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New in The Sound Rooms
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This one's on Us!
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Since many of our customers have never been to our Ultra Systems demo rooms, in this issue of our email newsletter we would like to share some of the new products that we have added to the systems recently. That way you can stay current with these latest and greatest that we have been having fun demo'ing.
And announcing one more reason why components purchased from Ultra Systems and The Cable Company sound better: beginning Nov. 1 2006, all new component purchases will receive a FREE FUSE UPGRADE. Frankly these HiFi-Tuning Silver Gold Fuses are the most cost effective upgrade we can make to a component, so we decided that every new component we sell should have one. This one's on us!
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The Tube Pod
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Only in this crazy hobby of high end audio would you find a product that is a convergence of vacuum tube technology from the 1950's with today's downloadable, portable, and state-of-the-art iPod technology. This is exactly the thinking behind the Tube Pod system from Sonic Integrity.
The Tube Pod is an all Vacuum tube 13 Watt amplifier and an iPod docking station combined with a pair of monitor speakers and two additional inputs for hooking up a cd player, tv, or computer to the Tube Pod system. This unusual system gets more questions asked about it than any other piece of equipment in our Sound rooms - even before the iPod is inserted into the cradle of the docking station and we get to watch the jaws drop.
If you like your music portable, and want a cool-looking playback system in your home or office with great sound, put the $999 Tube Pod on your wish list. (And you better believe if this audiophile was in college today, I would find some way to Pimp my 'pod!)
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RE-Introducing Acoustic Energy Aego
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We were all disappointed when the last of the original Aego 2 systems went out our doors in 2004. The Aego was a terrific mini speaker system that among other things was able to reproduce the timbres and bite of brass and reed instruments accurately and distinctly at a price that belied its abilities. Add to that the famous UK tradition of P.R.A.T., and the original Aego was an outstanding (bargain) speaker system at the original$599 list price. Over just a few years, the manufacturing costs decreased as the demand and production runs increased to allow the Aego system to be reduced in steps to (eventually) only $299. It was a sad day when we lost this very good-sounding problem solver for applications ranging from second room/ second systems to high quality compact theater sound.
Well, now Acoustic Energy is back(!) with their similar Aego M ($199) system, but now the focus is on iPods, computer systems, and gaming systems. Whatever your application, if you want small size and legitimate entry-level high end sound, here is a quality system including two palm-sized satellite speakers in black or white with a matching compact amplified subwoofer, which also drives the main speakers. All you need to add is a source component. While this may not rival your dedicated stereo system's performance, or have the panache of the Tube Pod, it takes today's compact, portable, and downloadable devices to a whole new level of audio performance. Give your "earbuds" a break - get the new Acoustic Energy Aego M system and enjoy real music at home or in your office (I'm back in that dorm room again!).
For more information on all of the Acoustic Energy products, please visit their website.
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New from Rega
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We have both new Rega cd players (Apollo and Saturn) in our Sound rooms now, and have some of their other terrific products on the way. Rega has been making high quality, affordable audio products since 1973. Best known for their turntables, Rega branched out in the 1990's into the CD player, amplifier, and speaker aspects of the business all with the same goal - making quality music playback products affordable and reliable.
Rega's first CD player, the Planet, enthralled music lovers around the world with it's rich, analog-like presentation. Now, almost 10 years later, Rega's newest entry level CD player, the Apollo ($995), has the same musical characteristics as the Planet, but is far more detailed, and benefits from technological advances that have occurred in the past several years. Veteran audio scribe Art Dudley (Stereophile) wrote "The Apollo is a surprising step forward in a field that I'd thought was empty of same, and a hell of a bargain. Very strongly recommended." Read the full review for more information.
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Rega Saturn
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The brand new Saturn ($2395) CD player takes the musicality of the Apollo and refines the engineering with twice the DACs, a better power supply, and higher quality circuitry throughout, which gives the Saturn even more resolution, and analog-like listenability. Too expensive for entry level, too cheap for "real" high end, but frankly on a straight performance basis the open-minded among us rate this near the very top of the heap! Check it out.
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Rega's P1 Turntable
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Lastly, the newest product in Rega's line is their terrific P1 turntable. At $350, this is the entry level analog setup to begin your journey into the vinyl resurgence. Complete with an RB100 arm, pre-mounted with an Ortofon cartridge, this turntable package will introduce you to the gestalt of analog playback at a price that is easy on the pocket. Read more by visiting the Rega website and clicking on P1.
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Introducing Almarro Amplifiers
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Most of us who have been interested in this hobby for a number of years have been curious about setting up a low-wattage single ended tube amplifier -based system as a change of pace from our big reference system(s), but the main drawback has always been the cost. The best sounding SET amplifiers that we have looked at in the past have always been very expensive, and the affordable ones have been mediocre performers and/or with questionable build quality. Almarro from Japan is looking to change that in a big way.
The new Almarro 318B integrated amplifier generates a big 18 watts from the venerable 6C33 output tube and represents a combination of very high performance sonics and gorgeous looks in a single integrated package that sells for a reasonable $1850. Just add a CD player and a pair of efficient speakers (we have some good ideas for you here) and you have yourself a high quality SET system. Build quality is impressive with point to point wiring, and the unit comes with a 5 year warranty (one year on tubes).
In addition to this gem which bowls us over, Almarro makes several other models of amplifiers and integrated amplifiers, so if you like tubes, we suggest you get familiar with Almarro.
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For additional information on these offers and frequent updates speak with your Cable Company consultant, or visit our websites: www.fatwyre.com and www.ultrasystem.com. For hundreds of specials on used and demo cables, visit www.usedcable.com.
Or call us Mon.- Fri. 10 -6; Sat. 11-5 Eastern time on 800-328-9973 (or 215-862-4870). Fax: 215-862-4871
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