Montreal Audiofest 2025

Audio Research? That’s right! The iconic brand, now owned by Val Cora of Acora Acoustics, is not only back in circulation but was making beautiful music at the ’fest via its just-released, dual-channel, fully differential, 100Wpc solid state S-100 integrated amplifier ($16,500) and LS-3 preamp, equipped with optional phono and DAC modules ($15,500 altogether).

These mighty electronics fed a pair of 2.5-way bass-reflex, high-sensitivity Acora MRC-2 speakers ($17,000/pair), which extend to 23Hz and sport a gorgeous Natural Marble Stone finish. Sources were a Grimm MU streaming preamp ($17,990)—which I didn’t hear when I was there—and a VPI Forever Model 1 turntable fitted with a 10" S-shaped S-tonearm ($7750 for both) and a Grado Aeon 3 cartridge ($7995).

What synergy. And beautiful tone. Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody,” from his album Dream with Dean—“This is a great album,” Val shouted to me over the crowd banter—sounded so rich and velvety it was as if he had the best voice in the world. Musical flow, bass, microdynamics, and airiness between instruments—it was all there in spades.

Prices listed in CA$.