아래와 같은 기사가 온라인으로 올라왔습니다.
올해는 지난 10년과 다르게, 다른 부스를 한군데도 보지 않았습니다.
(한국의 실버톤과 DNA, 그리고 맨리랩만 방문)
그 대신 디스트리뷰터를 하고 싶다는 수입상들만 만나고 진지한 상담만을 했습니다.
좋은 결과가 있을 것입니다.
사운드 스테이지 베스트 데모 페이지 보기 <---
Main Standout Demos April Music
April Music
April Music hails from South Korea and they are the parent company behind two impressive brands shown in this room: Stello and Eximus. (April Music also owns Aura, but that wasn"t playing in this room; instead, that was next door.)
The sound in the April Music room was all that we expected given they were using Magnepan 20.1 loudspeakers, which we know to be excellent performers if set up and powered correctly. Also present for our demo was April Music"s new Eximus CD5 CD player ($9000) and the Stello Ai500 integrated amplifier ($3500). The Ai500 was actually reviewed on SoundStage! this month.
We listened to two tracks off a CES sampler CD and both sounded detailed, with a rich, natural sound. Vocals were full bodied, and there was a sense of a relaxed, flowing ease to the musical presentation. The bass was solid, the midrange transparent, and the highs were to die for -- no surprise given the pure ribbon tweeter in the 20.1. But the real surprise was the little Stello Ai500 integrated amp that drove the 20.1s so well. The 20.1s are a tough load and need a stout amplifier to sound their best. That this little wonder could control the 20.1s the ways it did is quite a testament to both its significant build quality and circuit design (April music says it can output 150Wpc into 8 ohms and 300Wpc into 4 ohms). Color us impressed -- which is why we"ll describe the Ai500 a little more because it"s a product many audiophiles will (or should) be interested in, given its reasonable price . . .
In his January 1, 2010 review of the Ai500 on SoundStage!, Philip Beaudette stated, "I was never close to pushing it to its limits, but it always had heaps of power, and gave me the feeling it had plenty in reserve." That statement rang true as the Stello Ai500 drove the mighty Magnepan 20.1 loudspeakers. In fact, the 20.1s were a seeming breeze for the beefy Ai500. No doubt that"s due to . . .
. . . the massive power supply that is front and center in the Ai500. But then the interior of the Stello is quite impressive for many reasons, not the least of which is its high-quality parts inventory. We were told, for instance, that the small pieces of hook-up wire seen near the back, top of the heatsinks cost $20 alone! Oh, and there is also a DAC on board should you wish to use it with a CD transport or computer source.
Bottom line: The Ai500 is simply an outstanding product for a very reasonable price. Overall, great room and great products courtesy of April Music. [www.aprilmusic.com]
