What’ New #2
Greetings from HiFi heaven. It has been a wonderful winter here in the store, big thanks to all who came by to celebrate our 25th anniversary! For those of you who were unable to attend, we had acclaimed singer Lori Lieberman (writer of the song "killing me softly") perform in our front window! Best part was all of the PA equipment was wired with custom built Transparent Cable and sounded amazing.
So what’s new you ask? Well we have some great developments from PeachTree Audio, NAD and B&W. Just released and in store available for demo is the idecco 2 from PeachTree Audio. This is a 40-watt per channel hybrid integrated amplifier with an incredible DAC built right in the same box. But wait, there’s more... It has a direct digital ipod dock built-in that is hard-wired to the onboard ESS Sabre DAC!!! Best part is... it’s $999!!! Yikes! A giant killer if I have every seen one. We have it hooked up to a pair of Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grands and the sound is hard to believe for the price.
Next, straight from the front cover of Stereophile Magazine, we have
NAD’s new M2 Direct Digital Amplifier. Truly revolutionary, the M2 is the first amplifier on the market to take the PCM information on a CD and convert it to a PWM stream that drives the class D output stage of the amp directly. Every other "Digital" amplifier on the market needs to convert the digital signal on a CD into Analogue, and then take that analogue signal and convert it to a PWM stream. This makes the NAD technology truly revolutionary, in that if offers the shortest signal path from CD to sound, that has ever been available. If you are interested, please check out NAD’s white paper on the amp here:
Okay so what other goodies do we have for you... How about the new
diamond series from B&W! When we received our demo samples a couple of weeks ago of the new 802D2, everyone was skeptical that the sound could be that much better then the previous model because the cabinet is exactly the same- boy did we get that one wrong. These speakers are a totally different animal. So musical! Highs are much more extended with out any sign of listening fatigue, and the soundstage is much more laid-back, giving your ears a chance to relax and be pulled into the music. These speakers just "breathe" right if you know what I mean. Way to go B&W, we are truly impressed.
Did someone say tubes? Well speaking of tubes- Stereo Exchange is proud to say that we are now PrimaLuna dealers! PrimaLuna was founded by Herman van den Dungen in 2000 with the goal of manufacturing high quality, affordable, and robust tube based stereo equipment that anyone could own and operate. With the help of former Goldmund head engineer Marcel Croese, and tube guru Kevin Deal, PrimaLuna has come up with an award winning product line that succeeds in bringing tube equipment to a much broader audience. Come in to learn more about how PrimaLuna’s patented adaptive autobias circuitry has revolutionized what it means to be an owner of tube based audio equipment.
Also new on demo is The Music by Vienna Acoustic. If you were digging The Kiss, you are going to love The Music. Imagine the Kiss and then add 3 proprietary 10" NAWA bass drivers, and a Murata super tweeter to take extension up to 100,000hz! What’s there not to love??? These beauties are currently rotating btwn our ARC ref system, and our AYRE ACOUSTICS ref system. Call today for an appointment- you will not be disappointed!
Last but not certainly not least, the venerable TOTEM ACOUSTIC has just anounced that their Mite, Arro, Sttaf, Hawk and Forest loudspeakers will now be available in their Design series finishes: Fire, Ice, Dusk and Sky. These new multi-coat high gloss finishes are absolutley stunning, and are all on active demo. Way to go Totem!
Until next time- enjoy the music!
-The staff at Stereo Exchange
Whats New #1
Hello Stereo Exchange customers, new and old.
Welcome to the "what’s new" section of our website. This is where we will keep you posted on new lines we are carrying, new demos we have set up, in-store events and basically any pertinent information relative to Stereo Exchange and our family of customers, custom integrators, audiophiles and musicians. So be sure to check in often as there have been a lot of great developments lately and there are many more on the horizon.
Now that we have established the framework, let’s take a look at some of the great lines we have added recently.
Because of it’s lush and engaging sonics, fantastic fit and finish and stellar overall value we’ve added Vienna Acoustics to our roster. And just in time for the new Klimt series of loudspeakers. Do yourself a favor and come hear the "Kiss" monitor which we have paired with, wait for it.... an Audio Research reference system!
Yep. We are now an Audio Research dealer. These guys represent the top of the heap in tube gear and if you are considering a vaccuum tube audio system you owe it to yourself to explore Audio Research.
Also recently added to the lineup are J.A. Michell turntables. These are fantastically well engineered, extremely speed stable, beautiful and downright awesome sounding ’tables. They have been made in Great Britain since the 1970s and they over achieve at their modest price points. Some of you may remember the turntable in "A Clockwork Orange" that played a lot of "The old Ludwig Van..." That’s a J.A. Michell deck.
Those some are the major new lines we’ve added but, while we’re on the subject of turntables, I’d like to mention the addition of the new Ayre turntable made in collaboration with the DPS company from Germany. Unassuming to look at, but inspiring to hear. Ayre has done it again! Speaking of revolutionary Ayre collaborations, we’ve got the QB-9 USB DAC as well. Developed with Wavelength Audio pioneer, Gordon Rankin, this fully balanced, zero negative feedback asynchronous DAC will blow the mind of any computer auio fanatic.
Before I wrap this up I have one more word. T-O-T-E-M!!! One of, if not, THE greatest manufacturer of loudspeakers today. With a real populist approach, they do not have any prohibitively expensive models in the $20K plus range. Only stellar designs that deliver by far the best performance of any loudspeakers at relative price points. You MUST hear the new Wind Design. It will move your soul.
Last but not least, we are rapping up a complete renovation of our most impressive listening room (Affectionatly reffered to as "Room Zero"). Stay tunned for pics and updates of the reference system that will be showcased in this incredible space.
Ok. Thanks for reading this lengthy first installment. Now all you have to do is visit the store and check out these and other goodies we have on display.
Have a great finish to your summer and best wishes to you all,
- The staff at Stereo Exchange