T.H.E. Show in Costa Mesa wasn't large, but there were a few debuts including several in the six rooms presented by Common Wave HiFi. In room 327, the Accuphase C‑57 phono stage ($13,975) was part of a demo setup that also included an Accuphase E‑3000 integrated amplifier ($8950), which was shown on static display at AXPONA but was in use here for the first time in the US. When I was in the room, the class-A Accuphase E‑700 stereo integrated amplifier was in use, driving a pair of DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/93 speakers ($8950/pair, more for custom finishes).
Records were spun on a Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable with the Dr. Feickert Linear power supply ($12,190) a 12" Thomas Schick tonearm. An Ortofon SPU Ethos MC cartridge came from Common Wave’s Wes Katzir’s personal collection—and therefore is not for sale (footnote). Its low‑output signal went to a Luna Cables Rouge step‑up transformer ahead of the rest. A Wattson Madison LE streamer ($4995) assisted with Roon digital‑file playback over network from a Grimm Audio MU1 (~$12,500) music player/server in an adjacent room.
Katzir played a digital track, St. Vincent’s “Slow Disco,” the stripped‑down, gorgeous piano version from MassEducation. Her vocals and piano were both rendered superbly. The volume was high enough that the music was in‑your‑face powerful, in a good way. All the music was present, fleshed‑out even down to an occasional pedal release on the piano. The song sounded stunning.
Footnote: The Ethos is no longer in production, but I managed to buy one just a couple of months ago. It's conceivable that some dealers still have stock.—Jim Austin
Records were spun on a Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable with the Dr. Feickert Linear power supply ($12,190) a 12" Thomas Schick tonearm. An Ortofon SPU Ethos MC cartridge came from Common Wave’s Wes Katzir’s personal collection—and therefore is not for sale (footnote). Its low‑output signal went to a Luna Cables Rouge step‑up transformer ahead of the rest. A Wattson Madison LE streamer ($4995) assisted with Roon digital‑file playback over network from a Grimm Audio MU1 (~$12,500) music player/server in an adjacent room.
Katzir played a digital track, St. Vincent’s “Slow Disco,” the stripped‑down, gorgeous piano version from MassEducation. Her vocals and piano were both rendered superbly. The volume was high enough that the music was in‑your‑face powerful, in a good way. All the music was present, fleshed‑out even down to an occasional pedal release on the piano. The song sounded stunning.
Footnote: The Ethos is no longer in production, but I managed to buy one just a couple of months ago. It's conceivable that some dealers still have stock.—Jim Austin
