Audio Analogue had overhauled their entire lineup and introduced two new half-width components, a CD player and integrated amplifier. Despite the towering presence of the mighty Triangle Magellans in a 13' x 19' x 8' room that, to even experienced onlookers, would have seemed unsuitably small, their controlled dispersion pattern minimized floor and ceiling interaction just as advertised and the Italian solid-state gear's very tube-like voicing made for a wonderful match.


Canadian manufacturer Aurum Acoustics premiered an exciting concept whose time was yesterday but hasn't enjoyed full support until now - the actively amplified, tube-driven, tube xover system's approach aka Integris Active Loudspeaker System.

Massive twin-channel monoblocks with integral thermionically actuated networks powered the two-way heads while rear-mounted Bryston plate amps in series with their own monos' networks gripped the woofers. Source component? The firm's own Integris CDP CD-player/preamp. Where the hell did this firm come from to so unceremoniously present us with a complete system seemingly out of nowhere? Have I been asleep behind the wheel? It wouldn't be the first time.
Already anticipating consumer demand, Aurum also showed a prototype stereo version of their direct-drive monos which houses four channels of amplification and the requisite crossover networks in one very deep chassis. The monos on display sported 300B triodes for the mid/hi drivers while the speakers proper were sealed designs with an anechoically rated response of -6dB @ 20Hz, all cabling Cardas with convenient Neutrik 4-pin XLR terminations. The Integris CDP [available in black or silver] uses Anagram's ATF 24/192mkII technology, a top-loading custom-suspended Philips Pro transport and offers very comprehensive connectivity. An integral DSP-executed multiband parametric EQ allows room correction while a phase correction protocol specifically for the Integris Active Loudspeaker System eliminates excess phase. Future upgradeability includes upgrades to full DSP-controlled active crossovers.

Your scribe exited this room muttering "Slam dunk squared" like a mantra to protect from hysteria and untoward excitement. Needless to say, with Aurum's permission, some lucky duck at 6moons simply has to look into this achievement to secure the firm the broader recognition it deserves just for concept and execution alone. Derek Moss [president of Aurum], consider this your invitation whenever you're ready to brave the scary new world of Internet audio reviewing.

Ernie Fisher of The Inner Ear Report hosted an exhibit with Tenor Audio amps and Gershman Acoustics Opera Sauvage speakers which also included the Audiophile APS, the subject of this listing.
Founded by Damian and Richard Janzen, these principals, among each other, have years of experience supplying power protection for lab equipment, computer systems and industrial applications. Their power regeneration approach includes a few novel wrinkles.
Yanking the power cords from the wall outlets for a demonstration, the system continued playing unruffled, clearly supplied by DC battery power. The incoming power utility AC is filtered, surge protected, then rectified to DC and regenerated to AC by an inverter circuit. A battery module on the DC side ensures full rated current and voltage regardless of wall voltage. This double conversion's intermediate DC circuit is said to shield effectively from EMI, RFI, spikes, high voltage transients and surges. A steady 120V/60Hz sine wave is maintained regardless of voltage spikes or sags on the line. Multiple models accommodate different systems power requirements. "Fascinating", quipped Spock, he of the pointy ears. "Make it so", countered Srajan, he of the pointy nose.

Meanwhile, the tireless crew around Mark Schifter and Walter Liederman of AV123.com seemed hellbent on rewriting the rules of conduct unbecoming, that is to say, aim a few loaded Howitzers at the overpriced market. In case you weren't aware, these gents now operate their own factory in Mainland China to guarantee aggressive value pricing, with Mark Schifter spending 6 months out of the year in China to personally oversee operations and insure Western-style QC and fit'n'finish. After what I saw in their room, I propose one of those movie poster slogans to greet the competition: "Be afraid. Be very much afraid!" From the Rocket Loudspeaker brand whose flagship RS 1000 6-driver 4.5 way tops out at $2,799/pr but starts at $249/pr with the entry-level model; to the Onix Electronics comprised of the A-60 MkII remote-controlled integrated [$695], the A-120MkII [$995] dual-mono high-power integrated and the $1,495 CD-1; to the Onix Reference Loudspeakers of the Reference One [$1,500/pr], Reference Two [$2,500/pr], Reference Three [$4,500/pr] and Reference Center [$875]; to the new brand Emotiva which includes the DMC-1 Digital Media Center Tuner/Preamp/ Processor with Twin Motorola Symphony DSPs [$3,495] and MPS-1 [$1,995] 7x200watt, 120lbs. amplifier... phew, where was I? You get the idea. This room was an Aladdin's cave of price-conscious goodies. Let the pictures speak/spec for themselves.
Here's the thing. As you get deeper and deeper into the industry and its connections, people take you into their confidence. You learn things that you wish you could share. Alas, you can't. Still, it's tempting to tell you what very high-profile European brand shares the identical guts of the new Onix CD player - at more than double its price...

Scarier yet for the blue-blooded contingent? Mark and Walter are no longer content to limit their operations to MidFi or transitional HighEnd products.

The Emotiva components above signal this loud and clear. But more's on the burner. Check out these artist renderings. We're talking proprietary ribbon drivers, integral servo-controlled subwoofers, 7 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer. We're talking positively, unabashedly scary - Aliens, Part V.