Just got an e-mail today regarding Unilet Sound & Vision's XPO. I attended last year and now mark it in my diary religiously. The line-up this year looks fantastic;
Taken from the Unilet website
www.unilet.net...this looks like its going to be a stunning exhibit for those willing to travel...
Unilet Sound & Vision
35 High Street
New Malden
Surrey
KT3 4BY
(020) 8942-9567
"July is here. Wimbledon Tennis is coming to a close, and weather-wise, it's been pretty good for the ladies and gentlemen visiting the fair lawns of SW19...
The run up to last year's Xpo was abysmal!...Torrential rain on Monday, and with a downpour all-day Wednesday, things were not looking good for the weekend.
As the Unilet staff arrived at 7am on Saturday to set up for the day ahead, things were still looking bleak. But by 9am everything was set and there was no going back...and despite our needless worrying, the sun started to shine gloriously, and we created a fantastic atmosphere for a day that was (for the third year running) like no other.
As we approach our fourth Xpo, and ?40th Anniversary? of the consecration of the building that has fondly been referred to as the 'church of Unilet', we are endeavoring to bring you something bigger and better this year. Not in a Michael Bay/ Transformers 2 kind of way (which was spectacular to say the least, albeit more of the same but bigger and louder!).
For most of the year, Unilet is the 'Diagon-Alley' of Hi-Fi shops. A Harry-Potter'esque part of New Malden that's invisible to the naked eye. Many customers have sought us out and are always glad they did so. This 'Rite of Passage', so to speak, has earned Unilet a unique reputation in the world of Hi-Fi and is always a topic of conversation for our customers and friends.
For one day each year, however, it's almost impossible to 'not' notice Unilet...A crowd of jovial spectators...the smell of a barbeque?and the sound of music, so powerful and full-on, you?d be forgiven for thinking there was a concert playing in New Malden?
Curiosity will get the better of you as you deviate from the High Street down our driveway which leads to:-
PARTY IN THE CAR PARK:-
No cars?Just lots of people with a shared interest in music and film (including representatives from our key manufacturers), a wealth of Vinyl on display for our record fair, a barbeque that?s always on the go, and THE most amazing music system you?re ever likely to hear.
Many who attended XPO8 will doubtless remember the raw power of the PMC BB5-XBDA Studio Loudspeakers (Standing at 2.5metres tall!)?Well, this year we?re breaking new ground with surround sound, playing some breathtaking multi-channel music, (some of which is not commercially available). Within reason, we?ll also be able to take requests courtesy of the Meridian Sooloos system, a touch-screen music library that makes your entire CD collection accessible at the touch of a button?and just for laughs, we?ll be demonstrating the power of this system by staging a Messerschmitt ME-109 Aeroplane fly-by. It?s always funny to see everybody duck in unison as this cornerstone of aviation history materializes right over your heads?
THE MAIN SHOWROOM:-
If you?ve had enough of scaring the horses and frightening the children, try venturing into our main showroom, which will be converted into the most spectacular ?250,000 cinema for one day only. Throughout the day, we?ll be showcasing the best that high definition has to offer, courtesy of the Meridian 810 Reference System, a powerful 10-megapixel (4096x2400) Ultra High Definition projector which surpasses even industry Digital Cinema specifications, delivering a level of picture quality that is virtually never experienced outside a film-studio's preview theatre.
To compliment the breathtaking images on show, Meridian will also be highlighting their Reference Surround system, led by the DSP-8000 Active Loudspeakers; visible and audible proof that fantastic sound and cutting-edge design can indeed go hand-in-hand.
UPSTAIRS FOR MORE:-
If domestic Hi-Fi is more your thing, we invite you to enjoy the quiet calm of our newly designed demonstration suite as we show the beautiful simplicity of a traditional Hi-Fi setup. Boasting no fewer than four product lines to receive their UK public premiere, Unilet will be showing the ProAc D80R, the penultimate speaker in the ProAc range; Beautifully finished cabinet design, studio-quality sound, superb dynamic detail, powerful bass and a ribbon tweeter to give the fabled ProAc ?natural sound?.
Showstopping amplification is provided by the ?Titan? by Musical Fidelity. An amplifier quoted by Anthony Michaelson (C.E.O. Musical Fidelity) to be ?the pinnacle of my achievements?.
Celebrating his ?30th Anniversary? as product ambassador for Marantz, designer Ken Ishiwata (long known in the industry for imparting pearls of wisdom) gives us the K.I Pearl; a CD/SACD player that truly reflects his enthusiasm for music. One listen, and it?s apparent that this passion shines through; from the Pearl?s silky-smooth aesthetic, to its unparalleled musical prowess.
Going back in time, Roksan Audio?s TMS Reference Turntable will be on hand for Vinyl playback with a performance which is, ironically, light years ahead of the competition.
Finally, connecting everything together, is Nordost; creators of the most exquisite and uniquely designed audio cables (most notably their ?Odin? reference range which will be used throughout this awesome system). Power will be supplied and regulated by ?Quantum-Nordost? field-based power supplies. If this all sounds like Quantum physics to you, that?s exactly what it is! But don?t let that put you off. Do as we do; just sit back and listen, and experience the difference Nordost cables can make to a Hi-Fi system.
THE LAST SAMURAI:-
As many of you may know, Pioneer are to withdraw from display manufacturing, despite being unanimously decreed as the best in the business with their ?Kuro? range of plasma TV?s. Over the last few months, Unilet has seen a boost in demand for Kuro, as buyers take the last opportunity to purchase what many believe to be the last of the great plasma televisions for some time to come.
So what better way to showcase the talents of Pioneer?s greatest achievement; the KRP-600A, than with Denon?s long-awaited flagship universal Blu-Ray player; the DVD-A1UD. Specifically, the A1UD is what Denon claims to be the world's first universal player, happy to munch through SACD, DVD-Audio, DVD, CD and of course Blu-ray.
Partnering the A1-UD is Denon?s reference pre-power combination; the AVC-A1HD and POA-A1HD, the world's first to boast Audyssey DSX surround expansion technology and fourth generation Denon Link for error-free transmissioin of audio and video.
Lastly, but by no means least, and back by popular demand is the latest incarnation of the KEF Reference surround system which raised the roof at XPO8 in our main showroom. The 205/2 will serve as the main stereo speakers, with the 204/2 Centre, 203/2 Rears and the massive 209/2 Subwoofer which caused panic among those who attended when watching films like War of the Worlds and Cloverfield. It?s a system able to produce the finest little details, but also capable of world-ending dynamics when called upon.
If this all sounds exciting enough on paper, then nothing will prepare you for the Unilet Experience of XPO 2009. If you?re new to Hi-Fi or a full-time enthusiast, we think you?ll agree that this will be a day to remember. So mark your calendar?s for July 11th, and join us for a burger and a beer."
