| His latest effort is to bring to music lovers "the finest-sounding electronics in the world at affordable prices." Red Rose is able to break the price barrier so that for the first time, truly superior sound is available in systems under $10,000.The Red Rose Model 3 preamplifier, Model 2 power amplifier, and a pair of R3 ribbon speakers cost $9500. In the opinion of many experienced listeners, this system sounds more like real music than any high end audio system. This is made possible by new ribbon speaker technology which is compact, highly efficient, and affordable to manufacture. Red Rose electronics combine pure vacuum tube signal path with solid state power supply regulation, achieving sonic performance previously unavailable. Red Rose cables provide ideal signal transmission at cost far below the extremely overpriced "audiophile" cables which come and go.The Red Rose R3 ribbon speaker is 17" tall, 10.5" deep, and 7.75" wide - very compact yet able to move a lot of air, easily filling large spaces with clear, natural sound. The R1 and R2 models are larger floor-standing speakers - still elegant and compact relative to their output capabilities. Because of their high efficiency, Red Rose ribbon speakers require far less power than most other speakers. As a result, heavy, major heat-producing battleship amplifiers are no longer necessary. In fact, the R1 Reference ribbon speaker has a sensitivity of 98dB SPL (8 Ohms). With Model 2 amplifier (35 Watts per channel), the R1 produces 112dB SPL. With the Model 1 Reference amplifier (140Watts per channel), the R1 can put out 120 dB SPL. The Red Rose Equalizer, known as the audio baton, meticulously crafted in Switzerland, is similar to the model used by the world's finest mastering and recording engineers in the production of CDs and video masters. The audio baton is not only sonically transparent, but operates in the 24/96 digital domain and offers a wide range of features.Red Rose Cables produces custom cabling for every need and price point, from pure silver litz construction through to our most affordable and flexible model. Red Rose cables are available in two levels the best and the closest for a lot less money. It provides outstanding signal transmission in both premium and economy categories. Using grand piano and a Sony DSD recording system and Red Rose microphone preamplification and cables, Red Rose records great classical, blues, and jazz musicians on a regular basis (a catalogue of Red Rose DSD recordings in SACD - Super Audio Compact Disc - will appear soon. See Red Rose SACD Club). Red Rose playback systems are designed to reproduce the exact details and subtleties of these and other high quality recordings so you feel "in the room with the musicians." When a music system reproduces a live event with such faithfulness, it will not go out of style or become obsolete. REVIEW |  | Red Rose Music's flagship showroom and store | |
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Mark Levinson's departure from Cello led to the creation of his new company, Red Rose Music. CES 2000 premiered the first Red Rose system shown outside of the first Red Rose Music retail store located in one of New York City's most prestigious art museums. The system shown at the CES consisted of the Red Rose R3 two-way monitors ($3000 per pair) with a 6.5" Dynaudio woofer and a proprietary Red Rose ribbon tweeter mounted to permit rear radiation above the woofer box. The tube preamp was the Red Rose Model 3 Silver Signature ($10,000, or $3000 in the standard version). The tube amplifier was the Red Rose Model 2 Silver Signature ($7000, or $3500 in the standard version). Cabling was also from Red Rose: 660 speaker cable and Silver 1 interconnect. Cable prices were not available, but they were said to be very reasonable, in the range of $10 per foot for the speaker cable. The sound of the Red Rose system was very fine, with exemplary ease and detail on top combined with surprising boom/bump-free extension on the bottom for such small loudspeakers. Refinement, transparency, and musicality were notable, giving the system an attractive, sophisticated musical presence. Mark Levinson and tube electronics -- who would have guessed? |
