RMAF 2013

Roy Johnson of Green Mountain Audio (left) teamed with Ron Hedrick of Marigo Audio Labs (right) to create a system modest in appearance and generous in musicality. After pairing Green Mountain’s Eos HX top-of-the-line 2-way loudspeaker ($4995/pair) with a cheap Sony multi-disc changer and the Jeff Rowland Design Group’s Model 525 amp and Aeris DAC, they put Marigo’s Mystery Feet under the electronics, and used, in addition to Audio Magic power cords, Marigo Audio cables and, on CDs, Marigo’s new Ultimate High-Definition Signature Mat ($239).

The result, on a remaster of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” was exceptionally clear sound, superb 3-dimensionality, and fine timbres. Before/after comparisons revealed that the mat rendered everything crisper, clearer, more 3-dimensional . . . in short, more real. This was especially apparent on a recording of baritone Matthias Goerne singing Schubert, where the mat not only enhanced the system’s beautiful midrange sonorities, but also had an almost magical effect on the piano. Having also heard the new Marigo mat improve the sound of a dCS Scarlatti transport in The Voice That Is room, I have a sense that Ron’s latest design improves the sound of virtually every transport and CD player, regardless of quality.