Everyone loves a deal and have we got the deals for you! But seriously, we look to make our trade in components, demonstration stock and specials from suppliers as good a value propositions as you can get. We’ve just updated our listings with a series of components, so scroll down and see what’s on offer...
- NuForce AVP 18 multichannel DAC and preamp – price reduced – now just $395.
This is a really interesting and highly capable component that combines serious sound quality with surround sound and multiple digital inputs including HDMI. “The NuForce AVP-18 sounds like a preamplifier-processor built by audiophiles for audiophiles… If you think of the AVP-18 as a DAC that just happens to decode the hi-res audio formats found on Blu-rays, then you understand what it is and what it does. The NuForce AVP-18 is a bargain for what it offers: excellent home-theatre performance that would be perfectly at home in a high-performance system.”
The AVP 18 has 5 HDMI inputs including the ARC output, 2 coax, 2 optical and one Bluetooth via USB – outputs are via 8 RCA sockets. There’s manual operation via the front panel and a much more button intensive remote control. We’ve set it up for our own use with Apple TV and our beloved Loewe – it’s just great in terms of sound quality in stereo. We sold a surprising number of these new, it does a great job with up to 7.1 multichannel, limited only by the quality of power amplifier/s you attach to it.
All this can over complicate what you may well end up using the AVP-18 for – it’s a genuinely great sounding DAC for just music and stereo and a very good preamp to boot so you have full volume control.
And if you look at the style and size of the AVP 18 you can draw a straight line to the current NuPrime Evolution flagship models. Really it’s the perfect antidote to the over complicated madness of the modern Audio Video Receiver. If you’re into music videos, this is the one to beat.
- Dynavector DV20XL (low output) Moving coil cartridge – used $300.
We’ve just bolted a brand new Dynavector on our client’s turntable to replace this – it’s still working well although two generations of progress does make for an obvious improvement but at $1850 new you would definitely want to hear that. We did however have a good listen to the original DV-20 listed here after first setting the turntable up properly and it still had the Dynavector magic.
There are endless reviews of Dynavector cartridges out there for you to google so it’s easy enough to get an idea of what to expect. A bit of fun for the budget conscious vinyl obsessive! Details and specification here.
NUPRIME END OF LINE SPECIALS
There’s a lot going on with NuPrime right now with and ever broadening range and new models on the way. So it’s time to make some room.
- MCX-2 550 watt per channel stereo power amplifier. This is the most fun you can cram into one box; an almost insane amount of power combined with real music making ability. Even the replacement – the Fusion 2X – is slightly less powerful and made to order only at NZ$4750. I’m a huge fan of this model – within the NuPrime range it’s a bit of a standout – I’ve written a lot about the MCX-2. “The MCX-2 makes an immediate impression with its power – the depth in bass performance, increase in volume and all round solidity cannot be denied. A part of this is due to the high sensitivity and gain so we have to be careful when comparing it too other amplifiers in this regard but as you take the volume up, it just keeps going. While Nuprime’s high end amplifiers strive for neutrality and accuracy, the MCX-2 casts a very distinct signature with both a midrange richness and almost brutal low-end. I’ve heard this sound before and love it – big tubed Marshall guitar amplifiers.” Was NZ$3700 – last one at $2700
MONITOR AUDIO GENERATIONAL SPECIALS
With multiple models, ranges and generations it can sometimes be a bit hard to keep up with Monitor Audio when it comes to what’s the best choice for you. The introduction of the new Bronze 7G range highlights both progress made but also the costs involved – the actual development, material and shipping costs, and exchange rates all factor in. At the same time we want to clear the decks for the new models and so real price reductions are warranted. Combine all these and there are some significant savings to be had and you still get some extremely good speakers!
Bronze 6G 50 $640 the pair and Bronze 6G 100 $880 – both in several finish choices. These have been replaced by a single model – the Bronze 7G 50 which is in between the two earlier models in size but ahead of both in performance which make sense given the new price – NZ$1100. Being a bit smaller, the earlier 6G 50 version is better suited to wall mounting or tight shelves. The 6G 100 is a surprisingly substantial speaker and will deliver a lot of sound – in terms of bang for the buck, this really is our best Monitor Audio option!
Bronze 200 6G $1500 and Bronze 500 6G $2000 – these are Monitor Audio’s entry level floor standing speakers but draw directly on some considerably more costly designs from further up the range. Again with the new 7G series, one model – the 7G 300 at $2300 which again replaces both of the 6G models and sits in between in terms of size.
Gold 200 5G gloss ebony $7000 and Gold 300 5G white & black $9,500. Now we’re getting more serious. While the Bronze series specials are simply great value, the Gold options warrant a more considered approach as it’s all about quality at this level. The Monitor Audio Gold series are direct competitors to the much more costly Sonus faber Nova collection and there’s a lot of common ground between the two brands than you might expect. The standard of finish and technology within the Gold series is absolutely high end; with savings of over $1500 and $2000 respectively over the 6G versions and considerably more when compared to Sonus faber, these are a chance not to be missed – we wrote about the Gold 300s here.
Subwoofers – there are also discounted options in both Bronze and Gold ranges for subwoofers and centre speakers – just ask if you’d like to know more.
- Lumin L1 2TB music server $1295 – open box demo only unit (silver) – was $2000.
The Lumin L1 is the precursor to the mighty L2 Music library and network switch (starting at NZ$6800) which is a story in itself that you can read about here. Essentially a simpler version, the original L1was designed as the no compromise storage source for for the Lumin players.
The L1 is an ethernet server so connects to your modem or router. As part of your home network it then streams music to your player. The ethernet connection is faster and carries more data than the lower cost option of an external USB drive. The sound quality delivered by the L1 is better due to it’s physical isolation and solid casework plus external power supply. It features a direct USB connection for transferring your music library from your computer – which is in many ways the last place you want all your music given both the sonic compromise and risk of loosing everything in a hard drive failure. There’s an easy ‘how to’ guide for setting up the L1 here.
Once connected, all your music appears in the Lumin app. It’s fast and intuitive, but best of all the Lumin software is both free and continually being improved – they now have a track record spanning over a decade and even though the L1 is now replaced by the L2, support is on going.
- Handcrafted audio rack – $650
Absolutely one of a kind and irreplaceable, this rack was custom built for us some years ago and has been constantly admired with offers made but we were always reluctant to part with it. Made of very old recycled solid heart rimu, with gently curved uprights and carefully rebated joints, it’s as much a work of art as a useful piece of furniture. The shelving is sufficiently wide for any standard audio componentry but it could be used for considerably more interesting things should you wish.
We’ve applied many coats of quality furniture oil over the years we’ve had it and each time it seems to glow just that much more. It’s very stable and strong and quite probably sounds better than many purpose built audio racks. We’ve had a lifelong aversion to cheap racks that look like an oil rig in your living room and it’s only the arrival of a sleek Italian made carbon fibre that has finally provided us with an alternative.
Because of the solid construction it will be possible to ship this anywhere in Aotearoa.
The 4 shelves each have a useable area of 450 x 270mm.
The footprint is 540mm wide x 400 deep and height is 820mm
Anyone who has ever got a piece of custom furniture made will appreciate both the work that has gone into this rack and the value it represents. It will only become greater over time.
- STAX SRS 3100 electrostatic ear speaker system
This is the complete Stax entry level system – the SR L 300 Lambda series electrostatic headphones plus the SRM-252S driver (headphone amp) and all cables included.
So it will work with any system, sounds fantastic and blows any comparably priced speakers of headphones into the weeds. Our page here $1300 – new $1800 save $500 on new price.
- Sound Creations Symphony audio rack – $400
This is one of the nicest looking and best finished racks Sound creations produced. The unit has 3 smoked glass shelves, rimu inserts on the corners of the steel frame and has castors fitted. We can also provide the appropriate spikes if you’d prefer. It’s double length so can take 6 or more full sized components and unlike the picture above also has a cable management channel which also provides extra strength.
This rack is in very good condition having originally been our best show room model and taken home when we moved from home. The construction is fully welded and this is most definitely not a cheap flat pack. Any new alternative that’s even slightly comparable will be considerably more costly these days. Because of the glass shelves, size and weight it’s not really viable to freight by courier so in this case it’s pickup only.
The only reason we’re selling this is the impending arrival of the new ‘Bassocontinuo‘ racking systems from Italy. These are going to be a whole new ballgame so if you want something even more special we’ll have them very soon…
Specials – freight & warranty – Because the specials are all discounted, we do have to charge freight for out-of-town clients. All components will be safely packed in original packaging if available or appropriate boxes. Normal warranty applies on new components.
How To Order – Once you’ve made your decision and are ready to order, we’ll make it easy for you. Either phone us on 0800 909–101 or e-mail and we can get your address and all details confirmed. For payment more and more people prefer to use internet banking – email us to get account details.