Quadraspire have now added the option of Acrylic shelves to their range of equipment supports which they feel produces a big advance in sound quality over the glass and wood shelves that they also make, particularly when added to their decoupled Reference rack. Their system was set up so an Accuphase CD player could be transferred from an Acrylic Q4 to an Acrylic Reference to demonstrate the difference to interested parties. Whilst we heard clear differences between the two it was difficult to form any real judgment under show conditions, not least because they were obviously experiencing problems with the room layout that was really limiting the overall sound quality. To complement the Acrylic racks they have also produced matching QAS speaker stands (£300/pr). The set pictured above were supporting the JM Labs Micro Utopia BE and on the floor behind can be seen a low reference table supporting the gorgeous Hot Tubes JD-1 power amplifier. Powering the system was the latest addition to the range of Music Works mains products. The distribution block and cables use a new twin screened mains cable, which must be twice the diameter of their standard models. Priced competitively at £100 for an IEC equipped cable it would seem to offer impressive value for money too.
I couldn’t resist showing this poster which adorned the wall outside the Rega room. Rega surprised many by launching two new turntables at the show. The P5 (not shown as the photo’s didn’t come out well) is the replacement for the Planar 25, with changes mainly centring on improving the tonearm even further from its already impressive standard. But perhaps most exciting was the addition of the P7 which fills a large gap in their range - at £1,300 it offers a trickle down of some of the exotic technology featured in the P9, such as a weighty ceramic platter, yet unlike the ultra pricey one fitted to the P9, this one is simplified with peripheral cylinders cast around the outside. The system was playing through their new reference R9 speakers (£2,500) pictured below. The Union Jack finished Planar 3 turntable was a one off that was sold with all money going to charity.
Revolver showed new versions of their speakers which feature complete wood veneers all round, instead of the fabric side pieces as seen on the standard models. With prices starting from £399/pr for a UK built design they deserve to do well.
Seventh veil were playing their Nonsuch 4 speakers, a line array of 4 tiny full range metal Bandor drive units in a neat floor standing package with external subwoofers that were tucked into the rooms corners. Amplifiers used were from Steinhart audio and all equipment supports were air suspension designs from Voodoo.
Townshend displayed the Glastonbury III speakers that are made from mirror finished stainless steel lined with 20mm of plaster (as seen in previous Townshend designs). The quoted bandwidth for these speakers is an impressive 23Hz to 90Khz +/- 2dB, the extended treble response thanks to the use of a ribbon super tweeter. Other impressive specifications include a weight of 80 kg and a price tag of £12,000. Their universal (CD, DVD-A &SACD) player, the £2,200 TA-565 was playing along side the Rock V turntable and every component was floating on air contained within the Seismic Sink supports.
Tube Technology were playing their imposing Genetix monoblock amplifiers (£14,000/pr) in the ground floor corridor in a far from ideal environment. The CD player and pre amplifier are cleverly supported on ball bearings that fit within the uprights of the legs, which rather unnervingly let the unit sway from side to side with just a light touch, but its certainly a neat way to ensure some isolation between components.
UKD were showing their substantial array of imported equipment in two rooms on the tenth floor, well away from noise that the packed floors downstairs were suffering from. In the main room they were running Unison and Pathos electronics into either Triangle Naia or Final electrostatic loudspeakers pictured below.
On static display were the Italian made Audio Analogue Primo CD Player and Amplifier which will sell for a very reasonable £475 each when they make it into full production within the next few weeks. .
WA Loudspeakers showed a range of designs with cabinets built from limestone, which certainly makes an interesting change from the materials most manufacturers use. The WA-14M (pictured below) weigh 39kg each without stands and cost £4,200/pr excluding stands.
