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47 Labs had two different systems on demonstration, the larger of the Two was running the Pi tracer transport and Progression one times oversampling DAC. Analogue source was a Roksan Xerxes X equipped with a RS Laboratories RS-A1 tonearm (below)

These were being played through Essence speakers (pictured below) although sadly they didn’t seem to be achieving quite the same high level of performance they’ve managed at previous years shows.

Tjhe second system that they switched between was from the the smaller Shigaraki Series (see below) and I felt this was the highlight of the room, despite the lack of proper speaker stands the sound was really rather special, particularly given its reasonable price tag.


GT Audio showed their latest preamplifier called the Syren (see pictures below). This model replaces the Meteor and is a more compact design with rather novel edge mounted rotary controls which worked superbly. Prices start from £5,000 for a line level version, with an MC phono equipped version from £6,000. These products are of course hand made to order and the owner can choose from a range of options such as silver wiring or different grades of sockets to customise the products further.
The system was being played through Avantgarde Duo speakers which were being driven by the Jubilate 807 mono-blocks.

Also shown was their 6 way distribution block (below) which is made from the same Aluminium used in all of their products. Prices start from £500 and there are several options including wiring used and whether a captive lead or IEC socket is preferred.



You can’t really appreciate the size of the KR Kronzilla from photographs - they stand nearly half a metre tall and produce 42 watts from a pair of massive KR T1610 output valves running in parallel single ended.


Marantz have returned to two channel audio with a vengeance and have even added a turntable back into in their range. This one is made to their specification by Clearaudio and includes an arm and cartridge.
The system used was the new series of Marantz Premium electronics and was played through the Mordaunt Short performance 6 speakers.


Italian firm Mel Audio were alternating between playing their Go EI Improved turntable which looked absolutely stunning and weighs a not insubstantial 50kg and the Dan CD transport and Beer Seba DAC.




Its not that unusual for Tom Fletcher of Nottingham Analogue to release a new turntable at this show and this year he produced his ultimate, no compromise design. Called the Deco this £17,000 statement is of really massive proportions and unusually for them it has suspension between the two ply plinths, although in keeping with their other deigns it requires no tweaking and can be bypassed by simply rotating the four posts at the corners of the plinth.




The Opus Continuo has made frequent appearances in previous show reports but this time it’s a bit different. The example used at the show was the latest reference version which dispenses with the basic painted chassis of the standard version and replaces it with one made from solid black granite. I’m not going to add any more here as we are rather biased - this particular deck, the first one ever made, was destined to become our demonstrator at the shop as soon as it was finished with at the show.

A very brave demonstration was being done of live versus master tape versus LP which was quite fascinating and showed real faith by the various exhibitors involved. Was their a difference between the LP and tape? Yes, it was clearly audible, mainly as a change in treble character and resolution but the difference was much smaller than many would think possible given the number of processes required to cut an LP. I wish I could have spent longer in the room and listened directly on axis to get a better appreciation of the nuances of the demonstration.



I’m afraid I have very little information on this pretty turntable as the only literature I saw was in German. However I believe Rolf Kelch was originally the Thorens product manager and this is his latest turntable called the Baby Blue.


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