NAD C658 Preamp/Streamer/DAC $1500

Due by Jan 7 is NAD’s new Swiss Army Knife which I predict will REDEFINE the preamp product category. It does so much, so well, that we just have to shake our heads at how lucky we are to be audio addicts in 2019! Here we go- hold on tight!

It’s a stereo preamp with cutting edge DAC
Inputs include MM phono, two sets analog RCA inputs, two OPT inputs, two Coax inputs.
Ouputs include XLR out (YES!!), analog RCA out, and sub RCA out.

It’s also A STREAMER!
That’s right. C658 basically has a Bluesound Node 2i on board! A new, edge of the art DAC
even has MQA decoding (YES!!) built in. You should run the streamer wired, though Wi-Fi may work if your signal is powerful. Nah, run the wire!

It has Dirac Room Correction Built in.

It also has space for up to two NAD MDC modules, in case you want to add something like- HDMI
input for the sound of a cable/satellite box, Apple TV or Roku. C658 doesn’t do video switching or processing.

The most common scenario will be to run C658 into a great power amp like the NAD C268.
Or better yet, why not run TWO NAD C268s BRIDGED?! You read correctly. C658 supports BALANCED and single ended outputs. Oh boy! This is getting to be wayyy fun!

You can, of course, run C658 into whatever power amp you currently have. And, or, you can run C658 into powered speakers, at XLR or RCA mode! Are you joking me?!

GoldenEar Triton 1.R $6000 Per Pair

We informed you of the arrival of the Triton 1.R in December when it landed. It has made a particularly auspicious impact for such a NEW speaker that isn’t a BUDGET speaker.
Please don’t let 1.R pass your attention as “just another new product.” This speaker is an uncommonly high end performer! As an “affordable high end” speaker, it punches way above its weight.
It will compete with the BEST OF THE BEST in terms of sparkling detail/definition. With its Ref Level Ribbon tweeter, 1.R takes a back seat to NOBODY.
Typical subwoofers come in cube-ish enclosures. They have a driver or two and a plate amp of 300w. Due to the enclosure and sub driver shapes and dimensions, they’re booming machines! Not only do they sound muddy, with all the gol dang vibration going on, like a paint shaker, they literally self destruct the on board amps. We have sadly learned, that most sub amps only last five to seven years because they’re being battered to death.
T 1.R has three oval shaped 5×9 subs, driven by a 1600w DSP amp. They are linked to opposing firing Quadratic radiators which tune the bass and minimize the out of control vibration that
kills the on board amplifier. The opposing radiators cancel the proclivity to act like a paint shaker.
By using a 1600w amp, the subs are under control, instead of flapping in the breeze as the speakers shake, rattle & roll. When the sub amp is 300w or so, you’re stressing it when you hit it hard. With 1600w, you’re unlikely to challenge the amps in the T 1.Rs.
Hence the 1.R not only sounds better, it portends much superior reliability. You’re not over driving the amps, which definitely takes a toll on them. You have more controlled sound from the oval drivers vs the round drivers. You have less cabinet ringing with the opposing radiators- which propels
energy into the sound, instead of losing it into uncontrolled resonance.
Triton 1.R is absolutely taking off!

GoldenEar SuperCenter Reference $1500 (5 3/4h, 35w, 11d)

This new Ref Center has just landed. With improved drivers, cabinet & crossover, SuperCenter Reference is the ideal center for T-Ref or T1.R.
The improved ribbon tweeter gives SuperCenter Reference the same precision detail of
the T-Ref and Triton 1.R. While it has been designed to mate these GE speakers, don’t rule out
the SuperCenter Ref with any number of great towers! For example, if you have Maggies/Logans or any speakers with exceptional detail, this boy at under six inches tall is a likely mate that will up your game in dialog and all things center in performance.
You’ll note it is only 5.75 tall and will fit in many applications where other high end centers will not. Remember, it has GoldenEar’s new, higher performance ribbon tweeter for improved definition.

Isotek Syncro Uni $800

Isotek has made its Syncro for many years. The new Syncro Uni is the same electronic network packaged in a rock solid box. Its task is to eliminate sine wave distortion which yields a distinctly cleaner, quieter sound. You connect an AC Cable in and out of Syncro Uni.
We suggest running a pair of Isotek Premiers, which run $150 each.
The Syncro Uni Premier, provides a bit of a price break as it sells for $1000 with two Premier cables!
You can add Syncro to any mains conditioner to improve its sound. What Syncro does for your sound is tighten up the bass and improve clarity. You’ll note the black spaces in between transient attacks of a guitar or piano more clearly. Since 2012, the improvements in POWER products in our industry has been incredible and fascinating. Little did we know just a handful of years ago, how much improvement our systems could glean by wonderful products like Isotek makes!

Best Selling Billboard Single of All Time?

“Candle In The Wind” by Elton John. Released 9-22-1997. It debuted at #1 and stayed there
fourteen weeks!
Originally released in 1974 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, the lyrics were modified to honor
Princess Diana for the 1997 version.

Brand New! GoldenEar Triton Reference 1.R $6000 Per Pair, (54h, 8w, 16 5/8d, 92dB SPL)

We are very excited to share that GoldenEar has just introduced a second speaker to its Reference Series. Triton Reference 1.R has just arrived!
T 1.R is the same size as the classic Triton 1. But T 1.R has the improved components of its bigger brother, GoldenEar’s Triton Reference Flagship ($9000 Per Pair). T 1.R brings the technology and luxurious cosmetics of the T-Ref to a lower price strata.
With superior tweeter, midrange elements, subwoofers, power amp and cabinet construction, Triton Ref 1.R shares the speed, imaging and impactful bass response of its bigger brother, sans a skosh less octane!
T 1.R uses GE’s upgraded Ref level ribbon tweeter. It uses two 5.25” cast mid/bass drivers in D’Appolito configuration. It uses three, 5×9 long throw subwoofers coupled to four 7×10 Quadratic Planar Infrasonic Radiators. These subs are driven by a DSP controlled, 1600w on board amp.
Stereophile magazine has a class A rating for speakers. The GoldenEar Triton Refs are the least expensive speakers to ever make that list- by a country mile. I’m thinking the T 1.R could be there soon too!

Falcon Acoustics LS 3/5A $3000 Per Pair

Falcon Acoustics of England, is making a TRUE LS 3/5A speaker! The quick story is, the ORIGINAL LS 3/5A was designed in the early 70s by the BBC. Several UK manufacturers were licensed to build it. The prescribed parts went out of production in the early 90s.
The LS 3/5A speakers we’ve seen marketed in the last 25 years have been… LS 3/5A in name only. They’ve been made in the “spirit” of the LS 3/5A. In some cases they’ve been good. In others, not so good. They’ve run the gamut.
Falcon said, enough of THAT nonsense! We are gonna pony up and build the speaker true to form. This will be a Real McCoy with CORRECT drivers, crossover and cabinet. Yup, Falcon spent the time and money to get right down to brass tacks to bring LS 3/5A back from the great beyond.
Hence when you visit us to hear the Falcon, you’re going to hear the REAL LS 3/5A. In a nutshell, I’ll tell you that the “wannabes” that I’ve heard are good. Butttt, the Falcon has that stunning PRESENCE and airy sound that the soft domes (whether by Harbeth, Spendor, whomever) can’t copy!

Brand New Klipsch Reference Premier Speakers

This is K’s top line of speakers south of the Heritage Series! These have superior drivers and build quality than what they offer through big box.
K’s top line is the Heritage, which we have.
K’s second line is THIS LINE of Reference Premier speakers. They are brand new and feature the innovative/distinctive copper circle horn technology.
We have most of these and can order the full array noted on K’s site.
K also makes a promotional line of lighter weight, lesser speakers to sell to big box and on line.

Ref Premier Floor Standers: Ebony or Walnut

RP-8000F $1200 Per Pair (43.12h, 10.9w, 17.56d, 60lbs)

RP-8000F is a brand new KICK FANNY tower for those of you not afraid to have a little fun. RP-8000F features K’s new 1” Titanium, Tractrix Horn designed tweeter. RP-8000F also uses two 8” Cerametallic Bass/Mid drivers. SPL is 98dB, so you can garner high octane from virtually any amp.
Piano Black $1500 Per Pair.

RP-5000F $750 Per Pair (36.12h, 8.21w, 14.38d, 37lbs)

RP-5000F is K’s mid sized tower featuring its new 1” Titanium, Tractrix Horn designed tweeter. RP-5000F also uses two 5 1/4” Cerametallic Bass/Mid drivers. SPL is 96dB, you can drive them with any amp.

Ref Premier Shelf Speakers: Ebony or Walnut

RP-600M $550 Per Pair (15.69h, 7.95w, 11.85d, 16lbs)

RP-600M is a full sized shelf speaker for people who want big sound. It features the same tweeter as the floor boys above, and one 6.5” Cerametallic Bass/Mid driver. SPL is 96dB! Piano Black $650 Per Pair.

RP-500M $419 Per Pair (13.5h, 6.81w, 9.5d, 12lbs)

RP-500M is the mid sized shelf speaker. Using the same new tweeter as above, this model uses a 5 1/4” Cerametallic Bass/Mid driver. SPL is still up there at 93dB!

RP-500C Center $369 Each (6.81h, 18.5w, 9.5d, 18lbs)

This K matching center employs the same tweeter and two of the 5.25 drivers used in RP-500M. SPL is 96dB!

SPL-100 Powered Subwoofer $500 (16 9/16h, 14w, 17 5/16d, 37lbs)

SPL-100 is a brand new, affordable sub featuring a 10” Cerametallic subwoofer driver mated to a 200w power amp with peak power of 450w. Inputs are dual RCAs, one dedicated for LFE. Has rear adjustable volume, crossover & phase.

RP-402s Surround Speakers $600 Per Pair (11.85h, 10.26w, 6.51d, 13 lbs)

The matching surrounds for the above line use two of the same new tweeters, and a pair of 4” Cerametallic bass/mids to fill your room with surround info. SPL runs 93dB so even a modest receiver is happy with them.

Which Album Has The Record For Most Weeks On Billboard’s Top Ten?

Which album has the record for being in the TOP TEN for more weeks than any other?
It was on the charts for 153 weeks!
Jackie Gleason’s “Music For Lover’s Only.” Jackie couldn’t read or write music. He had a great ear and knew what he wanted. He conveyed it to assistants by humming/singing- and they worked tirelessly to write down what he wanted. Jackie called it Vanilla Music and produced approximately 50 records. This was his first and it was on Billboard’s Top Ten list for three years!