Current "What's New" Items

New Audio Aero Capitole Reference & Prima CD Players! (12/15/05)
Ars-Sonum Filarmonia Integrated Amp (12/15/05)
Simaudio Supernova Explodes (with great sound that is!) (12/15/05)
Audio Aero Capitole Special Edition Player (4/2/05)
Harbeth & Rega Price Increases (4/2/05)
Equi=Tech Balanced Power Conditioners 4/2/05)
Audio Aero Products Get a Facelift (4/2/05)
New Simaudio Gear Announced at CES (2/1/05)
Simaudio Discontinues Moon Nova CD Player (2/1/05)
Rives Audio Room Consulting Services (2/1/05)
Power Modules Soloist Series Now on Display! (2/1/05)
Simaudio Introduces Limited Edition Products at 2004 CES (2/1/04)
Merlin Debuts the VSM-MX at 2004 CES (2/1/04)
Click here to visit our 2003 What's New Archive Webpage
Click here to visit our 2002 What's New Archive Webpage.
Click here to visit our 2000 & 2001 What's New Archive Webpage!

Audio Aero Capitole Reference and Prima CD Players Now On Display!

With the arrival of fall, we have a number of new arrivals here at Signature Sound. Including in those arrivals is the new Capitole Reference CD player and the new Audio Aero Prima CD player (see our previous Audio Aero what's new blurb below for PDF with details and specs). To no big surprise, the new Capitole Reference sounds fantastic. The new switching power supply makes the new players feel surprisingly light, but things like the new players bass capabilities is anything but! That same great very analog quality is there and the latest metal remote is a definite improvement over various plastic and LCD units which were offered before. Another cool bonus is that the Capitole Reference comes with the SE mod improvements that were available for the Capitole MK2 at no extra charge. With all the new casework, completely new power supply design, and the SE mod, you would think the price of the Capitole Reference CD player would be a couple thousand dollars more than the old Capitole MK2 CD player, but the price has only gone up several hundred dollars to $9,580 retail. Yes, its a boat load of cash, but you won't find the sound quality and features this CD Player/preamp unit offers at anywhere near this price.

The big surprise though here in the new products from Audio Aero is the new Prima CD player. Not sure what else they did after switching to a new transport mechanism, but the new Prima CD players sounds wonderful for a $2,395 product. Once you get the right cones (a set of Walker Valid Points) and a good power cord on it (Cardas Golden Ref PC works great on this player), the overall presentation is very palpable and dimensional with a wonderfully smooth and grain free tonal quality. Not to mention you get RCA and XLR outputs standard, this player is really a superb deal.  BTW, I'm not the only person digging this player, customer response has been fantastic and I have not been able to keep these players on hand for any longer than a week or two before my stock is sold out. For a really amazing sounding simple system, we have found that this CD player connected up to the little Spanish Ars Sonum Filarmonia Integrated amp and a pair of Merlin TSM or VSMs makes a incredibly good combination.

Ars Sonum Filarmonia!?!?!?

A great discovery here from some friends in Spain who were raving about this little integrated amp called the Filarmonia to my buddy Bobby Palkovic at Merlin Music Systems. Once Bobby got his hands on one of these amps I was commanded to visit the plant to hear the mighty little Spanish amp. Bobby and I were sold very quickly on the wonderful music this amp made and Merlin immediately made arrangements to import the amp to the USA and, of course, we here at Signature Sound made a special arrangement with Merlin to sell the amp!  What we have here is a extremely well executed class A push pull EL34 based integrated amp called the Filarmonia! Each amp is carefully assembled by hand using point to point wiring techniques - the layout and neatness of wiring surpasses what I have seen in Aerospace equipment. Owner and designer of Ars-Sonum, Ricardo Hernández, uses parts that are carefully selected for best sonic results are used inside and out  - nothing has been left to chance as carefully selected and tested (some cryogenically treated) tubes are used in each amp plus each amp comes with a $400+ Cardas Golden Reference power cord. NO tube rolling - NO playing around with power cords is necessary... Ricardo, Bobby, and I have done all the work to make this amp deliver excellent results right out of the box! Other nice touches include the Cardas no stress binding posts and wonderful hand made output transformers mounted on a beautifully polished chassis. Power is conservatively rated at 30W/ch at only .5% THD. The Sound? Well, in one word, wonderful. Very natural tones with a proper sense of weight and body without  stereotypical warmth and bloom associated with some tube amps.  Amazing dynamic abilities given its very modest power rating. Wonderful resolution and superb performance at the frequency extremes. Furthermore to keep it simple, we have applied a lower margin no haggle price to the amp as well.... instead of marking the unit up the typical amount often used in the Hi-Fi trade (which would drive the price up to $4,200), the unit is available to everyone at the firm fair price of $3,500. Pretty neat, eh? Check out the Ars-Sonum website for more details, pics and specs or feel free to e-mail or call us to order one up! Click here to view a picture of Bobby Palkovic (right), Ricardo Hernandez (center), and myself (Rich Brkich, Owner of Signature Sound - the big dude on the left) taken at this years 2005 Home Entertainment show in New York City.

Simaudio Super Nova Expoldes!
(with great sound that is)

Simaudio is really kicking it up a notch with their recent new Evolution Series products. The SuperNova CD player just made its entry here last month and we were immediately impressed. Build quality is absolutely superb.... this thing is built like a tank, looks gorgeous, and weighs in around 40lbs. Inside Simaudio has gone mental with the power supply design and execution, differential design topology, and the latest in analog to digital conversion technology. The result is a significant leap in performance over the old Nova CD player and a player that rival those that cost thousands more. Introductory price (until the end of December 2005) is $4,500 is bloody steal for what you get. Neat features like a digital input AND output allow one to incorporate a digital processor loop or feed the unit from some external digital source (like a PC system streaming out high quality digital audio tunes!). If you are looking for a high quality CD player at around the $500 or more price range, I strongly urge you to give the Supernova a listen... its that good. Click here to view Simaudio's info page on the SuperNova CD Player! Coming out soon will be a wonderful mate to the Supernova... the I-7 integrated amp I am told is cut from the same cloth of the Supernova so we are expecting something special (due here sometime Jan/Feb 2006).

New Audio Aero Capitole 24/192
Special Edition CD Player!

Regular customers here know that we are big fans of the Audio Aero Capitole 24/192 CD Player. The latest MKII versions have balanced XLR and single ended RCA analog inputs which make the player yet more capable if you care to use it as a preamp or a DAC from any number of external sources. Additionally, the US/Canadian distributor of the Audio Aero products has bumped things up another notch with the release of the Special Edition version of the Capitole. The SE mod includes same great features as the latest version of the Capitole with the addition of a number of carefully selected upgrades (damping materials, cryo'd tubes, & upgraded caps) that take the digital and analog performance of the player up another notch. We have the same great tonal qualities as before, but with less self noise that results in a more clear, natural and organic presentation. We used our own Capitole SE as the digital source in the Merlin/CAT/Cardas suite at the 2005 CES and the sound & response to the player was fantastic. The best things is that the Capitole SE is only adds $700 to the price of the Capitole and Signature Sound as be authorized to perform this upgrade by Globe Audio which insures your upgraded player's warrantee remain fully intact.

Harbeth & Rega Price Increases

I'm sure many of you are aware of the condition of the US dollar in the international marketplace and especially vs. the British Pound. As a result, we are not surprised to see some price increases on the British made Harbeth and Rega products that we carry. The US importers have done their best to keep the price increases in check as much as possible with mostly modest prices changes. On Rega Research products, price increases are $50 or less on most products. Because of their higher price points, Harbeth speakers have gone up a bit more with US retail prices increasing anywhere from a hundred to a few hundred dollars (as of March 2005 the HL P3ES-3 now $1,595/pair; HL Compact 7ES-2 is now $2,695/pair; Super HL5 is now $3,995.pair; and the Monitor 30s are now $3,695/pair).

Equi=Tech Balanced Power Line Conditioners

Ever since the good folks at Tice Audio Products closed up a few years ago we have been looking for another power conditioning product to compliment the PS Audio products (which are great, but no one product is works for everyone). I've heard the Equi=Tech products work really well several times and they come highly recommended from some friends in the trade. Balanced power line conditioners like the Equi=Tech products are a relative of the common mode line filters found in the PS Audio Ultimate Outlets, but the Equi=Tech products provide much more common mode noise rejection and power line filtering by use of specially wound transformers to deliver balanced power to your equipment. Equi=Tech units like the Son of Q can provide balanced power for a modest system at just over $1,000 and for those of you with monster amps, units like the 2Q can deliver well over 2,000 watts of clean balanced power. Give us a call for more info or visit Equi=Tech's website to see what they are about!

Audio Aero Products get a Update!

At the 2005 CES this year, the folks at Audio Aero showed me what is now the new look on their products. Over the next few months, the current faceplate design will be changed to a new look that is a bit more cleaner in appearance. The changes are external on some models, with the insides of all but the new Prima CD & Integrated and Capitole Reference CD Player products remaining unchanged. There are some price increases (mostly due to the devaluation of the US dollar vs. the Euro). For example the Prima CD player and integrated amps are now $2,395 US Retail and the Capitole Reference CD player is $9,580 US Retail. The Capitole Reference features a number of upgrades which include a new switching power supply design, new STARS 2 processing, and Burr Brown 24/192 DAC chips that replace the Analogue Devices units. The new Prima CD player has a new Sony transport mechanism and the new Prima Integrated amp now has 100W/ch of power at its disposal. What is most exciting is that the Prestige CD/SACD player is now available ($12,990 US retail)... check out the PDF Literature below to see what an impressive player this is. I was handed some new product literature on the new look products which I have scanned and converted to PDFs, which I have listed below.... just click on the product to preview the PDF.

• Audio Aero Capitole Reference Product Literature (PDF)

• Audio Aero Prima DAC Player Product Literature (PDF)

• Audio Aero Prima CD Player Product Literature (PDF)

• Audio Aero Prestige CD Player Product Literature (PDF)

• Audio Aero Prima Integrated Product Literature (PDF)
  
   

New Simaudio Electronics Revealed at CES!

Simaudio was showing off the new Moon W-8 dual differential power amp Moon P-8 differential two chassis preamp and Moon Andromeda Reference CD Player at CES. These new products are just the beginning as Simaudio of a new series of products which will gradually replace certain existing products during the next few years. The new Moon P-8 preamp, Moon W-8 power amp, and Andromeda CD player feature a new unique low resonance chassis, multiple power supplies with extensive regulation, differential architecture and much more. Check out the Simaudio website for more details, or just give us a call.

Simaudio Moon Nova CD Player Discontinued!

Due to the limited long term availability of the transport mechanisms that the Nova uses, Simaudio has decided to cease production of the Moon Nova CD player so they can ensure that they have a ample quantity of spares on hand to meet any future service needs. The Nova was one of our favorites here and will be missed. We do have our one black faceplate demo unit left, so please drop us a line if you are interested in good price on our remaining demo Moon Nova.

Rives Audio Room Analysis & Consulting

We are proud to announce that we are a Rives Audio dealer. Rives Audio are the experts in acoustical design for the home. Don't make a mistake with your next home theater or listening room. With our assistance, let Rives Audio do the designs and take the guess work out. Rives offers:

• All they do is design the room--they  do not make the treatment,
  just the designs, so you can be sure all they want for you is the
  best possible result. Not the most widgets stuck on your wall

• All custom engineered designs with CAD plans

• 30 Years Experience in acoustical engineering

• Through our dealer, 3 levels of service starting around $1000 are
  available to suit your budget and needs

• On site acoustical measurement and analysis available through a
  Rives dealer

For more details on Rives Audio, give us a call or e-mail or check out the Rives Audio website that contains a wealth of information room acoustics and thier services.

Power Modules Introduces Belles
Soloist Series!

Dave Belles of Power Modules Inc., has come up with a new line-up of compact separates that offer a terrific value and performance for the dollar. It start off with the Soloist 3 line stage preamp. This compact little pre (12" wide, 8.5" deep, and only 2" tall) features remote control selection of power on, mute, input selection, and volume control adjustment. As well, the preamp includes a full tape loop, high quality RCA jacks, and a home theater bypass for only $750. There is also the Soloist 5, a 65W/ch stereo power amplifier (a scaled down design of the 150A power amp) that is squeezed into a 12" wide, 8.5" deep, 3.5" tall chassis. The amp even includes a remote 12V trigger and sounds wonderful for only $900. For you vinyl enthusiasts, there will even be a matching Soloist series MM and MC capable phono preamp which will be available in the near future. For more details on the Power Modules Belles Soloist series gear, just drop us a line or click here to visit the Power Modules webpage on the Soloist series gear!

Rega Research Releases Two New Turntables!

Roy Gandy and his crew at Rega never rest when it comes to their turntables. The new Rega P5 (which replaces the Planar 25) and P7 set new standards. Just hop over to our Rega Info and Special page for more details on these great new turntables!

Simaudio Introduces Limited Edition
Products at CES!

Don't let the snazzy  thicker engraved faceplates and sharp chrome accents fool you, the Simaudio Limited Edition series of products feature various refinements to analog circuitry and power supplies to give them a leg up over their standard offerings.  For more details, you can click here to take a look a Simaudio's webpage that goes into the various details of the improvements incorporated into the limited run of 250 (of each) Limited Edition W-5 power amps, P-5 preamps, I-5 integrated amps, Eclipse and Nova CD players. We are talking about taking the great value and performance (and looks) of Simaudio Moon products up a notch for only a modest 10% to 15% price increase over the standard versions of these products. For further details, feel free to drop us a line. Remember, availablity will be limited..... when the 250 (numbered) of each LE model is gone, there will be no more!

Merlin Introduces the VSM-MX at CES!

You never know what that Bobby Palkovic at Merlin Music Systems has up his sleeve. Just a little more than a week before CES, Bobby calls me and tell me to get my but out to the plant. He has something I HAVE TO hear before we go to CES. When I get to the Merlin plant, I find a pair otherwise normal looking VSM speakers finished in a British Racing Green premium clear-coat finish. What's different???? Some new parts from Hovland inside the crossover. A few hours of listening with some familiar material has me convinced that whatever Hovland has done, has resulted in clear improvements to clarity, macro & micro dynamic abilities of the speaker. As well, a treble that I thought could not be any better, had grown extra levels of nuance and texture. All this without effecting the inherent musicality of the speaker. Well, that pair of speakers was boxed up and sent to CES.  Given the cost factors and the knowledge that these changes are best shown off when built into premium clear-coat cabinets, the decision was made to market this speaker as a separate product. Since it has been 10 years since the VSMs introduction, it was decided to refer to this new model as the VSM-MX with the X commemorating the 10th year of  production. Estimated retail price will be $9,950 for the VSM-MX and this will include you choice of premium clearcoat finish and single ended Battery BAM (a balanced Battery BAM option will be about $1,000 more). Response to the VSM-MX at CES was pretty amazing, as the sound was exceptionally clear and dynamic as powered by the new CAT JL-3 triode monoblock amps and CAT SL-1 Ultimate preamp. Just check out some show reports and you will read about what I'm talking about! :-)