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CH Precision always sends one of its people to assist with setup—a good idea for a major review, since it guarantees that the setup is correct and the sound achieved is up to what the component is capable of. In this case, my visitor was Kevin Wolff, CH Precision's Seattle-based global sales director. Kevin went through the setup process as I looked on, paying attention some of the time. He turned off unused inputs, set input gain, chose DC coupling for the active inputs, and labeled them. Kevin activated a third channel for an experiment.

Kevin set the system to warm up and…

Description: Modular, dual-mono line-level preamplifier with an 800 × 480 pixel, 24-bit RGB AMOLED display, eight inputs (four balanced on XLR, two each single-ended on RCA and BNC); four outputs (two fully balanced on XLR; one each single-ended on RCA and BNC). Relay-based input switching; 20-bit R-2R–based analog volume control with 236 0.5dB steps. Switchable absolute phase and mono settings. Max levels, input and output: 16V RMS balanced, 8V RMS single-ended. Input impedance: selectable 94k ohms or 600 ohms balanced, 47k ohms or 300 ohms single-ended. Output…

Analog sources: SME 30/12 (original version) with Series V-12 tonearm. Phono cartridges: Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon Verismo; Lyra Etna λ Lambda.
Digital Source: Roon Nucleus+, Innuos Statement NewGen server/streamer, CH Precision C1.2 D/A processor.
Preamplification: Line: Pass Laboratories XP-32. Phono: Pass Labs XP-27, Sutherland Big Loco.
Power amplifiers: Pass Laboratories XA60.8 monoblocks, CH Precision M1.1.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Carbon, Cinnamon, & Coffee USB; CAD USB;…

Another room exhibiting an EverSolo product was that of IsoAcoustics, which used a DMP-A8 streamer/DAP/DAC/preamplifier ($2700) to feed a pair of 350W PS Audio Stellar M700 monoblocks ($4500/each) and Aspen FR10 speakers ($13,999/pair)—two pairs—actually, one on regular spikes, the other on IsoAcoustics Gaia 2 isolation feet ($349.99/pack of 4)—to allow for an A/B demonstration.

Rounding out the system were a PowerPlant 15 AC regenerator ($10,699) and cabling by Kimber Kable.

On a track by Pink Floyd, the sound with the Aspens on their…

You want big-toned, vivid, seemingly effortlessly dispersed sound with a knack for delivering some of the most stable and incisively air-sculpted, but not fatiguing, imaging I've heard at the show? Then step right up, into the Motet room, which was showcasing a powerful system comprising a pair of PS Audio ASPEN FR30 speakers ($40,000/pair), two 65Wpc, class-A Accuphase A-80 power amplifiers in bridged mode ($28,000/each), an Accuphase C-2300 preamplifier ($15,000), a Lumin P1 streamer ($13,500), a PS Audio PowerPlant 20 AC regenerator ($15,000), with cabling by…

You know how they say that after a while dog owners start looking like their pets? I doubt it's true, but on the premise that it is, I wonder if the same can be claimed about brand names or store names; example: if you opened the "Best Gear Ever" store, would you, even subconsciously, feel compelled to seek out and sell the best gear? Would you try to resemble the name, to live up to it?

By the same token, what if your store is called Sonic Artistry? Would you feel compelled to sell gear that's uncommon and makes music that…

Ontario retailer Hearken Audio always showcases systems made up of exotic products usually from distant lands by brands unfamiliar to me that, together, don't fail to be musical standouts at shows.

This year, Hearken demoed a particularly synergistic batch. Some exhibitors are very good at finding products that work optimally together, and I'd say that Matt Thomas, proprietor of Hearken Audio, is up there in being able to do that—he's got the audio-dealer nose for such things.

The demo this year was centered around products by Senna Sound, a…

Given that it has taken Devialet 14 years to issue an entirely new, up-to-date integrated, this was a major premiere in a relatively small package. Available in two colors, light bronze or (for a higher price) Opéra de Paris 23…

Another great-sounding room was the one hosted by retailer Vinyl Sound, a name that, as proprietor of the store, you have to live up to—you have to sell turntables!

And they do, of course, having brought to the show a particularly sweet-sounding one—the MoFi MasterDeck turntable with an Ultra Gold MC cartridge ($9995 for both / $8495 w/o cartridge). The 'table was feeding a MoFi MasterPhono ($8495), a class-A, 30Wpc Mastersound Compact 845 tube integrated amplifier ($12,995), and the brand new MoFi SourcePoint 888 speakers ($7250/pair). Cabling, AC products, and…

When I entered the room, I encountered some poorly recorded, edgy rock. A recording of the kind that might convince many a showgoer to forego this room, never to return. But because I’ve…