| Audio Emporium
Newsletter Bryston CD
Player (BCD-1 $2700) Gets Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound “In one important parameter, Bryston’s new CD-spinner reminds me of the original, legendary Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. Unlike other tables of its era, the Sondek was able to unravel and present the most complex of musical passages in a relaxed, natural manner, allowing the listener to effortlessly hear everything going on. The BCD-1 pulls off this feat so well that the Linn analogy is inescapable. However, this is where the similarities end. The early LP-12 was a highly colored device, whereas the Bryston boasts the neutrality and transparency for which the company’s analog electronics are justly famous. Yet the sound is never analytical; tonal warmth, dynamic nuance, and timbral veracity see to that. The Sondek was also shockingly pricey in its day. In contrast, the BCD-1 may well be the best value in the entire CD market. To be able to buy this level of construction- Bryston’s typical solidarity plus impeccable fit and finish- and sonic performance for approximately $2500 borders on the miraculous. Over time, I predict the Bryston BCD-1 will prove to resemble the Linn Sondek in one other way; it will be recognized as a landmark product of the CD era.”
What Hi-Fi of Bryston B-100SST Finally Back In Stock! The B-100SST ($4400 with remote, $3900 without: 4 3/4h,17w,16d)) is one of the best integrated amps on the market! With 100 w/ch the B-100SST is essentially the BP-6 preamp ($2350) and 2B-SST power amp ($2650) in one package. MM phono card adds $500. Sound & Vision, “This amp is tonally neutral, dynamically superb, and functionally flawless.” Records Now in Stock! Records and record playing seem to have gone full circle. In the early 80s CDs took over the market place. LPs didn’t go away, but interest in them diminished quite a bit. They’re on the come back trail now. Please go to our LATEST section and click on Vinyl. We’re stocking a nice array of new LPs now. We don’t mean a few audiophile titles. Stop in to see the selection! Naim Nait 5i MkII:
Integrated Amp ($1625, 50 w/ch) Gets Golden Ear from TAS! Naim has made the Nait integrated amp for many years. It has always had a great reputation for “musical” sound. Naim is actually famous in the audiophile world for a convincing pace & rhythm in its electronics. Naim has introduced a brand new version of the Nait, called the Nait 5i MkII, that has really impressed us!
In the past Naim had great sound but wasn’t very “American-ized.”
Naim used primarily Euro DIN sockets. That might be fine for Naim has also juiced up its companion CD player, the CD-5i MkII, $1800. So for just over $3400 you can get Naim’s famous sound with some red, white & blue accommodations. TAS on the Nait: “Although two of the models from Creek and Talk were quite good, Naim’s Nait blew my freakin’ socks off. It had that extra something- and it isn’t sonic, per se- a directness, aliveness, and ability to communicate music that, for me, is what this stuff is all about.” Hilary Hahn Plays The Sibelius Violin Concerto Hilary Hahn has just recorded the Sibelius violin concerto on DG with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Swedish Radio SO. I have several versions of this concerto but this recording bumps them all down a notch. The sound is outstanding and Hahn’s combination of impeccable and romantic playing is unsurpassed! The Sibelius is paired with the Schoenberg concerto. It is already esteemed to be the top recording ever done of this challenging work! |