Valve Amp Co, VTL, Profundo, Viva Audio, Pathos, Nightingale, Union Research
Valve Amplification Company’s Kevin Hayes was on hand to introduce me to the top-of-the-line VAC Phi Beta series and, in particular, the preamplifier ($14,500). This represents VAC’s finest effort, a fully balanced, zero-feedback, triode-based design with no coupling capacitors and an external power supply.

The production version of VTL’s new reference-line phonostage, the TP-6.5 ($8500) was being actively demonstrated. Luke Manley, VTL president, was quoted as saying that “developing a great phonostage is something like scaling the Mount Olympus of two-channel audio.� I think he’s quite right, judging by the paucity of great phonostages I’ve auditioned over the years.

Italian high-end audio is distinguished by its combination of good sound and exquisite styling. In this context I should mention the first-rate sound in the Profundo room care of Bob Clarke. Tube electronics were Viva Audio designed by Amedeo Schembri, specifically the Linea F preamp with phonostage ($22,000), and the Viva Audio Verona Tre mono amplifiers ($24,900). For the record, the matching speakers were the Trenner & Friedl “Miles� ($27,000). The preamp is a new product that combines most of the circuitry of the Fono ($15,900) with the linestage of the Linea XP ($16,900).

 

I should also mention three other Italian manufacturers. First, the Pathos integrated stereo amplifier based on its INPOL hybrid technology–it’s a thing of beauty. Second, Nightingale has expanded its Gala line with the addition of a battery-powered preamplifier. The model PTS 03 ($8000) takes the preamp off the power grid, a very good thing in my experience. Finally, Unison Research, now distributed in the U.S. by Epitome AV, introduced a line of affordable integrated tube amps. Technical director Giovanni Sacchetti was on hand to answer questions.

This year marks my first close encounter with Vincent Audio’s designed-in-Germany and built-in-China electronics line–a confluence of German engineering and Chinese manufacturing. Much of the stuff is very affordable and has developed a reputation for excellent value. A case in point is the SA-T1 tube preamplifier, which is priced at $1499. It was part of a Vincent Audio electronics package responsible for driving the Ambience 1600 ribbon hybrid loudspeaker to excellent sound quality.

Seen and heard in the Stillpoint room were the new David Berning Quadrature Z monoblock amplifiers ($29,995). Last seen in the ZH-270, the Quadrature takes the RF mapping “OTL� technology to a new level of power and current drive (200Wpc into 8 ohms).

No visit to CES would be complete without a visit to the Conrad-Johnson room. After all, over the years I don’t recall auditioning any C-J product I did not like. Lew Johnson graciously answered all of my questions. New this year is the LP66S stereo power amplifier ($4300), which features the same circuit architecture as the more costly LP70S but substitutes less costly parts. Also new is the ET2 Enhanced Triode preamplifier ($3500) whose circuit topology consists of a triode voltage gain stage direct-coupled to a high-current output buffer.

Next: Dick Olsher’s Best of Show

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