You can always count on EAR's Dan Meinwald to be spinning some great platters. When I walked in, whatever jazz recording was playing sounded very alive and incisive. (EAR's electronics and Marten's speakers are not shy and recalcitrant). When Dan switched to an old classic LP, <I>Meeting at the River</I>, the Vishwa Mohan Bhatt's unique guitar sounded uncommonly beautiful and clear. Had I not had 18 rooms left to visit on Saturday, with a lot more screaming for attention, I would have stayed longer.

Here's an up-close look at the Townshend table and rack, as well as EAR USA's fabled preamp. Note the classic Blue Note jazz that Dan Meinwald favors. A great match for this system.

The sound in this room blew me away. When I walked in, Dr. John's "In a Sentimental Mood" was sounding as lovely and mellow as can be. Switching gears 180&#176;, Reference Recordings' LP issue of Stravinsky's <I>Firebird</I> had absolutely amazing bass. "Amazing," I wrote twice in my notes.

We audiophiles can't resist pushing the boundaries of intimacy. Step on those cables, jostle them amps&#151;we just gotta take a look at what's going on from all angles. Trying not to do permanent damage, here's what I spied on the back of Lowther America's Field-Coil EXR Open-Baffle loudspeaker (estimated price of $15,000/pair).

Having greatly enjoyed YG Acoustics' two-way Carmel loudspeaker ($18,000/pair) at the California Audio Show this past summer, I was eager to hear it in a different setting. This was the opportunity, paired with Veloce Audio's battery-powered set-up. The system also featured Kubala-Sosna Emotion cabling (price not supplied), the LS-1 Pure Tube linestage ($15,000)&#151;are there any impure tubes?&#151;and LP-1 Pure Tube phono module ($3000), and V-6 monoblock amplifiers ($14,000, presumably for the pair). Also doing the honors were the Amazon One turntable (price not available), and the PS Audio Perfect Wave transport/DAC combo (approx. $6000).

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Judging by my complete lack of notes on the room occupied by Silver Circle Audio, Sutherland Engineering, and Tyler Acoustics&#151a VPI Scoutmaster turntable was spinning tunes, with amplification from Plinius driving the speakers&#151I would have to say that I didn’t do much listening in here. I mean, I <i>heard</i> music, but I was too busy enjoying my conversation with Silver Circle’s David Stanard, and I was too impressed by the <i>appearance</i> of the gear. From the cabinetry of the Tyler Acoustics Decade D1 loudspeakers to the <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/rmaf2010/hefty_ac_cords/">hefty AC cords</a> coming from the Silver Circle Pure Power One 5.0’s rear panel to the <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/rmaf2010/made_in_the_usa_enjoyed_everywhere… circuitry</a> of the Sutherland Engineering 20/20 phono preamp (review to come from Brian Damkroger), to the equipment rack&#151handmade by Stanard in one afternoon&#151everything was handsome and personal and showed obvious fine craftsmanship.

Check out the throng of thick Silver Circle AC cables, each with heavy-duty connectors from Furutech. Also note the lovely side panels of the Silver Circle Pure Power One 5.0. Who knew a power conditioner could be so pretty? The Pure Power One 5.0 ($5000; reviewed by Michael Fremer in our August 2010 issue) includes a 65-lb, 5kVA, custom-built isolation transformer, a proprietary EMI/RF filter, four double-ganged, gold-plated Furutech AC jacks, and a Vesuvius power cord.

I loved taking a look at the exposed circuitry of the new Sutherland Engineering 20/20 phono preamp ($2200; review to come from Brian Damkroger). Made in the USA, enjoyed everywhere.