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| Letters -- January 2007 Bel Canto and NuForce January 24, 2007 To Mike Silverton, I would appreciate your thoughts on the merits of which might be the better choice for my application: Bel Canto e.One REF1000 mono audio power amplifiers and PRe3 control preamplifier, or NuForce Reference 9 and/or 9 SE monoblocks with a NuForce 8 preamp. Patrick To best answer your question, the NuForce Reference 9 SE is my reference. It's an amazingly fine amp with one drawback that might or might not be important to you. The pair emits RF that interferes with FM reception. Nothing else, just FM. Otherwise I'd characterize it as pretty damned close to flawless. (The Bel Canto REF1000 does not have this problem.) NuForce will soon release its 9-series preamp. I've not had any experience with it, but I am reasonably confident that as a performer it will be up there in the 9 SE's class, and it's not going to be terribly expensive -- $2950. As you can see from the tone of this answer to your question, I'm profoundly impressed by what NuForce has been able to get this delightful little amp to do. I have faith in these folks….Mike Silverton Your CES Diary January 16, 2007 Editor, Upon reading your comments on the 2007 CES, I was happy to learn that you will shed the light on outrageous, expensive loudspeakers. I hope you won't be afraid to tell it like it is. It's about time someone like you stepped to the plate and started naming names. The price of flagship loudspeakers is now insane! I remember when $20,000 speakers were considered expensive! As for me, I am very disappointed with the Verity Audio Lohengrin, Avalon Eidolon, and some Kharmas. However I do like the Acapella, Avantgarde horns, Gershman Black Swans, and Triangle Magellans. I have a soft spot for all ribbons, especially Apogee. Keep up the good work. I will be keeping an eye on your upcoming articles! Guy La Rue Walking around CES and listening to most of the bigger setups, I, too, was disappointed in a lot of what I heard. But I also heard some expensive designs that sounded way more than just good. I think the key is to look at and listen to each design to see if there is legitimacy behind the product. It seems like lots of folks are putting big drivers in exotic-looking enclosures and calling them state-of-the-art speakers. My point was also about price: Some designs I heard and saw that were most impressive were not the most expensive. More money does not always mean more performance. And THAT is what I really want to shed light on….Jeff Fritz Vitus versus Vitus January 3, 2007 Editor, Here’s wishing you a very happy new year. Do you know how the Vitus Audio SS-010 compares with the larger SS-101 that you wrote about as far as sound quality goes? Any possible advice would be appreciated. Arshad I have not had a chance to listen to the SS-010, but it is a relevant question. I do believe that at some point we are scheduled to get one in for review at our sister publication SoundStage! I’ll see what I can do to find out for more for you….Jeff Fritz
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