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This month will focus on New Products at P.A.U.L.:  EPOS ELS 8, Lamm LL2.1, PS Audio Quintet, The Reference 3A Episode, Soundsmith The Voice/ebony and the SOTA Comet.  The Arion Audio MK 1000 departs July 5^th. L

The Reference 3A High End Room has been temporarily closed for construction.  To accommodate this month’s Product Focus the Episode speakers and all electronics have been moved into the Analysis Reference Room.

I am quite pleased to report The Voice/ebony is here and installed on the Millennia/Conductor turntable.  It is, perhaps, the most refined phono cartridge I have had the pleasure to play vinyl with.  And this is with just 15 or so hours on it.  It also has a weight and authority that is breath taking.  The realistic size of instruments and the unique texture of the material from which they’re constructed is easily discernable.  The weight of an orchestra and even an individual instrument such as an acoustic guitar is rendered with a realism I rarely experience in reproduced music.  Sound stage width, depth and air?  As only analog can truly capture.  It certainly doesn’t hurt to be in the marvelous, linear tracking, frictionless air-bearing Conductor tone arm which resides on the incredibly neutral Millennia!

I have also been asked to evaluate some cables:  Zonotone from Japan.   I’m not certain of its availability (or pricing for that matter) in the States but I hope it becomes so and soon.  As usual I first test the AC cords to get a feel for the product and I must say the synergy with the Oracle CD 1500 MK III is fantastic.  I’m recommending that Oracle bundle one of its power cords with the player.  I’ve not heard a more convincing argument for AC power cords.  Ever!  Well…almost ever. J  But I must say the Zonotone 6NPS 5.5 Grandio makes a superb synergy with this player.  From my internet research I would expect it to retail for somewhere between $1700 and $1800.  And that would be a bargain.   For the CD 1500 MK III, in the Analysis Reference System, this power cord with the JPS Labs Superconductor 3 is just that…super!

Due to the ongoing construction, temporary changes have occurred in the Hi Fi Room as well.  It now hosts the Hi Fi and Entry Level Systems.

I’ve been auditioning the new Arion Audio Mk 1000 500 watt mono-block amps in the Analysis Audio reference system for a week now.  (See P.A.U.L.’s Lamm page for the new component configuration.)

Arion Audio had the goal to manufacture an aggressively priced, high power amp, impeccably built with the highest quality parts that would stand up well against all but perhaps the absolute best on the market.  I can say categorically this $3900(!) mono pair does just that.  Partnered here with some of the best equipment around it has demonstrated a tonal richness and in particular a harmonic correctness very rarely found in switch mode amplifiers.  As for dimensionality, this is perhaps its strongest suit fleshing out the size and shape of instruments in an uncanny fashion.  Listening to the live performance “Nights from the Alhambra” the percussion players of Loreena McKennett’s ensemble have a texture and holographic presentation that is astounding.  As is the case with every component I’ve spent time with, cable selection is critical for achieving the most natural and complete musical presentation.  It is no different here.  I do wish, however, I would find one amp that is not dramatically and I mean dramatically improved with something besides the JPS Labs Aluminata AC cords and interconnects!  Yes, these cables allow the amp to present a “glow from within” each note and a harmonic correctness that is spooky.  Unfortunately, the amps are making the rounds to other stores and critics and therefore are on a short loan from Arion Audio until production meets demand.   I won’t, therefore, have time to do a thorough evaluation with other cable combinations but I do intend to audition them with the Reference 3A Episode briefly.  I’ll follow up in August.

I had also hoped to report further on that remarkable new DAC but alas it has not yet arrived.  What I can tell you is that it appears it will be introduced at the very reasonable price of $3200 with a volume control allowing it to function as a line stage in a digital only based system.  Perhaps in August?

I also have on hand the very reasonably priced ($275 for a 2 meter cable) Reference 3A’s CC AC-1 power cord as well as the JPS Labs The Power + AC cord and will have more to say about them in an upcoming e-zine.

And finally the Hi Fi Room is now complete.  Great systems starting at $1698 complete:  Music Hall Trio CD- Receiver and EPOS ELS 8 speakers with Apature OFC/LC copper speaker wire.  Of course, high quality speaker stands are available as are tweaks such as AC power cords, interconnects and speaker cables.  Take some time, call for an appointment and stop by to hear the remarkable system configurations in this room.  The SOTA Comet is on live demo with theCartridgeman Music Maker III, Bellari VP-130 phono amp, Nu Force P9 pre-amplifier, Music Reference RM200 MK II T Custom, PS Audio Power Plant Premiere and Eminent Technology LFT 8b hybrid-ribbon speakers.  Not to mention an assortment of cables to audition from Apature, JPS Labs, Music Reference (designed and made exclusively for P.A.U.L.), Nu Force, Oracle, Purist Audio Design, Reference 3A, Virtual Image and Zonotone.  You won’t be disappointed!

Good listening,

Paul Lutteur

P.A.U.L.

(206) 922-2044

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