrome-plated
Price? About $50,000
From one extreme to another. I know what you're thinking: This looks just like a Technics table - but it's not. According to Leland Leard, 2nd in command at MusicHall, this USB-1 table has no connection, no parts, no nothing to a Technics."We just wanted to design a classic-looking table as inexpensively as possible for those looking for an entry level, first-time turntable that is capable of hookup via USB so they can record their vinly to digital if they want". The big difference between the Technics and this table is that the Technics is a direct drive model while this one uses belt drive.
Here's what the brochure says:
Music Hall's new usb-1 is a convenient, easy to use, and fun turntable. It's a snap to set-up and comes with everything you need to start spinning vinyl. Whether you're looking to digitize and download your record collection, release your inner DJ, or simply discover the joy of spinning vinyl, the usb-1 is your answer. It has a built-in phono preamp, cartridge, dust cover, and includes all necessary cables and software required for simple plug and play operation.
extremely quiet belt drive, 2-speed turntable
aluminum die-cast platter
33 1/3 and 45 rpm playback speeds
high gloss black finish
encode mp3's and transfer them to your iPod using iTunes
USB output for converting vinyl to PC or MAC
USB cable supplied
free Audacity software included
analog output via built-in Phono Amp or direct line out
static balanced S-shaped tonearm w/detachable headshell
Audio Technica AT3600L moving-magnet cartridge supplied
anti-skating control for increased stereo balance
+/- 10% adjustable pitch control
dust cover included
designed and developed in the US and France
And yes, it's only $249. We've seen dust covers alone that cost that much...
This is Music Hall's new prototype top of the line table, targeted for $4,000
"Stereo for Cheap Bastards" alert! These new speakers (and a whole new line called Epic) from Epos go for only $599/pr. Note the new soft dome tweeter
(we're seeing more soft dome tweeters and midranges) and the all new 5 1/2" woofer.
The Epic 2 ups the size of the woofer to 6 1/2 inches. 90 db sensitivity and only $799
There is also a Epos 5 tower speaker for $1,400
Interesting speakers hand made by Bogdan Petrescu. The big Petra features stacks of 50 layers of hand-cut MDF, all different sizes to eliminate waves and resonance. The speaker weighs over 200 lbs, but is designed to be filled with sand bringing the total to 300 lbs! The drivers are fastened to aluminum blocks inside the cavity. the exterior is then coated with polymer and painted with Mercedes automotive black. That's a Raal tweeter on top, said to extend up to 100,000 Hz. while low frequencies can be measured well under 30 Hz thanks to the Eton 11" low frequency driver.
For the mid band section the 7'' Eton driver was chosen. Very impressive sound, especially the rock solid bass.
The standmount is the Catalina, a two way monitor design that uses the large RAAL ribbon tweeter matched with a 7" Scan Speak reinforced paper cone.
Frequency response: 38 Hz-100,000 Hz
Impedance 6 ohms, sensitivity 89 db
Catalina is a lamination of 18 layers; each layer is handcrafted from six separate pieces of three different materials. Those layers are solid Cherry wood, aluminum and MDF.
It is 18" tall, 18" deep and 12" wide finished in all natural solid Cherry wood only, with no stain, just a clear protective finish. Some of the features are: variable wall thickness on the horizontal and vertical plane with an minimum 2" thickness!
Another impressive speaker were these Chapman T8's at $9,000/pr.