Dr. Feickert's Adjust+ and PlatterSpeed
Once you’ve decided on your tonearms and cartridges, you can use Dr. Feickert’s Adjust+ software to adjust azimuth, measure wow and flutter, and set the speed of your turntable. Or you can download Feickert’s free PlatterSpeed app for your Apple- or Android-based tablet or cell phone, and combine it with Feickert’s 7” Test Record.
Dynaudio's Confidence Signature
The speakers in Dynaudio’s new Confidence Signature line come with a 10-year warranty and take their premium Mocha or Bordeaux finishes from the limited-edition Sapphire.
From left: C1 Signature ($8500/pair), C2 Signature ($15,000/pair), C4 Signature ($22,000/pair).
Read Wes Phillips' review of the original C1 and John Atkinson's review of the original C4.
Dynaudio's New Focus
The models in Dynaudio’s Focus series are available in high-gloss white or black, walnut, maple, rosewood, or black ash. From left: Focus 160 ($2900/pair), Focus 260 ($4900/pair), Focus 340 ($7500/pair), Focus 380 ($9500/pair).
These new models include Dynaudio’s updated drive units as well as revised crossover designs and enhanced cabinet construction. Their soft-dome tweeters utilize an improved coating, while the midrange drivers and woofers use new voice-coil assemblies and sound-optimized, die-cast aluminum driver baskets.
Eroticland
As we climbed the stairs into the sunlight and ventured out onto Frankfurter Ring, we were happily surprised to find that our hotel was right next door to a curious place called Eroticland. Somehow, this seemed appropriate.
Would this turn out to be a sexy hi-fi show?
Focusing on the music
A look at the complete Marantz/Boston Acoustics system. Toe-in was pretty extreme, helping to create a well-focused and stable soundstage. Listening to this system, it was easy to completely forget about the components and be carried away by the music.
Hannl Mera ELB
The world’s sexiest record-cleaning machine? Possibly. This Hannl Mera ELB (2670), housed in orange acrylic to look like hot lava, offers programmable cleaning and suction functions for quiet operation and quick drying.
Don’t like orange lava? (What’s wrong with you?) Potential owners can customize their Mera ELBs. Pick your favorite colors and clean away.
Harbeth Monitor 20.1
Which one of these things is not like the other? The Harbeth Monitor 20.1 (far left), in new titanium gray finish, makes a statement.
The company wanted to design something a bit sexier, a bit more modern, explained Harbeth’s Alan Shaw.
While he admitted that reasons for selecting one loudspeaker over another are not always rational, he believes a loudspeaker should be used in the application best suited to it. The Monitor 20s are optimized for nearfield monitoring in desktop sound- and video-editing.
Still: “‘Sexy’ is really important,” said Shaw.
Hegel's HD20 DAC
Hegel’s Anders Ertzeid stands proud with an Apple iPad and Hegel’s HD20 DAC ($2000). Ertzeid was using the iPad and AirPlay to wirelessly stream full-resolution files into the HD20.
“It’s a very stable connection,” Ertzeid said. “Even with all the competing networks here, the music hasn’t skipped at all.”
Introducing Stenheim Loudspeakers
Audioarts’ Gideon Schwartz introduced me to a new loudspeaker from Switzerland’s Stenheim, a company founded by four young designers who had previously worked together at the high-profile Goldmund firm.
Here, the Alumine monitor ($12,795/pair) is mated to an optional subwoofer module ($26,700/pair). Should one opt against the sub, matching aluminum stands add $2975/pair. The speakers were partnered with CH source components and Viola Audio Labs amplification.
These speakers, perhaps more than any others I heard at the show, managed to “disappear,” leaving nothing but music in their place. Without sounding at all aggressive, the system produced lots of fine detail and great center fill.
Isbjornar Keeps Watch, Falls in Love
Here, the lovely Rosemarie tempts Hegel’s mascot.
The polar bear, Isbjornar, keeps watch over Hegel’s prized “Soundengine,” the company’s reason for existence, a technology meant to optimize power consumption, reduce distortion, and increase damping factor.
But Isbjornar seems smitten. I think Rosemarie has won his heart.