The new Raindrop Audio Showroom
Welcome! At Raindrop Audio our love for music drives the search for a sound so real and naturally musical, it effortlessly draws you into the performance. You’ll find yourself totally immersed, eyes shut and feet tapping, savouring the sweet sound of music…
Our goal is realism and perfection in sound – as a means to deepen your immersion into music and heighten your enjoyment and appreciation of it. We do not follow the crowd in this pursuit – the key products we represent are state-of-the-art, unconventional and rule-bending designs that not only set new benchmarks in sound quality and value, but also addresses the many real-world problems challenging good sound in your listening room.
As Hi-Fi specialists, we go the extra mile with these award-winning products, providing professional consultation, meticulous home installations and great after-sales service… because our commitment is to bring absolutely beautiful, true-to-life music into your home!
Visit/call us (we have moved!) to find out more. Also check out our Special Deals!
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The Omega Super 8 Alnico Monitors on demo at our studio. A floorstanding XRS version is available too.
The ultra-coherent sound of a crossover-less, full-range single-driver loudspeaker can be a startling relevation, especially when heard for the first time. The Super 8 is Omega’s best, and its new proprietary 8-inch driver with a powerful Alnico magnet achieves not only a wonderfully rich midrange, but sparkling and airy highs, coupled with dynamic and accurate bass. With a high efficiency of 93dB the Super 8 Alnico will bring the best out of both tube and solid-state amplifiers.
Customers have described the Omega Super 8 Alnico as the best sound they have heard from a single-driver loudspeaker. Hear for yourself… call us for an audition!
(more after this link…)
The Emerald Physics CS3 on demo at our studio
The new Emerald Physics CS3 have arrived! The CS3 represents the next generation in Emerald Physics’ quest for live music reproduction. It employs a new 12 inch point source driver with compression tweeter. This high efficiency coaxial design creates the realism Emerald Physics loudspeakers are famous for in a smaller, less expensive package.
The design of CS3 goes to great lengths to overcome the acoustic challenges found in our real-world listening rooms. Its open-baffle and controlled directivity technology minimizes interaction between the speaker and listening room, and advanced DSP processing allows for room acoustics correction.
(more after this link…)
Avid Diva II
“This is my second encounter with the Avid Diva II and it again astounded me…” – “The deck is poised, sophisticated and blessed of the sort of scale, grandeur and authority that usually commands a much higher price tag.” – “…the Diva II leads the field at its price point..”
- Hi-Fi World 5-stars review and Winner of Group Test including 6 turntables from Scheu Analog, Thorens, Pro-Ject, Funk Firm, Acoustic Solid and Avid.
(more after this link…)
Avid Volvere in Satin finish option
“The stunning Avid Volvere is quite simply a superb example of audio equipment done right.”
- Tone Magazine, 5 Stars review
“The new Volvere is a welcome replacement for what was already a very good turntable. It has a good deal of power associated with the bigger Avid’s and delivers a solid and precise sound that makes a lot of competitors sound decidedly weak.”
- HiFi News
(more after this link…)
The Guru QM10 in beautiful glossy piano black. Glossy white is available too!
“It’s almost magic.”
- Jason Kennedy, Hi-Fi+.
“amazing.”
- Art Dudley, Stereophile.
“a remarkable achievement.”
- Colin Smith, Soundstage AV.
“it’s just too good to be true.”
- Mike Quinn, Jazz Times.
“seriously addictive.”
- Paul Messenger, Hi-Fi Choice.
“true engineering magic. ”
- Robert Learner, Sonic Flare
The QM is is now available in beautiful glossy white too!
(more after this link…)
The new Ayon CD-2
Following Ayon’s multiple-award winning CD-1, Ayon has now launched the new
CD-1s and CD-2! Not only does the new models improve upon the trademark highly analog yet superbly detailed, and wonderfully engaging sound, they now also feature digital inputs which makes them excellent vacuum-tube based DAC’s as well! Further, the inclusion of remote-controlled volume means you have the flexibility of running them direct into power amps! As with all Ayon creations, they are beautifully crafted in Austria,with top-notch build quality and finishing.
(more after this link…)
The Amarra Computer Music Player working alongside Apple's iTunes
What is the Amarra Computer Music Player? Simply put, it is software that raises sound quality from iTunes on a Macintosh computer to the highest level. While it integrates itself into the very familiar and friendly Apple iTunes software, it completely takes over from the Apple OSX operating system the critical task of decoding a music file and sending it to the DAC via USB, Firewire or in-built Toslink interface. The result is significantly improved and consistent sound quality, from standard CD resolution 16bit/44.1kHz files all the way to 24bit/192kHz.
Amarra is created by Sonic Studio, who has been for 20 years a leading company in computer-based pro audio mastering, and has the technology and know-how to achieve the highest level of sound fidelity on the Macintosh platform.
(more after this link…)
The Audio Art IC3-SE interconnect
Audio Art Cable from USA has earned a solid reputation for producing top-notch cables at honest prices. There are numerous positive reviews and testimonials from users, and our own evaluation have confirmed that these are very very good cables indeed. At the recent ISSE 2009 HiFi show our demo system is fully wired with Audio Art Cable’s interconnects and speaker cables, garnering excellent feedback from visitors. We are very happy to be appointed distributor for these excellent cables, and the first batch of cables have just arrived. More information coming soon; please refer to the manufacturer’s website in the meantime, and call/email us if you have any questions.
(more after this link…)
The Ayon Audio Orion integrated amplifier
From Ayon Audio of Austria comes the new Orion – a very fine entrance into high-end tube amplification. The new Orion represents a dramatic rethinking of vacuum tube based integrated amplifier industrial design while retaining the basic architecture as the highly regarded “Spirit” amplifier.
The Orion integrated amplifier combines neutrality, realistic dynamics and power projection, excellent musicality with high resolution. Perfect finish, elegant discrete design and outstanding sonic performance make the Orion unique, setting a new price-to-value standard in its class.
(more after this link…)
The Voodoo Board providing a solid foundation for the Avid Volvere turntable
The Voodoo Boards are a time-tested design; they have been very effective in our showroom demos and at the recent ISSE show. Why is it such an effective isolation board? It is very massive at 18kg(!) and its elegant wooden structure is filled with about 4 million(!) tiny ball bearings. This combination of high mass and high damping capability provide an anti-resonance platform that quite simply, works. Dimensions are 484.5mm (W) x 51mm (H) x 403mm (D).
MiniWatt S1 Integrated Tube Amp
Incredibly cute, yes… but once these little amps (think CD size) starts singing you realise it’s really a case of substance over style. It is well known that “tube watts” are something else, but until you hear how these 2.5-watters sing with the Omega single-driver loudspeakers you might not believe what 2.5 watts can do!
(more after this link…)
Rothewell RCA & XLR Attenuators
Here’s the solution to a problem from which far too many audiophiles suffer – too much gain in the system. The symptoms are easy enough to spot – the volume is plenty loud enough with the volume control set to the 9 o’clock position, too loud with the volume control at 10 o’clock, and fine control at low levels is impossible. This may seem like nothing more than a minor irritation, but in truth the performance of the system is being compromised.
The In-line Attenuators from Rothwell UK are designed to:
- Solves the common yet often overlooked problem of mismatched and excessive system gain.
- Improve signal-to-noise ratio
- Improve resolution
- Allows for more precise control of volume, especially with stepped attenuators.
Click here for more product reviews and information, and here for more information on how they work.
(more after this link…)
The JLTi PhonoPre from VacuumState of Switzerland have arrived! More information soon…
New Violet ZII powercords from Black Sand Cables have arrived. More information soon!
New solid core silver loudspeaker cables from Clear Day Cables have arrived! More information soon…
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