Newsletter www.hifi.com.sg	April 2003

This is the 2nd part of our extensive product update. With all these new developments and interesting additions, we predict that 2003 is going to be a very exciting year indeed!

Product Updates • Avantgarde Acoustic • Totem Acoustic • Bluenote • Nottingham Analogue • Shunyata Research

Avantgarde Acoustic

Avantgarde has introduced a new integrated amplifier called the 5 pi, specially to optimize the performance capabilities of their range of highly regarded horn speakers. Contrary to popular perception that horn speakers need to be driven by tube amps, Avantgarde’s 5 pi is a transistor based design rated at 40 watts per channel, using the highest quality components within an elegantly simple circuit that has very short signal paths, and thus minimizing signal loss and degradation. Housed in an elegant low profile chassis, its most distinct feature is a back-lit oval glass dial that indicates input selection and volume setting. It comes standard with wireless remote control. Price is to be announced shortly, but promised to be affordable.

Totem Acoustic

To complete their range of home theatre products, Totem Acoustic has introduced the new Thunder active sub-woofer and Lynks bi-polar surround speakers. The Thunder features one active 10” bass driver with special non-resonant metal cone and carbon graphite dust cap and flanked by two passive 10” radiators of similar composition. Designed for high quality cinema/ home theatre applications, it is powered with a built-in amplifier capable of 500 watts peak power for wide dynamic swings and ability to play at ‘realistic’ levels without clipping.

Bluenote

Bluenote of Italy is a well-established and renowned manufacturer of a wide range of specialist audio equipment. However, the items that really stand out are their elegantly styled turntables and tonearms. They are so beautiful that we couldn’t resist bringing them in, even though we already sell other high quality turntables. Their artistic designs are so attractive that you might want to buy one just for display! Made out of a combination of acrylic and metal, they have models that suit every budget.

Nottingham Analogue

Nottingham Analogue's Spacedeck and SpaceArm combination has just been awarded the ‘Editor’s Best Buy’ award by The Absolute Sound magazine! The following is an excerpt from their review: “From its ultra-quiet backdrop to its mastery of pace and space, explosive and agile dynamics, harmonic integrity, tonal continuity, saturated images, and deep yet nimble bass, this combo won SH over….so engaging, the reviewer bought the review sample.” If you love the Spacedeck’s sound but feel that it’s over your budget, then we have good news for you. The new Horizon shares the Spacedeck’s platter, proprietary mat, bearing and motor, but at less than half its price!

Shunyata Research

The design of the new Hydra 8 is complete and is being geared up for production. The new Hydra 8 will be quite a bit different from the earlier model, but will still serve up a full 20 amps of unlimited current in passive operation. The fuse on the back of Hydra 8 has been eliminated and replaced by an expensive Carling electromagnetic switch. The exterior of Hydra 8 will be an attractive silver-gray with a 5/8” aluminum faceplate emblazoned with the elegant Shunyata logo and Hydra name. The new Hydra 8 will have an exclusive passive filter circuit, massive surge protection (> 60,000 amps), and still includes the FeSi-1000 noise-reduction compounds. The surge circuits can be enabled or disabled by the dealer. Hopefully this helps serve the desires of both pro surge protection and anti surge protection camps. The new Hydra 8 retail price will be $3490.00. The Guardian 4-HT is on the other hand, a lot more affordable at $695.00. Featuring a number of aspects similar to the Hydra, but in a smaller and simpler package, the Guardian 4-HT begins with the acclaimed PowerSnakes DiamondBack power cord, which provides 20 amps of continuous current while shielding incoming power. An audio grade capacitive filter that is rated at an astonishing 2,000 volts handles high frequency noise and transient voltage spikes. The Guardian does not use current limiting coils, chokes or transformers of any kind in its filter design; only clean, industrial rated contacts and massive current AC pathways. The Guardian 4-HT achieves performance only hinted at by products costing three to four times its price.

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