2006 Audio Karma AKFest - Page 4
by John Acton

Moving on, I encountered the Tubino room. Rick builds his own cables and equipment supports and is a dealer for deHavilland electronics. Speakers were the Tannoy System 15 DMT IIs, source was a Toshiba DVD player, preamp was a deHavilland Ultraverve, and the amp was a deHavilland Aries 845G. Unfortunately, I didn't get to listen critically to the system, as there was a capacity crowd in the room.

Audio Dimensions had two rooms at AKFest 2006. The first room employed Magnepan Magneplanar MG1.6/QR speakers ($1785) driven by an Audio Research CD7 CD player ($7000), SP16 preamp ($1995 as linestage, $2495 with optional phono board installed) and VS110 amp ($4495). The sound was warm, yet pellucid, with that out-of-box presentation so representative of Magnepan's designs.

The second Audio Dimensions room made use of the Vandersteen 2CE speakers, driven by an Arcam CD36 CD player ($2495), Rogue Audio Metis preamp ($995) and Rogue Audio Atlas amp ($1395). Vinyl playback was provided by a Clearaudio Satisfy turntable ($1350, including arm and cartridge). Playing Paul Desmond via the Arcam CD36, Audio Dimensions' second room was relaxing and voluptuous sounding, with an abundance of lit-up inner detail.

In the Zu/Venus Hi-Fi room, the Zu guys were demonstrating their Druid loudspeakers ($2800 in standard finish) and Mini-Method subwoofer ($1500). Sources were either a Thorens turntable or Lector CDP7TL CD player. Driven by a Bluecircle BC3 preamp and Yamamoto A-08S amp, the Druid system was very live and immediate sounding playing Jack Johnson on vinyl. The Mini-Method sub did an excellent job fleshing out the Druids' lowest octave.

David Michael Audio came armed with a plethora of electronics and loudspeakers, and I didn't envy them the chore of moving all that gear in and out. When I stopped by, the Harbeth HL5 speakers ($4195) were playing, driven by an Acoustic Solid—Solid Machine Small Royal turntable with RB-300 arm ($2850), Artemis PL-1 phono preamp ($3350) and LA-1 preamp ($2895), and NuForce Reference 9 monoblock amps ($2500). I thought the system sounded fantastic, with natural warmth, presence and clarity. I stayed longer than I probably should have, but having immersed myself into the music to the extent that I had, it was difficult to tear myself away. On static display was a myriad of equipment and speakers from Creek, Rega, PMC and Totem.

Having heard their offerings on numerous occasions at shows and in my own system, I approached the Almarro/Venus Hi-Fi room with high expectations. I wasn't disappointed. Employing a portable DVD player as source component, Almarro alternated between two systems. The first system showcased an A205A mk. II integrated amp ($800) driving the M1A bookshelf speakers ($1000). The second system featured an A318BN integrated amp ($1850) driving the M3A floorstanding speakers ($2900). Despite their less-than-ideal placement on the floor, the M1A speakers impressed me with their expressive and emotive midrange, and I was amazed at the realistically sized and elevated soundstage in spite of the low placement. The larger M3A speaker and A318BN amp combo possessed excellent bass, with tremendous extension and litheness. The quick and airy treble was seamlessly mated to a clear and uncolored midrange. I was likewise impressed by the large soundstage and precise imaging. For the price, the Almarro products are tough to beat, and well worth seeking out.

The Blue Circle/Venus Hi-Fi room was chock-full of all sorts of production and prototype goodies. Done up in Communist Russia red and yellow, the BC202 amp ($5295) had been custom-fitted for the AKFest with a makeshift sickle and hammer. Driving the BC202 was a prototype preamp containing what had to be close to a million capacitors. The reason for this soon became apparent—there was no AC cord attached to the unit. Gilbert Yeung of Blue Circle explained that the preamp was not battery powered, rather the multitude of capacitors allow it to play for 30+ hours on a single two-hour AC charge before running down. There were also four Shallco stepped volume attenuators, one for each phase (positive / negative) of the stereo signal. Cabling was all Blue Circle, and the cable lifters were Blue Circle high-heel "Organically-Treated Cable Lifters". Prices the cable lifters vary depending upon how much wearing treatment is requested prior to shipment. Longer spikes can be had for those with deeper carpeting. This system was driving $250 Axiom speakers, and despite the relative low cost of the Axioms, I was impressed by the dynamic, coherent and musical sound. Later, Audio Note AN-E speakers were inserted into the system, and the overall presentation took a big leap forward in terms of resolution, dynamics, extension and overall coherency. I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that I got my groove on while listening to Steely Dan. On static display was a prototype high-power solid-state integrated amp dubbed the BmPH. I have since learned that the BmPH outputs 160-wpc (260-wpc into 4-ohm loads) and incorporates a new preamp circuit. Options include balanced inputs. Retail price will be $4000.

The final room I was able to visit was the Venus Hi-Fi room, where a Lector CDP 0.6T CD player ($1950) and a Manley Stingray integrated amp ($2250) were employed to drive a pair of stylish System Audio SA-1750 speakers ($2500). Although I was not able to listen critically from the sweet-spot, I thought The Who's Tommy sounded quite nice from off-axis.

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