Series 1

Vladimir Lamm began the design work on his single-ended ML3 Signature mono amps over 20 years ago. Each two-chassis amp uses a dozen tubes, including the virtually unknown GM70, to produce 32 triode watts. The GM70's plate dissipation is a massive 125 watts. The amps were on silent display, and until they start making music, their price will be what draws attention: a cool $126,290 per pair.

Anthony Gallo Acoustics debuted a new loudspeaker, the Reference 5 LS. This impressive tower features seven of the company’s CDT tweeters, eight 4" carbon-fiber midrange drivers and, on the back, 12 4" aluminum subwoofer drivers. This 78" monolith will retail at $15,000 when available in the third quarter of 2007.

Jaton Corporation showed some high-value components. The Operetta five-channel amplifier, priced at $2400, produces 70W into 8 ohms and 140W into 4 ohms. The RC7000P preamp/processor looks like an even better value at $500.

Boulder introduced the 865 integrated amp ($9000-$10,000 when available), which produces 150Wpc. The 860 stereo amplifier (price not yet set), essentially the 865 without preamp functionality, is also new.

Looking strikingly similar to the larger Stradivari Homage, the scaled-down Sonus Faber Elipsa was simply beautiful. The three-way design uses a 10" aluminum-magnesium woofer, a 6" fiber-cone midrange, and a 1" ring-radiator tweeter. The price will reportedly be "under $20,000" per pair.