A Pro-Ject turntable with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge sent signal to a Black Ice Fusion F159 MM/MC phono stage ($1875), with two 6922/6DJ8 tubes and azimuth correction, Black Ice Fusion F360 preamp ($2500, above), using a 6SN7 dual triode with zero negative feedback in a Jim Fosgate design, Black Ice Fusion F100 power amp using four EL84s for 120Wpc ($7800; $8200 w/KT88s;…
Robin Wyatt's Robyatt room wins my early, best sound of show. Playing recordings I thought I knew well, as well as those I'd never heard, his exacting, tonally true, vivid, physical, natural and extremely transparent system left my jaw on the floor and other's mouths agape.
My usual spiel re: Billie Holiday: "Forget her later period Verve pressings, you want the Columbia Masterworks reissued Billie, when she's young and her is life ahead of her, her style joyful."
Spinning the Analogue Productions mono reissue of…
This year at CAF was no different, Jeff's system and choice of vinyl inspiring, calming/stunning, informing and educational.
High Water Sound's front-end comprised a TW-Acustic LS 3 Motor-Copper turntable ($24,000), Gianz 12" tonearm with Tzar DST…
Comprised of a reduced-weight aramid fiber (think Kevlar) armtube, zirconia…
Voxativ CEO Ines Adler was on hand to explain her new Voxativ 9.88 System speakers ($75,000/pair), consisting of a Pi-Monitor w/AC-4NP full-range driver, single Mid-Module (with 8" passive driver), and Pi-Bass Module with two active, mirror-firing woofers.
The handmade, full-range 8" Voxativ full-range driver (above) comprises a Washi…
Regarding their music menu, British boy band escapee, alias forger, and Audio Note (UK) Sales Executive Adrian Ford-Crush eschewed smooth jazz martini vocals, overplayed blues anthems, and yet another Thriller playback for contemporary electronic, rock, and jazz. Bring it!
The front-end of the all-Audio Note (UK) system involved a TT Three Turntable with PSU1 ($9410), Arm Three/II Tonearm…
Founded in 2004 by former members of Marantz Japan, Soul Note is a subsidiary of CSR, Inc., headquartered in…
Running into my Brooklyn buddy and Mytek head honcho Michal Jurewicz at the local Safeway (hotel food: $$$), he invited me to an after-hours shootout between his forthcoming GaN FET-powered, Empire monoblocks ($19,990/pair, below), which are specified as offering 400W into 8 ohms and 800W into 4 ohms. His dueling partner in this shootout was Albert Guerra of AGD Productions, who brought his GaN FET-operated Gran Vivace Monoblocks ($18,500/pair).
Streaming Qobuz to Mytek's Empire Streamer ($24,995, above)…
O'Hanlon had the brand spanking new Graham Audio LS8/1 Limited Edition standmount loudspeakers ($9700/pair, with stands). When I told him I owned a pair of the Spendor BC1s, upon which the Grahams are based, O'Hanlon fiendishly poured more whisky down my throat, wrestled me to the carpeted hotel floor, and introduced me to golden Montreal harpist, Isabeau Corriveau (bottom photo…
That's why the Three Volti Musketeers always play music loudly, pre and post show hours, checking the rig, always experimenting. I can attest to this phenomena, as I was up early and late, researching room…