{"id":42230,"date":"2024-04-07T19:28:52","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T23:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/?p=42230"},"modified":"2024-04-08T17:07:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T21:07:15","slug":"montreal-audiofest-2024-by-jean-denis-doyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/en\/montreal-audiofest-2024-by-jean-denis-doyle\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal Audiofest 2024 : by Jean-Denis Doyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Focal-Naim, a world to discover.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

North American distributor Focal-Naim<\/strong> was, as usual, well represented at the Salon Audio de Montr\u00e9al<\/strong>, with a huge hall featuring numerous demonstrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first booth that caught my eye was the one dedicated to the various models of Focal<\/strong> headphones. I spent some time listening to Focal<\/strong>‘s Clear\u00a0MG<\/em> model, whose particularly well-balanced sound seduced me. What’s more, this model is extremely comfortable to wear and easy to forget, thanks to its exceptionally comfortable design.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the booth, there was a veritable army of Naim<\/strong> Uniti Atom Headphone Edition<\/em>, one for each of the headphones presented for listening. I can’t say enough about my boundless admiration for this device. Not only is it a formidable headphone amplifier, it’s also a remarkable network player and a superb preamplifier, which can also be used as is, in your audio system. As the owner of a Naim<\/strong> Uniti Atom Headphone Edition<\/em>, I have nothing but praise for this device. A veritable war machine, it does so many wonderful things, but unfortunately has slipped under the radar of many audiophiles.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was also an opportunity to discover Naim<\/strong>‘s Uniti Nova Power Edition<\/em>. This all-in-one<\/em> device is likely to become the king of this category, thanks in part to its powerful amplification section. The latter, based on 150\u00a0W class\u00a0D<\/em> modules is in itself a surprising novelty for Naim<\/strong>. I’m confident that Naim<\/strong>‘s engineers have implemented it wisely, and the result should be on a par with the brand’s amplifiers. What we heard at the show already augured well. My colleague Michel Dallaire<\/strong>, who has the unit in his possession for a forthcoming test bench, will soon have the opportunity to talk to you in greater depth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It was also an opportunity to see and hear for the first time, Naim<\/strong>‘s brand-new 300 Series<\/em>. Naim<\/strong>‘s NSS-333<\/em> network player, NAC-332<\/em> preamplifier and NAP-350<\/em> amplifiers powered a stunning pair of wall-mounted Focal<\/strong> loudspeakers. A great listening experience for those looking for this kind of product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, a visit to Focal-Naim<\/strong> wouldn’t be complete without a listen to Focal<\/strong>‘s Grande<\/em> Utopia EM Evo<\/em> loudspeakers. Amplified by Naim<\/strong>‘s Statement<\/em> and complemented by Naim<\/strong>‘s ND-555<\/em> network player, this system impressed with its virtually infinite dynamics and incredible impact. A listening experience that certainly left no one indifferent!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/span><\/p>\n

Innuos, online music playback taken to another level.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most interesting and relevant demonstrations at the Salon Audio de Montr\u00e9al<\/strong> was certainly that offered by Portuguese manufacturer Innuos<\/strong>. This manufacturer, highly specialized in high-end network players, offered visitors the chance to compare three network player models from its Pulse<\/em> range. After all, there’s the age-old question: is a high-quality network really worth the investment?<\/span><\/p>\n

According to popular belief, digital data is just digital data. So, if it’s complete and bit-perfect<\/em>, there’s no point in investing too much money in a top-of-the-range network drive. Not so sure, and theInnuos<\/strong> team was busy proving the contrary all weekend<\/em> long.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thanks to a well-organized demonstration, it was possible to compare the effect on sound quality of the audio system on show. Three network players were available for listening. First the Pulse Mini<\/em>, then its big brother Pulse<\/em>, and finally the top-of-the-range Pulsar<\/em> fromInnuos<\/strong>. With each change of player, it was easy to perceive a substantial improvement in sound quality. Not only did the timbres become fuller with each change, it was easy to perceive a considerable widening of the soundstage as well as an increase in depth. It was a very convincing demonstration!<\/span><\/p>\n

Audiophiles should also take the time to discoverInnuos<\/strong>‘ splendid application. Indeed, the Sense<\/em> application is certainly at the cutting edge<\/em> of current technology. Particularly well maintained, it receives many relevant updates on a regular basis, thanks to constant interaction between Innuos<\/strong> and its users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Truly, products to discover before investing in a network player.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/span><\/p>\n

At Motet, little prodigies of great talent.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Canadian distributor Motet<\/strong> had a few surprises in store for Montreal showgoers. Since Motet is the distributor of the legendary PMC<\/strong> loudspeaker brand, it was the perfect opportunity to present the new Prodigy<\/em> line. For the moment, this new line consists of just two models: the small bookshelf-style Prodigy1<\/em> and the freestanding (floorstanding) Prodigy5<\/em>. PMC<\/strong> plans to add further models to complete the range in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This new series of loudspeakers is very reasonably priced, but still manufactured by PMC<\/strong> in England. These are two-way models whose drivers have been manufactured by PMC<\/strong> specifically for this series. The Prodigy1<\/em> model will be offered for the modest sum of $2,500 per pair, and the Prodigy5<\/em> column loudspeakers will run at around $4,000 per pair. To the delight of audiophiles, these loudspeakers incorporate many of the technologies already present on PMC<\/strong>‘s higher-end models, such as the front-firing laminar port. Of course, since these are PMC<\/strong> loudspeakers, both models use the transmission line principle for bass frequency tuning. They are offered only in a satin black finish, which gives them the appearance of professional studio speakers. In the listening room, the small, free-standing (floorstanding) Prodigy5<\/em> loudspeakers succeeded in filling the huge hall with music. The audience simply couldn’t believe the finesse and tonal qualities of these small columns loudspeakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Motet<\/strong> had another booth where the team presented FiiO<\/strong> products. This range of products for mobile listening includes numerous portable digital audio players and a complete line of high-quality in-ear headphones. What caught my eye was FiiO<\/strong>‘s small CP13<\/em> portable cassette player. It’s the rebirth of the 1980s cassette Walkman<\/em>, and time will tell if the market takes the bait. Priced at $150 and available in a range of colors, this little device is sure to appeal to a younger clientele with a thirst for vintage trends. Still, hats off to the FiiO<\/strong> team for their audacity!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At Phonographe and Luna Cables, exceptional musicality.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Montreal distributor Phonographe<\/strong> and manufacturer Luna Cables<\/strong> presented a fabulous audio system with a totally enchanting tone. It included a Master Series 14-4<\/em> turntable from The Wand<\/strong>, a phono preamplifier and hybrid integrated amplifier from Thoress<\/strong>, and EVO-1<\/em> loudspeakers from AudioNec<\/strong>. The whole set was connected, of course, with Orange Series<\/em> Luna<\/strong> cables.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Everything, absolutely everything, about this audio system was out of the ordinary, starting with the turntable. With its huge, belt-driven 14″\u00a0platter, superb carbon-fiber unipivot<\/em> arm and solid plywood wood base, The Wand<\/strong>‘s 14-4<\/em> turntable really stands out from the crowd, and offers some of the highest sound quality available. All it needed was a simple Denon<\/strong> DL-103<\/em> cartridge, and its addictive musicality shines through. What’s remarkable is the almost total absence of surface noise during disc playback. Luna<\/strong>‘s Rouge<\/em> step-up transformer certainly had something to do with this.<\/span><\/p>\n

The signal from the turntable was then fed to the Thoress<\/strong> phono preamplifier. This entirely hand-crafted device from Germany is a true jewel of high-level electronics. Just look at the incredible care taken in its assembly, where everything is done point by point<\/em>, without any printed circuit boards. What’s more, this device offers a highly flexible adjustment palette for different cartridges. Next up was the Thoress<\/strong> hybrid integrated amplifier, which is certainly not lacking in interest either, as it manages the tour de force of offering the sound of a Single-Ended<\/em> tube amplifier with the control and power of a transistor amp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally, AudioNec<\/strong>‘s extraordinary Evo\u00a01<\/em> loudspeakers completed the set. These French-origin loudspeakers are very special indeed, and this was the first time they had been presented in Montreal. Based on a pair of cylindrical transducers with a vertically placed voice coil, this transducer emits both front and rear frequencies in a range from 400\u00a0Hz to 10\u00a0kHz. It is complemented in the bass by a 10″\u00a0woofer<\/em> and in the extreme treble by a high-quality conventional tweeter<\/em>. The beauty of these AudioNec<\/strong> loudspeakers is that they can be upgraded to higher EVO<\/em> models simply by adding bass modules. An ideal way to upgrade your speakers while protecting your initial investment, which is quite brilliant!<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of this set left me speechless. Probably one of the best at the show, with perfect tonality, impeccable detail and a perfect balance between musicality and resolution. My Best of the Show<\/em>, easily!<\/span><\/p>\n

More to come soon …<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Focal-Naim, a world to discover. North American distributor Focal-Naim was, as usual, well represented at the Salon Audio de Montr\u00e9al, with a huge hall featuring numerous demonstrations. The first booth that caught my eye was the one dedicated to the various models of Focal headphones. I spent some time listening to Focal‘s Clear\u00a0MG model, whose […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":42217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2723,2707,2725],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hifi","category-home-theater","category-whats-new","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42230"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42266,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42230\/revisions\/42266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42217"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}