Despite their size, the Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature loudspeakers ($15,000/pair) managed to disappear, leaving a clear view onto the music.

This was also the North American debut of the amplifier we first admired at the Munich High End Show, Octave’s RE290 ($10,000), partnered here with Octave’s tube-based Phono Module ($6950). The source was T+A’s G1260R turntable ($4300, with tonearm) using T+A’s C10 moving-coil cartridge ($800).

The system produced voices with eerie realism. The Avett Brothers were in the room with us, and I could easily follow every line, every rise and fall of the voices.