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Crescendo Stereo Preamplifier


Crescendo Stereo Preamplifier Rear

 




PR Agency Contact:  
Robert Clyne
robert@clynemedia.com
Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
                         

Company Press Contact
Steve French
steve.french@violalabs.com
Viola Audio Laboratories
(407) 257-3111


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Viola Audio Laboratories Is Now Shipping Its Crescendo
Ultra-High-End Preamplifier/DAC, on Exhibit at CES 2014


INTERNATIONAL CES, LAS VEGAS, NV, January 7, 2014 Viola Audio Laboratories is now shipping its new Crescendo stereo preamplifier with built-in D/A converter, an ultra-high-end audio component that combines extraordinary sound quality with a striking minimalist appearance. The Crescendo is on display at CES 2014 at Viola’s exhibit space, Venetian Tower - Suite 30-231, Las Vegas, NV (January 7 – 10, 2014).

One look will indicate that the Crescendo is no ordinary preamplifier. Its chassis is milled from a solid billet of aircraft-grade aluminum and is totally distinctive in design, with a front panel unencumbered by any control buttons – the preamp is operated via Wi-Fi remote control using an iPod Touch or iPad-based app. The front panel is accented by a trapezoidal touch-sensitive control surface housed in an angular center recess that continues across the top surface where it is flanked by a series of horizontal ribs. The Crescendo has a prism-cut machine finish with custom Viola satin silver-gray anodizing.

The Crescendo accommodates a variety of analog and digital sources including the direct digital audio output from a computer, thanks to the preamp’s high-resolution USB DAC input that can accommodate up to 192kHz/24-bit data streams without the need for additional hardware, and its XLR balanced, RCA unbalanced and S/PDIF digital inputs. The Crescendo also includes an XLR balanced output, RCA fixed (tape) and variable-volume outputs, USB Master for software updates, RJ-45 ports for Viola Link Buss, +12 volt trigger and RS-232 connections that enable integrated operation with other A/V components and for system integrators to interface with larger touchscreen control panels (e.g. AMX/Crestron).

Viola is headed by Paul Jayson, who has been responsible for many of the world’s finest high-end components for over more than 30 years. Viola’s objective is to produce products that are sonically neutral, as their experience has shown that only through sonic neutrality can the listener experience the essential emotion that is at the heart of music.

To this end, the Crescendo employs a number of engineering refinements. The OPA-1 module used in the preamplifier is a discrete Class A operational amplifier. The first stage employs a low-noise FET input. This is followed by a differential voltage gain section. The preamp’s output is a high-current, low output impedance voltage follower that is capable of driving the most demanding loads. The chassis’ rigid unibody construction provides extremely low mechanical resonance. These design elements contribute to the Crescendo’s open, fast and transparent sound and accurately proportioned soundstage.

The Viola Audio Laboratories Crescendo stereo preamplifier is currently available at a suggested retail price of $22,500.

Photo Files: Crescendo.JPG, Crescendo_Rear.JPG

About Viola Audio Laboratories
Viola Audio Laboratories was founded in 2001 by leading designers Tom Colangelo and Paul Jayson. Viola Audio Laboratories designs and manufactures a complete range of high-end audio products that are employed in the finest stereo and home theater environments, including preamplifiers; mono, stereo and multi-channel power amplifiers; and electronic crossovers.

Viola Audio Laboratories is a specialist company devoted to the design and manufacture of the world's finest high-end audio equipment. The company was founded on the collaboration of leading designers Tom Colangelo and Paul Jayson, which developed over their more than 30 years in the audio industry. Their objective is to produce products that are sonically neutral, as experience has shown that only through sonic neutrality can the listener experience the essential emotion that is the heart of music. Rigorous scientific and empirical design techniques, combined with a craftsman approach to manufacturing, where meticulous attention is paid to every step of the assembly process, enable Viola to produce products of the highest possible quality that will maintain their performance and give great pleasure to the owner over a lifetime of use.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Clyne Media, Inc. at (615) 662-1616

iPod Touch and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Viola Audio Laboratories is exhibiting at the Venetian Tower Suite 30-231 at International CES in Las Vegas.





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