Len Wallis Audio HEADLINES SUmmer 2010-1 by nextmedia Pty Ltd

HEADLINES The Newsletter of Len Wallis Audio

Summer 2010/2011

IN THIS ISSUE Electrocompaniet “peerless performance” Panasonic Full HD 3DTV Media Servers, iPod docks Yamaha Aventage receivers Richter Dragon/Wizard MkIV and much more...

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KI Pearl & KI Pearl Lite. 30 Years in the making.

K EN I S H IW A T A ’ S

3 0 TH A NNI V ER S A R Y LIMI T ED ED I T I O N For more than 30 years Ken Ishiwata has been intimately exploring all newly-designed Marantz Amplifiers and CD Players. Only after his approval are they introduced to the world so that other lovers of music can experience the moment. To mark this 30th anniversary, Ken created a special KI Signature limited edition ‘Pearl System’: an exquisite integrated amplifier and superb SACD player. Pearls are the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary. So it’s a fitting tribute to Ken Ishiwata, who has made it his personal labour of love to listen, improve and then listen and improve, again and again.

Now Available! KI Pearl Lite Amplifier and SACD Player. Contact Len Wallis Audio for a demonstration.

It is this same single-minded devotion that has driven the design and development of the KI Pearls... and now the new KI Pearl Lites. All four models are unique. They resonate Marantz quality in sound and appearance. And they are destined to become a true milestone in Hi-Fi history. Enjoy.

Distributed in Australia by QualiFi Pty Ltd • (03) 8542 1111 • info@marantz.com.au • www.marantz.com.au

AVAILABLE FROM

12 QLF504

EDITED BY GEOFF FORGIE

CONTENTS

Len Wallis Newsletter SUMMER 2010/2011 4

Musical Fidelity’s Class of 2011 Introducing the matching M3CD and M3i amplifier

Yamaha’s Aventage A/V receivers The new RX-V and Aventage receivers add more than just 3D

A New Age for Servers Stunning media servers from Kaleidescape, Sooloos and Olive

New-generation TVs Panasonic’s latest Full-HD 3D TV and Sharp’s extra colour...

Let There Be Light... and Speakers! A neat combined light and sound fitting from Luxsound

Loewe get Individual Prestige TVs with Mediacenter functionality and great deals

Blue Dream Check in for our in-store SACD event with Fiona Joy Hawkins

Orpheus Loudspeakers News on the upcoming Apollo Model A floorstanders

Double Beach Haven A thrilling custom installation complements a slice of paradise

B&W 800 Series ‘Diamond’ Speakers The Diamond tweeters reach the whole B&W 800 Series

Latest Marantz Releases New A/V receivers and Universal Disc Players

Electrocompaniet The company that made “the world’s best sounding amplifier”

Place your Pod in a Wadia A compact amplifier joins the company’s high-end iPod dock

Go ‘Hohrizontal’ Strapped for space? Take a look at this ‘bookshelf’ iPod dock

The Cream of China Dussun’s T6 and T2i prove Chinese firms can make great audio

Accessories Round-up The first DAB+ Geneva, SpeakerCraft’s SonicAir, and more

This is Legendary! Special deals on Richter Acoustics new Series IV loudspeakers

NAD in Stereo & TiVo Promotion

New integrated amps from NAD, and a special offer on TiVo

Krell’s CD Player & the Plessis Model ‘A’ Krell’s high-end disc spinner; Plessis’ valve amp award-winner...

Island Installation

Custom installation in the Maldives – a tough job but...

ABOVE: Custom colours available to order in Focal’s Utopia range!

64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Telephone 02 9427 6755 sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au Trading Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday: 9 to 5.30 Thursday: 9 to 8; Saturday: 9 to 5; Sunday: 10 to 4 www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

Musical Fidelity

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

M3i Specifications • Power: 76w/channel into 8 Ohms, 70 volts peak to peak, 25v RMS 25amps peak to peak • Damping Factor: 36 • THD: <0.014% • S/N: >96dB • Input Impedance: 40 kOhms

Musical FIDELITY’S Class of 2011 M3CD CD PLAYER

t’s been a while since we had Musical Fidelity’s A3.5 series, so it is good to have something by way of a replacement. The matching M3CD (pictured below) and M3i amplifier (above) would make a superb stereo system that looks great as well as sounding fantastic. The M3CD is a slot-loading CD mechanism (increasingly popular among high-end manufacturers) which uses an oversampling 24bit/192kHz DAC to ensure that all digital artifacts are moved well beyond the audible spectrum. The build and finish are of the high standard you’d expect from Musical Fidelity, and the styling makes it suitable for use with either the M3 or M6 series amplifiers. As well as the analogue output there are both coaxial and optical digital outputs to assist in connecting to other digitally enabled equipments. M3CD Specifications

M3i Integrated Amplifier

he new “baby” (above) of the Musical Fidelity ‘M’ family is a 76w/ channel integrated amplifier with inputs for CD, Tuner, Tape, Aux1/Home Theatre throughput (switchable), Aux2, and Aux3. There are outputs for one pair of speakers, Pre-out and Tape Rec out. As usual, MF have paid close attention to the pre-amp section, and the inclusion of pre-out sockets means that you can do a future upgrade to a bigger power amplifier and use the M3i as the pre-amp. The power section has been made as robust as possible within the price level, with a current capacity of 25amps. The cosmetics are also top class, styled to match in with the M6 series, and having a family resemblance to the rest of the Musical Fidelity line-up. The price is $1995, and it would, of course, make an ideal match for the company’s M3CD CD player.

• Frequency Response: 10Hz-20kHz • Inputs: 6 pairs RCA line level • Outputs: Tape Rec Out and Pre Out. One pair of speaker connections 4mm banana/binding posts • Dimensions (WHD): 440x100x400mm • Weight: 9.2kg

MF AMS100 Class A Power Amplifier

he AMS100 Full Class A power amplifier ($29,995) is also arriving as we go to print. Antony Michaelson (head of the company and a regular visitor to the store) has given an overview of it on the Musical Fidelity website, and the following is an edited summary… “The AMS100 is the most advanced pure Class A amplifier ever made. I know that this is a sweeping and powerful statement, but it is true. As far as I know the AMS50 was the first ever 50 watt pure Class A bridged amplifier. There are many advantages to a bridged amplifier: lower distortion and huge power supply noise rejection. These advantages are even more significant in a pure Class A configuration. The AMS100 has the same basic circuit as the AMS50, but even more of it. In fact the AMS100 has precisely the same circuitry and number of output transistors as our monster Titan.

• DAC: 24-bit Delta-Sigma Bitstream, Dual Differential 8 x Oversampling • Linearity: <0.1dB down to -96dB • Frequency Response: 10Hz-20kHz • Channel Separation: >105dB • S/N Ratio: 117dB; THD: <0>003% • Outputs: RCA L+R analogue, RCA coaxial Digital, Toslink Optical digital • Dimensions (whd): 440x100x375mm • Weight: 6.65kg

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MUSICAL FIDELITY

“The AMS100 has extraordinary technical performance. Ultra-low distortion from 20Hz to 20kHz. At normal listening levels the ultra-low distortion is consistent right up to 50kHz. The AMS100 is the technological tour de force. More important is its sound. The AMS100 has a clean sweet open sound. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease. Bottom-end extension seems limitless. And yet the

“The AMS100 circuit configuration is unique and delivers excellent technical performance and a beautiful sound. Power supply configuration is usually the ‘poor relation’ in amplifier design. Normally huge effort is put into the circuit and layout but the PSU configuration is taken for granted. Not so for the AMS100! “Pure Class A amplifiers draw enormous current. This exposes any deficiencies in power supply design. The AMS100 has a unique, never-donebefore-in-the-history-of-hi-fi, power supply design. Looking closely at the AMS100 you can see that it has the following differences to the AMS50: 1. Separate power supply for each half of the bridge. This allows each half to operate perfectly. It is highly significant for dynamic stability. 2. Each power supply (for each half of the bridge) has its own separate, dedicated dual bifilar choke regulator. Musical Fidelity’s unique dual bifilar choke regulation system has a power supply noise rejection ratio of 88 to 1. This is the equivalent of multiplying capacitance by more than 88x. It is a huge effect on the technical and sonic performance of the amplifier. Additionally it provides excellent mains noise filtration. 3. The AMS100 uses a large number of high performance capacitors. This allows it to deliver remarkable dynamic consistency under all load conditions. N.B. Each half of the bridge has its own power supply and dual bifilar choke regulator system. There are a total of four dual bifilar chokes in each AMS100.

M1 DAC As we go to press the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC has been awarded “Best Buy of the Year 2010” by Hi Fi Review in Hong Kong. Musical Fidelity have described their new DAC so well we may as well quote them in full. “The M1 DAC will lock on to any SP-DIF signal at 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz. The input sampling frequency is displayed on the front panel. The M1 DAC upsamples to 24-bit at 192kHz. This is genuine, true upsampling. The M1’s technical performance is pretty well as good as any at any price. We know this sounds like an incredible claim but it’s true. Musical Fidelity’s state-of-the-art circuit design and PCB layout with the use of top quality digital components gives state-of-theart performance. There’s no secret or mystery about this. We use top quality digital components in carefully designed circuit configurations which are subtly implemented on brilliant

whole sound is tight and cohesive. The AMS100 realises the full true potential of pure Class A sound. It is expensive, it’s huge, it’s heavy and it sounds like heaven. The AMS100 has been designed for an elite band of audiophile purists who want the ultimate Class A amplifier ever made. We don’t expect to sell many. Those lucky few who get their hands on one will be fulfilled.”

PCB layouts. Unsurprisingly the result is state-of-the-art performance. It’s just that the price is so competitive many people find it hard to believe. The M1 DAC has vanishingly low distortion, typically less than 0.005% across the band. Frequency response is ruler flat. Jitter is extremely low. The noise ratio is outstanding, one of the quietest DACs in the world regardless of price. Looking at the M1 DAC’s total measurements and comparing them to any DAC up to ten times its price you will see that, on balance, the M1 DAC is equal to or better than any.” M1DAC Specifications • DAC: 24-bit Delta-Sigma bitstream, dual differential, 8x oversampling • Digital Inputs: XLR, RCA coaxial, Toslink Optical, USB • Analogue Stereo Outputs: Balanced XLR (4.4V), unbalanced RCA (2.2V) • Frequency Response: 10Hz-20kHz • S/N Ratio: 119dB • Channel separation 105dB • THD: 0.0025% • Dimensions (WHD): 220x100x300mm • Weight: 3.4kg

Yamaha

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

MORE THAN a 3D update...

amaha’s new line of Surround Receivers should not be thought of as being merely updated for 3D. Firstly, the RX-V567 has gone to 7 channels, and now has a text-based onscreen display (OSD) and upconversion

of analogue sources to HDMI. Then with the RX-V667 & 767 you’ll find that the power amplifiers are improved over those in the previous models, and that video processing has also been stepped up a notch. We also see the introduction of the

Audio Return Channel via HDMI, which means you don’t need a separate audio feed back from the TV to the Receiver for those times when you want the free-to-air soundtrack off the TV tuner. At the upper end of this series, the RX-V1067 now has the Ethernet connection and RS232, plus 8 x HDMI. The premium range, known as ‘Aventage’ (RX-A1000, 2000, 3000) will offer enhancements on all fronts, including advanced control options. All five receivers are compatible with 3D Blu-ray and 3D Cable/Satellite formats, have 7.2 channels, full HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and

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YAMAHA

YAMAHA RX-V667

RX-V767

RX-V1067

RX-A1000

RX-A2000

DTS-HD High Resolution Audio), Four SCENE buttons, iPod compatibility (with optional YDS-12 or YID-W10 wireless yAired dock), Bluetooth compatibility, DLNA (1.5) compatibility on select units, Compressed Music Enhancer, Low Jitter PLL Circuitry, HDMI V.1.4a 3D Pass-through, HDMI switching and upscaling. The RX-A2000 (130w x 7) and RX-A3000 (140w x 7, pictured in the lead image) will feature the new HQV Vida Processing Technology for enhanced image detail and quality, with four-field motion adaptive de-interlacing, multi cadence tracking, expanded 12-bit colour processing and detail enhancement. The result transforms standard-definition sources to HD quality and makes HD look even more detailed. Moreover, the device also provides real-time clean up of highly compressed video, reducing compression artifacts of block and mosquito noise from lowerquality sources. Audio quality has been attended to by careful listening tests and component selection based not just on specifications but actual audio performance. While some may scoff at the fifth foot (added for stability and vibration reduction), we know that these things can make a difference to sound quality. The chassis is also strengthened and braced – it all helps. The big news on the remote control front is that the Aventage series will have apps for iPhone/iPad type devices, so the new world of smart control will be extended to them. If you haven’t used an iPad as a controller yet, you have a treat in store. Never has it been so affordable to have state-of-the-art touchscreen control. Alternatively, you can control them with a notebook or PC – in fact anything with a web browser, as these new receivers have an IP address. Connection options are plentiful, with full complements of 4, 6 or 7 x HDMI inputs (depending on the model) to the latest 1.4a (3D compatible) standard, plus component video and even older forms like Composite and S-VHS – but not on all models. Multi-zone capabilities are still there, with (as usual) the second zone being optionally driven by channels 6 & 7 if not required to do 7.1 theatre. Zone 3 will be line level or driven, subject to choosing not to drive Zone 2 directly, or not to run a complete surround set – i.e. no rears in the main area. Amplifier channels are assignable, so you can allocate them to different tasks – including biwiring if desired. The Aventage series is a new benchmark for the A/V industry, and probably a sign of things to come.

SERVERS

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

A NEW AGE FOR SERVERS I t’s time to declare that media servers for the home are a mature and fully viable technology. Any remaining minor quibbles are purely related to the proper management of intellectual property or copyright issues, but these can be sorted satisfactorily under modern licensing arrangements. It is now perfectly feasible to have all your music, DVDs, and even Blu-ray movies centrally stored for replay, with an easy-to-use full-screen display of cover art to aid selection of what to play. You can send it to the TV or theatre room, but you can also elect to access it in several rooms simultaneously, but not even at exactly the same synchronization

– that is to say different people could be starting that movie at different times to suit themselves, or watching a different one altogether. All this is possible.

iPhone, iPad or Crestron control One of the fascinating developments in hi-fi and home theatre systems is remote control via touch-screens such as the iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and Crestron, to name a few. Since so many people now have one of those Apple devices, and the control software is often a ‘free app’ from the iTunes store, it’s a field that is expanding rapidly. The result is a standard of remote control which you could only dream of a few years

SERVERS

Sooloos Updates, Downsizes Sooloos remains unchallenged as the smartest way to organise your music collection, with the ability not just to store thousands of CDs, but to access them in much more sophisticated ways than just playlists. Groups (each group is called a Focus) can be defined in various ways, such as by Artist or Release date, or Style, or a combination of these; for example: Jazz 1950-1970 can be a defined focus, and then you can ask the Sooloos to play randomly or ‘Swim’ through the focus. People with large CD collections love this system, as it opens up the possibilities for them to find things again! This can be a problem when you have a few thousand CDs, or even a lot less than that. This is an updatable software set, and your Sooloos can continue to evolve over time as the software updates provide new facilities. You

can get a free App for your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch which makes it a handheld remote browser/ controller. In fact, anyone who buys a Sooloos should seriously consider getting an iPad to use as a more mobile controller – well worth it for that alone. New aspects also have opened up for Internet Radio and Rhapsody online library services. On the hardware front there are now several possible ways to make up your Sooloos system. The newest and simplest is the Controller 15, which has a 500GB hard drive, CD reader/player, Touch Screen interface and digital output to connect to your main sound system. If you have to use analogue connections to connect to your amplifier, you’ll need a new Source 600, which does the DAC function for you, as well as providing more switching of other connected components. The second configuration is twopart, with a Controller 10 screen/CD plus an Ensemble doing the storage and audio connections. The third and largest option is the Controller10 + Twin Store + Source4, three pieces in all but allowing the system to go to larger storage with integral back-up drive, and if you want to have fourzone output it can cope with that too. Storage is in lossless FLAC and the signal can be reconstituted to a very high audio standard.

back, and for a lot less than it cost for the better learning remotes then. What we are now seeing is a lot of new models of hard-drive servers and even new surround receivers like the Yamaha ‘Aventage’ series, with IP addresses and interfaces which can be accessed by anything with a web browser. Sooloos, Olive and Kaleidescape can all be controlled in this way, meaning that you can be sitting browsing the web on your iPad and then switch to controlling your music system or surround system via that same screen. It’s a revolution that’s happening right now, and the implications are vast.

Kaleidescape Kaleidescape (see main image, left) have been refining their system for some years, and it is now at a level of capability and cost-effectiveness we can recommend to all comers, be they high-end, wholehouse, no expense spared, or more straightforward home theatre set-ups. The storage system is based around high-reliability hard drives, automatically documenting and organising your collection for you, and providing various ways for you to browse and select. You can create bookmarks and assemble favourite play lists for music or scenes from movies. There is no loss of quality – what you see and hear is an exact bitfor-bit copy of the original. It’s a modular system and can expand to suit the number of zones and amount

SERVERS

of storage required. And the cost? Well, given that a top-of-the-line Universal Disc player will set you back $10k while having comparatively less functionality, the price of a basic Kaleidescape system at $11k is hardly excessive. That’s why we say it’s something that’s going to be part of a lot of home systems, not just the high-end ones. Controlling the system is also a pleasure, as it can be done with Crestron, Pronto Remotes, or even the iPhone! No doubt there’ll be an iPad app to follow soon, so that aspect is also benefiting greatly from the latest trends in wireless control technology.

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

Stop Press Olive 04HD just reduced to $3599, and new, simpler model 03HD released – see below! You can turn the Olive into a multi-room system by adding the Olive Melody 2 client players, which enable you to connect the Olive to whatever system you have in the other room/s. Each client system can access music independently, so different tracks can be playing in each zone. The zones can be wired or wirelessly connected. The Olive system can be the principal music source for any existing system, be it single room or multi-room.

New Olive 03HD – A Simpler Version

Olive 04HD High Quality Music Server There is no doubt that the movement away from physical discs and into hard drive storage is now a major factor when planning home audio systems, and not just for the under-30 age group. The ability to locate the piece of music you’re after is something we CD (and LP!) users battle with at any age. Having all your music more readily available and in uncompressed high fidelity form is now easy to do. For those who love the idea of a Meridian Sooloos system but can’t manage the entry price of up to and beyond

additional digital input (coaxial) so you can use another source through the DAC. The DAC is good enough to handle hires Master Audio files, so can give you the best quality playback available today. External connections include analogue stereo, coaxial and optical digital outputs, Ethernet and a USB. There is wireless as well as the wired Ethernet capability. The system supports WAV, FLAC, AAC and MP3. Internal 1TB or 2TB drives will hold a lot of music, even in lossless forms, and being “standard stereo component” dimensions means you can integrate it into your music system very easily.

$20k (being a modular system the costs do vary), Olive have come up with an affordable, high quality server and DAC combination. It has a disc slot for you to import CDs or burn a new one, and can be extended to other rooms if required. What it doesn’t have is the incredible database management and interface of the Sooloos, with its large touch-screen controller, but you can use the iPhone, iPod touch (or in due course the iPad) to control it once you load the app. The Opus 04HD has a Burr-Brown 1792A 24-bit/192kHz DAC and an

Just released – a new, simpler version which has less connections, no wireless, a smaller hard drive and a smaller price: $1699! This will suit a lot of people, since what this buys you is pretty sensational. The hard drive is 500GB, enough for 800 x 60-minute CDs if stored as uncompressed WAV files, or much more if compression is used. The manufacturer quotes 1500 CDs using FLAC lossless compression, which is a good way to go. It will have a Cirrus Logic 24-bit/192kHz DAC, and a wired Gigabit Ethernet connection, but no wireless connection. The output will be L+R analogue audio only, so it can be directly connected to your amplifier. Finishes will be silver or black – painted, not the high-quality etched finish of the 04HD. No great problem. What it loses in connections it gains in simplicity, and at this price it will be a winner – if not a revolution!

NEW-GENERATION TV

Latest Panasonic Full HD 3D TV

he arrival of 3D TV has been hard to miss, but we are still in the ramp-up phase for programming. With Panasonic’s latest VT20A series you have an each-way proposition: their TVs are brilliant in 2D, and – as 3D programs become more plentiful – these sets are equally brilliant at 3D. Using the alternating left/right electronic shutter spectacles, the effects we have seen on these Panasonics are nothing short of amazing. Depending on the way the program was filmed, you might see either a forward or a rearward extension of the visual stage. That is to say, in some instances things may appear to move forward of the screen, and in others they may appear to be way back beyond the plane of the screen. Sports benefit from the rearward view, while Computer Generated Image (CGI) features can use forward placement to very startling effect. Panasonic NeoPDP screens offer superb performance in either 3D or 2D mode. With 600Hz Sub-field Drive Technology, High Dynamic Contrast, excellent off-axis picture quality, and 6144 steps of shading in all colours, the image quality is only limited by the standard of the programs! Progressive scan and 24p capabilities (upsamples at 96Hz) ensure smooth movement.

There are too many good things to mention at length, but you get THXcertified quality and a 7-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG), plus a full range of inputs including PC input. While LCD/LED screens have improved a lot, we still think plasma has the edge. The power efficiency ratings (now four stars) are much improved in current models, and the screens are also lead-free and mercuryfree, so more environmentally friendly when disposed of – even though that should be a long time hence. We strongly recommend the VT20A series of screens, ranging from $2999 for a 50”/127cm through to $5999 for the big 65”/163cm model. Prices have never been better for such advanced products as these.

ripples, and a bit of confusion over just what you need to produce the full colour range on a TV screen. Adding yellow would make it a “RGBY” screen – all the better for Rugby! Artists will tell you that red, yellow and blue are the primary colours in painting, and they are right – for mixing paint. They operate under the “subtractive” system which deals with reflected colours, while TVs operate under “additive” rules for radiated light. They are different, hence some confusion. So with the Sharp Quattron, which adds a yellow sub-pixel to the mix, just what results can you expect, and what are the benefits of these? – apart from the fact that the Quattrons are a nice, slimline, LED backlit TV. If you like a bright and colourful presentation with lots of fine detail and excellent deep blacks (and most people do), then the Sharp is going to deliver all these things with some to spare. At the same time Quattron sets are extremely efficient, probably the most efficient sets yet produced, and will certainly not add too much to your power bill. Then there’s the network connection, which can deliver to your screen photos and music; it can even be used for remote diagnostic and adjustment services. There are four HDMI inputs, a component video, Scart, S-VHS and USB. There will be three sizes available initially: 40”/102cm ($2299), 46”/116cm ($2899), and 52”/132cm ($3999), with a 60”/150cm ($6999) to follow. Check with us for latest prices!

Sharp 3D Quattron TV Colour TVs use the primary colours red, green and blue to produce all the other colours, right? Well, Sharp have thrown a yellow coloured pebble into the pond and caused some colourful

Screen images from Legend of the Guardians - The Owls Of Ga’Hoole, courtesy Village Roadshow Limited

Light Speakers

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

Let There Be Light… and speakers… at the same time!

ow can you have a combined light and speaker in one small fitting, which can be inserted as a downlight, hung as a pendant, or installed in various compatible lamp fittings? Luxsound have worked out how to do it, and they didn’t stop there. They also made them wireless for program sourcing, and remote-controllable. This is a completely new category of product and will have instant appeal to all our customers wanting distributed sound with no visible impact on the décor – and that’s quite a few people. The system consists of a Transmitter, operating on a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless technology which runs separately from other household systems; two LightSpeakers (the light has a lifespan of 15 years) and a remote control. You can add a subwoofer if you wish, and expand to 16 speakers in total. Two sources can be connected to the transmitter, and you can operate two different programs in separate rooms if you wish. The benefits are immediately appreciable: lots of scope for having music while keeping visibility down, saving power by using highefficiency LED lights which last an extraordinarily long time, and able to fit into a number of different types of lighting – although there will be sizing limitations to consider.

CES Innovation Award LightSpeaker was the proud winner of the prestigious CES Innovation award for Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology at the International CES expo in Las Vegas in January 2010, and has been applauded by industry leaders all over the world. ‘Popular Mechanics’ Magazine chose LightSpeaker as the ‘Editor’s Choice’ earlier this year. America’s largest news network, Fox News, profiled the LightSpeaker in a very positive way. CE Pro magazine has just listed LightSpeaker in the 19 sexiest speakers available.

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LOEWE

Loewe get Individual…

t’s obvious from the number of Loewe TVs we are trading in that they have had a big following for a long time. Yes, you can still trade in your old Loewe CRT TV set, dead or alive, on selected new Loewe LCD TVs – from 32” upwards. Depending on the model purchased, you’ll get between $1000 and $2500 trade-in for that old set. There’s never been a better time to update your Loewe TV! On other fronts, this innovative German company is continuing to do what it has been doing for a long time: adding to or updating its range to make sure it remains at the cutting edge of design and capability. October will see the release of their new Individual range, with sizes from

32”/81cm to 55”/137cm and incorporating LED backlighting and (for the larger models) 400Hz processing. These are exquisite-looking panels, and are sure to appeal to everyone. The other area in which Loewe are active is the Mediacenter (above), which allows you to play back stored music and photos, or access internet radio, via Ethernet or wirelessly. New models are on the way, making this sort of device a practical proposition for more of our Loewe customers. If you haven’t had this demonstrated, please come in and see us. While you’re here you should also take a look at the top-of-the-range Loewe Reference TV with its electrostatic floorstanding speakers and Mediacenter,

on show in our front room. It is an awesome system. Even if you can’t stretch to that level, rest assured there are Loewe products in all sizes and lots of price levels to suit you. Put a deposit down on a Loewe Modus 32” HD screen for delivery late November, for just $1699!

Special Blu-ray Deal Right now you can get a Loewe BluTech Blu-ray player reduced from $1599 to $999 – very limited stock so be quick!

All New The New 2010 range is available at your authorised 800 Series Diamond dealer. For more information visit www.bowers-wilkins.com.au or call 02 9700 0111

IN-STORE MUSIC / ORPHEUS

ws Hot Ne

Special Evening IN-STORE 10th November

See below

Fiona Joy Hawkins & Blue Dream Fiona Joy Hawkins is an Australian composer and pianist who crosses genres from Contemporary Classical, to World, Jazz and New Age. Fiona has four awardwinning albums – Portrait of a Waterfall, Angel Above My Piano, ICE – Piano Slightly Chilled and Blue Dream. She has charted at #1 on the New Age Reporter International Radio Charts, achieving the highest ranking in the history of the charts, she has been an ARIA Finalist, won the ZMR Album of the Year, Best Piano Album (twice) and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Best Dance/Dub/Club Album as well as winning the MusicOZ Award for Best Classical/ Jazz Artist in 2008. She has had over 38 nominations in Indie Artist Awards across nine countries. Fiona performs with a group called Blue Dream, each musician having a diverse range of styles and improvisational skills that bring to life Fiona Joy Hawkins’ musical lenwallisaudio.com.au

compositions. The group has an eclectic and musically diverse range of experiences that includes World music, jazz rhythms and classical influences. Blue Dream spans genres, has no pigeon hole. The album was produced by Grammy winner Will Ackerman (Founder of Windham Hill) and has been released on the ABC label. To celebrate and to show off the amazing sound quality of the SACD (Super Audio CD) version of Blue Dream, we will be hosting an evening with Fiona Joy Hawkins at the shop on the evening of the 10th November, 2010, commencing at 6.30pm. Both Fiona and Will Ackerman will be in attendance, plus we will have representatives from the Australian distributors of Marantz here showing off their stunning $10,000 UD9004 Universal player, which handles all A/V formats, including SACD, CD, Blu-Ray, DVD and DVD-Audio. Please call Meena or Sylvia on 02 9427 6755 to reserve your place. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

New Orpheus Speakers

his is from our undercover source deep within the Orpheus Loudspeaker company – news so hot that there are not even spy pictures to go with it!

“Orpheus Loudspeakers’ next release is the Apollo ‘Model A’ floorstander, 1m high (with spikes). This new design began over a year ago when Orpheus was encountering production difficulties with their Aurora curve cabinet. The design brief was to design a speaker to work within the affordable price range but with no sacrifice in sound quality. This meant a return to the rectangular-style cabinet. To control and reduce the effects of cabinet colorations, Orpheus dedicated an extended period to research this aspect. “Having achieved a solution to the cabinet design, Orpheus began designing the all new Apollo. For this project, Orpheus decided to develop a new driver to replace the Kevlar drivers that Orpheus had used in the Aurora range for the last 10 years. The decision was made to go back to a paper cone, as paper does offer a warmer sound signature that was reminiscent of Orpheus before Orpheus went the Kevlar path. “The tweeter remained a silk-dome type as Orpheus prefers working with soft-dome tweeters. A nocompromise approach was made with the bass drive units, which feature a cast aluminium chassis for reduced resonance. The result was a remarkably smooth and neutral sounding speaker, presenting the warmth and dynamics that had always been a characteristic of our product. “The reduction of cabinet coloration meant that the bass transients are now much clearer. This translates to a perceptible deeper bass extension where the bass is tight and recovery is extremely fast. The added bonus of this new design is a significant reduction in the production cost and this has enabled Orpheus to pass on the savings in the form of an affordable audiophile-grade loudspeaker. “Besides the new Apollo, there’ll be a new and extremely compact centre speaker named the Chimera and a compact on-wall (in-wall with optional mounting kit) rear speaker named the Echidna. A subwoofer named Hydra is in the pipeline.” The voice matching between all the new speakers is so close that according to Orpheus they had a hard time telling the difference between the speakers, apart from the bass extension. The Apollo and Chimera will be available in Black Oak or Mahogany finish, the Echidna only in white.

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

Double Beach Haven By Alberto Vangi

he key message from the client was “I want the company that takes on this project to be excited about what they will be working towards”. The project was for two neighbouring residences, positioned just metres from the beach – an exciting start, especially since the project was to commence during summer. Our challenge was to integrate two fully automated smart homes. We worked closely with builder Andrew Harb, foreman Mick Mundy (Blugum Enterprises Pty Ltd) and architects Mark Cassidy & Cathy Slater (Slater Architects Pty Ltd). The project’s success depended on their experience and consistent attention to detail. Given the scale of the undertaking, it was critical for us to work as an effective team. And the first step was to produce all the required documentation to support the integration. Ultimate success depended on it.

To sum up the homes, one must picture true paradise, equipped with the latest smarts. On entering either house (situated side by side) you are astonished by the setting. These architect-designed homes both have elegant interiors and are naturally lit, with the 180-degree views of ocean waves breaking on the sand greeting you from almost every vantage point – it’s absolutely spectacular. With the homes being as good as it gets, our design needed to work seamlessly and easily. The two key products were Crestron and the Clipsal C-Bus Control system. The C-Bus system is the backbone of the home automation. Its reliability and ease of operation made it the logical choice for the project. Saturn DLT key switches were chosen for the ability to label the key-switch operation on the switch panels, as well as presenting a

modern stream-line glass finish as required by the architect. The C-Bus system was set up so it could be remotely accessed for client changes and maintenance; this also allows changes to the security and access control system. A gas-fired generator was installed in the garages of both houses to provide back-up power supply (in case of blackouts) to the C-Bus lighting, power to the fridge/freezers, general power points, garage door, audio-visual and the security/ access control. The audio-visual system is also protected by a Socomec 7000VA double conversion tower UPS with a 40amp surge and transient protection filter. This guarantees the best quality power supply to the homes’ high quality audio visual systems. The security and access control systems allow the home owner the ability to access the home without keys – a great feature

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CUSTOM INSTALLATION

when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re returning to the house after a day on the beach. The keyless entry system also allows access for gardener, pool cleaner and house cleaner without keys (that can be easily lost or stolen), yet the access/security system still logs the particular person and time of their entry to the home. And the access system has been set up so that different access rights apply to different employees.

For example the pool cleaner can only access particular areas of the home related to the pool, and the house cleaner has access to the main house area but not the pool area. The owner can add, delete, or disable any access code, or change these access rights from their computer. The main living room of each house has a 65-inch LCD TV which provides a great quality image, also minimising the

CUSTOM INSTALLATION amount of reflection that comes off the screen from the natural lighting entering the room. To maintain the clean lines of the rooms, five Stealth speakers were used for surround sound. They cannot be seen in the leading photo as they are in fact invisible! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a superb solution for quality sound and minimalist appearance. Within the joinery is a Blu-ray Player, Digital Surround Sound Amplifier with iPod dock, Foxtel IQ2, Crestron Processor and a downward-firing active subwoofer. The only AV products visible are the LCD screen and the Crestron handheld remote in its charger. The Crestron remote allows the user to enjoy the digital media of their choice from one central location by pressing a few buttons. From the portable Crestron remote you also have control of two additional outdoor courtyard areas of ceiling speakers, an outdoor 32-inch LCD TV over at the barbecue area, along with

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

the lights, motorised blinds and air con, by talking directly to the C-Bus system. There is an in-wall 12-inch Master Crestron touch panel just off the kitchen, this being a key central area of the house. This touch panel allows for complete

control of all areas of the house, which includes 9 zones of floor heating, 6 heated towel rails, 8 zones of air conditioning, 102 groups of lighting and 77 motorised blind/control groups. The Crestron panel is also able to view all of the 7 colour security cameras mounted around the home. The touch screen can also open the front door or the garage door. The camera images are distributed to all LCD TVs (above 32 inch) and computers within the house, and are also recorded to a Pro range DVR, which the home owner can access from anywhere in the world to view the cameras. Those cameras and house security systems are also remotely monitored by a security company. Most powered devices are scheduled, to make their energy use more efficient. C-Bus also controls high-level motorised louver windows, These windows decrease the need for air conditioning by allowing natural ventilation. The elevator within the house is controlled by C-Bus, allowing it to be locked off at a level when the house alarm system is activated, returning it to the garage level when the system is disarmed. The pool maintenance is also controlled via the Crestron touch screen, allowing the home owner to check filtering and heating schedules or turn the spa on. As you can see from the numerous connecting devices which the Crestron master panel can control, this level of

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CUSTOM INSTALLATION automation is ingenious and adds huge benefits. With energy management as a key consideration in many of today’s home, the difference in power usage will become noticeable, on top of the ease-of-use aspects. The Family/Rumpus room for the kids includes a 42-inch LCD TV, SpeakerCraft ceiling speakers, a digital amp, Sony PS3 & Wii gaming consoles, and a Crestron portable handheld controller for absolute ease of use. Upstairs are six bedrooms, each with an LCD TV. The master bedroom has a handheld Crestron control and a TV that isn’t just any 42-inch LCD TV – it can conveniently disappear into the ceiling when not in use. The choice is there: breathtaking views, or enjoy the audio visual system! The master en-suite even allows the scenario of having a bath to some nice music through SpeakerCraft moisture-resistant ceiling speakers, and there’s a waterproof Crestron remote to make it even more relaxing. Adjacent to the master bedroom is a sitting room with a 46-inch LCD television and supporting electronics. Each of the other five bedrooms has a 32-inch LCD, with the option for further technology to be added as required. So that’s a total of 10 LCD TVs in the one house – not forgetting the 8 LCD TVs and a dedicated surround sound theatre room in the second house. That dedicated theatre is really the key audio-visual difference between the two houses, providing the client with the full home cinema experience. There’s an impressive 110inch LP Morgan screen. The JVC DLA (Digital Light Amplifier) Full High Definition projector is extra-ordinary, providing brilliant image quality alongside superb audio from a Yamaha Digital Surround Amplifier, Focal speakers and a Velodyne subwoofer. To intensify the cinema mood, Crestron-controlled LED ceiling strip lighting adds special lighting effects. Overall this particular project, taking almost 2 years, came together exquisitely thanks to an excellent team effort from the initial sales process, detailed design and documentation, skilled electrical engineering, functional programming, wellplanned project management to final quality installation work, bringing together the whole project. A project we are all very excited and proud of, creating something that is an absolute beach haven.

Kit list Audio Visual • 2 x Sharp LC65RX1A 65 inch LCD TV • 2 x Sharp LC46D77X 46 inch LCD TV • 4 x Sharp LC42D77X 42 inch LCD TV • 10 x Sharp LC32D33X 32 inch LCD TV • 1 x Ultralift Australia Spartan 42 Lifter • 1 x JVC DLA-HD550 Projector • 1 x LPM68N110H LP Morgan 110 inch Novares Screen • 1 x TiVo Digital PVR • 3 x Yamaha RX-V3900 Surround Sound Amplifier • 6 x Yamaha RX-V2065 Surround Sound Amplifier • 9 x Yamaha YSD-11 iPod Docks • 9 x Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray DVD Players • 9 x Linksys SD208 8 Port Switch • 9 x Thor D145BB Protection Power Boards • 5 x Stealth Invisible FX8 Speakers (pairs) • 2 x Velodyne SPL1000U Subwoofer • 1 x Velodyne SPL1200U Subwoofer • 1 x Focal 807V Bookshelf Speakers (pair) • 1 x Focal CC800V Centre Speaker • 1 x Focal IC706V Ceiling Speakers (pair) • 8 x SpeakerCraft AIM7 Two Ceiling speakers (pair) • 6 x Sonance VP65RXT Extreme Ceiling speakers (pair) • 4 x Apple M9470XA Airport Express • 2 x Kramer VS88V 8 x 8 Composite Matrix Video Switcher • 2 x Netgear FVS318 Prosafe 802.11 Virtual Private Networks • 2 x Socomec NRT-7000K UPS units

Control • 9 x Crestron 3XWAPAGKT Handheld Control Package • 9 x Crestron CP2EWRKT Control Systems Processor • 2 x Crestron TPMC12L 12 inch Colour Touch Panels • 4 x Crestron WPIR48 Waterproof Remotes • 4 x Crestron CNRFGWA Gateways • 2 x Crestron CNPS175 Power Supply Generator • 2 x Gas Powered 14kW generators Security (Ness Pty Ltd) • 2 x M1 Main Processor • 10 x Dual Technology PIR sensors • 2 x C-Bus M1 Interface • 6 x M1 Security Keypads • 14 x Security cameras with built-in IR • 2 x Ness Pro DVRs • 2 x 19” LCD monitors • 2 x Rack Technologies 22RU glass door rack Intercom • 2 x Custom stainless steel Intercoms Access Control • 6 x Presco Keypads with Stainless Steel Cover Plates • 2 x 5amp Tactical Tech power supply with backup batteries • Control via a DL Processor

Electrical • 2 x Stainless Steel Meter Enclosures • 2 x 60-pole NHP Circuit breaker distribution boards 12 x Hager 48-pole C-Bus enclosures

B&W

“Everything moves on. Even when you’ve reached the pinnacle of technological achievement, there are always new goals to aim for, new standards to set.”

B&W 800 Series ‘Diamond’ Speakers

he introduction of the Diamond dome tweeters into selected 800 series speakers several years ago has been so successful that they have now gone a step further and are using that tweeter through the whole 800 series, from the stand-mount two-way 805 upwards. While the Diamond tweeter is undoubtedly the star of this new series, it is not the only modification. You’ll not be able to see the improvements to the magnets in the Kevlar midrange drivers, or subtle changes to Rohacell woofers or cabinet bracing. But you’ll hear them, along with the other fine-tuning mods that B&W do as part of any series upgrade. All the new models have arrived – at last – and an audition is highly recommended! You’ll easily hear that

B&W Panorama Sound Bar There are a number of so-called “sound bars” on the market now – they are a neat idea for those situations where you want good sound but just don’t want five lenwallisaudio.com.au

B&W have indeed gone above and beyond the previous pinnacle, and have set a new standard of excellence. B&W describes the latest incarnation of the speakers used in Abbey Road Studios, the 800 Diamond flagship, as offering “significantly improved bass via a new voice coil and bass realignment, which provides fuller and more consistent bottom-end performance.” The 802 Diamond is “the home-friendly version of the 800 Diamond” and offers many of the flagship’s benefits, including the charismatic head unit, but with a reduced footprint. A new voice coil and bass realignment also improve the new floorstander’s low frequency response. The 803 Diamond is a more traditional floorstanding design, but it employs three 7” woofers (in lieu of the 802’s twin 8” cones). The 804 Diamond, the smallest

floorstander in the range, has a similar footprint to the popular 805 Diamond when the latter is placed on the stand. There are two new 800 Diamond dedicated centre-channel designs for home theatre: the larger HTM2 Diamond complements the larger speakers in the range, while the more compact HTM4 Diamond is a better match for systems based on the 805 or 804. B&W notes that a number of speakers have been removed in this new slimmed-down range, including the 801d and any dedicated rear-channel speakers (the latter because customers usually chose 805s over these options).

speakers – or even two! As with most things they do, B&W have produced a superb product, capable of room-filling sound levels on those occasions when you need it, and dispersing multi-channel

sound akin to full surround, hence the Panorama name. The good news is that B&W have just reduced the price on the Panorama form $2999 to $1999, making it quite irresistable. If you are one of those who would appreciate great sound with minimal clutter, come in for an audition or just call us and we’ll have one delivered.

Marantz

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

Marantz Highlights T he last quarter of calendar year 2010 sees a flurry of exciting new Marantz products, and we will only be able to cover some of the highlights here. We’ll be covering all the new items as they appear in stock via our website by way of New Products and the Blog.

Surround Receivers Marantz’s new series of A/V receivers are due to arrive in October (SR5005/7005) and November (SR6005), offering not just 3D capability but a host of other great features spread across these models. You’ll be able to use either 4 or 6 HDMI at 1.4a standard, which also gives you the Audio Return Channel – that’s where the TV sound can go back to the receiver

without any additional connecting lead. Multi-zone is addressed by all three models, and all have the Audyssey room correction feature. Upscaling of older video formats to HDMI output is also included, and inputs can be individually re-named and reallocated. You can even adjust the volume levels of each input so you don’t get a rude shock when changing from one input to another. Marantz use discrete component amplifiers on all channels for superior power delivery, and their stated ratings are conservative – the SR5005 ($1599) is 100w x 7, SR6005 110w x 7, SR7005 125w x 7. We have always found Marantz to be an ideal choice for buyers who want to combine an entertainment

system with a refined approach to musical reproduction. They also offer M-DAX2 processing for better reproduction of compressed music, which as we know can benefit from some judicious enhancement. With the increasing number of settings possible, an on-screen display (OSD) is an essential feature, and is provided. Custom installation has also been taken into consideration with features such as RS232 interfaces, remote-control bus links and keeping the depth of chassis under 400mm to allow fitting in the sort of joinery people are having built these days. As you progress upwards to the SR6005 ($2299), additional power is not all you get. There are further adjustments like individual speaker crossover points to

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MARANTZ

Special Evening IN-STORE

MARANTZ SR7005

10th November Talk to the Australian distributors of Marantz about these products, plus their top-of-the-line UD9004 universal player, in-store on Wednesday 10th November. See page 15. SR6005

SR5005

assist in the fine tuning of audio quality. The SR6005 has 6 x HDMI inputs against the SR5005’s four. The SR7005 ($3199) includes a Moving Magnet (MM) Phono input, Ethernet connection with DLNA to allow internet access and streaming of video, music and photos. The SR7005 uses advanced Anchor Bay video processing and the most extensive suite of Audyssey room correction facilities for audio.

UD7005

Universal Disc Players With so many digital formats on the market, it makes more sense than ever to have a player that is “universal”. Marantz have a lot of experience in producing Universal Players. In the past these would typically replay up to four different types of disc – CD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A – but these days it is going to be all those and more… Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-A, CD, SACD, DivX and

AVCHD, not to mention WMA, MP3 and JPEG – from disc or SD card. The new UD5005 and UD7005 from Marantz – due out very soon – will have all this playback versatility, and will handle 3D as well. Details remain a bit sketchy at the time of writing, but it is expected that

they will utilise high-quality 24-bit and 32-bit DACs, and have support for legacy formats with multi-channel analogue outputs. YouTube streaming is also tipped for inclusion. You can be sure they will be built to Marantz’s legendary standards and will be the ones to own!

Electrocompaniet

Newsletter Summer 2010

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Electrocompaniet

The Electrocompaniet Range

ver since the early days, when in 1976 the Audio Critic magazine proclaimed the Electrocompaniet to be “the world’s best sounding amplifier”, the company has maintained a reputation for peerless audio performance combined with understated, timeless classic presentation. Their gold-on-black lettering, glass faceplates and the rune-like ‘E’ are instantly recognisable. Over the thirty-five years since that auspicious beginning, the range of products has grown to include some massive power amplifiers, beguiling CD and SACD players, and there’s even a DAB+/FM tuner on the way. As well as the premium range there is now the Prelude line which offers Electrocompaniet products in a more affordable form, but still with the same sense of style and quality, and of course great performance. Reviewers often comment about the Electrocompaniet’s ability to sort out complex passages of music, and there’s a story behind that. In the early days Transient Intermodulation (TIM) distortion was EC’s enemy No. 1, and some clever design effort went into countering it. The fruits of the years of experience in dealing with such things – to deliver realistic musical performances – are now integrated into a variety of precision amplifiers right up to the giant Nemo Power Monoblock Amplifier ($25,000/pair), rated at 600w into 8 ohms – but capable of delivering

much more. These would typically be coupled with the Reference pre-amplifier EC-4.8 ($6999), which is dual-mono construction with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections. The next best pre-amplifier is the EC-4.7 at $4799, which also features a balanced (XLR) connection option. Both pre-amps have remote control. If the Nemo is a bit too large for you, the Nada comes in next at 400w, and a pair of those will cost $18,450. The Ampliwire AW-180M monoblocks deliver 180w each, and cost $14,000/pair. In all of their amplifiers Electrocompaniet strive for the classic “straight wire with gain” ideal in order to give you uncoloured, undistorted music. How successful they have been in this is reflected in the growth they have achieved and the respect given to these products around the world. Integrated amplifiers are still an important element in the EC range. The ECI-3 at 70w and the ECI-5 at 120w are ideal for situations where high power is not necessary but high quality is. Their mix of some XLR connections and RCA enables at least a CD to be connected by the best possible method – balanced! The use of high-grade components, Floating Transformer Technology, balanced volume controls, with all switching done by relays, adds up to very clean and stable performance into loads down to 0.5 ohms. These integrated amplifiers are priced at $4999 and $7299 respectively.

A new version, the ECI-5 MkII, is on the way, with more output devices per channel, and other updates. Those wanting to make a start in Electrocompaniet at the other end of the scale, at a level they can more easily afford, should look at the Prelude PI-2 100w x 2 Integrated Amplifier at the special price of $3499, and the matching PC-1 CD Player at the special price of $2499. They don’t want you to miss out on the EC experience because you can’t afford the top-of-the-range gear!

Setting a new benchmark in AV Receivers. Experience today.

Superior Audio With Yamaha’s 5th leg, a reinforced chassis, optimised power amplifier design and superior components, the AVENTAGE receivers will provide unparalelled audio performance.

RX-A3000

Superior Video Using the latest HQV® Vida Chipset and best in class cinematic processors, Yamaha’s AVENTAGE range ensures sharp, accurate video reproduction.

RX-A2000

Intuitive Control Intuitive control of your AVENTAGE receiver is achieved through integrated touch-screen controllers, or via the built-in web browser control through an iPad or iPhone.

RX-A1000

4 YEA EAR WARR RANT TY

For more information on Yamaha products visit www.yamahamusic.com.au/av www.yamahamusic.com.au/blog

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compressed music

ENHANCER

WADIA / HOHRIZONTAL

IN Pod WE TRUST... The Wadia 170i iPod/iPhone dock has created massive interest, being one of the few on the market at any price that can provide a direct digital feed out to your DAC, digitally-equipped amplifier or receiver. The sound quality it can produce is way ahead of most docks (which use analogue outputs, some of which sound rather lifeless). Of course, to get the best out of your iPod (or iPhone or iPod touch) you need to use a lossless storage option such as WAV or Apple Lossless. Wadia have also added a lovely compact digital amplifier (above) to their lineup, and it is styled and sized to be a perfect match for the 170i dock. It’s called the 151 PowerDAC Mini, since it is part

DAC and part amplifier, and you can stack the dock on the amplifier as they have the same dimensions and cosmetics. But it’s the invisible bits, so to speak, that make this little amplifier special. Wadia have been for many years a touchstone in the field of high-end replay, and they have incorporated technologies like the Wadia DigiMaster reconstruction filter system for pristine analog-sounding reproduction. They also upsample to 384kHz in order to maximise the resolution of the signal after it has been through various digital processes – including digital volume control. If you’re feeding this amp from a computer, you can use Master Audio files at 192kHz/ 24bit and get superb results too.

The ability of the 151 PowerDAC Mini to drive speakers well has been commented on by numerous reviewers (and their readers) overseas. For such a small device it punches above its weight in terms of drive and audio quality. Even so, an efficient speaker would be recommended here.

Specifications • • • • • • •

Inputs: Four digital inputs – two coaxial, one optical and one USB Output: 50w x 2 into 4 ohms Signal to noise: -103dB Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz Remote control: yes Dimensions: 69 x 203 x 203mm Weight: 2.72kg

“Hohrizontal” iPod Dock & Shelf If you’re strapped for space, or just don’t want to have a music system that looks like a music system, this $999 Hohrizontal may be for you. It’s a load-bearing shelf (up to 25kg), just 51mm thick, a metre wide by 30cm deep. It can be used in any room, including the kitchen or bathroom. As well as the 30-pin dock for iPod, iPhone or iPod touch, there’s an audio input and a USB socket. It also has a composite video output.

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It has 2 x 25w amplification driving two forward-firing tweeters, and two downward-firing bass-midrange speakers. The frequency response is 50Hz-25kHz (±6dB), adequate for the purpose. While this is not expected to replace any serious sound system, it is a very neat idea which will have a lot of appeal in particular locations. There are seven decorator colours too, although the timber finish will cost a bit more at $1299.

Dussun

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

The CREAM of China

he deluge of product from China takes many forms, from the familiar ‘big-name’ brands who have set up modern factories there with all the advanced robotic assembly processes, through to complete unknowns who produce sometimes quite odd-looking hi-fi with equally odd names. One would be right to be a little suspicious of some of them, but at the higher quality end of the scale, Chinese manufacturers produce limited runs of pretty classy gear, such as the Shanling CD players and valve amplifiers we have stocked in former years. Another quality producer is Dussun — who, incidentally, make amplifiers for Mark Levinson’s Red Rose Music company.

As you’d expect, they produce similar amplifiers under their own name. These are now being imported into Australia. The Dussun T6 ($1499, below) is a conventional-looking integrated amplifier, rated at 2 x 100w into 8 ohms (150w

into 4 ohms). It has five sets of RCA linelevel inputs and one pair of record outs. Those power ratings are genuine, and the combination of drive and detail this amplifier delivers is astonishing. It comes with a remote control, but it is fair to say it’s a stripped-down audio performance amp with minimal features. As a result, it has been well-received in magazine reviews up to and including ‘The Absolute Sound’. In fact the T6 has won the TAS Editor’s Choice Award 2010, further proof that this is no run-of-the-mill amplifier. The T2i ($999, left) is a vertical format amplifier and has an integral digitalto-analogue converter (DAC) which will make it readily adaptable – in fact ideal – to use in a computer-based sound system. It is rated at 42w x 2, and has inputs for CD, AUX and USB. That last one means that you can feed uncompressed digital music to it straight from your Windows-based computer, and enjoy a closer approach to hi-fi sound than you’ll get from most computer-oriented desktop sound systems. Selecting the right speaker will be part of the trick to maximising the result, but there are plenty of speakers around that will run happily on this sort of honest power.

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Accessories

Geneva ‘S’ with DAB+ $699 introductory price!

he little Geneva S has been charming people with its looks and hi-fi sound for a year or two now, and we know that the new version with DAB+ radio is going to be a winner. This is essentially a small music system which can take iPod/iPhone/touch as well as act as a DAB+ radio and alarm clock. Like its bigger siblings it comes in gloss red, white or black, and has a beautiful clarity of detail and depth of sound – way beyond what its size suggests it should have. For good measure there’s also a stereo 3.5mm input on the back, so you can connect other sound sources to it. The RRP is $799 but for the moment the introductory price is $699.

SONICAIR There are often situations where wiring to rear effects speakers, or to speakers in another room, is difficult if not impossible. People assume there exists a wide range of wireless speakers for this purpose, but unfortunately this is not the case. A more practical solution is to package the wireless capability separately, and attach it to the most appropriate speaker for that particular room. This is what Speakercraft have now done.

The $599 Speakercraft SonicAir 2.1 system enables wireless distribution of a stereo source to any other room in the home. It consists of a Transmitter (connected to the source) and a Receiver/Amplifier connected to the speakers in the target room or to rear effect speakers. They are quite small, with a footprint of only 155x100mm, and the system carries left and right audio channels plus a subwoofer signal.

QED uPlay The uPlay is a handy Bluetooth connection which you can use with any stereo system that has an auxiliary input. Once it’s connected you can send

music from a wireless Bluetooth-enabled device (iPhone, iPod touch, notebook etc) directly to it. This opens up all sorts of uses, and it costs only $149.

Accessories

Newsletter Newsletter Summer Summer 2010/2011 2010

DV Essentials Test & Setup Disc We have sold hundreds of this very useful DVD over the last five years, but it is definitely coming to the end of its run now, so get one while you can at $29.95 plus $5 postage within Australia. It is essentially a piece of test equipment that will allow you to precisely set up your screen to have the correct contrast, brightness and colour, and much more.

Vibrapods We’ve seen a multitude of vibration isolation devices over several decades in the hi-fi business. They range from the esoteric and extravagantly engineered down to the simple and cheap. While we are happy to cater to all points on this scale – they all have something to offer – it is always a pleasure to be able to present a simple and cheap solution that works, like the Vibrapod. It’s a solution which has received lots of favourable press from some pretty choosy hi-fi professionals. Amazingly, they have been around in the USA since 1998, but not everyone here is aware of them. At first glance you might say they’re too cheap! Reviewers (including ourselves) have trialled them, and have found that they improve the focus, soundstaging and bass definition of all sorts of systems. As one said, they’ll turn an also-ran system into something half-decent, and take good systems up a level. All agree that they

are so cost-effective you can use them on all your components. Vibrapods have been designed with a cunning approach to soaking up the internal vibes that all sorts of players generate with their motors and transport mechanisms, as well as those coming up through the furniture from other things. The Vibrapods ($39.95 per set of 4, plus $5 postage to anywhere in Australia) are replacement feet for components which can be attached (after removing the original, screwed-on feet) or on which they can simply sit. The structure is a bit like a doughnut, with external walls of whatever thickness suits the weight of the component, to give more or less resilience. There are five models to accommodate items of various weight: Model 1 (2-3kg), Model 2 (4-8kg), Model 3 (8-12kg), Model 4 (4-18kg), Model 5 (22-28kg). Note: Some deformation or bulging of the sidewalls when under load is normal!

Send In The Cones << As well as the Vibrapods (left), there are Vibrapod Cones ($11.90ea, above), which suit heavier items such as amplifiers and speakers, being weight-tolerant up to 25kg. Some reviewers have pointed out that the improvements differ from Vibrapod to Cone, and that in some cases you might want to use both, stacked.

Again, given the low price, no problem. Sales to date have been amazing, and we can thoroughly recommend that you try them, perhaps firstly some Vibrapods with your CD player. Turntables without much in-built isolation will benefit as well. Tweaking your system has never been so simple.

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Accessories

Specials: Sennheiser headphones The Sennheiser 500 series have been the mainstay of their range over the past couple of years. The HD595 is the top model, and you could say it’s the successor to the famous HD580 – there’s really nothing else in that price/capability area. With a frequency range of 12Hz-38kHz and a very comfortable set of velour pads, you get a proper hi-fi experience that you can enjoy for hours at a time. At $399 they have been a regular seller. We have made a special buy of these headphones, and can offer them at a searingly good $299 a pair! As usual, offers like this don’t last very long, so get in while you can!

We still have some of the other great headphone special, the HD650. This is the next level up and is really an amazing deal too. Until the HD800 came along ($1999), the audiophile HD650 was the ultimate in open, dynamic headphone design. Developed from the award-winning HD600, the HD650s feature improved materials for even better sound reproduction. They captivate the listener with their expressiveness and emotion while maintaining absolute precision and lifelike reproduction. They were a good buy at $899, but are now sensational value at $499 – for a limited time only!

DanA Cable Support ‘Spiders’ These little tunnelweb Spiders ($50 each) are for the keen audiophile, to isolate cables, particularly speaker cables as they traverse the space between the amplifier and the speakers. The design has multiple goals – vibration dissipation and isolation, and absorption of magnetic fields being the main two. It has long been recognised that lifting the cables off the floor does make a difference, so these little supporting Spiders are perfect for the job. They stand 125mm high by 125mm across at the base, and the Perspex arch itself is about 65mm in width. The sizing is quite adequate for even a large cable.

Richter

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

THIS IS LEGENDARY!

e have been selling Richter speakers for over twenty years, and they just keep on developing, growing and improving as technology allows. The latest versions of the ever-popular Dragon and Wizard models are the Mk IV and – to use a favourite phrase of Len’s – they have never been better! If I had to sum them up in two words, they would

be generous and easy. They have a big, open, easy-to-like sound, generous with detail, generous with bass response. They are also very efficient and easy to drive, easy to get along with – so don’t let the 4-ohm impedance put you off. That would only be a problem if they were inefficient or if the impedance was not as stable as it is. You can happily run Richter speakers with all

of the amplifiers we sell, regardless of power rating. And our long association with Richter Acoustics means we are able to offer you our special legendary Richter trade-back deal! We currently have all models on display, please feel free to drop in and have a listen at your convenience. If you have any questions regarding this new series, or the offer, please give us a call on 9427 6755.

THE LEGENDARY RICHTER TRADE-BACK Upgrade to the epic series of Richter Mk IV loudspeakers and we’ll give you 50% of the original retail

price of your current Richter loudspeakers – whatever age or condition! So if you purchased a pair of original

Richter Wizards way back in 1989 you’ll get $450, or up to $750 on more recent purchases, as a trade-back on any new model!

The Richter Mk IV Range • Merlin bookshelf speakers $999pr • Wizard floor-standing speakers $1,999pr • Dragon floor-standing speakers $2,399pr • Hydra rear speakers $799pr • Unicorn centre speaker $699 • Krakatoa subwoofer $699 • Thor subwoofer $999

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Tivo / Nad

TiVo – The Story So Far

he introduction of digital television saw a lot of new brands appear on the Australian market – for various reasons. TiVo was (to many of us) a known brand that had made a name for itself overseas, but did not arrive here until well after some other lesser-known ones had come, and – in some cases – gone again! TiVo started out as a device which was mainly a High Definition (Twin Tuner) PVR (personal video recorder), but one with a superior ability to track the sorts of shows you might be interested in, and not miss episodes which are re-scheduled. It fills that role very well, and is truly one of the easiest recorders to use – it’s been designed for almost anyone, particularly the nontechnical user, to be able to control it with

minimal familiarisation. You can even program TiVo via the internet to catch a show while you’re away from home. For those who want more than just a good High Definition PVR, TiVo has branched out into other aspects of the modern home entertainment scene. Developments in networking ability mean you can now network multiple TiVos and hard drive devices – including computers and TiVo’s own 1TB hard drive – around the home. It is multi-room video made easy! TiVo’s CASPA is a download service that can deliver movies and TV shows (even whole series) directly to your TiVo via your broadband connection. TiVo is going to continue to expand their offering in this area.

We have been selling and installing TiVo for several years now, and can report a high level of customer satisfaction. If you haven’t tried it, this is a great time to do so. The current promotion, exclusive to Len Wallis Audio, gets you a choice of a free TiVo Wireless Adaptor valued at $69.95, $50 cash back, or $100 worth of movie downloads via TiVo’s CASPA download service. The offer is available until 31 January 2011; terms and conditions apply.

NAD Amplifiers

quick round-up of new amplifiers from NAD as they progressively tick over from the ‘5’ to the ‘6’ series. The C316BEE integrated amplifier ($449) builds on the success of the C 315BEE as an affordable but very capable “entry level” stereo component. Bjorn Erik Edvardsen (he of the BEE initials) developed a simplified Power Drive circuit for the NAD C 316BEE so it can deliver increased current on demand while maintaining an efficient approach to power usage. The C 316BEE is an ideal beginning into the world of proper hi-fi, being well equipped to serve as the centre of your music system. Rated at 40w but capable of much higher output when

demanded, it can drive speakers amazingly well for such a compact amplifier. Richard Stevenson of Hifi News (UK) had this to say: “The C 316BEE is an absolute barnstormer of an amplifier, mixing surprising might with a rich and easy flowing sound that is impossible not to like. This amp rocks, and as the bongo introduction to ‘Sympathy for The Devil’ (from Beggars Banquet on SACD) kicked in, the C 316BEE simply begged you to give it a handful of volume, put on a leotard and strut around the room shouting ‘oooh-hooo, oooh-hooo’ to

the track’s backing vocals. In short, the swelling volume and scale wholly defies this amp’s budget roots.” Moving up to the C 326BEE ($599) will yield not just extra power (50w/channel) but other design features too: the Power Drive is supplemented by the Distortion Limiting Circuit in the output stage and the BEE Clamp in the power supply. Then, if you need higher power (and some of us do!), there’s the C 356BEE ($899) rated conservatively at 80w/channel, which will handle a wide range of speakers without strain, while incorporating all the NAD’s specially-developed innovative circuitry.

Krell / Plessis

Newsletter Summer 2010/2011

Krell makes a CD match

t last we have a matching CD to go with the Krell S-300i amplifier. The Krell S-350a establishes a new high standard of performance and value among high-end compact disc players. A note, however – although the S-350a can be equipped with a sophisticated 1080p video stage resulting in the S-350av DVD player, the Australian market will initially just get the CD version. The DVD version may be special order only. The CD player incorporates an advanced TEAC slot-load disc transport mechanism, premium digital circuitry, Class A analogue circuitry, Krell-designed antijitter master clock, and sophisticated high-

linearity power supply; the S-350a delivers performance unequalled by many more expensive players. It is the ideal CD player for the serious music lover. Matched Burr-Brown DSD 1793 24bit, 192kHz digital-to-analogue converters for each channel provide fully balanced operation with exceptional reproduction quality. The analogue stage features Krell Current Mode, discrete Class A, direct coupled, fully complementary circuitry. A coaxial and Toslink digital input extends the S-350cd’s digital-to-analogue conversion circuitry to two additional audio sources. 12VDC trigger input/output ports enable connections for remote power

on/off. An RC-5 interface is provided for remote control system integration. A metal handheld remote control is included. The S-350a complements the S-300i integrated amplifier both in industrial design and sonic performance - a treat for the eyes and a feast for the ears. • Total Harmonic Distortion: 20Hz-20kHz <0.007% • Signal-to-noise ratio: 109dB ‘A’ wtd • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +0/-0.2dB • Drive Mechanism: TEAC • DAC: Burr-Brown DSD1793 24-bit • Analog Audio Outputs: Differential current-mode gain stage, discrete, DC coupled • Digital Audio Outputs: One each, coax and Toslink, up to 96kHz Digital Audio Inputs: One each, coax and Toslink, up to 96kHz • Power Supply: Toroidal transformer, separate analog and digital supplies, analog regulation is all discrete • Power Consumption 11W stand-by, 24W in operation • Dimensions (WHD): 438 x 104 x 450mm • Weight (unit only): 11.4 kg

Plessis Model ‘A’ Valve Amplifier

s the valve amplifier making a comeback? Perhaps – but like the turntable, for us at Len Wallis Audio these things never really went away. Valves were replaced in a lot of consumer audio and TV during the 1960s as transistors became a commercial reality, but lived on in quite a few brands of specialist hi-fi gear. There are a lot of serious audiophiles (particularly in Japan and China) who would not swap their valve amps for transistors if their lives depended on it. We are now seeing the production of so many valve amps that it’s hard to keep track of them all. But it’s far easier to keep track of the really good ones. The real secret to high fidelity in valve amps is the transformers. Without a topclass transformer you are not going to get the bandwidth for proper high fidelity, whatever the valves are. Needless to say, the Plessis Model A has this covered, and

much more. It is an integrated amplifier, with four line-level inputs and two speaker outputs with 8 ohm and 4 ohm options. The pre-amp valves are 2 x ECC81 and 2 x 12AT7. Four EL34s provide the drive, and the amplifier can be switched into either triode mode (for ultimate purity at 20w x 2) or pentode ultra-linear mode (more grunt, 40w x 2). The chassis is a super-heavyweight casting which nothing much short of a large hammer or dropping it onto concrete paving is going to dent. And while most valve amplifiers drift off the right setting over time and have to go back to a technician for adjustment, the Model A has a meter dial, four small adjustment screws and chrome toggle switches set into the top panel which make it easy to keep the amplifier in proper trim – they are the bias adjustments, one for each EL34. Set each one to the recommended 42mw and you’ll

have a perfectly balanced left-right setup, with the added benefit of maximising valve life. With the Plessis Model A, keeping the bias trimmed is really easy for the owner to do any time the amplifier is operating. There’s no wonder that the Model A won Sound+Image’s 2006 “Amplifier Of The Year” award. Another good thing: unlike surround sound amplifiers, these just do not go out of date! They’ll keep on making a comeback as long as there are people who listen to music. Price is $4995.

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How to contact us: Len Wallis Audio 64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Ph (02) 9427 6755, Fax (02) 9427 2490 Outside Metro 1800 15 35 45 Email: sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au Web: www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

Island Install

The Maldives

eople often ask whether we do any work outside Sydney. We do – in fact we’ve done jobs all over Australia and in a number of Pacific Island locations. This next job was a little different, and a lot further away. Martyn North (Installer of The Year 2009) was our “man for all seasons” when the opportunity arose to do a job at the Four Seasons resort in the Maldives. Trevor Rooney set up the job after discussions with their manager, who had been brought in to see him by a mutual friend. They were after a system which would allow them to play their specially selected playlist music in any of their public areas, either all together or with each area choosing individually what to play. The flexibility of Sonos allowed the hard-drive based system to be designed here in advance to do everything they wanted.

Areas such as the Reef Club, Sunset Bar and the Pool Bar were wired up with local zones and power amplifiers, thus giving the staff the ability to control and adjust either via a hand controller which gives two-way control or basic volume control from the amplifiers themselves. The pieces were shipped to the Maldives, and then Martyn flew over to install it and set it to work.

As you can see from the photo, it’s a tough environment, but Martyn was equal to the task, and Trevor kept in touch throughout the installation phase to give technical “phone a friend” backup and guidance. The right combination of initiative, teamwork, products and logistics can open the way for some pretty interesting projects! It’s what we do.

Thanks for making pointOne No.1 Congratulations to C-Bus pointOne Member, Len Wallis Audio, for your great success at the 2010 Cedia Awards. You've gained the recognition you truly deserve. Thanks for making point0ne No.1.

Best Integrated Home Installation over $300,000

Highly Commended: Len Wallis Audio (NSW)

Best Integrated Home Installation $150,000 - $300,000

Winner: Len Wallis Audio (NSW)

Best Commercial Project

Highly Commended: Len Wallis Audio (NSW)

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