The Home Entertainment 2002 show proved to be interesting, informative and entertaining. This report is by no means a comprehensive room-by-room examination, but more of a shotgun approach, with as many hits as misses. It would take a staff of at least six people to cover the show over the four days. So, as the single Audiophilia staffer, I approached the show as an audiophile seeking what's going on today and what the future might bring. Keeping my ears open and trying to listen to buzz about 'this room and that,' while also trying to see some old friends and colleagues, proved to be stimulating and exhausting.

For the second year running, the show took place at midtown's New York Hilton and had all the energy for which the Big Apple is famous. The energy was tactile as manufacturers hurried to set their rooms and eliminate problems, while press folk were running around trying to cover it all. To say I heard bold statements, claims and counter-claims from both parties would be an understatement: 'You know if you really want to hear what music sounds like use this cable or this tweak, or, their speaker 'pollutes the environment', etc. Let the fun and games begin.

My first stop was the Sony room where they had a multi-channel SACD presentation using Eggleston speakers and Naim electronics. On the walls approaching Sony's room, hundreds of SACDs created a visual funnel directing you to the entrance. Sony's commitment to both stereo and multi-channel SACD was strongly affirmed by the addition of new software commitments from Sony Music, Warner Bros., Universal Music Group, ABKCO (with 22 Rolling Stones reissues, in hybrid SACD) and other independent labels. Crest National and Phillips have hooked up to open hybrid SACD pressing plants in the US, furthering the growth of the medium. Phillips is also expanding production capability in Europe, too. Sony is also coming to market with new hardware consisting of integrated components for SACD/DVD-Video playback home systems, incorporating digital amplifiers. Their presentation was a slight let down due to the fact that the speakers appeared to be connected out of phase! Several of us commented to the Eggleston reps, and they said they would fix it. Unfortunately I never got back to the room to hear it.

I stopped in at the Dynaudio room where they were debuting their Confidence line. Both the C-2 and C-4 were on display. The C-4s were paired with Naim gear. The room was very large and was packed, with seating for over 100 people. They sounded quite good considering the show conditions and showed promise. The Confidence line has some trickle down ergonomics and technology from their cost-no-object reference speaker, the Evidence Master ($85,000.00 pr). Using design concepts and techniques learned from that endeavor, they created the Confidence C-2, C-4, and C-7 (not at the show) at $4k, $7k and $12K a pr., respectively. Definitely worth further investigation.

While running around, I ran into the gregarious and successful Steve Hill of Straightwire, and had a nice chat about his ideas on cable design. Sitting adjacent to him was Krell's chief, Dan D'Agostino, with a Cheshire Cat's grin, listening to our little chat. It's always fun to mingle with icons. Krell's multi channel suite was packed, so I moved on.

My next room was Merlin speakers (w/base enhancement module) and Joule -- the combination was sweet sounding but a little muffled and needed some tweaking. First day problems (shared in a lot of rooms) besieged many set-ups. Some rooms that I was able to revisit later in the show improved significantly. Legend Audio Design's room was showing off their excellent 'Legend' monitor speakers and tube electronics. The sound was engaging, sweet, and dynamic.

My next sonic adventure brought me into a room with Von Schweikert VR-5's, in a multi-channel set up, with two of his subwoofers. The source was a full jazz orchestra. I don't recall the venue of the performance, but it was digitally recorded and produced by Mike Pappas with Sony DSD equipment, with a Meitner designed processor. The combination was truly impressive in recreating the feel of the live performance in a real space. Connecting up the five Spectron Musician II Amps used, were Acoustic Zen's cables and power cords. Audiophilia readers know of my prediliction for Acoustic Zen cabling. And here, once again, they did not disappoint. In fact, the overall effect was stunning. The small hotel room was transformed into the performance space. Multi-channel done correctly, as this was, places the listener in a totally believable environment. It was dazzling.

Meadowlark speakers and Rogue Audio tube electronics were making a beautiful analogue sound paired with the Avid 'Accutus' turntable (USD$10,000.00). It's amazing how dramatic a difference there is in the different sources and technologies: multi channel, high-resolution digital, and two channel, analogue vinyl -- yet they all replicate music so beautifully. There is clearly an enchantment in the vinyl that will always bring joy, but there is no denying the shear musical excitement of the new kid on the block. The future looks enticing, and there is room for both.

Innersound's room was up next. Irrepressible Roger Sanders, their chief designer, had his latest version of the Eros hybrid electrostatic speaker matched with his own amplification as well as Smart Devices Inc. hybrid amplification. The panels sang but the bass/room interaction needed some adjusting. Sadly, I never got back to check out the adjustments.

Gershman Acoustics was showing off in two rooms. The first was their panel Cameleon speaker with a Kora Explorer integrated amplifier. The combo made a very impressive, musical sound that was quite astounding for about $3000.00. It clearly showed what could be achieved in the high end for a (somewhat) bargain price. The adjacent room had Eli Gershman's big boys. His large upright, coffin-like speakers, the Opera Sauvages, were connected to Kora's top end tube gear: the Eclipse preamp, Hermes DAC and Cosmos 100w/ch. triode monoblocks. The sound glowed.

Another interesting room was dominated by the eye-catching and unusual Thor tube electronics playing with amphion speakers of various models, all connected up with Acoustic Zen cables and power cords. The sound was very good; clear, precise, with beautiful imaging and a very musical presentation.

FPS (Flat Panel Speakers) was showing off their new hybrid panel speaker with their 'Multi-Cell Micro Transducer Array', designed by Albert Von Schweikert. Three of these multi cell drivers were above and three were below two 4" dynamic cone drivers, with one super tweeter centered in a vertically symmetrical alignment. This all sat on their Acoustic Turbo subwoofer system, consisting of double 7" cone woofers in a modified transmission line, ported enclosure, giving fast, dynamic bass performance. The speakers were coupled to a Spectron II AMP, an Adcom 750 preamplifier, using Sony's 775 SACD player all wired up with Acoustic Zen cables. This multi driver, hybrid had a very coherent, fast, dynamic sound with excellent detail and full soundstage. I'd love to hear them with some tubes in the system.

By now I was in need of a change of scene. I ventured towards the Linn room where I was confronted with the visually stunning and gorgeous $240,000.00 Aston-Martin. Talk about finish and luxury. You wanted high end? Well, you got it! What is this, the auto show? Was I in the right building? Well, the fact was that this pure manifestation of four wheel ground transportation was there because it served to show off Linn's car sound system. That it is a 'star' of the new Bond film, didn't hurt. Hm… a quarter million bux HI-FI platform. Not bad, eh? Linn had their full panoply of audio goodies in several combinations and the quality of the sound and the matching price tag was all there. The rich get richer.

Back to reality, with a bump!. An unusual looking speaker caught my eye as I was trudging through the corridors -- I poked my head in the room and had a seat. These were the RéTHM 3s powered by an EAR amplifier putting out 13w/channel. The 'Star Wars' robot looking RéTHMs, at $3,600.00/pr., with 98db efficiency, produced a lively, dynamic sound that was impressive. It's cyclopean, modified single Lowther driver was mounted on a silvery cylinder with wood and fiber accents. For full sound reproduction one would need a subwoofer for that bottom octave. This was the baby of the RéTHM line, about 1m. in height. Unfortunately, I couldn't return to hear the larger models.

The Impact Technology 'Airfoil 5.2' was on my must hear list. Driven by a BAT VK 75SE amplifier, BAT VK 50SE preamplifier and BAT VK-5SE cd player, the sound was simply pure music. These speakers just disappear, sonically, and are visually stunning. A tall, vertical Brancusi-like fin on a base containing woofer and a stand-alone cylindrical subwoofer with squared off face represents each channel. Cardas Gold Reference was the cabling used to connect this system together and all were seated comfortably on Grand Prix Racing Stands and Racks.

Gamut, the Danish Electronics company, was well represented by their designer and chief, Ole Christiansen. He was demonstrating his new amplifier, the dual mono S-300 which he affectionately calls a 'monkey coffin'. I love a guy that can poke fun at himself. This 401lb. coffin shaped, aluminum clad amplifier with eerie blue lights made quite a conversation piece. This 'tour de force' of an amplifier puts out 300watts/channel into 8 ohms and 600watts/channel into a 4ohm load. You get all this for $30,000.00. For those of you who want to really exceed excess, he will sell you a monoblock pair for a mere $60,000.00! That doesn't include re-wiring your house and moving to the nearest available hydroelectric dam. The S-300 was hooked up to Nearfield Pipe Dreams. I don't recall which model it was or what it cost, but whose counting? That's not all. Christiansen had his monoblock versions of the D-200 amplifier for the subwoofers. I think they were only $11,000.00 for the pair. Go for it! The Gamut CD-1 CD player was the front end, and it was cookin'! The sound was powerful, effortless and wonderfully detailed. Once again, the bass/room interaction needed a little taming. It's tough to achieve anywhere near ideal conditions for systems this large in these small hotel rooms. One can only get a hint of what's possible. But, what a hint!

The last room I had the opportunity to visit was the Viola Audio Laboratories room. This all solid state system was impressive technically and offered many configuration options. There are so many possibilities, configuring the 'open architecture' of the two-box Spirito Reference preamplifier would take significant time with the manual. The two-box Bravo Reference amplifier at 350watts/channel at 8ohms for stereo (a 4 box 400watt monoblock is available) mated beautifully with the Spirito -- the amp/preamp combo sells for $36,000.00 as configured. The speakers also were designed as modular components that may be stacked. The main module sat on a base module, going for a cool $36,000.00 for the set. You could add another center on top followed by a final base module for the full stack -- a grand total about $72,000.00. They also connected everything up with their own Jazz Twin conductor speaker wire and Blue Silver and Swing copper interconnects. The fit and finish was trully first rate and matched the price. It rivaled the Aston-Martin! The sound hinted at splendor but it was hard to tell without hearing all the possible permutations of which the system is capable. What I heard was extremely detailed, dynamic and fast, with a tendency toward the cool side. This proved to be another situation where you would have liked many more hours of time for an in depth examination.

Well folks, the show is over and I'm exhausted, elated, and hopeful. The future looks very bright, and new ideas exist side by side with old in the quest for achieving that special magic. You know that magic. It happens when you spin that favorite LP or CD and a smile starts spreading across your face and it just won't leave. It is at this time you are sure that the last purchase was exactly what your system needed. Until next year, keep listening.

Photos by Dennis Parham

[All prices are in US dollars. More photographs of the show may be found here - Ed]