AXPONA 2024

Another big system with a midrange to love, with speakers well-matched to the space. I wasn't converted to the style of singer Vanessa Fernandez, whose cut from her new platter seemed more derivative than inspired, but the midrange sounded excellent, and there was also lots of bass to attract attention.

The system’s midrange again proved a high point on a hi-rez digital recording of a bit of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1, where Anna Fedorova’s piano shone. The system, which would retail for $364,750 without the Kubala Sosna Realization cables, was headed by Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit loudspeakers ($105,550/pair), Audionet Heisenberg mono amps ($105,000/pair) and Stern linestage ($48,950), Kronos Sparta turntable ($26,000) with Kronos Kronoscope RS cartridge ($14,000) and My Sonic Lab Sig. Platinum cartridge ($11,000). From Mola Mola came the Lupe phono stage ($9850) and Tambaqui DAC ($13,500). The Roon Core/streamer was the Grimm MU1 ($12,500). Add in a Dejitterit Switch X ethernet switch ($3500), Kubala Sosna Xpander power distributor ($5400), and you have quite the system.