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Melbourne Audio Club monthly meeting - Synergy AV presents Cambridge Audio with Rega and Sonus Faber with Audio Research 8pm Wednesday 20th August, visitors welcome. Willis Room, City of Whitehorse Offices Maroondah Highway (Whitehorse Road), Nunawading Melway Map 48 Ref G9 Contact: 9437 1249 It was eighteen months ago when Synergy AV demonstrated at the club, a new range of entry level speakers from Sonus Faber. This month's meeting sees the return of Synergy AV with another new model from Sonus Faber, and from Cambridge Audio, a patented speaker technology described by them as a "radical innovation". The presentation will consist of two systems, Rega electronics with Cambridge Audio speakers and Audio Research with Sonus Faber. The first system will be an all British affair with a Rega front end comprising of the Apollo CD player plus the Rega DAC. An ELEX-R amplifier will power the system with its 72 watts driving the AERO 2 speakers from Cambridge Audio. The AERO 2's comprise of a 2.25" BMR driver and a 6" woofer. The Balanced Mode Radiator, is a new and patented technology that brings a number of exceptional advantages to audio reproduction. Traditionally tweeter crossover happens at about 3kHz right at the point where our ears are most sensitive. With a BMR driver the cross-over happens at 250Hz, outside of the sensitive hearing frequencies. The meeting will continue with a second system with American electronics and Italian loudspeakers. The Audio Research VSi75 integrated valve amplifier delivers 75Wpc into 8 ohms. The amps output transformers and coupling caps, are the same as those from their Reference 75 power amp. The CD 6 form Audio Research, is a combination of a super high-resolution CD player and Digital-to-Analogue converter all in one compact chassis. The CD 6 offers disc playback via the Phillips Pro 2 transport plus four digital inputs, including USB. Partnering the electronics will be a new model of speaker from Sonus Faber, the OLYMPICA II. This new model continues the Sonus Faber tradition of "handcrafted sound" The "Lyre" shaped speaker is designed with rogressive thickness curvature cabinet walls, with solid walnut vertical clamps. This 3way Floorstander comprises of a 29mm "Arrow Point" Damped Apex Silk Domed tweeter, a 150 mm Midrange, and a 180mm Woofer. All the drivers are a trickle down from their reference speaker, AIDA. Laminar Flow Vents define vertically the cabinet design with a perforated metal grid running the total length of the back panel. Nick Karayanis Program Co-ordinator Ken Tripp Wise and Wonderful Webmaster Melbourne Audio Club, Inc. http://www.melbourneaudioclub.org.au

Synergy Audio Visual presents Sonus Faber, Audio Research and Cambridge Audio. 8pm Wednesday 20th February, visitors welcome. Willis Room, City of Whitehorse Offices Maroondah Highway (Whitehorse Road), Nunawading Melway Map 48 Ref G9 Contact: 9437 1249 Mention the name Sonus Faber and the words “handcrafted sound†comes to mind. A name that lies behind a passion for music and loudspeakers which are considered as “musical instrumentsâ€, Sonus Faber draws its inspiration from the manufacturing criteria of the Lute makers art. Craftsmanship and build quality closer to a fine musical instrument than a piece of hi fi. This craftsmanship continues with a new line of speakers called Venere. Initially unveiled at the Hong Kong Hi Fi Show in August of 2012, this new entry level model continues the classic Lute shaped cabinet. We will be listening to the Venere 2.5, a two and a half way floorstanding speaker housing two 180mm drivers with a 29mm fabric dome tweeter. With a tempered glass top and base, and a high gloss black or white finish to the body, give the speakers a more contemporary look. The electronics partnering these speakers will be Cambridge Audio’s new 851C disc spinner and the matching 851A amplifier, from the company’s prestigious Azur component line-up.More DAC than CD Player, the 851C features a USB 2 input that can accept media files up to 24 –bit/192 Khz and a selectable digital pre-amp via the remote control. The matching 120wpc integrated amplifier, features Cambridge’s proprietary Class XD technology. The meeting will continue with a second system comprising of Audio Research electronics and Sonus Faber Cremona M speakers. Delivering 200wpc and 800 watts dynamically into 4 ohms, the new integrated amplifier from Audio Research employs a unique type of “solid state hybrid†design. Combining a linear analogue power supply with a discrete analogue switching – MOSFET output stage for a highly efficient power output, and low power consumption from the mains. The DSi200 is the first product in the new “Definition Series†from Audio Research. Continuing the Sonus Faber theme for the night, the Cremona M’s are another floor standing model comprising of a 3 way vented box. This Lute shaped design combines a sandwich construction using hand selected wood layers of solid maple, finished off with a medium gloss lacquer that enhances the texture and colour of the wood. The three way comprises of a 150mm midrange, a 25mm ring radiator tweeter, and two 180mm Aluminium/Magnesium drivers take care of the bass. With a number of new components to listen too, from two of the worlds Hi End audio companies, this will be a night not to be missed. Nick Karayanis Program Co-ordinator Ken Tripp Wise and Wonderful Webmaster Melbourne Audio Club, Inc. http://www.melbourneaudioclub.org.au

SYNERGY AV Presents Two Systems, One Analogue the other Digital. 7:45pm Wednesday 20th July Willis Room, City of Whitehorse Offices Maroondah Highway (Whitehorse Road), Nunawading Melway Map 48 Ref G9 Contact: 9579 0936 For our July club meeting, we are very pleased to welcome back Synergy AV, who will be demonstrating two very different systems. The first one is based around an analogue front end from Rega. The second system is a new digital product that changes the way we collect and listen to music. Rega continues to develop new products which follow their philosophy to produce high quality products at sensible prices. The Rega System One is an all analogue system comprising of a Planer 1 turntable with matching cartridge, the IO Amplifier and a pair of KYTE speakers. The 30w/ch amp has a built in MM phono stage with two more inputs, and takes up no more space than an A4 sheet. From the amplifier runs a pair of bundled 3m speaker cables to the KYTE bookshelf speakers. The cabinets are made from a thermoplastic composite polymer which houses the 125mm woofer and a matching tweeter. Rega System One is designed to be a simple to set-up, easy to use and deliver a true analogue experience, with an RR of $2599 this is a starter kit for music lovers. The second system takes us to the other extreme, in looks, sound and price. From an analogue music kit to a standalone digital hub, the Aurender ACS10 was created to be an almost complete one-box music server. Merely add a DAC of your choice, and you have an entire digital front end capable of doing virtually everything. A streamer source that can rip and store your CD collection, as well as access all the high-res streaming services. With the Aurender taking care of the font end of the second system, the rest of the equipment will be a new amplifier from McIntosh Audio. The MA 8950 has been upgraded with the latest DAC and seven digital inputs, with USB connection it can resolve up too DSD 512. This solid state model can continually output its 200w/ch into 8, 4 & 2 Ohm loads from your speakers. Partnering the electronics will be a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica Nova II's. These three way floor standing loudspeakers employ the company's design and engineering, from the 'lute' shaped enclosure to hand stitched leather trims. The speaker combines the 28mm 'Damped Apex Dome' tweeter, with its metal 'bridge', and a custom-made 150mm Mid, while a 180mm woofer takes care of the bass frequencies. The cabinet is now made up of 8 layers of bended wood, while the veneer gets 7 layers of lacquer. Once again we are in for a real treat, with two very different systems presenting the diverse nature of 'High Fidelety', one affordable the other, to aspire. You could say that both systems have the perfect 'Synergy'. Nick Karayanis Outgoing Program Co-ordinator. Ken Tripp Wise and Wonderful Webmaster Melbourne Audio Club, Inc. http://www.melbourneaudioclub.org.au

Item: a pair of Sonus Faber Concertinos on original Sonus Faber stands. Bi-wired. Walnut and leather. Bought about 14 years ago from Encels. Location: South Yarra Price: $1,500 negotiable Item Condition: excellent Reason for selling: trading up to floor standers because the room they are in is very big (5m x 15m) Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal only

Further Information: Selling my beloved Sonus Faber Nova II Amazing speakers! I have used both the Rega Elicit R and Accuphase E380 on them and they were amazing. Don’t have the original boxes but do have the accessories boxes and grills. Thanks

Item: Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (RRP: $5999) Location: Adelaide (Will post interstate in original packaging at buyers cost) Price: $3300 Item Condition: 8/10 - Fantastic condition with only a couple of faint marks around the handmade housing if you look very hard. Drivers are mint. Great working order Reason for selling: Funding major upgrade Payment Method: Pickup - EFT, COD, Paypal (buyer to cover PayPal fees) Extra Info: These speakers have amazing clarity and surprising bass. They will image beautifully when driven with good gear. Original manufacturers stands were a bit full on for me, so I purchased Lovan isolated stands which are much more elegant - I am happy to do a deal on these as well. See http://www.sumikoaudio.net/sonus/prod_cremonaauditor.htm#spec for technical details. Plenty of glowing reviews going around: http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/sonus-faber/cremona-auditor/prd_327880_1594crx.aspx and http://www.audioaficionado.org/sonus-faber/909-sonus-faber-cremona-auditors-review-reprint.html Pictures: See below

Hi, this lovely pair of Sonus Faber Venere 2.0 were bought brand new by me for my third system before I moved to a smaller house. I doubt the speakers are even run in, they present as brand new. They sound as good as they look, all the reviews are spot on. They are from a non smoking pet free home. An additional bonus of course is they come complete with the Sonus Faber stands which are spectacular. I have the original boxes but preference given to collection as you have to hear these beauties. Some specifications follow; amp power required 50-200 Watts, 6 ohms minimum, 29mm Silk soft dome tweeter , 180mm Curv cone woofer for greater Speed & Efficiency. Bass reflex ported cabinet design. There’s lots more on the Net. I found them very easy to listen to, sound is smooth, detailed & beautifully imaged. The stands place them at the best height for lounge chair seating. More photos available on request, just ask for any you would like.