September 6, 2007

NHT's Pro Theater 5.2-channel system ($40,000 including all cables) filled a large, open area with the searing guitars and booming drums of AC/DC -- no small feat. Both speakers and subwoofers are fully powered and DEQX calibrated.

Paradigm debuted a trio of new DSP-controlled subwoofers. From left to right are the DSP-3400 ($899), DSP-3200 ($699) and DSP-3100 ($499). Paradigm manufacturers all of the massive woofers in Canada. [www.paradigm.com]

On the lower end of the price scale are Paradigm's new PDR-series subwoofers, the PDR-10 v.4 (left, $349) and PDR-8 v.4 ($249).

The 400-watt Mark Levinson No.53 mono amp is said to use a proprietary topology that combines linear power supplies with digital amplification, but, according to a company representative, "it's not a class-D amp." Pricing hasn't been determined.

Naim's Super Nait ($4950) looks to be a conventional 80Wpc integrated amp, but its internal DAC makes it the centerpiece of a mixed analog/digital system. It accepts optical and coaxial digital input and reclocks digital data. An iBook acted as source.

In addition to the X-2 Series 2, Wilson Audio debuted new WATCH Center Series 2 ($7500) and WATCH Surround Series 2 ($8700/pair). Both have considerably larger cabinets than the speakers they replaced. [www.wilsonaudio.com]