The kick-off event to every hi-fi calendar, Florida Audio Expo 2023 returns to its full glory. Attendance and brand participation were at their highest levels in years. The overall mood and vibe of the show was that of celebration, and less of the worry and fear you might still find elsewhere in the country.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook and Jameson Mourafetis

And yes, one can’t help but find the sunny, but surprisingly mild, Florida weather a great escape from the doldrums of February’s typical frosty state-of-being. But before we get on to our show highlights and best-of-show selection, it’s only proper that we give thanks to Doug White of The Voice That Is! who powered this year’s Florida show coverage.

Up First, The Show Highlights

Before we get on to our consensus winner for best-of-show, let’s recap the high-end exhibits that got our juices flowing and pockets tingling.

For our complete coverage of the Florida Audio Expo 2023 <— click here.

House of Stereo, Phasemation, Avantgarde, VPI Industries, Wolf Audio Systems, DS Audio, Synergistic Research

House of Stereo a Jacksonville, Florida High-End Audio dealer specializes in creating experiences in audio that rival the live-in-concert experiences. Here at the Florida Audio Expo, we have nothing less. Big glossy horn loudspeakers, tube amplifiers, vinyl on call. What more does one need to have oneself transported to both the time and location …

Tobian Sound Systems, LampizatOr, Westminster Lab, Critical Mass Systems, Final Touch Audio, DSG

Destination Sound Group was upping the ante for the Florida Audio Expo 2023. A year earlier in 2022 Destination Sound Group was making waves with their VAC Integrated, LampizatOr DAC, Tobian Sound Systems 12FH loudspeakers, and Final Touch Audio cables. A considerably sized consensus was formed among press writers that the system was one of …

Next Level HiFi, Børresen, Aavik, Anzus, Audio Group Denmark

Next Level HiFi is a high-end audio dealer serving the Chicagoland area from their showroom in Wayne, Illinois. At the head of their hi-fi activities is Tyler and Dana Mueller, who have become quite renowned for their audio show exhibits. Somehow, always finding a clear path to consistent and honest sound no matter the …

TAD, Wolf Audio Systems, Synergistic Research, Jocavi, Pro Audio Design

Pro Audio Design is the exclusive distributor for TAD HiFI and their professional products in the USA and Canada. How this came to be is quite the story. Pro Audio Design (PAD) founder and president, David Malekpour, has had a long standing relationship with TAD that traces his nearly four decade career in …

Ampsandsound, Acora Acoustics, VPI Industries, Auralic, Cardas

Justin Weber, founder of Ampsandsound, had an incredible dance partner in Acora Acoustics at this year’s Florida Audio Expo. While Acora was downstairs on the main floor stealing all the Florida sunshine with their new VRC, newly minted Acora fans were now roaming the halls of the upper floors looking for Acora’s other listed …

Scott Walker Audio, Synergistic Research, Berkeley Audio Design, VPI Industries, VAC, Von Schweikert

Scott Walker Audio, an Anaheim, California dealer teamed up with Synergistic Research of Fountain Valley, California to put on one of their famous tweak-fest demonstrations that covers every conceivable avenue of audiophile tweakdom. From power conditioning, acoustic room treatments, racks, shelves, grounding, cables — with nearly all categories toiling in both active and inactive …

Aperio Black by Warwick Acoustics

Warwick Acoustics is a UK based manufacturer of ultra-high-end headphone and automotive audio systems. Their unique, single stator, electrostatic drivers carry a bevy of world-first technologies that come together to form all-in-one headphone and amplifier systems — like the Aperio Black — that offer world class resolution …

MSB, Magico, Aurender, Stromtank

US-based digital audio technology company MSB Technology has been at the forefront and arguably at the top of ultra-high-end digital audio reproduction world for more than 25 years. Without fail, at every audio expo they attend, they always put forth class-leading performance at or near a level deserving of the title: best-of-show. …

MBL Akustikgeräte, United Home Audio

MBL is arguably the most well-known ultra-high-end audio brand in the world. MBL is often seen in the homes and apartments of ultra-high-net-worth individuals. MBL is the premiere one-stop-shop for complete, gorgeous, preconfigured systems, not unlike Warwick Acoustics, albeit at a larger scale with a more posh, bespoke touch, that wouldn’t …

Drumroll please!

BEST OF SHOW – Florida Audio Expo 2023

Acora Acoustics, VAC, Oracle, Lampizator, Aurender, Cardas

“The new Acora Acoustics VRC does something almost unmatched elsewhere in audiophile history. It takes the goalpost and moves it so far down the road, that what was once considered true high-end, is in real danger of being demoted to bespoke mid-fi.” —Eric Franklin Shook

Jameson’s words:

For the audiophiles reading, you all have a memory of a system that flipped your perception of music listening into so much more than what you thought it could be. It’s so ingrained in your mind that you’ll never forget it. There’s one for all of us. For me, it was a pair of original Abyss AB-1266 headphones driven by a Cavalli Liquid Gold, all things I had never heard of before until that day.

Hitting play on a needle drop of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love changed music listening from something passive, something everyone did, into an obsession. If you haven’t had that moment yet, yes, it’s every bit as meaningful as I’m making it out to be, and I highly suggest you get to a dealer and give this whole audiophile thing a try. Why am I talking about this paradigm shift all of us experience at one point or another? Well. I’m here to tell you it can happen again.

There’s another level. Diminishing marginal returns have been reset. Meet the new benchmark. This is the Acora VRC.

Electrostatic speed and midrange purity? Check. Thunderous, tight, deep, linear bass that could pressurize an auditorium? Check. Staging that’s somehow blows well past the far away walls of the gigantic listening room Val occupied this year while managing to hold a life-sized, rock solid, dense-as-reality center image? Check.

I know this all sounds too good to be true, but you’ll just have to hear it for yourself. And believe me, you’re going to want a pair.

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Reporting by Jameson Mourafetis

This holistic experience also extends to the sound. It can only be described as emotive. Are they dead neutral or technically focused? Nope, but the moment you put their headphones on and listen to a familiar track, you. don’t. care. The grade 5 titanium framed, isobaric loaded twin-pulse, dynamic driver Valkyria is full bodied, fleshed out, and textured.

Pulsar, whose driver is identical to the Valkyria but housed in an aluminum frame, sounds surprisingly different. It evokes the same level of emotional involvement with a lighter, less weighty touch. The Centauri headphone, Spirit Torino’s first foray into planar-magnetic driver design and newest addition to their lineup, offers a more neutral, technical, airy headphone experience without sacrificing dynamics and may appeal more to the traditional high-end headphone buyer.

Between the lacquered wood finish, the large, Pulsar cap volume knob, and the engraved side panels depicting an ancient map of the Italian City, Turin (Torino in Italian), Spirit Torino’s gorgeous Sigfrid hybrid amplifier exudes high-end Italian design. It was clearly designed with Valkyria and Pulsar in mind, does an excellent job extending the Spirit Torino experience through to the high-end electronics space. I highly recommend giving these pairings a listen, as they’re unlike anything else you’ll find with other headphones.

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Also on active display, the dCS Lina headphone stack (consisting of the Lina DAC+streamer, Lina Clock, and Lina headphone amp).

Reporting by Jameson Mourafestis

I’ve been eager to compare dCS’ newest headphone focused products, and for this in-the-field comparison, I chose a supremely capable and enjoyable headphone that I’m intimately familiar with, the Meze Elite (link). I was surprised to find that each system/suite of dCS electronics is tuned quite differently.

Many of you are familiar with the gorgeously designed Meze Empyrean; it’s easy to drive and its sound is hyper-smooth, laid back, warm, and very comforting, but Meze Elite is a different animal. While it keeps (and improves on) the Empyrean’s wonderful spatial qualities, efficiency, supreme wearer comfort, and looks, it’s far more neutral and resolving with more precise, not at all smoothed over transients making it a much more serious and insightful reviewer’s tool.

This was my first listen to the new made-for-headphones dCS Lina stack, and thinking back to their first headphone-oriented product, the non-Apex Bartok which I’m extremely familiar with, I was immediately impressed and surprised to find that the tuning and overall presentation are almost completely different. The Lina system has more heft and authority. The Lina system sounded like a much more powerful amplifier than its specs and desk-friendly size would imply. Despite being easy to drive, the Meze Elite certainly scales well with more and higher quality power. I have no doubt the Lina would drive notoriously hard to drive headphones like the Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC or Hifiman Susvara. It’s has a very bottom-up sound with strong, solid low end performance and a very pleasant midrange that didn’t leave me wanting for more resolution, that is until I tried the Meze Elite with dCS’ new Bartok Apex.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the dCS Bartok Apex make an appearance given that it was just announced a few weeks before the Florida Audio Expo, but I should’ve expected nothing less from Drew. Getting right into the sound, the Bartok Apex’ tuning is very similar to its previous, non-Apex version: neutral and very even, very resolving, great spatial qualities, not wanting for power with the Elite, but not as authoritative as the very best headphone amplifiers. The Apex variant steps up the resolution significantly, enough so that I preferred it with the Elite to the plenty resolving Lina stack. It’s a more refined experience with a more speaker-like spatial presentation, but it does lack the drive and authority of the Lina stack, and I’m left wondering if using the Lina headphone amplifier with the Bartok Apex DAC would give the best of both worlds.

Both the Lina stack and Bartok Apex ooze minimalistic, high end appeal. The touch points are as smooth as glass, and the machined aluminum case is simple and perfectly executed. Lina’s footprint is fantastically small for such a high-end system, and I suspect it’ll only grow dCS’ popularity in the ultra high-end headphone world.

The post Moon Audio, Meze Audio, dCS | FLAX 2023 appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Jameson Mourafetis

MSB Technology’s machine-finished chassis fits equally as well in a lab setting as they do in an ultramodern, lavish home and work perfectly with also-state-of-the-art loudspeaker manufacturer Magico’s very apartment friendly machine-finished aluminum baffle, carbon fiber monocoque chassis, graphene coated plain weave carbon fiber driver M2 loudspeakers.

When it comes to high-tech signal-to-audio mechanical conversion devices, it doesn’t get much better than the MSB/Magico pairing; think the perfectly crisp ticks of the Grand Seiko Kodo’s Constant-Force Tourbillon or the Johannes Kallinich one-off Meisterwerk‘s spring tightened center-second train. and not unlike these masterpiece timepieces, both MSB and Magico’s internals are just as carefully executed, beautiful, and clean as their external designs.

MSB’s D/A systems somehow combine seemingly endless resolution and perfect timing with a seductive naturalness and realism that’s near impossible to even get a hint of outside of the very best analog chains, and their oh-so-clean amplification adds limitless dynamics, authority, and heft, without ever crossing the line into dry or boring. Combined with Magico M-series hard-to-beat true-to-life in-room staging and presence, what more can you ask for?

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the new MSB Technology Digital Director. With the Digital Director, MSB offloads the digital signal processing and upsampling to much more powerful FPGAs, extending the life of the original DACs dramatically without making changes to the DACs themselves. It also completely electrically isolates the FPGAs (which generate quite a bit of ground plane noise) as well as the digital input boards (which can inherit noise from upstream components such as servers, streamers, and network devices) from the D/A section itself via optical Pro ISL connection.

Having heard this system numerous times without the digital director, I can say without a doubt that it makes a positive change to the sonics, and when MSB’s casework looks this good, more chassis to stack are always a good thing. I’ll be twisting MSB National Sales Director Vince Galbo‘s arm to get a review unit some time in the near future. If you haven’t already, join our mailing list below so you don’t miss it.

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Reporting by Jameson Mourafetis

This year, MBL brought their preconfigured RL-03 Reference Line system consisting of the Radialstrahler 101 E MkII loudspeakers, 9011 Monoblock amplifiers, 1621 A CD transport, 1611 F D/A Converter, and the piece they’re arguably most well-known for in the audiophile world on the electronics side, the 6010 D preamplifier. The system also featured a reel-to-reel player from United Home Audio, a D.C. area based dealer of MBL and manufacturer of high-end reel-to-reel decks.

The MBL 101 E MkII loudspeaker chosen for this year’s exhibit fared even better in this medium sized room than the larger flagship 101 X-Treme based system that was demoed last year in a room that I suspect was significantly smaller than it’d typically be placed in. Last year’s system was a tough act to follow, but MBL North America have accomplished just that, and even placed themselves among the audiophile press as a “best-in-show contender.” While imaging is always more diffusive with omnidirectional speakers such as the Radialstrahler, MBL’s imaging is diffusive in a uniquely pleasant, all-enveloping way which combined with their extreme dynamics makes every listening session feel like a top-notch live performance.

Between the meticulous paint finishes on their electronics that could easily be mistaken as the work of Bentley’s Mulliner division and their unique, omnidirectional, Radialstrahler speakers’ drivers (the shiny petal-like bits) are as eye-catching as a Jacob and Co. gyrotourbillon complication. The overall fit, finish, and design aesthetics of the aforementioned perfectly fit into MBL’s fully comprehensive luxury experience which by the way carries through from the initial ordering process all the way to delivery and setup.

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Look for their also-world-first electrostatic automotive audio systems in soon-to-be-revealed luxury auto brands in the coming years (join our mailing list below to be notified which UK based automakers as soon as we’re allowed to reveal them).

Reporting by Jameson Mourafetis

Warwick brought their flagship Aperio system to FLAX ’23 in its very sleek and stylish Black finish variant (also available in silver and as a limited edition in a gorgeous hand polished 24k gold plated finish, see the latter option here). This streamer/DAC/head-amp/electrostatic-headphone system operates in the rarified air as one of the most, if not the most, resolving audio systems available today in any form. And unlike its smaller brothers the M1 and Bravura, analog input signals are not converted to digital allowing for the use of externally converted digital and primary analog sources at their full potential.

Fit, finish, comfort, and sound  of the Aperio are all top notch here and exactly what you’d expect of a system of this calibre. The built-in streamer, which the smaller M1 and Bravura lack, integrates seamlessly with Roon making for a painless user experience.

Here’s the thing…

I’ve been told by Warwick that the Aperio all-in-one unit also makes for an excellent streamer/DAC/preamp in a two channel system. As the target buyer for a system like the Aperio, particularly for the use case as a headphone amp and analog pre in my two channel system, I have one minor complaint. Despite the volume being controllable through the Roon interface (and other apps), there’s no physical remote and no easy way to control volume remotely that I’m aware of without using the integrated streamer and DAC exclusively. This makes using the Aperio as a strictly analog pre with external sources challenging without the device being in arm’s reach of your listening position, and while this use case is unlikely to be problematic for the vast majority of buyers, I’d like to see a physical remote (or network based solution) offered at some point in the future.

Describing the sound quality of the Aperio system in anything less than a fully comprehensive review would do it a disservice, so I’ll leave that commentary for a later deep-dive review. Whether you’re considering building a top-of-the-line headphone system, or looking for a one-and-done solution, the Warwick Acoustics Aperio absolutely has to be at the top of your audition list.

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Whether you don’t believe it, know it to be true, or just don’t want to risk it: Ted Denney leaves no special sector of audiophile space-time or the audiophile mind untouched.

On display: speakers by Von Schweikert, electronics by VAC, digital by Berkeley Audio Design, turntable by VPI Industries, and enough Synergistic Research acoustical treatments to trigger an avalanche in the comment section (hint, hint).

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Personally, I find every bit of this hobby interesting as f–k and worthy of writing about. Characters like Ted Denney keep high-end audio as interesting as it’s ever been and keep us audiophiles talking. And as for us hi-fi writers, he just hopes that we spell his name right.

It’s Denney, not Denny.

Doing the heavy lifting, VAC’s Master Signature Preamplifier w/Phono Stage ($44K), VAC’s Master 300 Monoblock amplifiers ($37K ea), and Von Schweikert’s Endeavor SE ($31K pair) in a bright red supercar finish.

Listening? Yep. It does everything you’d ever want a high-end or possibly ultra-fi system to do with considerable cost savings in contrast to the latter category. Cost however is not really an issue in this arena, but for those in the rarefied air this system (as shown) still exhibits tremendous value attributes.

Don’t believe me? CLICK HERE

The post Scott Walker Audio, Synergistic Research, Berkeley Audio Design, VPI Industries, VAC, Von Schweikert | FLAX 2023 appeared first on INDULGR.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

On display: speakers by Acora Acoustics, electronics by VAC, Gold Note, Atmasphere, turntable by Acoustic Signature, cables by Empirical Design, racks by Solid Tech.

Mr. Swek really brought the retail experience to the Florida show. Mostly by having a variety of sources and amplifiers to choose from. Though the class-D offering from Atma-Sphere left us wanting more in the lower registers. The Gold Note PA 1175 amplifier with its 200 watt plus power output availability was at the ready to put any doubts of the Acora SRC-1‘s low bass ability to rest.

For us however, new is the news, and VAC was displaying the newest version of their acclaimed Sigma integrated amplifier. Notably this combination of VAC and Acora left us with the most complete picture of the musical information at hand. And it’s not the first time we’ve found the best synergy among these two brands in concert.

For a complete listing of Unique Home Audio‘s featured exhibit models and their retail pricing, please visit: uniquehomeaudiollc.com

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Ampsandsound is known for tube amplifiers that take classic American circuit designs of yesteryear and employ the same care in production execution as you would find in the best Japanese tube amplifiers in the world.

On display: electronics from Ampsandsound, speakers from Acora Acoustics, turntable by VPI Industries, digital by Auralic, cables by Cardas.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

The story of Ampsandsound is one that’s still being written for the two-channel space, with several years of experience in the head-fi market already under Justin Weber’s belt. Though, don’t let that dissuade you from auditioning one of his SET or Push-Pull designs. All of which, flex their rated power harder than any we’ve encountered. Ampsandsound’s 14 watts feels more like 60 watts. All of Weber’s designs feature in-house transformer iron, and each amplifier receives iron specifically designed for that model.

In the system at Florida Audio Expo, the new Casablanca monoblocks, which are based on the famed Eico HF 87. An amplifier you may be familiar with, but trust me when I say that you’ve never heard them sound this clean and free of distortions. The clarity and tonal character of the original design is intact, but now: more clear, more powerful, more tuneful, and more dense in all of the critical frequency ranges.

Loudspeakers and racks from Acora Acoustics donned a stunning matte-ish white Quartz finish. The new QRB standmount (bookshelf) speakers are based on the all-granite SRB. The use of quartz does change the weight of the loudspeaker compared to granite, and sound in such a minuscule way that only if the granite SRB and quartz QRB were side-by-side with available A/B switching might you be able to tell the difference with few prayers and paranormal hearing.

I could go into all of the secret sauce(s) of the Acora Acoustics loudspeakers, but I won’t for the sake of read time — just know that the use of granite (or quartz) is not a gimmick, nor is the enclosure material the whole story. From edge-to-edge the Acora loudspeakers and Ampsandsound amps are state of the art, and (together or separate) represent some of the best sound reproduction available at any price.

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Malekpour’s experience with the TAD brand should reinvigorate what I believe to be a sleeping giant in TAD’s presence among the American hi-fi market. He understands the product as well as anyone, but does he understand the American audiophile?

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

To answer that question myself, I believe Mr. Malekpour does.

In an after hours conversation with Malekpour, along with fellow exhibitors Joe Parvey of Wolf Audio Systems and David Weintraub of Synergistic Research, we took a philosophical dive into the differences of the professional music production industry, and the headspace of the audiophile music reproduction hobby.  Comparing the differences in the aims of each space from a technical workflow perspective, as compared to the playback and rendering goals of the audiophile hobbyists.

It is of my opinion that if more audiophiles had an understanding of music production, informed from primary sources, they would either refine or outright reconsider several of the methods and/or adherences to mythology that inhabit the self-codified audiophile doctrine.

Sheesh! I really went for there didn’t I.

During our time in the PAD and TAD exhibit there were two presentations of note. One from Malekpour and TAD president Mr. Shinji Tarutani. Which took us through the evolution of TAD designs that led to the development in the new Compact Evolution One (CE-1TX) that was debuting at the show.

The second presentation came from Jim Anderson, an audio engineer who does many things including making audiophile recordings. His presentation focused on his work with beloved audiophile siren Patricia Barber, and the sound of that work with Barber was on full display with the larger TAD Reference One loudspeakers. No coloration imparted, and no detail cast in shadow.

Of note, the vinyl copy of Patricia Barber’s album Clique was used as a visual prop for the demo, but it was actually the Wolf Audio Systems media server/streamer in control of the data used for playback sourcing. For some in the room still looking for the hidden turntable, it was a nice bait-n-switch. Props to Joe Parvey for elevating the digital playback.

Several of TAD’s latest iterations and offerings were on display, which included electronics from TAD, and support from Synergistic Research in the form of power products, and more.

Though our time at Florida Audio Expo was limited to just one weekend, the time spent with the TAD and PAD experience — because it was an experience — strengthened my appreciated for the technologies and craft that goes into these master works in audio reproduction.

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Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

On display: speakers from Clarisys, electronics from Hegel, digital from Aurender and Lumin, analog by Rega UK and Pass Labs, power shaping by Shunyata Research, and racks from Critical Mass Systems.

One of my favourite people to see at the Florida show every year is Mike Malley of Suncoast Audio — his exhibit rooms always have something special about them. I don’t know if it’s just knowledge of how systems fit together with a room or further knowledge on how the components themselves interact best with each other. It’s probably both, and a few other things I am missing.

Editor’s Note: Speaking of missing, my camera batteries died while in the room, and I was off to the next room before I remembered that I was short on photos (and pricing) for this room. Sorry. It won’t ever happen again.

What must be conveyed here, is how clear and focused this smaller Clarisys system sounded. While the larger downstairs version of a Clarisys system was stealing all the attention, I felt this particular small exhibit was in most ways the better executed of the two.

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Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

On display: speakers from Børresen, electronics from Aavik, and cables from Ansuz.

Making our way around the Florida show, we felt that it only made sense to visit each of the Next Level/AGD rooms as a back-to-back trio of exhibits. Doing so to better ascertain the similarities and differences of each level of system. As you’ll see below, some of the impressions we had were outright astonishing.

First on our list, the entry level room which featured the new Axxess Forte, which debuts as an entry level brand. The Forte is an all-in-one device that includes DAC, Preamp, and Amplifier all in one chassis. Smart for beginners who want the baby without the labor pains of selecting and connecting multiple components, or are more interested in set-and-forget portability. Nomads rejoice!

On the flanks of the new Axxess Forte, an entry level Børresen X3 floorstanding loudspeaker from the new — you guessed it — X Series. During our listening sessions we had to remind ourselves that simple system was just under a $20K asking price and at no time felt like a departure from the sonic excellence we expect from AGD branded products. So in short, we’re off to a great start.

The second room we entered featured Børresen Z1 Cryo monitors and with Aavik electronic components included pushed the system cost upward of $45K. Immediately we were enlightened of what the extra refinement (and cash) brings to the table this system. Had you told me the system was $100K, I would have not scoffed at the idea. It was really, really, really clean and dynamic.

Keep scrolling for the third, and final room of the exhibits — it’s a doozy.

Holy schnikes! The sound of this room was, in the most unexpected way, otherworldly. Two components at the heart of this system: the Aavik I-880 Integrated at $70K is a class-A performer both literally and figuratively, while the Børresen M1 Monitors at $100K at first reporting soured a few audiophile with their price tag, but sour-no-more. Once you hear the M1’s you’ll be forced to admit that it all makes sense. The M1’s are deserving of their asking price, and those with the means will surely enjoy the spoils of their sonic character for many years to come.

A trio of exhibits worthy of a standing ovation.

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On display: streaming for Aurender, digital conversion and electronics from Chord Electronics UK, loudspeakers by Mon Acoustic, and cabling from Sanctus Cable.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

For three years now our own Jameson Mourafetis has been ogling the Sanctus Cables, purely for their aesthetics. And I have to agree, they are some of the most intriguing designs we’ve seen in years. Especially the power distribution products.

The Sanctus Cable Formula 3 Power Distributor may have stolen the show visually with the Formula 3 Power Cables also making their case for “look at me” styling. But for us, it was about the noise floor. With the F3 power distributor including an in-unit grounding function and external devices that work to eliminate noise, we felt that if the solution from Sanctus may have more substance than previously anticipated. Good show!

However, the real surprise of this exhibit and possibly the entire show came from Mon Acoustic who was showcasing three aluminum monitor speakers. From smallest to largest: the Supermon Mini, The PlatiMon Virtual Coaxial One, and finally the Supermon.

The Supermon Mini we actually never heard in the system, but were impressed by its weight and level of finish details. No rough cuts or shortcuts taken.

The PlatiMon Virtual Coaxial One, an MTM monitor we did hear briefly, and it’s sound wasn’t quite enticing enough for our tastes. Giving it a fair shake, I think it’s probably tuned or more suited for the pro audio market, but I could be wrong. Your mileage may vary.

The Supermon we heard and loved. It’s a large 2.5-way monitor that features an isobaric loading of its mid-woofer and woofer drivers. Weight of both speaker and stand combine to 142 lbs, its 4-ohm and nominal 89db sensitivity do hint at flexible amplifier matching. Its reported pricing of $25K speaks to its quality.

During our listening session, we were quite thrilled with the Supermon’s composure at volume, smooth and inviting presentation, along with its coverage of dynamic swings in the music. The reported frequency response is rated from 37 Hz to 25 kHz.

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On display: a seriously capable system of TriangleArt components.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

For most of us, this was the first showing of the new TriangleArt METIS loudspeaker that was teased back in 2021 before audio shows resumed coming out of the pandemic precautions and lockdowns.

The System

METIS Horn Loudspeaker $60K
Maestro Turntable $9K
Anubis Turntable $18K
Master Reference Turntable $48K
Osiris Diamond 12″ Tonearm $9K
Horus 12″ Tonearm $4.4K
Apollo MC Cartridge $9K
Zeus MC Cartridge $4.8K
P200 Tube Phono Stage $18K
L200 Mk2 Tube Line Stage $25K
M100 Tube Monoblock $25K
RA Ultimate AC Power Filter $12K
RHEA Reference Interconnect $3K
RHEA Reference Power Cord $3K
RHEA Reference Speaker Cable $6K

So, let’s get back to the METIS horn loudspeaker. The walnut horn atop the cabinet features a 6.5-inch Beyma driver that covers the crucial upper-mid/bass and midrange frequencies from 200 Hz to 1.6 kHz. Below that, a RAAL ribbon array tweeter carries the treble duties out to 60 kHz, well beyond human hearing, but within the limits of aliasing distortion. A stout 15-inch woofer loaded into a reflex enclosure rounds out this three-way behemoth of a loudspeaker. Reported efficiency and power handling are both super impressive.

Was this more of a product showcase than it was the perfect delivery of audiophile sonics? Sadly, yes.

I’m not saying the sound in this room wasn’t telling of what was possible, but that it was a system display that I’m sure anyone would agree deserved more room to breathe and more room to flex its muscle. Speaker placement was indeed less than ideal. Leading me to my first complaint about the current location of the Florida Audio Expo — there just aren’t enough medium size rooms. It’s either large or small. And the large are few in number.

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On display: speakers by Tobian Sound Systems, digital from LampizatOr, electronics from Westminster Lab, support from Critical Mass Systems, and tethering from Final Touch Audio.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

Leading into 2023’s Florida Audio Expo several writers, myself included, were wondering impatiently as to what was going to come next from Destination Sound Group. It was an encore performance (of sorts), with some new players added to the mix, and an overall elevated experience.

The System

Tobian Sound Systems 12 Signature Edition Horn Speakers – $50,000
LampizatOr Horizon DAC – $49,000
LampizatOr Gulfstream Music Server – $8000
Westminster Lab Rei class A mono amplifiers (100wpc) – $33,600
Westminster Lab Quest preamplifier – $23,900
Critical Mass Systems – Ultra Q audio rack – approximately $23,000 as shown
Critical Mass Systems – Center Stage Ultra TT footers – $825 each
Critical Mass Systems – Center Stage Ultra TD footers – $665 each
Final Touch Audio – SiNOPE USB Cable – $1,500
Final Touch Audio – Elara Power cords – $825
Final Touch Audio – Ganymede Balanced Interconnects – $3150

From the German based Tobian Sound Systems the new 12 Signature Horn Speakers, which feature 99db 1w/1m efficiency, 800 watt power handling, and a 4-inch horn loaded high-frequency compression driver atop a high volume enclosure than houses a 12-inch woofer. Frequency range is reported to cover 20Hz at the low end, up to 22kHz at the high end.

As far as two-way horn loaded speaker systems go, the new 12 Signature from Tobian Sound Systems for now sits near the top of my all-time list for horn imaging. Sitting in the sweet spot was enveloping, dramatic, and addictive. Consider the ante fully upped.

From the Hong Kong based Westminster Lab, a suite of uniquely refreshing high-power designs. The Quest preamplifier takes a svelte and minimalist approach to product design. The Rei monoblock amplifiers employ proprietary iBias and CCS systems. What does that mean? The Rei will warm up much faster than other typical Class-A amplifiers, and the iBias technology constantly varies the bias depending on the current and also the loading of the amplifier. Power output is reported at up to 400 peak watts per channel.

From the US based Critical Mass Systems a duo of the all-new Ultra Q series racks and footers which set a new benchmark for design and performance. Featuring seven times greater mass, greater stability, a promised lower noise floor and isolation. Racks matter.

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On display: Soul Note electronics, Perlisten speakers, turntable by Michell Engineering, digital by Innuos, and rack by NEO.

Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

With all but one of the 10th floor exhibit rooms dedicated to the high-end wares of Fidelity Imports, none impressed us more than the one that featured what we believe to be the best offerings across high-end audio and high-end home theater.

From the UK based Michell Engineering, a turntable that remains a relevant icon among audiophiles, and still en vogue as an industrial art piece. The original GryoDec turntable debuted in 1982, and four decades later the current day GryoDec SE remains the company’s best selling and most popular product to date. Over the years the GyroDec has seen incremental upgrades to its design and technology. Retail is reported at $5,498 USD with included TechnoArm 2.

From the Japan based Soul Note electronics, we find the Goldilocks proposition. The level 2 electronics represent the middle offering of refinement and excitement, but reflected no discernable compromises in construction, adornment, and quality from their upper and lower siblings. Even with the level 1 series on display down the hall, we were blown away by the fit and finish of the designs.

Soul Note was founded in 2004 by former members of Marantz Japan, and from that history a distinct passion for artisan design. Listening dominates the determination and improvement of circuit design, selection of parts, and mechanical construction.

In the system: Soul Note A-2 Integrated Amplifier $7,999 USD, Soul Note D-2 DAC $8,999 USD, and Soul Note E-2 Phono Preamp $8,999 USD.

From the American based Perlisten, comes the flagship S7t floorstanding loudspeakers. The Perlisten brand seeks to combine the best technical knowledge attained from executive experience in both the high-end audio and home theater markets.

To our ears, in this demonstration (and others down the hall), the goal has been achieved. Consider us impressed. Retail is reported at $19,990 a pair USD in special edition finishes (as shown).

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Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook

On Display, and in the flesh: Avantgarde horn speakers, Phasemation tube electronics, a Wolf Audio Systems media server, turntable by VPI Industries featuring a DS Audio cartridge, and no compromise Synergistic Research cabling throughout.

It bears repeating, but “in the flesh” is the name of the game here. “Tubes, Horns, and Vinyl” lend themselves to producing a more transportative audio journey than most other technologies on the market. Yes, they are old school, but sometimes old school knows best.

From the German based Avantgarde Acoustic, the new DUO GT which stands for “Grand Twin” and represents the third evolutionary step of a horn system that has been in Avantgarde Acoustic’s portfolio since 1993. Both enveloping and seductive, the horn loudspeaker brings the listener closer to the individual elements of the composition. Sometimes you feel like you can touch the music, sometimes the music reaches out and touches you — in a good way.

The DUO models are available as a passive or self-amplified speaker, or a hybrid of the two; meaning that you can indeed have it your way when assembling the sound you most desire. Color finish options are almost endless. Retail is reported to start at $58,000 a pair USD.

From the American based VPI Industries, the Titan turntable, though not a debut, this turntable isn’t seen out in the wild enough for my tastes, so it’s appearance here is a noteworthy one to report. Building on the legacy of the Avenger turntable, the Titan is designed to handle up to three tonearms of any make or length. Utilizing a machined acrylic-aluminum-acrylic sandwich-design chassis on top of a pneumatic air-suspension isolation footers, the Titan is set to be the most stable, and isolation-oriented turntable in the VPI quiver of decks. Retail is reported at $51,000 USD.

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