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Blackfire Research

Spend some time with Ravi Rajapakse, President and CEO of Blackfire Research, and you might get the impression that he’s some sort of control freak.

“What we’ve ensured here with our technology is that the entire signal path, from source through speakers, has been carefully controlled. And it has been controlled by me,” he says flatly, before catching himself and adding a nervous laugh.

His language is colored with all sorts of science and technology. His deep background in Silicon Valley’s wireless networking world lends a casual, confident air to his demeanor.…

Made in the USA, Enjoyed Everywhere

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.

Yeah!

Hefty AC Cords

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.

Fine Craftsmanship

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 heard music, but I was too busy enjoying my conversation with Silver Circle’s David Stanard, and I was too impressed by the appearance of the gear. From the cabinetry of the Tyler Acoustics Decade D1 loudspeakers to the hefty AC cords coming from the Silver Circle Pure Power…

Stick With Mono

Thanks to Tone Imports’ Jonathan Halpern (of course!) for passing this along.

Veloce Audio and YG Acoustics

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)—are there any impure tubes?—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…

The Lowther's Backside

We audiophiles can't resist pushing the boundaries of intimacy. Step on those cables, jostle them amps—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).

Lowther and First Watt

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°, Reference Recordings' LP issue of Stravinsky's Firebird had absolutely amazing bass. "Amazing," I wrote twice in my notes.

Then I learned that the system—Lowther America Field-Coil EXR open-baffle loudspeaker (estimated cost $15,000/pair), First Watt J2 amplifiers ($3595/each), First Watt B5 electronic crossover ($1600), Pass Labs XP20 preamp ($8600), a computer-based digital front end using Foobar and other software, and the…

EAR's Gear Up Close

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.

EAR USA

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, Meeting at the River, 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.

Doing the honors were the unheard EAR Acute CD player ($6195), Townshend Audio Rock 7 ($…