Show report: Sound & Vision Bristol Show 2008 pt3

Ayon CD-1 CD player £TBC The CD-1 debuts in the vacuum tube CD player arena promising a 'remarkable union of innovative design concepts and refinements of existing technologies'. The vacuum-tube output stage complement consists of dual 6H30 EH and dual 6922 EH tubes that deliver a visceral, warm and fluid midrange without letting the higher frequencies become too harsh or overbearing. The CD loading mechanism - having to physically remove the brushed metal lid and inner cap to change CDs - is a curio, but only adds to the quirky design aesthetic Ayon seems intent on pursuing. We sat and listened to the CD-1 for a little while as we toured the show (everyone needs a break after all) and have to say the CD-1 was a capable and beguiling performer.

Ayon Audio Spark integrated amplifier Price £TBC The newly launched Spark single-ended triode amplifier has been dubbed as a 'super value' entry-level integrated vacuum tube amp for 'real music lovers'. One thing's for certain, it looks the business with its brushed steel black bod and high-shine tube complement. Following on from Ayon's triode and pentode playing Spirit amp, the Spark has abandoned the weaker pentode to concentrate on the positive features associated with this type of amplification, namely abundant power, tonal neutrality and outstanding dynamics. Peak output power is rated at 2x35 watts with a frequency response of 12Hz-28kHz, with class A circuitry and the latest transformer design lending class to the sonics. We listened and we loved it.

Ayon Audio Heron florrstanding speaker Price £4,295 This piano black three-way floorstander from Austrian company Ayon Audio employs custom-designed and manufactured drivers with premium crossover components and wiring and an advance 'inverted parabolic resonance correction system' cabinet. Equally at home with single-ended triode, tube or transistor amplification, the Heron uses a one-inch silk calotte tweeter, six-inch paper silicate-coated midrange and three seven-inch paper silicate-coated woofers with a frequency response of 53Hz-23kHz.

Edgar CD-1 CD player Price £1,480 As CD players go, Edgar's CD-1 stands out, primarily of course because of that fantastic veneered wooden front panel. It houses valve circuitry designed to boost the natural qualities of its sound without forgoing any detail, while the El core transformers use special lacquers and construction targeted towards a smooth, powerful and delicate sound. Frequency response is listed as 20Hz-20kHz with an output impedance of over 200 ohms.

Orbitsound T3 personal speaker £TBC Bearing the tagline 'the revolutionary personal stereo aura', you kind of get where the T3 is coming from without actually hearing it in action. This is essentially a speaker system that uses your body as the amplifier. Just wear it around your neck using the attached lanyard and it plays 'music in the air around your head' without the need for earphones, though we could clearly hear it when standing four feet from the guy playing it next to us at the show. It hooks up to all the usual music-playing contenders, from iPod to mobile phone to PC. It uses airSOUND single point stereo technology to power itself alongside BODYSOUND effects to reinforce the sonics. It also doubles as a portable speaker when placed on a flat surface, so has multiple applications and its lithium ion battery will go a claimed ten hours before needing a recharge.

REL T2 subwoofer £495 Part of REL's T Series of sub-bass systems, the T2 isn't actually a new model. What is new however is this particularly cool, no doubt iPod-inspired, all-white version. The T-Series targets the high performance enthusiast on a budget, limiting size and cost without compromising (too much) on quality. The T2 is a 200-watt high current class AB amplifier with sealed enclosure and heavy-duty eight-inch ULT active driver and ten-inch ULT passive radiator. Connections include a Neutrik Speakon high-level input for direct hook-up to an amplifier, RCA low level input and 1/LFE input with separate volume control. It also comes in black ash and cherry, but that white has to put it in front for coolest looker.

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