As one of the world’s largest consumer electronics trade shows, the IFA show in Berlin has certainly been host to some startlingly expensive electronic marvels. IFA 2007, which opened its doors on the last day of August, was no disappointment. Among the 1,212 exhibitors present at this year’s show was the aptly-named Audio magazine, there to show off the world’s most expensive stereo system.
Clearaudio Statement Turntable
This expensive stereo system includes JBL speakers that cost nearly $70,000 per pair, four 18-inch Velodyne subwoofers ($52,000), five Krell power amplifiers ($163,000) and a Mark Levinson pre-amplifier ($54,500). Then, of course, there’s the eye catching Clearaudio Statement Turntable, which adds another $137,000 to the overall cost of Audio’s expensive system.
The world’s most expensive stereo system isn’t for audiophiles alone, though. It also includes Pioneer’s BDP-LX 70 blu ray player and Toshiba’s HD-EXI for HD-DVD’s. SIM2’s HAT-500 projector ($68,000) provides video output, making this system as desirable for home cinema buffs as it is for audiophiles.
Unfortunately, the listening room at IFA 2007 wasn’t quite up to the challenge provided by Audio’s expensive system. Background noise made the improvement in sound quality nearly imperceptible.
