LATEST ADDITIONS

By the time I reached the smallest of the three large rooms I dared visit on the 2nd floor, I was hip to the havoc their porous air walls were wreaking on the sound. So, when the combined output of four familiar components—YG Hailey 2.2 Speakers ($47,900/pair), Audio Research Ref 10 Line Stage ($33,000), MSB Select II DAC ($105,000 as shown), and Kubala-Sosna Realization / Sensation cabling—was over-saturating the space and spreading like crazy, I decided emergency intervention was called for. I asked, “Could you please turn it down?”

Dragon, Commander, Innamorata . . . did you ever get the feeling that Jeff Wells wants you to know that Wells Audio means business?

Not that you needed to heed the names: The sound was sufficient to let show attendees know that, as with the Esoteric/Von Schweikert system I had just heard, this system excelled in healthy, alive sound that included a fine midrange and a lively shine to the sound. I really enjoyed the sound on a track from JT Coldfire, and sat amazed that an exhibitor not only loved but also chose to play, of his own volition, Luciano Pavarotti's "Una furtiva lagrima."

Please join me in giving a hearty shout out to newcomer Alaia Audio, whose exhibit proved that all is not parched in the state of Arizona.