Audio Ark

Nano, Nano, Shazbot!

The new Bluesound NODE NANO has arrived.

We think this little tyke will redefine the sub-five-hundred-dollar streaming category. Without boring you with the specs, the NANO will likely offer similar performance to the highly vaunted NODE, for just $399.00.

Qed Cables Performance XT25 Speaker Cable: Superb sonics and value.

"Because QED is committed to 'top-down' design principles, it was only a matter of time before its extraordinary X-Tube technology became democratised. By deploying techniques developed in speaker cable costing far more, QED delivers Performance XT25: an affordable speaker cable that sounds like a flagship cable."

You don't have to take our word for it:

"Offering a sense of clarity in terms of midrange performance, with a low noise expression that aided both transparency but also tonal accuracy, the XT25 cables bring a sense of hi-fi luxury at a low price."

The Audiophile Man, Deeply Groovy Award

"We know QED for sensational levels of clarity and detail, and, even at this lower price, it doesn’t disappoint. This kind of transparency is difficult for rivals to match"

What Hi-Fi?, 5 Stars

MSRP - $199.00 / 3.0m pr.

My Morning.

I spent a good portion of the morning readying this Audio Research PH9 phono stage for pick up. This beautifully crafted device sounded great out of the box, but like all ARC products, it'll start to sound its best in a couple hundred hours. It's always such a joy to work with their products.

I have to say, I do like the choice of the OG ARC colourway!

A Big Thank You!

I just want to thank everyone who came down on Saturday. Thank you for all your kind words, but most importantly, for your support over the years. Without you, our friends and customers, Audio Ark would not be possible.

Let's do this, people!!!

Man, I love my job!

Last night we had a great hang with some like-minded folks discussing the relative merits of the Technics SL1200 variants and Ortofon Concorde Music cartridges.

This morning, I delivered a customer's Oracle Delphi v.7 turntable, freshly serviced, and with a new Hana cartridges Umami Red moving coil cartridge installed.

What a time to be alive.

Tonight's the Night!

I'm absolutely gased to be hosting a comparative Technics turntable demonstration. We'll be comparing the SL-1500C (not pictured) the SL-1200MK7, the SL-1210GR2 and the SL-1200G, using an OrtofonConcorde Bronze cartridge. All to be played through Moonriver electronics, Revival Audio Atalante 4 loudspeakers, AudioQuest power products, and Luna Cables interconnects and speaker cables.

Demos begin at 6:30. See you tonight!

Join us at Audio Ark on August 24th to celebrate the one, the only, your favorite.... SIMON! Unlock 30% off this weekend at Audio Ark 10745 124 Street NW. See you Saturday!

Audio Ark The official Facebook fan page of Audio Ark.

We are most certainly in goosebump territory.

I have listened to 'Yr" by Steve Tibbetts for roughly 40 years. I have never heard it sound this good. The Magnepan 30.7s are truly revelatory.

Not something you see everyday.

Hopefully we will have 'em hooked up and singing by the end of the day.

Why not join us next Wednesday evening, August 21st, for a comparative listening session, where we'll explore the sonic merits of four different Technics decks.

The return of the Challenge System.

In the early nineties, the OG Challenge System consisted of a Denon receiver, a Denon CD player and a pair of Paradigm Titan loudspeakers. It was musically satisfying, easy to use, reliable, and it sold for a thousand bucks. Models came and went, but concept of a high value audio system remained. Eventually, prices crept up and the “Challenge System” was reduced to a memorable foot note in our storied history.

Well, I’m happy to say the “Challenge System 2024” is back! I think having a great sounding, high value, and technologically relevant audio system is extremely important. More so, I’m proud that we can once again offer a thousand-dollar audio system.

This new look system consists of the WiiM Amp, a pair of Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf loudspeakers and is looped together with AudioQuest SLIP14/2 speaker cable. While honouring the spirit of the original, this reboot is a serious upgrade.

On permanent demonstration. Drop by for a listen, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

The Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze - Arguably the sweet spot in the line up.

Excellent detail, honeyed tone and an expansive sound stage. Quite lovely.

An informative session.

Yesterday afternoon, we were lucky enough to have Technics product specialist, John Healey in the store. John led us through the entire range of the Technics turntables supplemented with comparative listening. It was extremely enlightening to have all 4 decks lined up, and the comparison was seamless thanks to a quick switch of an Ortofon Concorde Music cartridge.

The demo was so much fun, we decided to it for you! Why not join us on the evening of Wednesday, August 21st, where I'll attempt to recreate this demo. If you are interested or would like more details, just email [email protected].

Mystery Revealed - Introducing the dCS Varèse Music System.

The Varèse represents an all out assault on state-of-the-art digital music reproduction.

"The Varèse Music System comprises five components: a Core; a User Interface, an optional Master Clock, and two Mono DACs – one for each audio channel. It also includes a dedicated Varèse Remote Control and a new app, dCS Mosaic ACTUS. A dedicated CD/SACD Transport will also be available from 2025."

"dCS Varèse reimagines playback for a new era, utilising a suite of new innovations to bring listeners an even more immersive and revealing musical experience...."

Here are some recent additions to our Gently Used/Consignment Section.

Bryston TF-2 Step Transfomer - $800.00
Unison Research Sinfonia Tube Amplifier - $3400.00
iFi - micro iphono 3 phono stage $1000.00
Meze Classic 99 headphones - $275.00
Grado Platinum (Low) Moving Iron cartridge - $250.00
New TUNG-SOL 12AX7 / JAN Philips 12AT7WC - $150.00 set of 4.

Here's a complete listing of our trade and consignment items.

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/userads.php?user_id=76525

We are actively seeking high quality used gear for consignment.

Covert Operations.

Not sure what's going over at DCS.

Found this picture in my in box this morning. More to follow on Wednesday. I'm sworn to secrecy, which will be pretty easy considering I don't have the faintest idea what it is!

Our latest newsletter is out today!

If you aren't receiving this and would like to, simply rappel to the foot of the homepage at www.audioark.com and fill in the blanks.

The Q Acoustics 5000 Series.

The continuous curve cone and the silky smooth soft dome tweeter ensure long hours listenability with this superb range of loudspeakers.

Ortofon 2M Series - The Colours of Music.

The Ortofon 2M Series was introduced in 2008 and has remained a perennial best seller ever since. Whether it's the entry level 2M Red or the "I can't believe that's not a moving coil" 2M Black LVB250, there's something for every music lover in the line up.

Available in:

- Standard 1/2" mount.
- 2MR for Rega (no VTA shenanigans).
- 2M Concorde Music (for S-shaped tonearms)
- 2M Premounted Cartridges (for S-shaped tonearms)
- 2M Verso (for vintage Thorens w/ underside mount)
- 2M Mono and 2M78 (not available in Concorde Music)

Priced from $134.00.

Here's something you don't see very often.

The recently launched Cambridge Audio CXA81MKII has been comprehensively reworked and the price has dropped a hundred and fifty bucks. While remaining visually identical (the "81" was dropped), the MK2 is adorned with a brand new digital section, featuring the ESS ES9018K2M DAC. The preamplifier and power amplifier sections have be tweaked and reworked. As good as the original was, this latest version is simply better in all departments.

We just took an OG CXA81 on trade, so if you're curious, we can always do a comparative demo.

MSRP - $1699.99.

REKKORD - The Latest Name in Vinyl Care.

"The new REKKORD RCM is a high-performance record cleaning machine with an ultra-powerful vacuum motor and cleaning efficiency that far exceeds the typical performance characteristics of other cleaners in this price-range. To effectively clean the grooves, you need to wet clean the record. The REKKORD RCM completely cleans records in two rotations with its super powerful vacuum motor. The very best results are achieved with one rotation forward followed by one backwards. To achieve the perfect cleaning, we also need a suitable cleaning fluid. Alcoholic cleaning fluids can destroy musical micro information of the grooves. That‘s the reason why we use an eco-friendly non-alcoholic cleaning fluid. The aluminium surface is able to withstand excessive fluid spill without compromising the chassis. The REKKORD RCM is made in Europe with high quality materials and an excellent build-quality."

MSRP - $900.00

In Stock - Luna Cables Gris power cables.

Affordable Excellence.

The "Luna Gris AC power cable is comprised of three 16 gauge tin-plated copper conductors, chosen for their long-term electrical stability and sonic focus. The rubberized dielectric absorbs micro vibrations to control resonance while minimizing electromagnetic interactions. Dielectric paper envelops a rubberized material chosen for its absorption qualities. A tinned copper braided shielding is also used to restrict electromagnetic and radio frequency interactions. The outer insulation is also rubberized. Finally, as with all our cables, the outer jacket is made of unbleached and hand-dyed 100% cotton, chosen for its flexibility and supplemental damping of resonance."

From $600.00 and available in 15A, 20A and C7 terminations.

Gotta Have Meters!!!

We managed to get a couple of the limited edition Cambridge Audio EVO150 DeLorean Edition. There are only 1000 units for the world, so they'll likely disappear quickly.

The Salient Facts:

- Unique bare metal design – inspired by the iconic DeLorean DMC-12.

- Custom styling options – bare metal or signature front grille side panels.

- Powerful 150 Watts per channel – capable of driving 2 sets of speakers.

- StreamMagic Gen 4 module – for an unparalleled streaming experience.

- Bluetooth aptX HD – for hi-res playback from & to compatible devices.

- Multiroom Capability – compatible with Google Home, Apple Airplay and Roon multiroom systems.

- Integrated MM Phono Stage – for a wide choice of turntables.

Photo from eCoustics.

Battle of the Black Boxes.

I spent some time with the WiiM Pro Plus Streamer over the weekend. While the Cambridge Audio MXN10 probably edged it sonically, the sound and flexibility of the WiiM is absolutely ridiculous for three hundred bucks. The new clubhouse leader in affordable streaming.

The new Revival Audio Atalante Colourway.

Picked this up on the 'Gram earlier today.

Photos courtesy of Revival Audio.

In the midst of greatness - The Hana Umami Blue Low Output Moving Coil.

Turntable TLC.

We have a few turntables in the store to be serviced. In the bottom of the frame, we have an Oracle (Jacques Riendeau)Delphi V Anniversary Edition with a Kuzma Stogi arm and Koetsu Rosewood moving coil. This one appears unscathed from a flood but we will give it a thorough examination. To the right is a Rega Research P5 with a minor speed issue. At the top, is beautiful VPI Industries OG Aries. Immaculate, in excellent nick, and will hit our gently used section in the coming days. All venerable brands in the analogue world. Probably just need a Linn Sondek LP12 to complete the picture!

Focal Celeste Headphones Are On Sale.

We have managed to find a few extra pairs. This is great chance to get up close and personal with that Focal sound!

Only spinning bangers this afternoon!

Little Feat and Fairport. Aces.