Sharp lines and sculptural forms defined Room 219, presented by Supreme Acoustic Systems, calming my frantic mind immediately upon arrival. Soulnote's Yhusuke Iwashashi and Hideki Kato were perfect hosts, settling my reporter's brain with placid expressions.
A Bergmann Thor linear-tracking tonearm mounted on a Modi air-bearing turntable ($18,100) bore a Hana Umami Red MC cartridge ($3950). The Hana cart was attached to a Soulnote E-2 VER2 phono equalizer ($9910), and the whole analog playback system sat on an eSseCi Design Relaxa 850 platform ($1925).
There was digitally derived music, too, thanks to a Soulnote D-2 VER2 DAC ($9085) with a Soulnote X-3 clock generator ($5285) and Soulnote Z-3 network transport ($15,855).
A Soulnote A-2 VER2 integrated amplifier ($9420) powered Albedo Agadia speakers ($33,250/pair).
Necessaries were an AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioner ($5900), Music Tools ISOstatic rack 3 ($4485), Audience cables, AudioQuest Hurricane cables, Cardas Clear Ethernet cables, and AGS Room Tuning Devices.
The Soulnote crew played "Scene Pour Le Cor Anglais" by Anton Reicha, a Czech/French contemporary of Beethoven. The orchestral music flowed beautifully, effortlessly, with a rare sense of ease. Marcin's solo guitar take on Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" proved less successful, or perhaps I simply didn't care for the music, but it filled the room completely. This system had a special quality, playing vinyl and streaming: a plush, Sensurround appeal that felt natural and engaging.
There was digitally derived music, too, thanks to a Soulnote D-2 VER2 DAC ($9085) with a Soulnote X-3 clock generator ($5285) and Soulnote Z-3 network transport ($15,855).
The Soulnote crew played "Scene Pour Le Cor Anglais" by Anton Reicha, a Czech/French contemporary of Beethoven. The orchestral music flowed beautifully, effortlessly, with a rare sense of ease. Marcin's solo guitar take on Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" proved less successful, or perhaps I simply didn't care for the music, but it filled the room completely. This system had a special quality, playing vinyl and streaming: a plush, Sensurround appeal that felt natural and engaging.
