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Older news - August, 2002
The new Teak 5.2 and 4.1 Center
Most audio companies have a flagship model. It is the model that they publish in magazines and take to shows. The flagship amplifiers cost as much as an expensive automobile. No problem, you can always sell some of your options or stocks if you want one – or so you could a couple of years ago. Most people are not prepared to refinance their homes for audio equipment so they tended to buy a little lower into the product chain than the flagship.
I have seen dozens of ads that talk about a "family resemblance" or "chip off the old block" where a much lower priced product is compared to the flagship. In reality, the only resemblance that the lower priced model has to the flagship is the brand.
I remember going to an audio store in Malaysia once. The owner showed me an amplifier from a highly respected company. The amplifier was their new budget model at $4,000.00 USD. I told the owner that I thought the amplifier sounded thin and lacked punch. He decided to take it apart and show me what was inside. Inside were four standard transistors and a small transformer — about 350 volt amps. The power supply had about 6,500 uf per channel. I told him that I didn't think the amplifier sounded very good and I also thought it was very under designed for an amplifier from a company with such a well known brand.
He explained that this amplifier was the budget amplifier and that it was one third the price of the standard model. He said that it was important that the company differentiated between the models.
I understood. This company had to protect its flagship by making the lower priced product inferior. No matter that it still cost a lot of money and that better amplifiers were available for $1,200 and less.
nOrh's flagship product is the 3.0 and the 4.0. How can that be? Aren't these our lowest priced loudspeakers? Yes they are. We consider our lowest priced products our flagships because these are the loudspeakers that establish our reputation. These are the speakers that show what we can do on a budget. To us, the 4.0 and the 3.0 are very key as more people can afford them than can afford the Marble 9.0s.
I get a lot of letters from college students. They have very little money to spend but the money they spend is very important to them. Sometimes, a pair of 3.0s is all they can afford, and they can only afford them because they have worked part time and because they are on a strict budget. It is important to me that what we sell as our lowest cost loudspeaker shows the same level of craftsmanship as the rest of our product line.
Our flagship amplifier is Le Amp. At $295.00 each, it is the lowest priced high-end monoblock available. We consider Le Amp as a flagship and we would put Le Amp up against much more expensive amplifiers. Perhaps we will build a more powerful amplifier or an amplifier for a different purpose.
This month, we are introducing our SE 9 integrated tube amplifier. This is also a flagship item. Below you will read how we have paid attention to everything from the tube selection, transformer, sockets, wiring and case. We take this level of care because it is also a flagship product.
I have been getting letters asking for us to introduce more expensive single ended tube products. Perhaps we will soon. However, for now, the SE 09 is our flagship integrated tube amplifiers. If we introduce something more expensive, it will be because it is better in some way.
Most loudspeakers today are made from very inexpensive materials. More and more loudspeakers are made from thin plastic, PVC covered chip board or at best MDF covered with PVC. nOrh Loudspeakers believes that no matter what your budget is, you deserve audio equipment that not only sounds great but looks great as well. The problem is, making loudspeakers look great is expensive. Our original 5.2 and 4.1 were MDF covered with 3mm of Teak. We got many letters praising the look of these loudspeakers. Nobody in our price range was building anything that look nearly this good.
When we introduced the nOrh 3.0, we came up with the idea to make them from real Teak. They were small and didn't use a lot of wood. We got a lot of praise from customers telling us how beautiful the real Prism 3.0 Teak loudspeakers are. We decided to try to make the 5.2 and 4.1 from real teak. The experiment was a success sonically and in terms of beauty. The biggest problem for us is the cost. One sheet of Teak costs $50.00 USD while a sheet of MDF costs about $3.50. Just this month, the price of Teak went up 20% while the US dollar dropped about 12%. None-the-less, we will continue to price the Teak 5.2 at $500.00 per pair as long as we can.
The nOrh Prism 5.2s look great anywhere, they don't take up a lot of space and they sound great. They are ideal as rear loudspeakers for people with small rooms or simply don't want their rooms to suffer from audio sprawl.
This month, I took some photos of the Prism 6.6 loudspeakers with different center speakers. The Prism 6.6 are among my favorite loudspeakers we make because they are easy to drive. You can get very good performance from a small 40 wpc A/V receiver or from a small tube amplifier. The efficiency is 93 dB. The overall sound is very smooth. I have used a pair of 6.6s in my bedroom for the past year. I had been using the 6.5s but they were too hard to place in my bedroom.
All nOrh loudspeakers are precisely engineered for the best appearance and the best sound using only the finest materials
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Shown here is a pair of nOrh Prism 6.6 Prisms and a nOrh 4.1 Teak Center. This combination is idea for small home theater loudspeakers. The 4.1 can be angled up or down and will fit on most TVs. The TV we are using is a 19 inch Sony. |
The same system shown with a ceramic 4.0 used as a center loudspeaker. The 4.0 will require a little more clearance due to its length but there is no problem using it with the 19 inch Sony. |
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One of our customers described how he hung the four using loudspeaker wire and some hooks on www.harmonicdiscord.com. The loudspeaker is suspended from its two rear feet using loudspeaker wire tied below the ball and attached to two hooks in the ceiling. Many of our customers have found other ways to hang the 4.0s. |
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Here is a closer view how the installation is kept simple, elegant and clean. Just because you want an installed system doesn't mean you have to suffer with cheap in wall loudspeakers. Five 4.0s hung from the ceiling and a subwoofer is all that is needed for a really fantastic home theater. The best part, is when you move, you can take the system with you. Remember, the nOrh 4.0s are made in several designer colors such as celedon green, cobalt blue, white, black, and red. |
Please don't try this technique with the marble 9.0s—or if you do, please don't sit below them. |
I spent $10,000 of thousands of dollars on an audio room several years ago. I had this dream of an audio room to beat all audio rooms when I was young and as I grew up, I reached the point where I could buy the system of my dreams. Once I bought the system, I became distraught that I never seemed to have time to listen to the music. When I did, my wife would tell me to turn down the volume. Sometimes, when I did have time, my wife and daughter were watching a movie or TV so I had to surrender the room to them.
I find that now I sit at my desk for 12 or more hours a day. My wife spends her time in a room she calls a sewing room. My daughter has her own room. The audio room doesn't get used much. Most of it has been replaced with nOrh equipment. Even so, I still just can't make the time to just sit and listen to music.
I put up a system by my computer about a year ago. I had very little room for a system. I didn't want a boombox or a mini system. If I am going to listen to music, it has to sound like music and not just noise with rhythm. I dragged a Antique Sound Lab AQ-1003 out of storage. I added a pair of Prism 3.0s and an inexpensive CD player that also played MP3s. I have been having so much fun with this system that I decided to create a nOrh system that would allow other music lovers to put together a high-end audio system that could be put in just about any room.
For the first time, high end audio is not only inexpensive but also compact. Here is a photo of my personal system. I will be using our own SE 9 (see below) when it is available.
This is my personal audio system that I use while working at my desk. It is both small and inexpensive but definitely high-end
For a recent review of the Prism 3.0s please read Alex Lam's review here.
One of the arguments that has raged in the audiophile community is whether or not tubes sound better. There are many people who claim that no solid state amplifier can match a single ended tube amplifier for purity and clarity. I believe that I have heard very good and bad examples of both tube and solid state amplifiers. My general feeling is that there is an abundance of really bad sounding solid state amplifiers. One of nOrh's biggest achievements was to introduce great sounding solid state amplifiers for less money than the competition. Our first amplifier, the Multiamp has become a classic with many people still writing us if they can purchase one.
Le Amp remains a monster hit because it is probably the lowest cost high-end amplifier in the world. Le Amp has the great qualities of smoothness and clarity associated with tube amps yet has the speed and power one associates with solid state amps.
While Le Amp is only $295.95 each, a pair of Le Amps and a preamplifier still doesn't address the market of people needing something to put in their bedroom or office.
Even audiophiles will sometimes buy mini components for an extra room because they don't have the space or budget to put a high-end system in each room. nOrh believes we have a better alternative. Instead of buying a cheap mini component system, boom box or multi-media system, why not buy a single ended integrated amplifier instead.
Crazy right? Don't Single Ended (SE) tube amplifiers cost thousands of dollars each? The answer is generally yes until recently. Recently, a wave of cheap tube amplifiers have come in from China. Most of these have no name tubes, low cost components, and plastic sockets. However, nOrh now introduces a true high-end product worthy of the nOrh brand. As our nOrh customer's know, for nOrh, being good value isn't enough. We are not satisfied until we have set the world's standard of value for every product we sold. All nOrh products shall be the best products that can be purchased for their price — period. Our first concern is building a product that establishes itself as world class in its price range. Our second concern is embarrassing audio companies that would charge a high premium for the same or less quality. We strongly encourage you to do some web shopping. Compare our quality and compare our prices. Once again, we have introduced a product that will leave other audio companies making excuses.
Introducing the nOrh SE 9
The SE 9 has two inputs. The volume control is manufactured by Alps. The switches are platinum counted. The sockets are ceramic. We use Electro Harmonix tubes instead of no-name Chinese tubes found in many lower priced tube amplifiers. According to the technical journal, Vacuum Tube Valley, the "...new EL34EH comes very close to the sonics of a Mullard EL34..." They go on to say, "The Electro-Harmonix tube is balanced throughout the entire music spectrum. Bass goes deep and is tight, mids are sweet and well defined and highs are detailed and extended." We selected the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH for our drive tubes. The website www.thetubestore.com, reviewed the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH as follows:
"These are not relabeled Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes. There is a marked difference in construction and performance. The 12AX7EH has a nice balanced sound, a very low noise floor and excellent performance in terms of microphonics. The lack of microphonics may be due in part to the return of a shorter plate structure or better materials. I've had some samples that were tried in various amp stages. Pre-amps, tone stacks and phase inverters, a winner in every location, although I would continue to use a 12AT7 for reverb circuit drivers due to their lower gain rating. I have used the EH to successfully tame amps that defied all other attempts to kill microphonics and unwanted feedback. This tube is a winner, buy 'em and try 'em, they may be just the piece you've been looking for."
If you look at other Single Ended (SE) amplifiers, you will notice that the SE 9 appears to have an extra tube. That is because many tube amplifiers will use a 10 cent diode instead of a $12.95 rectifier tube. We use the 5AR4 rectifier tube.
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Shown without its faceplate, exposing the SE 9's stainless steel frame |
Inside of SE 9 Integrated tube amplifier |
The SE 9 is already in demand. Many nOrh products have sold out very quickly. Sometimes the deals are simply too good to offer forever. Our CD 1 went out of production while demand was very high. We discontinued the nOrh 6.5 and spent three months clearing backorders. We strongly urge you to order the SE 9 before we come to our senses and price the SE 9 where it at a more profitable price. This is a much better amplifier than anyone has a right to expect at this price. It sounds wonderful. It looks beautiful. It will last for years and years.
I have often been told that one way to judge an amplifier is to throw it. The farther it goes, the worse it is. The SE 9 is 14 kilograms. It is probably the heaviest amplifier in its price range.
One of the reasons I like tube amplifiers is I think they look great. We have designed the nOrh SE 9 to look absolutely fantastic. The front plate is black while the top is a mirror finish. The mirror finish will reflect the subdued lights from the tubes. I believe tube amplifiers are the most romantic electronic products you can buy. I think of them as apartment fireplaces. The nOrh SE 9 consumes only 35 watts of power. This is comparable to the power consumption of a low-end receiver or integrated amplifier.
One of my hopes is that parents will send their kids off the college with a pair of 3.0s or 4.0s and a SE 9. The idea of someone growing up with my speakers and amplifiers really excites me. Most importantly, this is not a throw away product. The nOrh SE 9 will last for years. This is not a system you will outgrow. It will always have a home in a bedroom, office or driving a computer multimedia system. I also believe that many women will enjoy this amplifier. Most women aren't interested in how loud their stereo plays. They do want something that is small, beautiful and durable.
We believe that the SE 9.0 matches nOrh lower priced offerings. We suggest the nOrh 3.0, nOrh 4.0, nOrh 5.1, nOrh 5.2 or nOrh 6.1. What is amazing is that paired with any of these loudspeakers, the total system price will be less than $1000.00.
The nOrh SE 9.0 is being introduced at $399.95. This price includes shipping. You can have a pair of nOrh 3.0s and a SE 9.0 delivered to your door for less than $550.00 USD.
High-end audio has never been more affordable. Pictured nOrh 3.0 plus nOrh SE 9
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Sometimes I feel like Rodney Dangerfield, I just can't get no respect. I am certainly not the first person to try to produce reasonably priced audio equipment. Others have tried and they also had a hard time getting respect. Bob Carver, David Hafler, Richard Shahinian and others have tried to build companies that offered excellent value. The audio industry (which I call the country club), has spent years trying to convince people that they have to spend outrageous sums of money to buy high-end sound. For four years, I have been working to try to make high-end audio more affordable and audio systems look and sound great. Our customers call themselves nOrhphiles and have organized themselves into a user community that is only rivaled by Apple computer users. Their devotion to our effort has helped make nOrh one of the most read audio sites on the Internet. If you don't believe it, do a search for loudspeakers on Yahoo and see what comes up. I don't like putting my picture on the webpage. It reminds me how much hair I have lost over the years. However, for the SE 9, I want everyone to know that I am quite proud of this product and I know you will treasure the SE 9 for many years. I am excited for those of you who will buy the SE 9. You will receive one of the best values that has been offered in audio for many years. You will receive a product you will cherish for many years to come. You will receive a product that will sound better than you believe possible. |
Last year, we launched the CD 1. The CD 1 was a high quality CD player with tube output. People said it was one of the best sounding CD players they ever heard. Demand was so high, we sold out. We were unable to keep up with demand and the parts we need went out of production.
The SE 9 is available now. If you want to read about the performance, the first users will start posting on HarmonicDiscord by next week. Don't wait too long once you decide that you or someone you know could use the SE 9. Our first production was sold out but we are going back and making more next week. Christmas might be months away but I won't be surprised if the SE 9 becomes very back ordered soon.
There has been a debate raging in audio for many years. The debate regards the sound of tubes vs. the sound of solid state. I have been on record saying that I believe that there are good and bad examples of each. The best solid state amplifiers are not harsh, have great dynamics and authoritative bass. The best tubes sound clean natural and smooth.
For nOrh, it isn't a matter of which is better. It is a matter of what is most appropriate for a given application. I use tubes in my office. I don't play the sound loud. I find that I can listen for eight to ten hours and not feel fatigued. I know that if I used the typical inexpensive receiver or inexpensive integrated, I would be fatigued after a very short period.
I bought my daughter a Zen tube amplifier. I got it for her because it was very low powered. She uses it to drive a pair of 4.0s. She leaves the amp on almost all the time. She thinks the look is cool. I think that 2 watts is enough power for her given the music she listens to.
Le Amp and the "soon-to-be" introduced products from IRD represent the ultimate value in solid state components. I believe for many people, these products off a powerful alternative for people who believed they could never enjoy solid state.
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Most of the employees at nOrh are women. Actually, I shoulds say, nOrh is run by women. Namphung, pictured above, is the director of marketing. Pan runs our manufacturing. Much of the style in nOrh products is a result of their opinions. What women want is something that is small, easy to use, reliable, reasonably priced and stylish. The SE 9 is certainly reasonable. At $399.95, there simply are not better looking or sounding integrated amplifiers anywhere. The SE 9 is small and can fit just about any free space. Using Le Amp couldn't be easier. There is an off/on switch and a two position switch to choose sources. My wife is always telling me to turn the stereo down. I have never heard her turn it up to what I consider loud. I don't believe watts per channel is a priority with women. Tube amps are very reliable as tubes last for a very long time and are easy to replace when they do go bad. Pan sold her solid state integrated to buy a SE 9. She didn't do it because the SE 9 sounds better. She did it because she thought the integrated amplifier didn't look good in her bedroom. She prefers the look of the SE 9. My wife thinks that the tubes are sort of like a fireplace and that tube amplifiers are romantic. I don't know if I can go that far. The SE 9 is affordable, stylish, small, relaible and simple to use. If she doesn't get buy one for herself, maybe you should buy it for her. |
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Obviously, nOrh believes that no loudspeakers are more appropriate for the new SE 9 than genuine nOrh loudspeakers. For those individuals with discerning tastes but small budgets, we suggest our nOrh marble 3.0. The marble 3.0s are highly praised by their owners for their beauty and sound.
Simply
beautiful and elegant, the nOrh 3.0 marble with SE 9
One way to get by with a low powered amplifier is with a highly efficient loudspeaker. The nOrh Prism 6.6 has been a winner with low powered Single Ended amplifier owners around the world. I personally use this loudspeaker in my bedroom. I use the marble 9.0 in my main system, the marble 7.0s in my TV room, a pair of Prism 3.0s in my office (which I am listening to now).
The
Prism 6.6 adds the same level of class to your room as a baby grand piano, but
for much less money
I spend a lot of time working on products and projects. I think we have introduced more products this year than any year before. At the same time, I have been working on computer projects for NorhTec. We have made some really exciting progress that I will explain on this website and on the upcoming NorhTec website.
Curt Wishman, ala IRD audio is working on a whole set of new products. These include a low priced high-end preamp with limited functions, a high-end preamp with lots of functions (ACA2), and active filters. I will report on these new products in the next month or two.
Curt and I have discussed the need of a phono preamp off and on. When we put a phono preamp in the ACA, most people wished they had just a standard input extra. Some of the customers appreciated the phono preamp but even some of the customers who had phonos wanted an outboard phono preamp. We have also been working on a tube phono preamp. We are offering the nOrh Phono Preamp for $250.00 USD, shipped. We believe this is the best value on a phono preamp available. If anyone has a collection of LPs, it is well worth it to have a high quality phono preamp to be able to enjoy your collection.
nOrh tube Phono Preamp
I read that the DVD has been the most successful electronic product ever -- even more successful than the VCR. DVD players are now available for about $70.00. What I find hard to believe is that the majority of people who buy DVD players are hooking the sound into the TV. I have seven DVD players in my home. All of them are hooked up to a stereo while only two are hooked into full 5.1 channel systems. Last month, I described a low-cost, $169.95 decoder that I know sounds as good as some of the more expensive decoders on the market. Go back and read the article for more information. This decoder and five LE amps would be less expensive than buying a high quality receiver.
Not everyone wants five speakers in every room. We believe that for our new SE 9 is ideal for people who would otherwise just listen through the TV. Tell your friends about the SE 9 and have them buy a pair of 3.0s. They will never listen to TV speakers again.
One more point, Christmas might seem like a long time away. Given how many men, women and teens would love to have a great audio system for their Christmas and considering that we are all watching our budgets, consider ordering the SE 9 early. We expect this product to be very hard to get in a couple of months.
The 6Moons Review of the SM6.9 has moved here.
We have never sent out any spam. We believe sending e-mail to people who haven't requested it is in bad form. We also don't do banner ads. I don't like those either. We rely on the old fashioned "word of mouth" to get people to our website. Please forward this page to your friends. Right now, they might be in an appliance store picking out an all-in-one system simply because you didn't send them our webpage. Imagine how upset they will be when they see your nOrh 3.0s and a SE 9 when they have to listen to their plastic all in one system. Do your friend or family member a favor. Send them our web address.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Barnes
President
nOrh Loudspeaker Company, Ltd.
