Highwater Sound's Jeff Catalano drives to Denver each year from his New York City showroom with the gear he represents and ALWAYS manages stellar sonic results. As our own Larry B stated, the Tron electronics, Aspara loudspeakers and TW Acustics 'table "is a match made in heaven." I admire Catalano's style in the way he comes each year with the same products. This gives a very strong suggestion that he ultimately believes in his products and not just audio gear that sells. These products are esoteric and virtually unheard of, but once you hear them and fully understand what Catalanlo's about it's too late; the bait's been set and you can consider yourself hooked!

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Azzolina Audio's 105 dB efficient Gran Sfera horn loudspeaker again impressed me madly this year. Driven by an all analogue setup that featured the Galibier Design 'table, the sound was marvelously rich and textured in a way that makes you forget what you're listening to and just enjoy. That said, I was still shocked by how dynamic a set of little 300B tubes could sound on such sensitive transducers.

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MBL of Germany continues to make strong showings at audio trade shows and this RMAF was no exception. As usual the MBL Radialstrahler 101E omni-directional loudspeakers ($51,900), shown here in beautiful piano rosewood, set the tone for what MBL has been all about: an incredibly open and engaging performance. The electronics in the room were exclusively MBL and featured their digital combo 1611F DAC ($22,310) and 1621A Reference transport ($21.850). Amplification featured the MBL 9011 Ref monoblocks ($38,210) and 6010D preamplifier ($19,680). Speaker cabling was provided by Wireworld while AC cords were Harmonic Technology.   

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Escalante Design's Freemont  ($18,900) and Pinyon ($9,990) loudspeakers partnered with Electrocompaniet components producing beautiful music together - reminding me why their EMC-1 CD player was once my personal favorite (and still among the best available at around $5k). I'm told Electrocompaniet will be introducing an all new universal player slated at around $11k. Escalante's Matt Waldron says Electrocompaniet has gained new financial blood as well as sonic improvements and has made its way back into the US high-end market (so stay on the lookout for these new and improved products). For one thing, I was given the opportunity to hear some wonderful music through this system and came away very impressed as is usually the case whenever listening to an Escalante Design loudspeaker.

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Seems pretty unanimous when a product gets voted three out of three thus was the case with the ESP Bodhran loudspeakers ($16k). Like their bigger sibling in the mighty Concert Grands, these babies love to soundstage and throw images further back than almost any loudspeaker I've heard regardless of their cost. To leave out the fact this room was using state of the electronics would be a crime and we all know how good Lamm electronics are, but the Abbingdon Music Research CD Player wasn't no slouch either. This was one of the few rooms I found myself utterly relaxed and comfortable in.

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Green Mountain Audio's virtually box-less Calyspo ($10k) sounded as open and detailed as one could expect from such a design. I was taken by the simplicity of this setup and room yet somehow the sound was spot on with regard to voices and instruments (at least as far as my music was concerned). This wasn't the first time I've heard these loudspeakers and each time I come away reminded of how good Green Mountain Audio products sound. Driven by an inexpensive Jaton Corp Operetta 2-channel amplifier ($1k) and Birdland dac/pre, only made it more impressive. I simply couldn't get over how good the sound was considering the asking price. 

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Laufer Teknik Incorporated, debuted the English made Podium 1.5s panel loudspeakers ($5,500) to a packed room of audio enthusiasts VERY interested in hearing this unique transducer. Coupled the Behold BPA-768 stereo amplifier ($45k, and one the best sounding solid-state amplifiers I've ever heard and owned) didn't disappoint or, if you're wondering, come across as a sonic or financial mismatch. It was very interesting to hear how dynamic these little guys sounded compared to what I heard back in Munich paired to some rather inexpensive gear. Heck, I've heard them sound good but questioned what they'd sound like on some top-flight gear.

At the Munich show last May, I spoke very highly of these very unusual but incredibly transparent loudspeakers and after having them for an extended time here in my own listening space, I can definitely state these loudspeakers possess sonic characteristics that could only qualify as excellent. I think most show-goers came away as impressed as I am. Interesting indeed.