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NEWS RELEASE 11/14/05 After observing the American and Chinese high-end markets and makers for years; after visiting Chinese manufacturers, high-end dealers and conducting extensive research into performance, reputation and reliability; we have assembled what we believe to be The Best From China for discerning US audiophiles conscious of budgets. Our electronics brands are unique and exclusive, from highly committed and ambitious high-end companies who each have been in business for between 5 -10 years. They do not OEM or rebadge and are not involved in any large-scale mass-market enterprises. ( Except, Dussun decided to honor the previous OEM contract they held with Korsun for a high-profile US brand. However, no new OEM solicitations will be accepted. ) These are the most prestigious and specialized audio firms in China and fully the equal of American or European counterparts. The lineup presently includes Dussun, a brand headed by the former chief designer for Korsun (made famous in the US for his OEM work for a high-profile American brand). Dussun is the brand for integrated amplifiers. Original specializes in digital front-end components but also makes a headphone amp. The Original CD-2008 is the best-selling high-performance CD player in China. XLH makes a horn speaker and an ambitious pre/power combo that competes with "anything" built and designed in the US or Europe. XLH is China's top and most expensive high-end brand. oSound provides furniture and accessories for audio and video. The oSound’s manufacturer designs and builds audio/video exteriors for almost all Chinese high-end name brands. We specialize in solid-state products exclusively and invite comparison against the very best from the West.
NEWS RELEASE 11/14/05 Peak Consult Announces the Zoltan Processing, controlling and assembling of Zoltan is handled by skilled craftsmen within Peak Consult's facilities. Countless hours of measurement and critical listening are logged to correlate design theory and practice. Zoltan's impedance curve looks more like a purely resistive ribbon than a dynamic speaker, making use with any kind of amplifier easy. The final blend of art and technology have made Zoltan an uncompromising performer. Zoltan is a true State of the Art loudspeaker, able to recreate music with stunning realism, regardless of whether or not you are using small tubes or a big solid-state amplifiers. Enclosure The multifaceted enclosure is handcrafted in our own facilities by Danish artisans in a 1.5"- 3.0" HDF specially glued sandwich material covered by 1" solid hardwood. The side panels have been made out of "finger tapped" wood. Each wood panel has been hand-chosen, processed and assembled with traditional Danish fine woodcrafting techniques. The geometrical design optimises the off-axis response while minimizing diffraction. In order to minimize internal standing-waves, there are no parallel front, back, top or bottom panels. The slant of the front panel aligns the phase and timing between tweeter, midrange and woofers. Transducers The Danish Scan-Speak tweeter is a non-Ferro fluid 1" soft dome, SD-2 motor, low compression design, and non-resonant chamber, modified here for our specific performance parameters to perform effortlessly. The Danish 5" Audiotechnology midrange is hand-built specifically for optimal behaviour in the Zoltan's enclosure. The driver features a cone that has been uniquely shaped for this moving system and a vented magnet system that includes Symmetric Drive, optimising the linear directivity. It performs with peerless soundstaging ability. The dual Danish 7" Audiotechnology woofer array is hand-built and specifically designed for Zoltan. The technology used in the moving system makes them very low-loss drivers. The magnet and ventilation system allows the drivers to reproduce very tight and extremely low frequencies. Networks The speaker includes an acoustical second order crossover in the tweeter/midrange section and also a second order in the midrange/bass section. Every component has been chosen for its sonic and musical behaviour, with no consideration for cost, most of them having been custom hand-built for Zoltan. The crossover is crimped and then hardwired with silver soldering and sealed to avoid microphony and to shield it from electrical and magnetic radiation from rest of the system. For the internal wire Peak Consult has chosen the best silver internal wire from Stereovox. Conclusion Zoltan boasts an extremely linear frequency response, on-axis as well as of-axis. This makes it a very accurate loudspeaker in a "Real World" environment. The woodworking is gorgeous, following in the tradition of fine Danish furniture. From the custom drivers, hand-made crossovers with custom hand-built components to the excellence of the design and execution of the fine Danish cabinetry, Zoltan will take you on a magic carpet ride into the very heart of the music and leave you wanting for nothing more.
Best regards, Chris Sommovigo Signals SuperFi, LLC North American Distributors for: Global Distributors for: NEWS RELEASE 8/20/05 Audion International Ltd, British tube manufacturing company based in France has today appointed Ray Lombardi of Lombardi Sales To be its new distributor for North America. This follows resurgence in tube awareness and Audion's needs for better representation. Audion believes that Ray will make a perfect addition to the team and will compliment our current resources. Ray joins us at a time of major growth and offering his unique flair, knowledge and understanding of the tube marketplace assumes the role of key coordinating distributor and will be responsible for driving sales of Audion Amplifiers, Preamplifiers, cables and electronics within the US. We wish Ray every success for the future. NEWS RELEASE 8/20/05 HeadRoom announces the
release of our new website and product line. Come check out the new
look of HeadRoom, including new logo and an entire website redesign. We
have defined our mission, and decided that we'd like to be your HeadRoom,
where music is right between your ears. Movies also, of course, which
brings up an important point: It doesn't matter whether it is jazz, or
hip-hop, or choral, or turntableism; it doesn't even matter if it's
music, or film, or spoken word, they HeadRoom's new headphone amplifier line-up includes portable headphone amps, home amps, and digital to analog converters… all backed with a 30 day guaranty, product warranties, and superior customer service. We are continuing the use of aluminum enclosures but we've redesigned them with a softer, rounded look. And we've added the feature of a urethane bezel between the front and rear panels and the enclosure. Lastly, and in our view most importantly, we've added digital capabilities to the new products. For example, our Desktop Amp can now take five inputs at once: two unbalanced RCA line inputs, S/PIDIF coax and Toslink, and your computer. It also include volume controlled rear outputs that can go to your desktop speakers and that can be muted while listening to headphones using the line-out mute switch on the front panel. Come on over to http://www.headphone.com/ and see all that we've done to help you get it Right Between Your Ears. Contact: HeadRoom NEWS RELEASE 8/20/05 Canton has begun shipping its newly redesigned Ergo series of loudspeakers. The line features completely new drivers and crossover networks incorporating technological advancements developed for the recently introduced Vento line, as well as the most significant improvements in the line's cabinet design in over 20 years. The Ergo line includes a trio of three-way floorstanders, three compact two-way models, a 2-1/2 way center channel, and a dramatically improved 350 Watt powered subwoofer.
"The Ergo line has long represented the most conservative aspects of Canton's design philosophy," remarked Canton's head designer Frank Göbl. "This marks the most significant evolution the line has seen in the past 20 years, incorporating the lessons learned and new techniques we have developed over the past decade in all aspects of loudspeaker design. The result is the embodiment of classic Ergo sensibilities – just better." All of the full range models in the Ergo line employ the newest evolution of the company's highly regarded ADT-25 aluminum-manganese dome tweeter. The most significant change to the driver from previous versions is the new flared transmission front plate, which delivers improved high frequency dispersion and off-axis linearity, and increases driver efficiency by 2- to 3- dB overall. As with the earlier tweeters in the Ergo line, the revised ADT-25 employs Canton's signature one-piece aluminum-manganese dome and voice coil former. This arrangement provides superior high frequency performance and heat dissipation when compared to conventional two-piece designs. Additionally, the driver features an improved surround design that leads to reduced distortion and less susceptibility to break-up modes. The end result of all of these refinements is to extend the tweeter's effective operating range all the way out to 40 kHz while simultaneously decreasing distortion. All of the bass and midrange drivers in the Ergo line feature extremely stiff and lightweight black anodized aluminum cones for optimum response characteristics. The drivers are the same as those developed for the Vento series, including redesigned motor systems, newly developed sinusoidal surrounds, and improved spiders. These refinements led to a 60- to -100 percent increase in excursion capabilities, and a 6- to -9 dB increase in deep bass output for all Ergo bass and midrange cone drivers. The new Ergo line also incorporates the most significant change in cabinet design the line has seen in over two decades. The front baffle of all the models now incorporates a gentle curve across the face of the speaker. This design not only enhances the appearance of the series, it also dramatically reduces deleterious edge effects for improved off-axis dispersion characteristics and linear frequency response. Additionally, the floorstanding models in the line now incorporate an additional bottom plate that improves isolation from the floor. The increased structural support of both the baffle and the bottom plate also serves to further reduce cabinet resonance. Lastly, the three floorstanding models in the Ergo line each employ Canton's exclusive Displacement Control (DC) technology, which uses a proprietary high-pass filter to prevent signals below the audible frequency range from interfering with the bass driver. In conventional speakers, these signals can generate high levels of unwanted harmonic distortion in the audible lower bass range, causing a muffled or "blatty" tonal quality. DC technology allows the speakers to provide clear, linear bass reproduction at much lower frequencies than could otherwise be attained. All of the models in the Ergo line are currently available in the company's stunning silver lacquer finish, or in real wood veneers of beech, cherry, or black ash. Grills are made of acoustically transparent perforated metal in either black or silver, depending on cabinet finish. Click here to read the full press release with detailed information and photographs of individual Canton Ergo models. Canton Electronics Corporation is the US distributor for
Canton Elektronik GmbH., Weilrod, Germany. Canton is the largest
manufacturer and best-selling brand of loudspeakers in Germany. It was
founded in 1973 by a group of audio enthusiasts who defined their mission
simply "to always develop the finest loudspeakers in their class." Since
the late 1970s, Canton products have been available in the in the U.S.,
where they are popular with quality-focused specialty retailers and custom
installers. Canton USA Gordon Sell Public Relations NEWS RELEASE 8/20/05 TWO FANTASTIC NEW SURROUND SOUND SACDS FROM LINN RECORDS "When Lights Are Low" (Linn AKD 260) is the eleventh album Claire Martin has recorded for Linn Records, and is the second featuring Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (also Linn AKD 246). US Jazz singer Carol Sloane writes: On the surface it's an unlikely pairing. You've got Claire Martin, the cheeky south London jazz singer with brilliant technique and beautiful voice with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, the bow-tie wearing gent and one time Pierre Boulez student best known for his film scores (Four Weddings, Murder On the Orient Express). At 69 he is nearly twice her age, and together they make a fun, sassy duo. Friends for fifteen years, the idea for this album was born when Bennett played piano on Martin's last release, "Secret Love" (a heartfelt reading of My Buddy). This album is just her, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and a piano, beautifully recorded in New York. Tracks include: Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home; Little Too Lonely / World Weary; I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues; The Very Thought Of You; Not Exactly Paris; Fools Fall In Love; We'll Be Together Again; Baby Don't You Quit Now; My Mood Is You; What I Was Warned About; No Love No Nothing; When Lights Are Low; My One And Only; Baby Plays Around; Going Back To Joes; Crimes Of The Heart Soprano Emma Bell's second solo album (Linn CKD 252) is a disc of beautifully sung Handel Operatic Arias and features the Scottish Chamber Orchestra directed from the harpsichord by Richard Egarr. This is Emma's second album with Linn, the first was an album of songs by Richard Strauss and premiere recordings by Bruno Walter and Joseph Marx which received some fantastic reviews. Emma's recent performance as Handel's Rodelinda at Glyndebourne was received to outstanding critical acclaim: Emma Bell sings Rodelinda with gorgeous tone and spectacular vocal control over the role's well-nigh impossible range The Guardian. The tracks chosen for this recording sample the whole of Handel's London operatic career, from the first (Rinaldo, 1711) to his last (Deidamia, 1741) and demonstrate his wide range of moods, from defiance to resignation, from love to the wilder shores of hatred. Tracks include: Desterň dall empia dite - (Amadigi), M'hai resa infelice - (Deidamia), Piangerň la sorte mia (Guilio Cesare), Scherza in mar (Lotario), Ombre piante (Rodelinda), Se'l mio duol (Rodelinda), Tutta raccolta ancor (Scipione), Orrida agli occhi miei (Ariodante), Ah, crudel (Rinaldo), Sommi Dei (Radamisto), Barbaro partiro (Radamisto) Both albums are currently discounted by up to 20% at http://www.linnrecords.com/ with Claire Martin's back catalogue on special offer until 30th September. NEWS RELEASE 8/16/05 Reference Recordings is pleased to announce that, after a long and costly legal battle, we have won our lawsuit and are now separated completely from The Dorian Group. All assets and rights to the label and catalogue have been returned to us. Plans are under way to re-establish RR in the music marketplace by early October, 2005. RR has just signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the United States and Canada with Allegro Corporation and Allegro Entertainment Canada Ltd., of Portland, Oregon. Allegro distributed RR prior to the failed merger with The Dorian Group. RR is now reconnecting with its network of international distributors in more than 25 countries, and looks forward to resuming these excellent business relationships. Export sales will begin in October. RR's most recent releases (below) will be re-promoted in an ambitious program by Allegro in the Fall, and review copies will be available to all publications by request. New releases will begin in January, 2006, starting with "Five O'Clock Foxtrot", a collection of orchestral music by Maurice Ravel, with Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra. 2006 will mark the 30th Anniversary year of Reference Recordings. Our multi-Grammy awarded and nominated label remains completely dedicated to the highest standards of recording art and technology. Marcia
Martin, Vice President NEWS RELEASE 8/16/05 Crystal Acoustics Appoints Scull Communications for US Debut of Chinese-Made THX-Certified Home Theater Systems at Half The Competition's Price! Crystal Acoustics, known as Crystal Audio in Europe and Asia, are the only manufacturers of THX speaker systems from China. Their high-performance sound and build quality are ! virtually guaranteed by rigorous THX specifications. As well as they're made, the speakers still sell for about half the price of the competition! Vassilis Tsakiris, an electrical engineer specializing in acoustics and speaker design and manufacture, opened Crystal Audio in Europe in 1998 after more than 20 years in the business. Following his singular vision and lifelong passion for high quality sound, he dedicated his company to creating affordable high performance home theater speaker systems. Based in London, Crystal Audiovideo quickly became a leading European manufacturer. Crystal Audio has its Logistics Center and European warehouse in Athens, with manufacturing facilities in Asia. They've become internationally recognized for innovation, quality, and their efficient manufacturing processes. Crystal Audiovideo is also an OEM supplier whose customers include some of the most famous of European and American brands. And supporting its US dealers, Crystal Acoustics LLC opened a distribution center in Baltimore MD. American cousin Crystal Acoustics LLC now makes these high-value, high-performance home theater speaker systems available in the US for those looking for truly high performance at really affordable prices! The popular THX-D system consists of THX Front Towers featuring Spherical Rotating Tweeters, THX Dipole Surrounds, with a 12" THX Select subwoofer. The elegant smArt Systems offers chic, contemporary, slim-line styling with interchangeable side panels! Choose from high gloss lacquer finishes like Dark Cherry, Silver, Black, and Maple. These systems also include 10" or 12" THX Select Subwoofers, and an elegant looking center channel that changes its side panels, as do the subs. They sound as elegant as they look. A quartet of Plasma Towers makes for more intimate small-screen viewing. It includes a Plasma Center, and THX Select subwoofer to bring the home theater experience to life. Visit http://www.crystalaudiovideo.com/ to learn about Crystal Acoustics' powerful and extensive dealer and consumer tools like Room Acoustics Designer®, wide-ranging FAQs, and Tips & Tricks including sections on System Configurations and Matching Speakers with Amplifiers. SCULL COMMUNICATIONS NEWS RELEASE 8/16/05 Boston Audio Design today announced their new HiFi Industry Podcast Series – the first podcast series to focus exclusively on high-end audio. The podcasts will be in a live interview format with questions submitted by the public. The 30-minute podcasts will be released monthly and may be downloaded automatically via RSS or manually by visiting the Boston Audio Design website. The podcasts are free of charge. Podcasts do not require the use of an iPod – the MP3 files can be listened to on a computer or burned to a CD. By allowing the public to ask questions directly of leading industry manufacturers and personalities, the podcasts will give audiophiles worldwide a new way to learn about and interact with the audio community. Also, by syndicating the podcasts through hubs like Apple's iTunes, the podcasts will help promote the hifi hobby to a wider audience. "We're very excited to offer this free service to the audio community," said Austin Jackson, President of Boston Audio Design. "By serving as a conduit for communication between audiophiles and manufacturers, we're able to help people learn what they want to know and to better understand the innovative points of view that make ground-breaking audio products a reality." The first podcast will be available this fall and will feature an interview with artist and turntable designer Simon Yorke of Simon Yorke Designs. Produced over a span of 20 years, Mr. Yorke's handcrafted turntables are used by the Library of Congress, professional archivists, and audiophiles worldwide. Also scheduled for this fall are interviews with 47 Laboratory and Avantgarde Audio. 47 Laboratory is well known for manufacturing the iconoclastic Gaincard amplifier, PiTracer CD transport, and the Miyabi/47 Labs phono cartridge. Avantgarde Audio is perhaps the world's leading horn loudspeaker manufacturer and their products have won numerous awards, including Stereophile's Speaker of the Year. To ask questions of the podcast guests and to be notified when the podcasts are available, please visit http://www.boston-audio.com/podcasts. Boston Audio Design is a manufacturer of audio accessories. Their Mat 1 turntable mat is machined from pure carbon and has been acclaimed by audiophiles worldwide. TuneBlocks, their newest product line, are pure carbon footers that bring many of the benefits of carbon technology to digital sources and amplifiers. Boston Audio Design's upcoming podcast series marks the start of a range of free services designed to promote the hifi industry to a wider audience. NEWS RELEASE 8/06/05 River Cable http://www.rivercable.com/ follows up acclaimed FLEXYGY 8 bi-wire cables, with eight conductor, flat, super flexible, standard configuration loudspeaker cables for the critical listener. Flexygy 8's unique flat topology and tremendous amount of copper contained in its 8 conductors are some of the secrets behind its unique ratio of low resistance to capacitance. Low capacitance in speaker cables is especially important with dynamic coil speakers, and FLEXYGY 8's capacitance specification is an extremely low 10 pF/ft. And Flexygy 8 is an installation dream; under carpets, along baseboards, with a super flexibility that can't be beat in a cable with an aggregate AWG of 7. Customers were very happy with our Flexygy 8 Bi-Wire cables, and were demanding we begin offering straight paired configurations. The cables low capacitance, along with a very low resistance measurement, sets our performance miles apart from any other flat cable on the market in its price class." says River Cable Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Paul Swedenburg. "Flat topology, conductor layout and lots of copper make FLEXYGY 8 perfect for building cables that completely achieve their mission of superbly carrying audio from high-end equipment to high-end loudspeakers, without getting in the way." Like all River Cables, each FLEXYGY 8 loudspeaker cable is individually tested and certified and is fully covered by a 30 day Home Trial Guarantee and a Lifetime Warranty. River Cable Technologies produces innovative, handcrafted and individually certified audio and video cables for the "high-performance" home audio and home theater market. River Cable products are available exclusively at www.rivercable.com and include: Analog and Digital Audio Interconnects, Speaker Cables, Composite, S-Video and Component Video cables, RGB (HV), VGA/Breakout cables, DVI and HDMI cables, and custom order cables. NEWS RELEASE 8/06/05 Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of powered subwoofers for home-theater and consumer audio, has announced the introduction of the SPL-R (Small, Precise, Loud – Remote) Series subwoofers. These new subwoofers, in 8, 10, and 12 inch versions, feature a 6-band auto-EQ functionality with included microphone and a full-featured remote control. With one touch on the remote, the SPL-R generates its own test tone then analyzes that tone via the included microphone. It then automatically adjusts the 6-band internal EQ to provide the best bass performance in any room. The auto-EQ functionality is powered by TI's Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology that allows precise management of the subwoofer's crossovers, slopes, equalization, subsonic filters and distortion limiting circuitry. The result is a subwoofer that plays louder, goes lower and has less distortion. With auto EQ, the SPL-R solves the age-old problem of getting excellent bass despite placement limitations and the room's acoustical anomalies," said Bruce Hall, president of Velodyne. "TI's DSP technology lets us put in a 6-band EQ and precisely tune the sub for maximum performance. In addition to being able to play incredibly low and loud with 70% less distortion than competitive products, the SPL-R Series is also perfect for any room décor due to their elegant styling. They can also easily fit into a small space or cabinet due to their exceptionally small size." In addition to auto-EQ, the full function remote control also comes complete with four listening presets for movies, R&B-rock, jazz-classical and games, a four position phase adjustment control, night mode setting which limits the maximum output of the subwoofer for late night listening, volume control and light control. All three models in the SPL-R Series (SPL-800R, SPL-1000R and SPL-1200R) measure under 15" with the SPL-800R just over 10" high. These feature-rich subs are powered by a Class D (digital) switching amplifier delivering 1000 watts RMS and 2000 watts dynamic power. The drivers incorporate light, stiff Kevlar-reinforced fiber cones, massive 21 lb. magnet structures (on the SPL-1000R and SPL-1200R), 2.5" to 3" copper wound voice coils and vented pole pieces. The available finishes are black gloss, medium cherry or light maple. The SPL-R Series is available now with suggested retail prices ranging from $1249 to $1899. About Velodyne Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., founded in 1983, is universally recognized as the leading manufacturer of high-performance, low distortion powered subwoofers at all price levels. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, the company's technically innovative audio products are available through a select group of authorized dealers, custom installers, and distributors worldwide. For more information visit http://www.velodyne.com/. NEWS RELEASE 7/11/05 GamuT International announces that Lars Goller has joined Poul Rossing as partner and co-owner. Under this new partnership, Poul Rossing will be in charge of purchasing and administration, and Lars Goller will be in charge of R&D, sales and marketing. Prior to joining GamuT, Lars served as R&D manager at scan-speak and vifa from 1992-2002, and since 2002 as Director of R&D for Danish sound technology (Vifa, Scan-Speak & Peerless). Lars is known in the audio industry for creating the best sounding loudspeaker drive units, used by the most acclaimed loudspeaker brands. His background is electronic/acoustic engineering where he has specialized in psychoacoustics, trying to understand how we as humans are interpreting the sound transferred from our ears to our brain, and thereby deciphering the key to good sound quality. He is also a creative design engineer, with the rare capability of finding beautifully simple concepts to solve complex engineering problems. His talents are evidenced in the recently introduced GamuT L3, L5 and L7 speakers, which he designed. For more information, please contact: Ray Lombardi NEWS RELEASE 5/20/05 Having discovered that the record labels cannot search for HDCD in their listings and that the record shops generally are not familiar with the abbreviation HDCD, I thought this needed changing. The assumption is that there are many of us who are satisfied with our HDCD equipped CD players, DVD players or amplifiers and therefore very much would like to see a list of HDCD albums. http://www.hdcd.com/ hasn't been updated since 2003. That is why there is now an HDCD catalogue! The idea is that those of us who have HDCD albums enter them in the database. Anyone can, after having registered as a member, download the item number of a title from the database, using it to place an order at any record shop that provides search engines. Welcome! Press Release NEWS RELEASE 5/20/05 The Lotus Group distributes
the Oyaide SWO Series AC receptacles. Purpose-built for audio and video,
the SWO series are the result of extensive research and testing. The
contacts are made from Deoxidized Phosphor Bronze which are polished twice
before plating. Each successive layer of plating is also polished
twice. The bodies are 30%
The Oyaide SWO series of receptacles are a must for highest quality resolution, and, for the level of upgrade they provide, should be considered as a bargain. Oyaide also makes AC and IEC plugs of the same high quality. For further information, please contact: NEWS RELEASE 5/19/05 Get it Right Between Your Ears! HeadRoom announces the release of our new website and product line. Come check out the new look of HeadRoom, including new logo and an entire website redesign. HeadRoom's new headphone amplifier line-up includes portable headphone amps, tube amps, and DAC's… all backed up with a 30 day guaranty, product warranties, and superior customer service. HeadRoom—Get it Right Between Your Ears! Contact: HeadRoom NEWS RELEASE 5/02/05 Signals, LLC announces today
that it has officially added Peak-Consult to its list of products
distributed in North America, joining Continuum Audio Labs of Australia on
their list of extreme-performance products in the Signals
collection. NEWS RELEASE 4/01/05 TweekGeek.com, a retail web site dedicated to supporting smaller, newer audio related manufacturers opened its doors on March 31st. Through cooperative marketing and sales, TweekGeek.com hopes to create awareness of the innovation and craftsmanship taking place within this cottage industry. Mike Garner of TweekGeek.com says, "Our vision is to become the premier marketplace of cutting-edge audiophile products from around the world. This will enlighten consumers, help small businesses, encourage innovation, and be healthy for the industry as a whole." For more information, you can contact Mike Garner at (626) 826-9819, or mgarner@tweekgeek.com NEWS RELEASE 3/26/05 Audience, LLC introduces the Adept Response High Resolution Master Power Conditioner. In addition to power protection, RF filtration, and partial power factor correction, the AdeptResponse offers 12 outlets, each of which is individually filtered and isolated. Thus an entire audio and/or video system can plug into the adeptResponse; digital sources can be plugged next to phono pre-amplifiers without interference. Power amplifiers of all sizes operate better, without the usual limiting of dynamics. Only the finest components are used starting with the Audience powerChord which is connected via a 20 amp Neutrik Powercon connector. The on/off switch is a heavy duty magnetic circuit breaker. The adeptResponse is offered in silver and black. John McDonald, President Audience, LLC NEWS RELEASE 3/25/05 Crystal Cable has created a special interconnect for the Apple iPod. The company's Crystal Piccolo iPod ($399 per meter length) is a two-lead interconnect with 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo headphone jack on one end and a pair of RCA connectors on the other. Like Crystal Cable's standard Piccolo interconnect, the new iPod version employs special silver-gold conductors and Kapton insulation. The cable itself is very flexible for ease of use. Joe Shanaphy Crystal Cable-USA NEWS RELEASE 3/24/05 On the heels of major announcements about global expansion and acquisition of the Jamo brand, Klipsch Audio, Inc. today announced the appointment of Niels Jespersen as director of global distribution strategy. Jespersen will oversee and optimize the company's distribution relationships and practices outside of North and South America. He will report to Paul Jacobs, president of both Klipsch and Jamo. Klipsch Audio, Inc. is the parent company of Klipsch Audio Technologies, which distributes Klipsch speakers, Aragon electronics and Oxmoor Corporation's ZON whole house digital audio products. Last month, Klipsch Audio, Inc. acquired the brand name and key assets of Danish speaker company Jamo A/S, which is now operated as Jamo International Aps in Denmark and Jamo U.S. in the United States. Jespersen will be responsible for evaluating and planning future distribution and exploring opportunities for growth with all four Klipsch Audio, Inc. brands. He will determine where separate and joint brand distribution makes sense as well as seek strategic partners on a country-by-country basis. Jespersen brings to Klipsch more than 30 years of international consumer electronics sales and distribution experience. He served as president of the International Division of Harman Consumer Group and director of European activities for JBL and Harman Kardon. Jespersen most recently established distribution activities in Denmark for Marantz electronics and Audio Pro speakers. "Niels Jespersen is a skilled negotiator and strategist who adds significant international experience to the global operations of Klipsch Audio, Inc.," said Paul Jacobs, president of both Klipsch Audio Technologies and Jamo International Aps. "In his new position with Klipsch, Niels will be a key senior leader with great responsibility for moving our global strategy forward." Jespersen will operate out of Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2004, Klipsch Audio Technologies reported double-digit annual sales growth for the seventh consecutive year. The Company is ranked as the number one speaker brand in all U.S. distribution channels with a 14.1 percent market share for January, according to NPD Techworld, a point-of-sale market-tracking firm. During the last five years, approximately 50 percent of new and retrofitted movie theatres around the world have installed Klipsch loudspeakers. About Jamo International Aps About Klipsch Audio, Inc. CONTACT Klipsch Audio Technologies NEWS RELEASE 3/21/05 Millennia announces the HV-3C Stereo High Voltage Microphone Preamplifier. In stock and shipping. HV-3C offers two channels of Millennias acclaimed HV-3 microphone preamplifiers in a rugged 1U-19 steel rack case. As a successor to Millennias HV-3B stereo mic preamp, the HV-3C adds many desirable new features, including an improved power supply, newly designed front panel, and a digital output option. The HV-3C employs 36 stepped gain positions with 1.5dB gain steps. Its predecessor, the HV-3B stereo micamp, offered 36-step gain as a $300 option. High resolution 36 step gain control is now standard on the HV-3C with no additional cost. The new front-panel design includes a 3/8 thick mirror gloss black aluminum face plate with hand-machined aluminum knobs and illuminated push-button switching. HV-3Cs power supply has also been improved for enhanced performance and longevity. HV-3C is ready to accept a factory-upgraded 24 bit, 192 kHz Analog to Digital POW-r Converter, which is planned for delivery later in 2005. HV-3C is a discrete-hybrid design which provides for optional DPA 130 volt microphone inputs, as well as DC inputs, giving HV-3C an entirely DC-coupled signal path from input to output, without servo amplifiers. Millennias made-in-USA build quality is apparent, including silver-teflon power wiring, Neglex oxygen-free audio wiring, and components sourced from the finest manufacturers (Grayhill, Roederstein, Wima, Beyshlag, etc..), all part of what leading engineers call todays most musically transparent microphone preamplifier. The HV-3C is sold through professional audio retailers at $1,995 SRP. Contact: John La Grou, President, Millennia Media,
Inc. NEWS RELEASE 2/24/05 Sound and Vision, the Bristol Show, Marriott City Centre, Bristol Linn Products will demonstrate a range of new high performance products in three complete entertainment systems. Products in two Linn rooms include the new CHAKRA Amplifier Range, making its world-wide début at the Bristol Show, and the new ARTIKULAT Loudspeaker System. Each demonstration system is built around the latest UNIDISK universal disc playing source components for high quality playback of all silver disc formats and feature Linn's highest performance music and movie components including the flagship UNIDISK 1.1 player and the KLIMAX KONTROL reference pre-amplifier as well as the new UNIDISK SC. Combining high quality playback of all silver disc formats (including CD, Super Audio CD, DVD-Video and DVD-Audio) with the key functionality of a high-end AV processor, UNIDISK SC is simply the most significant integrated component in Linn's history. Regular demonstrations of the UNIDISK SC will take place in the Executive Lounge throughout the show.
Linn's second room (room 212) is dedicated to the brand new CHAKRA Power Amplifier Range - a series of high performance power amplifiers built around Linn's latest CHAKRA power amplifier topology. CHAKRA is a breakthrough in amplifier design offering significantly increased power, reliability and efficiency, whilst producing less heat, less distortion and using fewer components. A total of eight individual CHAKRA amplifiers designed for a variety of applications from stereo to multi-channel in either passive or active configuration provide consistent performance, controlled ‘silent power' and pure sound for virtually any high quality entertainment system. Principal Engineers involved in the development of the CHAKRA topology will be on hand throughout the Bristol Show to offer insight into the development of the new CHAKRA topology. Previewing for the first time in the UK in full production specification, the ARTIKULAT Loudspeaker System contains three full-range models available with either AKTIV-bass or fully integrated AKTIV. The ARTIKULAT 350A floor-standing loudspeaker, ARTIKULAT 320A compact loudspeaker and the ARTIKULAT 340A centre-channel loudspeaker are powered and fully AKTIV. The ARTIKULAT 350, ARTIKULAT 320 and the ARTIKULAT 340 centre-channel loudspeakers all feature AKTIV bass with passive crossovers for the upper-bass, mid-range and high-frequency drive units. A dedicated AKTIV, servo-driven bass reinforcement loudspeaker, the ARTIKULAT 345, completes the range. This demonstration system incorporates some of Linn's highest performance music and movie components including the flagship UNIDISK 1.1 player and the KLIMAX KONTROL reference pre-amplifier. The new ARTIKULAT Loudspeaker System and the CHAKRA Power Amplifier Range are scheduled for launch in Spring/Summer 2005 and will be available from Linn Elite Retailers, Specialist Retailers and Custom Specialists world-wide. Further information on the technical breakthroughs made in CHAKRA amplification technology is published in the CHAKRA White Paper which is available on request. For further Press information, please contact Brian Morris at Linn in the UK: Tel: +44 (0) 161 766 1021 / +44 (0) 7768 520170 Fax: +44 (0) 161 280 5115 E-mail: brian.morris@linn.co.uk NEWS RELEASE 2/23/05 Crystal Cable is pleased to announce that we have acquired new representation for North America and have also begun a website which is based in the USA. The site is geared towards North American consumers and includes information on our newest revolutionary "Micro" product line of interconnects, speaker cables and AC power cords. The Micro line was announced and launched at this year's CES show and immediately gathered the raves of reviewers and critical listeners alike. The Micro line supplements our existing Standard and Reference lines, which cover the full range of audio and the most extensive range of video cables possible, offering consumers greater flexibility and more options with their cabling choices. The new sites address is: http://www.crystalcable-usa.com/ Dealer inquiries are encouraged. NEWS RELEASE 2/22/05 Acro Japan Corporation,
manufacturers of Acrolink Stress-Free 6 nines and higher purity copper
audio cables, bulk cabling and in wall wiring, and Oyaide, manufacturers
of advanced technology connectors, cables and power distribution devices,
announce that they have awarded US distribution to The Lotus Group, headed
by Joseph Cohen. Mr. Cohen predicts that these products will establish a
new standard of excellence in the US market, enabling those who appreciate
high quality audio and video to experience a level of performance
previously unattainable. The Lotus Group NEWS RELEASE 2/19/05 Talon Audio appoints tmh audio as US Distributor. Michael Farnsworth of Talon Audio, manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Ricketts of tmh audio as their U.S. Distributor. In addition to the Talon product line, tmh audio also represents other state-of-the-art products including WAVAC Audio Lab and Argento Audio silver cables. Introduced at CES 2005 a new high-end loudspeaker, the Talon Firehawk, designed by Mr. Farnsworth is his/Talon's latest efforts to design a high performance, high efficiency and compact loudspeaker. Listening to our customers after the Firebird release, we discovered that there was a great need for a more affordable, smaller footprint speaker that could easily be played on SET amplifiers. After working on this project for over 2 years, we discovered that manufacturers' sensitivity ratings were unreliable. The Firehawk represents the first dynamic speaker to maintain its sensitivity as volume increases. This is due to our crossover circuit and low THD box loading design. A brief description of the new Firehawk includes:
For more details go to http://www.talonaudio.com/. The Talon Firehawk crossover uses Talon's unique CMRC circuit. This circuit was originally designed for military electronics to reduce noise while maintaining low phase shift with minimal power loss. Talon has incorporated and modified this circuit for loudspeaker crossovers. The attributes includes world class imaging, transparency, resolution and effortless dynamics. The design offers a musical performance that will astound the most ardent audiophile and captivate the music lover! The high sensitivity AND ultra friendly impedance of the Talon Firehawk allows 300B amplifiers such as WAVAC's EC-300B & MD-300B to create an amazing synergy. Quality solid state amplifiers can provide superb results with the easy to drive Firehawk as it allows the amplifiers to operate in their most linear, lower powered range. The sleek, beautiful cabinet will blend into every listening room and most living environments. The massive acrylic (100 lbs.) baffle, dense cabinet construction, and cabinet geometry provide a stable foundation without excessive weight. Beautiful, elegant and a classic design to last for many years. A very high WAF! As U.S.Distributor, tmh audio will now handle all U.S. sales and advertising. Talon will transparently forward sales/advertising e-mails and phone calls to tmh audio. If you would like more information on any Talon loudspeakers, please contact: Jim Ricketts/tmh audio Effective March 1, 2005 the telephone and email contacts below will be forwarded to tmh audio: TEL: 801-619-9000 NEWS RELEASE 2/4/05 Thiel Audio joins other audio industry leaders in donating to the Audio Asylum Asian Tsunami Victim Support Auction. Kathy Gornik, President of Thiel Audio Products Company of Lexington, Kentucky, today announced the donation of a pair of Thiel CS 1.5 loudspeakers, valued at $2190, to the Audio Asylum Asian Tsunami Victim Support Auction. "Like so many, we're saddened by the horrific events in Asia due to the Tsunami," said Gornik. "We appreciate very much that Audio Asylum has taken this initiative." Audio Asylum (http://www.audioasylum.com/) is a website for audiophiles and audio-industry professionals, and receives in excess of 2 million hits daily. The auction, run in association with Audiogon (http://www.audiogon.com/), features equipment donated by audio manufacturers. Other industry donors include BAT, Audio Note, Vandersteen Audio, PBN Audio, Kimber Kable, Stereovox, Cain & Cain, Tube Research Labs and Record Research Labs. Audio Asylum Tsunami Victim Support Auction page: http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/tsunami/bbs.html Contacts/organizers: Ole Lund Christensen (Sweden, GMT +1 ) 011 46 735 323394 olelundchristensen@yahoo.dk Bill Leebens (USA, E.S.T.) (941) 756-0578 billleebens@yahoo.com Thiel Audio (859) 254-9427 Contact: Dawn Cloyd dcloyd@thielaudio.com NEWS RELEASE 1/31/05 dCS to Take on VTL Distribution in United Kingdom. VTL Amplifiers, Inc. and dCS Ltd. have jointly announced an agreement for dCS to distribute VTL's line of acclaimed amplifiers and preamplifiers in the United Kingdom. We are extremely pleased to be in partnership with dCS, said Luke Manley, President of California-based VTL. Our philosophy of striving for the best possible sonic performance via continual innovation in sound reproduction technology fits perfectly with that of dCS, and we are very excited to re-enter the exciting UK market with such a strong partner. Beginning February 1, 2005, dCS will begin distribution of VTL products in the UK. The agreement will provide new high end sales outlets for VTL, which has been absent from the UK market for over 10 years, and VTL purchasers will also have the benefit of dCS responsive support capability. We believe there is a strong demand in the UK for high-power, high-performance valve amplification that is well recognized, said David Steven, Marketing and Sales Director at dCS. Our existing sales force will work to introduce VTL's products into the UK market effectively, and our renowned technical support will be there to provide after sales support. VTL is a world leader in high quality valve amplifiers for music reproduction. The company emphasizes progressive technology, low maintenance, and natural-sounding sonics in a wide range of products designed to appeal to music lovers. dCS is a world leader in digital audio conversion technology. The company emphasizes the use of in-house design skills in both hardware and software, to deliver the most natural sounding reproduction of music possible. These same skills and values are applied to products used at the beginning of the recording process and at the reproduction stage. For more information, contact: Luke Manley, VTL David Steven, dCS NEWS RELEASE 12/22/04 Renowned mastering engineer Steve Hoffman has selected ESP loudspeakers for use in his upcoming LP, CD, and SACD mastering projects. Hoffman, who has mastered over 4,000 titles for such labels as MCA, BMG, Analogue Productions, Audio Fidelity, and DCC Compact Classics, is legendary for his ability to enhance the realistic presence of a master tape and preserve the artistic inspiration of recordings by many of the world's greatest artists. Having heard almost all of the most famous high-end audio products, he approached ESP about using their speakers for his personal monitor because he feels they stand apart from other high-end loudspeakers. Hoffman states: "I'm a music person first and foremost. I spend much of my time around live music and then working with master tapes trying to give them that same "breath of life". When I first heard the new ESP's I could immediately relate to the sound--lifelike in the extreme. ESP speakers are obviously built by a perfectionist who knows and loves the sound of live music. The new ESP's let me hear all the detail on a recording, but in a musically persuasive way which sounds very close to live. At the same time, unlike many expensive high-end speakers, which sound too much like exaggerated "hi-fi," I find myself able to listen to ESP's without typical hi-fi fatigue during long mastering sessions, which is obviously critical in my line of work. I salute designer Sean McCaughan; he has always been one of the great speaker designers, but this time he has really outdone himself. While not inexpensive, the price of ESP speakers is quite fair, especially when one thinks about the amazing design and incredible build quality of these speakers. ESP is really a music connoisseur's brand of speaker." Hoffman and ESP designer Sean McCaughan will conduct a press session at T.H.E. Show in Room 1604 of the St. Tropez Hotel in Las Vegas on Thursday, January 6, 2005, from 4PM until 7PM, where Hoffman will play some of his latest releases as well as his classics and will answer questions about mastering and sound. This session will run in conjunction with T.H.E. Show's reception to be held in the lobby of the St. Tropez from 6PM to 8PM. The Hoffman/ESP event will be open to reviewers, producers, musicians, and other invited members of the high-end community. Space is limited and prior reservations are appreciated. ESP will be handing out drink tickets at the room to reviewers who plan to attend T.H.E. Show's reception as well. For inquiries and/or reservations, please contact one of the following: ESP Loudspeakers, North America: (425) 614-0518; mverretto@esploudspeakersna.com Steve Hoffman via the webmaster at http://www.stevehoffman.tv/
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are all sounds designed by artists. We know you already have a
library of your favorite sounds, we've taken it as our sacred mission to
get the sound of the sound right in your head. We're here to help you with
the technical bit (the headphones and electronics) so you can have and
exquisite listening experience right between your ears.
