"We don't manufacture speakers; we craft instruments of acoustic truth," Minasian states at his Oriaco Audio website. "Our dedication to perfection demands complete oversight of the creative process, which is why we design and manufacture our own drivers, modify existing drivers to our standards, hand-select premium components for crossovers and cabinets, and employ proprietary measurement systems that push the boundaries of precision engineering."
The Burbank,…
Shayne's gorgeous-looking Burmester system included a Top Line 151 MK2 Musiccenter CD player/network ($30,000), a Top Line 088 preamplifier ($37,000), and a Reference Line 218 power amplifier ($60,000). The amplifier was driving a pair of B38 loudspeakers ($35,000/pair). A 948 power conditioner ($12,000) completed the array.
Honestly, this kind of shiny, solid state componentry is not usually my thing. There wasn't a turntable in sight, much less tubes or…
Sherrick’s system included a VPI Avenger Direct turntable ($40,000; additional tonearm $6200), the new Backert Labs Optik Phono 1.1 ($11,500; intended for use with DS Labs optical cartridges). Phono cartridges were the DS Audio W3 ($5500) and W3 Mono ($5500). Other source duties called upon were a Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC ($26,900) and an Innuos…
Paul Miller measured the F-Dur turntable and its F-Note tonearm for sister publication Hi-Fi News. PM found the F-Dur superior to its predecessor, the older EAT Forte S, with its TPE-damped alloy platter, "continuous polymer belt with carbon fiber, and low-noise AC motor."
Paul found very low through-groove noise, at –74dB (DIN B-weighted), and very good absolute speed accuracy—just 0.045% slow. Peak wow was very low, at 0.02%, and flutter—higher-frequency…
Analog sources: Thorens TD 124 turntable with Korf TA-SF9R tonearm/HS-A02 Ceramic Headshell. Cartridges: Kuzma CAR-30 MC, Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM.
Digital sources: Tascam CD-200 iL CD player, HoloAudio May DAC.
Preamplifiers: Rogue RP7 (line). Tavish Audio Design Adagio, Manley Chinook, PrimaLuna EVO 100, Allnic DT-5000 (phono).
Integrated amplifiers: Riviera Labs Levante, Unison Research S6 Black Edition.
Power amplifiers: Air Tight ATM-1 2024 Edition, Rogue Audio Stereo 100.
Loudspeakers: Voxativ Ampeggio 2024, Volti Audio Lucera,…
The system included also a HiFi Rose RS250A streamer ($2650), supplanting a misbehaving Audiobyte SuperHub ($4000). An Audiobyte Super Vox DAC ($4500), and two Neoson tube amplifiers were in use: the 10Wpc Genèse ($7885) and 20Wpc Evolution ($11,828). This front-end drove Atlantis Lab AT18 ($4960/pair) and AT31 ($14,194/pair) bookshelf speakers and AT16…
Description: Belt-driven, two-speed turntable with AC motor, reviewed with 12" EAT F-Note tonearm with gimbal bearings. Pivot-to-spindle distance: 291.6mm. Effective length: 12" (304.8mm). Overhang: 13.2mm. Offset angle: 18°. Max, min null points: 125mm, 251.7mm. Height adjustment: 40–65mm. Cartridge weight compatibility: 5–15gm. Effective mass: 21.4gm. Nominal speeds: 33 1/3, 45rpm. Speed variance: <±0.09%. Wow and flutter: <±0.01%. Speed accuracy: <±0.09%. S/N ratio: 73dB. Comes with a record weight and a laser alignment tool.
Dimensions: 21.5" (…
Motian had…
The Benny Audio Odyssey turntable with its partnering tonearm ($45,340), mounted with a Hana Umami Red cartridge ($3950), all sat on an Esseci Design Equilibrium platform ($2955). An Air Tight ATH-2 Reference step-up transformer ($6975) raised the voltage and an Air Tight ATE-3011 phono amplifier $34,975) provided additional gain plus RIAA equalization.
An Audio Mirror WAVE tube DAC ($11,…