Dave's diverse professional background includes work as a recording and mastering engineer, and designing sound systems for performing arts venues (including custom loudspeakers for The Lincoln Center and the Chicago Symphony). The first products from STUDIO ELECTRIC are the TYPE ONE loudspeaker and THE ELECTRODYNE hybrid amplifier. The products combine influences from the designer's pro sound background with a visual aesthetic influenced by machine age and art deco.

More information is available at: www.studio-electric.com

1/16/06 Basis Audio - New products at CES 2006

BASIS CABLE SYSTEM: "MUST HEAR" cables proving that major advances in cables are possible through the correct application of Physics.

BASIS CALIBRATOR BASE: Elevating the performance of the Basis 2001, 2200, 2500, and 2800 turntables of all vintages.

BASIS CABLE ISOLATION SYSTEM: Taking the Basis Vector tonearm to heights no tonearm has ever soared.

BASIS SYNCHRO-WAVE TURNTABLE POWER SUPPLY: Adding fine-speed tuning, change of speed at the flip of a switch, and perfect power delivery to all Basis turntables.

BASIS 2200 SIGNATURE TURNTABLE: More affordable than the 2500, more performance than the 2001.

Basis www.basisaudio.com

NEWS RELEASE 1/15/06 Nola's Viper line of open baffle speakers has been upgraded for improved performance and fit and finish. The Viper Reference replaces the Viper Signature and is six inches taller than other Viper models.

The Viper Reference utilizes the same twin cast-magnesium bass drivers as used in the Nola Grand Reference—a speaker many regard as the finest available. The midrange is our latest cast-frame Alnico magnet 110mm transducer, originally developed for the Pegasus. Our proven twin Alnico magnet metal dome tweeter reproduces the high frequencies. This transducer provides a wealth of natural musical detail without "etch" or hardness. Both midrange and tweeter operate as open baffle dipoles for the most "open" sound.

The Viper Reference utilizes an external crossover unit with five pairs of solid copper binding posts for connection. Spade to spade jumpers of Nordost Valhalla monofiliment wire connect the crossover to the speakers. The crossovers utilize only proprietary polypropylene capacitors and linear air-core inductors for maximum sound quality. For maximum performance of this advanced crossover system, we recommend the addition of our IP-1 Isolation Platform under the crossover unit. This uses a ball bearing suspension system to eliminate the deleterious colorations that crossover vibrations produce.

All Viper models now use high gloss, solid acrylic sub baffles to stiffen and damp the main front baffle. These not only look better but also further reduce coloration resulting in a more natural sound than that produced by all wood or all polymer enclosures. All drivers are now mounted with machine screws and threaded inserts in the cabinet. Wiring is now hidden and runs inside the front baffle.

The Viper Reference breaks new ground in providing a true reference grade loudspeaker with both a reasonable price and modest footprint.

Retail: $12,000.00

Nola
http://nolaspeakers.com

NEWS RELEASE 1/14/06 Metronome appoints tmh audio as exclusive US distributor.

We are honored to represent Metronome's extraordinary products that match or surpass the transparency, resolution and neutrality of the finest designs. Metronome's extraordinary designs differ in their musical liquidity avoids the dry sterility of lesser designs! Simply amazing from the affordable CD-3 Signature CD player that challenges the best to the Kalista/Kalista Reference transports/C2-A DAC combo that represents the absolute state-of-the-art!

The Kalista has been rated the highest quality by the esteemed Roy Gregory of HiFi+ noting the sonic quality on classical, studio rock to jazz. Acoustic instruments and voices. Strings and brass. The Kalista is utterly neutral, captures the delicacy as well as the power and its' resolution is beyond approach. Similar comments in 6moons' December review that described the Kalista being more neutral and palpable than other highly rated players such as Linn CD12, Zanden and others.

This is the Metronome sound – neutral, transparent, pure, amazingly detailed, delicate, powerful…and musical! The Metronome products avoid the dry, sterile sound or soft colorations with a pure, palpable presence that connects to the music…like the very best analog!

A few Metronome features:

• Highly accurate, custom version CDM12 Pro12 transport (top loader) - that is more accurate than all SACD transports

• All Metronome CD Players and DACs offer 24-bit/192khz upsampling.

• Advanced power supply for extraordinary transparent, detailed and dynamic sound

• Most models offer separate chassis for power supply for best sound

• Reviews indicate sound is more analog-like than other designs' typical dry, sterile digital sound

• The musical presence is amazing—from voices to strings to brass—while maintaining superior transparency, detail, soundstaging and dynamics

• The T1-I has been reviewed with better sound than highly regarded SACD

• CD3 provided significantly better sound at CES2006 than highly modified Sony SCD-777 with silver output transformers

• The C2-A DAC provides a 6922/6N1P tube output.

In addition to redefining the standard for digital designs, the new Metronome Class-A amplifiers will do the same with their Class-A circuit, extraordinary transparency, speed, resolution and effortless dynamics! The AMP-70 monoblocks, rated at 70w/ch, offers Class-A circuitry. The state-of-the-art AMP-140 monoblocks provide 140w/ch, Class-A circuitry and a separate power supply chassis for each monoblock.

More information on our website www.tmhaudio.com

Exciting times, indeed! 

NEWS RELEASE 1/12/06 EMM Labs appoints Jonathan Tinn V.P., Sales & Marketing, to oversee distribution worldwide.

EMM Labs said Tuesday that it had named Jonathan Tinn vice president of sales and marketing. Tinn, who formerly served as the company's U.S. distributor of consumer products, will oversee both distribution and customer service worldwide, effective immediately. On a Higher Note of San Juan Capistrano, California, will no longer serve as the U.S. distributor.

"Jonathan played an important role with us in the past and made valuable contributions to the company's success," said president Ed Meitner. "Jonathan's skills are a perfect fit for EMM Labs going forward. By adding someone of his caliber to the staff and by bringing oversight of worldwide distribution in house, we will be able to focus more energy and resources on effectively serving our dealer base and keeping our customers happy," added Meitner.

NEWS RELEASE 1/12/06 We regret to inform that on January 8th 2006, Hiroyasu Kondo, founder of Audio Note Japan, passed away peacefully in his sleep while attending the CES audio show in Las Vegas. He is survived by his wife, Kazuko; his son, Yuji; and his daughter, Hisae.

Hiroyasu Kondo, the second son of a Buddhist priest, was a professor of electronic engineering and molecular metallurgy. He founded Audio Note in Japan in 1976, facilitating his desire to develop audio equipment capable of reproducing the essence of artistic performance captured in recorded music. He was often referred to as the "silver smith" for his revolutionary use of age annealed silver in his audio equipment. The Kondo ONGAKU amplifier will forever be a symbol of his success. He was the Picasso of contemporary audio design.

Kondo San had suffered ill health for some time. In order to ensure that the Kondo standard would flourish, he appointed his close colleague Masaki Ashizawa as President of Audio Note Japan six months ago. Ashizawa San has worked with Kondo San for the past 16 years and shared Kondo San's passion for creating "perfect sound." 

On behalf of Kondo San's family, we would like to thank all those people from around the world who have sent tributes expressing their affection for Kondo San and acknowledging his place in audio history.

NEWS RELEASE 12/29/05 EquaRack, an industry leader in vibration control, is running a special s ale on Demo Racks and Amp Stands used in recent trade shows. These items are discounted 40% off retail prices and carry full warranties.

For further details, please their web-site at: www.equarack.com

NEWS RELEASE 12/26/05 Channel Islands Audio is proud to announce the release of our long awaited VDA•2 Digital / Analog Converter. Our new VDA•2 takes Digital to Analog audio conversion to a new level. Traditional DAC designs use brick-wall digital filters, usually followed by more analog filtering to reduce sampling noise, but cause signal degradation in the process. Another approach has been to use no filtering at all, but this adds noise to the analog signal. Both of these designs have their strengths and weaknesses, but neither tends to be a good trade-off. Our design uses only a mild "slow roll-off" digital filter to tame the sampling noise, and no analog filtering. This architecture has reduced filtering artifacts compared to brick-wall types, and lower sampling noise than filter-less types, resulting in a more "analog" sound.

Digital input signals are accepted by Toslink optical or coaxial SPDIF, then fed to the CS8416 24 bit/192k low jitter input receiver, then to the Burr Brown PCM1794 balanced/current output DAC. Our unique output stage is fully discrete and uses a single transistor per output (no op amps) to insure the purity of the output signal. Input selection and digital domain phase are selected by convenient front panel switches, and an LED indicates "LOCK" when a valid signal is being received. The output arrangement allows for 2 pair of single-ended connections or a single pair of balanced outputs (with optional VRX•1 cable pair). An external 14vAC power supply is included.

VDA•2 ($599 USD) is now shipping and available factory direct in the USA, and through various distributors worldwide. More information can be found at http://www.ciaudio.com or by contacting: Channel Islands Audio 567 W. Channel Islands Blvd. PMB #300 Port Hueneme, CA 93041 ph 805.984.8282 fax 805.984.8283 email: info@ciaudio.com

NEWS RELEASE 12/26/05 At the 2006 International CES we will unveil The Fremont™ to the world. The Fremont™ is a 2-way, Direct Coupled, full-range design with a 12 inch woofer complement. At first glance, the obvious question may be where is the midrange going to come from? Utilizing his patented Direct Coupling technology, designer Tierry Budge (formerly of Talon Audio and Wilson Audio) has engineered a revolutionary two-way design that actually functions as a four-way!

Although only one 12 inch driver is visible, there are actually two 12 inch drivers acting in tandem with a specially modified dust cap to cover all the bass and midrange frequencies. The dual woofers are configured to maximize all aspects of performance: frequency response extends to 18 Hz; transient response, rise time, and the ability to respond quickly to dynamic musical material are so fast that they place The Fremont™ squarely in the realm of the most exotic electrostatic and ribbon designs.

The high frequencies are beautifully reproduced by a modified Scanspeak Revelator R2904 tweeter, extending effortlessly to 50 kHz. In addition, high efficiency (93dB), extremely high power handling (1,000 watts long term), and easy amplifier load characteristics ensure that The Fremont™ can be used with everything from low wattage SET's to super-powered mono-block behemoths.

However, the most impressive quality of The Fremont™ is the manner in which it can reproduce the dynamic linearity of the original music and the full dynamic range of live music at all frequencies and volume levels. Dynamic linearity can mean the difference between a system that looks good on paper and one that actually sounds like music...a system that won't let you down when you turn the volume up.

The Fremont™, like all Escalante Design loudspeakers, also has the uncanny ability to reveal the textures and true harmonic timbres that are the very heart of each piece of music. The nuances that make music sound real are not lost in the translation from the electronics to the listener's ears. All this, without harshness or fatigue, makes The Fremont™ the ultimate reference for home stereo, recording studios, and hi-fi home theater.

We invite you to bring your music to Suite 1801 at T.H.E. Show (St. Tropez) to experience The Fremont™ for yourself.

…Come Listen.

Visit our website at www.escalantedesigns.com

NEWS RELEASE 12/6/05 Stereovox, Inc. and Signals-SuperFi, LLC have announced today that worldwide distribution for Stereovox products will be handled exclusively by Signals-SuperFi from their Atlanta, GA offices as of November 1, 2005. Known for their innovative audio, video, and digital cable technology, Stereovox hopes to increase its exposure and market-share by more closely associating with the luxury audio brands represented by Signals-SuperFi.

Signals-SuperFi introduced in May their debut-collection of distributed brands, which included the Danish-made Peak-Consult loudspeakers and the Australian Continuum Audio Labs tour-de-force analog playback system. "Adding Stereovox to this mix of ultra-fidelity audio gear was a natural fit and we have actually been preparing for this for several months," commented Christopher Sommovigo, who holds significant interest in both companies. "It was simply a matter of crossing t's and dotting i's, but we're very enthusiastic and confident that this arrangement will create a whole much greater than the sum of its parts."

About Stereovox, Inc Introduced in 1999 and headquartered in Miami, FL, USA Stereovox has developed, manufactured, and marketed some of the most well-regarded signal-cable systems for high-performance audio. About Signals-SuperFi, LLC Based in Atlanta, GA, USA Signals-SuperFi was founded in 2005 with a focus on introducing and distributing high-end, luxury audio gear throughout North America and worldwide. Signals-SuperFi, LLC is privately held with worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The company and its employees are committed to offering products that create the most emotionally engaging musical experiences.

For more information, visit www.Signals-SuperFi.com

NEWS RELEASE 12/6/05 Ultralink/XLO Products, Incorporated -- the industry's fastest growing manufacturer of audio/video interconnects, cables and power products -- introduces the UltraPower PS-1060 and the UltraPower PS-1040. Two high-end surge protector/power conditioners from the new UltraPower(R) product line. The PS-1060 and the PS-1040 are engineered to protect and optimize the performance of Home Theater video and audio components.

"A/V consumers invest thousands of dollars in home theater systems -- yet these components are vulnerable to electrical spikes, brown outs, and dirty power," states Don Bouchard, Ultralink/XLO VP of Sales and Marketing. "The PS-1060 and PS-1040 provide enhanced solutions to these problems. With UltraPower's patented Active Surge Processor(TM) (ASP) technology, constant real-time, steady state power conditions are monitored by the on-board microprocessor. Should an unsafe voltage condition be detected, the UltraPower PS1060 and PS1040 will automatically disconnect connected HT components from AC power -- protecting them from both catastrophic failure and the wear and tear of serious but not fatal voltage fluctuations. Once safe operating voltage conditions are restored, the UltraPower PowerSource models reset the system to normal operation and continue to monitor, protect, and filter. To eliminate the noise and hash from polluted AC power," Bouchard continues, "these new models employ Advanced Clean Power Filtration Circuitry(TM)-UltraPower's exclusive broad and narrow bandwidth filters. The result: total protection for the system, better performance from both audio and video components, and optimization of the entire signal delivery system."

Along with advanced performance and protection features, the PS-1060 is equipped with a convenient 12V remote DC trigger, for one-touch ON/OFF remote control of an entire home theater system. The PS-1060 and PS-1040 come with a limited lifetime warranty, as well as a 5-Year/$250,000 Connected Equipment Protection Policy. Both products are shipping now with a suggested retail price of $219.99 for the PS-1060 and $169.99 for the PS-1040. About Ultralink/XLO Products Inc. Ultralink/XLO Products Inc., headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is the number two, industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance audio and video cables, interconnects and UltraPower power accessories. Marketed around the world, the Ultralink brand is Canada's market share leader. Much of the corporation's growth and significant product innovations are devoted to the world's transition to DTV (digital television), the popularity of home DVD and multi-channel audio applications. In early 2002 Ultralink Products Inc. acquired XLO Electric Co., Inc. a professional and audiophile reference brand of cables and interconnects. Ultralink is a member of PARA, CEDIA and the CEA. For more information on Ultralink/XLO and their product brands, please call 909-947-6960 or find them at www.ultralinkproducts.com.

NEWS RELEASE 12/6/05 Leveraging their patent-pending bass management system previously found only in the Digital Drive^® line of subwoofers, Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of powered subwoofers for home-theater and consumer audio, has recently introduced the Subwoofer Management System (SMS^™-1) as a stand-alone unit for use with any subwoofer.

The SMS-1, configured as an outboard processor in a one-inch high chassis, offers all the features of the DSP-controlled Digital Drive room correction software and includes all the tools necessary to maximize the performance of any subwoofer. The SMS-1 comes with a full-featured remote control, a calibrated high precision microphone, mic stand and cables.

"It's the subwoofer's job to integrate into the user's system, not the other way around," said Bruce Hall, president of Velodyne. "There are many factors that affect this integration from room size and shape, to where the sub is positioned, to how the main speakers perform, to the interaction between the mains and the sub. All of these create frequency response anomalies that negatively affect a subwoofer's performance. The SMS-1 offers a simple and innovative solution to correct these anomalies by displaying the response of both the subwoofer and the main speakers in the bass region, and an interactive toolset to correct them. With the flexibility and adjustability of the SMS-1, bass will be noticeably cleaner with better definition with virtually any subwoofer.";

The process for measuring and correcting room anomalies is as simple as placing the microphone in the user's favorite listening position and pressing a few buttons on the remote control. The SMS-1 displays the system's response visually on any TV and provides an 8-band digital parametric equalizer to flatten it. The unit includes an auto-EQ mode that automatically adjusts the equalizer. The SMS-1 also offers complete digital control over crossovers, slopes, phase, polarity and other settings to create a seamless interface between the main speakers and the subwoofer.

The included remote control comes preprogrammed with four fully adjustable listening mode presets for action adventure movies, movies, pop/rock and jazz/classical, plus a fifth open preset that can be set to the user's preference. Each of the five presets can be totally customized. There is also an EQ defeat preset that demonstrates the benefit of the SMS-1 equalizer. In addition, future revisions to the software for the SMS-1 will be available from the Velodyne website, enabling access to new features and functionality incorporated into later designs.

The SMS-1 is available now with a suggested retail price of $749.

For more information visit www.velodyne.com.

NEWS RELEASE 12/6/05 Acoustic Zen Technologies Adagio speaker When the synergy of theory, practice, and technology is optimized to deliver music without compromise, "Musical Enlightenment" is achieved. Robert Lee of Acoustic Zen Technologies has been applying his extensive knowledge and experience to the design and production of some of the industry's most acclaimed interconnects, power cords, and speaker cables in the service of this goal. The results have garnered international awards, but more importantly, yielded musical joy for countless listeners. Finally, after years of development and testing, the transmission of music becomes more complete with Acoustic Zen Technologies Adagio speaker. Within the Adagio speaker, theory, practice, and technology are brought together into a musical harmony. Consider the following elements:

• Dual 6 1/2 inch woofer/midrange drivers using a specialized sandwich design with ceramic external layers around a fabric internal layer for maximum stiffness while minimizing cone breakup, flexing, and resonance.

• The drivers have shortened, under-hung voice coils – this technique results in having the voice coil behave in an extremely linear fashion throughout its entire travel. Therefore, this short voice coil / long magnetic field gap motor system significantly results in a ten time reduction of both harmonic and TIM distortion, compared to a conventional over-hung voice coil driver design..

• The tweeter is a limited production, specially modified circular ribbon that has exceptional dispersion, transient, and power handling characteristics along with a linear impedance and phase response. This eliminates the difference between the upright and parallel radiation angles. The 0.01mm heat resistant Kapton membrane is almost weightless, providing an immediate and precise response to any transients in the original music signal.

• The curved surfaces of the time and phase aligned cabinet minimize external diffraction while reducing internal standing waves. Combining the best of both worlds, the port is actually a part of the internal transmission line system. The resulting bass is fast, tight, deep, and musical.

• With an efficiency rating of 89 dB, coupled with an ability to handle virtually any unclipped amplifier power output, life-like sound pressure levels are attained, without compression, all from a speaker with a small footprint.

To fully experience the "Musical Enlightenment" of Acoustic Zen Technologies Adagio speaker, Robert Lee invites you to visit suites 1505 and 1507 at T.H.E. Show during the 2006 CES, from January 5th through 8th.

NEWS RELEASE 11/26/05 Onkyo has introduced the XM-Ready CS-V720, a personal audio/video system that combines a high quality two-channel receiver, universal DVD-A/SACD disc player, and complete 5.1-channel processing in a small form factor suitable for the office, bedroom, or dorm room. It includes a pair of two-way loudspeakers, progressive scan video output, and pre-outs for expansion into a full-fledged 5.1-channel home theater mini-system.

"The CS-V720 is the most advanced personal system we have ever offered," comments Onkyo USA National Product and Marketing Manager Don Milks. "It gives consumers the features of a full-sized A/V processor and universal DVD player, plus XM-Ready capability, and enhanced compatibility with our DS-A1 iPod dock, all in a package that they can put on a desk, dresser, or nightstand. "

The CS-V720's universal DVD transport is fully compatible with nearly every disc format currently in use, including multichannel DVD-Audio and video, stereo and multichannel SACD as well as conventional CDs and discs encoded with MP3, WMA, and JPEG files. In addition to a high quality AM/FM tuner, the CS-V720 is an XM-Ready receiver, so consumers can use the widely available XM Satellite Radio Connect-and-Play antenna to subscribe to and receive 150 channels of commercial-free music, news, talk, and entertainment programming directly through their entertainment system.

The receiver houses two high current WRAT (Onkyo's Wide Range Amplifier Technology) amplifier modules that are perfectly matched to the included two-way bass reflex loudspeakers. These speakers use a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter, and 5-1/8-inch OMF (Onkyo Micro Fiber) composite woofer mounted in a sturdy MDF enclosure.

For reproduction of digital audio sources, the CS-V720 DVD receiver features a sophisticated 32-bit DSP engine capable of processing both stereo and multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD discs as well as conventional Dolby Digital and DTS-encoded DVD's. It also features Dolby ProLogic II processing, allowing it to derive convincing 5.1-channel audio from stereo soundtracks. All channels features high quality 192 kHz/24-bit D/A converters with Onkyo's exclusive Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) for clear analog outputs to amplifier modules or rear-panel pre-out connections.

The CS-V720 is also designed to take full advantage of the company's recently introduced DS-A1 Remote Interactive (RI) iPod dock/charger. When an iPod is placed in the dock, it becomes a source component for both audio files and photography stored in the portable device, letting consumers listen to their music files and view image libraries directly through the home theater. Controls for the iPod such as play, pause, stop, skip, random and playlist access can all be operated via the included enhanced RI remote control.

The Onkyo CS-V720 universal A/V system is currently available in an attractive silver finish at a suggested retail price of $400.

Onkyo, which takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning 'harmony,' has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

NEWS RELEASE 11/26/05 Anthony Gallo Acoustics (AGA) will display at CES 2006 at Alexis Park in booth #AP2009 its A'Diva Ti and Nucleus® Micro Ti, the new titanium-based additions to the A'Diva and Nucleus® Micro series. Based on proprietary driver development for the company's flagship Nucleus® Reference 3 loudspeaker, the new Ti series speakers benefit from a revolutionary full-range transducer. In addition, the loudspeakers still feature AGA's patented S2 technology, which enhances low frequencies that go way beyond conventional satellite speakers.

"We designed these new titanium loudspeakers to mimic the incredible dynamics and transparency of our Reference 3 speakers," says Anthony Gallo, founder of Anthony Gallo Acoustics. "Though they are small, these new Ti transducers are true high-end drivers of a caliber never before seen – or heard – in affordable consumer audio."

The Ti series offers unprecedented treble extension beyond 22kHz and achieves exceptional bass extension, which is only possible with the company's patented S2 technology. This S2 technology permits 7.5 octaves of linear bandwidth from a single 3" driver, which uses a pure titanium diaphragm that is strategically damped with paper and suspended on a Santoprene surround.

The titanium/paper coupling combines the smooth and natural sound qualities of organic fibers with the superior treble extension and improved off-axis linearity of titanium. The voice coil, which has been enlarged to 1" diameter for even more dynamic range, is supported by an oversized Neodymium magnet with video shielding for freedom of placement. An under-hung architecture makes for even lower distortion and higher outputs than before.

About Anthony Gallo Acoustics: Anthony Gallo, who created his first loudspeaker at the age of 14, has been raising the bar in loudspeaker design for more than 25 years. He formed Anthony Gallo Acoustics (AGA) in the early 1990's in order to bring his creations to the marketplace. His first commercially available product, the Nucleus Solo loudspeaker, went on sale in 1994. The speaker, which contained the unique blend of creative industrial design and top-quality sound components that quickly became an AGA trademark, was an immediate success. Today, AGA's products are sold in over 40 countries, including a complete line of stereo speakers, home theaters speakers & systems, powered subwoofers and installation accessories to complement their award-winning speaker systems.

For more information visit: www.roundsound.com

Micah Warren Principal FeverPitch Media Group, LLC 112 Shaler Ave. Fairview, NJ 07022 (201) 945-1984 c: (609) 247-6525 www.feverpitchmedia.com

NEWS RELEASE 11/24/05 Manley Laboratories, Inc. has appointed industry veteran Albert Schippits to the position of National Sales Manager for its thriving HIFI division. Albert hails from Chicago, Illinois with over 30 years of experience in the High Fidelity market, 28 of those years specifically in retail sales. After serving our country for four years in the US Army, Albert began his audio career in the custom installation sector from which he gained a hands-on and in-the trenches perspective. He then graduated to the sales floor and into management positions at Chicago retail stores for Custom Stereo, United Audio Centers, Columbia Audio-Video, Holm Audio, and Symphony Sound. Albert also was the local Representative for such acclaimed brands as Dual, Ortofon, Denon, and Infinity. A devout music lover who brings his enthusiasm to the job, Albert Schippits' successful industry experience is notable.

The MANLEY brand has had a strong presence in the hifi market since its first vacuum tube power amplifiers were produced in 1988. The Manley Laboratories, Inc. factory opened in 1993 and has blossomed under EveAnna Manley's leadership to become one of the world's most recognized names in vacuum tube audio, both in the high fidelity home market as well as the professional studio arena. Manley's Chino, California factory employs nearly 50 people and encompasses every facet of design and production within its 12,000 sq. ft premises, including design, assembly, metalworking, finishing, PCB production, and importantly audio transformer design and manufacturing, a key component in any vacuum tube amplifier.

EveAnna Manley and Albert Schippits have been working together since 1999 and through their close manufacturer-dealer relationship have developed a mutual respect and admiration for each other's work and ethical business practices. To date, all Manley sales worldwide have been handled by EveAnna Manley herself, communicating with importers, dealers, and customers on a daily basis and exhibiting at numerous trade shows around the world. She also plays an important hands-on role at the factory leading the design team and working with ever-demanding production issues. This combined with her personal dedication to customer service answering thousands of customer inquiries left her with insufficient time for building and maintaining dealer relationships. It is for this specific reason that Albert Schippits was hired.

Starting with a focus on North American HIFI dealers, Albert Schippits will seek to stabilize and strengthen the existing network of dedicated Manley dealers and expand Manley presence into new territories not previously covered. Having a devoted Manley national sales manager will give dealers the personal attention they deserve.

Albert Schippits' first public appearance with Manley Labs will be at the January 2006 CES show at the Alexis Park Hotel, room 1502.

Albert Schippits may be reached at: sales@manleylabs.com Or by cell phone: (847) 400-7564

NEWS RELEASE 11/14/05 After observing the American and Chinese high-end markets and makers for years; after visiting Chinese manufacturers, high-end dealers and conducting extensive research into performance, reputation and reliability; we have assembled what we believe to be The Best From China for discerning US audiophiles conscious of budgets. Our electronics brands are unique and exclusive, from highly committed and ambitious high-end companies who each have been in business for between 5 -10 years. They do not OEM or rebadge and are not involved in any large-scale mass-market enterprises. ( Except, Dussun decided to honor the previous OEM contract they held with Korsun for a high-profile US brand. However, no new OEM solicitations will be accepted. ) These are the most prestigious and specialized audio firms in China and fully the equal of American or European counterparts.

The lineup presently includes Dussun, a brand headed by the former chief designer for Korsun (made famous in the US for his OEM work for a high-profile American brand). Dussun is the brand for integrated amplifiers. Original specializes in digital front-end components but also makes a headphone amp. The Original CD-2008 is the best-selling high-performance CD player in China. XLH makes a horn speaker and an ambitious pre/power combo that competes with "anything" built and designed in the US or Europe. XLH is China's top and most expensive high-end brand. oSound provides furniture and accessories for audio and video. The oSound's manufacturer designs and builds audio/video exteriors for almost all Chinese high-end name brands. We specialize in solid-state products exclusively and invite comparison against the very best from the West.

www.aaa-audio.com.com

NEWS RELEASE 11/14/05 Peak Consult Announces the Zoltan

Processing, controlling and assembling of Zoltan is handled by skilled craftsmen within Peak Consult's facilities. Countless hours of measurement and critical listening are logged to correlate design theory and practice. Zoltan's impedance curve looks more like a purely resistive ribbon than a dynamic speaker, making use with any kind of amplifier easy. The final blend of art and technology have made Zoltan an uncompromising performer. Zoltan is a true State of the Art loudspeaker, able to recreate music with stunning realism, regardless of whether or not you are using small tubes or a big solid-state amplifiers.

Enclosure

The multifaceted enclosure is handcrafted in our own facilities by Danish artisans in a 1.5"- 3.0" HDF specially glued sandwich material covered by 1" solid hardwood. The side panels have been made out of "finger tapped" wood. Each wood panel has been hand-chosen, processed and assembled with traditional Danish fine woodcrafting techniques.

The geometrical design optimises the off-axis response while minimizing diffraction. In order to minimize internal standing-waves, there are no parallel front, back, top or bottom panels. The slant of the front panel aligns the phase and timing between tweeter, midrange and woofers.

Transducers

The Danish Scan-Speak tweeter is a non-Ferro fluid 1" soft dome, SD-2 motor, low compression design, and non-resonant chamber, modified here for our specific performance parameters to perform effortlessly.

The Danish 5" Audiotechnology midrange is hand-built specifically for optimal behaviour in the Zoltan's enclosure. The driver features a cone that has been uniquely shaped for this moving system and a vented magnet system that includes Symmetric Drive, optimising the linear directivity. It performs with peerless soundstaging ability.

The dual Danish 7" Audiotechnology woofer array is hand-built and specifically designed for Zoltan. The technology used in the moving system makes them very low-loss drivers. The magnet and ventilation system allows the drivers to reproduce very tight and extremely low frequencies.

Networks

The speaker includes an acoustical second order crossover in the tweeter/midrange section and also a second order in the midrange/bass section. Every component has been chosen for its sonic and musical behaviour, with no consideration for cost, most of them having been custom hand-built for Zoltan. The crossover is crimped and then hardwired with silver soldering and sealed to avoid microphony and to shield it from electrical and magnetic radiation from rest of the system. For the internal wire Peak Consult has chosen the best silver internal wire from Stereovox.

Conclusion

Zoltan boasts an extremely linear frequency response, on-axis as well as of-axis. This makes it a very accurate loudspeaker in a "Real World" environment. The woodworking is gorgeous, following in the tradition of fine Danish furniture. From the custom drivers, hand-made crossovers with custom hand-built components to the excellence of the design and execution of the fine Danish cabinetry, Zoltan will take you on a magic carpet ride into the very heart of the music and leave you wanting for nothing more.

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 35kHz

• Sensitivity: 92 dB @ 1W/1m

• Dimension (H X W X D): (42.5? X 11,5?X 15?)

• Weight: 150 lbs/each

• PRICE: $34,999.99 in standard finishes (Rosewood, Oak, Ash)

• PRICE: $36,999.99 in Premium finish (Italian Walnut)

Best regards,

Chris Sommovigo

Signals SuperFi, LLC Atlanta, GA (678) 528 8077 ph www.Signals-SuperFi.com

North American Distributors for: Peak Consult International Continuum Audio Labs

Global Distributors for: Stereovox