There is a lot of news from this years CES 2017.
To begin Zanden Audio Systems Model 3100 preamplifier received a Product of the Year Award for Outstanding Performance from Soundstage. Garrett Hongo (SoundStage! Ultra, May 2016) described it as “Attractive, compact, and a sonic wonder, the Zanden 3100 preamp is one of the finest contributions to high-end sound I've ever heard.” The award was presented during the show to Zanden's North American distributor, Eric Pheils. Read the original review here.
With the release of the model 3000mk2 preamplifier, Zanden Audio has completed refreshing their Classic series of components. At CES 2017 We demonstrated the model 1200mk3 phonostage, 3000mk2 preamplifier and 9600mk2 mono amplifiers. We also used our own cabling and acoustic treatments, including a number of AT-1s (acoustic tubes) and AP-1s (acoustic panels). Our partners at Grand Prix Audio and Kharma International supplied the turntable and isolation systems, and speakers respectively. Please read the comments below from a number of journalists and reviewers who visited our room over the four day event.
"We've saved perhaps the best until last. Zanden Audio announced the new 3000mk 2 tube preamplifier with transformer coupled inputs and outputs. This $23,000 line preamplifier was being used in a full Zanden analogue only system, with a Grand Prix Audio Monaco 2.0 turntable (with 12” Tri-Planar Ultimate arm and Air Tight PC-1S cartridge) and full Grand Prix Audio Silverstone/Formula shelf and platform system, all into Kharma dB-9S floorstanding loudspeakers. This is not a cheap system (around $250,000 including room treatment and cables) but it was a system of great refinement, depth, clarity, and effortlessness… the perfect thing to set you up for the flight back to London."
--- Alan Sircom, CES 2017 Show Report, hi-fi+"One of my faves, Zanden Audio, was showing its Model 9600 monoblock amplifiers and new 3000mk2 preamplifier with Kharma's $37,500 dB-9S three-way floorstanders, sourced by a Grand Prix 2.0 turntable with Tri-Planar 12" 'arm and Air Tight PC-1S cartridge. This was a lovely-sounding exhibit with rich timbre and excellent articulation of detail on Kind of Blue, wonderful dynamic life, solid bass (great kickdrum), and realistic tone color on The Band, and lovely air around all voices and instruments (and this in a small room)."
---Jonathan Valin, CES 2017 Show Report, The Absolute SoundSpeaking of Zanden's model 3000mk2 preamplifier Julie Mullins writes, "This shiny beauty looks as exquisite as it sounds—ditto the Model 9600mk2 mono amps ($57,200) and 1200mk3 tube phono equalizer ($25k). Paired with Kharma dB-9S speakers ($37.5k) and a Grand Prix Monaco 2.0 turntable ($37.5k) fitted with Air Tight PC-1S cart ($8500), this was an outstanding setup. I wished I’d been able to listen to longer."
---Julie Mullins, CES 2017 Show Report, The Absolute SoundResponding to a question about the Zanden room at CES 2017 Amir Majidimehr of Audio Science Review wrote, "it sounded very nice. A lot of rooms were too damped causing the imaging to be narrow and in between speakers. I don't recall this being an issue here though. They did not go overboard and damp the sides too as a number of companies had done."
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?22205-ces-2017-Any-Requests/page5
