The new MC X-series moving coil cartridges appear to have jumped the fence and broken free of what I long perceived as Ortofon's traditional Scandinavian style. This month, I'm auditioning the top of the X series, the MC X40, which costs $1150 and sounds almost Japanese.

A hi-fi dealer's son, Matt Alterman has been in or near the business almost all his life. His dealership, Crescendo Audio, is coming full circle as he opens a new location in Boulder, Colorado, the town where he launched his first store 13 years ago.

Following a video interview for Stereophile's video channel (watch it below and subscribe here), Audio Note UK's Adrian Ford-Crush played tunes from a Level 4/5 system that included the brand's TT Three Reference turntable ($63,000), which debuted at T.H.E. New York International Audio Show.

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Anthony Chiarella, director of sales and marketing for Gryphon NA, was joined by Command Performance AV CEO Jeff Fox and sales manager Jessie Bentley to present two debuts.

The three heavy hitters noted above brought Italian heavy hitter Thuono to Capital Audiofest (CAF), showing the Thuono TH400 turntable ($59,500) for the first time in the US. I've noted these handsome machines at High End Munich; it's great to finally see the brand stateside.

I was pleased to finally meet John Tarulli, Hi-Fi Sales Manager at Audio-Technica US. A mainstay in hi-fi, consumer, and pro electronics since 1962, Audio-Technica doesn't necessarily need audiophiles, but we sure do need Audio-Technica.

Ofra Gershman debuted her new Symphoria loudspeakers ($70,000/pair) at CAF. Joining the loudspeakers were a LampizatOr Aphrodite DAC ($105,000) and a Gulfstream music server ($8500).

High End by Oz's Oz Turan pops up at shows when least expected, often showing new gear or teaming up with new brands. This year at CAF, Oz systems (and Oz himself) appeared in two rooms.