Florida Audio Expo 2025

Source components included a VPI Industries Avenger Direct turntable ($36,000) mounted with a VPI Shyla MC cartridge ($2000), into a VPI Voyager phono stage ($2500), and an Esoteric N-01XD DAC/streamer ($22,000). Analog and digital signals fed a VAC Master preamplifier with phono option ($42,000), and VAC Master 300 iQ monoblocks ($42,000/each), driving Gershman Acoustics 30th Anniversary Black Swan speakers ($95,000/pair). A pair of Gershman Acoustics 30th Anniversary Grand Avant Garde speakers ($19,000/pair) also held court. Cardas Audio cables were used throughout the system.

The room resonated with tranquil serenity, imbued by the smooth, tonally rich melodies of a Bob James vinyl LP. A palpable calm settled, the music's lush textures filling the space. Then, the vibrant, live sound of a new Anne Bisson album illuminated the air, revealing the system's remarkable synergy. Its dynamic drive, tempered by a silken delivery, made me want to chill, but duty called.