The Bel Canto e. One
REF 150S with almost tube-like refinement with which it passes along
whatever signal it’s amplifying has proven very seductive. To say this of a
conventional solid-state amplifier is one thing; to say it of a switching
amp is something else altogether. The Bel Canto e.One REF150S is
the most musical amplifier I have heard south of $5000, with the exceptions
of its bigger brothers, the REF500S and REF500M. If you’re in the market for
a wonderfully musical two-channel amplifier that offers tremendous value and
performance, rock-solid build quality, and uses a minimal amount of power,
you owe it to yourself to audition Bel Canto’s e.One REF150S.
Regular Price: $1,695
Demo Sales Price: $1,199
The
Bel Canto
e. One c5i with almost tube-like refinement with which it passes along
whatever signal it’s amplifying has proven very seductive. To say this of a
conventional solid-state amplifier is one thing; to say it of a switching
amp is something else altogether. The e.One c5i has a superb DAC
built-in with 5 digital inputs. It also features an excellent MM phono
stage. It has line outputs to drive an outboard amplifier or powered
subwoofer. Wonderful sound!
Regular Price: $1,995
Demo Sales Price: $1,499
The Cary
Audio SLI-80 integrated amp is an 80 watts per channel in Class A/B
ultra-linear mode, push pull amplifier design, 40 Watts per channel in Class
A Triode mode, stereo integrated amplifier, 3 stereo input pairs, sub woofer
preamp output, black steel chassis, 6550 output tubes. Standard with remote
volume control, has 4 or 8 ohm speaker impedance switches, headphone jack,
triode or ultra-linear mode switches and oil filled capacitors. Black
anodized aluminum front panel. It sounds wonderful! Smooth and
musical, it brings you your music as an excellent tube amplifier should.
Regular Price: $4,495
Demo Sales Price: $3,595
The Electrocompaniet EMC1 UP CD player is simply extraordinary. If you
are looking for a CD player that gives you powerful dynamics, micro-details,
resolution, and a great large and layered soundstage, the EMC-1UP might be
just what you are looking for. What I find quite special, without a tube in
sight, is how the EMC-1UP offers the timbres, warmth, and palpability of an
analog front end without giving up any of the above stated sonic virtues. To
use very subjective terms - this player is one of the most "musical" and
"natural" CD players I have ever heard.
Regular Price: $7,295
Demo Sales Price: $3,595
The Electrocompaniet EMP 1 SACD/CD/DVD player's performance is exceptional.
Its new design achieves excellent playability & disc acceptance. The EMP-1
can even playback most copy protection systems. The mechanism is very smooth
and discrete and the disc access time has been reduced. The user interface
can be fully controlled from the remote control handset or the front panel
keypad. Put your SACD disc into this one and prepared to be blown
away.
Regular Price: $9,990
Demo Sales Price: $4,595
The Electrocompaniet ECD1 is a 24Bit 192KHz upsampler DAC
accepting 16 - 24Bit input and upsample it to 24Bit resolution. This will
give app. 10dB more headroom by lowering the noise floor, with more details
reproduced.
The D/A converter is a sophisticated balanced 192KHz unit. Due to the higher
sampling frequency and the cancellation of digital noise in the balanced
system, the bandwidth is moved 2 octave up in frequency, compared to
standard CD system using 44.1KHz sampling frequency, and therefore a 6dB
roll-off can be used.
All analogue circuitry is fully balanced and symmetrical. No USB
input, but it will elevate your CDs to a new level of musicality.
Regular Price: $2,490
Demo Sales Price: $1,295
The Electrocompaniet PC 1 CD player is EC's entry level CD player.
Even at its modest price, however, it brings so much of the smooth, liquid
sound of its bigger siblings that you'll be impressed. The PC-1
offers warm, detailed and inviting sound. The player has supple bass,
gloriously exacting midrange and pretty good treble and high-end. Extreme
clarity and precision do fall off at the top, but that doesn't stop this
player from being a sonic treat. I found the PC-1 to be imminently
listenable and never fatiguing.