Sherrick’s system included a VPI Avenger Direct turntable ($40,000; additional tonearm $6200), the new Backert Labs Optik Phono 1.1 ($11,500; intended for use with DS Labs optical cartridges). Phono cartridges were the DS Audio W3 ($5500) and W3 Mono ($5500). Other source duties called upon were a Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC ($26,900) and an Innuos ZENith Next-Gen music server ($21,700). (See Editor Jim Austin's review.)
Amplification was a VAC Signature Mk IIa SE preamp ($21,000; $28,500 with tube phono stage) and a pair of VAC Signature 202 iQ Musicbloc amplifiers ($22,000 each).
Valerio Cora’s Acora Acoustics MRC-3 speakers ($23,490/pair, exotic finishes; $15,990/pair, standard finishes) transduced electrons into sound, assisted by a REL Carbon Special Black Label subwoofer ($4999 each.).
Cabling was by AudioQuest: Angel phono RCA ($1299/1.2m), Pegasus XLR ($2295/1m), Diamond USB ($899/0.75m), Diamond Ethernet ($1895/0.75m), Brave Heart speaker ($4990/8’ pair), Hurricane Constant Current power ($1745/1m), Hurricane High Current power ($2095/1m). Also assisting was an AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner ($12,500).
Whether playing vinyl from vocalist Rebecca Pidgeon singing "Spanish Harlem" or streaming Madonna’s "Vogue," Sherrick’s system played with a sense of calm assurance. The Pidgeon sounded earthy, dense, natural, and affecting. This system oozed smooth and serene, like scotch and chocolate on a cold winter day.
