FROM 99 TO ELITE

摘要

Design team head Jason Creenslade and Peter Comeau, Director of Acoustic Design, were given a brief to 'ensure that every Elite component surpasses the performance of its predecessor.' Three years were spent scrutinising every component, 'through an exhaustive process of modifying, measuring, listening then modifying again,' to morph the 99 models into Elite components. The 99/ Elite relationship is close, with all critical changes being internal; those moving from the older series to the new will find the Elite models immediately familiar, right down to identical dimensions and nearly-identical control panels. Aside from a change to an almost-black charcoal finish from the silver/champagne of the 99 range, and a slimmer-look fascia without the drop-down nameplate, the physical resemblance ensures continuity.