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Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole speakers and Norma electronics from AudioThesis of Texas

I first encountered consistently handsome Rosso Fiorentino speakers at a show years ago, and immediately encouraged a now-retired distributor to pick up the Italian brand. I'm so happy to discover that AudioThesis is now bringing them into the US.

Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole speakers ($8500/pair) with matching Fiesole Stands ($1500/pair) were paired with a Norma Revo IPA-140B ($8000) and Norma Revo DS-1 CD player/DAC ($6000), a Lumin P1 streamer ($10,000) acting as a transport into the Norma Revo DS-1's DAC, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner ($9800) and Dragon cabling, and…

Why do you need all those microphones?

"Why do you need all of those microphones?"

I've been asked this question more than once, by musicians you may have heard of. I'm not going to name names, but if you press me I might. Let's see where this goes.

It's a reasonable question, sometimes. Still.

I've had serious conservatory musical training, but I wouldn't call myself a musician—not anymore. At one time, I would have. Now, I would say that I'm a recording engineer and music producer. So, why would a musician with no technical training or professional technical experience consider themselves a proficient,…

Matterhorn Audio Group & Luxury Audio Distribution present FinkTeam, Creek and more

Another speaker surprise from Matterhorn Audio Group of Boston. The midrange exceled through FinkTeam Borg floorstanding loudspeakers (starting at $36,490/pair), shown next to the Kim standmount (starting at $12,990/pair). The sound of Dominique Fils-Aimé singing "Birds" was as fetching as Chris Botti's "What a Wonderful World" was lovely.

The German Borg is specified as extending down to 32Hz, with a roll-off of –6dB by 41Hz. High frequencies extend above 30kHz, again with roll-off. Average impedance is 10 ohms, dropping to 6.5 ohms at 20kHz, and sensitivity is 87dB. Completed with…

JaguarAudio.com of Bellevue showcases the Avantgarde Zero TA speakers, Enleum 23R integrated/headphone amp, Phasemation EA-1200 phono preamp, Kuzma, and more

"Really nice alive sound." Simple words, they. But truth be told, they only apply to a limited number of systems at an audio show and far beyond, in the supposed "real" world.

This room was hosted by Darin Forkenbrock of JaguarAudio.com (center in photo above, flanked by stepfather Richard Brunne, left, and Randy Forman, right), contained brands that I rarely discover at shows. Terminating at Avantgarde Zero TA loudspeakers ($15,995/pair), the system began with a Kuzma Stabi M turntable ($24,875) with Kuzma 4-Point 9" tonearm ($6995), Phasemation PP-2000 cartridge ($6995), and…

Genesis Prime+ speakers lord over Merrill 116MX amplifiers and Caileigh preamplifier, Viola Sonata preamplifier, VPI and more

So large in size that few if any dealers will ever be able to carry them, the prototype Genesis Prime+ loudspeakers ($680,000/system) exhibited a beautiful midrange on an LP of Oleta Adams singing "Don't let the Sun Go Down on Me." Ditto for the voice of Mel Tormé, accompanied by George Shearing on "You'd Be So Nice To Come To."

Both LPs were played on a VPI Avenger Direct turntable ($36,000) with Wand tonearm and a Goldenberg Maestro cartridge ($6000). The phono stage was a VPI prototype (projected at $6000). The line stage preamplifier during my time in the room was the Viola…

Bending Wave Moves and Thrills with the Göbel Divin Noblesse speakers, Wadax Reference DAC, CH Precision electronics, and Nordost power products

Without doubt, of all the systems I evaluated at the 2022 Pacific Audio Fest, the imposing, hardly bargain-basement set-up assembled by Elliot Goldman, of Florida-based Bending Wave USA, was one of the Top Three Best Sounding. Only equipment capable of top-level sound reproduction could have worked together synergistically to deliver such convincing full-range sound.

When I entered the room, Elliot was playing a 1994 digital mastering of Peter Hurford's analog recording of J.S. Bach's Passacaglia & Fugue for Organ in C minor. Although I was still settling in and taking photos while…

Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene Loudspeakers, Doshi Audio Electronics, and Cardas Cabling = Bliss

Is it possible that two of the best-sounding rooms at the show could be on the same floor? You know the answer.

It takes a superb system to hold its own against Bending Wave's powerhouse. Yet Jeff Joseph's considerably more financially modest undertaking wooed over one show attendee after the other. Opinions were unanimous amongst those I spoke with. If Bending Wave's set-up didn't walk away with Best of Show, this system did. If there were other contenders for Top Two, I regretfully missed them.

First, the components:
Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene loudspeakers ($44,…

Audio-Ultra's new Dohmann Helix 2 Base turntable with even newer Kuzma Safir 9" Arm with Silver Kondo wire

Ed DeVito, whose by appointment Audio-Ultra showroom is located a short ride from SEATAC airport, had planned to exhibit his Dohmann Helix 2 Base turntable ($33,000) with optional Carbon Fibre Top ($2700) and composite armboard ($2600). The table was equipped with the even newer Kuzma Safir 9" Arm with Silver Kondo wire XLR ($22,000) and Ortofon Verismo cartridge ($6999). But when he finished setting it up to perfection in his showroom, it sounded so right that he decided to leave it where it was.

Hence, one night after Michael Fremer visited Ed's showroom, did yours truly drive…

VAC's ultimate statement of its ultimate Statement amplifiers joins Von Schweikert Ultra 7 speakers and more

"Who would be crazy enough to exhibit these speakers in a 60' x 65' room?" asked Von Schweikert designer Leif Erickson (left in photo, with VAC's Kevin Hayes) as he cozied up next to me. Given what I was seeing and hearing, in the company of audiophile and the owner of the late Art Dudley's Altec Flamencos, Bob Lichtenberg, craziness seemed beside the point.

We began with a QSound classic, Roger Waters' "A Perfect Sense, Pt. 1." If it wasn't QSound, then I share in the purported craziness, because the all-encompassing, full and warm sound was coming at me from three sides of the…

Margules Amplifiers and Raidho Speakers Shine at PAF

In a room that better suited Margules electronics than the room at the 2022 Long Beach show, and with smaller Raidho TD3.2 loudspeakers ($70,000/pair) replacing the 3.8s used there, Margules electronics delivered an extremely pleasing sound with a lively but non-edgy top. The all-male a cappella rendition of "These Bones Will Rise Again"—I believe they rose in Long Beach as well—joined another resurrected oldie, the silly "Jazz Variants" from the O-Zone Percussion Group, to showcase how successfully these tube components reproduce deep bass and high-pitched percussion.

For color, we…