LATEST ADDITIONS

That calling the goings on in Roy Hall's Music Hall room "the real world" is indicative of just how bizarre this business can be. Along with shots of single-malt, Hall and his partner Leland Leard demoed some new reasonably priced analog gear including this $599 Creek MM/MC phono preamp that's dip-switch configurable and given Mike Creek's experience and track record, probably sounds very fine.

Zanden introduced its new Model 120 prototype phono preamp, the company's first solid-state design. The estimated price is $7500. I have no more details to report other than that it sounded good playing a Buddy Guy lacquer I brought to the show.

Bob Graham introduced the new Phantom Elite tonearm at CES 2013 mounted on the eye-catching $85,000 Air Force One turntable he is distributing in the United States (currently under review). The 'table is designed by legendary Micro-Seiki creator Hideaki Nishikawa, with whom I had a long and productive chat at the show about the design.

Using the experience gained designing a direct drive motor for the Brinkmann Oasis and Bardo, Helmut Brinkmann is now building his own motors for use with the belt drive models in the line. I thought you'd like to see it.