2010 California Audio Show: Analogue

There were some great sounding systems that were using analogue sources. In the Design Interaction (retailer)-JBL Exhibit, they were using Project’s newest turntable. It looks rather plain, but it is using a magnetic bearing for the platter and sounded very good at the show.

Projects newest table with magnetic bearing

In The Lotus Group Exhibit, they were using the Hanns Acoustics T-30 turntable. It is as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to.

Hanns Acoustics T-30 turntable

In the Teresonic/Clearaudio Exhibit, they were using the new Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with the Clearaudio Universal Radial tonearm and one of the newest Benz S class cartridges. I have just recently reviewed this table and arm and it is quite a combo. I think the Universal arm is the best kept secret in high-end tonearms.

Clearaudio Innovation Turtable and Universal Tonearm

More Clearaudio turntables

Tone Audio is a retailer in San Francisco. Tim, the owner, had both the Simon Yorke S-10 and S-9 turntable at the show. These are some very special turntables. I just wish Tim had used the same cartridge in both tables, so we could really hear the difference that the extra dollars for the S-10 made.

Simon Yorke S-10 Turntable

Simon Yorke’s new entry level S-9 turntable

Brian Ackerman of Aaudio Imports and SF retailer Robin Loggie of Loggie Audio brought the Bergmann table and arm to the Show. This table is the epitome of simplicity of use and looks, while at the same time being a technically advanced design.

Bergmann airbearing turntable and tonearm

I have failed to be impressed by most of the high-end attempts from China so far, but Grant Fidelity seems to be an exceptioin. Even their little turntable seemed to be quite an achievement for the money.

Grant Fidelity Turntable

There were also a few Exhibits playing reel-to-reel tapes for their analogue music. Maybe the most interesting was in the Sonist/deHavilland/Wireworld Exhibit with the classic Ampex and their own tape head preamp.