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| Letters -- August 2007 Integrateds "at a more reasonable price?" August 17, 2007 Editor, I read your review of the Vitus Audio SS-101, and it seems like quite a unit. However, in the US it is now priced at $30,000, and by almost any standard this is extreme. Do you have any other suggestions at a more reasonable price? Aram I do have a couple of options for you. First, have a look at the $6000 Simaudio Moon Evolution i-7. The review of it appeared on our SoundStage! A/V site, and you’ll see that Doug Schneider was quite taken with it. Second, I have the $12,995 Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo in route as we speak. Although I have only heard this integrated amplifier at shows, I do have some experience with Gryphon products and they are typically fantastic. Keep an eye out for the Gryphon review later in the year….Jeff Fritz Rockport, Wilson, others? August 2, 2007 Editor, I just finished reading your revealing review of the Rockport Technologies Mira. Over the years, I have become familiar with Rockport’s turntable, the Sirius, but I wasn’t familiar with their line of speakers. I am currently an owner of a pair of Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy 6es, but recently I have started to consider jumping on the upgrade train. The logical choice would be to move into the newer version of the WATT/Puppy, but after reading your review I believe I would like to audition a pair of Miras, and maybe a few other contenders, first. Since I live just outside of Spokane, Washington, my access to a Rockport dealer is quite restricted. Not being the type of audiophile to buy a speaker without first hearing it, I have decided the only course of action is to travel to a dealer, the closest one being in Chicago. But, before I buy my plane ticket, I first would like to ask you a few questions.
These days, it is really hard for an audiophile to experience high-end products, especially when you live outside of a big city. Reviewers like yourself really help to fill that void. I look forward to your responses. Kendall Register The Mira’s bass performance continues to be the best low end I’ve heard in my room -- no qualifications. This still confounds me -- I’m not really sure how to explain it. I’ve since heard the Mira in another room and that same bass articulation remains, even though the room is overall inferior to mine. I would recommend that you hear it for yourself, even if means taking a trip to Chicago. As to your ribbon question, you may gain a more prominent treble with a ribbon design, but this might not be what you want in the long term. I have a ribbon-based speaker in right now (Ascendo System M-S) and the ribbon integrates quite successfully into the whole -- it doesn’t really make itself known. On the other hand, I’ve heard designs that aren’t as successful pulling off that trick. Lastly, I stand by my review -- I have not heard anything else in the Mira’s price range (or above it considerably, for that matter) that would make me think twice about buying it….Jeff Fritz
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