Audio Advice Live 2025

August 1-3, 2025 | Sheraton Hotel — Raleigh, NC

Register Now!

Thursday evening’s exclusive preview was exciting for two reasons:

• Firstly, a lot of high-end home theater premieres
• NEW is the news at Audio Advice LIVE 2025

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Brand representatives from FOCAL, ASCENDO, TRINNOV, and Audio Advice were in attendance to lead press members on a guided tour of the exhibit and demonstration spaces. Let’s get into our favourites from the night.

ASCENDO and TRINNOV

Pushing the envelope is the best way to describe the wave-forming demo presented by Audio Advice. All you need is twelve subwoofers, a room, and an idea. This was a debut for Trinnov WaveForming at Audio Advice Live, and a debut for Ascendo subwoofers entirely.

WaveForming can be implemented with as few as four subwoofers, but for Audio Advice Live, Trinnov and ASCENDO have staged an especially impressive demonstration. The 25’ x 25’ x 8’ Magnolia 2 demo room features Trinnov’s flagship Altitude32 audio processor and Amplitude16 amplifiers, as well as twelve ASCENDO “THE16 SUB ACTIVE SEALED” German-built 16-inch subwoofers.

And if that wasn’t enough — infrasonic bass has entered the chat — a 32-inch super subwoofer (pictured at the end of this article) that produces bass you can feel like never before. Seriously! Make sure you’ve eaten your Wheaties before entering the room. Internal bodily fortitudes will be put to the test.

LEARN MORE HERE and HERE for the subs

The Revelation by Audio Advice

Audio Advice, one of the top home theater companies in the United States, unveiled a new home theater seat that is loaded with functionality from powered recline, headrest and lumbar support to advanced heat and massage: Revelation Luxury Home Theater Chair ($1,349 for a limited time, originally $2,499). Building on the success of the original Revelation model, this new release redefines comfort, design, and functionality, combining years of hands-on expertise with direct customer feedback.

Scott Newnam, CEO of Audio Advice, gave us the most enthusiastic and personal story behind the Revelation chair’s redesign and refinement. It does EVERYTHING but pop the popcorn for your ultimate needs-meeting comfort. At the promotional price, it feels like the ultimate steal. We’ll take a dozen.

LEARN MORE HERE

Conveniently located just minutes away from the Augusta National Golf Club | https://absouluteav.com/

FOCAL/Naim

The all-new DIVA UTOPIA combines the best of Focal Acoustics and Naim Electronics. This active bass-reflex speaker offers high-quality sound, the latest wireless technologies, and extensive connectivity for exceptional listening experiences. Whether it’s music, movies, or video games, it revolutionises home listening and frees you from all constraints. With DIVA UTOPIA and its unique design, simply plug in, connect, and enjoy the pure sound of Focal.

Representatives from FOCAL gave a quick whirl through current and upcoming color finish options, which include both fabric and hard-painted finishes, and include upcoming wood finishes as well. During our listening sessions it was noted by us that the DIVA UTOPIA’s sonic character is both an easy entry point into the higher end Focal/Naim offerings, while also for some a complete “does-it-all solution” for those with demanding audio needs.

LEARN MORE HERE

The ASCENDO 32-inch subwoofer I promised you.

The post Exclusive Sneak Preview | Audio Advice LIVE 2025 appeared first on INDULGR.

Words and Photos by The INDULGR Staff

We attended this year’s audio show with all of our US-based staff present, and even a few friends in tow. What lies ahead is our top picks for the most honest highlights of the Capital Audiofest 2024 weekend, along with an even stronger collection of exhibits that battled for our best-of-show honors. Also included, a photographic oddity “temptation” at the end of our article that shows off the kinkier side of this audiophile hobby.

Enjoy the show!

WADAX, Riviera, Göbel, Bending Wave

Bending Wave is a Florida based dealer-slash-distributor of globally renowned high-end audio brands. Exhibiting at Capital Audiofest 2024, familiar faces in WADAX, Riviera, and Göbel. Often we see monster sized speakers and audio racks filled with glitzy components from the aforementioned makers, but this year was different, but still same-same?

The Göbel Divin Comtesse debuted earlier this year at the Munich High-End Show to great fanfare. Despite representing the smallest footprint yet, and “entry-level” place in the product lineup, the new loudspeaker was reported to omit nothing of the signature dynamics and scale we associate with the Göbel brand. So when it was announced that the plump baby was to make an American debut at CAF 2024, the Bending Wave exhibit moved to the top of our ‘priority rooms’ list. Also showing were WADAX‘s new Studio Player Disc/DAC/Streamer, and a small but powerful collection of Riviera components that don’t shy away from a sturdy asking price.

Our Impressions

• Nice scale for a small speaker, though it’s what we expect from Göbel, and the fact is: multiple 8-inch bass drivers and tweeter horns don’t hide much
• Nice sense of depth and image solidity, again something we expect from the system given the capable speakers and electronics
• If there’s one gripe: treble was a bit disjointed from the rest but still agile and tonally enjoyable, that said, horns aren’t known to be the first word in waveform coherence

Overall, the small (in Bending Wave terms) exhibit system did everything we expected from the coalition of brands reputation. What’s more exciting are the possibilities of large scale dynamics that deliver an unquestionably more refined semi-horn sound. We’re excited to see what comes of the little-big speakers that could.

https://www.bendingwaveusa.com/

Kharma, Conrad-Johnson, 20/20 Evolution Systems

Kharma loudspeakers under the supreme control of Jay Truitt of 20/20 Evolution Systems‘ one-of-a-kind electronics displays is always a fan favourite — if one were to say that audio shows had fans. It’s been our tradition in recent years to stroll into Jay’s exhibit room on Sunday afternoon like we own the place, take a center seat and riffle through an hour or more of what we consider demanding music. Not to say it’s demanding on the listener, but demanding on the playback system. Mr. Truitt’s Kharma helmed systems never fail to leave us speechless.

Making their US debut, a stunning pair of Kharma Enigma Veyron 4D loudspeakers. If you’re an automotive nerd, or just happen to have a pulse, you know the name Veyron well, and know what the word means: powerful, fast, and prestigious. All things we would say are duly earned by the commercially popular toys that bear the moniker. Present company included.

The rest of the ultra-high-end system featured analog playback from Kuzma, digital playback from Taiko and Lampizator, and all manner of signal amplification from Conrad-Johnson.

Our Impressions

• The best Kharma loudspeaker experience we’ve ever had
• Staging extended well beyond the boundaries of the room in both depth and width. The stage was ultra wide, deep, and tall when the music demanded it
• Images were dense and solid with no uncertainty or confusion, all were distinctly outlined and defined
• Overall tone was very warm but without giving up any resolution, supremely enjoyable and listenable, we could (and nearly did) absolutely listen all day without fatigue
• Fleshy and textured, while still forgiving to poorly recorded content
• As with all previous Kharma demos, treble went right to the edge of extension without ever crossing the line into anything unpleasant
• Dynamically true and rendering all types of content, instrument, and voices with fantastic timbre and textures

Overall, 20/20 Evolution Systems always deliver a best-of-show level sound at any show you put them. Though, with our highest praise comes also our highest scrutiny. The Kharma Enigma Veyron 4D was Jameson’s favourite ultra-high-end loudspeaker of Capital Audiofest 2024, while Eric’s favourite of the ilk was the other perennial favourite, TIDAL Audio loudspeakers as shown by The Voice That Is (read about TIDAL speakers further ahead in this article).

To establish a bit of context as to why I (Eric) still prefer the TIDAL speakers, I’ll say this: If I were a younger man, looking to “run at it” still like Jameson, I’d welcome the extra color and interpretation that Kharma brings. Alas, I am a middle aged man now, and looking to the future, I would prefer to plant my roots with the more definitively fresh and clean sound that TIDAL speakers and electronics bring to any listening space.

https://kharma.com/
https://www.2020evo.com/

Kroma Atelier, Blink High End

The Kroma Atelier loudspeakers are made in Granada, Spain by Javier Millan and his son. Each of Kroma’s “Reference”, “Signature”, and “Classic” line of creations merge artistry with technology, in the aim to deliver extraordinary listening experiences. Our staff of experienced audiophile writers agree with that company sentiment, and now so in a bigger way.

The Turnadot model of loudspeaker — on hand at Capital Audiofest 2024 — represents the middle-child of three designations that populate the Reference flagship line of Kroma creations, each being: a big, bigger, and biggest. Each cabinet is fitted with two 12-inch woofers, two 6.5-inch aluminum mid-bass drivers, and two AMT tweeters (one front facing, one rear). Electrical sensitivity on paper is quite good; and impedance, amplifier friendly at 8 ohms. Frequency response is full-range (20Hz-25kHz), and recommended amplifier power is anywhere from 30 to 1,000 watts. Wisdom tells us to aim high.

Our Impressions

• Very classy sounding; no bass bloat or boominess, no harsh or splashy treble, and a midrange section that is balanced and communicative but never interrupting or shouty.
• Presentation of the sonic character may be considered slightly softened to some listeners, but for our ears it’s done so in a pleasant and comfortable way.

Overall, we were quite taken with the high-end sound and finish of the behemoth-like (460 lbs per speaker) Kroma Turnadot loudspeakers. Of special note was how excellently the Turnadots commanded the air of such a gargantuan listening space, possibly the largest ballroom listening-room of the exhibition.

https://kromaatelier.com/
https://blinkhighend.com/

TIDAL for Bugatti, TIDAL Audio, Döhmann Audio, The Voice That Is!

The Voice That Is — is — a Philadelphia based ultra-high-end dealer of prestige audio brands from around the globe. Think, the best-of-the-best. For further context, there are probably no exhibitors/dealers at Capital Audiofest 2024 who play in the same atmosphere as Doug White, founder of The Voice That Is, and the proof is in the system.

It was a “world premiere” for the MC1 Preamplifier from TIDAL for Bugatti, sidelong with the previously exhibited MC1 Digital Controller of the same crossover-brand. From TIDAL Audio‘s own lineup, Akira Loudspeakers and Ferios Monoblock Amplifiers. At the center of the activity, a Döhmann Audio Helix One Mk3 Turntable, outfitted with a SAT CF1 Tonearm and Air-Tight PC-1 Supreme Cartridge. Cabling throughout from Turnbull Audio, audio racks from HRS, and power management from Equitech. All available through The Voice That Is.

Our Impressions

• Described best as a cleansing drinking of pure water on a hot day, the signature sound of TIDAL loudspeakers and electronics is ultra-high-end and clean to the ear
• Imaging is pinpoint and staging is accurate for both width and depth of the background
• Scale of soundstage and instruments, along with layering of instruments and vocals, is portrayed in a way that shows off varied recording techniques
• Jameson says this year’s exhibit presented an ever so slightly thinner sound than in years past but that’s just nitpicking
• We’ve heard best-of-show sound in this exact room on several occasions with TIDAL and The Voice That Is at the helm, and this year looks to be no different

There are a few things you can count on at an audio show: crowds, late nights, and Doug White of The Voice That Is bringing a consistency in exhibition performance, no matter the location, that has dazzled audiophile press writers for over a decade. Also making an appearance for the weekend-long exhibition, Mark Döhmann (as himself) to answer questions and extoll his turntable design philosophy.

As mentioned in a previous writeup (Kharma and 20/20 Evolution Systems, above) the sonic wonderment of TIDAL Audio and The Voice That Is is nearly unmatched. We remain divided on where to attach the best-of-show ribbon, so we ask that they both respectfully share the honors. But wait… there may be another contender ahead.

https://thevoicethatis.com/
https://dohmannaudio.com/

Acora Acoustics, Ayre Acoustics, Now Listen Here

Showcasing modestly priced fare — as shown above, the entirety is just under $240K — we have one of two exhibits from Pennsylvania based dealer, Now Listen Here. As the business name suggests, our attentions were forced to remain as an audience to familiar gear that was producing a yet unfamiliar sound. It honestly left us scratching our heads.

On display Acora Acoustics QRC-2 loudspeakers, which feature solid quartz cabinet construction, shown in white. Electronics from Ayre Acoustics the KX-R Preamp, PX-8 Phonostage, and a pair of MX-R Monoblock Amplifiers. At the center of it all, two choices: for digital the EMM Labs DA2i DAC fed by an Innuos PULSAR music streamer, and for analog the Rega Naia Turntable outfitted with an Audio-Technica ART1000X Phono Cartridge. Bringing things to a close, Finley Audio’s Cirrus line of cabling throughout, and power management via an AudioQuest Niagara 5000 conditioner.

Our Impressions

• The most relaxed and smooth upper frequencies we’ve ever heard from Acora QRC-2 speakers, or possibly even Acora as a brand
• An impressive outing for Ayre Acoustics as well, with the pairing of speaker-and-amplifier producing an inviting and yet remarkably more detail laden output than we’ve ever heard from Ayre when paired with other transducer based loudspeakers designs
• Great imaging in what we know to be an architecturally difficult room
• This level of performance is a testament to the dealer’s knowledge of system set-up, and more specifically sussing out proper speaker placement

Our overall impression of this exhibit from Now Listen Here was that of “everything sounds elevated.” Which shouldn’t surprise us as much as it did, as it wasn’t long ago that Now Listen Here won Eric’s Best-of-Show award with a brand assemblage that many in the audiophile world would never have considered.

https://nowlistenhere.net/

Acora Acoustics, VAC, The Audio Company

It’s been said (by me) that The Audio Company’s (of Marietta Georgia) exhibits should charge an additional-hourly-fee to show attendees, due to the number of audiophiles who flock and loiter the space, soaking in all the luxurious sounds as if they were free Costco samples. Though it’s also unlike me to say that we need to erect walls either, so do with that what you will.

The Acora Acoustics VRC (retailing well plus of $200k depending on granite finishing) is no stranger to our pages. You can read about them HERE, HERE, and HERE. What’s new for Acora and Capital Audiofest 2024 was the first public introduction to the equally market-disrupting MRC series of loudspeakers that range in price between $8k-$16k respectively, with additional marble finishes adding a considerable extra cost over the base price. Acora is known for granite construction loudspeakers, so the departure to marble doesn’t seem like such a novelty at first, but its workability are key to the more affordable pricing. The new MRC series of loudspeakers consist of five models: two stand mount monitors, and three floor-standers. All feature Accuton speaker drivers, which should pique the interest of knowledgeable audiophiles.

Our Impressions

• The VRC was excellent as usual with gigantic staging, huge dynamics, nicely extended low-end, even frequency response, etc, etc.
• Our consensus critique: “The VRC could use a little more solidity in mid-bass fleshiness, specifically the 70Hz-200Hz range.”
• The MRB-1 (in the big room) was extremely impressive and often confused press and show-goers alike as to which speaker was playing between the MRB-1 monitors and the VRC towers
• The soundstaging scale of the MRB-1 was groundbreaking for a speaker of its size, they found a way to pressurize the gigantic room
• The MRB-1 midrange was nicely sculpted and without audible etch, while creating an appreciable balance among the slightly softened top-end
• Overall, the MRC Series experience was almost Kharma-like in its delivery of enjoyability and smoothness without ever crossing into unpleasantness
• MRC-3 (in the atrium exhibit) was able to fill the noisy hotel’s largest possible space despite its modest size.
• Sound with the entry level VAC separates excellent, and didn’t sacrifice any sense of fullness despite being in such open space.

One of our most immediate takeaways, “Dang! Those entry-level VAC electronics are certified giant-killers!” Another, “So are the MRC series loudspeakers.” — Valerio Acora, The Audio Company, and VAC do it again. Not to say that we didn’t expect showstopping results, but to say that we were prepared to be blown away, and yet the sound still caught us off our guard. Bravo!

https://www.acoraacoustics.com/
https://www.vac-amps.com/
https://www.theaudioco.com/

YG Acoustics, Air-Tight, Supreme Acoustic Systems

Preamble: YG Acoustics in partnership with Supreme Acoustic Systems (distributor) brought forth a total of eight Capital Audiofest 2024 exhibits, each in a way showcasing: the upscale linearity of the product lineup, how well they played with others, and how each level of upgrade brought something greater to the sonic table.

Our first and most anticipated visit was to the YG Acoustics and Air-Tight exhibit. The reason? Air-Tight’s all-tube electronics have a sound and build quality that is beyond legendary. Being familiar with the YG Acoustics Haley 3 loudspeakers, we had an idea of what to expect. Still, we entered with clear minds and biases turned off.

As the only source in the room, handling the analog duties, a Danish made Bergmann Modi Air-Bearing Turntable outfitted with a Bergmann Thor linear-tracking tonearm, cartridge to us was unknown. AirTight electronics  included a new Air-Tight ATC-7 Stereo Line Control Amplifier, and a pair of Air-Tight ATM-3211 Power Amplifiers, each delivering a well endowed 120-watts of current per channel. More than enough horsepower for the rigorous trials we intended on putting the loudspeakers through.

Our Impressions

• The best sounding YG Acoustics display at the show, was even better than we expected
• Great frequency extension from end-to-end
• Imaging was extremely three-dimensional with lifelike tone and density
• Staging was sized exactly as it should be (depending on the content) but also revealing of the ambient artifacts of the recordings
• Texture and welcomed coloration for days

While this was our consensus favourite YG Acoustics exhibit, we can’t say this was our consensus favourite YG loudspeaker. We pondered throughout the weekend if YG Acoustics would allow us to bring the XX model (also on display, read ahead) down the hall a few rooms for some afterhours experimenting. Though, we never asked. Maybe next time.

https://www.yg-acoustics.com/
http://www.airtight-anm.com/

YG Acoustics, Soulnote, Supreme Acoustic Systems

In the solid-state realm, the YG Acoustics and Soul Note pairing is looking to be where it’s at. We found in our review of the YG Acoustics Carmel 3 loudspeaker (read HERE) that the Soulnote (also reviewed, read HERE) integrated we had on hand was a stand-out pairing for the loudspeaker review, and thus made the bulk of our sonic determinations based on that marriage.

At Capital Audiofest 2024, the magical pairing was brought to extremes, or should I say XXtremes? Corny ramblings aside, the YG speaker of choice is the XX model, a passive loudspeaker that represents the most current and complete representation of technological expression possible within the YG Reference model line. Married once again to Soulnote electronics, a safeties-off assembly of flagship Series 3 components. The only racked components of non-Soulnote production were the sources; digital music storage and management (but not decoding) was handled by Innuos, and analog duties by a new turntable from Benny Audio, reported about HERE.

Our Impressions

• Yes, we would’ve preferred the use of Air-Tight electronics with the XX passive model of speaker
• The signature of the Soulnote sound came through the XX extreme clarity and expressiveness
• Excellent transient response, extension, and tactility (despite being slightly under-driven by the amplifiers)
• Slight inner warmth, which seems to be a recent theme with newer YG models
• The XX have unlimited potential, and the Soulnote though light on power, impressed nonetheless

The new XX is likely our favourite loudspeaker from the YG model lineup, and would likely be a stronger candidate for best-in-show were it not for the chosen exhibit pairing. Don’t take us wrong, if it weren’t for the Air-Tight exhibit down the hall, this exhibit would have us drooling for more.

https://www.yg-acoustics.com/
https://www.soulnote.audio/soulnote-en/

YG Acoustics, Vinnie Rossi, Supreme Acoustic Systems

The YG Acoustics Haley 3 loudspeaker gets a sequel audition at Capital Audiofest 2024 with new hybrid electronics from Boston based Vinnie Rossi.

The Vinnie Rossi BRAMA Integrated has been making waves in the audiophile press since the report of its inception, along with product renderings. Built for war in the ballroom, the new BRAMA series of electronics: an integrated, preamplifier, stereo amplifier, and a rumored monoblock — look to dominate a segment of hybrid electronics where the density of tube signal handling and the raw power of solid-state amplification converge.

Our Impressions

• Excellent as usual with fantastic resolution
• Dense images, excellent immersion, and gobs of 3D-ness for solid-state
• Great pacing and snappiness, a slight warmth, and certain grace that seems unique to Vinnie’s latest electronics

Both brands are power players in the market spaces they inhabit, and both make a great pairing for those who aren’t quite ready to dive headlong into the deep end of the all-tube electronics. To better the Haley 3 Loudspeaker or BRAMA Integrated — together or separate — would require a preternatural sense of audiophile synergy, possibly deeper pockets, and definitely longer arms.

https://www.yg-acoustics.com/
https://www.vinnierossi.com/

Vivid Audio, True Life Audio, Master Fidelity, GTT Audio

GTT Audio — a New Jersey based dealer of worldwide high-end audio — was displaying the Vivid Giya range of loudspeakers — which we have been fans of for years; you can read our Vivid speaker review HERE — alongside amplification from True Life Audio (TLA), and digital-to-analog conversion from Master Fidelity. We’ve long wondered what tube electronics combined with Vivid loudspeakers would produce, and the combination did not disappoint.

The Vivid Giya G3 S2 speakers supplied for the show system were slightly larger than the ones reviewed by Grover Neville (linked above). The True Life Audio TSI 300 Integrated Amplifier is a hybrid design. The “integrated” is combining two tube preamplifiers (right and left channel) to drive two solid state monoblock power amplifiers for right and left channels. All in one chassis. For the music source, the Master Fidelity NADAC-D and NADAC-C, a two-chassis DAC and Master Clock, which offers state-of-the-art ‘Native True 1-bit’ decoding for the first time. All cabling by Kubala Sosna.

Our Impressions

• We heard a holistic richness of textures and depth that produced a sound like a match made in audio heaven.
• The recently debuted Master Fidelity digital converters, to our ears, have an even more liquidity and tangible texture than the Merging digital converters from which the company evolved.
•  Grover says: “It’s hard to imagine digital audio sounding better than this. Everything from Caroline Shaw to Prince sounded as good as I’ve ever heard it.”

Overall, the GTT Audio exhibit was one the best sounding small rooms and did as such for several reasons. The TLA Integrated performs flawlessly, and the Vivid Audio Giya speakers allow for all upstream components to communicate their complete sonic attributes. In short, this is a nod to Bill Parish of GTT Audio for being able to assemble a system package that exponentially achieves a high-end sound.

https://gttaudio.com/

Qln, Audio Hungary, Alma Music & Audio

Alma Music & Audio, along with help from Well Pleased A/V, were debuting two distinct audio components from a bevy of high-end brands, most of which we are quite familiar with. Alma is a bi-coastal dealer of audiophile treasures with showrooms in both San Diego, California and Sterling, Virginia. I recently paid a visit to Loudoun County, and dropped in to Alma for a whirlwind event. The article of my audio adventure is forthcoming.

Making their debut at Capital Audiofest 2024, a loudspeaker from Swedish manufacturer Qln, dubbed the One V7. This new speaker borrows its looks from existing Qln Prestige series designs, but lifts its sound and internal architecture from the flagship Qln Signature monitor series. Powering the whole affair, the new Audio Hungary Qualiton 300B Integrated Stereo Amplifier, which outputs a stout 25-watts per channel into stereo. If you’re new to the audiophile scene, and you doubt that 25-measly-little-watts can get a loudspeaker moving, let’s hook you up the speaker cables and see how much you wiggle. Carry on.

Our Impressions

• The One V7 leans audibly more toward Qln Signature tuning than Prestige, which is to say more balanced and high-fidelity than Prestige while retaining a smidge of the fun found in Qln’s more affordable designs.
• Jameson says “Teeny Tiny!”, but Eric Franklin Shook says “Big Sound!”

Overall, we can’t express how much refinement and composure these little Qln One V7 monitors express, along with them covering a frequency that left little to desire. It also goes without saying that what we heard was powerful and rich in tone, thanks to the Qualiton 300B amplifier doing its part to leave nothing behind in the audio signal.

https://qln.se/
https://audiohungary.com/
https://almaaudio.com/

Okay, I promised you some kinky audiophile stuff, and well… here it is.

Semrad Audio – Capital Audiofest 2024

“Favorites are fun, Bests are boasts. Temptations are many in the world of hifi reviewing. Perhaps the most alluring, the one that sings the sweetest siren song is the temptation to pretend we know more than we know.”
—Michael Lavorgna of Twittering Machines on Semrad’s CAF 2024 Exhibit

https://www.semradaudio.com/

The post Capital Audiofest 2024 | Highlights appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

For several reasons this is a system that is in a league of its own, and not just at this audio show. This is a system that reflects a listener who has heard it all, been-there-done-that, and through years of experience and knowledge, outsmarted the rest and settled into something that is somehow forgiving, glowing, and yet leaves nothing on the table in any sense of musical detail or top-to-bottom richness. Let’s dive into why that is.

Firstly we should look at the system as a whole, then also as a chain of components, with a musical direction from source-to-speaker, with the musical signal receiving both free passage and a push along the way.

As a whole, this system is composed of ultra-high-end derived components, each of which is an example of easily attainable luxuries, technologies, and heritage. Ticking all the ultra-fi boxes, while somehow nixing a few zeros off the bill. It’s all rather astonishing really.

The Métronome AQWO 2 is a no frills SACD/CD player and streamer with a bespoke tube output stage, and features navigation that is simple, to the point, and easy to learn if not outright intuitive from the outset. It does everything digital that music can do: disc, stream, decode into analog, and then output a signal in either RCA or balanced, the choice is yours.

The AQWO 2 made its world debut at the MUNICH High End show in 2023 with great reception. The Florida Show was the first exhibition of the AQWO 2 in North America, and to us, it looks to elevate the Metronome brand and possibly join the argument for our best-of-show honors.

The electronics of Karan Acoustics are nothing less than legendary, having graced the covers of several print publications throughout the years, and earning numerous awards along the way. In certain electronics circles, Karan Acoustics has been a guiding light for what big-boy high-end wares should be. At the Florida show, nothing seemed to deviate from the script except the new, and more flexible entry price.

Both the Karan Acoustics LINEb Preamplifier and POWERb Stereo Power Amplifier represent a new entry point for the brand, and were also exhibited in a larger system that we first heard at AXPONA in Chicago almost a year ago in 2023. In Florida however, the system is in its most simple installation and despite that registers nothing less than peak performance.

The new POWERb stereo amplifier for example is available as a dual-mono stereo amplifier chassis delivering 2 x 450W, 2 x 800W, or 2 x 1.350W at a range of 8/4/2 Ohm of highly musical, dynamic, and stable power into any loudspeaker, irrespective of sensitivity or impedance profile. Countless details about its development and new features can be found on the company website linked above.

Stay tuned to our channels, as a REVIEW of the Karan Acoustics LINEb Preamp and POWERb Amplifier are forthcoming.

Finally, the end of the chain, where the electrical signal becomes music — the Vimberg Mino speakers.

Doing the job of the microphone in reverse, their output is reminiscent of the TIDAL Audio loudspeakers upon which they draw design inspiration and a production heritage. Sonic attributes by comparison are slightly more lenient to recording quality and warmer by a schosh than those upmarket TIDAL models that reach for more neutrality and seek sonic tailoring elsewhere (like in cables or source components).

The Vimberg speakers are not short on sophistication, and in this masterfully comprised system, do well to show what talent and craftsmanship can be delivered at a price that outright confounds the economics senses of experienced audiophiles.

Vimberg (Germany)

Mino Speakers – $40,000 USD pr

Métronome (France)

AQWO 2 SACD/CD Player & Streamer w/Tube Output Stage – $24,300 USD

Karan Acoustics (Serbia)

LINEb Preamplifier – $29,000 USD
POWERb Stereo Power Amplifier – $43,000 USD

Entreq (Sweden)

Olympus Infinity Groundbox – $4,750 USD

Critical Mass Systems (USA)

Sotto Voce Single Rack – $3,150 USD
Center Stage Ultra TD Footers – $595 USD pcs
Center Stage Ultra TT Footers – $825 USD pcs

Fono Acustica cabling from Armonico, Virtuoso, Grandiosso series throughout, prices vary.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://wynnaudio.com

The post Vimberg, Métronome, Karan Acoustics, Wynn Audio | FLAX 2024 appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

It wouldn’t have surprised me one bit if Acora Acoustics founder Valerio Acora had stayed by the door of this sprawling exhibit and committed himself to the duties of handing out Acora branded socks throughout the weekend. The reason? Because anyone who took a seat for audition (anywhere in the room) would have surely had their socks blown off when the music started.

Yes, it definitely got loud, but the Acora VRC display was also one of the highest quality sounding exhibits of the show — even at high volumes.

Acora Acoustics loudspeakers feature granite throughout each and every speaker (and rack or stand) they make. Granite provides a most stable material to abate unwanted cabinet vibrations, and allows the enclosure interior to remain uninterrupted by bracing structures that are often necessary in wood construction loudspeakers. Though, granite is not the whole story.

All of the Acora loudspeakers are painstakingly researched and modeled in various wood-type materials, and in that R&D form would still represent some of the best sounding designs available. Once the designs are finalized and transferred to granite modeling, and subsequently tweaked more, does the granite loudspeaker prototype go from just ‘class leading’ to attaining ‘untouchable heights’ of detail and musical insight.

Also on display were the Acora granite slab equipment racks, which offer an idyllic platform staging high-end electronics, but also for bringing to a standstill any unwanted room vibrations from making their way into the delicate tube electronics. Several of our team members have experienced the benefits of granite slab racks from Acora first-hand, and in-home, myself included.

If there’s anything lastly to be said about an Acora Acoustics exhibit it is this: The Acora VRCs are mandatory auditioning for those with big boy money looking to enter into high-end home audio at the summit level of sound. Yes, you can spend more, but the sonic capabilities of the VRCs may bring an abrupt end to your search for the ultimate in sonic bliss.

Acora Acoustics (speakers)

VRC-1 in Sunset Fire granite (as shown, price upon request) – base price $218,000 USD pr

VAC (electronics)

Statement 450 iQ Amplifier – $67,000 USD ea
Statement Line Stage – $80,000 USD
Statement Phono Stage – $80,000 USD

VPI Industries (analog)

Titan Direct Turntable – $60,000 USD
Hana Umami Red Cartridge – $3,950 USD

LampizatOr (digital)

Poseidon DAC – $23,000 USD

Cardas Audio cables throughout the system, prices vary.

The post Acora Acoustics, VAC, VPI, LampizatOr, Cardas | FLAX 2024 appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Showing their new MBL C41 Network Player at the helm of the digital front-end of the system, we took note of its easy to use integrated features. Such as volume control, digital-to-analog conversion (that’s what DACs do) with state-of-the-art proprietary technologies like MBL TruePeak. More features include 24-Bit/192kHz and DSD64 compatible playback, ROON Ready, UPNP, and service to just about every music streaming service worth its weight, along with Airplay and Shairport.

What makes the 101 E MKII omni-directional loudspeaker – the “Radialstrahler” — a unique expression of music and space? Everything.

The MBL loudspeaker is not just an avant-garde design, it’s large curves and panels of aluminum-magnesium are cutting-edge technology, and have been throughout MBL history. The Radialstrahler (radial emitter), is a convention-defying omnidirectional speaker array that sends full-range music in all directions, using room boundaries to play a significant part of the story of sound it portrays. Creating a sonic image that mimics large concert halls and studio venues with ease. The MBL design has been under constant scrutiny and development over the now four decades of the company’s reign.

Details of the technology employed throughout the loudspeaker are vast, and include state-of-the-art materials and system tuning features. Once dialed in, the sound is purely magical.

MBL Akustikgeräte

C41 Network Player – $11,100 USD
9011 Mono Amplifier – $64,000 USD ea
101 E MkII Loudspeaker – $91,000 USD pr

WireWorld Platinum Eclipse, Series 8 cabling throughout the system, prices vary.

The post MBL Akustikgeräte | FLAX 2024 appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

We have the inside track on what’s new, what’s trending, and what is the future of high-end home audio. So follow us closely, as we’ll be working diligently over the weekend to provide a comprehensive perspective of the show happenings, along with more exclusive and in-depth coverage points that promises to bring you closer than ever to the high-end audio brands we love.

Do stay tuned-in to this page and our social media outlets as our coverage from FLAX 2024 rolls out over the following days.

Show Information Enclosed

Florida International Audio Expo 2024

The sixth annual Florida Audio Expo is the chance for audio aficionados to explore an exciting showcase of products such as stereos, headphones, loudspeakers, cables, amplifiers and more. Join us for this exciting family event.

Where
Embassy Suites By Hilton Westshore
555 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609

When
February 16 – 18, 2024
Fri & Sat: 10am to 6pm
Sun: 10am to 4pm

https://floridaaudioexpo.com

What to expect?

Stereo Exhibitions
The Stereo exhibitions offer an opportunity to showcase and sample your product, brand, and services. In one of our suites throughout the twelve exhibition floors. You’ll be visible to thousands of music lovers.

Headphone Exhibitions
Several headphone companies took advantage of our special rate on suites for their demonstration space and were well pleased. We are happy to announce their continued support for the Florida Audio Expo.

12 Floors of Exhibits to Explore
Our listening rooms are perfect for auditioning high-end audio systems. Enjoy the ability to test out high end headphones and see the latest in accessories.

Live Interviews, Podcasts & Vendor Videos
This year’s event is even bigger! Get an insight into the upcoming show through the numerous videos and podcasts.

Located at the Embassy Suites Westshore in Tampa, Florida
Enjoy the sun and fun in Tampa, Florida. The Florida Audio Expo is being held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. The perfect location, minutes from downtown, the gulf and a short drive to the famous Clearwater beach.

“Treehaus Audiolab introduces new “Texture Black Metallic” finish at the

Florida International Audio Expo 2024 with Geshelli Labs – see you there!”

www.treehausaudiolab.com

The post Florida Audio Expo 2024 | PREVIEW appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

This year’s CAF show was larger than ever, and I will attest that the vibes were off because of this. There’s just so much work and play that one can do in a single weekend. There’s true work to be done on the side of the exhibitors that also includes b2b meetings. For “the press” there’s a ton to see, cover, and hear.

Our coverage spans the usual three days, and will include a few auxiliary pieces that spotlight specific exhibits that we felt merit a deeper dive. Look for those extra articles to arrive in the coming weeks. For now, let’s take a quick tour of what caught our attention at CAF 2023.

Do stay tuned-in to this page and our social media outlets as our daily coverage from CAF 2023 rolls out over the following days. For quick access, each day’s article will be linked below as they publish.

Capital Audiofest 2023 | PREVIEW
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY ONE
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY TWO
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY THREE
Capital Audiofest 2023 | BEST OF SHOW

Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY ONE

ModWright Instruments + ACORA Acoustics

The new ModWright KWA 99 monoblock amplifiers (and associated MWI electronics) really showed us what they’re made of in this reference performing system. Be it digital bits handled by a stellar Weiss DAC 204 or an analog chain that included a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse w/SME V 9-inch tonearm, the final result was insightful, layered, and dense.

The Acora SRB speakers are a well known entity within our camp of writers, and to hear them driven as such with the new ModWright electronics feels like a bit of a climax in the long-term narrative of ModWright Instruments designs. The MWI LS 99 preamp, KWA 99 monos, PH9.0 XT phonostage, and Analog Bridge all seem ready for high-end primetime without the high-end price.

Right now, the MWI electronics sound like a reference value that only you and I know about. Other parts of the system included a phono cart from Ortofon, cables from Cardas, and rustic rack from Fern & Roby.

www.modwright.com
www.acoraacoustics.com

BAYZ + VAC

There will be several who encounter a Bayz exhibit with prejudice due to the visual appearance of the Bayz Counterpoint loudspeakers. Thinking of them to be a gimmick wrapped up in high-end materials. I’m ready to debunk those thoughts. What I heard from the Bayz flagship speakers was dynamic, spatially immense, and laser cut with details.

Radial type speakers are known for transmitting the venue of the recording more convincingly than conventional driver-in-box designs, but what’s more special here (IMO) is that the radial design isn’t the story. The story is the bottom-to-top cleanliness of the presentation. The only imparted distortions were the ones we welcome from the VAC tube electronics used upstream.

Other parts of the system include digital sources and cabling from Aurender, Esoteric and Shunyata, new analog cables and power handling from Bayz, and a hybrid rack from Solid Tech.

www.bayz-audio.eu
www.vac-amps.com

Zu Audio + Black Ice Audio

Zu Audio and Black Ice Audio had two exhibit rooms at the show, with this one featuring Zu Soul 6 speakers grabbing my attention in unexpected ways. The coherent driver design is one of my favorites, but only if it’s done well. In the wrong hands this formula can sound constricted and shut-in, which to my ears goes against the idea of stereophony in the first place.

In the right hands, which in this case is Black Ice Audio tube electronics, the presentation has the opportunity to play with time and space like no other. This is what synergy is about. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to be as impressed with this system as I was. My own experiences with Zu audio out in the real world have been a mixed bag of trial and error when it comes to amp matching a Zu fronted system.

www.zuaudio.com
www.blackiceaudio.com

MSB + MAGICO + Acoustic Signature + Overture AV

If you know, you know. It’s MSB and Magico — do I need to say more? In fact, yes.

This system brought forth by Overture AV of Delaware totaled in cost just a tick over $380K. It’s well known that digital and amplification from MSB when pushing Magico loudspeakers is like butted sex on a cinnamon roll. But something I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before, is analog in an MSB and Magico show system.

Enter Acoustic Signature and their Montana NEO turntable, mated to a Van den Hul Grail SE phonostage. One of the younger members of my team, which could be any of them considering I’m the oldest, remarked positively about the sense of added dimension when going from a digital recording to analog in this system.

This room was set up with expert precision. From speaker placement to component matching. Bravo!

www.overtureav.com

Primare + Stenheim + VPI Industries + Nexus Audio Technologies

My listening notes say: simplicity equals transparency.

I’ve always had a bit of a crush on Primare electronics. For the last two decades their facade design has only refined itself, while always looking ahead of its time. For this exhibition it was Primare throughout,  preamp with DAC, a component phonostage, and two stereo amplifiers to fill out the rack.

On the speaker end of things, a pair of Stenheim Alumine Two.Five (2.5 colloquially) which feature minimally invasive (my words, not theirs) crossovers and drivers that do well to add soul and character to their all aluminum enclosures.

In a discussion with the youngest member of the team, we talked about this exhibit system’s components and asked the question: who benefits? The Primare electronics are remarkably affordable, while the turntable and speakers are between four and ten times the asking price. The answer: everyone. Primare shows that it can hold its own when it comes to tying together pricier gear. Stenheim flaunts its efficiency and the ability to play well with others.

www.primare.net
www.stenheim.com
www.nexusaudtech.com

Heretic Speakers + Thöress + Wattson Audio + Luna Cables + Olde Forge Audio

Is there such a thing as a maestro in high-end audio?

David Cope of Olde Forge Audio has been imitated by more new dealers of hi-fi than I can even begin to list without offending someone. If anything, this CAF exhibit is exactly what it should be: an invitation. Curation is such an important part of system building, and Mr. Cope has a sense of taste in the matter that is as right on trend with where several members of the industry would like to arrive one day. That’s high praise, and rightly earned.

Partnering with Phonographe Distribution for this exhibit, which distributes Luna Cables, Wattson Audio, and Thöress in North America, Dr. Cope paired the aforementioned brands with a distinctly old-school set of loudspeakers. The Heretic AD-614 are a coaxial 12-inch driver speaker which eschews modernity by choosing serial crossovers and slot venting as opposed to the more common tuned port and parallel crossovers of today.

With somewhere around 20 wpc of amplifier power, the system didn’t sound short of dynamics or headroom. Nor did the fact that digital as our only source available make the experience seem any less settled and inviting for long term listening.

www.thehereticspeaker.com
www.thoeress.com
en.wattson.audio
www.lunacables.com
www.oldforgeaudio.com

Audio Note UK Ltd + Deja Vu Audio

An all-Audio Note UK system, that in total reaches above a $100K outlay, the vibes are here in spades.

Before permanent magnets like alloy and ferrite were commercially sensible, field-coil electromagnet drivers were all the rage. Yes, I’m speaking about way back when, the early days, the twentieth century. The field-coil does things differently, and maybe for now, that’s all you need to know.

The electronics are more conventional, as far as one can say that tube electronics in 2023 are conventional outside of high-end audio circles. The speakers are of the field-coil type, and for those who dabble in such things, they will tell you that FC-type speakers are superior in concept. For myself, I hold the rest of my judgement on the matter to implementation. I have a heap of respect for brands that still design around the FC design scheme, and more when they make solid choices of where to use them.

Deja Vu Audio is a Virginia, USA based dealer and purveyor of system building.

www.audionote.co.uk
www.dejavu-audio.com

Vivid Audio + Mola Mola + Grimm Audio + GTT Audio

Undoubtedly one of the most high-end experiences at the show that may have not worn that label so strongly. When it comes to Vivid Audio you kind of get caught up in the art of the design. However, the engineering backs it up sonically without fail.

Much of what I heard at CAF for the GTT Audio exhibit can be further bolstered better by Grover Neville’s latest review of the Vivid Giya G4 S2 loudspeakers. This won’t be the first time I defer to Grover’s writings to better encapsulate the experience.

www.vividaudio.com
www.mola-mola.nl
www.grimmaudio.com
www.gttaudio.com

VAC “Valve Amplification Company”

Though only on static display, I felt it necessary to cover the existence of the new VAC Essence line of tube electronics.

All VAC electronics are handcrafted in the USA and define what “heirloom quality” can be in terms of audio components. The Essence line receives exceptional engineering and design from its upmarket brethren. So we expect them to sound as musical and as insightful as their brand moniker implies.

VAC Essence Linestage – $9K
VAC Essence Phono – $9K
VAN Essence 80 Monobloc – $9.9K

Countless systems we’ve heard and reviewed from have included VAC tube electronics. Take this as our stamp of approval.

www.vac-amps.com

TriangleArt

TriangleArt is a US based manufacturer of high-end audio dream-fodders. Each of them clad in gold honey, and built as if the US military had spec’d the design requirements for NORAD use. The brand is an audio show mainstay and does well to put on an eye-catching exhibit.

A recent addition to the TriangleArt family of products is the new Metis horn loudspeakers, which from a few of the show attendees I spoke to was remarked as their favourite horn speaker of the CAF 2023 weekend.

This wraps up day one, stay tuned for more coverage to come.

www.triangleart.net

The post Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY ONE appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

We have the inside track on what’s new, what’s trending, and what’s the future of high-end audio. So follow us closely, as we’ll be working diligently over the weekend to provide a comprehensive perspective of the show happenings, along with more exclusive and in-depth coverage points that promises to bring you closer than ever to the brands and dealers we love.

Do stay tuned-in to this page and our social media outlets as our daily coverage from CAF 2023 rolls out over the following days. For quick access, each day’s article will be linked below as they publish.

Capital Audiofest 2023 | PREVIEW
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY ONE
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY TWO
Capital Audiofest 2023 | DAY THREE
Capital Audiofest 2023 | BEST OF SHOW

Capital Audiofest 2023 | PREVIEW

Welcome to the East Coast’s Favorite Audio Show! CAF started out in 2010 as a very casual show and has evolved into a well-organized and well-attended event that most everyone in the audio industry knows about.

CAPITAL AUDIOFEST

Washington DC’s Premier High-End Audio Festival

November 10th – 12th, 2023
The Hilton Rockville
1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD

Friday 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Visit the link below for more information
www.capitalaudiofest.com

CAF is recognized as a fun, friendly and family-oriented show, where you often see families strolling from room to room listening to music, auditioning gear and browsing the multiple bins of vinyl records, CDs and accessories in the Atrium Marketplace. In the evenings we have live music in the bar and special live performers in the Theater, and local distillers offering tastings.

CAF is an experience that, once you try it you will feel as though you’re part of the family.

The post Capital Audiofest 2023 | PREVIEW appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Finally, we’re happy to divulge our secrets. Something we rarely get to do as audio journalists. Alma Audio East will present the first listen of the new YG Acoustics Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers, and be joined with Vinnie Rossi electronics to power the demonstration. If that wasn’t enough, Vinnie Rossi (the man) will be joining the festivities, along with representative Duncan Taylor from YG Acoustics, to unfurl the finer details of the newly updated loudspeakers.

What to expect?

• Live high-end audio demonstrations
• An enjoyable day of music and refreshments
• Meet the Alma team of in-store audio experts
• Meet Vinnie Rossi, of high-end brand Vinnie Rossi
• Meet Duncan Taylor, of high-end brand YG Acoustics
• Meet Eric Franklin Shook of INDULGR

PRESS RELEASE

YG Acoustics Unveils Sonja 3.2 Loudspeaker at Alma Audio East

OCTOBER 2023

STERLING, VIRGINIA U.S.A. — YG Acoustics, one of the leading loudspeaker manufacturers in the high-end audio industry, is proud to announce the highly anticipated U.S. debut of the Sonja 3.2 loudspeaker. This exclusive event will take place from October 5th to 7th at the brand-new Hi-Fi retail store, Alma Audio East, located in Sterling, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. The event promises to captivate audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike with an immersive listening experience.

Press-Only First Day

Members of the press are cordially invited to join us on October 5th for a special press-only day, where they will have the exclusive opportunity to experience individual and group demonstrations of the groundbreaking Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers. YG Acoustics’ team of experts will be on hand to provide insights into the design, engineering, and technology that make the Sonja 3.2 a true masterpiece in the world of high-end audio. Electronics designer Vinnie Rossi will also be on hand to discuss the technology behind his newest products, which will be powering the new YG speakers.

Hi-Fi Happy Hour

On the second day of the event, October 6th, Alma Audio East will host a happy hour listening event from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to explore the capabilities of the Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers and witness their exceptional performance in a community of fellow audio aficionados.

Open to the Public

The grand finale of this exciting event will be on October 7th when the doors open to local audiophile clubs and the general public. Music enthusiasts from all walks of life are invited to experience the Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers in action. This is a unique opportunity to listen to music the way it was meant to be heard, with unrivaled clarity, precision, and emotion.

Product Pairing

Throughout the event, the Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers will be powered by Vinni Rossi electronics, delivering an exceptional and synergistic audio experience. A second listening room will feature a different YG and Vinnie Rossi pairing. Together, these two industry-leading brands will create an auditory synergy that will leave a lasting impression on all who attend.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers to the USA market at Alma Audio East,” said Dr. Matthew Webster, CEO of YG Acoustics. “Our Reference 3 speakers are the culmination of many years of research and development, bringing together innovative technologies and exceptional craftsmanship – all driven by a passion for music. We invite everyone to join us to experience the rewards of these efforts.”

Event Details

Date: October 5-7, 2023
Location: Alma Audio East, Sterling, VA

October 5th: Press-Only Day (by invitation)
October 6th: (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.): Hi-Fi Happy Hour (open to public)
October 7th: Audiophile Clubs & Public Listening

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of high-end audio with the USA debut of the Sonja 3 loudspeakers by YG Acoustics. For more information and to RSVP for the press day or audiophile club demonstrations, please contact us at info@yg-acoustics.com.

About YG Acoustics

Founded in 2002, YG Acoustics is recognized as one of the leading manufacturers in the high-end audio industry.

YG loudspeakers bring together the very latest in science and technology. They are built from the highest performance materials, manufactured in-house to an unprecedented precision. Most importantly, they provide the clearest of windows into the performance. They communicate every nuance of emotion, every musical cue from the tiniest micro-detail through to the physical impact of the most thunderous crescendo.

For more information about YG Acoustics and the Sonja 3.2 loudspeakers, please visit www.yg-acoustics.com.

Learn more about Alma Audio East by visiting www.almaaudio.com and Vinnie Rossi by visiting www.vinnierossi.com.

The post YG Acoustics to Unveil Sonja 3.2 at Alma Audio East appeared first on INDULGR.

Adjacent to the aforementioned facade, a side alley that puts: cobblestone pathways underfoot, the smell of a sweet char into the swirling air, and to the heart it fastens a feeling of comfort that only the sight of weathered picnic tables can provide. Everything you see and smell from here on is a clue for your gastronomic curiosity to follow. The bunting-style draping of oversized holiday lights do everything to combat the dread of dark alley mythology—no Jack the Ripper will be found at the end of this alley—but indeed there is a man with a knife and a steady hand.

Words and Photography by Eric Franklin Shook

Once inside, it’s an entire generation worth of Millennial kitsch winking at you. Exposed electrical conduit, decorated ductwork, stained warehouse walls, tattered steel beams, and the quick-tempoed grunt of bands you’ve probably never heard of; in this land oxidation is king and rust revered as the finest patina.

It’s true. Millennials will pay extra for rust.

Green Street Smoked Meats

The menu hangs on clearly communicative signage (printed, not chalk) above the counter and cutting stations. Where to place your order is easily understood, and the first encounter with staff is the perfect blend of accommodating mixed with a subtle undercurrent of urgency. They have this rhythm down cold. Keep it moving.

For beverages it’s the usual American canned and bottled soft drinks—of which I could normally give two shits about—but to keep it all-things-Texas I’ll likely choose a Dr. Pepper to accompany my choices of smoked proteins. However, by the grace of god they have both the licensing and the desire to keep me inebriated while here. God bless’em!

To the side of egress and opposite the pump-o-matic BBQ sauce cans and sundries, a trio of salvaged cast iron basins offer “Sink Beers” at $5 a pop communicated with a handwritten cardboard sign. How hobo-chic? Behind them, a full-bar staff is at-the-ready. But we’ll come back to that, here some sooner, and yet still more later.

We came here to see the meats, and it’s a specific brand of mid-day-dark inside this establishment, as only a hipster Chicago West Loop restaurant knows how to furnish, so I keep an extra steady hand and take a few photosnaps of the meaty action.

The menu focuses on—you guessed it—meat and offers no shortage of it: pulled pork (a North Carolina thing), chicken legs, smoked brisket (a Texas thing), pastrami (a New York thing), hot link sausages, beef ribs, smoked turkey, smoked salmon— and all are sold by the half-pound. So if you’re looking for a tasting menu, bring a few friends along.

A modest variety of starchy and non-starchy sides hold the flanks of the menu. An online list (for the phone-in-hand crowd if needed) reveals something we rarely find outside of Texas, the Friday Night Lights and State Fair staple—something I hope they serve in heaven—Frito pie, or as us Texicans call it, “a walking taco.”

Having a case of the pre-meat-jitters, I think it is wise to suggest to my publisher that we make a quick stop at the bar to calm the nerves and make for steadier hands. Having sharp photos to publish is not a bourgeois concept. The common man’s barbecue deserves a level of higher focus.

~ Menu Condensed for This Article ~

Those Gnarly Cocktails and Sink Beers

“I’m Drunk, and I’m High, and I’m in Chicago.”
—John Schuster

A note for photographers, insta-fluencers, and even tik-tokers; the sauce and napkin stand can be transformed into a nice makeshift tripod for better low light shots, and speaking of shots. The bar offers a delightful and immodest selection of properly curated western-world bourbons, whiskeys, and draft beers. All chosen to meld so finely with the meaty fats and smoke rich cuts of pork and beef.

Alongside the bottled offerings, a well designed menu of appropriately backyard-barbecue themed cocktails, each sold by the glass or the pitcher. Golly!

After knocking back a volley of shots picked-out by the publisher, we peruse the cocktail menu, but decide it to be more responsible if we save our senses for tasting foods and keeping a balance of hand.

Trust me, we patted ourselves firmly on the back at that moment, and walked to our seats with the confidence of a Catholic school boy who’s just exited the confessional with a light penance. Staying sober(ish) and doing the lord’s work will definitely score us points of honor with the big fella. Right?

“He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
– Romans 14

~ Menu Condensed for This Article ~

The Pitmaster, The War, The Sides

Finally! We’re down to the part you’ve been waiting for. Oh wait! It looks like the publisher has had one too many… oh nevermind, he’ll be just fine in a minute or two.

Jameson and I have both chosen the Smoked Brisket sandwich, which for me is enough of a reason to even venture into the West Loop. He also suggested we try a few varieties of the house made hot link sausages, as conjured by pitmaster David Bonner. Who says, “this house features central-Texas inspired barbecue,” and I do believe he’s right on the mark.

Bonner’s background tells us that he was born, raised, and trained in Long Island, New York. Not a place you expect to find top-flight Texas BBQ pitmasters to spring up from the ground.

This background is the reason I chose the Texas barbecue offering over North Carolina barbecue. One can learn how to make solid, if not award-winning, Texas barbecue just by watching enough YouTube videos. Heck, they even have award-winning Texas barbecue in South Korea now. Which is on our list of places to try next.

Texas brisket in particular can be made in a variety of acceptable ways, each with a specific audience, purpose, and occasion in mind. There’s competition brisket, restaurant brisket, wedding brisket, **funeral brisket, backyard style (or “del dia brisket” as H.E.B. shoppers know it), and finally microwave brisket.

Each of those types ranges chronologically from the classic low-and-slow method, all the way up to the most sinful hot-and-fast method. The rapidly available “del dia” style brisket can impress, but to the latter most I say yuck!

North Carolina pulled pork barbecue on the other hand is still in the midst of a heated in-state civil war, which might at times include South Carolina, but much like Arkansas to the rest of the country, we Tar Heels often forget South Carolina exists. However, there was that one weekend in Myrtle Beach—but that’s another story, for another publication. Not today Satan!

Therefore, pulled pork will not be included in this review and I didn’t even bother ordering it. I know too much about the correct preparation and service of pulled pork, and the ongoing civil war around pulled pork is still nowhere close to conclusion.

The obvious and historically correct side to take on the matter of pulled pork, is behind Eastern NC Style Pork BBQ, because ketchup doesn’t belong on-or-in anything. Something I think Chicagoans would easily understand. The commonly self-promoted Western Style (or Lexington Style) of NC Style Pork BBQ is better suited for persons who have lost their sense of taste from smoking too many Marlboros. You know the type, they put Heinz 57 sauce on a salad.

I’m also not going to say much about the sides at Green Street Smoked Meats, because to me they’re serviceable and act justly as a reminder that we’re here for the meats. I could take a step back from the scope of the restaurant review and offer a wider regional analysis, but it would not include the aims of Green Street’ and thus is an irrelevant opinion.

But for the sake of the mildly interested, the analysis would be more akin to a rabid commentary on the midwest and upper midwest, and how their fear of being rude has stifled the criticisms needed to evolve and set-to-standard what is an acceptable amount of personal effort taken in refining a good side dish. The American South has no shortage of this kind of culinary rudeness, they just douse the colorful language in honey and deliver it softly.

The Balance of Brisket

What Green Street Smoked Meats has done with their perfectly smoked brisket is find a commercial balance that includes traits of competition style smoked brisket and then distilled that process down into a scalable and sustainable method for restaurant success. That’s another way of saying it’s delicious and true to the best form. I have zero notes, and no complaints, as this Chicago-based brisket would kick a WHOLE LOT of ass in Dallas, Texas. Especially before the Austin based Terry Black’s came to D-Town in 2019. There used to be an old saying about the barbecue in Dallas.

“The best barbecue in Dallas is just up the road in Austin.”

But that one has been put to bed in the last decade or so, with capital-stocked locals taking umbrage with the remark.

Is this the best hot link in America?

What I did not expect to find, was myself falling in love with the inventiveness of the three-day-process Green Street Smoked Meats hot link sausages, which cycle through updates found in the dreams of the kitchen staff and pitmaster. The research and development of such sausages, as it concerns new flavors and ingredients to experiment with, is definitely setting one’s self onto a mission from God.

For our meal that day, it was the popular Cheddar Jalapeno variety, though I heard they put a full-Reuben Sandwich—bread and all—into a ‘bespoke’ hot link sausage during the summer of 2022. I could cry happy tears of sweet-tea just from writing that last sentence.

The Meaty Conclusion

The above photos were my attempt at a low-light instagram-worthy food photography, but having steady (or clean) hands is not my forte at the moment. Maybe it’s the liquor shots from the bar mixed with the sugar and caffeine buzz of the Dr. Pepper, or maybe the pre-meat jitters have turned into giddy excitement over the massively creative hot link sausages and more than well executed smoked brisket.

Chicago is one of the best food cities in America, and often more than New York City on a few levels. Green Street Smoked Meats works diligently to uphold a prowess to be proud of. The native Chicago audience was primed decades in advance for understanding what makes great Texas barbecue, and I’m surprised it took till 2014 for a restaurant like Green Street to bridge the cultural gaps between itself and its Texas-sized central time zone bookend. Whether it’s the oak wood smoke, the killer cocktail menu, the hip atmosphere, or the fact that you can find Lone Star Beer (the national beer of Texas) and Shiner Bock in its icy iron troughs, the experience is transporting.

The mastery of Green Street Smoked Meats is making patrons feel like they are back home, even if that home is over a thousand miles away.
Maybe it’s time for a new saying: “Some of the best barbecue in Texas is just up the road in Chicago.”

Dining with Green Street Smoked Meats is on a first come first serve basis, and they do not accept reservations.
However, they can accommodate parties of up to twelve guests.

www.greenstreetmeats.com 

But wait… there’s more!
Keep scrolling.

Let There Be Light

“Isn’t there a giant tetanus-infused warehouse door right next to the main entrance?”

It should be noted that I really didn’t address the atmosphere of Green Street Smoked Meats properly, or fairly, or kindly, for that matter. I’m not an old fogie just yet, but I am a little salty.

The abundance of the post-2009 gastro-pub aesthetics that litter the Chicago West Loop, and every other reclaimed urban setting in America that wishes to eschew the classical stuffy dining tropes via copy and paste, has in part agitated my soul. And yet, Green Street Smoked Meats is still just a barbecue joint, and a damn fine one at that.

So I’ve recoiled and cut slack. The atmosphere of Green Street is indeed working, comfortable as heck, and when the outdoors are brought indoors on a nice summer day, the matters of meat and spirit become rather heavenly.

“Do you see the light? Do you see the light? Have you seen the light?”
—Reverend Cleophus James (James Brown)

** [Funeral Brisket]: This is a brisket that is obligated to perform at “wedding brisket” levels of greatness, and also serves as a proper token of send-off to the dearly departed.

It is often made by an immediate family member of the deceased who ironically also is in a troubled rush to make other important arrangements. The duty itself is an honor, but adds another pressure to one of the hardest places in life to be and frequently becomes the rock of crushing defeat.

Death is not a gobstopper in the mouth of family gossip. It’s the opposite.

If a “funeral brisket” does not meet swollen expectations, gathered aunts and sisters will surely be chattering about how the brisket was ‘too anything’ but perfect. Reductively, this action of intense critique is a way for the mourning to bond through sport and vent frustrations. The maker of the “funeral brisket” will only receive a notice of success when the following winter holiday cards begin to arrive, or don’t.

The post Green Street Smoked Meats | REVIEW appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

This new release marks two podium finishes for María Dueñas in less than a year’s time. Her latest recording Homage 1770 comes as a follow-up to the cadenzas she composed for her critically acclaimed debut album, Beethoven & Beyond, released earlier in 2023. María Dueñas is an awarded musician and student of the world-renowned professor Boris Kuschnir at the Music and Arts University of Vienna.

With a Qobuz link in hand, I approached our own Grover Neville with the unheard Homage 1770 recording, asking for a cold-read after a few quick listens. Despite being blindsided by my requests, Grover still had much to say about María Dueñas, the recording, where it stands in contrast to the original works that inspired its creation, and its place alongside contemporary works that share inspiration from the same Beethoven repertoire.

Commentary from Grover Neville

“It’s clear that there’s DNA shared with her self-composed cadenzas for the Beethoven violin concerto in ‘Beethoven & Beyond’ (also on Deutsche Grammophon) and in the tradition of many a great prodigy instrumentalist-cum-composer, María Dueñas shows off some dazzling theatrics. Notwithstanding, in Homage 1770 she shows a remarkable sense of restraint—nothing is done purely for show, and unlike many contemporary artists looking back to Baroque beginnings—or forward to post Schoenberg and Stokowski interpretations of the early romantic era—María Dueñas has two feet firmly planted in the common practice method of Beethoven.

Tone, runs, and structure are more characteristic of Beethoven than later schmaltzy Brahmsian–inflected works, but less frivolous than Mozart. Homage 1770 is the sound of a composer pushing lighter, more nimble instruments to within an inch of their lives. Dueñas is making a statement as more than a violinist, but as an artist: saying clearly ‘I know the material, I know the context, and I love it’ without flinching.”

Grover Neville is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studied music. He’s done research in the fields of Auditory Cognition, Psychoacoustics, and Experimental Hydrophone Design and has worked as mixing and mastering engineer, working in music genres such as Avant-garde Classical and Jazz. He works in the music industry from his home in Los Angeles, and is actively pursuing a career as an independent musician, composer, and producer. He is also a co-founder of INDULGR magazine.

“You can’t rely on virtuosity in Beethoven’s concerto; you have to reveal yourself,” —María Dueñas

It’s true, the entire editorial staff of INDULGR magazine identifies as audiophiles, and certainly we do enjoy the sound quality of Dueñas’ recordings, but would be terribly remiss if we didn’t say as musicians too that we’ve also been overjoyed with her compositional bravery, mastery of the violin that she’s dedicated herself to, and talent used so eloquently to give her compositions life and prime example.

For myself, María Dueñas’ recordings mark a defining moment in classical music history where all should take note of its arrival. Along with our confidence that Homage 1770 will take its place in music history, it’s certain that Dueñas’ recordings have already taken several places in our INDULGR Audiophile Playlist, found on the Qobuz music streaming platform.

As well and to be noted, we continually curate and register several playlists on Qobuz, each of which can be found simply by searching for the key term: indulgr. Do give them an audition and tell us what you think.

www.mariaduenasviolin.com
www.instagram.com/mariaduenasviolin

About the Author

as it concerns classical music

Eric Franklin Shook spent half of a semester at the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople, under the tutelage of “professor” Peter Schickele. There he dabbled in the works of lesser known composer P. D. Q. Bach, the twenty-first of Johann‘s known twenty children. While at Hoople, Eric received a ‘certificate of participation’ in first aid medicine and was strongly urged by faculty to leave the music department altogether, and instead take up study in the field of forensic pathology where no further harm could be done.

The post María Dueñas Homage 1770 | REVIEW appeared first on INDULGR.

Today however, we’re taking our fashion advice from mother nature herself. But why?

Well, it’s common knowledge in material science and engineering circles that nature knows best when it comes to making “super-materials” that modern scientists are just now figuring out how to synthesize. And even then, synthetic materials still may not embody all of the same physical advantages found in their natural counterparts. Good luck keeping up with that.

Words and Focus by Eric Franklin Shook

First we look at the Common Yellowthroat, of which as a species—through the competition of natural selection—has been blessed with oceans of time to refine the perfect outfit. But who knew that the Common Yellowthroat had such an expensive sartorial taste? We didn’t. So if you’re keen on the idea of taking the advice of your favorite “wingman” this autumn? Here’s your chance to throw your beanie into the ring of natural selection. Sartorially of course.

Photo by Ryan Sanderson, Jun 2020 – Prophetstown SP, Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States

The Common Yellowthroat Outfit

Birds such as the Common Yellowthroat (geothlypis trichas) can most often be found flitting through dense wetland vegetation along the banks of the Allegheny River, calling out frequently for a potential mate. Did you know that the Common Yellowthroat is one of the first bird species recorded from the ‘New World’, and in Maryland nonetheless? Linnaeus described the birds in 1776.

Compiled below is a strong list of softline pieces that we feel best reflect the time-tested sartorial senses of the Common Yellowthroat bird.
Among them you’ll find several of the brands we love like BALMAIN, CELINE, PRADA, VELASCA MILANO, and VERSACE. Enjoy!

CELINE

EMBROIDERED BEANIE IN RIBBED FELTED WOOL
LIGHT GREY – $435 USD

Found here.

VERSACE

MEDUSA HALO SHIELD SUNGLASSES
BLACK – $414 USD

Found here.

PRADA

CASHMERE SWEATER
YELLOW – $2,600 USD

Found here.

MOHAIR WOOL SHORTS
GREY – $ 1,720.00 USD

Found here.

BALMAIN

DOUBLE-BREASTED WOOL PEA COAT
KHAKI – $2,695 USD

Found here.

VELASCA MILANO

RESEGOTT HIKING BOOT – GREASED SUEDE CALF LEATHER
BROWN – $490 USD

Found here.

The post The Common Yellowthroat and Sartorial Taste | SPOTLIGHT appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

This wraps our AAL ’23 coverage with each day of reporting linked below for quick access.

• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | PREVIEW
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

Best Small Speaker

The new Rialto is self-amplified-loudspeaker from Cabasse launched earlier this year at AXPONA ’23, and was a hit with audiophile critics and hobbyists who were open-minded enough to overlook its diminutive proportions and price tag.

The Rialto is a self-powered three-way design loudspeaker that inhabits the “all-in-one total system solution” moniker better than anyone. The Rialto features music streaming and digital-to-analog conversion built-in. Touch control and app-based remote are just a few of the standard features, which cleverly includes Cabasse’s own cloud-based room correction software, along with unbelievable amplifier power specs (1,050 watts per speaker) and truly jaw dropping bass (down to 30Hz) to back them up—and not bass just for its diminutive size either.

Cabasse’s tri-coaxial speaker driver design technology ensures that highs (3oo watts), mids (3oo watts), and lows (450 watts) emanate from a single point-source, meaning that sound is intact as a waveform and (more) accurate sounding when it reaches your ear. Price at launch is just a few bucks under $4k USD. Count me in!

www.cabasse.com

Best Audiophile Oasis

Attendees, press, and even passersby were taken by surprise when they found themselves in the Sheraton hotel lobby confronting both the scale of sight and sound produced by the FOCAL Grande Utopia EM Evo ($280k pair USD) floor-standing loudspeakers, each gorgeously adorned in a stunning Carrara White multi-layer gloss finish. It’s been said, the people aren’t ready.

The Grande Utopia EM Evo are part of the Utopia III series where all of FOCAL’s latest and best technologies are first released to the world. Including the aforementioned Grande Utopia EM Evo’s latest innovations: the NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) and the TMD suspension. New to the ‘EM Evo are more improvements in midrange distortion and cabinet resonance control. Too many areas of total improvement and refinement to list here, but they’re there, and they’re apparent in the listening.

Nestled between the towering behemoths of musical slam, a sleek and modern stack-o-rack of NAIM 300 Series separates starting with the NSS 333 ($11k USD): a high-resolution streaming solution that can handle the highest-quality file formats for UPnP devices and streaming services. The NSS 333’s integrated DAC also improves the performance of other devices in the system, with a universal control across the entire Naim range, all from the Focal-Naim app.

From there, the NAC 332 ($11k USD) becomes the “analogue centre” of the system, delivering the low level signal to your amplifier and loudspeakers. It’s billed as Naim’s most versatile preamplifier to date, allowing you to connect headphones as well as the NVC TT ($3,700 USD) phono preamplifier—also on active display in the system, at the left flank—for vinyl playback of the most exposing nature. Think deep-groove-diving. Diving into those grooves, a Thorens TD 1601 turntable. Taking its marching orders from the NAC 332 preamp and NVC TT phono preamp, a pair of NAP 350 ($8,500 USD) monoblock amplifiers to meet the power needs of the Grande Utopia EM Evo loudspeakers.

www.focal.com
www.naimaudio.com
www.thorens.com

Most Surprising

The MartinLogan Neolith ESL ($120k pair USD) were launched some time ago. Possibly over a decade if I’m going strictly on memory alone. They’ve likely seen several refinements in both shadow and light. They’ve also endured.

What’s different about this year’s Audio Advice LIVE experience as it concerns the Neolith and the accompanying electronics, is that this experience was wholistically, from tip-to-toe, filled like an eclair, with unconstrained dynamics and clear presence of sound. Chord Electronics do more than a lot of things right, and what hasn’t been said about large Burmester amplifiers that also hasn’t been said about Jesus. And as far as AudioQuest goes, they do no harm—which itself is a noteworthy and challenging pursuit if one is to partake in high-fidelity transmission of low-level and high-current signals.

Applause and praise is mandatory across the board here. This is what we call “chance synergy.” No one expected it, and we’ve now heard something completely new and different from the beautiful and ever so enduring MartinLogan Neolith ESL loudspeakers. Bravo! 

www.martinlogan.com
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
www.burmester.de
www.audioquest.com

Best High-End Value

The goal of the two new 800 Series Signature models, was to meticulously evolve the 800 Series technology, carefully refine the craft of the design, and offer unique finishes that reflect this pinnacle of sonic performance. The 800 Series Signature models build on the foundations of their most advanced range of loudspeakers.

For instance, in the larger 801 D4 Signature ($50k pair USD): the tweeter housing has been opened up for even less smearing and interference in what was already a class-leading design in terms of abating both smearing and interference. More mounting points on the midrange and woofers for better damping and cabinet decoupling. A newly refined motor-structure for both midrange and woofer. More aluminum structures everywhere! Under the Connolly English leather adorned top plate—you guessed it—more damping. And yet! More aluminum underneath as well in the form of a newly redesigned all-aluminum low turbulence bass-flow-port. Which itself adds to the mass and stiffness of the cabinet structure. Hold your applause till the end please. And now… drumroll… a refined crossover design. Sheesh! 

Powering the whole affair, a more than capable stack Classé of electronics.

Okay, so there really is a lot going on with the two new Signature Series models. So much so, I’m surprised that the price difference over the standard models is not as reflective of the work put into the upgrades. Furthermore, these upgrades are easily discernible—even in an audio show setting.

www.bowerswilkins.com
www.classeaudio.com

Most Overachieving

Let’s talk about what is in this system: a Clearaudio Concept AIR ($2,800 USD) turntable outfitted with the Hana Umami Blue ($2,500 USD) cartridge from Japan, handing off to a Musical Surroundings Nova III ($1,500 USD) phonostage, on to a Boulder 866 ($15,500) integrated amplifier, and then finally through the Wilson Audio Sabrina X ($20,700 pair USD) loudspeakers. Support in the form of audio-rack, comes from the HRS EXR-1921-4V ($7,800 USD) audio stand system.

Both the Hana Umami Blue and Clearaudio Concept AIR are being shown for the first time here at Audio Advice LIVE 2023, despite both being available to the market as recently as earlier this year for the Umami Blue cartridge, and last year for the Concept AIR turntable.

If you noticed something about the list of components and prices in the first paragraph of this section, there’s a bit of a strange distribution method in terms of price at the front end as it concerns the back end. For instance the audio rack the turntable is sitting on is more costly than all of the analog components it’s holding. The integrated amplifier itself is twice the cost of the audio rack. The speakers are twice the cost of the integrated amplifier.

Generally when something like this happens, bottlenecks are created. However, in this creatively assembled exhibit system, the more affordable products (namely the analog chain) not only didn’t do themselves wrong here with the associated high-end and pricier gear, they rather built-up a balanced sound that was outright impressive regardless of the price imbalance. Boulder sounded like Boulder, and Wilson Audio sounded like Wilson Audio. This is a testament to the tangible strengths of Musical Surroundings’ stable of ‘dreamware’ products.

www.musicalsurroundings.com
www.wilsonaudio.com
www.boulderamp.com

Most Refreshing

I’ve been gathering several data-points on Diptyque loudspeakers throughout their recent introduction into the US market via new dealers and the audio show circuit. I’ve not reviewed a pair, nor have I experienced them in a dealer setting. That leaves only the audio shows, which are an assemblage of hotel rooms turned “listening rooms” in the span of twenty-four hours or less. Hence the gathering of several data-points. Or in this case, waiting for that one experience that brings it all together.

This is it! The list of the electronics and sources are well known entities that respect I for their undoubted audiophile sound and build quality. And I’ve experienced most of them before. What’s happening here is the Diptyque DP107 ($8k pair USD) panel speakers have been given the proper room to breathe. The first rule of ‘audiophile-club’ is: loudspeakers play the room.

And in the case of most panel speakers, they need a proper room to develop a proper sound. The Diptyque DP107 delivers a sound that is romantically lush and rich, with a level of dynamic efficiency seldom seen in panel loudspeakers. Which is a welcomed departure from what some brands in the panel speaker game at this price point have painfully thrust upon the marketspace for several ongoing decades. You know who I’m talking about.

As for the Audia Flight Three S ($4k USD) integrated amplifier that’s pushing these Diptyque speakers. It’s entirely made in Italy, and represents twenty-five years of knowledge and research that’s been distilled into the Three S series of electronics it comes from. Optional DAC and phono cards are available. Otherwise, it’s all analog connections. Personally, I hold Audia Flight the brand name in high regard, as I’ve never experienced a product of theirs that cut corners or didn’t deliver in affordable measure the same family sound that graces their most esoterically designed products.

Also in the system, and at the helm, the iconic Michell Audio Tecnodec ($2,700 USD) turntable with T3 Tonearm included. A beautiful Goldring E3 cartridge ($189 USD), feeding a Gold Note PH-5 ($999 USD) phonostage, and a Gold Note DS-10 Evo Streamer/DAC along for the ride. Rack by Neo Audio ($4k USD), audio cables by QED, power cables by TITAN Audio.

www.fidelityimports.com

Most Wanted

I came to this room to hear the new McIntosh MCD12000 2-Channel SACD/CD Player, which under the surface is a reference level DAC that includes a reference level CD Player. Like a lot of McIntosh Labs products do these days, it also features McIntosh’s Hybrid Drive technology that utilizes vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs in both solid state and vacuum tube configurations. It uses two 32-bit/8-channel professional grade DAC chipsets, and accommodates a total of seven digital inputs.

Let me tell ya, this new SACD/CD player is no slouch. In solid-state mode music is clean and just a bit dry, but still a fantastic measuring digital rendering machine. Activate the tube section—on the fly, I might add—and all things get subjectively better. More tonal bloom, slightly more scale via instrument decay, and a slight perception change in that things appear to get either louder by a skosh -or- that now through the magic of tubes you’ve become better acquainted with the recording studio. It’s definitely the latter case, as I’ve been assured that the gain from both the solid-state and tube circuits measures the same, and I trust that.

What I didn’t trust was how much I was going to immediately love the newly reborn McIntosh ML1 mkII loudspeakers. Reborn because the new ML1 is based on off the first McIntosh speaker, which was launched in 1970, and to this day is one of the last remaining monkey coffins of that era to still fetch a hefty sum on the used market. The new model doesn’t depart from the old, still made completely in America—not in Italy as some might assume—and does almost everything to stay true to the original design and sound, but with better build components.

The ML1 is a 4-way speaker with five separate drivers in a sealed enclosure, handles up to 600 Watts, goes deep in the bass with a 12″ woofer equipped with LD/HP technology, is topped with a complex tweeter/midrange array that assures an expansive sound stage so that listeners can enjoy beautiful music regardless of seating (or standing) position. Though, I am a bit partial to the sweet spot if available. The cabinet is NOT a veneered MDF, instead it’s built entirely from American Walnut with a rich satin finish, and includes matching speaker stands. Believe me, these speakers are special.

Editor’s Note: Here’s where I take you a bit behind the curtain. McIntosh Labs is in the consumer electronics business, not so much the speaker business—though they’ve made and sold speaker systems for years. McIntosh has a thriving network of dealers who proudly carry McIntosh electronics without any worry coming from dedicated speaker manufacturers over McIntosh “the electronics company” also making and selling speakers to those same dealers. That ‘absence of worry’ era however might be coming to an end, or at least slowing with the addition of the new ML1 to the McIntosh stable of loudspeakers. The new ML1 loudspeaker really competes, is right on trend, and is likely to become one of the famed electronics company’s best selling speakers ever. But that’s just my prediction.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

The Overall Best of Show

When the new Sonus faber Stradivari were announced earlier this year via press release, and unveiled at the Munich High-End show, the look of the speaker was such a departure from what I know of Sonus faber designs, that it took me all of a week to warm up to it’s looks from the initial photography that was distributed to the press.

However, by the time I was done writing my AAL ’23 show preview article a few weeks ago, I was salivating to see them in the flesh, and lay an ear or two on the them.

Driving the new Stradivari, a familiar Michi preamp, and the unfamiliar Michi monoblock amplifiers—which to my ears are the real diamond of the Michi lineup. Upstream, it was a disc spinner from Rotel, or my favourite, the analog chain supplied by Pro-Ject and Sumiko.

The Stradivari in its immaculately glossy Wenge finishing, had me ready to weep. The only thing this loudspeaker had to do was sound good. It didn’t sound good—it sounded greater-than-great. Sounding to us like possibly being one of the high-end highlights of the year regardless of the fact that the reported street price is just $50k/pair USD—much less than our usual price bracket for high-water-mark experiences.

A consensus formed within our four-man-team that this Sonus faber Stradivari lead system was indeed our favourite, most complete, and most sexy of the show. It earns the crown for being our absolute best-of-show winner.

www.mcintoshgroup.com

The Best High-End Home Theater

One of the most crowded and repeat-visit-heavy demonstrations of the Audio Advice LIVE weekend was the one put together by Barco projection, Lumagen processing, a Kaleidescape server, Seymour-Screen Excellence screen, Storm Audio amplification, FOCAL speakers, and RowOne seating.

The FOCAL speakers were positioned into a generously outfitted 9.4.4 home theater configuration, featuring mains and surrounds from the FOCAL KANTA series of high-end loudspeakers—and more specifically in the make-or-break position—the FOCAL Viva Utopia Colour Evo three-way center-channel loudspeaker, from the flagship Utopia III Evo range. If there’s one thing my grandmother taught me one thing to remember about high-end home theater it’s “centers and screens”, which is her way of saying they matter most.

Speaking of screens, the 173-inch Seymour Ambient-Visionaire Black 0.9 cinemascope screen mated perfectly to the 5K output of the Barco Cinemascope projector. Cinemascope, if you’re wondering, is an over-delivering 5120×2160 pixels, whereas the experience of 4K is less than the promised “4K” at just 3840×2160 pixels. Bummer right?

Undoubtedly the best all-around performing high-end home theater experience of the weekend. The image and sonics were astounding.

www.audioadvice.com/home-theater-design

The Audio Advice LIVE 2023 Staff and Show Sponsors

It must be echoed again and again. The Audio Advice LIVE show is one of the premier and premium experiences of the industries they serve. The overall attention to detail and organization is second to none. This was something I personally expected as a long-time Audio Advice customer, who has first hand experience with their retail sensibilities. They’ve chosen the right partners and methods, time and time again, to produce a consistency of spirit among the sales and event staff.

The only changes I expect to see from Audio Advice and the Audio Advice LIVE show going forward is growth. Which at the granular level means more participation from brands not sold by the 40+ year high-end retailer. Audio Advice LIVE currently holds the reins as the most polished audio show experience on the east coast. Well, east coast for now that is. It is entirely possible that the Audio Advice LIVE show will find multiple locations to host the event up and down the east coast, and even westward across the country. Time will only tell if that hope is to become a reality. What it comes down to is industry support, which leads me to Qobuz.

Qobuz Hi-Res Streaming

Our favourite high-resolution streaming platform and soon yours—Qobuz (website)—should be recognized as a founding sponsor of the Audio Advice LIVE show, with a sponsor relationship that began well before the inaugural AAL event back in August of 2022. Qobuz has remained a sustaining force for Audio Advice LIVE—and other high-end-home-audio-shows around the globe. It’s time that we give proper recognition to the work and support that Qobuz brings to uphold the energy and culture of the every-day audiophile and music industries.

Our INDULGR Audiophile playlist includes 600+ tracks perfect for auditioning high-end audio gear, and was curated by our team of editors.

During the Audio Advice LIVE weekend, Qobuz’s own David Solomon— the company’s Chief Hi-Res Music Evangelist—was often found roaming the halls, guesting on panels, and being the hi-res streaming ringmaster we’ve all come to appreciate and love. His generous nature and welcoming vibe is a fixture in hi-fi that we pray never goes away. Qobuz’s commitment to hi-fi and its events must receive due credit. To David especially, we thank you.

www.audioadvice.com
www.qobuz.com

The post Audio Advice LIVE 2023 | BEST OF SHOW appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Do stay tuned-in, as our daily coverage rolls out chronologically over the coming days, and as linked below for quick access.

• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | PREVIEW
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE

McIntosh Labs

I came to this room to hear the new McIntosh MCD12000 2-Channel SACD/CD Player, which under the surface is a reference level DAC that includes a reference level CD Player. Like a lot of McIntosh Labs products do these days, it also features McIntosh’s Hybrid Drive technology that utilizes vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs in both solid state and vacuum tube configurations. It uses two 32-bit/8-channel professional grade DAC chipsets, and accommodates a total of seven digital inputs.

Let me tell ya, this new SACD/CD player is no slouch. In solid-state mode music is clean and just a bit dry, but still a fantastic measuring digital rendering machine. Activate the tube section—on the fly, I might add—and all things get subjectively better. More tonal bloom, slightly more scale via instrument decay, and a slight perception change in that things appear to get either louder by a skosh -or- that now through the magic of tubes you’ve become better acquainted with the recording studio. It’s definitely the latter case, as I’ve been assured that the gain from both the solid-state and tube circuits measures the same, and I trust that.

What I didn’t trust was how much I was going to immediately love the newly reborn McIntosh ML1 mkII loudspeakers. Reborn because the new ML1 is based on off the first McIntosh speaker, which was launched in 1970, and to this day is one of the last remaining monkey coffins of that era to still fetch a hefty sum on the used market. The new model doesn’t depart from the old, still made completely in America—not in Italy as some might assume—and does almost everything to stay true to the original design and sound, but with better build components.

The ML1 is a 4-way speaker with five separate drivers in a sealed enclosure, handles up to 600 Watts, goes deep in the bass with a 12″ woofer equipped with LD/HP technology, is topped with a complex tweeter/midrange array that assures an expansive sound stage so that listeners can enjoy beautiful music regardless of seating (or standing) position. Though, I am a bit partial to the sweet spot if available. The cabinet is NOT a veneered MDF, instead it’s built entirely from American Walnut with a rich satin finish, and includes matching speaker stands. Believe me, these speakers are special.

Editor’s Note: Here’s where I take you a bit behind the curtain. McIntosh Labs is in the consumer electronics business, not so much the speaker business—though they’ve made and sold speaker systems for years. McIntosh has a thriving network of dealers who proudly carry McIntosh electronics without any worry coming from dedicated speaker manufacturers over McIntosh “the electronics company” also making and selling speakers to those same dealers. That ‘absence of worry’ era however might be coming to an end, or at least slowing with the addition of the new ML1 to the McIntosh stable of loudspeakers. The new ML1 loudspeaker really competes, is right on trend, and is likely to become one of the famed electronics company’s best selling speakers ever. But that’s just my prediction.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

McIntosh Labs + JEEP

It wouldn’t be Audio Advice LIVE without venturing outside for some of that steamy August heat that North Carolina is so famous for. However, McIntosh Labs and JEEP partnered to produce an experience that not only beats that heat, it also blends together as much tactile and sensorial luxury as one can endure: cushy seats, ice cold air conditioning, and the most immersive ump-teen-speaker stereo sound system.

Do I remember the specific specs and details of the system? No.
Do I remember thinking I could sit here—parked—for the rest of the weekend? Yes.

It is of note however that there are two different McIntosh Automotive Systems: for instance, the 2022-2023 Grand Wagoneer Series I and Series II can be equipped with either the McIntosh MX1375 Reference Entertainment System or MX950 Entertainment System. The Grand Wagoneer Series III comes standard with only the MX1375 Reference Entertainment System.

www.jeep.com
www.mcintoshlabs.com

Samsung 146-inch “The Wall” 4K-Display + JBL Synthesis 9.4.4 In-Wall = High-End Home Theater

Dubbed “The JBL Experience” by Audio Advice LIVE staffers, the sprawling JBL exhibit space felt every bit like a canvas for hi-fi wishes to be made and theater dreams to be made real. Though I could try to describe the JBL Synthesis Home Theater speaker system in it’s entirety, I’m going to turn you over Audio Advice for a deeper and more thorough dive into what makes the JBL Experience so special. Follow the link below.

• JBL Synthesis Home Theater Speaker System Overview

“The Wall” all-in-one from Samsung is a whopping 146-inch monster with some of the brightest… brights(?) that I’ve ever seen—outside of a weekend welding class. The local Cinefiles and TV nerds behind me rejoiced with glee, chatting over my shoulder about “nits” and “lumens.” A retired movie theater projectionist brought up the term “candlepower” during one of the demonstrations. This ultimate-of-the-ultimate 4K display (with built-in speakers) lists for $220k USD. Available in the same 146-inch proportions with a 2K resolution for just $106k USD, and also a 110-inch 2K version for $80k USD.

www.samsung.com/thewall

Barco +  Lumagen + Kaleidescape + Seymour-Screen Excellence + Storm Audio + FOCAL + RowOne = Ultimate Home Theater

One of the most crowded and repeat-visit-heavy demonstrations of the Audio Advice LIVE weekend was the one put together by Barco projection, Lumagen processing, a Kaleidescape server, Seymour-Screen Excellence screen, Storm Audio amplification, FOCAL speakers, and RowOne seating.

The FOCAL speakers were positioned into a generously outfitted 9.4.4 home theater configuration, featuring mains and surrounds from the FOCAL KANTA series of high-end loudspeakers—and more specifically in the make-or-break position—the FOCAL Viva Utopia Colour Evo three-way center-channel loudspeaker, from the flagship Utopia III Evo range. If there’s one thing my grandmother taught me one thing to remember about high-end home theater it’s “centers and screens”, which is her way of saying they matter most.

Speaking of screens, the 173-inch Seymour Ambient-Visionaire Black 0.9 cinemascope screen mated perfectly to the 5K output of the Barco Cinemascope projector. Cinemascope, if you’re wondering, is an over-delivering 5120×2160 pixels, whereas the experience of 4K is less than the promised “4K” at just 3840×2160 pixels. Bummer right?

Undoubtedly the best all-around performing high-end home theater experience of the weekend. The image and sonics were astounding.

www.audioadvice.com/home-theater-design

Bowers & Wilkins: Is it also art?

Positioned in the hotel lobby on gallery pedestals, it was obvious to some that what Bowers & Wilkins was trying to say is that ‘they make art.’

The now iconic Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus loudspeaker celebrates its 30th anniversary having been launched in 1993. Having aged not a bit to my keen eye. On static display here in Audio Advice BLUE. Standard color options for the Nautilus are Silver, Black, and Midnight Blue. Though, there is a special service that can match any color you specify.

Also behind the velvet rope and stanchions, the new 2023 Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature which makes a strong case for itself and the 800 Series of loudspeakers than came before it for being a paragon of industrial design. Seen here dressed in sectioned California Burl Gloss, High-Gloss Black Lacquer, and Connolly Leather.

www.bowerswilkins.com

Chord + Audeze + FOCAL

Leave us to our preferences and we’ll be satisfied. The headphone expo was nearly identical to last year, though there were some new speculations thrown around the campfire about new product launches and lower prices coming from Chord Electronics. Proving that music isn’t the only good thing you’ll hear at an audio show.

The rest of our four-man team found spaces to isolate and let the music come to them. Myself, the relatively still new Chord Mojo 2 that’s been making waves in the audiophile press was up to bat. The Mojo 2 when paired with run of the mill Audeze headphones wasn’t as neutral as I expected, and that’s not a bad thing. I think the color-of-tone and creative use of enriching frequency belong in the head-fi space more than they do in the traditional two-channel speaker world. I look forward to pairing a Mojo 2 with FOCAL Clear MG sometime in the near future.

www.audioadvice.com/headphones-portables

KEF LS50 Wireless II

This was a flight simulator exhibit that we wandered into, which featured the KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers. Evolved from the original LS50 that launched almost a decade or more ago, the new Wireless II version extolls several benefits to its cycle of refinements to the driver, cabinet, amplifier, and software.

An all-in-one speaker system, streaming from any source thanks to wireless compatibility with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and more, plus wired connections for your TV, games console and turntable. KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT ) promises reduced coloration, less distortion, and a more transparent and life-like presentation than previously possible.

www.audioadvice.com/kef-ls50-wireless-ii

The post Audio Advice LIVE 2023 | DAY THREE appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Do stay tuned-in, as our daily coverage continues to roll out chronologically over the coming days, and as linked below for quick access.

• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | PREVIEW
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO

FOCAL + NAIM + Thorens

Attendees, press, and even passersby were taken by surprise when they found themselves in the Sheraton hotel lobby confronting both the scale of sight and sound produced by the FOCAL Grande Utopia EM Evo ($280k pair USD) floor-standing loudspeakers, each gorgeously adorned in a stunning Carrara White multi-layer gloss finish. It’s been said, the people aren’t ready.

The Grande Utopia EM Evo are part of the Utopia III series where all of FOCAL’s latest and best technologies are first released to the world. Including the aforementioned Grande Utopia EM Evo’s latest innovations: the NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) and the TMD suspension. New to the ‘EM Evo are more improvements in midrange distortion and cabinet resonance control. Too many areas of total improvement and refinement to list here, but they’re there, and they’re apparent in the listening.

Nestled between the towering behemoths of musical slam, a sleek and modern stack-o-rack of NAIM 300 Series separates starting with the NSS 333 ($11k USD): a high-resolution streaming solution that can handle the highest-quality file formats for UPnP devices and streaming services. The NSS 333’s integrated DAC also improves the performance of other devices in the system, with a universal control across the entire Naim range, all from the Focal-Naim app.

From there, the NAC 332 ($11k USD) becomes the “analogue centre” of the system, delivering the low level signal to your amplifier and loudspeakers. It’s billed as Naim’s most versatile preamplifier to date, allowing you to connect headphones as well as the NVC TT ($3,700 USD) phono preamplifier—also on active display in the system, at the left flank—for vinyl playback of the most exposing nature. Think deep-groove-diving. Diving into those grooves, a Thorens TD 1601 turntable. Taking its marching orders from the NAC 332 preamp and NVC TT phono preamp, a pair of NAP 350 ($8,500 USD) monoblock amplifiers to meet the power needs of the Grande Utopia EM Evo loudspeakers.

www.focal.com
www.naimaudio.com
www.thorens.com

FOCAL + NAIM + IsoAcoustics

What caught our attention about this interesting pair of FOCAL Sopra N°2 ($22k pair USD) loudspeakers was the unique limited-edition “brown concrete” finish. Focal introduced two new finishes to its Sopra N°2 speakers back in January of this year: Black Ostrea and Brown Concrete. The metallic bronze front panel and its chocolate-colored, concrete-look sides, the Brown Concrete finish seems like it would be easy to work into any architecture. The “Brown Concrete” finish is a work of art in itself.

The Sopra N°2 floorstanding loudspeaker is already an attention getter in its readily available six non-limited-edition finishes. Sopra in Italian means “above” or “over,” and the French speaker maker Focal certainly went above and beyond with the Sopra N°2. Equipped with the best midrange drivers ever developed by Focal, the Sopra N°2 pushes the limits of reproduction in terms of transparency and scale from compact enclosure design. Its sound is marketed as “fleshy” and I tend to agree with that descriptor. Detailed with articulated bass, overall driver coherence, and tonal richness are present.

In the active system, a NAIM Uniti Nova ($6,900 USD) all-in-one was running the program material through streaming. Firing up the classic Dave Matthews stream on Qobuz, Under The Table And Dreaming the recordings felt fresh, lively, and imbued with uncommon levels of insight. Something that I think all FOCAL products tend to excel at. Which may be something I expand on further in this week’s coverage. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

www.focal.com
www.naimaudio.com
www.isoacoustics.com

MartinLogan + Chord Electronics + Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH + AudioQuest

The MartinLogan Neolith ESL ($120k pair USD) were launched some time ago. Possibly over a decade if I’m going strictly on memory alone. They’ve likely seen several refinements in both shadow and light. They’ve also endured.

What’s different about this year’s Audio Advice LIVE experience as it concerns the Neolith and the accompanying electronics, is that this experience was wholistically, from tip-to-toe, filled like an eclair, with unconstrained dynamics and clear presence of sound. Chord Electronics do more than a lot of things right, and what hasn’t been said about large Burmester amplifiers that also hasn’t been said about Jesus. And as far as AudioQuest goes, they do no harm—which itself is a noteworthy and challenging pursuit if one is to partake in high-fidelity transmission of low-level and high-current signals.

Applause and praise is mandatory across the board here. This is what we call “chance synergy.” No one expected it, and we’ve now heard something completely new and different from the beautiful and ever so enduring MartinLogan Neolith ESL loudspeakers. Bravo! 

www.martinlogan.com
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
www.burmester.de
www.audioquest.com

Bowers & Wilkins + Classé

The goal of the two new 800 Series Signature models, was to meticulously evolve the 800 Series technology, carefully refine the craft of the design, and offer unique finishes that reflect this pinnacle of sonic performance. The 800 Series Signature models build on the foundations of their most advanced range of loudspeakers.

For instance, in the larger 801 D4 Signature ($50k pair USD): the tweeter housing has been opened up for even less smearing and interference in what was already a class-leading design in terms of abating both smearing and interference. More mounting points on the midrange and woofers for better damping and cabinet decoupling. A newly refined motor-structure for both midrange and woofer. More aluminum structures everywhere! Under the Connolly English leather adorned top plate—you guessed it—more damping. And yet! More aluminum underneath as well in the form of a newly redesigned all-aluminum low turbulence bass-flow-port. Which itself adds to the mass and stiffness of the cabinet structure. Hold your applause till the end please. And now… drumroll… a refined crossover design. Sheesh! 

Powering the whole affair, a more than capable stack Classé of electronics.

Okay, so there really is a lot going on with the two new Signature Series models. So much so, I’m surprised that the price difference over the standard models is not as reflective of the work put into the upgrades. Furthermore, these upgrades are easily discernible—even in an audio show setting.

www.bowerswilkins.com
www.classeaudio.com

Clearaudio + Wilson Audio + Boulder + Hana + HRS + Musical Surroundings

Let’s talk about what is in this system: a Clearaudio Concept AIR ($2,800 USD) turntable outfitted with the Hana Umami Blue ($2,500 USD) cartridge from Japan, handing off to a Musical Surroundings Nova III ($1,500 USD) phonostage, on to a Boulder 866 ($15,500) integrated amplifier, and then finally through the Wilson Audio Sabrina X ($20,700 pair USD) loudspeakers. Support in the form of audio-rack, comes from the HRS EXR-1921-4V ($7,800 USD) audio stand system.

Both the Hana Umami Blue and Clearaudio Concept AIR are being shown for the first time here at Audio Advice LIVE 2023, despite both being available to the market as recently as earlier this year for the Umami Blue cartridge, and last year for the Concept AIR turntable.

If you noticed something about the list of components and prices in the first paragraph of this section, there’s a bit of a strange distribution method in terms of price at the front end as it concerns the back end. For instance the audio rack the turntable is sitting on is more costly than all of the analog components it’s holding. The integrated amplifier itself is twice the cost of the audio rack. The speakers are twice the cost of the integrated amplifier.

Generally when something like this happens, bottlenecks are created. However, in this creatively assembled exhibit system, the more affordable products (namely the analog chain) not only didn’t do themselves wrong here with the associated high-end and pricier gear, they rather built-up a balanced sound that was outright impressive regardless of the price imbalance. Boulder sounded like Boulder, and Wilson Audio sounded like Wilson Audio. This is a testament to the tangible strengths of Musical Surroundings’ stable of ‘dreamware’ products.

www.musicalsurroundings.com
www.wilsonaudio.com
www.boulderamp.com

Diptyque + Audia Flight + Michell + Goldring + Gold Note + Fidelity Imports

I’ve been gathering several data-points on Diptyque loudspeakers throughout their recent introduction into the US market via new dealers and the audio show circuit. I’ve not reviewed a pair, nor have I experienced them in a dealer setting. That leaves only the audio shows, which are an assemblage of hotel rooms turned “listening rooms” in the span of twenty-four hours or less. Hence the gathering of several data-points. Or in this case, waiting for that one experience that brings it all together.

This is it! The list of the electronics and sources are well known entities that respect I for their undoubted audiophile sound and build quality. And I’ve experienced most of them before. What’s happening here is the Diptyque DP107 ($8k pair USD) panel speakers have been given the proper room to breathe. The first rule of ‘audiophile-club’ is: loudspeakers play the room.

And in the case of most panel speakers, they need a proper room to develop a proper sound. The Diptyque DP107 delivers a sound that is romantically lush and rich, with a level of dynamic efficiency seldom seen in panel loudspeakers. Which is a welcomed departure from what some brands in the panel speaker game at this price point have painfully thrust upon the marketspace for several ongoing decades. You know who I’m talking about.

As for the Audia Flight Three S ($4k USD) integrated amplifier that’s pushing these Diptyque speakers. It’s entirely made in Italy, and represents twenty-five years of knowledge and research that’s been distilled into the Three S series of electronics it comes from. Optional DAC and phono cards are available. Otherwise, it’s all analog connections. Personally, I hold Audia Flight the brand name in high regard, as I’ve never experienced a product of theirs that cut corners or didn’t deliver in affordable measure the same family sound that graces their most esoterically designed products.

Also in the system, and at the helm, the iconic Michell Audio Tecnodec ($2,700 USD) turntable with T3 Tonearm included. A beautiful Goldring E3 cartridge ($189 USD), feeding a Gold Note PH-5 ($999 USD) phonostage, and a Gold Note DS-10 Evo Streamer/DAC along for the ride. Rack by Neo Audio ($4k USD), audio cables by QED, power cables by TITAN Audio.

www.fidelityimports.com

Perlisten + Audia Flight + Michell + Goldring + Gold Note + Fidelity Imports

Have you ever met someone you didn’t want to like?

That was my own personal problem going into the Perlisten brand when I first received the press release detailing the upcoming launch of the loudspeakers. I don’t know exactly what turned me off. Was it the price? The fact that it’s a home theater speaker that claims dual-duty in the two-channel audiophile space? Maybe all of the above.

As with the above Diptyque loudspeakers, it was the audio show exhibits of Fidelity Imports that turned me into a fan of the Perlisten brand. I didn’t want to like them, but during my first audition featuring Soul Note amplifiers powering the loudspeakers, I can unashamedly say that I was hooked, and that I was wrong.

Here at the Audio Advice LIVE show everything is more powerful and more umphing in the lowest frequencies. The towering Perlisten S7t ($20k pair USD) loudspeakers in combination with the Audia Flight FLS10 ($16k+ USD as configured) integrated amplifier w/DAC and Phono card options installed, digs deep into the bass, and doing so with a composure that’s uncommonly attributed to loudspeakers that inhabit the market dedicated to home theater. Upper frequencies are balanced and delightful. None of the harsh in-your-face splash-and-broken-glass that is more common in the HT realm.

Also in the system, the even more iconic Michell Audio Gyro SE ($5,500 USD) turntable with TecnoArm 2 included. A stunning Goldring 1022-GX ($599 USD) cartridge, Gold Note DS-10 Evo Streamer/DAC $3,700 USD). Rack by Neo Audio ($4k USD), audio cables by QED, power cables by TITAN Audio.

www.fidelityimports.com

The post Audio Advice LIVE 2023 | DAY TWO appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Do stay tuned-in, as our daily coverage rolls out chronologically over the coming days, and as linked below for quick access.

• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | PREVIEW
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE

Sonus Faber + Michi + Pro-Ject + Sumiko + Rotel

When the new Sonus faber Stradivari were announced earlier this year via press release, and unveiled at the Munich High-End show, the look of the speaker was such a departure from what I know of Sonus faber designs, that it took me all of a week to warm up to it’s looks from the initial photography that was distributed to the press.

However, by the time I was done writing my AAL ’23 show preview article a few weeks ago, I was salivating to see them in the flesh, and lay an ear or two on the them.

Driving the new Stradivari, a familiar Michi preamp, and the unfamiliar Michi monoblock amplifiers—which to my ears are the real diamond of the Michi lineup. Upstream, it was a disc spinner from Rotel, or my favourite, the analog chain supplied by Pro-Ject and Sumiko.

The Stradivari in its immaculately glossy Wenge finishing, had me ready to weep. The only thing this loudspeaker had to do was sound good. It didn’t sound good—it sounded greater-than-great. Sounding to us like possibly being one of the high-end highlights of the year regardless of the fact that the reported street price is just $50k/pair USD—much less than our usual price bracket for high-water-mark experiences.

A consensus quickly formed within our four-man-team that, this system was indeed our favourite sound of the show so far. We’ll see how well that consensus holds up as we move on to day two, three, and beyond.

www.mcintoshgroup.com

Cabasse Rialto

The new Rialto is self-amplified-loudspeaker from Cabasse launched earlier this year at AXPONA ’23, and was a hit with audiophile critics and hobbyists who were open-minded enough to overlook its diminutive proportions and price tag.

The Rialto is a self-powered three-way design loudspeaker that inhabits the “all-in-one total system solution” moniker better than anyone. The Rialto features music streaming and digital-to-analog conversion built-in. Touch control and app-based remote are just a few of the standard features, which cleverly includes Cabasse’s own cloud-based room correction software, along with unbelievable amplifier power specs (1,050 watts per speaker) and truly jaw dropping bass (down to 30Hz) to back them up—and not bass just for its diminutive size either.

Cabasse’s tri-coaxial speaker driver design technology ensures that highs (3oo watts), mids (3oo watts), and lows (450 watts) emanate from a single point-source, meaning that sound is intact as a waveform and (more) accurate sounding when it reaches your ear. Price at launch is just a few bucks under $4k USD. Count me in!

www.cabasse.com

Technics asks, “Do you really need anything else?”

Nothing takes me back to the New York City of my youth than seeing a Technics 1200 series turntable spinning away. With its both iron-like durability and powerful spin-up motor, it’s know wonder why it was the industry standard and workhorse of the blossoming hip-hop culture of the early 1980s. I know now in my still-young-forties that turntables like the Technics SL-1200GR are also capable of a tempting level finesse and artfulness—especially when attached to inspiring electronics.

The entire system (well active system of this exhibit), though seductive and shiny, only represents around a $15k USD outlay when you factor in all the needed connections and cartridges.

Prominent in the system of course is the famed 1200 series turntable, but also a sexy duo of SU-G700M2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier (like a receiver, but better) and SL-G700M2 CD Player. The pair pushing the SB-G90M2 Tower Speakers, which feature a concentric driver design for mids and highs with a penchant for accurate point-source conveyance of sound, and supporting woofers for heart-stomping bass. Both digital and analog sounded phenomenal and clean during my few visits to the exhibit space.

us.technics.com

McIntosh Labs + Sonus Faber + Pro-Ject + Transparent

In an auxiliary room, located right-off-to-the-side of the larger Sonus faber Stradivari exhibit covered earlier in this post, another well curated cornucopia of the McIntosh Group’s high-end dreamwares.

Running the show, Will Kline (as pictured) of the McIntosh Group, but also the McIntosh MA352 two-channel integrated amplifier which includes McIntosh’s now famous Hybrid Drive technology that utilizes the best of both vacuum tubes and solid state power to produce the best sounding performances possible. If there’s one thing McIntosh amplifiers are known for, it’s not being short on power. This sexy little beast (the MA352, not Will) outputs 200 Watts into 8 Ohms and a mindblowing 320 Watts into 4 Ohms. On top of that, the preamplifier section of the MA352 features a dedicated 5-band tone control for dialing in the perfect eq settings. By the way, McIntosh eq’s are better than most expect them to be. Get yourself to “twisting” on them at your leisure.

Rounding out the system, a stunningly capable pair of passive loudspeakers from Sonus faber’s Heritage collection. The Electa Amator III loudspeaker is an award-winner. I know this, because I was a force in nominating it for “speaker of the year” at a former hi-fi publication that-shall-not-be-named. In this exhibit, a simple pair of speakers and amplifier absolutely dominated the space, with both composure and brute force, the duo had showgoers asking where the hidden subs were located. Obviously there were none. I know, I checked.

www.mcintoshgroup.com

DALI + NAD Masters

In my own reality this new loudspeaker has been forty years in the making.

It’s of note that this is one of the big-boy-speakers as well. Probably bigger than most of our novice readers have encountered in a domestic space, or in pedestrian retail terms. It’s taller than myself, and of unusual girth—I like where this is going—when measured with a tape. The new DALI Epikore 11 aims to, honestly and without haste, use a velvet coated lead hammer to send you into submission. Personally, I’ve not looked so forward to my own pummeling before. Except this one time in London…[editor deleted]

Making its US debut, the DALI Epikore 11 ($60k pair USD) is a four-and-a-half-way design that features DALI’s signature custom made drivers. They inherit several technologies from the DALI flagship KORE line. Technologies found in the new Epikore 11 include the EVO-K hybrid tweeter module, consisting of a traditional 35mm soft-dome tweeter and a substantially sized (55x10mm) high-frequency ribbon. The rest of the driver compliment reads like a Danish Artillery Detachment’s late-night-grocery list: 1 x 6.5-inch EPIKORE midrange, 4 x 8-inch EPIKORE woofers, new SMC KORE crossover inductors, adjustable aluminium outriggers, new high-end binding posts, dual-flare bass reflex ports, die-cast baffles (don’t overlook that, it’s actually important), and they’re all available in a cleverly designed cabinet structure that’s available in three exclusive, and premium, high-gloss finishes.

Powering the whole affair, the new NAD Masters M66 (price TBA) BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier which was feeding a well-loved low-level signal to an NAD Masters M23 Stereo Power Amplifier. This may be the first ever showing of the new NAD Masters M66 streaming-dac-preamp, of that I’m not sure. But if it is, that’s exciting news, as I’m happy to report that the new M66 does everything, and apparently also does everything well. The entire suite of electronics and speakers sounded classy and precise, along with the ability to blast one away when given a bit of the juice. I look forward to our next session.

www.dali-speakers.com
www.nadelectronics.com

The Keynote + Concert + Lincoln Theatre

This is the only high-end home audio show that does this, and I like it. Is it an excuse for drinking? Possibly. I often look forward to certain audio shows for that. But this particular keynote-address-party is much more inspiring and celebratory than most expect.

Audio Advice is going places, and it shows. Forty-plus-years-going-strong and still they are breaking new ground—annually—and not just for themselves, but for the whole industry.

Where do they go next? Who knows.

The Show Begins + Thank You

The show begins with the gathering of tipsy (or at least on their way to tipsy) crowd members for the keynote address that’s to be given by Scott Newnam the CEO of Audio Advice. The theatre is packed to the rafters—I mean that literally—I touched one when on the mezzanine trying to get a new angle.

Jonathan Stephens of Audio Advice takes the stage to thank the crowd, and to give thanks to the companies and crews who made the Audio Advice LIVE show possible. Without wasting any time, this begins the bombastically orchestrated and over-the-top music, light-show, and video introduction for Scott Newnam. This type of introduction is a bit of a comical prank, as Newnam is always left unaware of what the Audio Advice team has in store for him.

It went a little something like this…

Scott Newnam + Leon Shaw

Brilliant as ever, Newnam launched into his passionate rallying of the troops, and by the end of it had all in attendance feeling like they could charge right through a brick wall. Once the crowd settled back down, and continued to sip a little more of the liquid courage, Newnam brought to the stage the now retired Audio Advice founder Leon Shaw, who gave us all a nice thank you and background story on the founding of Audio Advice.

To my own recollection of history, if it’s accurate, Shaw and partner Ira Dorne almost single-handedly invented the high-end home audio marketplace when they founded Audio Advice back in 1978. History is written by the victors, right?

Shortly after wrapping up the speeches and thank yous, the concert begins.

The post Audio Advice LIVE 2023 | DAY ONE appeared first on INDULGR.

To the uninitiated, this is a stop-by-stop tour through what we believe to be the highlights of the Audio Advice LIVE ’23 show. Yet, this is only a glimpse of the best that high-end home audio and high-end home theater have to offer—each at varying strata of the lifestyle. Here are the debuts (of which there are several) and exhibitions that we found most interesting throughout our coverage of the three-day-long event.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Do stay tuned-in, as our daily coverage rolls out chronologically over the coming days, and as linked below for quick access.

• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | PREVIEW
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY ONE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY TWO
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | DAY THREE
• Audio Advice LIVE ’23 | BEST OF SHOW

PREVIEW ENCLOSED BELOW

Last year’s Audio Advice LIVE event (linked here) went down in the record books. This year Audio Advice LIVE 2023 returns to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina for what’s promised to be a bigger sensation than ever. Over sixty high-end brands have signed on to exhibit at the 2023 show. A colossal selection of new and exciting High-End Home Audio and High-End Home Theater systems will be on exhibition throughout the mind-blowing three-day event of: spectacular music, and stunning motion pictures.

Newcomers be warned: High-End Home Audio is a life changing experience.

Audio Advice LIVE, August 4-6, 2023

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
421 S. Salisbury St
Raleigh, North Carolina

As a native of the Raleigh area, if I can suggest one thing for out-of-towners, it’s that you make your nightly dinner reservations well-in-advance of the Audio Advice LIVE 2023 event. To help, here’s a list of Downtown Raleigh’s most popular restaurants. However, feel free to explore The Research Triangle and outlying areas, as the best establishments of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities are proven award-getters from the nation’s most respected culinary authors.

The Audio Advice LIVE 2023 event is taking place at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel—the same hotel as last 2022. Additional lodging is available at the Raleigh Marriott City Center located next door to the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel. More information on how-to-attend and what-to-expect is located below. We’ll see you there!

Watch the Audio Advice LIVE ’23 Trailer Below

Uniting the world’s top consumer electronics brands, industry experts, and enthusiasts for an incredible 3-day high-performance event

RALEIGH, NC — Get ready to experience the ultimate audio and video immersion at Audio Advice Live, returning to the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Raleigh, NC from August 4-6, 2023. With over 60 experience rooms and dedicated home theater rooms, attendees can immerse themselves in music and video like never before. This three-day event is the nation’s largest high-end home audio and home theater show catering to consumers, offering a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with industry experts and more than 80 of the world’s top consumer electronic brands.

“Audio Advice Live is designed to give consumers an opportunity to experience a massively diverse set of home audio and home theater products all in one location,” said Scott Newnam, CEO of Audio Advice. “More and more people are investing to make their homes an oasis where they can enjoy great music, television, and movies with friends and family. After an incredibly successful inaugural event in 2022, we have attracted the top brands from around the world and we could not be more excited to host it right here in Raleigh, North Carolina.”

In addition to the experience rooms, Audio Advice Live features four industry expert panels discussing the newest trends in home theater audio, home theater video, high-performance stereo systems, and turntables. Leading industry experts and influencers will also be talking to attendees and visiting demo rooms throughout the event.

Exclusive On-Site Panel Discussions from Industry Experts:

• Building A High-Quality Home Theater Sound System – Friday, August 4th – 2pm
• The Future of Home Theater Video – Saturday August 5th – 11am
• Trends In High-Performance Audio – Saturday August 5th – 2pm
• The Vinyl Revival: Turntable & Vinyl Must-Haves – Sunday, August 6th – 1pm

“Audio Advice Live 2022 was hands down the most complete and organized event in the home theater and audio category last year. If you miss this show, you are missing out. I can easily see this being one of the key industry events for many years to come.” said Patrick Siebert, C.I. Key Account Manager – JVC/KENWOOD USA

“Last year, when we exhibited at Audio Advice Live, we were struck by a number of things that made it a lock for us to come back this year. The event ran smoothly, there were many great companies on display, and the vibe of the whole event was a celebration of high-performance audio & video. We know it will be even better this year and are excited to be there!” – Bart LoPiccolo, Sales Director – McIntosh Labs, Sonus Faber, and Fine Sounds Americas

“Audio Advice Live was a great surprise for Qobuz. We were expecting a normal, first-year show with all that comes with it. Instead, we found a totally buttoned-up and very professional event. In our opinion, Audio Advice Live will soon be the most relevant regional show in the US. Qobuz is proud to sponsor the 2023 show!” – David Solomon, V.P. Business Development & Chief Hi-Res Music Evangelist – Qobuz USA

What to Expect at Audio Advice Live:

• See & Hear New Gear: The event features experience rooms full of top-notch speakers, projectors, electronics, headphones, and audio/video gear from the biggest names in the industry including Sony, JVC, Samsung, McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL Synthesis, SVS, KEF, Klipsch, Revel, Monitor Audio, Anthem, and many more.
• Learn from Industry Pros: In addition to the experience rooms, Audio Advice Live features four industry expert panels discussing the newest trends in home theater audio, & video, high-performance stereo systems, and turntables. Leading industry experts and influencers will also be talking to attendees and visiting demo rooms throughout the event.
• Opening Night Kickoff & Concert: The immersive weekend of fun kicks off at Lincoln Theater with a live concert featuring Love Tribe and a special state-of-the-industry keynote address from Audio Advice CEO Scott Newnam on Friday, August 4th at 5:45pm. Following the keynote will be a special performance from Love Tribe, the ultimate high-energy good-time party band playing a wide range of music with a non-stop adrenaline-fueled show that won’t slow down until the last song is through.

Audio Advice Live offers one and three-day pass options for attendees and is open to the public. All show registration passes grant access to the experience rooms and exhibit hall, as well as live panel discussions and the opening kickoff concert at Lincoln Theater on August 4th at 5:45pm. To register for the event or learn more, visit Audio Advice Live (linked here).

ABOUT AUDIO ADVICE

Audio Advice, founded in 1978, is the top home electronics dealer in the Southeastern U.S. and the fastest-growing consumer electronics eCommerce site in the United States. Its showrooms in Raleigh and Charlotte feature state-of-the-art retail settings with a world-class range of audio and acoustic technology, including one of the best selections of high-performance speakers in the United States. Showrooms include fully-immersive listening and home theater demonstration environments and are staffed by some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the country.

Audio Advice has been named “Best Specialty AV Dealer in the U.S.”, by TWICE magazine and has won Triangle Business Journal’s “2022 Best Places To Work” and Newsweek’s “2022 Fastest Growing Online Shops”.

The company offers an extensive library of resources on popular entertainment and home technology products including reviews, tutorials, and design ideas, and offers a free patent-pending Home Theater Design tool to plan and visualize any entertainment room.

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