Wednesday, January 10 - Part 1

Furutech launched a number of new accessories, including the DFV-1 for flattening warped LPs ($1380)...,

...and the deStat ($360), which blows static-free air onto LPs, CDs, cables and anything else. A Furutech representative demonstrated it, showing that there was literally no static charge left on an LP that registered a strong charge right before treatment. Furutech also debuted carbon-fiber outlet plates for the more fanatical audiophiles among us. [www.furutech.com]

On top is Slim Device's Transporter, which was named the SoundStage! A/V Product of the Year. Underneath it is the Infrant Technologies Repertoire, a hard-disk storage device that has been designed for low-noise operation, so audiophiles can use it in the same room as their systems. Each Repertoire comes with four Seagate DB35 hard drives and can be RAID 0, 1, 5 or X-RAID configured. A 3-terabyte Repertoire is priced at $4999, and a 2-terabyte version is available for $3999.

Hate the large size of most audio components? ISEM Audio's svelte products are now distributed in North America by VMAX Services. Shown here are the Quovalis mono amps ($2095 each), Ego 3 CD player ($3695) and Quarq preamp ($2195). [www.vmax-services.com]

New from ProAc is the Response D28 ($6000/pair), a scaled-down version of the Response D38. The sound was smooth and dynamic -- typical ProAc stuff.

"There's an amp in our room you'll want to hear," said Matt Brazeau of Globe Audio Marketing. He was referring to the RCM Bonasus integrated from Poland ($8500), a zero-feedback, push-pull design that offers 16Wpc into 8 ohms and 26Wpc into 4.