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December news

Tube your iPod!

The Fatman iTube Valve Dock is a docking station that is compatible with all iPods (except Shuffle).

You can control the iPod functions via the remote control – allowing you to sit back and relax whilst enjoying your favourite music and movies (yes, you can watch the movies and images on your TV too!)

The matching valve amplifier provides the classic audio characteristics of valves, improving the listening experience and adding value to your iPod system. The amplifier can also take alternative sound sources to allow for more audio options as well as a video output to connect video enabled iPods to your TV!

The Fatman iTube valve amp with iPod docking station is $1299.

For your nearest Fatman dealer

Linn’s return to stereo Majik

The new MAJIK System is a dedicated music component system developed from more than 30 years of Linn’s experience in designing specialist components to recreate the emotion of a live performance from vinyl and CD recordings.

The MAJIK System comprises the MAIK CDplayer, MAJIK KONTROL pre-amplifier and MAJIK 2100 power amplifier. Like all Linn systems, MAJIK is modular, expandable and upgradeable, meaning performance can be further improved over a lifetime through a series of simple upgrade steps.
With a configurable phono-stage the MAJIK KONTROL can be the perfect partner for a turntable, helping to rediscover cherished music on vinyl recordings. It is also multi-room enabled, allowing owners to enjoy music throughout a home as part of a Linn KNEKT multi-room system.

For your nearest Linn dealer

Creek’s destiny

New Zealand Creek Distributor Sonarlex have introduced the new Creek Destiny range of Hi-Fi electronics, consisting of the Destiny Integrated Amplifier and the accompanying compact disc player.

Over the last few years Mike Creek became eager to widen the appeal of his products by introducing a more up-market flagship range. Serious thought was given to the rigours of designing an exclusive and exacting range of products such that he realised that the best way to do it successfully was to first get together an enviable design team - this range could not evolve without a concentrated team effort.

The Destiny product range was initially conceived to replace the renowned Creek 53 series, but during the design stage, such were the efforts made by the Creek team to improve the already exceptional 5350SE and CD53 that, in reality, a very different product emerged.

The Destiny integrated amplifier is $3690, while the Destiny CD Player is $3990.

Creek’s entry

For the entry-level hi-fi market, Creek introduce the EVO range for the more cost conscious audiophile. The EVO range consists of the EVO integrated and compact disc player. The EVO range is priced under $1800.

DNM cables

UK-based DNM cables are now available in New Zealand and Australia. A dealer network for the range is currently set up and enquiries may be sent to the distributor.

Denon’s new hi-fi separates

Like the rest of the AE series, the 500AE are well built with solid alloy fascias and heavyweight power supplies. The DCD-500AE CD player includes a 24-bit/192kHz DAC fr cleaner, more detailed sound. Carefully designed construction and strictly selected parts quality preserve audio signal and deliver high quality sound.

The PMA-500AE integrated amplifier is fully discrete, with a high current circuit. Source Direct allows the audio signal to bypass the tone control circuits and maintain optimum sound transparency. A moving magnet phono equaliser is included. Available in black or silver, the DCD-500AE is $599 and the PMA-500AE is $699.

For your nearest Denon dealer

A little bit of Magico!

PQ Imports have been appointed as Australasian distributors for the Magico range of speakers. These are handcrafted using exotic materials in the USA by perfectionist designer Alon Wolf.

The entry level model is the Mini. From the dedicated stands which weigh over 50 kilos each, machined from 6061T-6 aircraft grade alloy accented with laminated Baltic birch, to the vapour deposited titanium, constrained-layer sandwich woofer cone and its massive neodymium magnet assembly, these speakers ooze quality. The 7” woofer is matched by the top-of-the-line ScanSpeak Revelator 1” ring radiator tweeter. The crossovers are made in Cologne Germany by the Raimund Mundorf company, acclaimed for their M-Cap Supreme silver/gold capacitors.

The cabinets themselves are made from laminations of Baltic Birch ply with solid 6061T-6 alloy front and rear panels. No cost has been spared in materials or engineering. The aesthetics are fresh and stylish, but at the same time entirely functional. The Magico Mini retails for $45,000.

For your nearest Magico dealer

Eastern Hi-Fi launch web site

One of New Zealand’s largest hi-fi retailers, Eastern Hi-Fi, have launched a web site for their chain of stores. The new website, created by CactusWeb, is still being “stocked” with all of Eastern Hi-Fi’s product lines.

NAD’s new amp

NAD have released the latest version of their entry level amplifier, the C325BEE. Building upon the existing 320 amplifier, the 325 adds an MP3-type socket to allow for related device connectivity. The C325BEE offers 2 x 50W Minimum Continuous Power into 4 or 8 ohms, a high current Holmgren toroidal power transformer, all discrete circuitry, short signal path from input to output, a headphone output and a full system remote control. The NAD C325BEE retails for $699.

Receiving loud and clear from Denon

Two stereo receivers are brand new from Denon. The smaller DRA-500AE combines a 75 watt stereo amplifier and a AM/FM tuner with 56 presets. iPod playback and control are available via the optional ASD-1R. The DRA-500AE is available in black or premium silver for $799.

The bigger DRA-700AE receiver boasts 80 watts per channel and includes both A and B speaker switching. The 700 includes a video select feature tha lets you control a variety of video and audio signals, a set of pre-out jacks that le you listen to music in a second zone and supports room-to-room remote control.

iPod playback and control is supported when the ASD-1R (sold separately) is connected to the dedicated control terminal. The iPod can also be controlled via the supplied remote.

The DRA-700AE has two-source/three-zone capability. Dedicated multi-room outputs, with volume level adjustment via remote control, are provided for connection to powered speakers or additional amplifiers in zone two or three.

The DRA-700AE is available in black or premium silver and retails for $999.

For your nearest Denon dealer

X-rated Musical Fidelity

Musical Fidelity’s new X-Series includes a CD player, an amplifier and an external power supply. The X-Ray CD player is said to have a clear, sweet, grain-free sound. The X-Ray upsamples CD signals to 24-bit/192kHz and sells for $2399.

The X-T100 hybrid amplifier includes a tube preamp stage with three line-level inputs and a moving magnet phono stage, matched to a 70 watt power amp. The X-T100 sells for $2999.

The Triple-X power supply unit is required to power either X-Series unit. By keeping transformers away from other components, a lower noise floor is achieved. The Triple-X sells for $899.

For your nearest Musical Fidelity dealer

RTI remotely controlled

Sound Group Holdings have just been appointed the NZ agent for RTI remote control products. Offering a range of in-wall keypads plus IR/RF handheld & table-top remote controls (incl a waterproof model). Pricing is from $999.00 upwards.

Niles adds products

The Niles PS6Si is sure to be subject of many jokes, but it is a serious and useful products. It looks like a planter and will accommodate live plants. But it is also an outdoor speaker. The 165mm dual voice coil injection-molded TCC (talc, carbon, and ceramic) filled polypropylene woofer is matched with dual 25mm fluid-cooled tri-laminate Teteron tweeters mounted at a custom angle for optimum dispersion. Separate left and right channel inputs provide stereo sound in a single loudspeaker projecting quality stereo sound over a larger area than conventional loudspeakers. The weatherproof design ensures performance outdoors. The Niles PS6Si retails for $999.

Niles CAT-5 baluns are a range of baluns capable of extending almost any Audio and Video signal over standard CAT-5 cable, up to 300m. Sold as pairs, prices range from $175 up to $399.

Niles EVC100 electronic volume control is a remote-controlled in-wall volume control with a built-in IR sensor. The EVC100 is finished in white.

For your nearest Niles dealer

Linn reveals the Exotik preamplifier

The new Exotik is a multi-channel digital and analogue pre-amplifier, offering eight channels of high performance audio for a range of audio applications. It combines all of the features of the analogue-only variant which it now succeeds, with all the added benefits of digital processing.

First and foremost, the new Exotik is a stereo pre-amplifier which will deliver improved audio performance from your analogue stereo sources, such as CD player, turntable, etc. However, the new Exotik also brings the added value of delivering audiophile performance from all of your non-audiophile digital sources, such as satellite receiver, DVD player, games console, etc. This is down to the high quality DACs at the heart of the product, which enable greatly improved performance from any digital source connected.

The new Exotik supports all major DSP modes, so provides a taste of surround sound music and movies, either by using the algorithms to decode the different surround sound mode formats, or by up-mixing stereo sources to surround, without the need to purchase a separate multi-channel source.

A high quality MM/MC phono stage has been included in the new EXOTIK for those customers who also own a turntable and would like to connect it through their system. The phono stage is factory set to be compatible with a moving-magnet cartridge, however, it can be easily changed to moving-coil by the retailer should the customer require.

For your nearest Linn dealer

Linn's PocketPC remote

The Linn Kinik is a new and unique control interface for Linn Home Theatre systems that operates wirelessly from your Pocket PC. The Kinik provides simple control of Linn Kisto and Kinos system controllers, Linn Unidisk universal disc players, all other Linn source products (e.g. Kivor music library)and non-Linn source products (e.g. satellite receiver). The Kinik provides instant system operation and feedback from the comfort of your sofa

For your nearest Linn dealer

Big VTL amps are in stock

Many “backyard operators” advertise products that they have access to, but don’t have on hand. This has prompted VTL distributor PQ Imports to point out that the top VTL amplifiers are in stock at their warehouse.

The Siegfried 800 watt monoblock amplifiers (Siegfried being the greatest hero of Germanic and Scandinavian myth) is VTL’s reference power amplifier. The quest to make Siegfried “smart” was a major part of the design process. VTL was committed to eliminating the continual tweaking and guesswork that usually come with owning large tube amplifiers. Automatic self-regulation was understood to be the key to keeping Siegfried operating at peak performance. To that end, engineers embedded a logic-controlled automatic tube biasing circuit inside the amplifier to ensure that Siegfried is running optimally at all times. A full range of diagnostic functions were also included to let users know which tubes need to be changed, amplifier operating time, tube life, real-time AC voltage and more.

Siegfried’s physical package received special attention in the design process. The thick and extremely rigid chassis (provided in a tower configuration) is clad in non-magnetic material and rests on large non-resonant feet to banish mechanical interference. The sleek, modern appearance of Siegfried matches the cosmetics of VTL’s TL7.5 Reference Preamplifier. A curved fascia is inset with a digital readout and three buttons. With its subtle interplay of brushed, ribbed and polished aluminum, Siegfried has a commanding yet refined visual presence; unmistakably a product for the most serious and discerning music lovers.

The Seigfried sells for $99,995.

The newest addition to our VTL Reference line, the S-400 Reference Stereo Amplifier adapts the Siegfried to a single-chassis stereo design. At 400 watts per channel, the S-400 packs plenty of power for the most demanding musical passages while retaining a remarkable ability to resolve the finest details. With the same precision-regulated power supply and highest quality components as the monoblocks, users can expect a fast, articulate and unusually vivid sound that comes very near to that of Siegfried. The S-400 sells for $54,995.

To create the VTL TL-7.5 preamplifier, VTL started with a two-box design. One unit contains the multiple regulated power supplies and audio switching controls, while the other carries only the amplified audio signal, uncontaminated by AC line or control microprocessor noise. This “clean box/dirty box” approach, the balanced mode of operation, and the ultra high resolution volume control all ensure an audio signal of utmost purity, unaffected by external influences. Also fundamental to the design is its hybrid tube/solid state circuitry. A pair of 12 AX-7 tubes provides harmonic opulence in the gain stage while a MOSFET output stage offers high current capability with ultra-low impedance for optimal matching with any amps and interconnects. The TL-7.5 sells for $34,995.

For your nearest VTL dealer