Everyone loves a deal and have we got the deals for you! But seriously, we look to make our trade in components, demonstration stock and specials from suppliers as good a value propositions as you can get. We’ve just updated our listings with a series of components, so scroll down and see what’s on offer...
- NUPRIME END OF LINE SPECIALS – There’s a lot going on with NuPrime right now with and ever broadening range and new models on the way. So it’s time to make some room. Here are 4 fantastic amplifiers both separates and integrated units…
- MCX-2 550 watt per channel stereo power amplifier. This is the most fun you can cram into one box; an almost insane amount of power combined with real music making ability. Even the replacement – the Fusion 2X – is slightly less powerful and made to order only at NZ$4750. I’m a huge fan of this model – within the NuPrime range it’s a bit of a standout – I’ve written a lot about the MCX-2. “The MCX-2 makes an immediate impression with its power – the depth in bass performance, increase in volume and all round solidity cannot be denied. A part of this is due to the high sensitivity and gain so we have to be careful when comparing it too other amplifiers in this regard but as you take the volume up, it just keeps going. While Nuprime’s high end amplifiers strive for neutrality and accuracy, the MCX-2 casts a very distinct signature with both a midrange richness and almost brutal low-end. I’ve heard this sound before and love it – big tubed Marshall guitar amplifiers.” Was NZ$3700 – last one at $2995.
- IDA-8 Integrated Digital Amplifier – 100 watts per channel. This might be Nuprime’s longest running and best selling model. As the family it’s part of – the 9 Series – has improved and grown, it was inevitable that we’d see some trickle down. While not yet released, the IDA-9 (maybe with an X) draws upon the highly capable new pre and power amplifiers – the all analogue PRA-9x, DAC-9x and STA-9x. The IA-9X is the fully analogue integrated option. Pre-release info suggests the IDA-9 will be considerably more powerful and is likely to come in at around NZ$2800. Go searching and you’ll find this is a model with plenty of good reviews. “In summary, the IDA-8 is a winner, and a force to be reckoned with in its category (and beyond it). Though a touch dark in character (à la Class D), it delivers substance and warmth with speed, resolution, and plenty of gusto—and does so from an astonishingly quiet background. It has a slightly digital-like sound in its detail resolution but doesn’t cross the line into the overly analytical. A well-conceived Class A/Class D hybrid that doesn’t want for power or clarity, the IDA-8 ought to find itself on the audition short list of a wide range of hi-fi hobbyists, from newbies to more experienced audiophiles. I’m considering purchasing my review sample. Highly recommended.” Was $2350 – one only in black $1800.
- Omnia A-300-SE streaming integrated amplifier – 150 watts per channel. Streaming hadn’t really taken off when NuPrime designed their first integrated amps. But it’s at the centre of what the Omnia A-300 SE does. “The Omnia A-300SE is the effective replacement reference level IDA-16 which has had a long and successful run. But it’s a completely different conception, for while being similar in output power and some elements of internal design, it does much more. The clue really is in the name and somehow the Omnia lives up to this – it does almost everything, and does it very well while still maintaining a character all of its own.” Read more here. It may take a little while to get your head around all that the A-300-SE can do – it’s seriously feature rich but this in no way compromises the sound quality; if anything it allows you to get even more out of it – was $2995 – again, one only in black at NZ$2400.
- STA-100 stereo power amplifier 100 watts per channel. This is not your average amplifier. It’s the power supply that’s the beating heart of this unique amplifier. The ‘Adaptive Voltage Switching Power Supply’ is an electrical turbocharger. Just like a turbocharger on a small car engine delivers a big jump in power yet still has great fuel economy. Almost every other amplifier out there separates the power supply from the musical signal and passively draws upon that power to work. The STA-100 has a cleverly designed loop that senses the incoming musical signal and then steps the power supply up as required to amplify it. And you can really hear how this works. At low levels you don’t need much power and so it’s just doing what it needs to do. That’s why it’s so quiet and allows more detail through. And why it runs so cool and can be so small. Learn more. The STA-100 was a proving ground for this technology which has lead directly to the new Fusion X series and so it’s been incorporated in this range and is still a current model. An absolute steal at it’s orginal price of NZ$1200 and even better at just $800
- Lumin L1 2TB music server $1295 – open box demo only unit (silver) – was $2000.
The Lumin L1 is the precursor to the mighty L2 Music library and network switch (starting at NZ$6800) which is a story in itself that you can read about here. Essentially a simpler version, the original L1was designed as the no compromise storage source for for the Lumin players.
The L1 is an ethernet server so connects to your modem or router. As part of your home network it then streams music to your player. The ethernet connection is faster and carries more data than the lower cost option of an external USB drive. The sound quality delivered by the L1 is better due to it’s physical isolation and solid casework plus external power supply. It features a direct USB connection for transferring your music library from your computer – which is in many ways the last place you want all your music given both the sonic compromise and risk of loosing everything in a hard drive failure. There’s an easy ‘how to’ guide for setting up the L1 here.
Once connected, all your music appears in the Lumin app. It’s fast and intuitive, but best of all the Lumin software is both free and continually being improved – they now have a track record spanning over a decade and even though the L1 is now replaced by the L2, support is on going.
- NuForce AVP 18 multichannel DAC and preamp
This is a really interesting and highly capable component that combines serious sound quality with surround sound and multiple digital inputs including HDMI. “The NuForce AVP-18 sounds like a preamplifier-processor built by audiophiles for audiophiles… If you think of the AVP-18 as a DAC that just happens to decode the hi-res audio formats found on Blu-rays, then you understand what it is and what it does. The NuForce AVP-18 is a bargain for what it offers: excellent home-theatre performance that would be perfectly at home in a high-performance system.”
The AVP 18 has 5 HDMI inputs including the ARC output, 2 coax, 2 optical and one Bluetooth via USB – outputs are via 8 RCA sockets. There’s manual operation via the front panel and a much more button intensive remote control. We’ve set it up for our own use with Apple TV and our beloved Loewe – it’s just great in terms of sound quality in stereo. We sold a surprising number of these new, it does a great job with up to 7.1 multichannel, limited only by the quality of power amplifier/s you attach to it.
All this can over complicate what you may well end up using the AVP-18 for – it’s a genuinely great sounding DAC for just music and stereo and a very good preamp to boot so you have full volume control.
And if you look at the style and size of the AVP 18 you can draw a straight line to the current NuPrime Evolution flagship models. Really it’s the perfect antidote to the over complicated madness of the modern Audio Video Receiver. If you’re into music videos, this is the one to beat. $500.
- Lumin D2 Network Player trade in $2500.
Lumin are at the top of their game and their streaming components are as good as it gets. We’ve had series of clients recently upgrade their systems with the latest top line models so you get the chance to own a near new Lumin for a fraction of the new price.
The D2 in black that’s just been traded in – and fully updated with the latest firmware (18.0) . While just replaced by the new D3 at NZ$5000, it delivers a captivating performance as the many reviews can attest. This particular unit has done sterling service in a seriously high end system for only 12 months and has been replaced by the X1. Sold as new, with original packing, a 12 month warranty and our highest recommendation.
Want an absolute killer system with the Lumin D2? Look no further than NuPrimes latest and most affordable power amplifier yet – the 100 watt per channels STA-100 at just $1200 – the sound from these two components is nothing short of astonishing and quite seriously, we’ve got cables that cost more.
- Handcrafted audio rack – $650
Absolutely one of a kind and irreplaceable, this rack was custom built for us some years ago and has been constantly admired with offers made but we were always reluctant to part with it. Made of very old recycled solid heart rimu, with gently curved uprights and carefully rebated joints, it’s as much a work of art as a useful piece of furniture. The shelving is sufficiently wide for any standard audio componentry but it could be used for considerably more interesting things should you wish.
We’ve applied many coats of quality furniture oil over the years we’ve had it and each time it seems to glow just that much more. It’s very stable and strong and quite probably sounds better than many purpose built audio racks. We’ve had a lifelong aversion to cheap racks that look like an oil rig in your living room and it’s only the arrival of a sleek Italian made carbon fibre that has finally provided us with an alternative.
Because of the solid construction it will be possible to ship this anywhere in Aotearoa.
The 4 shelves each have a useable area of 450 x 270mm.
The footprint is 540mm wide x 400 deep and height is 820mm
Anyone who has ever got a piece of custom furniture made will appreciate both the work that has gone into this rack and the value it represents. It will only become greater over time.
- STAX SRS 3100 electrostatic ear speaker system
This is the complete Stax entry level system – the SR L 300 Lambda series electrostatic headphones plus the SRM-252S driver (headphone amp) and all cables included.
So it will work with any system, sounds fantastic and blows any comparably priced speakers of headphones into the weeds. Our page here $1300 – new $1800 save $500 on new price.
- Sound Creations Symphony audio rack – $400
This is one of the nicest looking and best finished racks Sound creations produced. The unit has 3 smoked glass shelves, rimu inserts on the corners of the steel frame and has castors fitted. We can also provide the appropriate spikes if you’d prefer. It’s double length so can take 6 or more full sized components and unlike the picture above also has a cable management channel which also provides extra strength.
This rack is in very good condition having originally been our best show room model and taken home when we moved from home. The construction is fully welded and this is most definitely not a cheap flat pack. Any new alternative that’s even slightly comparable will be considerably more costly these days. Because of the glass shelves, size and weight it’s not really viable to freight by courier so in this case it’s pickup only.
The only reason we’re selling this is the impending arrival of the new ‘Bassocontinuo‘ racking systems from Italy. These are going to be a whole new ballgame so if you want something even more special we’ll have them very soon…
Specials – freight & warranty – Because the specials are all discounted, we do have to charge freight for out-of-town clients. All components will be safely packed in original packaging if available or appropriate boxes. Normal warranty applies on new components.
How To Order – Once you’ve made your decision and are ready to order, we’ll make it easy for you. Either phone us on 0800 909–101 or e-mail and we can get your address and all details confirmed. For payment more and more people prefer to use internet banking – email us to get account details.