AER A2 Speakers turned out in a very similar to traditional British style speaker feature piano wood finish on six faces. Inside, the speaker box was made of 25mm thick special density waterproof MDF board for minimises internal waves and colorations. At the back, twin terminals are fitted, permitting bi-wiring. The AER 2 give it dimensions of 19.3 cm x 42.5 cm x 22.0 cm and weight 8.5 kg. Frequency response; 35 Hz to 20 kHz @ -10dB. Sensitivity level @ 84dB/W/m.

The tweeter looks like the one used in Dyanaudio family, a 25mm silk dome tweeter. The 125mm mid/bass driver is manufactured by AER factory and has the trademark massive long throw magnet, weight 3.5 kg, assembly with doped paper cone. This speaker has a satisfying amount of low-frequency, which combines the strengths of other floor standing speakers with open and natural high and midrange. The bass is a surprise in terms of control and resolution, but wasn't entirely smooth in punch. The mid-range has some of the classic neutrality of the British monitoring tradition. Although the top end is incredibly clean and straightforward; however, it somehow needs to be balanced by a little more warmth lower end.

As is sometimes the case with bookshelf speakers, they have a tendency to sound a little compressed, due in part to their compact design and restricted volume. Although AER says that the speakers are designed to be freestanding. Under my conditions output was a little thin in the mid-bass when clear of walls, I preferred them a little closer to the wall. I eventually placed them for a position approximately 9 feet away from the wall, preferring the more substantial bottom-end this position provided.

Inside the AER monitors, the sound isn't hyped-up in any way, so on first listening, some competing monitors may sound more impressive, but after a while, you realize that the AER 2 are showing you what's really there. They��ll let you know immediately if the music has been mixing with noise. This speaker can reproduce a three-dimensional soundstage, and particularly on human voices, which is quite a strong characteristic in this speaker. As soon as you see the elegant simplicity of the cabinets with their immaculate finish, you begin to appreciate the values of AER 2. If you are looking for small, musical sounding speakers that are easy to partner with at a very fair price, AER 2 might be your answer.

Sonic link is my second cable purchase. I am please by the quality of the cable, it appeal being a decent cable with natural soundstage. The highs are well-defined and very open. The mid are well emphasized. However, lower bass are somehow lacking of precision.

Anyway, I could play the music softer, and still hear the detail; I used to play music loud enough with the ones I had been using, ONYX SP-200. So that I can hear everything.

For better performance, I decided to go with bi-wiring which significantly reduces distortion inside of the cable, providing a much better sounding system. Because the bass frequencies have significantly more energy than the mids & highs, they cause distortion, within a single cable. When bi-wiring the highs travel along the treble cable. Now that there is no longer any harmful lower range energy present in the treble cable, the highs sound more open and detailed. Even though all the frequencies travel along the bass cable, the highs don't have enough energy to modulate the bass frequencies.

My first thoughts were that the 60i integrated amplifier has the look of a professional amplifier with the TAGMcLaren obvious hallmarks. Its blackened brushed-alloy layer and beefy styling give it dimensions of 13x44x32.5cm (HxWxD) and 13kg weight adding to the impression. Their smoothly rounded finish being indicative of TAGMcLaren's high manufacturing standards. Three large gray-colored controls dominate the fascia. These provide control over input source selections, record inputs and volume levels. Remote control is not supplied in this model. The front layer also holds two LED indicators, one for stand-by and one for operating.

Its delivering a good enough 60 Watts RMS per channel, the amplifier runs warm with the fine heat sink keeps things under control for a long period of time.

The rear panel reveals the amp's true domestic flavor. Somewhat disappointing, there are just four unbalanced gold-plated RCA line level inputs (CD, Tape, Tuner and Aux) and three gold-plated RCA line level input/output for recording. Two gold-plated RCA line levels output to get connects to external amplifier for bi-amping. However, there is no internal modification options available. Speaker terminals are shrouded binding posts and accept either 4mm plugs or bare wires.

The main reason I chose SACD player was nothing but the price. The main distributor gave me a 50% off of the retail price. Another reason I chose SACD player because its ability to play both CDs, SACDs and DVD-Audio. Therefore, I can enjoy all of my existing CD collection with my new player. Since, the local retail store has cut down the price for more than US$ 100.

When I first got the player, the sound was very cold. It took about 20 days to break in this player by playing with it with both CDs, DVD-As and SACDs with low volume. You have to break in this player with both copies type, according to the sale person. The sound quality had improved dynamically with a very wide soundstage.

When I connected it to the TAG McLaren 60i and AER 2, it reproduced warm, clear and detail sound. Moreover, it plays the music out of the media. I heard more music out of the same media playing by ordinary CD player. The overall had improved greatly. It gives more joy than playing normal CD.

The point of playing SACD is to reproduce the original music. Therefore, you can see and hear the music, the voice, and the instrument playing right in front of you. SACD record the most accurate music in the world of Hi-Fi.

The DVD-Audio is coming up soon.

To my mind, though, the AER 2 with 60i have a few shortcomings, which were particularly noticeable on rock music. At times, drums and cellos lacked impact on bass and energy to drive - this was particularly evident on 1812 (SACD) and Far More Drums (SACD). Classical and jazz tracks; however, seemed presenting wide dynamics with good imaging and a level of detail which demonstrated its' strength.

The level of detail that the DV, 60i and AER 2 gave in its clean musical presentation enhanced improved stereo imaging and spacious soundstage. The 60i are a versatile integrated amp that's powerful enough for most music. AER 2 need extremely careful placement, depending on your listening room, to reduce the apparent restrictive characteristic (lack of bass) which is in my opinion their main drawback. Overall grading: B+.

**********

Copyright by Shiu On Yee. Image Copyright by AER Speakers, TAG McLaren & SONY.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws