June 13, 1998

New Product Daily Coverage

by the SoundStage! Coverage Team

SoundStager! Greg Weaver admires the unique styling of the new B&W 801 Nautilus.  At $11,000 per pair, the new 800 series of speakers marry the beauty and superlative performance of the legendary Nautilus loudspeaker with the traditional Matrix series technologies.

The Basis 1400 turntable, fitted with the Rega RB-300 tone arm and the Benz Micro Glider cartridge, a $2,200 system, provided surprisingly synergistic performance.  Analog lovers remarked throughout the show on its stunning price to performance ratio.

Pass Labs proudly gave the first live demos of the X1000 amplifier, retailing at $24,000 a pair.  At only 1000 watts into 8 ohms, those who are still power deficient can chain more than 1 amp together for virtually unlimited power.

Oracle demonstrated a new CD transport simply named the Oracle Transport, listing at $6,995.  Verrry pretty!

Thomas Campagna of Quintessence Acoustics stands beside his new Standard Signature.  Introduced at $19,500, the 62" tall, 209 pound speaker represents the pinnical of the new Standard Line.

The new Sonicweld, at $29,700 for the speakers and stands, was one of the most unique and photogenic speakers of the show.  Made of aluminum and stainless steel, designer Josh Heiner explained that the crossovers use no reactive parts and a produce a uniform 4.5 ohm impedance (with no more than a .75 ohm variation).

EveAnna Manley debuts her first solo design project, the new Stingray 50 watt stereo integrated amp at $2,250.  Based on 4 EL84's and a new input and driver stage, the name was inspired by an offhand  comment made by J. Gordon Holt looking at the drawing on a napkin and remarking, "It looks like a Stingray!"

Express Machining displayed its stylus saving device The LIFT.  Sal Calaio was proud to announce the introduction of The LIFT's new sibling, the LIFTer!  Made from aluminum, The LIFTer retails for $39.95 and can be a tremendous little helper for a turntable user.

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