Axiom’s Audiobyte speaker
system for PCs and portable music players consists of two very small, very attractive
satellite speakers and an integrated amplifier that delivers 50Wpc. The system costs $349
for two satellites in standard synthetic finish, $399 in a high-gloss synthetic, or $559
for lacquered wood. There is also the optional $179 EPZero passive subwoofer with a 6 1/2"
driver. It is designed to work with the Audiobyte’s amplifier. [www.axiomaudio.com]
A review of the Volent VL-3 ($9650 per pair) appeared on SoundStage!
last year, but the much larger VL-4 ($36,000 per pair) made its debut at the
2008 CES. This 300-plus-pound speaker uses a "Twin-Ribbon" approach, which mates
an air-motion-transformer tweeter along with a ribbon supertweeter.
Perhaps the most expensive electronics at the show were the
Soulution line from Switzerland. Seen here are the 710 monoblocks ($100,000 per pair),
which output a whopping 860W into 4 ohms and weigh 220 pounds each.
The Obbligato Renaissance speaker
system from Angstrom ($8000) is a recent upgrade that original Obbligato owners can have
applied to their existing speakers (the upgrade is solely in the crossover). The system
consists of two towers and two passive Profundo LFTs (Low Frequency Transducers). The DV-5
Dividing Network for the mains and subs is available for $500. Active Profundo LFTs with
internal 500-watt BASH amplifiers are also available for an additional $500 each. [www.angstromloudspeakers.com]
According to Angstrom’s Tony
Gray, the new 100S speaker ($199 each) he’s holding in his hand represents, "the
future of speakers" -- it’s small, slim, attractive and attaches to your wall.
The 100S features a forward-firing 5 1/4" bass/midrange driver as well as three
3/4" tweeters, one on the front and one on each side. There are also controls to
attenuate the output of the side tweeters for better room matching. The 100S is part of
the redesigned Suono line of on-wall speakers. [www.angstromloudspeakers.com]
Bryston introduced its first CD player earlier
this year, the BCD-1, which was reviewed on SoundStage! in the middle of last
year. Now the Canadian company best known for its powerful solid-state amplifiers has
introduced the BDA-1 DAC, which is based on the same circuit topology. The BDA-1 has
24-bit/192kHz Crystal DACs, a class-A analog output stage, and is priced at $1995. It's
shown above in standard and rack-mount versions.
Bryston also introduced two new class-D,
eight-channel amplifiers that use switching output stages and linear power supplies. The D-130Z (above) is priced at $4295 and delivers
130Wpc into 4 ohms; the D-250Z delivers 250Wpc into 4 ohms. The amp's back panel has been
configured into four stereo "zones," and in the D-130Z's case, each zone can be
bridged to produce 400Wpc into 8 ohms. Each of the the D-250Z's zones can produce 800Wpc
into 8 ohms.
Esoteric continues to expand its lineup. Seen here is the
C-03 preamplifier ($9500), which features dual-mono power supplies and a multi-chambered
chassis. The build quality, as with all Esoteric components, looked to be excellent.
