Vivid Audio Introduces Giya Cu Loudspeakers

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Sponsored: Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 | Technology Introduction

PSB BP7 Subwoofer Unveiled

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Munich 2019

Raidho TD1.2 Speakers, Chord Ultima 2 Amplifiers, Pear Audio Blue Turntable, Top Wing Cartridge, Gamut Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Raidho Acoustics' new TD1.2 speaker ($24,000/pair), whose unveiling I missed at AXPONA, resurfaced in Munich. Hearing a track from the Ray Brown Trio's Soular Energy led me to write, in my notebook, "Pretty amazing how well these small speakers create such a big soundstage." Transparency around solo instruments and percussion was quite exceptional. Save for a touch of dryness, which could have been room-related, this system sounded excellent.

Munich 2019

PMC Does Miles in Dolby Atmos

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Thanks to Michael Fremer, whom I ran into at the MOC while we both waited for the show to open on Day 3, I ended up at a private listening session in the PMC room. There, after Michael pulled out his video camera and engaged in a thorough, only-Michael-would-know-enough-to-ask-such-questions Q&A with PMC's Maurice Patistit will appear at AnalogPlanet.comwe listened to two revivified tracks from Miles Davis's iconic Kind of Blue that have been given the full Dolby Atmos surround treatment.

Munich 2019

Aavik M-300 Amplifiers, Børresen 05 Loudspeakers, Ansuz Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Having heard at previous shows the pairing of Aavik electronics, Børresen loudspeakers, and Ansuz cabling, I've been trying to find language adequate to describe the quality of its earth-rooted bass and midrange. There's a very special, aged-in-wood component to its bass sound that I find fascinating. Combined with clear highs that, while not shy, are capable of conveying intimacy, the system made Anette Askvik's "Liberty" compelling listening.

Munich 2019

Estelon Forza Loudspeakers, Kronos Pro Turntable, Bassocontinuo Racks, Kubala Sosna Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 11, 2019

The "Ocean Mystery" colored Estelon Forza loudspeaker (110,000/pair) made quite a statement all by itself. Paired with a Kronos Pro turntable (37,600) with SCPS1 power supply (13,500), Black Beauty tonearm (8400), and ZYX Universe 3 cartridge (8100); Bassocontinuo racks; Kubala-Sosna Realization cabling; Audes ST-3000 power conditioner (3900); and Furutech NCF Booster-Signal (2780), it conveyed electric guitar with natural bite, relayed all instruments except Eugene Istomin's somewhat tinkly piano on the Reference Recordings' LP of Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 with natural timbres and a strong midrange, and, on my Channel Classics SACD of the Mahler Symphony No.2, nailed the great expanse and natural timbres of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, along with some brightness on top.

Munich 2019

Vitus SIA-030 Signature Amplifier, Thrax Yatrus Turntable, Schroeder Tonearm, Sculpture A Cartridge, Stillpoints Isolation Devices

Jason Victor Serinus May 11, 2019

Lovely, smooth sound, fine timbres, and a very large soundstage in the nearfield were the hallmarks of a system that was dominated by Vitus Audio's brand new, "hardly broken in" SIA-030 Signature integrated amplifier (35,000). The SIA-030 has a fully regulated power supply for its output stage and a 22kW transformer, and claims 400,000 microfarads capacitance prior to regulation. It operates in two modes, either 30Wpc class-A or 200Wpc class-AB, and has a volume control that adjusts by 0.5dB steps while using only one resistor in series with the signal.

Munich 2019

Absolare Passion Amplifier, Rockport Atria Speakers, ReQuest Raptor Plus Server, Echole Cables and AC Conditioner

Jason Victor Serinus May 11, 2019

Wonderful, truly musical warmth and clarity were the hallmarks of a system built around the Absolare Passion integrated amplifier ($26,500), ReQuest The Raptor Plus music server (1TB version with DAC that handles PCM up to 32/384, and DSD up to 256: $15,900), Rockport Atria speakers ($21,500/pair), Echole Limited Edition Power Center power conditioner ($20,000), and new Echole Infinity cabling ($TBD).

Munich 2019

The Devore Fidelity Orangutan Reference

Jim Austin May 11, 2019

Why travel all the way from New York City to Munich to hear (and see) a loudspeaker made in Brooklyn? Because it's easier to get from the Munich High End press room to the Devore Fidelity listening room here than it is to get from Manhattan's upper west side to the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where the Devore Orangutan Reference loudspeakers are made.

Munich 2019

New from Cary: DMS-550 and DMS-600 Network Audio Players; SLI-100 Integrated Amplifier

Jim Austin May 11, 2019

On static display: three products from Cary that just started shipping earlier this year.

Munich 2019

Zesto Eros 300 Monoblocks, Merrill-Williams REAL 101.3 Turntable, Verity Amadis S Speakers, Purist Cables, Stillpoints Equipment Supports

Jason Victor Serinus May 10, 2019

The big news in this excellent-sounding system was the two new power cables from Purist Audio Design. First was the Purist Diamond Limited Edition AC Power Cable ($6300/1 meter, with an ultimate length of 1.8 tip to tip). Composed of 10-gauge Nano silver, the cable includes a five-stage filter box intended to counteract RMI and EF from outside forces and the internal workings of equipment. Beneath that baby lies Purist's all-new Diamond Revision Neptune AC Power Cable ($3800/meter), which contains 8-gauge copper wrapped with strands of Nano silver.

Munich 2019

Grand Prix Monza Rack, Apertura Enigma MKII Speakers, Kuzma Tonearm, Fuuga Cartridge

Jason Victor Serinus May 10, 2019

Something really cool happened in the room shared by Grand Prix Audio of the US and Apertura Audio of France. For the first time, I witnessed a rack/support comparison that confirmed for me the importance of both for optimal system performance . . .