Welcome

Audio Reference Co for HiFi stereo equipment & audio gear, amplifiers, DACs, CD players, blu-ray players, music servers, loud speakers, turntables, cables, headphones, racks, acoustic panels and home theatre.

Hi, I’m Terry Humphries...

HiFi audio is my passion!  I’ve travelled the world to bring together the finest gear for you to audition in our studio.

Greenslade House, Hamilton, New Zealand

Our studio is located in one of Hamilton’s iconic homes, Greenslade House. We welcome visits by appointment.

Tube or solid state amplifier?

It’s a personal preference, so why not come and experience both in our studio?

Turntables

Enjoy the ultimate in analogue sound with your vinyl collection and the world’s finest turntables and accessories

Craftsmanship + Technology

We're proud of our audio gear. It represents the culmination of superb craftsmanship and leading-edge HiFi technology.

All the latest audio gear

Visit our studios to experience an extensive range of the latest gear from world-leading brands. We have everything from entry level to absolute top end.

Welcome

Audio Reference  your specialist for:
An extensive range of personaly selected Audio gear, HiFi / Stereo & Home Theatre equipment,, including valve and solidstate amplifiers, preamplifiers, mono blocks, integrated amps, DACs, CD, SACD & Blu-ray players, turntables, phono stages, tonearms, catridges, bookshelf, inwall & floorstanding loudspeakers, cables, music severs and streamers, network players, audio racks, amp & turntable platforms, power conditioners, acoustic panels, isolation feet, home theatre solutions & so much more......... 

Welcome to our website:
We import and source for you some of 'best-of-class' HiFi gear, from affordable  through to unique, high-end components, all chosen to bring a special experiance at their price point.

A select range of our products is available through a number of respected Hi-Fi resellers and we also sell direct through our showroom in central Auckland.  Feel free to phone to discuss how we can best help you enjoy our extensive range of very special audio gear.  

New Showroom:
Our new showrom doors were opened in late Feb at 15 Graham St, in the Victoria Quarter, Auckland CBD,  you are warmly invited to call by and come in to discuss your ideas and experiance some very special audio & home theatre gear , 

Opening Hours:
We tend to be open normal shop hours, however because we like to maximise your experiance, visits are mainly by appointmenet, so we invite you to phone us first to book a time before visiting, this way we can offer you a relaxed, uninterrupted time-out and give you our undivided attention where you can browse or audition equipment at your own pace.
If you call by and the door is open, please feel free to pop in however if the door is closed please dont take offense, I could already be tied up or away with a client, its all about offering our clients a more personal experiance. 

Demos:
We invite you to bring along your favourite music for a personal audition and spend time discovering new opportunities to enhance your enjoyment of music and videos in, comfortable, boutique, surroundings,  

It is all very relaxed and informal, feel comfortable to phone anytime to arrange suitable time to come by, there is no pressure or expectations, it's all about enjoying music and our passion, however we ask you to please phone us first, thanks.

Please phone : Terry on +64 9 377 6077 or Mb: +64 21 880 884 to arrange a suitable time, thank you.

News

TAS - Neil Gader at Newport HiFi show 2013

Finally, system/room synergy is always in short supply at these shows but bravo to a couple exhibits­–at the Hilton, to Zesto Audio, its phono and preamp and VAC - Sigma 160i amplification with TAD Evolution One loudspeakers…. this system vanished within the large projection of music and ambience that spread across the front of their respective rooms. These guys had it all going on with stunning resolution and extension and out of this world coherence.

Back from the Munich high-end and Deluxe HiFi audio shows

We have just arrived back from the Munch high-end and HiFi Deluxe audio shows, as you can imagine we had a wonderful time catching up with our suppliers and discovering new opportunities to bring back to our market. Keep an eye out on our website, in the coming months we will introducing a number of new brands and bringing some very interesting new products on-board. 

Amongst those brands that will be introduced in the coming months will be:

Quadral Vulcan VIII R - "Highly Recommended" award by HiFi news

Dear audiophile,
We have been very excited about our VULKAN VIII R test review in UK's most important hi-fi magazine - hi-fi news. 
 
Now we have the result and it is very good! 
 
Awarded with "highly commended" shows the excellent performance of the speaker.
 
HiFi News Golden Notes:
Quadral’s story began in 1971 with its formation in Hanove

NEW RELEASE at Munich High-End show - Quadral AURUM ORKAN active and AURUM ALTAN active

Quadral's highly regarded AURUM range of speakers goes active: The speaker manufacturer from Hanover is delighted to be able to present two new and fully active premium sound transducers, the ORKAN VIII active and ALTAN VIII active.

Penny and I are off to the Munich High-End show from 7th - 25th May

Someone has to make the call to visit the international audio shows to meet with manufacturers and to discover whats new in toy-land, I must admit its not hard, the 30+ hr plane trip soon gets forgotten once you are in amongst those crazy, hugely passionate designers and audiophiles and catching up with suppliers and friends. Everytime I go, I have to wonder how some of them manage to carry on.

PRESS RELEASE - NEW QUADRAL AURUM P8 / M8 pre-amp & power amplifier combination - Hand-made in Germany -

 The new P8 and M8 stereo pre-amp / power amplifier combination from AURUM enables the high-end experience to become pure culture.
The premium AURUM sound experience can easily be realised if a P8 pre-amplifier, which is hand-made by craftsmen in Germany, is added to your system and this will guarantee authentic and lifelike music reproduction of the highest quality. The P8 pre-amplifier has been equipped with a parallel symmetrical 4-way output stage so that this quality can be attained.

1st shipment of the NEW Icon Audio famous tube phono stages have arrived

The newly designed and upgraded range of the highly reviewd Icon Audio phono stages have arrived in-house and ready to audition.

Stereophile - Brodmann at NY Audio Show

Although their designer Hanz Deutsch has spent the past ten years making pianos, he’s spent the past forty building loudspeakers. As trained opera singer and sound engineer, Brodmann brings the philosophies of instrument design to his loudspeakers. The speakers had a lively quality rich in harmonics. As the bow bounced off the strings of a violin, the Brodmanns recreated the reverberations as if next to the violin’s chamber. At the show, the company displayed their Jospeh Brodmann Concert Series, the Vienna Class Series  and Festival Series , as pictured below from right to left.

Franco Serblin, has sadly passed over. R.I.P.

The audio industry has lost a father and a creative gentleman, with the very sad news that Franco Serblin passed away on Easter Sunday aged 73. this is a HUGE loss! 

TAS-The Absolute Sound Report on Headphones - Models to Audition - Audeze LCD-3

Audeze is a relatively young American company that specializes in planar-magnetic headphones and whose products have taken the high-end headphone universe by storm. The LCD3 is Audeze’s flagship model and it has become a widely used reference for many audio journalists (the author included).

The Andros Phonostage receives a "Class A" rating

          in Stereophile's annual Editor's Rate 500+ Top Audio Products issue. 

What does Class A mean? 
Stereophile defines Class A as "The best attainable sound for a component of its kind, almost without practical considerations; the least musical compromise. A Class A system is one for which you don't have to make a leap of faith to believe you're hearing the real thing."
 
Michael Fremer, Analog Corner Editor for Stereophile magazine quotes,

Chip Stern of 6Moons Interview with Robert Lee of Acoustic Zen

Between the two drivers, is one handling low frequencies and the other both midrange and bass as in a 2.5 way design?
 
No. It is a true D'Appolito-style array. Both 6.5" drivers are wired in parallel and handle 30Hz to 3000Hz. This style design employs two low-frequency drivers with a tweeter in the center. Such a configuration creates a larger sweet spot. It gives you greater low-frequency extension along with two-way coherence.
 
Tell me about your woofers.

Our New Showroom is OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The doors are finally open to our new 15 Graham St showroom in the Victoria Quarter, Auckland CBD,  you are warmly invited to call by for the first few weeks between 9am - 4pm untill we settle into our standard appointment only program. However as we already have a number of auditions booked, please dont be offended if the door is closed during a demo sessions, it would pay to ring first to be sure.

AYON ORION II gets rave review from TAS - Connoisseur-Level Audio for Those on a Budget

Conclusion

There are so many reasons to recommend this amplifier: fabulous sonics, world-class build-quality, a manufacturer that seems to really care about what it is doing, how it is doing it, and has its customers’ best interests at heart, and yes, overall coolness. More?

Tellurium Q became the first company ever to win product of the year in two completely different categories.

At the Hi Fi World Awards night February 2013 in the UK, Tellurium Q became the first company ever to win product of the year in two completely different categories.
 
The first award near the beginning of the evening for Power amplifier of the year for the innovative and unusual Iridium Single Ended Class A power amp.
 
Then towards the end of the evening there was a few surprised glances as yet again Tellurium Q was invited up to receive an unprecedented second product of the year award, this time for the Blue mains cable.

EAT introduce their new High-End E-Go Phono Stage at Vegas....

EATs lovely CEO Jozefina, is seen here sitting proudly with her 2 new creations, the NEW E-glo Phono Stage and NEW E-go 12" Reference Tonearm created exclusively for them by Graham, based on their famous Phantom II Supreme tonearm.. These 2 new items match up with their phenomenal EAT Forte and Forte-S turntables to help bring you towards the ultimate vinyl expression.

Darcy Proper on the awesome Krell Evolution 400e amplifiers. . .


We are proud to announce that Darcy Proper of Wisseloord StudiosWisseloord Studio

Zesto Audio have good reason to break open the champaign - congratulations

          Both the Leto Preamp and the Andros Phonostage receive "2013 Editor's Choice Awards" 

Ayon Audio (considered the Bugatti of the audio industry) has released many new products including their:

Orthos II XS 300+300 watt Class A monoblock amplifiers  (price to be adivsed) 
Ayon Audio S-5 Media Player
(NZ$23,995 incl GST),

Zesto Audio Leto Preamplifier - Sonic Magic....a musicality and an impression of realism that are at once valid and authoritative yet without ever stepping outside the boundaries of sonic neutrality.

The Leto preamplifier, a linestage that is the second product of George and Carolyn Counnas’ Zesto Audio, is cut so completely from the same sonic cloth as Zesto’s Andros PS1 phonostage I reviewed last year that describing its sound would be to repeat more or less what I said then (TAS Issue 222). 
 
Like the Andros, the Leto is an all-tube design that represents what I often call classic tube sound brought up to date.

On The Move 6: nearly there

We are  glad to be able to report major progess on our 15 Graham St project, over the last month or so the team have put in a huge effort, we are now living in the loft apartment in the rear of the building, we love being in Auckland, its not hard with everything in w

Quadral M50 - "BRAVO"

HiFi Lautsprecher, 2013 test yearbook (Germany):
Platinum M50
 
The bottom line: 
“A sophisticated, well thought-out design with exceptional technical solutions — a truly flawless jack-of-all-trades. It’s very rare to see that, let alone hear it. And when you see the price the shop lets such a great item go for, there’s only one thing to say: Bravo!”

CES 2013 - Krell release new Connect Network Streaming Device

Krell is jumping into the streaming world with a somewhat reasonably priced product that can come two ways: streamer

CES 2013 - Electrocompaniet release their new ECD 2 Reference DAC


Norwegian Manufacturer Electrocompaniet had two new digital products this year. The first is the ECD 2 Reference DAC  and available now. It features balanced and unbalanced outputs, 24/192 SPDIF Coax and new this year, USB. The ECD 2 upsamples and uses 24/192 processing throughout. 

CES 2013 - Krell released the Phantom III preamplifier,


Krell released the Phantom III, a dual-mono design stereo preamp with a dedicated headphone amp and option for an internal DAC). Fully balanced, the DAC portion, based around the ESS Sabre 32 DAC, handles files up to 24/192, and includes an asynchronous USB input. 

CES 2013 - REL Introduce their new R528 SE subwoofer

At this year's CES, Sumiko's John-Paul Lizars introduced me to REL Acoustics’ new R528 SE sub-bass system.

He described it as an "ultra-high output version of the R528" but also as a more compact version of the company's flagship Gibraltar 1 subwoofer.

The R528 SE is half the weight (58 lbs instead of 108 lbs), 43% of the volume, and 61% of the cost of the G1 

While the larger G1 has a 600W class-AB amplifier, the R528 SE has a 500W class-D amplifier.

REL

CES 2013: TAS - Alan Taffell: Best Sound (for the lowest price): The VAC “back room” system

TAS-The Absolute Sound's, Alan Taffell Best Sound (for the lowest price) award to the VAC back room system consiting of a VAC Sigma amp / Magico S1 speakers / and Esoteric K-05 deck - it delivered beguilingly beautiful sound that needed no apologies except for the lack of the very bottom octave.
VAC

CES 2013 - Clearaudio also introduced 4 new cartridges

Clearaudio also introduced four new cartridges, priced from NZ$395 to NZ$1450.
The Performer V2 Ebony incorporates a new ebony wood body with more powerful magnets for greater output (3.6mV).
The Artist V2 Ebony and Virtuoso V2 Ebony both feature aluminum cantilevers and elliptical styli.
The top-of-the-line Maestro V2 Ebony offers a boron cantilever and Micro HD diamond stylus.
 

A SUBWOOFER SYSTEM FOR GRADIENT REVOLUTION, the QUAD ESL-57 and HARBETH and SIMILAR QUALITY BOOK SHELF SPEAKERS.


Independent Finnish Loudspeaker Manufacturer is back with with new range of specially tuned dipole subwoofers for Electrostatic speakers. All new scale of product for various implementations for those, who like their ESL’s a bit more bassy

GRADIENT ANNOUNCE A UNIQUE STACKED SUBWOOFER SYSTEM FOR THE QUAD ESL-63 & ESL-988/989 at CES 2013


Independent Finnish Loudspeaker Manufacturer is back with with new range of specially tuned dipole subwoofers for Electrostatic speakers. All new scale of product for various implementations for those, who like their ESL’s a bit more bassy

CES - Krell Industries, LLC, the leader in high performance music and home theater systems, announces Foundation, the latest in a long line of state-of-the-art A/V processors.

Featuring the latest digital connectivity, the Foundation also maintains Krell's exacting standards for analog audio reproduction.
 
From decoding the latest lossless audio formats, extensive digital switching, 3DTV pass-through, and more, the Foundation is fully compliant with the digital age. Yet the 7.1-channel processor also features balanced audio outputs, automatic setup and room EQ, and Krell's legendary robust hardware.

Usher Be-718 diamond speakers - "These diminutive speakers offer stunning levels of sonic performance for your money".

"When I consider the overall sound from any small speaker I’ve auditioned, the Be-718 is the best that I’ve heard. It’s exceedingly well balanced, surprisingly neutral, and extremely transparent. It also has the best bass extension I've heard short of a big floorstanding speaker. The only caveats are that you’ll need a sufficiently powerful amplifier and that you’ll have to give the Be-718 room to breathe, given its generous bass.

Hi-Fi Choice - The Best of the High End award 2011

Krell is one of the defining high-end brands and the Cipher is a classic example of what it’s capable of when pulling out all the stops. This is a technological showcase that is designed to extract the absolute maximum from both CD and SACD, including multichannel discs. No expense has been spared on the lavishly finished casework, the extensive power supply arrangements and the very sophisticated balanced DAC arrangement. The result is a superlative performer.

bsg technologies qØl™ - TAS The Absolute Sound "Product of the Year" 2012 in the "Technology Breakthrough" category.

Press Release December 2012
 
bsg technologies,qØl™ - The Absolute!Sound Product of the Year.
 
Marina del Rey, California December 11/2012 – BSG Technologies qØl™ Signal Completion Stage ha been awarded The Absolute Sound Product of the product the Year Award which recognizes the best of the best in a variety of the Year 2012 in the Technology Breakthrough category. The Absolute Sound categories from dozens of products reviewed in 2012.

E.A.T. has joined forces with tonearm wizard Bob Graham to develop the NEW E-Go 12" tonearm. short for "EuroAudioTeam – Graham Original". - based on the Graham Phantom II SUPREME, but personalised for E.A.T

In an exceptionally short time, EuroAudioTeam (E.A.T.) has established itself as a manufacturer of remarkable turntables. It’s easy to forget that the original twin-motor Forte has been available for less than five years! With the addition of the Forte S and the E-Flat, the latter boasting a radical flat tonearm, E.A.T. has created a family of record-playing devices that combines performance, build quality and looks into cohesive, easy-to-use systems.
 
From the outset, E.A.T. has ensured that its turntables can accept a wide range of tonearms.

It is a pleasure to introduce the NEW "NW-T” Music Network-Transport from Ayon Audio

It is a pleasure to introduce the NEW "NW-T”  Music Network-Transport from Ayon Audio which caused quite a sensation because it is the first Music Network Transport which is using a tube rectifier (6Z4)  in its power supply  and for the digital signal using a 6H14 high frequency radar tube for its SPDIF and AES/EBU digital output (Tube buffered digital output).

Press release from Electrocompaniet -

Introducing the NEW Electrocompaniet PI-2D Integrated amplifier with a built-in 24/192 DAC with USB etc.

Electrocompaniet is launching a new integrated amplifier with a built-in DAC in the Prelude range.

Based on my experience at RMAF, the pairing of these two brands is something you should go out of your way to hear.

Brodmann and Electrocompaniet at RMAF 2012
By Art Dudley
 
It was that rarest of rare occasions in audio-show reporting: I entered the demonstration room of a brand that was unfamiliar to me, and was impressed at once by a sort of musical rightness I seldom hear from modern playback gear.

World leading AUDEZE planar headphones have come to NZ

We ahve been searching for a long time to find that unique, special Headphone solution for our discerning clients and now we are pleased to announce the introduction of world leading heaphone technology from AUDEZE.

Zesto Andros PS1 Phono Stage honoured with another wonderful review by Jeff Dorgay - AnalogAholic

The Zesto Andros PS1 continues to maintain high excitement among audiophiles at hifi shows around the world since its introduction last year, remaining a topic of discussion on any number of audio forums, with nary a complaint – no small feat in today’s interconnected world.  Designer George Counnas and his wife Carolyn have been buried filling orders on the Andros PS1, George has managed to find the time to develop a linestage as well, the Leto. 

Audio Reference brings on board the highly regarded STILLPOINTS isolation agency

With the demise of our previous Finite Element brand we have been searching for a suitable high-end isolation solution that would help realise the maximise potential for our clients audio systems, components and speakers. 

After an intensive search for the right product we are pleased to announce that Audio Reference have been offered the mutli-award winning STILLPOINTS agency for New Zealand.

Electrocompaniet is happy to announce a revolutionary new product to their range called ECI 6DS.

The ECI 6DS is an all-in-one music-system that streams music from your network, wired or wireless (WiFi).  Blu-ray players, CD players and even satellite television tuners can also be connected and everything is controlled by the simple to use and beautiful remote control.

“Electrocompaniet’s newest product, the ECI 6 DS has had three public outings so far, first at RMAF 11, then at CES 2012, and most recently at the recently-concluded Munich High End Show.

Rethm Maarga V2 single driver speakers - audition and be prepared to be astounded

Our 1st pair of the new Rethm Maarga V2 single driver speakers have finally arrived and after a day of letting them settle in we took time out for a listen, to say we are already happily amazed would be an understatement as they need a good 200hrs on them before they fully start coming on song.
 
We heard incredibly instant dynamics, total musical integration and timing, an open, full range presentation, very focused imaging with the beautiful, subtle nuances that very good single drivers speakers are known to be famous for.
 
While single

Bel Canto Design has 3 completely new asynchronous USB link converters

Bel Canto has three new asynchronous USB link converters that consist of the entry-level mLink, mid-level uLink and top-of-the-line REFLink 

New range of DAVONE speakers - a gorgeous homage to Charles and Ray Eames chairs, are winging their way to NZ

Davone Audio is a fine specialty loudspeaker manufacturer from Denmark. If you love the famous Eames lounge chairs from the mid 1950′s then you’ll love the Davone “Rays”. Expertly crafted with bentwood cabinets and elegant metal stands, the Rays are high-end speakers with style and danish build quality. Their sound is as good as they look 

DAVONE AUDIO - making High-End audio desirable for everyone 

Electrocompaniet and Brodmann at California 2012 (CAS) - magical, very inviting, highly accurate and expressive.

Moving over now to rooms that was smaller by comparison to the larger suites I visited Peder Beckman the chief operating officer for Electrocompaniet. Peder works out of Oakland California but the factory and main office are in Stavanger Norway.

Electrocompaniet had its own dedicated room plus another adjacent room shared by Brodmann Acoustics.

VAC @ California Audio Show 2012 (CAS)

The VAC Statement 450 monoblock amplifiers (US$78,000) supplied the power connected to the
VAC Signature MK2a with phono option preamplifier (US$19,500).

There was also an Audio Research REF CD-8 player (US$9,995), 

VAC Best In Show at Newport 2012!

Dealer Audio Image set up a system so ambitious and involved that we were surprised they weren't local to Southern California, located instead to the north in Oakland.

Scaena Spiritus 3.6 line-source speakers along with a Trifecta subwoofer system (US$130,000) were front and center.

VAC Statement 450 monoblocks (US$78,000/pair)
Signature Mk2a preamp (US$19,500) were the main electronics,

For analog playback via the again-impressive

6 Moons reviewer has high praise for Quadral's top-of-line Aurum Titan VII speaker

At this price I couldn’t think of another which combines this level of music-serving accuracy with such impressive power and pressure. As such this speaker is an open portal to a very direct and emotional connection with the music. The only departure from this in the very positive sense of the word utterly uncomplicated presentation was a minor elevation in the low bass. But even mediocre mastering jobs remained fun and this speaker was simultaneously capable to reach deep on audiophile productions.

Time at Singapore MOD Digital & Audio show

We have been enjoying some time out visting family in Singapore before the fun begins once we take over Graham St at the end of this month, while here I have been catching up with other audio assosciates and also attended the MOD Audio show.

It was encouraging to see some of our brands like Brodmannn, Quadral, Guru, Qol, VAC, Tellurium Q, getting prominent display and to hear them strut their stuff in a different setting, needless to say I came away very happy with our choices,

Move to Auckland update

Keeping you in touch with progress regarding our move to Auckland:
 
We had a very succesful sale of Greenslade House, our wonderful iconic place in Hamilton which has released us to fully focus on the next stage of the journey. 

From that is amazing file, the €5,000,000 speakers made of gold

If you've been twiddling your thumbs waiting for a pair of speakers to come on the market made out of solid 18 karat gold, you're in luck.
 
But you'll have to move quick, for Shape Audio is only going to make one pair of its €5m Organic Harmony in Gold speakers...
 
Yes, the Organic Harmony range, brought to our attention by online high-end design magazine Beuniq, are available – in limited numbers – in gold, silver and bronze.

Jason Kennedy greets the new QM10two

Second coming
 
Guru’s original QM10 was a true music maker, but never the greatest all-rounder. With this in mind, Jason Kennedy greets the new QM10two
 
As we discovered in Hi-Fi Choice 317, the original Guru QM10 was a little charmer; even sat next to far more expensive boxes it could carry a tune like few others. Still, it wasn’t the world’s most transparent two-way and when fed with serious amounts of power had a habit of going out to lunch.

They confirmed CHISTO Disk Analoguer as best solution on market.

Dear friends.

I always knew our products are good and do its job.
Last successful development was antistatic component of new generation used both in Black Analoguer II and Staticaster.
 
A month ago guys from Taiwanese firm LIEDER INTERNATIONAL COMPANY asked for all CHISTO samples for unknown purposes. They asked a lot of questions like former KGB agents. Ad tested, tested and tested.

Quol - Signal Processing for Audiophiles - If you want to increase your system's realism, you owe it to yourself to check out the BSG Technologies QOL Signal Completion Stage.

I can unequivocally recommend the QOL. It's effect improved the listening experience in every system in which it was inserted, without any negative effects. You definitely need to make sure you use the optimal speaker placement, as this will really maximize the performance of the QOL.

Use of appropriate tweaks and power cords is always recommended, and I am sure that you can get further improvements by paying attention to details, but none of that is necessary to get a significant benefit from use of the QOL.

IKEDA analoge products now available in New Zealand & Australia

Image preview 
We are excited to advise that Audio Reference have been appointed the NZ / Australian distributors for the magnificent IKEDA SoundLabs range of the lovely analoge
  tonearms, cartridges, phono cables, headshells & a step-up transformer

Reviewers says of IT-407 CR1 toneram:

FREE 5 DAY TRIAL: - Qol in your system with no obligation

                                  NO OBIGATION - FREE 5 DAY TRIAL:
You can determine the amazing / unquie gains with Qol in your system, just for a learning experience with no sales pressure - we invite you to audition one, you have nothing to lose with everything to gain, ring to arrange a free trial in your system.

Read Jim Merod's 2nd press release - the discovery, via the QOL's sonic magic that one frequently does not hear everything available..

A while back I offered first impressions as well as a more nuanced and reinforced view of the QOL "Signal Completion Stage" and its stunning way that gives new audio life to recordings that a fellow thinks he knows as well as the proverbial "back of the hand." The desultory fact of one's self-certainty about such things is the discovery, via the QOL's sonic magic, that one frequently does not hear everything available on old favorites... a revolting awakening if there ever was one. A guy is truly sure of very few things in life. The scientist in him is an inveterate skeptic.

Quadral Aurum Wotan wins a knock-out 5 out of 5 with Hi-Fi World

Quadral Aurum Wotan Receives 5 globes in Hi-Fi world (Aug 2012) 

"A compact floorstander that sounds clean and detailed, with lovely treble and great detail. It needs little power too. Fine for Rock and Classical."

......Noel Keywood

NEW highly awarded ZESTO AUDIO brand comes to New Zealand & Australia

We have been fortunate to have negotiated the New Zealand & Australian distribution rights to the new and already highly recommended ZESTO AUDIO range of tube components,

Stereomojo @ RMAF - Rethm Maarga "one of the best sounds at the show"

Jacob George and his Rethm speaker line have always been one of the best sounds at every show and this show was no different. A room we could have spent all day in. Here is the new Maarga at US$8,750/pr. (NZ$14,950/pr)
 
Jacob has abandoned the Lowther drivers for his own designs.

CES 2012: Krell unveils new integrated and preamp models

New from Krell here at CES 2012 are the stereo Phantom III preamplifier and S-550i integrated amp. Both models are due on sale in the second quarter of 2012, 
 
The Phantom III preamplifier – What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision - Stars of CES 2012: 
"A state-of-the-art stereo preamplifier with myriad optional digital upgrades struck us as a definite star of the show – so the Krell Phantom III is another worthy winner."

Tellurium Q Blue - Winner of Hi-Fi World massive 12x speaker cables shoot out.

Tellurium Q Blue - won a massive 12x speaker cables shoot out, by Hi-Fi World.  The amazing TQ Bluecable surpased all the following speaker cables, some at 2x the price.
 
Russ Andews Kimber Cables   
Audioquest Tye2
Black Rhodium Twist 
WireWorld Luna 16/4 
Cord Carnival Silver Screen 
TCI Diamondback
Clearaudio Coppr-Line Alpha
Fisual Havana FX
Talk Cables Talk 3
VDH The Artic
Hidiamond Diamond 1

John Atkinson samples new BSG Technologies QOL. at T.H.E. Show Newport

BSG Technologies' Larry Alan Kay, many years ago the publisher of Fi magazine, spent THE Show eagerly A/B-ing the effect of his Signal Completion Stage. 

Fred Kaplan of Stereophile - Krell Cipher CD/SACD player: the best I've heard in its price range, and the best I've heard, period,

Reviewers quote: The Krell Cipher is a great CD player: the best I've heard in its price range, and the best I've heard, period, in my home system. Maybe it will be obsolete before the decade is out, but a lot of CDs will still be out there, waiting to be played. If I can scrounge up the change, I'm buying one.
 
........Fred Kaplan of Stereophile

the Bel Canto C7R merits serious consideration for product of the year.

Victor Chavira has Positive Feedback. has posted a review of the Bel Canto C7R receiver at His conclusions:
“If Bel Canto made compromises to package so many fine features at this price point, I am unaware of what they are. The C7R may seem unpretentious in appearance but it is a bona fide musical performer on par with the best in its class regardless of price. At this early stage in the review process, the Bel Canto C7R merits serious consideration for product of the year.

Bel Canto T.H.E. SHOW Newport Beach Report! Featuring the C7R DAC Receiver and CD3T Transport

Bel Canto Design is indescribably happy to have exhibited at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach. We had a great time; there was a great vibe and a lot of happy visitors. 
The superb-sounding show system consisted of the new C7R DAC Integrated Amp with Tuner (and so much more ),
The CD3T Transport and a turntable , the speakers were Joseph Audio Pulsars.

Bel Canto release new CD Transport

The new Bel Canto CD3t Transport is now in stock and availalble for audition.

Bel Canto’s e.One CD3t plays your CD, CDR, CDRW collection with accuracy and simplicity. Connect to your DAC Control Center using AES/EBU XLR, SPDIF BNC (RCA adaptor included) for an accurate data transfer of 44.1kHz/ 16bit.

World renowned Morch tonearms now available in New Zealand

We are delighted to announce that we have been offerd the NZ agecy for the world leading brand of Morch tonearms.

There are 3 tonearms & 4 armtubes to maximise your cartridge compliance and your musical enjoyment within the Morch range:

Triode TRX-1 Reference Preamp - Winner of a TAS 2012 Editors Choice Award:

The Triode TRX-1 wins the 2012 Editors Choice Award from Absolute Sound. The TRX-1 boogies along with plenty of dynamic conviction and is extremely good with timing information, generating an infectious entusiasm for the music.
Winner of Audio Excellence Aaward: 

First shipment ot the Highy Awarded Sutherland Phono pre-amplifiers has arrived and is available for audition

Our 1st shipment of the hightly regarded and award winng Sutherland Phono pre-amplifiers have arrived, this time around we bought in the:

Sutherland PH3D @ RRP $1,575ea
TAS 2007 Editors' Choice Award Winner! TAS 2007 Phonostage of the Year Award Winner!
Highly Recommended by Hi-Fi News! 

New range of Brodmann Festival speakers being well received

It has been pleasing to note that out of 2 demos, 2 pairs of Brodman speakers have been sold.

SGR Audio racks attain a rare 6Moons Blue Moon award - April 2012

Steve Kramers summarry comments:

"more focused imaging perspective with a marginally deeper soundstage and more precise lateral placement"......

You are invited to audition the very unique BSG Technologies - "QOL" Sound Completion Stage

qøl™ - “The DNA of Sound,” dramatically improving the sensory experience of sound whenever electronics are used

Clearaudio's new, Ovation, "Turntable of the Year Award winner" has arrived

The revolutionary Clearaudio Ovation turntable is here and ready to sing for you!
We have both the Ovation Black and Ovation Wood, these are the new big brother to the multi award winng Concept turntable: The new clearaudio "Ovation" turntable includes many existing clearaudio innovations and introduces new cutting-edge technology:

Our 1st Brodmann Festival loudspeaker shipment has walked in the door

Our eagerly awaited shipment of the very elegant Brodmann Festival range of loudspeakers has arrived at last.  We have  set them up in the studio with the beautiful Electrocompaniet components and they are already amazing us with their very full yet detailed and dynamic presentation, the music feels alive.  

Stereo Times 2011 Publishers Choice Award for BSG Technologies Qol signal processor now in stock.

A signal-processor of sorts that's designed to "restore phase anomalies" in audio signals. Inserted between ones preamp and power amp, admittedly, I was skeptical considering all the newer "enhancers" that work independent of ones components. However, I like the open, airy sensation the QOL delivers and find it also very transparent in that I didn't notice any negative effects from its insertion between my components (review in the works Clement Perry).

The first pair of Franco Serblin's beautiful Accordo stand mtg speakers are now avaiable for audition

These new Accordos are like nothing else you have seen, pure Italian atristic crafmanship, they are beautiful little gems that will sing their heart out, well above your expectations.

Sangtao's Accordo comment:
I covered and conduct first review of Franco Serblin Ktema loudspeakers and it seems I could get my hands first on official review samples when they're ready. Thanks to I... again.

TAS-The Absolute Sound 2012 Editors Choice Awards - Clearaudio takes out an amazing 13 awards

 

We would like to congratulate Clearaudio on the significant number of awards they achieved at theis years 2012 TAS awards including: 
4x cartridge awards 
5x turntable awards 
1x phonostage award 
1x record cleaning machine award
 2x accessories awards 

TAS-The Absolute Sound 2012 Editors Choice Awards - Audio Reference has 16 components (excl Clearaudio)

Keeping abreast of the many innovations and ongoing product development within the audio world can be somewhat daunting but it has been pleasing to see a wide selection of our Brands have been picked up by TAS - The Absoulte Sound for their 2012 EditorsChoice awards, including:
Bel Canto, BSG, Exposure, Electrocompaniet, Krell, Sutherland, Triode, Usher and Clearaudio (shown on a seperate news item).  

Tellurium Q "Graphite " NEW RELEASE

Tellurium Q introduce their new high-end "GRAPHITE" reference cables into the market.

Hi Fi World will be doing a piece on the Graphite speaker cable coming out at the end of this month 

A comment from Geoff Merrigan about their new Graphite cables:

Introducing the legendary Stirling Broadcast BBC monitor speakers to the NZ/Australian market

Introducing the Stirling Broadcast (ex Rogersrange of BBC monitor speakers including the legendary BBC LS3/5a V2, designed to meet the exacting requirements of the BBC LS3/5a specification. and Stirling Broadcast's latest creation, their all new BBC LS3/6 which has just been released onto the market 

Quadral Platinum M4 easily wins multi-way floorstander test

Image preview

Speakers on test:

Quadral Platinum M4- Sound quality score: 85%
Paradigm Reference Studio 60- Sound quality score: 75%
Mordant & Short Aviano - Sound quality score: 73%
Dali Lector 8- Sound quality score: 78%

Electrocompaniet very evident at RMAF driving a number of name speaker brands....

The high regard for Electrocompaniet brand was very evident at RMAF - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver this year with quite a number of the high end speakers brands choosing to drive their speakers through Electrocompaniet components, including Avalon and new Brodmann brand (ex Bosendofer) to name just 2, 

Our latest shipment of the Electrocompaniet components is now in store, we welcome your interest and encourage you to phone for your personal audition to discover just how special this gear from Norway is and what it can bring to  your musical enjoyment.

Electrocompanient PD 1 DAC became the group test winner in HiFi Choice

Electrocompaniet PD-1 wireless DAC awarded 5 Stars in DAC shoot out.
In a Hi-Fi Choice group test competing with DAC’s from Cyrus, Lavry, M2Tech, Moon and NuForce the Electrocompaniet PD 1 DAC won.

Exposures NEW enhanced S2 series of Amplifiers & Cd players now in stock

EXPOSURE S2 RELEASE:
Late in 2010 Exposure released their new enhanced S2 series which has taken a significant step forward over the previous S1 series. It would be well worth your while to come along and audition for yourself the Exposure difference.

Exposure Electronics has been committed towards engineering real hi-fi at real world prices since 1974. Back then, the original Exposure products were born out of founder John Farlowe’s obsession for excellent reproduction of recorded music, having worked in studios with the likes of David Bowie and Pink Floyd.

Cable shoot out:

Like many, we believe good cables can make a significant difference, In March George Fracchia of ZenSati cables came to demo their #2 & #3 ranges of these unique Danish hand crafted cables.  

Many of you may not be aware of this brand however  ZenSati cables from Denmark claim:
“to be the most neutral, super fast and musical cables currently available. They are the new reference”.