Nexus Audio Technologies' Walter Schofield presented a rig consisting of the VPI Avenger Direct turntable with Fatboy tonearm ($36,000), VPI Shyla cartridge ($2500), and Primare R35 MM/MC phono preamp ($2000); the 432 EVO Master Music Server with Roon core endpoint ($18,000); the Primare PRE35 Prisma DM36 streaming preamplifier featuring the new DM36 advanced DAC module with MQA processing ($5250); and two Primare A35.2 stereo amplifiers ($3900 each) bridged to mono. Walter also presented the Stenheim Alumine Two.five Loudspeakers ($23,500/pair) in their North American debut, a full loom…
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Command AV's Jeff Fox was running two rigs at CAF, including a large scale assemblage in the Democracy suite, where the sound matched the beauty of the hi-fi. Jeff's setup included the day-glow red J.Sikora Standard MAX Special Editon turntable ($19,995) and J.Sikora KV MAX 12" Tonearm ($14,500) mounted with an Aidas Mammoth Gold Cartridge ($8650). From thence the signal ran to a Doshi Audio Evolution phono stage ($20,995). Digital front-end duties were handled by an Aurender N30SA server ($25,000), a Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Series 3 ($28,000), and a Berkeley Audio Design Alpha…
Walter Swanbon of Fidelis AV Distribution brought not only the Harbeth loudspeakers and Pure Fidelity turntable I raved about in recent Stereophile reviews, but also a couple brands I was unaware of until now. Walter always gets great room sound, so I was looking forward to a discovery.
Walter included the Pure Fidelity Harmony record player complete with Origin Live Encounter tonearm ($9995), (plus $500 for the premium finish shown), Lab 12 Melto 2 tube phono preamplifier ($4490), Lab 12 DAC 1, a non-oversampling DAC with a tubed output stage ($3290), and an Aurender N200 server…
Fast-talking, smooth-walking, Brit-expat Robin Wyatt is one of the best setup men in the game. Showcasing unique gear that he operates to perfection, his rooms typically capture best-in-show performance.
Records were played on the newly revived Michell Engineering Gyrodec SE turntable ($4000) with Sorane SA1.2 tonearm ($1925) and new Michell Engineering Levi Feet ($750). Robin had mounted on that meaty machine a Miyajima Labs Carbon Stereo Cartridge ($3000). A Miyajima Labs KSW SUT ($2250) did what SUTs do. Digital was also part of this package, in the form of a Sonore…
When we introduced Stereophile's Product of the Year awards in 1992 (footnote 1), we decided that, unlike some other publications' awards schemes, we would avoid what the late Art Dudley once described as the "every child in the class gets a prize" syndrome. We decided to keep the number of categories to the minimum. That way, in Loudspeakers, for example, high-value minimonitors would compete with cost-no-object floorstanders. In Analog Products, turntables would compete with tonearms, phono cartridges, and phono preamplifiers. And in Amplification, single-box integrated amplifiers would go…
Amplification Component of the Year
Audio Note Meishu 300B Tonmeister Phono Integrated Amplifier
($15,740; reviewed by Ken Micallef in Vol.46 No.2 review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Ayre VX-8 Power Amplifier ($6800; reviewed by Ken Micallef in Vol.46 No.10 review)
Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier ($3499; reviewed by John Atkinson In Vol.46 No.1 review)
Dan D'Agostino Momentum M400 MxV Monoblock Amplifier ($79,500/Pair; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in Vol.46 No.6 review)
HiFi Rose RS520 Streaming Integrated Amplifier ($3695; reviewed by Rogier…
Analog Component of the Year
SME Model 60 Turntable W/Series VA Tonearm
($71,900–$85,900; reviewed By Michael Trei in Vol.46 No.8 review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
AMG Giro Mk II Turntable w/9W2 Tonearm ($12,300; reviewed by Michael Trei in Vol.45 No.12 review)
TW-Acustic Raven GT Turntable w/12" Raven Tonearm ($19,000; reviewed by Alex Halberstadt in Vol.46 No.7 review)
VPI Avenger Direct Turntable w/12" Fatboy Tonearm ($36,000; reviewed by Ken Micallef in Vol.46 No.6 review)
SME's new flagship record player is based on 1990's Model 30…
Digital Source Component of the Year
dCS Bartók Apex D/A Processor
($20,950–$22,950; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.46 No.8 review)
Finalists (In alphabetical order)
Benchmark DAC3 B D/A Processor ($1890; reviewed by John Atkinson in Vol.46 No.3 review)
CH Precision C1.2 D/A Processor ($36,000–$43,500; reviewed by Jim Austin in Vol.46 No.2 review)
dCS Vivaldi Apex D/A Processor ($46,500; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in Vol.46 No.3 review)
HiFi Rose RS250A Streaming D/A Processor ($2695; reviewed by John Atkinson in Vol.46 No.10 review)
…
Headphone Product of the Year
Abyss Diana TC Headphones
($4495–$5995; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.46 No.5 review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Apple Airpod Pro 2 In-Ear Headphones ($249/pair; reviewed by Rogier van Bakel in Vol.46 No.3 review)
Focal Utopia Headphones ($5000; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.46 No.5 review)
HiFiMan HE-R10P Headphones ($5499; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.46 No.8 review)
Naim Uniti Atom HE Headphone Amplifier ($3799; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.46 No.5 review)
The stock, fourth-generation Abyss…
Accessory of the Year
Shaknspin2
($280; reviewed by Michael Trei in Vol.46 No.6 review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Benchmark Studio&Stage Loudspeaker Cable ($188/pair; reviewed By John Atkinson in Vol.46 No.3 review)
Herbie's Way Excellent II Turntable Mat ($88; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.45 No.12 & Michael Trei in Vol.46 No.9 review)
Nessie VinylCleaner Pro Plus+ Record-Cleaning Machine ($2495; reviewed by Julie Mullins in Vol.46 No.4 review)
Timerette Stylus Timer ($130; reviewed by Michael Trei in Vol.46 No.9 review)
As…