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Given his seemingly endless stream of ideas, virtuoso instrumentalism, and considerable wealth of recordings, Keith Jarrett is a creative universe unto himself. He began his recording career on Atlantic Records and recorded for several labels, including Impulse!, along the way, but it was on Manfred Eicher's label ECM that he first broke through to worldwide fame in 1973, with the 3-LP set Keith Jarrett, Solo Concerts: Bremen/Lausanne. Considering its landmark status, it's fitting that the album is among the first releases in ECM's new Luminessence vinyl series, reissued in its original…
At the Florida International Audio Expo 2024, the Focal–Naim suite presented an opportunity to experience two stereo systems combining Focal speakers with Naim electronics in one of House of Stereo's numerous outstanding rooms at the show.
The Aria Evo X line, which debuted at CES 2024 last month, made its first appearance at an audio show here, also introducing a new Moss Green finish. The first system I experienced included the new Focal Aria Evo X N°4 speakers ($5998/pair), the largest towers in the series. These speakers have a rated response of 37Hz–30kHz, with bass extension down to…
Acora Acoustics' Valerio Cora, VAC's Kevin Hayes, and VPI's Mat Weisfeld are big dudes. They make big equipment. It makes big sound. Their audio assemblage at FLAX produced music that was more than big; it was overwhelming.
This great rig made a mighty appearance in the Westshore ballroom playing a wide variety of tunes: Elton John when his talent was big ("Rocket Man"); Melody Gardot (not big, but big talent) sounding live; Oscar Peterson playing "Summertime" as if he (another big man) was in the room; and Syd Lawrence's big orchestra amassed in front of me with big, shouting…
At audio shows, an exceptional room can linger in your memory, much like a catchy song that you can't shake. Perhaps the room's acoustics perfectly complement the speakers, or maybe the chosen demo tracks strike a chord.
It could also be that you are experiencing exceptional performance from the gear itself, when it sounds so good that it earns a spot in your long term memory. With Børresen Acoustics' new X1 speakers ($5500/pair), it's clearly—obviously—the performance that earns your attention, regardless of what's playing.
The X1 speaker's 4.5" midrange/bass driver is made with…
In 1976, a Soviet fighter pilot named Viktor Belenko made an emergency landing in Hokkaido, Japan. He was flying a MiG-25 supersonic interceptor jet and, upon touching down, requested political asylum. This proved to be a stroke of brilliant luck for the Americans. The MiG-25 remains one of the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever produced, and Belenko's defection allowed them to have a tantalizing look at the technology inside.
After the US Air Force took the plane apart piece by piece, the Japanese returned it to the Soviets in 30 containers, charging them $40,000 for crating…
What didn't I love about the VK-80i? Though its sound is difficult to criticize, compared to some favorite tube amps, like the Manley Mahi or the Ampsandsound Red October, it can come across as a bit mechanical and studious, lacking the very last measures of presence, drama, and fun. Then again, those amps lack the BAT's admirable neutrality and ability to drive speakers of average sensitivity, so pick your poison.
Finally, in operation the VK-80i produces some positively Hadean heat—its power consumption dwarfs that of the ungodly-hot Line Magnetic—so if you live in the tropics or…
Suncoast Audio, a Sarasota-based dealership, was new to me, and boy, did it deliver: Four rooms, and each had serious buzz. Michael Bovaird, proprietor of Suncoast Audio and a cofounder of the Florida Audio Expo, put together rooms that played music that kept the room full, with knowledgeable support personnel (including Nordost's Seth Snyder) to answer questions.
Room 304's setup included the Esoteric K-05XD SACD/CD player/DAC ($12,000), the Pass Labs XP-17 phono stage ($4,500), the Pass Labs XP-22 dual-chassis line stage ($9,975), and the Pass Labs X260.8, 260Wpc Class AB…
High End by Oz's Ozan Turan was showing beautiful equipment in the Kennedy Room, including an Esoteric X-05 CD/SACD Player ($12,000), Thrax Audio Maximinus Silver DAC ($38,500), Viva Audio Solista MK II class A 22Wpc integrated amplifier ($29,500), and Lansche Audio Model 5.2 speakers in white ($57,000/pair). Hifistay Mythology racks ($6,500) held the gear and Albedo provided their Silver signal and power cables ($6,000–$23,000) and a S.I.N. Audio PSD Unlimited Power Distributor ($23,500).
The sound of the Oz High End rig was exceptionally pure and clean in the upper…
Though the hotel halls of Capital Audiofest 2023 were not as busy as some exhibitors might have hoped, the event's listening rooms were filled to the brim with choice equipment, practically overflowing. One piece that captured my attention was a turntable that embodies thoughtful design and contemporary Italian style: the Gold Note Mediterraneo X ($12,999). This elegant turntable combines traditional materials with touch-friendly digital technology in arresting fashion.
An exploration of the artistry and expertise behind the Mediterraneo X is a journey through Italian craftsmanship.
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Easy setup
The Gold Note Mediterraneo X arrived protected in a robust cardboard package. Four precisely cut foam rubber sections cradled several turntable parts, each illustrated in the accompanying manual.
The tonearm was premounted and calibrated; all I needed to do was follow the instructions regarding platter placement. Gold Note even supplied a thick "lifting eye bolt" that screws into the platter, making moving it from the box to the turntable a breeze. That done, I mounted a VPI Shyla MC cartridge on the headshell, looped the nylon antiskate wire around the provided…