Magico not only released the M5 that we featured as a ShowStopper but the much-less-expensive V2 as well.
The V2 is a two-and-a-half-way design priced at $18,000 per pair, and it is based on the
same design principles as the company's more expensive speakers. The cabinet is made
of layered birchply, the front baffle is made of solid aluminum, and there are rods that
run from front to back internally to better secure the cabinet structure. Also, the
company's crossovers have often been described as "exceptionally well built," so
Doug Schneider asked to see one. Company president Alon Wolf brought one out for everyone to see.
Canada's Simaudio introduced the CD3.3 CD player (bottom,
$3000, add $200 for balanced inputs) and the i3.3 integrated amplifier ($3300 for the base
version, $4000 adds a built-in DAC, phono stage, and balanced input). The components
appeared to be very well built for the prices, and the fact that the i.3 can be purchased
with a phono stage and DAC built in makes it unique. [www.simaudio.com]
Denmark’s Vitus Audio showed two new attractive
products: the SL-010 preamplifier ($25,200 with phono stage), which can be seen underneath
the CD player...,
...and the SM-010 mono amplifier ($46,200 per pair).
The SM-010 amplifiers produce 100Wpc in class AB or 40Wpc in pure class A. The SL-010
preamp comes with the slick new Vitus Audio remote control. [www.vitusaudio.com]
VTL’s attractive new TL-5.5 preamplifier is an
"all-tube, fully balanced preamplifier at a retail target of about half of the price
of the TL-6.5," according to the company’s president, Luke Manley. The price of
the TL-5.5 is $5750 without phono stage. Manley was thinking of adding the "Next
Gen" designation to the TL-5.5’s name -- such is the magnitude of improvement
over the older version, he stated.
Although it’s a called a "tuner," the new
FM-1 (price not yet set) from Bel Canto Design is much more than this label would
indicate. How about a built-in DAC, volume control, digital inputs and outputs, and analog
outputs on both RCA and XLR connectors? Yes, the FM-1 includes all that. It could very
easily be the centerpiece of a high-quality compact audio system. [www.belcantodesign.com]
