Music

Isotek EVO3 Polaris

IsoTek EVO3 Polaris: Mains Filter
IsoTek EVO3 Polaris: Mains Filter 1024 576 Audio Excellence

R7 770

The IsoTek Polaris is a superb starting point in IsoTek Systems’ comprehensive range of mains filters and surge and lightning protection products.

Electricity is the raw material that your audio/video system uses to recreate music and movies. Unfortunately, our mains is polluted with induced frequencies from cellular communications, Wi-Fi, etc, which has a negative impact on the performance of our stereos and home theatres. Isotek deals with this by filtering out the noise and feeding clean power to our precious components.

* PRICING SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

Magico S3 Speakers in Pearl White custom high-end audio systems
Magico S3 Speakers in Pearl White high end audio systems
Magico S3 Speakers in Pearl White high end audio systems
Magico S3 Speakers in Pearl White custom high-end audio systems

White Magic
White Magic 1024 576 Audio Excellence

Equipment list:

  1. Magico S3 speakers in pearl white.
  2. Constellation Argo integrated amplifier
  3. Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 – Digital streamer
  4. Cambridge Audio 752BD – Universal disc player
  5. Supra Sword speaker and interlinking cables
  6. Crestron control
  7. Furman power conditioner
  • The client’s relationship with Audio Excellence goes back more than 20 years.
  • More than happy with his previous system of Duntech speakers and Conrad Johnson amplification.
  • A complete remodelling of his apartment brought him back into our store to look at simply updating his system to accommodate HD.
  • As we do, we played him something he didn’t specially ask for. A system consisting of Magico speakers and Constellation amplification. He was astonished by the extent to which music reproduction has advanced in the last 10 years. And so the process began.
  • The first challenge was to relocate system position which would allow the potential of the Magico S3 speakers to shine. The previous configuration had the speakers in free space. With the remodelling of the apartment, a major decision was made to swing the room 180 degrees and have a sliding door removed and bricked up.

Cabinet challenges.

  • Cabinet was painstakingly designed by the client and tweaked with input from ourselves.
  • Initially, all the electronics where to be hidden. We recommend that the gorgeous metalwork of the Constellation amplifier should be on show. This now sits centrally in the cabinet on two metal supports which creates the illusion of it floating. It also aids ventilation from top to bottom.
  • Limited space – Speaker’s feet slide under the cabinet.
  • Finish matched to pearl white of speakers.
  • Curves of speakers reflected in the cabinet.

System features.

  • Not only has the performance of equipment improved, so has functionality and ease of use.
  • CD collection stored uncompressed on NAS streamed through Cambridge Audio.
  • Universal disc player has HDMI in which accepts signal from HD decoder to make use of its better DACS and facilitate switching.
  • A basic Crestron system makes the system a breeze to use. Although the client still keeps the Constellations impressive remote handy.

Performance:

  • The biggest compliment to the system is that the client says he listens to more music than ever before with large portions of a weekend now devoted to music.
  • The system proves that high-performance audio can be integrated into a home.
  • Sound is incredibly musical, none fatiguing, detailed and a real treat to listen to.
Stereo vs Home Theatre

Should I get a home theatre or a stereo system?
Should I get a home theatre or a stereo system? 1024 576 Audio Excellence

This depends on how the system is going to be used and what one’s performance expectations are. A dedicated two-channel stereo system will always deliver a more musically satisfying performance and a home theatre will provide a more dramatic and engaging cinema experience.

Ideally one would have two separate systems; in practice, most of our clients require a system that has a level of competence for both music and movies.

The real issue lies with the very different requirements that music and movies have. Movie soundtracks have a very wide dynamic range, dialogue and on-screen effects are mixed to play on a centre channel speaker, surround effects for ambience as well as directional steering, and have a dedicated bass channel. Music recordings are almost always mixed to play in two-channel stereo, are typically dynamically compressed and truly deep bass effects are rare.

In a music system, correct pitch and timbre are absolutely critical for instruments to sound realistic. This is less important in a theatre where speakers which can handle dynamics are necessary. In a theatre, we are also less critical of audio due to our attention often being focused on the screen. Audio in a theatre has a supportive role whereas audio in a stereo system needs to excel on its own.

For a home theatre, a sub woofer’s function is to supply room-shaking effects and for music one requires a tuneful accurate bass that integrates seamlessly with one’s speakers. If the above seems confusing, then the best advice is to come through to our showroom where we can discuss and clarify your requirements and demonstrate different options for you.

Over the years we have had many clients who initially approached us for a theatre but eventually purchased a stereo system and vice versa. Our objective is to supply you with the most balanced and appropriate system.

High End Stereo and Home Theatre
High End Stereo and Home Theatre
High End Stereo and Home Theatre
High End Stereo and Home Theatre

High-End Stereo and Home Theatre meet
High-End Stereo and Home Theatre meet 1024 576 Audio Excellence

High-quality stereo music playback and home theatre are two very different experiences. Where budget and space allow, we recommend having both a dedicated cinema and a pure stereo listening music room. In this case, the client insisted on having both in the same space.

Mission accomplished.

At the centre of this very special system is a pair of Magico S7s, a speaker which can deliver true high-end music and with three 10inch woofers can deal with the dynamics of a movie soundtrack. These are driven by 400W Constellation monoblock amplifiers. Two JL Audio subwoofers are in place, one for the LFE of a movie soundtrack and the other to supplement the two front speakers. Four overhead speakers, four surround speakers, laser projection and acoustic treatment round things off. An absolute system which is a true treat to experience.

Cable Dressing and Management
Cable Dressing and Management
Cable Dressing and Management
Cable Dressing and Management

Wired for Sound
Wired for Sound 1024 576 Audio Excellence

Not the glamorous part of an installation, but one which we pride ourselves on, is ensuring correct cable dressing and management. This system has distributed audio and HD video, music streaming, network, and smart control.  

KEF R Series Floorstanding Speakers
KEF R Series Floorstanding Speakers
KEF R Series Floorstanding Speakers
KEF R Series Floorstanding Speakers

Intelligent Component Choice
Intelligent Component Choice 1024 576 Audio Excellence

Creating good sound in open-plan environments can be challenging. Here a stunning pair of KEF R series floor-standing speakers fit perfectly into a client’s home with equipment and bass reinforcement concealed.

Bi-Amplification
Bi-Amplification

Technical Hi-Fi Term: Bi-Amplification
Technical Hi-Fi Term: Bi-Amplification 1024 576 Audio Excellence

In a bi-amplified speaker system, two separate frequency bandwidths are powered by independent amplifiers. e.g. tweeter and midrange drivers are powered by one channel in an amplifier and the bass driver by another. This typically translates to a more coherent sound as there is no muddling of bass and top frequencies in the amplifier.

The pictures show a KEF R series speaker bi-amplified by a Yamaha AV receiver. 

ClearAudio Van
ClearAudio Van
ClearAudio Van
ClearAudio Van

Taking Your Turntable For A Spin!
Taking Your Turntable For A Spin! 1024 576 Audio Excellence

As part of Clearaudio’s 40th anniversary, the great German turntable manufacturer, has taken another iconic Teutonic product, a 1978 VW Kombi and pimped its sound system.

Now, take me to the autobahn!

Yamaha YSP-1 Product Feature
Yamaha YSP-1 Product Feature
Yamaha YSP-1 Product Feature

Blast From The Past!!
Blast From The Past!! 1024 576 Audio Excellence

When the Yamaha YSP-1 was launched in 2005, it was so far ahead of the curve that there wasn’t even a term to describe it. The unit featured 2×4.5 and 40 x 2.5 inch powered drivers. Each of the 2.5-inch drivers had sophisticated DSP which simulated surround and fronts by creating a ‘beam’ and reflecting it off walls. This was truly a product ahead of its time and to this day Yamaha is the soundbar to beat.

Magico Conrad Hi-Fi System Upgrade
Magico Conrad Hi-Fi System Upgrade
Magico Conrad Hi-Fi System Upgrade
Magico Conrad Hi-Fi System Upgrade

High-End Musical Bliss
High-End Musical Bliss 1024 576 Audio Excellence

A very special pure stereo system – Magico A3 speakers, Conrad-Johnson tube amplification throughout, Linn LP12 turntable, Lumin network player, Supra cabling, and Bluehorizon equipment stand. 

Start Typing