RMAF 2013

TAD Goes Blue Smoke

Jason Victor Serinus  |  Oct 17, 2013

Did that title get your attention? Andrew Jones’ TAD Evolution 1 loudspeakers ($29,500/pair) usually do by themselves. But, in this case, they were paired with TAD’s visually understated M600 amplifiers ($68,000, presumably for the pair), C600 preamp ($42,000), and D600 (CD/SACD) disc player ($32,000), as well as Ron LaPorte’s forthcoming Blue Smoke Entertainment Systems’ Black Box II digital music server/client ($3995) and USB to 384/32 digital output ($2995—both expected late 2013).

When I entered, Count Basie was making wonderful music, with the horns especially rewarding. Next came Boz Scaggs, proffered up by a show attendee who was going wild over the sound. Finally came England’s Ian Parker. From all, the system drew a beautiful midrange and top-class color and tonality. The cramped quarters didn’t allow for much dimensionality, but that didn’t hinder this extremely musical system’s ability to work its magic.

COMMENTS
TreAdidas's picture
Submitted by TreAdidas on October 18, 2013 - 10:32am

I thought the sound in this room was wonderful.  This was my first time hearing the TAD Evolution 1 and associated components.   I was taken aback and how linear the frequency response was from the top registers to the bottom registers.  I felt this system had some realistic heft to its sound, a solid bass foundation if you will, whereas many systems putter out as the frequency drops.  That being said, the room was a tat tiny and I’m sure that added to my perceived “heft.”  

Definitley worth a listen.  I left the room thinking I'd like to hear these some more......

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