Perhaps the biggest addition is a move into some more familiar brands to broaden my product range. This Fall saw the introduction of the well known and respected Denon line, allowing me to offer complete stereo mini systems from approximately $500 and complete surround sound systems from $900. I also have several models of the more advanced Denon receivers on hand from their recently released new xx10 series, offering the latest features at very competitive pricing. Check out the Denon BluRay players, a distinct step up in quality from the entry
level products more commonly seen in stores. BluRay can offer amazing performance, but it takes more than an entry level player to realize the advantages in both video and audio quality. Denon’s new players will let you see and hear the potential of this new medium.
The BDP-1610 has just been reduced in price from $649 to a very reachable $499.
Harman/Kardon will continue in my line-up, with an expanded range of offerings, including their new receivers, offering all the latest technical features and a fresh new cosmetic design. The new HK line up also includes their first BluRay player.
HK AVR-2600 receiver
HK BDP-1 Blu-Ray player
This Fall HK is offering a system built around the AVR154 receiver, complete with five satellite speakers and a powered subwoofer at a very attractive $799 - another affordable entry into good quality home theatre sound. For a limited time, I’ll add a Panasonic BDP60BK BluRay player at special pricing - call or e-mail for details!
The Fatman iTube Red-i iPOD system joins the classic Fatman iTube Valve Dock on display. You’ve got to see and hear what Fatman has brought to the iPOD world with these great sounding, fabulous looking systems. Tube retro meets hi-tech - $649 with speakers, iPOD not included.
Now on display - four models of Kanto’s self contained iPOD systems. Just pop in your iPOD and you’re ready to rock! These affordably priced
systems let you get the music out of your iPOD and into your living space. These are well put together with quality enclosures - well beyond the norm for iPOD docking systems. They are available in a variety of vibrant colors, and are priced from $199 for the compact ZED to $399 for the two piece iPair5.
Mission continues as a high value speaker line, well suited for home theatre, with dynamic sound and good build quality. The M-30i defines value in a quality compact speaker at just $229 a pair. Take four plus the M3C1i center channel and M3AS subwoofer to make up the Cinema 30 package at $1299 - a great match for the Denon and HK receivers.
Mitsubishi’s new front projector line is now available, with a home theatre optimized 1080P DLP unit available for well under $2000! The HC 3800 arrives in November. The upmarket Diamond series sees the introduction of the new HC6800 3 LCD model shown here. Mitsubishi has a well
earned reputation for reasonably priced home theatre projectors featuring smooth, film like picture quality and very quiet operation.
I am now stocking the European made ProJect turntables and accessories and Ortofon phono cartridges to complement the Rega and Grado products I have carried for many years. Graham Slee phono preamplifiers will also be available on a special order basis. This extends the most comprehensive range of vinyl replay components and accessories available in one location in this region.
ProJect’s Debut III vies with Rega’s P1 for cost effective turntable honors - see and hear them together!
HiFi Cartridges
Ortofon’s 2M series of cartridges have been very well received in the audiophile world. From the value oriented 2M Red ($99) to the high performance 2M Black ($649), there’s a model to suit every high quality turntable. Their striking looks add to the appeal.
I’m also pleased to welcome two fine American manufacturers, Parasound and PS Audio, to my showroom.
Parasound’s P3 preamplifier and A23 power amplifier offer an alternative to the premium integrated amplifiers I offer from Arcam, Cambridge Audio and Rega. These models and others in their Halo series benefit from the design expertise of John Curl, one of the foremost amplifier designers in the audio industry, and feature striking cosmetics to complement their fine sound.
PS Audio is a leader in power conditioning and surge protection - their PowerPort outlets and upgrade power cords are a good addition to any high quality system.
The Power Plant Premier power regenerator and the Perfect Wave digital to analog converter and matching CD transport take their
respective product categories to where few have gone before.
And now to a few of the new offerings from the product lines I am best known for.
These companies are known for producing long lived designs which are infrequently changed, so when new items arrive they are especially significant.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Arcam has made some changes to its line up over the past year. Their top of the line FMJ series has always been something to aspire to. Now
the cost of entry has been dramatically lowered with the CD-17 CD player ($1195) and A-18 amplifier ($1295). They have been busy with their cutting edge home theatre products as well. The AVR-600 receiver has been very positively reviewed, and arguably sets the standard in sound quality in products of this type. At $5995 it’s a serious purchase, but the AVR-500 will be available soon at approximately $4500, and will offer a substantial portion of that performance. I am also expectantly awaiting the release of Arcam’s first BluRay player - their DVD players have set the standard for some time, and are so good that many people think they are seeing true high definition when watching a demonstration using regular good quality DVD’s. Their take on BluRay should be very interesting indeed.
After a very successful run of
several years Cambridge Audio has just replaced the multiple award winning 540 and 640 series amplifiers and CD players
with the new 550 and 650 series. These are now in stock, and once again promise to set the standard for affordable audiophile sound. Cambridge Audio will also be making its first foray into BluRay players this November with the
650BD, which promises to be a winner - check back for more information on this and the companion 650R surround receiver.
The Cambridge line up continues to grow. The new Sonata series offers their class leading sound quality in a range smaller form components, including the One+ system. This compact package, available soon, combines amplifier, AM/FM tuner, CD player and iPOD dock for $699 - just add a pair of speakers (like their S-20 at $199/pr.) and you have a complete audiophile brand system for under $1000! At the other end of the range Cambridge’s top of the line preamplifier and power amplifier bring a new level of performance to the brand. The 840W is a refined 200 watt per channel powerhouse which won the Absolute Sound’s coveted product of the year award in its category.
Focal is celebrating its 30th anniversary as an advanced speaker manufacturer this year. They are marking this occasion with a special limited edition speaker which borrows from the technology used in their very high end products. The 826W is priced at $3795 for the pair, and will be on display and available for audition. At the other end of the product line, I am now stocking their Sib and Cub satellite/subwoofer surround speaker package at a special price of $1195 - a great way to get into one of the world’s leading speaker brands at a surprisingly affordable cost. I also have a expanded range of the 700V series on display - these set a very high standard for affordable and well built speakers.
This past year Grado has completed something which happens rarely - a complete evolution of their phono cartridge and headphone ranges, refining time proven designs.
They have also introduced their first in-ear headphone, the GR8 ($315), bringing audiophile sound to the iPod
world. Note that I offer all Grado products at prices which are fully competitive with authorized Internet vendors, with the added benefits of Canadian warranty coverage and local availability.
I am now offering a larger selection of ProAc speakers. The Tablette Reference 8 Signatures I have had available for audition have amazed those who’ve heard them - this diminutive pair of speakers ($2150 + stands) must be experienced to be believed. I now have the standard version of the Tablette 8 ($1595/pr.) and the larger, floor standing Studio 130 ($2700/pr.) on display.
Rega has some new exotic items, such as their Isis, a no holds barred assault on the state-of-the art in CD replay. At
$9995 this is not for the faint of heart, and is definitely a special order item, but a large measure of its performance is
available in the Apollo ($1295) and the Saturn ($2895) both of which are in stock and available for audition. The Elicit is the most ambitious integrated amplifier Rega has ever produced - at $3495 it is certainly more reachable than the Isis. The more modest Brio 3 and Mira 3 offer a taste of this performance at far lower
cost - both are in stock. Rega has also updated its speaker line up, and models from the new RS series will be arriving
over the next few weeks. I have been very pleased with Rega’s R series speakers, and fully expect that this evolution of the range will offer even better performance. No discussion of Rega would be complete without mentioning their signature product range - turntables. No real change here right now, but the gloss finish colored version of the classic P4-24 will continue to be available on a regular basis. These were originally produced as a limited edition, but proved so popular that they have now become part of the regular line.
Of special note at the moment is Rega’s special trade in offer on the purchase of the Apollo and Saturn CD players. Contact me for details - trade any CD player and receive a generous allowance towards the price of one of these industry leading models.
Check back for more details on many of these items.
