The
2004 Stereo Times
“Most Wanted Components” Awards
Amplifiers
DEHAVILLAND
ELECTRIC AMPLIFIER CO. ARIES 845-G
($6,995/PAIR): [George
Kielczynski,
Dehavilland's chief of
marketing takes a time out for our cameras] Classic
tube sound that warms the soul. A powerful sounding 30-watt Class A design that
renders a holographic image like nothing I’ve heard all year. It’s
retro-industrial styling is appealing and its operation is extremely quiet. At
just under six grand it’s a flat out steal. (Thomas)
Publisher's
Choice! VON SCHWEIKERT AUDIO
dB-99 MKII ($9,995):
Albert Von Schweikert (on the right) has hit a home run with his dB99 MkII
loudspeaker, just released for public consumption after a very impressive
“Best Sound at Show” at CES 2004, which also featured his VR11. It was the
overwhelming success of that new design that sparked a MKII upgrade to the dB99,
which includes a ribbon tweeter similar to the one used in the VR11. With a 99
dB efficiency rating, I am able to play these sweethearts through amplifiers
ranging from the tiny Flying Mole to the ultra smooth Uniwave Anaco 1 (rated at
a whopping 500 watts per channel at 4 Ohms). This is one loudspeaker that takes
hold of the music like very few have in my experience. I was particularly
surprised by its performance when strapped to a pair of deHavilland
845 monos: this is what makes single-ended amplifiers and
high-efficiency loudspeakers so very addictive.