Despite the complete crash of our new computer and the near loss of our mailing list, we're back with another issue of the Alternative Audio newsletter. We hope that as this letter reaches you, you're in good health and that Santa was generous to you. For those of you who didn't get what you wanted for Christmas, now's the time to come on in and pick up that piece of audio gear you've been lusting after...

New Stuff From...

BLUE CIRCLE:

* BC2 75watt single-ended class A monoblocks

A hybrid design based on a single-ended common emitter stage. Using a single 6SN7 tube and culminating in a bipolar transistor output stage with zero feedback. Handbuilt in Innerkip, Ontario using quality parts from Cardas, Halco, and Kimber, and point to point wiring throughout. The BC2s are drop-dead gorgeous, with stainless steel faceplates and solid hardwood side panels and plinth. Several types of hardwood are available and each pair of amps is hand-tuned and tweaked accordingly.

The BC2s combine the sweet highs and a lush midrange of a good tube amp with the resolution and lightning-quick transients of top of the line transistor amps.

Stu McReary, contributing editor of Positive Feedback states that, after auditioning over 18 power amps in his system, including the prestigious BAT VK60 and Pass Aleph 3, he has discovered his own personal holy grail in the form of the Blue Circle BC2 monoblocks.

* BC3 Dual-mono linestage tube pre-amp

This is a true dual mono design, featuring selector, tape monitor, and volume controls for each channel. There are no printed circuit boards in the BC3 - all the components are hand wired, point to point, on a quarter inch acrylic signal board, which floats on a tuned spring suspension. Even the dual military-grade stepped attenuators are both hand-trimmed with matched resistors, providing left/right tracking of better than 0.2 dB.

This pre-amp sets up a wide, deep sound stage, uniformly true to the tonal balance and harmonics of the original recordings. Harmonic textures are smooth and pristine, without tube glare or brightness, and midrange textures are lucid and vitalized with a natural sweetness. The sense of speed and control are strong, transients unfolding with lightning quick attack and controlled decay. And yes, like all Blue Circle products, the BC3 is a work of art both inside and out, with a stainless steel faceplate and chassis fitted with solid hardwood control knobs.

You owe it to yourself to imbibe the Blue Circle experience first-hand, so bring in a handful of your favorite recordings, sit down and relax in the ambiance of our lower listening room, and lose yourself in the music.

* BC6 25 watt single-ended Class "A" stereo amp

A hybrid design, using a single 6922 tube input per channel. Airy and transparent, the BC6 is the perfect match with the Merlin VSM speakers. True to the Blue Circle design aesthetic, you'll find point to point wiring within and a stainless steel chassis without.

* BC80 series of power line pillows

Power line conditioning without any of the liabilities often associated with other conditioners, such as restricted sound stage or the loss of detail and dynamics. The BC80 line (BC81,83,84,and85) was designed to act as a buffer to ensure the cleanest possible AC signal to your components, allowing them to properly reproduce recorded signals without the interference caused by anomalies picked up along the AC route.

* BC81: A parallel device, without outlets, acting as a filter across the powerline.

* BC83: Six industrial grade outlets. Each pair of outlets is controlled by its own filter circuits. Provides excellent bass articulation.

* BC84: 2 Hubbell hospital grade outlets and cord cap. Twice the filtering of the BC83. Ideally used to power remote amplifiers or electrostatic speakers, the BC84 provides an amazing enhancement of transparency and detail.

* BC85: Six hospital grade receptacles and cord cap with a stainless steel faceplate to match the Blue Circle amps and pre-amps. Provides twice the filtering of the BC84. For the ultimate in filtering use the BC84 as a base unit and plug the BC85 into it - filtering X 4! Ths BC84 and 85 both feature a custom power cord designed to minimize the effect of RFI and EMI. The BC83, 84, and 85 also feature high voltage protection against surges and lightning strikes.

Visit Blue Circle's comprehensive website at http://www.oxford.net/bcircle/

CELESTE / MOON: is the elite product of another fine Canadian electronics company - Sim Audio, located in St.Hubert Quebec. Strikingly distinctive in appearance, all Moon components feature a thick and elegant gun metal gray faceplate, gold "Celeste" badges, and an elliptical, heat-sinked chassis, supported by adjustable gold cones.

* P-5 Pre-amp

A two-chassis design featuring a dedicated outboard power supply of equal proportions to that of the main control unit. The P-5 incorporates Celeste's exclusive RBG gain control, which eliminates the side effects of resistive volume control designs by utilizing a series of tiny reed switches instead. Featuring 1 pair of balanced inputs, 1 pair of balanced outputs, and 4 single-ended RCA inputs, this unit provides true differentially balanced topology from front to back, for a better signal to noise ratio. Employing a shortened signal path (9 inches - no capacitors) and a custom designed toroidal transformer in the outboard power supply, the P-5 reproduces music as it was recorded in transparent layers without coloration. Comes with a full-function remote control which will also control any Phillips based CD transport. This is a world class pre-amp at a real world price!

* W-5 Power amp

A 175 watt, differentially balanced, true dual-mono design, including a separate toroidal transformer for each channel's power supply. Celeste's "renaissance technology" design uses zero negative feedback throughout its circuitry, increasing the speed of the P-5's transient response. This amp is as transparent and delicate as the finest single-ended amps I've heard, yet is capable of delivering blistering dynamic passages, resulting in subdermal tremors. The W-5 is very articulate in the lower octaves, revealing nuances in bass notes I had never heard before.

We've found that the W-5 is great for driving difficult and demanding loads. We've achieved amazing results by pairing this amp with such notoriously obstinate speakers as the Totem Manitou and the Von Schweikert VR3's (which had previously sounded dull and uninspiring when combined with other amplifiers).

This amp is a perfect match with the wicked impedance swings of Martin Logan speakers. All you Logan owners should come in and give it a listen!

The W-5 guarantees excellent value for the money and we couldn't recommend this component more. Consider that both the P-5 preamp and the W-5 amp can be purchased for the same price as the Rowland Model 2 amp alone...

* 1-5 Integrated amp

At 70 watts per channel, this amp combines some of the best features of the P-5 and W-5: remote control, RBG gain design, and zero negative feedback. This compact beauty puts out a hefty 40 amps of current and we have found it to be a perfect match for the Totem Model 1s, Totem Tabus, and the Vandersteen 2CEs. Round out this system with the Meridian 506/20 or the Classe CDP5 CD players and you've got a world class system for between $8000 and $9000. A relative bargain by today's high-end standards.

Coming in the new year are three new products from Celeste/Moon: the P3 remote-controlled single chassis pre-amp at $2600, the 100 watt W-3 amp at $3300, and a new top-loading CD player using the Phillips CDM12 industrial drive.

MERIDIAN

* 508/24 CD player

What was great just got better! The new 24 bit version of the steadfast 508 CD player is even more transparent and incredibly detailed than its 20 bit predecessor. Come in and audition the difference while we still have the 508/20 on the floor. For those in possession of the 508/20: don't worry, your player is completely upgradeable and retrofitable.

MUSICAL FIDELITY:

The new X-series of audio accessories from Musical Fidelity offers you quality add-ons and upgrades at a very reasonable price.

* X10-D Tube Buffer Stage

A true Class "A" CD player accessory that brings definite improvements in clarity, dynamics, and bass response. The "Missing Link" can also be used with other line level sources or between pre and power amps.

* X-CANS Tube Headphone Driver

This is a dream come true for the serious headphone listener! Plug a pair of quality headphones into this baby and prepare to be blown away.

* X-LP Phono Stage

A high-quality phono stage suitable for both MM and MC cartridges. The perfect add-on or upgrade for analog addicts!

REGA

The well-established British manufacturer of integrated amps and turntables, best known for their excellent Planar 3 tumtable, has recently released their very first digital product: the Rega Planet CD player. Rega have succeeded in their attempt to create a CD player that analog lovers can appreciate and even enjoy! The Planet produces surprisingly lush, rich tones; a smooth, laid-back presentation. Well built, stylish, and mechanically sound, this top-loader reminds me of a '53 gull-wing Mercedes. At the $1000 price point, this player is unbeatable!

VPI

We have decided to introduce a new analog front end to our lower listening room. Although the Rega 9 we had been using was a great table at the $4000 price point, we decided that our downstairs reference system deserved to be taken to the next plateau. Our quest for analog nirvana led us to audition many fine turntables, including the venerable VPI TNT Mark IV that Michael Fremer deservedly touts so highly. In the interest of user (and pocketbook) friendliness, we finally settled on the TNT's younger sibling, the VPI Ariesu Complimenting this selection, we matched the Aries with the JMW Memorial tone-arm - a match made in heaven.

This combination has it all... Sexy good looks, with its sleek black lacquer plinth and stainless steel cone / ball bearing support feet, as well as functionality, with its TNT motor and lead / acrylic platter bearing. The JMW arm features incremental azimuth and VTA adjustments so that you can customize these settings to suit your favorite vinyl selections. With its unipivot design, similar to to the Graham, this stainless steel and aluminum arm is also pleasing to the eye. Despite its smooth handling, the JMW is rugged, weighing in at a hefty 4.5 pounds. When Fremer placed this arm in Stereophile's class "A" recommended components list, he lauded its lush midrange, ultra-smooth top end, rock solid imaging, and sound staging, coupled with outstanding inner detail. We agree with him on all counts but please come in and judge for yourself...

New Tweak Tips - Cool and CHEAP!:

* Black Diamond Racing

The new Black Diamond carbon fibre record clamp is killer!!! This $200 tweak is just as effective as a $2000 cartridge upgrade. You heard right - this thing is absolutely knock-you-on-the-floor amazing! An absolute must for every VPI table out there!

* The Sport Seat Tweak?

Go to your nearest outdoor outfitters and pick up a "Therm-a-Rest" Staytek Sport Seat: a self-inflating cushion used for camping or sitting on those hard benches at sporting or concert events. This can be used under pre-amps, power supplies, etc. Much more effective and aesthetically appealing than tennis balls or bicycle inner tubes. I tried it under a CD player but found that it tended to make the sound soft and bloated. But hey, why not give it a try - for $16.99 how can you go wrong? At the very least you'll have something to cushion your tush the next time you attend a live music event...

That wraps it up for '97! Wishing all of you peace, prosperity, and happiness in the new year, because with prosperity you can afford the peace and happiness that only a really bitchin' audio system can provide!

P.S.: Looking forward to seeing all of our friends south of the border in April, when we'll be presenting the fine line of audio products from Totem and Celeste / Moon to the Western New York Audiophile Society.

All the best,