Possibly the most visually striking product I've seen at the show so far is the 20Wpc dual-mono
integrated the LARS ($100,000). Designed by Lars Engstrom and hand-built in Sweden, the LARS has two separate chassis, one for each channel—with inputs also on each channel. An umbilical transmits control commands from the right channel to the left.
Each channel employs two 300Bs in push/pull configuration, a 6N9P, a pair of 6V6GTs, and two GZ32 rectifiers. The chimney effect at the top of the acrylic cages is quite impressive.
As was the sound of the LARS driving a pair of Amphion 620s ($5700/pair). The soundstage was immense and immensely dynamic, but the music never sounded forced. I can hear Art Dudley drooling over this one all the way from upstate NY.
And, oh yeah, they are drop-dead gorgeous visually, as well as aurally.
