The Golden Ear

Newsletter of the Chicago Audio Society October 2000

Sunday, October 15th - 2:00pm

This month Alan Kimmel will demonstrate two tube-based designs. One is a special edition hybrid linestage and the other is a pair of monoblock amplifiers. Each was intended to counteract the inherent weaknesses of tube-based designs. These designs are unlike any others in the world. The amps will be driving Dennis Anderson's Ohm speakers. A first-class CD system will serve as the signal source, so bring your favorite CDs.

Alan gives the following brief description of the monoblock design: The amp has a very unique cathode-follower output stage. It was named "the Grape Ox" [Ed: a pun on "gray box"?] and was featured in Sound Practices issue #8. It will accept either a balanced or unbalanced input. Its output stage is a push-pull pair of single-ended push-pull (PPSEPP) and puts out at least 50 watts rms. Output stage of the monoblock uses a pair of EL34 AND a pair of 6146 tubes. The driver stage is also unique. This design was intended to address the inherent weaknesses of tube amps.

Alan has a website you may wish to visit:

The Audio Fair went well! There were reports of rare gear such as a pair of original Leak TL12 amps (eagerly snapped up by John Brunner), someone had three Marantz 10B tuners in prime condition, and a Transcriptors turntable (some of us old timers remember seeing one of these space-age looking things being featured in the 70's film by Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange), plus lots of good tubes, records, CDs, and the list goes on. We hear Steve Hess sold quite a bit, and dealers who visited from as far away as Florida also had a good day. We've had several requests for another show next year. Let's evaluate the situation a few months from now.

To be announced. Merlin Music Systems and Joule Electra have not responded to numerous messages from our group as well as the Audio Society of Minnesota, so both groups have abandoned the idea.

We're anticipating the next installment of Len Cronin's column on classical music for the next issue. We invite other articles..

The proposed merger of EMI Group and Warner Music Group was not approved by the European Commission (EC).

Microsoft acquired Pacific Microsonics (creators of HDCD) on September 18th.

The upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, to be held in Las Vegas from January 6th through 9th, 2001, is shaping up very well. Lower cost high resolution digital source components will be one of the items we expect to see. The competing T.H.E. Show held next door at the St. Tropez Hotel seems to also be popular again among high end audio companies. Websites:

http://www.cesweb.org

http://www.t-h-e-show.com/theshow2001

Wadia's assets were sold on September 12th. Hales Design Group had been acquired by Wadia last year.

Kinergetics Research, who made CD players, amplifiers, etc. closed down in August, citing a shrinking market for high quality two channel audio.

Digital watermarking and Sony DSD technology (the basis for SACD) were big topics at the recent AES convention in Los Angeles. Cirrus Logic announced an inexpensive multi-format DAC chip, the CS4392, which will decode DSD and DVD-A.

Members will recall the visit by John Otvos of Waveform Acoustics of Canada a few years back, to demonstrate the Mach 17 loudspeakers. Mr. Otvos elected to close Waveform recently and has sold off much of the remaining stock. Visit www.waveform.ca for details.

In August 1999 we reported on our website that EgglestonWorks had filed for bankruptcy protection. Director of Sales and Marketing Jim Thompson contacted us some time ago, reminding us that in fact they are fully back in business, and we wanted to share the good news.

Do-it-yourselfers interested in single ended triodes and other equipment offered by Dr. Bottlehead (Dan Schmalle) of Electronic Tonalities will be interested in attending the second meeting of the Chicago Bottleheads on Sunday, Oct. 22nd from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm. Location: 2072 Navarone Dr., Naperville IL 60565. (630) 292-0967 and ask for Mike.

Joshua Schor has a problem. At our meeting this past June with PS Audio, he brought a Chang Lightspeed 9600 power conditioner. He returned home to find out he then had a Chang 3200. By any chance did you happen to pick up his line conditioner, or know who may have? Please call Joshua at (773) 539-9258.

Reed Rehorst is looking for someone with a turntable that plays 78's. (847) 913-9336.

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President Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Brian Walsh Rich Sacks Dennis Anderson Bill Sweet

(847) 382-8433 (847) 843-2554 (630) 830-9142 (847) 593-7790