Bluebird Music showed with KEF in a large room. On display were various Chord pieces as well as Exposure's new 110-watt 3010S integrated amp ($2,295) and BB PCM 1704 equipped 3010S CD Player ($2,695) which is scheduled to be reviewed by yours truly later this year. I've always had a soft spot for British hifi gear, especially integrated amps.


Gemme Audio displayed their new VFlex series single-driver Vivace (CDN$4,400) and two-way Tanto floorstanders (CDN$5,500). Both speakers were drop-dead gorgeous and sounded impressive. However, I preferred the Fostex-equipped Vivace which apparently had only 30 hours or so of break-in. Geez, I wonder what it will sound like after 300-400 hours. Gemme's Pierre Boudreau indicated that most reviewers who stopped by also preferred the Vivace but most showgoers cottoned to the Tanto, which just proves that reviewers are completely deaf. Based on my brief assessment, I'd say the Vivace would be ideal for low-power SETs and lovers of jazz and chamber music whereas large scale orchestral and rock might be better served by the Tanto. This room was always packed whenever I passed by and I noticed while I was there that people would stay for lengthy periods. There was definitely some toe-tapping occurring in this room.


In one of the Tri-Cell rooms, Dan Wright was showing off his new ModWright LS 36.5 ($4,995) preamp which sports a pair of 6H30 tubes, custom caps, a tube-rectified power supply, balanced connections, remote and phase reversal. Dan promises his new pre will "mess up" those familiar with his SWL 9.0SE. ModWright solid-state power amps are on their way later in the year. The LS 36.5 was paired with Red Dragon's Leviathan ICE powered monos ($5,995), Acoustic Zen cabling and the beautifully finished Adagio loudspeakers ($4,300) that Chip Stern rated highly in his review last August. Also on display was ModWright's SWL 9.0SE line stage ($2,495), SWP 9.0SE ($2,995) phono stage and the Basic 80 (CDN$4,999 sans tonearm) turntable from Germany's Musical Life. While I was enjoying the lovely analog sound in this room, I was asked to review the smaller stand-mounted Acoustic Zen Adagio Junior. Cool!


Lee Landesburg of Landes Imports offered his now customary good-sounding combination of the beautifully finished Italian Ars Aures loudspeakers and Art Audio amplification. New in his mix this year was Ensemble's Dirondo CD player S$8,999), Fuoco integrated amp ($6,599) and Townshend Audio's line of Seismic Sink isolation products including one designed for loudspeakers ($1,800/pr) and Townshend's Super Tweeter ($1,600/pr) seen perched above the Ars Aures Mi floorstander ($9,600). Lee is now the North American distributor for Ensemble. When Lee removed the Mis from the cradles and placed them on the floor, the soundstage collapsed, images shifted towards the individual speakers and the bass became muddy and ill defined. When he popped them back onto the cradles, the spacious 3D soundstage re-emerged and the bass tightened up with greater definition.


Norvinz/Gingko showed off Robert Lamarre's Lamhorn 1.8 ($8,500) which has never failed to impress me. The 1.8 is easily one of the best single-driver speakers I have heard. The amps were Opera Audio Consonance Cyber 211 monos ($5,500/pr) which Norvinz is distributing through their unique network of field reps who demonstrate their wares to prospective buyers through their own homes. Also on display was a Merrill-Scillia Research MS2 turntable ($10,000) with a Triplanar arm and Ortofon Jubilee cartridge. All equipment, of course, sat on Gingko's Cloud series component platforms and Platformula Rack. Kudos to Vinh Vu and Norm Ginsberg for breaking the old distributor/dealer paradigm and striking out with a unique way of reaching potential customers. This just might be the way of the future. I wish I had thought of it.


Canadian distributor Konnectson shared a room with fellow importer Europroducts and local dealer Radio St. Hubert and displayed two systems featuring ERA's tiny D4 (CDN$749) and D5 (CDN$1,099) monitors that John Potis gave the thumbs up back in July 2006, along with Creek, Sugden and Funk Firm equipment. Either system would be perfect for price-conscious music lovers with small rooms. Downstairs in one of the larger salons, Konnectson showed off System Audio's Explorer (CDN$7,999) and Ranger (CDN$5,399) floorstanders along with Nordost cabling and Isotek's line of AC conditioners. Unfortunately my close up photo of the Ranger was unusable so here's a pic from System Audio's website. This svelte floorstander sports a quartet of 10.4cm woofers and textile dome tweeter in a tapered cabinet that resembles an exclamation mark from a distance. I hope to review the Ranger later this year.


The Quinceton room had Lowthers in Academy cabinets with their upward-angled driver, Sound Mechanics TX series equipment racks, Isoclean power conditioning products and Air Tight electronics. The racks are not your average wood finished ones. Under the wood are several layers of various wood laminates, damping compound and EMI/RFI absorptive compounds. The stands were very attractively finished and I hope to have one in for review later this year.


Music Direct had lots of LPs, CDs and SACDs for those on the prowl for software as well as a nice system built around a pair of Avantgarde Acoustic Duos. I thought they sounded incredibly open, dynamic and wonderfully tactile. So did Patrick. However, I met several audiophiles who disagreed. Horns will do that. They are very much a love 'em or hate 'em breed. Also on display was South African-based Valve Audio with their 200wpc Predator hybrid integrated ($3,000) and 100wpc Exclamé 100 hybrid integrated ($1,695), Avid Acutus Reference ($19,000) turntable and EMM Labs CDSA-SE CD/SACD Player ($9,995).


The Sumiko room showed how a properly integrated sub can greatly enhance the listening experience without drawing attention to it. I have yet to hear a sub so seamlessly blended at an audio show as this one. Most folks have the crossover set way too high or the subs are nothing more than midbass boom boxes. Unless I was standing near the REL R series sub (starting at $1,195), I couldn't hear tell whether it was on or not. While I was sitting in the sweet spot, the Sumiko rep switched it off and the bottom fell out of the music. The soundstage also receded. I've tried several inexpensive subs over the last couple of years and I've heard nothing that would lure me away from my REL Q108 - except of course a bigger REL. Those Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Grands ($3,500) weren't chopped liver either. They sounded quite full, rich and detailed and not at all harsh or bright. I wouldn't mind giving these a go.


Overall, FSI 2007 was a success. Many exhibitors confided that the Montreal show is either their favorite venue or right up there in the top two or three. They all claim the laid-back friendly atmosphere as well as the quality and interest of visitors are their main reasons for this ranking. Furthermore, Montreal is a great city with plenty to offer everyone - which is why I'm bringing my entire family next year. Patrick has now rearranged his bedroom to allow for an audio system. I've given him my Red Wine Audio modded iPod, Hornshoppe Horns and an old Rotel receiver. If he continues to complete his household chores, I'll give him my Audio Zone AMP-1. Not a bad system for a 13-year old, is it?