AXPONA 2025

As AXPONA wound down, I stopped by the Supreme Acoustic Systems room hoping to catch up with CEO Hiram Toro. Instead, I was greeted by another familiar face: distributor Philip O’Hanlon of On a Higher Note, who welcomed me into a space humming with last-day energy.

A handwritten sign on the door said “Welcome to midrange magic.” Inside, I discovered a new-to-me product: Albedo Audio's Acclara SGS speakers ($82,230/pair). On Mino Cinélu and Nils Petter Molvær's short and mellow "Le Monde Qui Change," from the LP SulaMadiana, colors were deep, bass superb, and air and color contrasts excellent. I heard absolutely no edge on top., My brief listen suggested that this system had it all.

Although the show had officially ended, a video shoot awaited. I posed for a quick photo with Philip and took note of the standout system. Aside from the Albedo speakers, the system included a BennyAudio Odyssey turntable ($36,190) with a Lyra Delos cartridge ($2200); Accustic Arts’s Tube Preamp V ($39,990), Amp IV ($40,990), and Player III CD/DAC ($14,995); Moonriver Audio’s 505 phono stage ($5995); an Artesania Audio rack and platform; and Cardas cabling.