Update TV and Stereo / Samsung Canada

Update TV and Stereo had a huge room this year, perfect for displaying a massive selection of Samsung’s television products.

Highlighted was Samsung’s Quantum Dot technology, with a live video feed comparing the image quality of a Quantum Dot 4K TV HDR model UN65KS9500 (approx. $5,000) to a 4K TV UN65KU6490 (approx. $2,500).  Even in my photograph, comparing to the live image on the right, you can see that the Quantum Dot TV (top model) rendered a much more lifelike image.  In fact, it was amazing how close it looked to the real thing.

Quantum Dot provides a wider colour spectrum, improved colour accuracy and allows true HDR image quality.  The Quantum Dot particles suspended in a fluid make backlighting appear as if it is emanating directly from the fluid, as opposed to standard backlighting technology that washes out colours.

Also being demonstrated was an innovative soundbar system from Samsung, the HW K950 ($1,999), which is said to be the world’s first 5.1.4 soundbar surround sound system, capable of producing lifelike Dolby Atmos sound.  A demonstration that Update TV & Stereo provided had my jaw drop as the sense of height and overhead sounds was just unbelievable, all from three boxes (front soundbar and two rear boxes, utilizing upward facing drivers).

Sonic Artistry

The Sonic Artistry room was showcasing the Davone Audio loudspeakers, with the Solo model ($9,995) on demonstration, when I visited.  Amplification was by way of Devialet’s 400 expert monoblock amplifiers ($17,995) with a built-in phonostage.  The turntable was a Dohmann Helix 1 ($52,000) with the Schroder CB 9” ($5,200) and CB 12” ($5,720) tonearms in play.  Cartridges were by Charisma Audio, including the Reference 2 MC ($3,820) and MC-M ($2,400).  The system sat on a Codia Acoustic Design Audio 4-tier Stage 3000 BAB stand ($7,155).  Cables were by BIS Audio, from Quebec and power conditioning was by GigaWatt, the PC-3 EVO SE 6 outlet ($9,090).    This system sounded very liquid, possessing mesmerizing glow and soothing warmth… smooth as butter.

Tri-Cell Enterprises

Tri-Cell Enterprises was showing an amazing selection of audio brands this year in five different rooms; many of these brands shown to show attendees for the very first time.

The first had Vivid Audio’s B1 Decade speakers ($33,000) running on Accustic Arts Mono II amplifiers ($21,000/pr) with a Reference Tube Preamp II ($13,600).  The digital source was an E.A.R. Acute 4 Transport with the Acute DAC ($19,000 for both) and the analog source was an Oracle Delphi VI MKII with SME tonearm ($13,500) running a Charisma Audio MC cartridge ($1,000) through an E.A.R. 88PB phonostage ($8,000).  Power conditioning was by PurePower ($3,250 U.S.).  All interconnect and power cords in the system were from the Cardas Clear series and speaker cable was Cardas Clear Reflection.  The sound of this system blew me away with its spectacular intrinsic detail, speed and precise imaging.

Oh, and I should give mention to the lovely looking latest model in the Oracle turntable lineup – the Oracle Oragine with Ortofon 2M Blue ($2,000).  I could see this being in the Batcave – real slick.

The next room was a big wow from the get go, with the lovely big blue horns of the Acapella Arts Atlas loudspeakers ($118,000) and Accustic Arts AMP II – Balanced ($13,500).  The preamplifier was an Aesthetix Janus Signature ($15,000) with digital music being fed via a Goldnote CD1000 CD player ($8,500).  Analog music was provided by way of a Transrotor Orion Reference FMD turntable ($25,450; without tonearm and without cartridge) with a Reed 3Q 12-inch tonearm ($7,600) and Goldnote Canti Red MC cartridge ($900).  The phonostage was a THÖRESS tube preamp ($14,000).  Racking was by HRS – the SXR Audio Stand and isolation platforms ($33,000) with Cardas Clear Beyond cables.  And, power conditioning was by Audience Response ($6,000).  Listening to Harry Belafonte’s Live at Carnegie Hall K2 HDCD and the tune “Mama Look a Boo Boo” had me riveted in my seat with a smile so large my cheeks cramped.  Just a glorious and realistic presentation that took me back to my childhood days.

And, here’s Vince Scalzitti, head honcho at Tri-Cell Enterprises, happy and proud of his Acapella Arts setup!

I found none other than Jeff Joseph, of Joseph Audio in the next Tri-Cell room I came upon.  The Joseph Audio Perspectives ($14,365) were in play, driven by a Wells Audio Majestic integrated amplifier ($4,850).  A Gold Note DS-1000 CDP/streamer ($6,250) was the digital source connected to a PSU-7 power supply, while a gorgeous Gold Note Giglio turntable ($5,795) with a Vasari Gold MM cartridge ($500) through a PH-7 phonostage was serving up the wax.  Cabling was all Cardas Clear Beyond and power conditioning was provided by a Wells Audio Looking Glass ($2,750).  I was happy to get a full demo with Shelby Lynne’s “Just a Little Lovin’” as well as Ray La Montagne’s “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise”.  A very musical and endearing sound that had me wanting to stay and listen much longer than I really had time for. Also on demonstration in this room was a Wells Audio Milo headphone amplifier ($2,250) that was hooked up to the Well Audio Majestic amplifier.

I was happy to get acquainted with a fine gentleman, named Bartolomeo Nasta, the Unison Research rep within yet another of Tri-Cell room and got my first listen of a Unison Research loudspeaker, the MAX2 horn – 96dB/sensitivity ($11,000), which had a gorgeous wood finish.  I was told that a MAX1 model ($6,800) is also available, 94dB sensitivity.  Two setups were being used.  The first was a lovely Sinfonia Anniversary tube integrated amp ($7,035) by Unison Research.  The Anniversary model sports real copper plates, KT88 Genelex Goldlion tubes and Mundorf caps.  The source here was a stunning Gold Note Mediterraneo turntable ($11,500; Italian Walnut Hardwood).  The other setup was the premier showing of the Unico 90 2-stage integrated amplifier with 100 wpc ($5,100) connected to a CD Due CDP/DAC ($4,850).  Cables used in this room included Cardas Clear Reflection speaker cables, Clear Reflection interconnects and  Clear M Power cords —  all hooked up to a Wells Audio Looking Glass power conditioner ($2,750). Listening to London Grammar’s track Stay Awake, I was very impressed with the sense of ease, combined with a warm, open and generous soundstage.

Upon another Tri-Cell room, the fifth but not the least, I came upon a new brand of loudspeakers by a company called Audiovector, of Denmark.  CEO Mads Klifoth invited me to sit down and audition the Audiovector QR3 speaker ($2,300/pr).  I couldn’t believe just how great of a bargain these speakers were when I got the chance to listen to a few tracks.  The QR3 presented a lovely midrange when playing male vocals, providing broad imaging with a soothing airiness.  I was told the speaker is made in Copenhagen and that the AMT Tweeter is a dual-layer aluminum.  Their high performance sound was one of my biggest surprises at TAVES and I’ll definitely be watching for the brand.  The rest of the system used a Transrotor turntable ($5,350) with a Zesto Audio Andros 1.2 phonostage ($5,750), the new Unison Research Unico 90 integrated amplifier and CD Primo CD player ($2,455).  Cables used here consisted of Cardas Clear speaker cable, as well as Cardas Clear Beyond power cords and interconnects. Everything was plugged into a Wells Audio Looking Glass Reference power conditioner ($8,000).

My pic here caught Mads Klifoth, CEO Audiovector (left) with David Geist, Tri-Cell (right) and some of the other models in the Audiovector family.  With that, I said my farewell to Tri-Cell Enterprises, and moved on.

The next part of this article will be posted tomorrow.

About the Author: George de Sa

Related Posts

• 
• 
• 
• 
•