CONNOISSEUR SYSTEM
The most serious pro monitors with inbuilt class-A amps, combined with a highly detailed source and highly synergistic hybrid pre-amp, results in a lower cost and size for even half of the performance delivered. Stunning!
| Esoteric X-03SE CD/SACD Player |
£4,995 |
| Unico Pre-amp |
£1,450 |
| ATC SCM-50ASL Active Loudspeakers |
£7,600 |
Total |
£14,045 |
ATC Active SCM 50s / positive-feedback.com review extract / www.positive-feedback.com/ambackissues/atc.htm
“This is going to be the easiest review I’ve ever written.
Simply stated, the ATC system is the best I’ve experienced in my
home. They had me glued to my seat throughout my listening
sessions. The most notable aspect was the supremely coherent and musical
perspective. I kept thinking to myself that this is how a three-way speaker
should sound. The bass was deep, fast, and responsive, but never prominent
or overbearing, as is the case with so many three-ways.
Another impressive quality of the ATC system was its absolute freedom
from confusion or compression, even at deafening levels. Throughout my
time with the system, I got the feeling that I never truly tapped into
its profound potential. Movie soundtracks, loud rock guitar fusion, big
band Latin jazz, Bob Marley - nothing in my arsenal seemed to vex the
mighty ATCs. Although the speakers have their roots in the studio, the
system never sounded overly detailed or clinical. Imagine an effortless
ability to go from loud to soft to loud with the speed of a bullet.
The natural roller coaster of music is easily conveyed, with a fantastic
sense of its ebb and flow. If you are authentically interested in hearing
live musical events in your home, you should consider the ATC 50s.”
Mismatching is the road to audio hell, and a road that is congested.
Let e-Bay and Audiogon be the answer to other peoples’ prayers!
Here is an inner track for audiophiles who have forgotten - or novices who have never known - how good a dedicated system can be. Most of the following components have won awards.
There is no such thing as “affordable high-end” so we commence at systems from £3,000. The vital ingredient we seek is a synergy or “signal transfer” which yields emotional involvement, “magic,” musicality, the X-factor; whatever you call it, it isn’t subtle.
Mark Levinson 326S Baby version
of the Ref 32 Pre-amp at a reasonable cost of £6,995. Like
most technologies the benefits of the research for the reference
products trickle down into more affordable
products like the 326s Pre-amp. You get alot of the quality of
its bigger brother, providing a jump in the quality available at
this price. |
Ayre Acoustics C-5xe Universal Disk
Player Stereophile Extract: "It ought to be fairly obvious
that I found the Ayre C-5xe more than satisfactory. I didn't
expect it to disappoint, but I was unprepared for just how much
it delighted me. I've heard a lot of impressive audio components
over the years, but I've heard very few that afforded me greater
musical pleasure or sent me on as many voyages of musical discovery
through discs I thought I knew well." - Wes Phillips,
July, 2005 |
Gryphon Diablo The ultimate
reference integrated amplifier at £6100. The Gryphon sonic magic
in a reasonable sized and georgeous case, you must hear this as
it puts most pre power combo's to shame, pure music at its best. |
Brinkmann LaGrange
turntableThe Brinkmann LaGrange
turntable is without a doubt the best source component I have ever
had the
chance to enjoy over an extended period of time. It represents
a level of perfection and emotional
connection to music that I have never heard before. - Danny Kaey extract
from Positive Feedback |
Vac Renaissance Signature II "With
the "right supporting cast," the VAC Renaissance Signature
Mk.II is the best preamp I've auditioned. Its resolution of low-level
spatial, temporal, and timbral detail, and its uncanny coherence
across the realms of space, frequency, and loudness, put it in
a class by itself. These strengths made listening to a musical
performance through the Signature a more moving experience for
me, and one step closer to the real thing.."
- Stereophile Extract - Brian Damkroger |
ProAc D100 The imposing new Response
D100 takes on the mantle of flagship model from our legendary Response
Four, which has delighted discerning audiophiles for the last twelve
years.
The D100's produce stunning music, effortlessly. The enhanced
sensitivity extracts the tiniest detail from any recording without
brightness or exaggeration. Greater bandwidth creates a huge soundstage,
drawing in the listener and creating a concert hall experience,
where the loudspeakers seem to melt from the scene.. |
