>> Monthly Archives: August 2016

Attention Headphone Fanciers

Posted on August 30th, 2016

Those of you interested in landing your eyes and ears on the Focal Utopia headphones, this could be your week. We have been given reasonable assurance that we should have one, possibly two pairs delivered this week. We should also have restock quantities of the Focal Spirit One Professional.
Additionally, Grado aficionados will happy to know the truly remarkable GS2000es are back in stock.

Bryston BHA-1 Price Increase Around The Corner

Posted on August 25th, 2016

Please be advised that due to a large increase in material costs the price of the Bryston BHA-1 Headphone amplifier will be going up as of October 1st 2016.

The price increase will be in the vicinity of 15%. If you have been thinking about the purchase of this wonderful headphone amp, now might be the time.

Bryston 14B Cubed

Posted on August 23rd, 2016

We have added another amp to our Bryston Cubed collection. The 14B Cubed ($10,495.00 MSRP) has taken up what may be permanent residence in our main sound room. Here are the technological highlights:

• Dramatically less distortion at input stage
• Improved common mode noise rejection
• Major reduction in EMI/RFI noise rejection
• Less than 500mW standby power consumption
• Update dress panel aesthetic with clean lines and new finish.

The 14B is currently powering a pair of Focal Sopra No3 to great effect.

Focal Elear Headphones Are In The House

Posted on August 15th, 2016

Even though the Elear are the affordable Focal ‘phones, they are still creating quite a stir. We have had them burning in since Friday and they are sounding extremely promising. We had a few customers listen on Saturday. As you can imagine, comments were very positive; there was even a little gushing and a few superlatives in there!
$1500.00 MSRP
Take a few minutes to read the review from Inner Fidelity here.

Shunyata Denali Has Landed

Posted on August 12th, 2016

The latest Shunyata power distribution products are on permanent demonstration at the Ark. These products represent a major leap forward and will redefine what is possible from power line conditioners writ large. There are a tremendous amount of new technologies and innovations crammed into the 3 Denali units. Click here and Caelin and Grant from Shunyata will explain.
Priced from $4195.00.

The Focal Utopia Headphone – Soon!

Posted on August 9th, 2016

We should see these stellar headphones by month’s end. I was very lucky to hear them back in June and they left me stunned. Stunned with the sound and build quality and stunned that I’ll probably never own a pair; $5000 is a little out of reach but I can dream. Here’s a quote from Tyll over at Inner Fidelity:
“The Focal Utopia is a sexy beast with rock-solid build quality; looks with just the right mix of conservatism and bling; brimming with technological innovations; and sound quality to die for. I love this headphone.”

Full review here.

Summer Hours

Posted on August 4th, 2016

For the next month or so we will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Thursdays.
This is effective immediately. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Farewell Andrew

Posted on August 2nd, 2016

Well, after 18 years, 8 month and 21 days, Andrew Gilbert has called time on his career at the Ark. Andrew himself would tell you that he had never really envisioned staying as long as he did. We are sure glad he did. Over his time here, he developed a loyal following and routinely offered his expert advice and knowledge. I think all the staff would agree that it was an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to work with him. He will be missed.

The next chapter of Andrew’s career begins in early September with our friends at The Sound Room in Vancouver. If you find yourself in the Kitsalano area of the city, be sure to drop by and say “hi”!