Serbian manufacturer NAT Audio produces a range of eclectic tube amplifiers, including the single-ended, class-A Transmitter EVO monoblock. At the amp’s core is the massive Siemens RS687 QB5/1750 power tetrode tube, which delivers between 40W and 80W of output.
That wasn’t the only overachieving component in this room. A Hungarian-made Rui Borges Ultima turntable ($22,000, all prices approximate and converted from Euros) fitted with a Supreme Analog Tangenta Reference 12.3" tonearm ($18,000) worked alongside Core Audio’s Daido Premium server/streamer ($15,500), Denpo Premium DA Converter ($8700), Kagen Premium Clock Generator ($8000), the Karuna Premium DDC Transport ($8000), and the world-premiere Daido Reference server/streamer ($37,000).
Amplification came from the NAT Transmitter EVO power amp ($35,000) and the Magnetostat SE preamplifier ($31,500). Two pairs of horn-loaded speakers from Germany’s Odeon Audio were present: the flagship Carnegie model (97dB, 8 ohms, $113,000/pair), and the Helix (94dB, 8 ohms, $21,000/pair), which I’ve praised in previous show reports.
Bonsai Reference Series cables wired the room, including interconnects ($5400/pair, 1m), digital cables ($2700/1m), power cables ($7600/1.5m), speaker cables ($9000/pair, 2.5m), and jumpers ($1830/pair, 30cm). A PS Audio P15 power regenerator ($3999) completed the system.
This was one of the best sounding rooms at High End Munich. The rig’s soundstage was deep and enveloping, with a fluidity that brought Patricia Barber’s "Light My Fire" to life with great elegance. I was equally enthralled by the pounding, deep-reaching low-end of Nenad Vasilić’s "Bass Drops," and the plush, expansive presence of guitar, vocals, and hand drums in Janis Ian’s "Tattoo." If duty hadn’t dragged me away, I could have savored this one-of-a-kind audio immersion for hours.
Amplification came from the NAT Transmitter EVO power amp ($35,000) and the Magnetostat SE preamplifier ($31,500). Two pairs of horn-loaded speakers from Germany’s Odeon Audio were present: the flagship Carnegie model (97dB, 8 ohms, $113,000/pair), and the Helix (94dB, 8 ohms, $21,000/pair), which I’ve praised in previous show reports.
This was one of the best sounding rooms at High End Munich. The rig’s soundstage was deep and enveloping, with a fluidity that brought Patricia Barber’s "Light My Fire" to life with great elegance. I was equally enthralled by the pounding, deep-reaching low-end of Nenad Vasilić’s "Bass Drops," and the plush, expansive presence of guitar, vocals, and hand drums in Janis Ian’s "Tattoo." If duty hadn’t dragged me away, I could have savored this one-of-a-kind audio immersion for hours.
