Acouplex Plug Schus and ReFract panels for CH Precision components – Whilst we don’t hold with silver bullet solutions and magic materials, the proprietary Acouplex composite does seem to be finding its way into an increasing number of applications. The simple but incredibly effective Plug Schus will be used throughout the system. The feet on the speakers will employ profiled Acouplex washers beneath their locking caps. But perhaps the most interesting product will be the ReFract, a chassis damping-panel that sits on top of CH Precision components. Experiments with a simple Acouplex shelf sat on CH equipment suggests a really worthwhile benefit. It will be fascinating to see and hear just how much more performance a dedicated solution can deliver.
Solen Audio – H4, T04
While the name Solen is more often associated with audiophile capacitors, Solen Audio manufactures a small range of amplifiers and speakers: you might remember the distinctive Tigre amplifier from the late ‘80s, with its tapered, triangular footprint. Most interesting model in the current range is the elegantly minimalist CV-40 integrated amp, with a single balanced input, four single-ended inputs and an output stage that can be built with EL34 or EL84 tubes, good quality versions of either being readily available.
But it’s the speakers that are really different. The HELios is a compact two-way that appears conventional from the outside but which uses an innovative bass loading. The rear of the bass mid driver is enclosed in a tube that runs open to the rear of the cabinet, acting as a shortened line. Within that tube is a second, vented tube that acts as a tuning element to tailor the low frequency output. The large opening aids good acoustic coupling and Solen claim significantly more accurate bass response than from conventional reflex loading. French audio companies have a reputation for both quirky products and lateral thinking. Solen score on both counts.
Stenheim – A4.2 F213
No new products at Stenheim, but a new (to them) space and a new partner. Occupying what used to be the Devialet room, it will be interesting to see if the company that builds the Ultime 2-SX loudspeaker can get better performance out of it than the erstwhile residents. The potential is certainly there, as shown by the positive comments and repeated Best Of Show awards for their Axpona system. The question is whether they can finally replicate that performance in Munich, where the U2 has been a perennial underachiever.
In an interesting move, the electronics this year will come from Boulder – not exactly a familiar or even obvious combination for speakers more often heard on the end of CH or VTL amplifiers. This should definitely be one of the more intriguing systems on show.
Telos Audio – H3, R10
Telos audio probably isn’t a name that’s top of mind for most show goers. But perhaps it should be. We have a couple of their pieces in-house and they sound as impressive as they look. The Taiwanese company has quietly been producing some of the most ambitious AC and grounding products available, using a distinctly different, but solidly engineering-based approach. As an audio-dedicated spin-off from a company that designs and consults on large-scale, ultra-stable power supplies for the likes of server farms and CNC shops, Telos know a thing or two about power and system-related noise, reflected in their development of patented technologies to deal with the problems.
