AudioEnz news
December 2004
New binding post promises better sound quality
Eichmann Technologies (manufacturers of the Bullet Plug connector) announce
the release of their binding post. The CablePod is a direct replacement
for existing binding posts in amplifiers and loudspeakers, and is designed
for improved sound quality.
The contact element is machined from high conductive Tellurium Copper, which offers up to 320% greater conductivity than brass. The element is then direct gold plated with 24k gold, without a nickel substrate. The CablePod is said to have a contact element with the optimum shape, mass and thickness to support current flow and amperage, but also to minimize skin effect problems. Eichmann claims that the CablePod has a significant sound quality improvement over existing binding post designs.
The CablePod comes in a consumer pack of two dual-gang pods for $70. They are available from the New Zealand distributor, Totally Wired.
Image speaker is an Illusion
The
Image Illusion, a smaller model than the Image Revelation (featured in
the June news), is designed for moderate size rooms.
It uses two of the Revelation's SEAS 170mm coated conemid drivers as bass/mid, with the frequency matched Morel Supreme tweeter also the same as used in Revelation. High spec crossover components and Audioquest Granite internal wiring is the same as used inside the Revelation.
The Illusion is a two-way system and the drivers are arranged in an MTM baffle layout.
Efficiency is high at 91dB/1 watt. Rated impedance is 6 Ohms with the minimum impedance being 4 ohms, making the Illusion easy to drive. Power rating is 140 watts RMS. The Image Illusion sells for $3600 a pair.
For your nearest Image dealer
Castle adds bookshelf model
A small (330mm high) bookshelf speaker, the Richmond 3i incorporates build
features not usually found at this price, such as bituminous damping pads
inside the cabinet.
The 130mm woofer is matched with Castle’s 19mm tweeter via a biwired crossover. Available in a number of real wood finishes, the Richmond 3i retails for $899.
For your nearest Castle dealer
Cambridge tuner is digital ready
The Cambridge Audio 640T tuner incorporates both a FM section and a digital
radio section, should we ever get that here in New Zealand. The 640T has
the Cambridge Azur series all-metal casework with a solid aluminium front
panel, and sells for $899.
For your nearest Cambridge Audio dealer
IDG launches Home Entertainment Expo in 2005
New Zealand’s first Home Entertainment Expo will run over three days at the Auckland Showgrounds from 7-9 October, 2005, showcasing all the technologies that are rapidly converging to revolutionise entertainment in the home. “We’ll see whole home entertainment environments, bringing together the largest, brightest, flat-plasma screens, linked to a single computing environment, merging broadband information from TV, movies and the internet. We’ll see digital photography integrated as part of the home system; entire catalogues of music instantly available, and the latest immersive sound systems,” says Bob Pinchin, managing director of IDG Communications Ltd.
Home Ideas Centre features Niles and Yamaha
The Home Ideas Centre is a permanent Home Show exhibit located at 165 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland (just over the waterfront railway bridge, opposite the container wharves). There are several hundred displays ranging from roofing, kitchen and joinery products through to AV componentry such the multi-room and home automation display featuring Yamaha and Niles equipment, supplied by distributor Sound Group Holdings.
For your nearest Yamaha dealer
Four your nearest Niles dealer
Image speaker takes centre stage
The Image CentreStage is a centre channel speaker to be used with Image Revelation and Illusion in the highest quality home theatre systems. The drivers and crossovers are identical to Illusion. Chris Ball, head of Image Loudspeakers, said that the CentreStage has the same presence and phenomenal air and musical detail of Revelation. CentreStage is also recommended by Image as rear speakers in surround sound systems, offering the same sonic accuracy as the front speakers. CentreStage has retail price of $1700 each.
For your nearest Image dealer
Eastern Hi-Fi to list on AX board
Eastern Hi-Fi Group has launched a $5 million share issue and plans to list on the stock exchange’s AX board. The group, which consists of the Eastern Hi-Fi chain of hi-fi stores and distribution companies Avalon Audio (Denon, Kef, Arcam) and Pacific Audio (Polk, Musical Fidelity, Tannoy) currently has a majority ownership by Steve Allbury (pictured). Eastern Hi-Fi plans to use part of the proceeds opening new retail outlets throughout the North Island, open a seconds/trade-in store in Auckland and establishing a finance division. A downloadable pdf of the prospectus is available at the Eastern Hi-Fi Group web site.
Imerge music server’s second version
Imerge have announced the Imerge S2000 (MkII) mode. The updated series
offers the new features, such as up to four zones of independent output
(previously three); optional ripping selection (low or high speed); music
transfer to PC's, Macs and portable players, such as the iPod; improved
audio performance (tweaked by leading UK manufacturer). While the external
styling remains unchanged, the new MkII includes a radical interior re-design
with a new PC motherboard and hard drives. New Zealand stock is now supplied
in the black finish, with silver available by special request only.
For your nearest Imerge dealer
AAD’s generation three C Series
The new AAD models are the third generation of the popular "C" series speakers. Comprising two tower models, one bookshelf, two centre channels, three surrounds and one subwoofer, the C series speakers range in price from $299.00 up to $1,499.00. Using an identical 25mm (1") titanium tweeter across the entire range (for optimum voice-matching), and composite polymer woofers, all models are available in either a Black or wood grain Cherry finish. Bi-wiring, floor spikes and magnetic shielding is standard on most models.
For your nearest AAD dealer
Low distortion Halcro amps in New Zealand
The highly acclaimed Halcro amplifiers are distributed in New Zealand by
The Listening Post in Hamilton. Halco amplifiers boast a distortion level
many times lower than conventional amplifiers, at a level of 0.0001%.
The Listening Post has both the DM58 monoblok power amplifier and DM10 preamplifier. The Listening Post, Hamilton, phone 07-839 0135
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