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Phil Koch, Robert Lee,
Mark O'Brien, Pat McGinty, and David Schiavone
Blue Heron 2's in
Pennsylvania Cherry and Curly Maple
Rogue Audio Zeus Amplifier
Acoustic Zen Technologies Cables, Interconnects and Power Cords
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2003
Consumer Electronics Show Report
Last week we had the pleasure of demonstrating two wonderful new models
at the CES in Las Vegas. The combination of Meadowlark speakers, Rogue
Audio amplification and Acoustic Zen Technologies wire produced results
that kept our rooms packed with dealers, press and interested
audiophiles.
We would like to thank each of you who visited and spent some time with
us.
ROOM 1 -
Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2 speakers, a time coherent design using
simple first order electrical crossovers. “BASSIC”
Impedance Coupled Bass System is the next generation of transmission
line. This flagship of Meadowlark’s recently updated line features
stunning cabinet work including a sculpted, solid hardwood, triple layer
baffle and an elegant, sexy, curvy appearance. 25-50KHz 91dB sens. 4ohms
$12K.
BH2’s forte is big, big dynamics, gripping musicality and deep,
natural detail.
Rogue Audio’s mighty, new Zeus amplifier produces 250W per channel in
ultralinear mode and 170W in triode, $5995 was driven by Rogue’s model
99 line stage $1995 and Stealth phono preamp. www.rogueaudio.com
Avid’s world-beater Acutus turntable, $10K showed what first rate
analog is really all about. www.avidhifi.co.uk
Acoustic Zen Techologies cable, interconnect and power cords were used
throughout insuring unsurpassed performance and accuracy.
www.acousticzen.com
Digital was courtesy of Audio Note.
www.audionote.co.uk
Hi performance racks were by Grand Prix Audio.
www.grandprixaudio.com
Quite a few visitors put this system to the test with their own CD and
LPs and came away grinning!
ROOM 2 -
Meadowlark unveiled the dashing, new Kestrel 2
- a more than worthy successor to the legendary Kestrel. This new model
showed off its spectacular cabinetwork and even more spectacular sonics
at the ‘entry level’ price of $1695. Kestrel 2 is both easy to place
and easy to drive. Surprisingly, K2 is even more articulate and more
extended than its predecessor and achieves a yet higher level of
soundstaging. But the real surprise to our dealers who know the original
Kestrel quite well was K2’s upper midrange beauty, amazing overall
dynamics and enthralling musicality. We took a pile of orders and are
busy building ‘em right now!
Meadowlark alternated between the Kestrel 2 and well received Osprey
- a new three way that boasts 30Hz bass with robust output capabilities
and fun, fun dynamics. Osprey recently replaced the benchmark Shearwater
and has been pleasing both customers and dealers with clearly superior
performance and a fashionable new look. Osprey is certainly an
overachiever at just $2995, and early sales are seem to be largely
within the industry.
Rogue Audio’s Tempest Magnum integrated, 60Wpc, $2695 did a splendid
job of driving both speakers to riveting output levels, all the while
maintaining a liquid and dynamic musical composure.
Our vote for best budget system certainly goes to the combination of
Kestrel2 and Tempest Magnum. This well engineered product has guts to
spare and gobs of heart-and-soul!
Avid demonstrated a new, as yet unnamed, turntable that showed off
wonderful metalwork and design, even sporting dual tone arm mounts.
All cable, interconnect and power cords were, of course, Acoustic Zen
Technologies.
Digital courtesy of Audio Note.
Racks by Grand Prix Audio.
All in all, this room of less expensive gear seemed to draw even more
interest and more compliments than the ‘big’ room. Killer
performance at modest prices is what makes us tick!
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