CES 2012 – Hansen Audio, Critical Mass Systems, Kubala-Sosna, Tenor

The room featured Hansen Emperor speakers on Tenor 350M monoblock amplifiers, with dCS digital, Clearaudio turntable, using Kubala-Sosna cables on Critical Mass Systems racks.

Hansen Audio has changed the look of their speakers. Instead of the old cool deep black melted cabinet look they now have a more normal-shaped speaker cabinet. These new Emperor speakers look to have the same number of drivers as the old Kings.

They played the turntable while I was here – through the Tenor phono stage through the Tenor amps into the speakers.

Unfortunately, I found the sound here strangely disconnected – uneven from top-to-bottom, some areas sounding harmonically normal, some sounding a little dry, some dynamic, some flat.

I like the Hansen speakers [one of our friends has the old Prince], and the Tenor amps sound good a few doors down in the YG Acoustics room, so… this room was disappointing for me.

Hansen preamp, phono stage, DCS digital, all on Critical Mass Systems rack

Hansen Audio ‘Emperor’ speakers and Tenor’s 350M amplifiers

Hansen Audio ‘Emperor’ speakers

Hansen Audio ‘Emperor’ speakers from the side

Hansen Audio ‘Emperor’ speakers from the rear

Hansen Audio ‘Emperor’ speakers from the rear at an angle

dCS Scarlatti CD /SACD transport

dCS Scarlatti DAC

dCS Scarlatti Master Clock

Tenor Audio’s Line-1 preamp

Tenor Audio’s Power 1 preamp power supply

Tenor Audio’s phono stage front panel, close-up

Korg MR 2000S Studio Recorder

Clearaudio turntable [not sure which one]

Clearaudio turntable

Clearaudio turntable playing an LP

Tenor Audio 350M amplifiers

Tenor Audio 350M amplifiers

Tenor Audio 350M amplifiers on Critical Mass Systems amp stand

Rear of Tenor Audio 350M amplifiers and Kubala-Sosna cables

On static display: Tenor Audio 175S amplifier

On static display: Tenor Audio 175S amplifier open chassis

On static display: Tenor Audio 175S amplifier open chassis

On static display: Tenor Audio 175S amplifier rear panel

Room manifest…