My Best of CES

Great Sounding Rooms In No Particular Order

Merlin/Joule/AudioAero/Cardas/VPI –Perhaps I’m biased being a Merlin owner, but the sound always impresses and Bobby’s graciousness seems to have no bounds. I was looking forward to hearing this room, as I’ve never until now heard the Merlins with the Joule VZN-100 monoblocks. Compared to the same components driven by CAT electronics at CES 2005, this years’ combo was more refined, with fuller images and more natural tonality. Perhaps a bit less macrodynamic vs. the CAT, but more to my own listening preferences. After listening to many “mega-buck” systems, I couldn’t help but be pleased to return to the sound of the Merlins and confirm my belief that it represents one of the best examples of a component that rides the inflection point where increased price gives back little in better performance. I can see all the other components in my system continue to be upgraded, with the Merlin being the one constant. The new Super-BAM adds slam and impact that was making an impression on the listeners I encountered in the room. It was nice to hear the Merlins & Joule in a more average sized room that resembles what most of us have at home. For me, this room is what home audio is all about.

Ridley Audio
Never heard of this outfit, who will begin selling in the US later this year at very high prices(e.g. $80k speakers). The proprietor was showing his handcrafted components that included 7ft tall speakers, with 250w mono amps built in, phono stage and line stage, all by Ridley. All the components were made using a patented process that heats metal components to 300 degrees Celsius prior to manfacture. Sort of, the “Anti-Cryo”. I can’t speak to the merits of that concept, but the sound was astounding. A London FFSS pressing of Fruhbeck De Burgos conducting Albeniz’ Suite Espanola gave me goosebumps. That piece immediately jumped to the top of my vinyl wish list.

Quest For Sound: Consonance integrated/Consonance turntable/Allaerts Cartridge/FJ speakers
In Quests room I heard an Allaerts cartridge on a small plinthed Consonace turntable, driving their modest looking integrated amp and small FJfloorstanding speakers incorporating drivers that faced up to the sky. I got the impression that it was budget gear, but the rhythmic, natural sound was anything but budget. It reminded me of a modern take on the Linn & Naim systems that dominated the 80s.

Dehavilland
With their SET monoblocks using the unusual GM-70 tube and a Redpoint turntable, they generated great sound thru an interesting loudspeaker from Sound Fusion. Perhaps the GM-70 tube will appear in more designs in the near future? This was one of the few SET-driven rooms that made a positive impression on me this year.

Analysis Audio/ASL/RaySamuels/HGA
The Apogee-like Omega ribbons driven by a VPI SuperScoutMaster, Emmeline phono stage, ASL Hurricanes monoblocks made a strong impression., Anybody looking for a planar/ribbon type speaker would benefit from a listen to these. The tiny Ray Samuels phono stage had me thinking.

Wavac/Continuum/Peak Consult
This was a room that I enjoyed last year. Again, it didn’t disappoint sonically. Not that it made me want to spend $300k on a system. The giant reproduction of the current Stereophile cover photo of the Continuum turntable “World’s Best?” made a bold, statement. Last year, I had a long, quiet demo. This year the room was packed. Wavac and Continuum also showed with Venture speakers next door at T.H.E. Show. The crowd and reaction to this room really exemplify the power of the press, and what a great review will do for interest in a component. Kinda scary how all that power is concentrated in the hands of so few. Yeah for the internet!
Happy listening to all,
Spencer