January 2010 news archive
Grab yourself an even bigger bargain with the NEW SOM Bargain Box. All kinds of exciting stuff will be dropped into here so be sure to keep a regular eye on it. Why not click here now to take a look...
YG Acoustics introduce the beautiful and affordable Carmel Loudspeaker

Carmel is the newest and most affordable speaker from YG Acoustics and represents a breakthrough in manufacturing efficiency, performance and value. The cabinet is constructed of fully machined Aircraft Grade aluminum.  This material, using pressurized assembly, allows for the most resonant-free and acoustically desirable enclosure construction available.

The end result is a speaker of remarkable refinement.  Carmel is ultra-transparent, and presents a huge yet precise soundstage, with the neutrality and warmth of a live performance that YG Acoustics is famous for.  This is all presented in a speaker with elegant lines and a shape that invites inclusion in the finest home environments.

Call SOM to find out more...
Vitus Audio Special - buy both together for £15,995 and save £1,505!
Vitus Audio SS-010 Integrated Amplifier
S/H, Immaculate and truly reference class!
RRP: £13,850
SOM Price £8,750
Vitus Audio SCD-010 CD Player
S/H, Immaculate and truly reference class!
RRP: £13,850
SOM Price £8,750
Meet our BEST SELLING cables and accessories EVER! You really need to hear the LiveLine cables from Franck Chang of Acoustic System... really! Exceptional in every way and surprisingly affordable too...
We are so confident that you and your system will fall in love with them, that if you are not happy after 30 days, return the cables (inc all packaging) to us and we will refund your money. Subject to conditions.
Just about the best new range of cables to hit the UK market.

From the respected guru of hi-fi, Franck Chang of Acoustic Systems (www.francktchang.com), these cables are the end result of years of research and development and experience with room and system tuning that Acoustic Systems are so famous for.

The latest review in Hi>Fi Plus on the Acoustic Systems room resonators indicate somewhat the commitment of this genius and his knowledge of just how instruments should sound surely plays a great part in now bringing to the market one of the worlds very best cable ranges and at a very reasonable price too. Annoyingly, I have just fitted out my reference system
with a full set of Liveline cables at a ¼ of the cost of the original line up which when I returned these original and well respected cables to the system to check my first impressions, it left me wanting the Liveline’s back immediately. The immediate transparency, detail, delicacy, dynamics and overall musicality is just stunning with Liveline. This man is a genius, his cables are superlative and his other products just leave other manufacturers to mutter and moan at yet another reference point that they will have to contend with.

Don’t believe this??? You better had or you may regret not at least taking the chance to listen and...
the cables are neat and tidy too.

the new som newsletter is here... read on...
Click here or on the image on the right to read the exciting NEW newsletter from sounds of music.

Packed with lots of information and a few christmas surprises, its a must read.

Happy reading.

We use them for every demo, they are in every demo room and we are forever ordering them to keep them in stock... do we need say more?
Read the review in Hi>Fi+ Issue 70 by Chris Thomas
No system will not benefit from a set of Acoustic
System Resonators Once you have them, you'll never part with them... no matter what you change in your system! Prices start from £145 (each). Order a set today by phone or in our online shop and start enjoying the benefits sooner rather than later... For more info and to learn which is the best option for your system, open the brochure by clicking here.
Don't forget about the amazing Acoustic System Supports too!
Sold in packages of three – the best effect is achieved when components have a stable standing on exactly three supports and the improvement is amazing!
NEW from Boulder
1008 Phono Preamplifier
Boulder’s 1008 phono preamplifier brings superb playback performance for vinyl records of all kinds— including records made before 1955. Inspired by Boulder’s renowned 2008 phono preamplifier, the 1008 has two inputs for connecting multiple tonearms, customizable “personality cards” which can be tailored to specific phono cartridges, and selectable equalization settings for vintage as well as modern RIAA records, all in a single chassis.
Learn more
At £195,100 only a fortunate few will ever own the incredible NEW Grand Master from Hansen.
 For many a listener (us included) the Grand Master stole the show at CES. Driven by Tenor Amplification, once you sat down, it was incredibly hard to leave the room for the was truly breathtaking.

Remember that Hansen trickle down as much technology as possible so don't rule out their more affordable models!

Each is very special in its own right.

View the Grand Master Brochure here.
6 New Year Systems
for January that deliver exceptional performance and value for money. click to learn more...
NEW from Audio Research
DSi200 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
DSi200 is the first product in the "Definition Series" showcasing a new technology that offers extremely high performance and value. Based on an advanced new design created entirely from the ground up by the Audio Research engineering team, the DSi200 is built entirely in-house.

Connect the DSi200 to any speaker you have on hand and prepare to be amazed by how fluently this amplifier conveys the music from a soundstage that is wide and deep. It is rare to hear this level of articulation and purity from a single component, but the DSi200 has them both. Resolution is exceptional, with a presentation wonderfully relaxed because of its lack of grain and the absence of electronic artifacts. Fed by a high quality source, the DSi200 will have you playing recording after recording, revealing a captivating new level of performance from your speakers. It will not matter if you have inefficient or low impedance speakers because they will be controlled effortlessly. If an amplifier anywhere near its price ever deserves the overused accolade of "breakthrough," it should be the DSi200.
Learn more
NEW from Sonus Faber
Liuto Wood

The name of this new speaker is rich in meaning and values from the history of Sonus faber. It inherits and yet redefines the characteristics of the Cremona series, starting with the famous shape of the cabinet. A rare combination of high-level technical solutions, graceful design and use of innovative materials is also a testament to Sonus Faber manufacturing skills.Liuto is the result of meticulous fine-tuning during long, painstaking listening sessions, supported by accurate instrumental testing. Its characteristics ensure powerful sound, rich in undertones and capable of arousing real emotion without losing coherence and tonal balance. It is an ensemble of musical qualities that will enthuse listeners every time. Call SOM to find out more.
Learn more

New Year Interest Free Specials for January.
Spread the cost and purchase from a selection of amazing products. click to view our jan selection...
QUAD proudly introduces the stunning NEW Quad II Classic Integrated - a balanced and fully integrated amplifier, combining high performance with a relatively compact enclosure of classic design.

As could be expected of one of the most famous names in hifi, the performance of the QUAD II Classic Integrated is just out of this world and exceptional in every way!

The specified 25 Watts per channel is amply sufficient to drive and control even the most demanding speaker. The remarkable output transformer - a design by audio legend Tim DeParavicini - delivers speed, sophistication, and above all the ability to reproduce your music like a live performance. All in all this is a real QUAD: The Closes Approach to the Original Sound.

Features
• Tube complement: 4 x KT66, 4 x ECC88, 2 x ECC83
• Inputs: 3 x Line in, 1 x MM/MC Phono (switchable) and Tape Monitor
• Output power: 25W per channel into 8 Ohms
• THD: 0.06% @ 15W (700Hz)
• Noise: better than -95dBr (ref. 25W into 8 Ohms)
• Frequency response: 20Hz 20kHz (0dB / -0.5dB)
• Channel separation: >75dB
• Gain: 34dB
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 200mm x 310mm x 380mm

Call SOM to find out more and to arrange an audition or better still, place an order to beat the queue and start enjoying this classic amplifier in time for Christmas.
Electrostatics... you know the QUAD and Martin Logan name but... how much do you know about the Soundlab name?
For here is a long-established, well renowned and revered company who make arguably the finest electrostatic loudspeakers in the world.Roger A West, Ph.D. (President of Soundlab) has written a wonderful white paper on electrostatic technology and how Soundlab has developed many ground-breaking advances to produce a range of formidable electrostatic loudspeakers that have to be heard to be believed.

If you have the space, there is no finer choice of electrostatic than a Soundlab. Call Sounds of Music to find out more.

Click here to read the very interesting and very revealing Soundlab white paper (Adobe PDF Document).
NEW from Acoustic System and coming shortly to SOM... the stunning
Tango Loudspeakers
The Tango loudspeaker is Franck Tchang's only speaker model and flagship statement.

When SOM recently heard this loudspeaker we were left in doubt that the 'Tango' is a very special loudspeaker indeed. Arriving soon at SOM, call early to book your audition of this magnificent speaker.

Available in high-gloss Rosewood or Maple with black lacquer spine and plinth, each is made to special order.

A true work of art for the ears and the heart.
Learn more

newsletter late addition...
read on...
Click here or on the image on the left to read the exciting late addition to the SOM newsletter. Liveline cables have left us so impressed that we just cannot stop talking about them...

Happy reading and don't forget to try a Liveline Cable!