The Voxativ 9.87s ($34,900) were one of the most articulate and transparent sounding setups at the show. Plentiful depth, infinite air, and pinpoint accurate imaging.
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand Symphony Edition fronted by Chord’s Symphonic phonostage was an absolute joy to listen to. The Spider cones are an interesting design.
Without the $30,000 Stromtank power conditioner, the Martin Logan Renaissance sounds suffocated and congested.
The pairing of Vinnie Rossi’s LIO integrated amplifier ($13,995 with all the options) with the Harbeth 40th Anniversary 30.2 loudspeakers ($6,495) provided a very sweet and euphoric sound. The LIO allows one to upgrade the linestage, add a DAC module, add a phonostage, and even a headphone amp.
By now I’ve realized, it’ll be difficult for a system to sound bad with a MSB Reference DAC ($39,500) in place. Definitely one of the best DACs in the world.
During our A/B sessions with SOtM’s new master clock, the sCLK-OCX10, the differences weren’t subtle. The master clock provides a much lower noise floor, much more air, more detail, and more contouring around voices and instruments. It does everything better. I’m excited to try this clock with my SOtM Trifecta.
The Vandersteen flagship: Model Seven Mk II. I only heard classical out of this system and it was really clean and spacious. Fast, smooth, and decays naturally. A show favorite.
The most dynamic and punchy system at the show. It’s amazing how well these Constellation monoblocks and Wilson Alexia Series-2 speakers ($57,900/pair) sound in this small room. From dynamic thrusts of drums to the lowest of musical minutiae, this system was effortless and authoritative. Unequivocally one of the few top-tier systems at the show.
All about PS Audio. The new P20 Power Plant is on full display and rocking hard.
Wyred 4 Sound’s DAC-2v2SE 10th Anniversary Limited Edition ($4,499)
Legacy VALOR loudspeaker ($80,000). A popular and one of the more emotionally involving systems at the show. In a two stage process the Room Correction algorithm cleans up the early unwanted reflections from your room’s floor, ceiling and walls, thereby allowing the Stereo Unfold algorithm to restore the vectors encoded in the L/R information.
The W4S PS-1 at the bottom right provides four zones up to 15V and 4A max draw. There are high-current modules available and voltages could be selected on the fly.
Classic Audio Loudspeakers – T-1.5 Reference ($72,950/pair)
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Thank you for the Kind words about our room being the biggest surprise! Quicksilver amps as an important part of the system! The Spendor speakers are A4 not D4 - they are a fun captivating speaker. Sorry we did not have any components with zirconium !
I've corrected the typo. Thank you for setting up such an enjoyable listening experience. :)
Beautiful photo's, thanks!
Amazing show report - so many pictures!
Agreed, Stereophile writers are so full of themselves with their blathering prejudicial adjectives, which room, music or presenter didn't strike their fancy, not giving systems a chance to redeem themselves, lousy photography, plus the endless model numbers and price listing's make for a difficult translation of experience.
Your approach is uplifting and positive for it's been said "a picture tells a thousand words".
I appreciate that David. I think these show reports are complementary across all the other publications. We're just trying to paint an insightful picture for our readers. Luckily I don't have "assignments" and post whatever I think will bring more value to my readers. I personally feel it's difficult to isolate which component you're hearing in the room. I could make a speaker sound warmer or brighter with a swap of a power cable. That's why the Synergistic Research and Nordost demos were so enlightening, adding/removing one component at a time. This also applies to headphones. However, when a system sounds great notwithstanding these show conditions, that's when I zoom in. :)
Great photos! I appreciate all the details as well. I hope you don't mind if I repost a few with credit.
Be my guest, Will! Really enjoyed the ZOTL10 Mk.II at this show and your headphone amp with the ZMF headphones and HD650s at a previous show. I believe it was a San Diego cable booth.
I was at the show and thought the best speakers were the Lumen White, Monitor Audio, Tekton DIs, Revels, and the B&O powered speakers. The Micromega all in one system was very impressive. Thanks for the nice show report.
Thanks, Rob. I spent a bit of time in the Micromega room as well. Impressive sound for such a minimalistic setup. He also demoed the effects of the IsoAcoustic Gaia(?). The Lumen White had a realism I didn't hear in most rooms.
Hi,
Just to say sincere thanks for all your efforts - the best coverage of RMAF so far.
I do some reviewing myself (for 6moons) and I would love to have been there myself, but the 4.5k miles that lie between Glasgow and Denver proved a flight too far, at least this time around.
Interesting too to see Gryphon touching down in the States. I worked at their sole UK dealership for six years so I know the brand inside out. Also, it's always nice to read about Tannoy sounding good in far flung places, because the factory is just a ten minute stroll from my front door.
Finally & coincidentally - we share a favourite in Springbank 21; seriously it's been my #1 dram for many years. Although I more often 'make do' with the 15yr old if funds are tight, which is to say usually!
All the very best.
Hey Bill, you know what they say, great whiskey palates have great ears. ;) I was impressed with rich textures of the Gryphons at the show. Tannoys have a similar sweet and meaty tone. Never been to Glasgow but you're very close to ALL the whiskey action. I'll plan a trip to Scotland one of these days. Let me know which show you'll be attending next and we'll hang.
Any trip to Scotland and I'll happily be your whisky guide, absolutely. And if I do make it to the States I will definitely give you a shout. Keep up the good work. All the very best.
Jay
Your observations and kind words for the Merging Technologies room reflect some of the same comments we received from many music lovers as they visited our room. Thanks for taking the time
Mike
HI,
On behalf on VANA, the North American Distributor for Audio Physic, thank you for visiting our room and pointing out the beautiful Avantera III Loudspeakers:)
Nancy Weiner
Managing Director
VANA, Ltd
and the CODEX!