The
Edge Audio and Von Schweikert Program - Sunday, May
19, 2002
The May 2002 meeting of the Atlanta Audio Society
was held at the Variety Playhouse lobby, located
in the Little Five Points arts district of Atlanta.
The program spotlighted electronics by Edge Electronics,
and our featured speaker was co-designer, Stephen
Norber. We also featured the new Von Schweikert VR-5
Hovland Special Edition (HSE) 3-way tower loudspeaker.
Our host for the afternoon was Variety Playhouse
owner and retailer, Stephen Harris. He and his partner
Brad Syna also run Playhouse Audio, which carries
high-end audio and accessories. Their lines include
Edge Electronics, Electrocompaniet, Von Schweikert,
VPI, Acoustic Zen, Usher and others.
Before introducing Stephen Norber, Audio Society
president Bob Levy presented Chuck Bruce a large
gift certificate to Tower Records in appreciation
for the 15+ years of hard work he has done in setting
up great programs for the monthly Audio Society meetings.
His tireless efforts were roundly applauded by all
present, and the Society thanks him for his ongoing
work!
Stephen Harris then introduced Stephen Norber of
Edge, whom he had met at the Consumer Electronic
Shows and decided to become a dealer. Stephen first
spoke a little about the history of Edge Electronics,
which started out in 1985 as a speaker manufacturer
that got "burned" by a non-paying wholesale customer.
He and co-designer Tom Aker then took Edge into the
repair of high-end electronics, where they saw many
different designs and decided that they could do
better. In 1987, they started Edge, the manufacturer
in Cape Coral, Florida, although the repair shop
still exists in Boulder, Colorado.
Stephen went into some detail about the design philosophies
of their equipment, emphasizing that they strived
for "linearity and efficiency of energy use" in their
work. He described that they use only one type of
transistor in their amps, "NPN" devices. This greatly
reduces crossover distortion (by a factor of 10).
They also put custom built transformers in their
amps that run at no less that 96% efficiency. Another
very innovative design feature of their top end amplifier
products is the use of lasers shining directly into
the power amp transistor substrates (as a coherent
light source, ordering the flow of electrons) for
even more efficiency and precise bias control. This
producing further clarity, speed and definition.
With this said, it was obvious something positive
was going on here as the speed and dynamics were
about as good as it gets. The preamp we were using,
their Signature One model, uses battery power for
a very nice sound. It even includes a built-in battery
charger! And you can switch to AC on a moments notice
if the battery runs low after many hours of playing.
We then had an opportunity to listen to the amps,
using both CD’s and vinyl. The equipment included
the Signature One preamp, NL-10 power amp, and the
new Electrocompaniet 24/192 (up sampling) CD player.
We also enjoyed vinyl on a VPI LP system. The speakers
were the Von Schweikert Audio VR-5 model with the
Hovland Special Edition upgrade. All cables were
from Acoustic Zen. Everything we played sounded absolutely
beautiful, including jazz, female vocals, orchestra,
college choir and vintage LP's. Several folks commented
that this was the best sound they had heard for quite
a while. The speed and definition was second to none
and LP was likely the champ for the day with the
marvelous Lyra Helikon cartridge.
The performance of the new Von Schweikert VR-5 3-way
towers were equal to the task and made a good pairing
with the electronics and accessories. Open, extremely
fast, airy with strong and quick bass, this loudspeaker
should appeal to past and new VS fans alike. And
of course fit and finish is first rate with the finest
wood veneers and cabinetry.
Our host’s shop is on the web
at: http://www.playhouseaudio.com. Edge Electronics is at http://www.edgeamp.com.
Yet another great
program, and again our thanks to all who worked
so hard and traveled so far to put it on! Also,
our special thanks again to our hosts, Stephen
Harris and Brad Syna, and to our speaker Stephen
Norber.Hurray for Hollywood, this was truly a terrific
program - among the best of the best.
Respectfully
Submitted
Thomas Horner & Chuck Bruce
Secretary,
AAS
5/20/2002
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