AXPONA 2024

When everything arrives intact and Jeffrey Catalano has the time to create a set-up as stunning visually as it was aurally, High Water Sound’s systems invariably earn accolades as a Best of Show. This one certainly won my vote, as well as my applause and heart.

The sound was as arresting and three-dimensional as the physical set-up. Alive, open, layered, perfectly tuned, glowing, flowing, and free, every note beamed life. It was the kind of sound that created silence and respect, as though entering a hallowed space where power and delicacy were honored equally. This was one of the finest rooms I heard at AXPONA 2024.

The Japanese Super Analogue reissue that includes Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47, created a mesmerizing alternate reality. I loved Craig Armstrong’s piano on “Sun on You” and Bud Shank’s alto sax on the very different “Shoeless Beach Meeting.” Kudos as always for music variety, Jeffrey.

Making their welcome return: TW-Acustic Raven LS-3 Cooper table ($25,000) with Raven 12" ($6500) and 10.5" ($6000) tonearms and upgraded with Clarity caps phono stage ($25,000). Jeffrey had three cartridges on hand, but I heard the Fuuga ($10,000). Cessaro Horn Acoustic Opus+ speakers ($55,000/pair)—horns move forward and back and have a digital readout—and Cessaro subs ($50,000/pair) did some of the honors. Add an Italian Alieno 250 LTD 300B-based singled-ended amplifier ($80,000) and linestage ($75,000), a flagship rack from Codia Acoustic Design, and products from Silent Running Audio, Stein Music, Dalby Audio Design, and ADD-Powr, and you had one magical system.