Ken Micallef

Reel Magic: AV Luxury Group, On A Higher Note, Bayz Audio, Accustic Arts, Shunyata Research
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 19, 2025
Thomas Kiss (AVLG) and Philip O’Hanlon (On A Higher Note) delivered a startling surprise. Upon entering their room, attendees faced an unsettling ambiguity: fight, flight, or surrender to the experience. Most chose the latter.
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Metaxas & Sins: A Sonic and Visual Spectacle
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 18, 2025
Reel Sound Distribution’s Jeff Garshon came fully armed to Tampa, with a Metaxas & Sins system that was both fantastic looking and sounding.
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A Powerhouse System: Oneiros Audio, VPI, Audio Research, and AudioQuest
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 18, 2025
I’ve heard the new Oneiros speaker in three different rooms in New York City and thought I had their sound pegged. I was wrong.
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A Seat Worth Fighting For: Joseph Audio, Doshi, and the Studer A810
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 18, 2025
Jeff Joseph's room is the hottest ticket at every show. Securing a seat is a yearly battle, driven by the sheer, undeniable magic of his and Nick Doshi's reel-to-reel system.
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Big Sound, Tough Space: High End by Oz, Viva Audio, Wolf Systems, Wireworld
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 17, 2025
In one of Joe Parvey and House of Stereo’s five rooms at FLAX 2025, the Jacksonville, Florida dealer presented horn-loaded speakers and tubed electronics. Be still my beating heart!
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Synergy in Sound: Gershman Acoustics with VPI, Esoteric, and VAC
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 17, 2025
Ofra Gershman brought an exceptional system to FLAX 2025.
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Volti Audio’s New Benchmark: The Vittora
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 12, 2025
Volti Audio’s Greg Roberts debuted his new Vittora Loudspeaker System ($50,000). It is the latest version of the horn-loaded system Art Dudley reviewed in September, 2013. The new Vittora system included the two main, birch-ply speakers (104dB at nominal 8 ohms, 50Hz-20k), two Extended Low Frequency ELF12 cabinets (with 12" sub drivers), one ELFpre preamp, and two ELFamp amplifiers (500W each). Alternately, customers can order two ELF18 cabinets (which include an 18" driver).
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Aurorasound HFSA-01 integrated amplifier
Integrated Amp Reviews
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 06, 2025
Audiophiles are often misunderstood as mere hobbyists; in fact they hold a profound reverence for sound. Japanese jazz kissas, where vintage vinyl, turntables, tube amplifiers, and horn speakers have drawn audiences since the 1950s, exemplify this passion. Western audiophiles share a similar fervor, though our pursuit of sonic perfection often manifests in a more discreet, almost monastic, lifestyle.

Shinobu Karaki, a 65-year-old electronics designer, is the founder and chief designer of Japan's Aurorasound. A music lover first, an audiophile second, and an aspiring jazz and classical guitarist, Karaki crafts phono stages, step-up transformers, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and integrated amplifiers for his Yokohama-based audio company.

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Playback Distribution: PMC, Esoteric, Esprit, Quadrasphire
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 06, 2025
Keith Haas and Rob Standley of Playback Distribution, PMC loudspeakers, and a gaggle of men in suits from Esoteric brought a big, banging, no-holds-barred system to Tampa.
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Simply Active: ATC Loudspeakers, Lone Mountain Audio
Florida Audio Expo 2025
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 06, 2025
Lone Mountain Audio’s Brad Lund, Aleks Bars, and old Hall Audio pal Leland Leard brought a minimal but effective rig to Tampa.
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