Len Wallis Audio Headlines by nextmedia Pty Ltd

The Newsletter of Len Wallis Audio

Winter 2018

Thoroughly modern audio & AV inside!

New releases from Krell, Panasonic, SGR Audio, Sonos, Sony & more

lenwallisaudio.com

(02) 9427 6755

/lenwallisaudio

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Inside...

04 From the desk of Len, celebrating 40 years! 06 A new era as Musical Fidelity changes hands 07 Yamaha’s latest models have voice control & ‘AI’ 08 JL Audio subwoofers 09 Krell news, plus MQA comes to Berkeley DACs 10 The amazing clarity of Panasonic’s new OLED TVs

Pro-Ject’s turntable bargain

Sony’s best 4K projector yet

14 Custom installation An outstanding cinema delivers an amazing family experience 16 Linn goes Akito; Meridian expands its 200 Series 18

High End Munich 2018 Len seeks out the worthy and the wacky...

20 A new trade-in deal for Bowers & Wilkins 21

New Naim network players and updates

23 Sennheiser adds glass to its HD 820 headphones 24 Sonos Beams down; and a Cocktail with the lot! 26 Astonishing new racks from SGR Audio

28 Why the right screen is so important to your theatre 29 Audio essentials Top accessories and tweaks that can take your system to the next level

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: closed THE LATEST IS ONLINE! – www.lenwallisaudio.com

EDITORIAL

Left: Our shop as it was in 1978 (top) and 1993. Right: Issue One of The Hi-Fi Headlines, November 1984.

FROM THE DESK OF LEN

his issue of The Hi-Fi Headlines marks the 40th anniversary of Len Wallis Audio. So far it has been an interesting ride. Along the way we have made many friends, both from within the industry and with our clients. In some instances we are now dealing with the third generation of customers, people who have grown up surrounded by quality music. We have enjoyed fabulous support from the industry itself and I have been fortunate to have always had a fabulous team of staff. Many have spent decades with the company, and some have moved on to make their own marks within the industry. We have witnessed some dramatic changes over the years – admittedly not all of them for the better. In 1978 a typical system comprised of a turntable, receiver and a pair of speakers, and possibly a cassette deck. In those days it was all

about the quality of performance, but over the years this gave way to convenience. Yes, there have always been the dedicated audiophiles who have demanded a sense of realism from their systems, but the rest of the industry stumbled from vinyl to cassette, CD and then the various forms of compressed music – primarily MP3. This is probably one of the few industries where the final product – music reproduction – actually deteriorated as technology advanced. It is heartening to see that people are once again listening to music, and have upped their expectations on quality. The phenomenon of having all the music in the world available at your fingertips, one of the greatest advancements of this industry, has sparked an interest in new music. (As I write I am listening to, via Tidal, a band called Spain, fronted by Josh Haden who is the son of one of my musical heroes, Charlie Haden. An hour ago I had never heard of this group.) Now that people

have this treasure trove of music available, they are expecting to hear it at its best, and technologies like Tidal, Roon and MQA make this easy. The return to vinyl has also had an impact. It has reminded many of how good recorded music can sound, or in many cases exposed people to this for the first time. The very concept of the LP is also conducive to listening. You no longer have the option of skipping tracks or jumping between artists – once you put on an LP you tend to listen to at least half the album in the track sequence as intended by the artists. We welcome this return to performance – it takes us back to where we were 40 years ago. I regularly reflect on the fact that I have spent the last 40 years doing something that I enjoy very much – and today it is just as rewarding as it was in 1978. Thank you to everyone who has been part of that journey. Len Wallis

THOR

Series 6

FASTER & MORE POWERFUL PORT TUNING ROOM BASS ADJUSTMENT NEW TRI-MODE DSP CONNECTIONS FOR HI FI & HOME THEATRE SYSTEMS

It’s Black & White, Thor Series 6 Faster & More Powerful than ever before! Designed for today’s Entertainment demands the Thor Series 6 has been totally redesigned to look great and sound even better. Smaller than before yet faster and more Powerful delivering accurate, fast deep bass for a powerful Musical or Home Theatre Experience.

For more information and to find a dealer visit www.richter.com.au

MUSICAL FIDELITY

Musical Fidelity changes hands

t the recent High End show in Munich it was announced that one of our long-standing favourite brands has been sold. Antony Michaelson, the founder of Musical Fidelity, has (semi) retired, and the company has been purchased by Audio Tuning, the owners of turntable manufacturer Pro-Ject Audio Systems. While the announcement caught us by

Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl In our last newsletter we made mention of the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl phono stage, a $6,000 five-input device utilising

surprise, it was obviously a deal that has been in the works for some time. The new owners have already announced some major changes including the introduction of a new lower priced M2 Series amplifier and CD player (November release), and the re-release of some of their recently discontinued models, including the M8 Series. We will see the re-introduction of these models during the coming months.

Audio Tuning have also announced that they will be moving at least part of their manufacturing back to Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which will include the new M2 Series (this is becoming an increasingly common event). There will be a software update for the Encore models to be released in a few weeks, and they were showing the new M8 Encore 500 (above) at the show. We believe that this is going to be a very positive move for Musical Fidelity. Antony Michaelson is staying on in an advisory role, and remains part of the design team. This, coupled with the resources that Audio Tuning has available to them, should result in a broader product range, more consistent supply and even greater reliability.

the nuvista sub miniature valve. Musical Fidelity have since released the M6 Vinyl, a solid-state three-input unit selling for $2,699. Each input can be set for either

moving magnet or moving coil exact loading. Both impedance on MC and capacitance on MM can be adjusted while playing, allowing you to wed the unit to your cartridge in real-time. In some ways the construction of this unit may appear to be overkill (utilising, for example, seven power supplies). However the results speak for themselves. Distortion is less than 0.008% and the signal-to-noise an impressive -96dB on MM. It features balanced XLR outputs, along with RCA. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

YAMAHA

Yamaha gives voice & ‘AI’ to new models

here is no doubt about Yamaha consistently striving to stay ahead of the market. They are in the process of launching their new range of ‘Aventage’ receivers – the ’80 series. This is their ninth version of this impressive and popular range, and while in many ways there is little difference between this release and

the previous one, there is an important addition: voice control. Yamaha have teamed up with Amazon to add voice control to their receivers – in fact they have gone one better. To make life easier they will be supplying an Amazon Dot with every Aventage ’80 series receiver. Yamaha have also introduced a new technology – Surround:AI. Experience has

shown that many users are overwhelmed by the surround options available, particularly when you throw in Yamaha’s far-reaching DSP options. Surround:AI is built into this DSP technology and instantaneously analyses scenes by focusing on distinct sound elements such as dialogue, background music, ambient sounds and sound effects, and then automatically optimises the surround effect in real time. Basically if you are not sure of the best surround mode to use, leave it to the receiver! At the time of writing we had not received any of the new models, but they would have started to filter through by the time you read this. Yamaha have dominated this market for decades, with very good reason. This new ’80 series will bear testament to that.

JL AUDIO

Introducing JL Audio subwoofers

here is a growing demand for quality subwoofers, both for HiFi, and in particular for high-end Home Theatres, which are rapidly increasing in popularity. This led to our research into a brand that would sit above the Sunfire range of subs, which has been a favourite of ours for many years. The obvious choice was JL Audio, out of the US. This is about as good as subwoofers get. The first sub we auditioned was the Fathom f112v2. Now at $6,500 this is not a cheap sub, but you can really see where the money has been spent. I think the online publication Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity summed them up perfectly in their conclusion: “What are they, exactly? I can’t answer that in a nutshell. Not if you want more specific than fantastic. The condensed version is that they are relatively

small, insanely well-built, extremely powerful, very smooth, tight, detailed to a fine line, clean, poise-laden, dynamically proficient, utterly kick-ass subwoofers.” Hopefully by the time you read this we will also have the lower-priced E-Sub e112 on the floor. This is a 12-inch 1,500-watt sealed enclosure sub that sells for $3,500, and is also a very proficient performer.

There is a lot more to a subwoofer than just producing lots of bass – that is the easy part. To produce a lot of bass you need to move a lot of air – and you do that by moving the bass cone. If you want that bass to be tight and dynamic you need to control that cone, e.g. stop it when the note stops, and that is one area where many manufacturers fall down. There can also be a lot of nuances in bass, particularly when listening to music rather than movies. Listen to someone playing a double bass – can you hear the individual notes, or do they all sound the same? This is what stands the JL Audio apart from many others – they are fast and very articulate. Plus they do what you would hope any good sub would do, produce lots of bass (the f112v2 goes down to 19Hz at -3dB). JL Audio also manufacture a couple of in-wall subwoofers. Most modern home cinema designs dictate that you cannot see any speakers, and while this is not a problem for the main speakers, finding a good in-wall subwoofer has been problematic. JL Audio produce an 8-inch in-wall, powered by an external 600-watt amplifier, and a 13.5-inch in-wall powered by an external 2000-watt amplifier. These are substantial boxes, preferably installed as pairs, and requiring a wall cavity height of 2.4mtrs. If you are looking for an unobtrusive, high performance sub, it does not get much better than this. On the other hand you could opt for the top-of-the-line Gotham g213v2, a dual 13-inch and 4,500-watt behemoth – selling for a cool $26,000! (And no, we don’t have one on the floor...)

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BERKELEY / KRELL

Under the spell of Krell

n our previous newsletter we announced the re-positioning of Krell pricing, bringing prices back to parity (or better) with pricing in the US. This has proven to be a popular move, resulting in a significant increase in demand for the brand. Spied in Munich at the High End Show (see also page 18) was the prototype of a new integrated amplifier, the K300i (an obvious salute to the fabulous S300i of yesteryear). We do not have definite delivery dates, but we know it will be

available this year. Pictured above, it is rated at 150 watts/channel, and will incorporate Krell’s unique iBias circuitry. Krell also recently announced that

BERKELEY MQA UPGRADE

their amplifiers are now ‘Roon Ready’ and Spotify Connect compatible, making the Vanguard ($6,500) and Digital Vanguard ($7,995, below) even more attractive.

f you are lucky (or astute) enough to own a Berkeley Audio Design DAC, then we have some good news. Berkeley recently released their MQA upgrade module, and it will fit all Berkeley DAC models. The cost is $995 – fitted. Delivery from Berkeley is approximately two weeks from the time of order, and we will need the DAC itself for half a day once it arrives.

PANASONIC

Clarity of vision

t is great to see Panasonic getting the recognition that it so fully deserves, particularly as they are currently celebrating their 100th anniversary. While the brand has always been highly regarded, we now find an increasing number of people asking specifically for the brand – already convinced that

their screens are the best on the market, something we also believe. Panasonic are in the process of releasing a complete new line-up of televisions. Everything that we carry, with the exception of their 32” model, will have 4K UHD screens. As always, and somewhat infuriatingly, this is a staggered

process with different ranges being released over the coming months. We have already received some of the new models, but it is their new generation of OLED screens which are generating all the excitement. While not due for release here properly until the end of July/early August, they have already been shown at shows and to the local press in recent months – and the reaction has been uniformly positive. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

The 77-inch EZ1000

$$↓↓

One screen that is not being replaced, for obvious reasons, is Panasonic’s TH77EZ1000 77-inch OLED TV. Simply put, this is the best large-screen TV we have ever seen – period. Admittedly at $35,000 it was not cheap, but even at that price it was selling. Panasonic recently reduced the price on this screen to $20,000. We have this unit on display, so if you have the opportunity, drop in and see – you will not be disappointed.

A new Oppo?

This new range of OLED screens feature the HCX (Hollywood Cinema Experience) processor. For the past 20 years Panasonic has been used by Hollywood colourists as reference monitors for colour correction. This has led to the development of the HCX processor, with every screen in the OLED range being tuned in conjunction with Hollywood boffins. When you are next looking at screens in a showroom ask yourself is the colour realistic? While

the screen you are looking at may appear brighter and more vibrant than those next to it, is it accurate? Pay particular attention to skin tones – are they lifelike? In many instances the screen that jumps off the wall at you is not the true-to-colour one. Panasonic has also released a new range of good and well-priced Blu-ray players. This includes the DP-UB420, a $449 4K Ultra-HD player with High-Res audio, built-in Wi-Fi and smart networking.

While this will not be available for some time it is worthwhile noting that the machine tipped to be the new ‘Oppo’ of the future was shown with great interest at High End 2018 in Munich. The Panasonic UB9000 started where the Oppo UDP-205 left off, and then added some, including voice control (supporting both Amazon and Google), and the re-introduction of Netflix plus YouTube on-board. Unfortunately we will not see the UB9000 until November, but the good news is that it is expected to be priced at under $1,700, making it considerably cheaper than the Oppo. And yet an examination of the internal construction indicates that Panasonic has not cut any corners here; like the Oppo, this unit is beautifully engineered.

PRO-JECT

Massive saving on Project ‘The Classic’ turntable

roject is reputably the largest selling turntable manufacturer in the world – they certainly make one of the widest and most diverse ranges. One of the stars of their range is ‘The Classic’, a traditional looking beltdrive manual turntable which performs way beyond its price category (and which co-incidentally looks very similar to another all-time favourite of ours). The Classic features include: • Belt drive with manual speed control between 33/45rpm;

• Height-adjustable decoupling feet; • Precision-balanced TPE-damped aluminium-platter with felt mat; • Metal/MDF sandwich chassis floating on TPE suspension; • 9” carbon/aluminium tonearm with MM & MC capability (this is similar to the arm that Pro-Ject manufactures for the $5,700 Linn Majik turntable); • Integrated central vertical cable outlet for unhindered arm movement; • Ultra-low friction Zircon pin-point cardan bearings (top & side); • Azimuth and VTA fully adjustable; • TPE damped counterweight;

• Classic wooden chassis in three matte finishes (Walnut, Rosenut or Eucalyptus); and • Dustcover included. The Pro-Ject ‘The Classic’ retails for $1,650 without cartridge. We have a limited quantity available for $995. Without doubt this is one of the best turntable buys around at the moment. As Analogue Planet concluded in their review: “Combine performance, looks, presentation, set-up ease and price and you have from Pro-Ject one of its best balanced, most attractive ‘plug and play’ offerings at a very affordable price.” And that was at the old price! Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

SONY

Laser love

Sony’s VPL-VW760ES projector

hile we have put together a number of cinemas with incredible specialised projectors worth $50,000 to $100,000, the reality is that most of the home theatres out there cannot outlay this sort of investment… no matter how good the quality. Even $20,000 for a projector can be a stretch. Yet consider, the latest 77” OLED TV (see p11) comes in at just under $20k. And there is no denying the level of colour and contrast it delivers. But how would you feel about an image TWICE this size? For the same kind of money, the Sony VPL-VW760ES Laser Projector delivers one of the finest images we have ever seen in the store, even comparing with some of those $50k models. Some customers may question the need to spend this much when just dipping their toe into projection, and wonder why the standard office projector they use at work can’t do the job. Is it really worth spending that kind of cash? Comparing proper home theatre projectors to inexpensive data units really Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

is a ‘no contest’. The ability of specialised models to provide a crispness of image and a level of brightness that approaches the vividness of a high-end television on a large-scale is undeniable. Last issue we introduced you to the Sony VW260ES… great value at under $8000. The VW760ES, however, offers the benefit of laser projection. While bulb projectors are significantly less expensive, you’ll be dropping $500-$1000 every 3000 hours of use (at the high brightness setting) to replace the bulb. On top of this, you will notice a drop-off in brightness after about 200 to 300 hours, as the performance of the bulb operates like the back-end of a bell-curve. Laser projectors, on the other hand, can last for around 20,000 hours! One test proceeding online is now over 4,000 hours with the projector still producing colours as it did the day the box was opened.

The 760ES is also exceptional in providing technological features that are in other units that cost twice as much, and are twice as large. While not a small unit, compared to traditional laser projectors, it’s almost compact. The picture is simply stunning. There is no pixel shifting here as this is true ‘cinema grade 4k resolution’ of 4096 x 2160 (standard TV UHD is 3840 x 2160). Its Z-Phosphor laser light puts out 2,000 lumens of brightness and combined with HDR compatibility provides images of such realism you’ll never want to set foot in a Hoyts again! You also find all of Sony’s imaging technology here – Advanced SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) panels; the TRILUMINOS colour palette offering more hues, tones and textures; Motionflow for smooth and clear on-screen action, and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. All this combines to create some of the most immersive images you can get, regardless of price. There will always be a place for great bulb projectors, and Sony does the best of them. But if you want to be rewarded for your investment, lasers are less fragile, use less energy and are ready at the flip of a switch with hardly any warm-up time. Brighter, cleaner images and minimal maintenance provide a worry-free solution for the best in home cinema. At $22,999 the Sony VPL-VW760ES is money well spent.

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

In sync By working closely with the owner on design preferences, this outstanding cinema delivers an amazing family experience perfect for the space.

hen Len Wallis Audio was asked to do a dedicated cinema for this beautiful home, Alberto Vangi (LWA senior sales consultant) took on the project to ensure that the room was really special. And what made this project exceptional was the customer’s own personal involvement, where the owner provided us with her ongoing feedback. This ensured that we worked together to deliver an amazing space, with her own personal choices in the colour scheme and preferred finishes. The result is precisely how a cinema should be.

Bringing such a special cinema room together required lots of planning from very early on in the project, with Alberto first working closely with the owners to determine the best solution for the room. Starting from the available space – 6.7m long, 4.1m wide and 2.7m high – we first determined the ideal seating positions, the optimal screen size and speaker configuration, and an overall layout which would ensure a properly cinematic experience. Working closely with the client we determined that three seats at the front and four at the rear would suit the room

and the family the best, with Row One Cinema Seats chosen to deliver highly comfortable leather seating. The screen is a 146-inch diagonal 2.35:1 Stewart Filmscreen Vertical Electrimask Screenwall. It incorporates drop-down vertical masking panels to present a cleanly bordered 116-inch 1.78:1 image, while its StudioTek 130 surface is microperforated for acoustic transparency to the THX 2 Ultra standard, ensuring reference performance quality for both video and audio. To provide real impact to the sound (and those guaranteed goose-bumps), Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

B&W cinema range speakers were chosen, with B&W CT7.3 speakers as the main left, centre and right behind the perforated Stewart screen. There are two of B&W’s in-wall Cinema 7 speakers on each side lining up with each row, with another pair along the back wall. Four Dolby Atmos Cinema 7 ceiling speakers were placed above the seating positions. Bass is of course an essential consideration to give that real wow factor to movie sound, and here it is handled by four 12-inch Sunfire subwoofers, two at the front and two at the rear of the room. The result: a 7.4.4 Dolby Atmos Digital Cinema, the perfect solution. The electronics included a Yamaha surround pre and power pair to look after the digital processing of the sound

and to drive the speakers with control and clarity at all volume levels, and at a higher level than using an all-in-one surround receiver. The processor looks after all the 4K video switching from key media sources, including an Oppo UHD Blu-ray player, Foxel IQ, Apple TV, and Kaleidescape, the world’s best movie server, added for the customer to experience the highest possible level in audio and video quality – with the least amount of compression – so that all movies from 1080P up to full 4K HDR are crystal clear both in picture and sound quality. The picture shown on the screen is nothing short of incredible – breathtaking picture quality that is not only brighter

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

than a commercial cinema but also clearer, thanks to a Sony 4K Laser VPLVW760ES projector (see page 15), the perfect match for the screen size and for working with a high-quality Stewart screen. After a professional ISF (Image Science Foundation) video calibration by Mick Peaker of AVICAL Australia, the image was made still better again, being adjusted to accurately meet global video standards. The ‘before and after’ 4K HDR performance was shown to the owners and they were astounded at how much better the image had been made, given they already thought it was great – with so much depth that you feel totally absorbed and don’t want to leave the room. Project management was impeccably handled from start to finish by Onur Guresen of Len Wallis Audio, with installers Alex (also programming), Jonathan and James fitting out the room to the highest quality standard. To facilitate ease of use, we implemented an RTI control system, with an Apple iPad programmed by Alex replacing all of the individual product remotes and leaving

the end-user confident of working the system, including the Stewart masking screen. For example the press of a single button selects between the 16:9 and 2.35:1 Cinemascope format options, with the Stewart screen masking raising and lowering as required. We are very proud with the finished result. The B&W speakers and the premium audio system delivered precisely the results we were after, while image quality and control were of the highest level. It’s our opinion that the solution provided here is absolutely perfect for most home-owners considering a cinema within their home, and we can confidently say that the owners here are over the moon with the room in every possible way. Indeed they provided us with the following feedback: “Len Wallis Audio’s Alberto Vangi went beyond expectations in leaving no stone unturned to ensure our cinema would be truly special and give us an amazing experience our whole family can enjoy together for years to come… We discovered that cinemas are highly

technical requiring a high degree of expertise and knowledge of the latest technology as well as the structuring of the room set-up for best sound and vision in order to get an outstanding result. Alberto had this, as well as amazing attention to detail and commitment and we felt so glad we chose him to work on our project. The cinema has become a real highlight of our new home which every family member loves!” Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

LINN / MERIDIAN

Linn Akito turntable

he Linn Majik LP12 turntable (pictured) has proven very popular, particularly in recent years with the resurgence of vinyl. At $5,695, this has been an economical way for many to start their Linn Sondek journey. One of the great aspects of the Linn Sondek turntable is that it is upgradable, allowing you to improve the suspension, power supply,

The Linn Majik LP12 turntable and (inset) the Akito arm that will join it.

arm, cartridge etc. The only complaint levelled at the Majik LP12 has been that the arm could be improved on, so Linn have now released the Linn Akito. This is the same as the Majik LP12 other than replacing the Pro-Ject 9cc tonearm with their Akito arm. It still comes complete with their Adikt moving magnet cartridge, and sells for $8,695.

Meridian 200 Series Meridian continues to release interesting new products. The 271 Digital Theatre Controller is just such a product â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it can be connected to any analogue or digital theatre processor allowing Meridian active speakers to be incorporated into the system, and is capable of being expanded

to up to 60 channels of audio for those â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;over-the-topâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; theatres. Also recently released is the 258 eightchannel power amplifier. This low profile

amplifier outputs 70-watts/per channel into 8 ohms. It generates very little heat, and as there are no fans the unit runs silently, and can be rack-mounted.

SHOW BLOG

High End Munich 2018

igh End Munich 2018 lived up to its name for yet again this year. There is not another event in the world that pulls together such an array of exotic and bewildering audio-based products as this one, and it did not disappoint. While most of the well-known manufacturers were represented (there were over 500 exhibitors and thousands of brands on display), there was a considerable number of new companies on show, some that are destined to become the well-known brands of the future, while I am sure some others will simply disappear. As to be expected turntables were everywhere – and the bigger and the more expensive the better. Turntables that would sell for $100k+ in Australia were commonplace, while one had an asking price of €270,000 – and I believe they have sold a number of units. Again as expected, digital music was also widely used. The most dominant software product at the show, by a country mile, was Roon. Everywhere companies were proudly displaying the fact that they are ‘Roon Ready’, or those in the process of incorporating Roon had signs up stating they were ‘Roon tested’.

The other source that continues to grow in popularity is reel-to-reel. More companies were using this format as a source than ever before, and the number of companies selling pre-recorded tapes has doubled since I last visited. These tapes are taken directly from the master tapes, and the sound quality is superb. They are also expensive! Valves were omnipresent: in fact I thought there were almost as many valve amplifiers on display as there were solid state. There was also a considerable number of people showing horn loudspeakers (of all shapes and sizes). One thing that was obvious is that for a number of exhibitors the driving force was solely performance. While this is obviously a good thing, many have little regard for realities of the market place. This was particularly true of speaker manufacturers. While some of the best sounds I heard at the show (and there was a number of very good sounding rooms) came from new and unknown companies – to me at least – many designs would hold absolutely no visual appeal to most home owners. Some of these designs had absolutely no chance of gracing the average living room! It was great to see Melbourne-based company SGR Audio at the show. While

they are not the first Australian company to exhibit in Munich I understand they are the first to exhibit in the Atrium section, which is where all the action was taking place. Part of their display was their newly re-vamped range of Hi-Fi racks (see page 26). It has taken them a long time to get this range together, but it has been worth it; these are some of the finest audio racks in the world. While some models may appear to be expensive, they outclass many racks that cost a lot more – truly world-class, and something that you will see on our showroom floor very soon. I came away with two very positive impressions from the show. While many of the products on display were bigger, better, wackier and very expensive, they all represented a considerable investment by the companies concerned. These companies, and there were a lot of them, obviously considered that the investment was financially viable, and redeemable. It was also very encouraging to see the number of people who turned up to the show – the last three days were open to the public. The venue was very large, over three floors, and it was packed, at some stages uncomfortably so. This highlights a continued and growing interest in our industry. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

Melbourne-based SGR Audioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibit, with MSB electronics.

BOWERS & WILKINS

TRADE IN YOUR OLD SPEAKERS!

rade-in deals have been pretty popular of late, with good reason. You get to save some money, and you also get rid of your old gear. The current B&W offer is now in full swing, and extends through until the

end of August. You can trade in any working speaker, irrespective of value or condition, on any B&W speaker â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the fabulous 800 Series Diamond. This offer even extends to their P9 and PX headphones.

The full set of trade-in values are listed on www.bw-rewards.com.au, but they are roughly 10% of the value of the speaker you are buying. If your trade-in is worth more than this, you will still receive their full value. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

NAIM AUDIO

Naim networking update

aim has announced an update of their network players, with all three models being upgraded between now and the end of September. The first will be the new version of the NDS, called the ND 555, which will hopefully be on the floor by the time you read this. Late July we are we are expecting the NDX 2, the replacement for the NDX. Late September we will see the replacement for the NDS XS, called the NDS XS2. Final pricing is yet to be confirmed. Naim has also announced the impending release of the Apple AirPlay2 upgrade to their range of streamers. AirPlay 2 provides an effortless way for people to stream music from their iPhone, iPad or Apple TV – including Apple Music or other streaming services, Podcasts and YouTube videos – to Naim streamers and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers. Listeners will also be able ask Siri to control Apple Music, including play/pause, skip track and adjust the volume, whether

Naim ND

Naim NDX 2

in different rooms or playing the same song everywhere. The software release to enable the new functionality will be staggered by product range – and at the time of writing the release dates are yet to be confirmed. Once the update becomes available, the Naim app will prompt customers to perform an over-the-air update.

Compatible Naim streamers include: Wireless Music Systems Mu-so, Mu-so Qb All-in-one Players Uniti Nova, Uniti Star, Uniti Atom Network Players ND 555, NDX 2, ND5 XS 2

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SENNHEISER

RAISE YOUR GLASS ... to Sennheiser’s closed-back HD 820

here is no doubting the joy of listening to Sennheiser’s top-ofthe-range HD 800 or HD 800S headphones. These fantastic open-back headphones display a level of transparency that is hard to match. But you may find that other people around you appreciate the headphone quality rather less while the noise streams from the rear of the drivers. As they

are exposed to all surroundings, these aren’t the gear you would use on public transport or in the office. Now you can take that clarity with you and not disturb those around you, with the new Sennheiser HD 820. While maintaining the beauty of the 800 range, this new ground-breaking design features glass transducer covers that seal in the sound. While traditional headphones reflect the sound off the covers and back to your ear, the concave shape of the Gorilla Glass in the HD 820s actually reflects the soundwaves from the rear of

the transducer to an absorber within the shell. By eliminating most of this reflection (Sennheiser notes that the soundwaves are effectively “gone”), the headphones can maintain the precision and space you normally find only in high-end open-backed headphones. And the fact that the covers are glass enables a unique view and a pseudo-modern industrial design style that just looks cool. But it is not just about soundleakage. Many of the components, like the handcrafted earpads, have been developed to further prevent outside noise from influencing the listener experience, as well as to minimise resonance. These cans are made in Germany and have a number of key developments including a metal headband that has an inner damping element and a new 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connector, which is seen by many as a key headphone development aimed at minimising distortion. And if you are looking for a new headphone amplifier, Sennheiser has revamped a classic and introduced the HDV 820, which offers the same Pentaconn socket. An upgraded DAC will play DSD256 files of up to 12.3MHz and performs brilliantly with digital sources, whether optically, coaxially, or via USB. The HD 820 headphones will be available in August and are $3,499. The HDV 820 headphone amplifier is $3,799.95.

COCKTAIL AUDIO / SONOS

SONOS BEAM

onos have added their third soundbar to their stable – the Sonos Beam. The Sonos Beam is a compact version of their Playbase, measuring only 65cm in width. Despite its smaller footprint this unit is packed full of goodies with four elliptical mid/bass drivers, three passive radiators and a high performance tweeter. It is also the second

speaker in their range to feature voice control via Amazon Alexa. At $599 this is an ideal solution for smaller rooms such as bedrooms, study etc. The other news from Sonos is that in July they will be adding AirPlay2 via a free software upgrade. This will be available for the Sonos Beam, Sonos One, Playbase and Generation 2 of the Play:5.

A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR SONOS SYSTEM Digging out your smart phone or finding your iPad is not always the most convenient solution when all you want to do is turn your Sonos system up or down. We believe that the iPort xPRESS is an excellent addition to any Sonos installation. This simple and inexpensive keypad can be hand-held, mounted on

the wall or even attached to your fridge via the inbuilt magnet. It is battery operated and will allow you to change tracks, toggle through sources or playlists, and adjust volume. While this does not allow as much control as the App, it is ideal for that quick, simple alteration on the run. Priced at $169.

Cocktail X35 – all-round hi-fi When you think of the typical Hi-Fi system you most likely picture multiple boxes and a rat’s nest of cables – and the more technologies you embrace, the worse it becomes. It does not need to be that way! Introducing the Cocktail X35 – a single box (you can just add speakers) which features: • 100-watt/channel stereo amplifier; • CD player, CD ripper and harddrive that can rip and store thousands of your CDs; • FM and DAB+ radio tuners; • reference-level 192kHz DAC; • network streamer supporting Roon, Tidal, Spotify and many more; • a phono input – which also allows you to record your vinyl to the hard drive. This is a very comprehensive piece of equipment, and is ideal for anyone who wants all that a modern Hi-Fi system has to offer, has limited available space, but still expects quality. The AVHub.com.au review concludes “What’s remarkable about the Cocktail Audio X35 is not only that it does so many things, but that it does them well’. The price is $3,499 including a 2TB hard-drive. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

Enjoy the Outstanding Musical Experience TRIANGLE strives hard to give each new generation of loudspeakers a distinctive musicality, created by using materials of the highest quality. And their 35 years of experience has forged a unique sound expertise that provides extraordinary sonic realism and detail. ESPRIT Ez is the genuine materialization of TRIANGLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophy: it offers music lovers an uncompromising, dynamic and living sound, which conveys all the finesse and beauty of any musical composition and in a style that fits any decor. We invite you to rediscover your first musical sensations and pleasures - and be astounded by the finest musical experiences delivered by the new ESPRIT Ez.

Available from

64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, NSW 2066 (02) 9427 6755 sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au

www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

SGR AUDIO

SUPPORTING ACT SGR equipment racks

ne of my goals during my recent trip to the High End Munich show (see page 18) was to find a new supplier of quality audio racks. I found it ironic to travel halfway around the globe to find that one of the best manufacturers of audio racks is based here in Australia. The pursuit of quality that drives SGR Audio is to be admired. I understand that the company spent three years searching for a supplier who could provide the level

of perfection that SGR demanded for the anodising of the stand supports, only to eventually build their own plant. SGR started life as a loudspeaker manufacturing company (something they still continue to do) with the decision to diverse into rack manufacturing being made in 2010. They enlisted the services of one of the top engineering students at Monash University and then spent six months researching, simulating and prototyping various isolation and vibration

SGR Statement Series

damping technologies. Every piece of their racks is built, machined, painted and anodised in-house. SGR manufacture three levels of racks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in ascending order, the Signature, Symphony, and Statement Series.

The Signature Series This is their basic range, consisting of three models and starting at $795 a shelf. This range features five levels of isolation technologies, including adjustable steel SGR Signature Series

SGR Symphony Series

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SGR AUDIO

Despite the fact that the Statement sells for $4,200 per shelf, their level of performance and quality of manufacture far outclasses many of the alternatives costing multiples of this price. The SGR Statement audio rack is a beautiful piece of engineering. The Statement boasts the same levels of isolation as the above

models, plus one more. The shelves have two timber-veneered machined Corian isolation pods embedded in the surface. Not only is the Symphony rack one of the best sounding racks on the market – it is one of the most attractive. SGR will not compromise with the quality of their product. The designs are obviously meticulously researched, they are well priced – and they are built from the ground up in Australia.

Energy Sink Isolation Pads: as used on the Statement Series. Exquisite CNC-milled and veneered Corian™ stone pads provide a durable resonance control surface for your audio equipment.

Constrained Layered Damping: Energy absorption is amplified with the platform’s extruded polymer mat sandwiched between precision-routed wooden composite layers.

Purpose-made Silicon Isolators: Flawlessly fabricated viscoelastic siliconbased isolators dissipate unwanted energy, while adjustable placement allows for any offset centre of gravity in your equipment.

Precision-machined Cross-braces: An advanced cross-bracing system provides a stable and rigid support for each platform, while isolation pads further reduce vibration distortion through the posts.

Crushed Quartz-Filled Posts: Adding optimum weight and rigidity, crushed quartz-filled posts dampen unwanted frequencies.

Stabilising Steel Feet: The spikes and optional ball-race levellers provide exceptional levelling and minimise interference from floor surface vibrations.

spikes, crushed quartz-filled posts, CNCmachined cross braces, silicon isolators on all shelves and constrained layer damping. Constrained layer damping technology consists of an extruded polymer mat sandwiched between two wooden composite shelf layers.

The Symphony Series Based on the Signature series, but with a more stylish finish. There are two

models, starting at $1,200 a level.

The Statement Series

SGR Isolation Technologies

HOME CINEMA SCREENS

Why a screen is so important for home theatre by Alberto Vangi, with input from Paul Kutcher at Stewart Filmscreen

hen looking at the role of products in an audiovisual system, none is more misunderstood than the projection screen. Far too often the screen is seen as a necessary accessory devoid of any technology, and as a product where any solution will do. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, there are a multitude of cheap screens out there that simply employ off-the-roll materials without any form of engineered optical properties – just as there are cheap speakers assembled from non-descript components that no one would consider installing into their system.

The role of the projection screen is to present a flat planar surface and direct the projected light back towards the viewing audience, while itself getting out of the way. A quality projection screen should act as a window to the world, be invisible to the viewer and not impart its own ‘personality’ onto the projected image.

Gain and colour As with any form of technology, projection screens need a reference to be measured against, and with projection screens it is gain. The reference for gain is the chalky substance, magnesium carbonate. It is said to have a gain of 1.0 and is considered a Screen selection should always be considered as part of the complete system. This image shows a demonstration of Stewart Filmscreen’s HALR (High Ambient Light Rejection) surface on the left, against its premium matte SnoMatte 10 on the right. The difference doesn’t mean the HALR surface is better, just more suitable for the high level of ambient light in this room.

full Lambertian diffuser – that is, any light that falls upon its surface will be diffused evenly in all directions off the surface. When editing their movies during post-production and grading the footage so that the colours match from scene to scene, Hollywood studios require a screen surface that is totally neutral and doesn’t impart any artefact of its own onto the image. The majority of them use Stewart Filmscreen’s SnoMatte 100, a true unity gain 1.0 white surface that has long been recognised as the industry reference for image performance. Its optical coating imparts no sheen on the surface and it is utterly neutral in its performance. Apart from using such a screen, the studios also employ a totally black room comprising of black walls, floors and ceilings, to ensure that there are no internal room reflections that will affect the image being worked upon. It therefore goes to say that in an ideal world, to get the same image performance as a Hollywood studio, any projection room should be totally black, apart from the screen. In the real world, however, this is impractical – a totally black room is not only foreboding but is also aesthetically unappealing. So while most rooms can be darkened, they are typically not black enough to employ a unity-gain white screen, as there will usually be something in the room that will cause a glow or cross reflections. So to counter these, we need to look at surface options that will be less affected in these real-world environments. Adding gain to a screen surface by employing optical elements makes the Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

ESSENTIALS & ACCESSORIES screen more directional. So when we project upon the screen, more of the light is directed back into the viewing space and away from the side walls, thus reducing room cross reflections. So a projection screen should be considered as part of a projection system rather than as a standalone product. When determining the most appropriate screen surface for any project a range of considerations need to be taken into account, including the intended screen size, projector being employed in the system, and room dĂŠcor. Stewart Filmscreen offers nine front projection surface options, each engineered to provide optimal performance in a given environment. These include a range of white surfaceswith varying gains and similarly, a range of grey surfaces.

TOP TWEAKS AND ACCESSORIES

Watch this space When watching a movie or television program in your theatre or media room, you are only looking at a single item: the screen. The screen is the final link in determining the quality of the image that you will view. Like speakers and power amplification, a projection screen is a product that is typically purchased once for a system. Unlike content delivery products that change on a regular basis due to technology changes, your projection screen will usually last the life-time of your theatre. So it makes good sense to invest a bit more in a product that is not only going to provide the optimal image quality, but will also last for the duration of the theatre. Stewart Filmscreen have long been considered the reference for image quality for projection screens, manufacturing bespoke projection screens for more than 70 years for the very companies making the movies that you view at home. As the recipient of two Academy Awards for Technological Achievement for projection screen technology, a Stewart screen ensures you can view the movie as intended by the filmmaker. With every product custom manufactured to specification, you can be sure that you are purchasing the most appropriate solution for your system.

AudioQuest DragonFly Red & Black While the original DragonFly defined the market for microDACs, its USB power draw made it compatible with computers only. Music lovers have craved a more portable version â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one that could be reliably used with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. The DragonFly Black and DragonFly Red do just that. Convenience and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. With DragonFly Black and Red, any computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone can be used as a true high-fidelity music player, allowing music lovers to enjoy beautiful sound wherever they go, whenever they please. The DragonFly Black is priced at $160. The DragonFly Red is priced at $320.

Meridian Explorer2 DAC It is even a better time to get a hold of the Meridian Explorer2 DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter). This is a great solution to maximise the quality of sound when outputting from your computer, and you can take full advantage of MQA (from the TIDAL streaming service) to get easy access to hi-res audio. Price $479.

ESSENTIALS & ACCESSORIES

Musical Fidelity Roundtable The Musical Fidelity Roundtable turntable initially came onto the Australian market at $1,299, and its performance indicated that this was a fair price. However the Roundtable does not have a Perspex cover, and due to slow sales the distributors quickly reduced the price to $999 - making this great value. We are now down to a handful of Roundtables, selling for $699. If you can do without a Perspex cover (tea towel anyone!) this is a great buy. Available in both black and red.

Les Davis 3D(2) Discs The product provides “viscoelastic layer damping for audio equipment” – quite a mouthful!! You might wonder how these little silver discs work but the technology used is a proven one, called Constrained Layer Damping (CLD), used most notably in the aerospace industry. It involves sandwiching a viscoelastic material between two layers of a stiffer material.

Place two of these under each foot of all audio components that generate and/or store mechanical and electrical energy, including your lap-top if it is part of your system (I kid you not) . The pack sells for $99.00, and contains enough discs for two pieces of equipment. Plus we are happy to back this product – if it does not work, bring the pack back for a full refund.

Musical Fidelity V90 LPS The quality of your phono stage is widely overlooked for new adopters of vinyl, but a great unit can really bring more “life” to your records. This compact unit from Musical Fidelity is a modestly priced, very high performance MM/MC phono stage with superb technical performance. This is a great option for those exploring the capabilities of vinyl and is available in silver for $349.

IsoAcoustics GAIA Good, good, good Vibra...pods

Yamaha makes streaming easy This must be the easiest way to stream digital music to an existing system – Yamaha’s MXAD-10 utilises their MusicCast streaming platform to access Spotify, Tidal and other streaming platforms. With an in-built Burr-Brown DAC, a digital stream is converted to a clean analogue sound. Also equipped with Bluetooth and AirPlay, it is available for $229.

Unwanted vibrations in your system are never welcome and can sonically compromise musical playback. Vibrapods can fix this by replacing your existing equipment feet (which are often fairly basic) and start soaking up those unwanted vibrations right away. The improvements they can deliver might well be the most cost-effective HiFi tweak on the market today. There are five models to cover differing weights of equipment from 1kg up to 13kg so you can get the one that’s right for your gear! Priced from $39.95 for a set of four.

Sometimes what seems the simplest of tweaks makes all the difference to your sound. IsoAcoustics’ range of GAIA speaker isolators transform your speakers, making them sound better that you thought possible. GAIA provides a high degree of isolation while resisting lateral movement and oscillations to maintain alignment with the listening position. You will be amazed how the sound ‘opens up’ as vibration is absorbed through IsoAcoustics’ patented design. Delivered in sets of 4 with alternative thread sizes to fit most speakers, GAIAs come in three sizes depending on the weight of your speakers – up to 32kg $299, to 54kg $425, up to 100kg $999. Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

ESSENTIALS & ACCESSORIES

Tivoli Audio

he Tivoli Model One has been on the market for almost 20 years, and it is still going strong. However technology moves on, and Tivoli have released an additional range of products (the Art Collection) to reflect these changes. What has not changed is their commitment to producing some of the best-sounding radio-based products on the market.

Model One Digital

Orb

MusicSystem+

Loosely based on the Model One this unit has DAB+, FM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It merges the simplicity and user-friendly features that Tivoli Audioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic line is known for, but with a tech refresh.

This wireless speaker can be configured to offer mono, stereo (two Orbs) or multi-room audio playback. It can be free standing, or you can hang it on the wall. There are multiple finishes available.

Tivoli have reduced the prices on most of their range, and the Music System+ has been reduced from $1,299 to $999. This stereo unit incorporates CD, DAB+ and FM radio, Bluetooth, dual alarm and remote.

RACK SPECIALS We have recently purchased a number of Alphason Hi-Fi racks at a very attractive price. There are three models of particular interest: AD3/105: Three-shelf glass and metal stand: $399 AD2/105: Two-shelf glass and metal stand (pictured): $299. AD3/96: Three-shelf glass and metal stand with screen mount: $599.

Ortofon stylus pressure gauge scale and cartridge alignment While turntables are increasing in popularity, many people are not aware that taking care of your stylus is extremely important in getting the best sound and

longest life out of your investment. Using the Ortofon Alignment Tool ($8) ensures your cartridge is aligned properly in the grooves of your record. The Stylus Pressure Gauge Scale ($13) confirms that your tone arm is weighted properly. It is a small price to get the most out of your investment.

S ERI ES

A journey through the history of sound is paved with landmark Yamaha products that have shaped the way we listen. As the largest sound company in the world, Yamaha has drawn on its unparalleled musical expertise to redefine entertainment in the home.

A breakthrough in home cinema, AVENTAGE Series 9* features exclusive new technology that immerses audiences in the movie by intelligently optimising the sound track in real time. Experience sound as if a Yamaha engineer tuned it especially for you.

Introducing Surround:AI. Surround:AI delivers a dynamic cinematic experience in any home theatre.

/YamahaAVAU

@YamahaAVAU

*Surround:AI is available on select models as part of AVENTAGE Series 9 (RX-A3080, RX-A2080 and RX-A1080), available soon.

au.yamaha.com