
Having previously reviewed Simon Brown's The Wand 9.5"-tonearm for Analog Planet, I was eager to experience the Wand 14-4 Master turntable ($7500), equipped with the world-premiere Wand Dark Light Tonearm ($7550, or $13,675 for the package) and a My Sonic Lab Eminent EX MC cartridge ($3995).
Demetris Baklavas, co-founder of Ypsilon Electronics, showcased the VPS-100 phono preamplifier ($25,000), the MC10-L step-up transformer ($6600), the DAC-1000 SE ($50,000), and the CD-100 transport/player ($25,000). A Ypsilon PST-100 Mk.2 SE line preamplifier ($68,000) was paired with Aelius II SE monoblock amplifiers ($130,000/pair).
Matter's Anti-Matter open-baffle loudspeakers ($37,500/pair; all prices approximate, converted from euros) offer a sensitivity of 90dB/2.83V/m at 8 ohms. Finished in natural oak veneer over birch-plywood baffles and frames, they rest on stainless-steel spikes and Artesania Audio feet. Each speaker uses Matter's proprietary ribbon tweeter, an SB Acoustics Satori 6" midrange, and two SB Acoustics 15" woofers. Internal wiring is Matter 4N pure silver terminated with WBT Nextgen connectors. The towers stand 4'4" tall and weigh 81 lb each.
Ypsilon-branded cables, soon to be manufactured exclusively by Matter Loudspeakers, included XLR interconnects ($2700/pair), RCA interconnects ($3150/pair), speaker cables ($8800/pair), and power cables ($2700/1m). An Artesania Audio Exoteryc Pro rack ($13,000) and a glass turntable platform ($3500) completed the system.
This system was a pure thrill. With the Ray Brown Trio's Soular Energy, it delivered exceptionally natural bass, drum tones, and textures. From Brown's full-bodied bass to Gerryck King's subtle sticksmanship, every note was rendered with great realism. The reproduction wasn't just accurate—it was musical, flowing with an organic ease. Nuanced, linear, and filled with overtones and resonance, this was a setup I could have listened to all day—every note an invitation to stay a little longer.


