This room presented a delightful enigma: a system consisting of largely unfamiliar-to-me brands that eclipsed much of the established competition. It delivered intricate detail and clarity with a sense of wholeness.
The system featured a Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC ($28,500, all prices approximate and converted from euros), digitally interfaced with a Rockna Wavelight Server ($6900). The signal then passed through a Trafomatic Audio Lara line preamplifier ($10,900) before being amplified by a Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody power amplifier ($18,000). The loudspeakers were Tune Audio Animas ($52,000/pair).
Skogrand Cables, including SCI Stravinsky interconnects ($33,000/2m pair), SC Stravinsky speaker cables (also $33,000/2m pair), and SCAC Stravinsky Mk2 power cables ($26,000/2m), worked in conjunction with a WoodYard Suspended Double Rack ($8000) and WoodYard Suspended Evo platforms ($3200/ea.).
Vaguely resembling Easter Island's enigmatic monoliths, the Tune Audio Anima horn speakers, powered by the 20Wpc Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody power amplifier, were wholly gratifying. With a formidable sensitivity of 109dB/2.83V/m (8 ohms), these 5'2" floorstanders weigh a knee-crunching 175lb each. The Animas' bass and midrange horns are crafted from 13-layer Baltic birch plywood. A 15" woofer handles deep-bass duty, while a 5" driver, designed in-house, covers the midrange. The high-frequency range is carried by a 1" compression driver that uses a neodymium magnet and a titanium diaphragm.
Manolis Proestakis of Tune Audio curated a captivating sonic ride. We began with the haunting allure of Melody Gardot's "No Mars Prize" (16/44.1 FLAC, Decca/Qobuz); transitioned to the expansive soundstage of violinist Nils-Erik Sparf's interpretation of The Four Seasons (24/96 FLAC, BIS); and finally thrilled to the exquisite voicing of Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 2, performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Riccardo Chailly, from The Jazz Album
The system featured a Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC ($28,500, all prices approximate and converted from euros), digitally interfaced with a Rockna Wavelight Server ($6900). The signal then passed through a Trafomatic Audio Lara line preamplifier ($10,900) before being amplified by a Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody power amplifier ($18,000). The loudspeakers were Tune Audio Animas ($52,000/pair).
Skogrand Cables, including SCI Stravinsky interconnects ($33,000/2m pair), SC Stravinsky speaker cables (also $33,000/2m pair), and SCAC Stravinsky Mk2 power cables ($26,000/2m), worked in conjunction with a WoodYard Suspended Double Rack ($8000) and WoodYard Suspended Evo platforms ($3200/ea.).
Vaguely resembling Easter Island's enigmatic monoliths, the Tune Audio Anima horn speakers, powered by the 20Wpc Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody power amplifier, were wholly gratifying. With a formidable sensitivity of 109dB/2.83V/m (8 ohms), these 5'2" floorstanders weigh a knee-crunching 175lb each. The Animas' bass and midrange horns are crafted from 13-layer Baltic birch plywood. A 15" woofer handles deep-bass duty, while a 5" driver, designed in-house, covers the midrange. The high-frequency range is carried by a 1" compression driver that uses a neodymium magnet and a titanium diaphragm.
Manolis Proestakis of Tune Audio curated a captivating sonic ride. We began with the haunting allure of Melody Gardot's "No Mars Prize" (16/44.1 FLAC, Decca/Qobuz); transitioned to the expansive soundstage of violinist Nils-Erik Sparf's interpretation of The Four Seasons (24/96 FLAC, BIS); and finally thrilled to the exquisite voicing of Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 2, performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Riccardo Chailly, from The Jazz Album
