October news
Peter Thomson leaves Plinius
In a surprise announcement, Peter Thomson, the founder of Plinius, announced that he has left the company. In a statement Peter said:
“I need to advise you that as of Wednesday June 21, I have for personal reasons resigned from Plinius Audio Limited […] I attended a mediation action with the Company in Christchurch and my resignation is one of the results of this meeting. There have been some irreconcilable differences since the major shareholding change in the Company and mediation was the only way to resolve these issues."
AudioEnz wishes Peter and his wife Vonnie all the best in their future endevours.
Image debuts two new subs
The existing Image active subwoofer systems have been replaced by two new models, sub10 (pictured) and sub12.
Whereas the previous models were rather large and sealed enclosures, these new subwoofers are about half the size but extend the bass response even lower by employing a passive radiator, which is closely ‘matched’ to the driver response.
Both models have the passive on one cabinet side and the driver on the other, with the amplifier mounted on the back. Round grills fit flush to the cabinet.
The sub10 is 380mm high, with width and depth both 340mm. The 260mm woofer is driven by a 200 watt amplifier and the sub10 retails for $2000.
The sub12 is 450mm high, 360mm wide and 390mm deep. The 310mm woofer is driven by a 200 watt amplifier and the sub12 retails for $2500.
For your nearest Image dealer
Rockford Fosgate moves to Wood Electronics
Wood Electronics Marketing Ltd have been appointed the exclusive Rockford Fosgate distributor in New Zealand.
The complete range of Rockford Fosgate products, including Connecting Punch accessories will be available in New Zealand, includeing these 2006 product highlights:
- New 3sixty Interactive Signal Processor / OEM adaptor.
- New Punch series amplifiers.
- T30001bd upgraded to T40001bd featuring up to 4500w RMS @ 1 ohm.
- Additional Power series model amplifier, the T5001bd. A true US built Class bd amp producing 1000w RMS @ 1ohm.
- New Punch P2 DVC Subwoofers. 10” & 12” (dual 2/4 available).
Naim release top-line CD player
First shown and demonstrated at The Hi-fi and Home Entertainment Show, Heathrow 23rd-25th September 2005, Naim's current reference CD player, the CD555 with 555PS delivers what Naim describe as “the ultimate musical performance from a CD.”
The CD555 makes no attempt to play DVDs, DVD-As or SACDs. It doesn't have a digital output. Nor does it have a variable output. The CD555 simply plays CDs.
Key features of this fabulous player include a separate power supply from a transformer secondary winding, which is triple regulated, right through to the critical master clock and dejittering circuitry. Special attention has also been paid to reducing capacitive coupling of high frequency noises from other supplies into this super quiet clock supply through interconnect cables and wiring looms. Two Burndy interconnects between the power supply and head unit discretely carry the digital and analogue supplies extend the principle of reducing capacitive coupling between power supplies as far as possible.
The power supply incorporates significant upgrades over existing designs. More regulators have been used to isolate the supplies to various parts of the circuit, minimising their interaction.
The CD555 Digital-to-Analogue Converters are mounted in a "quiet room". Apart from ensuring that all critical signals reaching the DAC have immeasurably low jitter the chips are inside a shielded enclosure to keep their environment free of the varying electric and magnetic fields that inevitably occur in a CD player, so enabling the converters to do their work isolated from all external influences.
The Naim CD555, including the separate power supply, retails for $51,500.
For your nearest Naim dealer
Rega’s first moving coil
After updating their range of moving magnet cartridges earlier this year, Rega have announced their first moving coil, the Rega Apheta.
Conventional MC cartridges utilize a steel suspension system (tie wire), which creates a high amplitude H.F resonance (normally around 8-12Khz). Such resonance is unacceptable and is usually damped by a rudimentary piece of foam rubber. However the foam rubber deteriorates with age and cannot prevent the complete structure from vibrating and "ringing".
The specifics and adjustment of the tie wire and damping determine whether the cartridge is under damped (bright) or over damped (warm and bass heavy), say Rega.
This encouraged Rega to pursue a new direction inspired by modern materials and the basic laws of magnetism. The Rega Apheta contains neither a tie wire nor a foam damper. After 4 years and many hundreds of experiments the innovative design of the Apheta was complete.
The Rega Apheta is $2500.
For your nearest Rega dealer
Perreaux’s passive pre
The new Silhouette Series SXP2 passive preamplifier module has been specifically designed to focus on the essentials. With no power supply, indicator lighting, remote controller or additional circuitry to compromise sound, the SXP2 addresses only the essential element of musical reproduction.
The new SXP2 is pared down minimalist audio design, with the input selection and passive attenuator controlled by two fascia mounted knobs. The preamp is designed specifically to work alongside the new Silhouette Series SX60m 60W mono-aural power amplifier.
Mark 2 for Perreaux's SM6
The new SM6 MkII is a heavily revised variant of the venerable SM6 fully balanced Class-A stereo preamplifier. The original SM6 already featured fully balanced Class-A circuitry, an impressive list of balanced and unbalanced I/O, IR remote, and dual segment LED display.
The new SM6 MkII features even lower levels of signal to noise ratio, thereby obtaining the very finest levels of detail from your music. Discrete Class-A circuitry is employed extensively throughout the product. The positive and negative audio rails of each channel are kept totally separate, ensuring the highest level of channel separation attainable.
In addition to already impressive base functionality, Perreaux added the following new features:
- Blue 2 segment alphanumeric LED display
- Front panel & remote on/off control of the unit and any 5V remote trigger controlled power amplifier (eg. 350, 750, 6160)
- Front panel & remote mute functionality
- Preamplifier bypass circuitry has been added to offer processor loop functionality for easy integration into home theater systems
- Balance and input selection stored when unit put into standby
- Custom designed, full-function infrared (IR) remote control machined from solid aluminium
- Completely rewritten control software
Rega's new, affordable turntable
The P1 turntable is Rega’s first new addition to the Planar range of turntables for a some time. Featuring a completely new Rega RB100 tonearm, this entry-level model comes ready-fitted with an Ortofon OM5e moving magnet cartridge.
The completely British-made P1 features a high quality main bearing, sub-platter assembly and stabilised MDF platter for excellent speed stability; AC synchronous motor with high quality moulded belt drive; and Ortofon OM5e moving magnet cartridge.
The Rega P1 will be available in October for $675.
For your nearest Rega dealer
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