Most Wanted 2022 Page 2

     Audio Note (UK) DAC 4.1 Balanced Signature ($37,700 reviewed here). Last year I reviewed the smaller brother to the 4.1 Signature DAC, the 3.1 Balanced, and found it to be the best DAC I had ever had in-house. To my amazement and delight, the DAC 4.1 Balanced Signature took the superlative timbres and colors, effortless silky-smooth presentation, 3D imaging, and a sense of space, usually only provided by analog-based systems, to an even much higher level. (Terry London) 

Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE loudspeaker ($12,460 pair): At 95dB efficient, this huge stand-mounted two-way has outperformed almost anything I have heard in the areas of musicality and sheer purity of signal. What’s most striking about its ease and flow is that once under its magical gaze, you just sit and enjoy the music as opposed to pulling out a mental checklist measuring strengths and weaknesses. (Clement Perry)

JERN 14EH Cast Iron loudspeaker and MJ Acoustics Reference I MkIV Subwoofers ($5k and $3,500 ea – reviewed here)
With the JERN® 14EH cast iron speakers specifically developed to work with high-quality subwoofers handling low frequencies, their U.S. distributor delivered them with a pair of MJ Acoustics Reference I MkIV subwoofers. The vertical standing Reference I subs took up a small footprint and doubled as speaker stands, simplifying the setup., thanks to the dark tinted 1/4” thick glass top plate mounted above each unit’s up-firing woofer. The JERNS 14EH is both elegant and small, but at nearly 30 lbs. each, they made an early impression, both physically and musically. The 14EH delivered High-End audio quality sound, with razor-sharp imaging and an impressive three-dimensional compelling soundstage. The MJ Acoustics Reference I MkIV subwoofers are self-powered and provide a multitude of adjustments with its rear panel controls and remote adjustment using the Smart Remote app. The presentation delivered by these speakers and subs has stayed with me.

Musician Audio Knight 1 Loudspeaker ($1,900 – reviewed here). This stand-mount speaker was one of the most pleasant surprises of my reviewing experience this year. Covering its drop-dead gorgeous red horse eye veneer with 18 coats of hand-painted layers of lacquer and in-house built drivers (28-core/layer silk dome tweeter and a polymer midrange/woofer). The Knight 1 delivered a musical presentation that offered a sweet top-end, midrange details, and excellent extended bass that rivaled its beautiful appearance. All this for less than $2,000. (Terry London)

Sendy Audio Apollo Planar Magnetic Open-Backed Balanced headphone

The Sendy Audio Apollo is an immediately engaging headphone. Its lightweight design, comfort, and craftsmanship handily won me over. The Apollo is now my daily driver (I bought the review pair after finishing my review). Paraphrasing the Apollo white paper, Sendy Audio’s three years of dedicated R & D produced a planar magnetic driver with, in their words, “the best magnetic circuit and the best magnetic distance to balance the resonance.” The Apollo’s construction results in excellent electroacoustic energy efficiency conversion, extremely low distortion, and consistency, with a high ability for music reproduction. They did an admirable, even remarkable, job rendering dynamics during the hours of music I played through them. The planar magnetic tech inside brings fluidity and musicality to the ears without being “show-offs.” The Sendy Audio Apollo Planar Magnetic Open Backed Balanced over-ear headphones have an impedance of 16 Ohm +/- 15%, placing them in the low impedance camp (designated as below 50 Ohm), allowing them to work easily with portable devices, hence the use of a 3.5mm jack as standard. My iPhone 8 delivered instant musical satisfaction at ample volume when adapted using a mini jack-to-lighting dongle for play. With the LSA Discovery DPH-1 used as a headphone amp, the Apollo gave me plenty of substance and offered quality in both extremes, with sweet highs and abundant low frequencies. (Greg Voth)

XSA Labs Vanguard Bookshelf Speakers ($799 – reviewed here)

Viet Nguyen designed the LSA Discovery Warp 1 Amplifier, the LSA Signature 50 Speakers, and, this year, the XSA Labs Vanguard Bookshelf Speakers, a reinterpretation of the BBC-licensed Rogers LS3/5a. The Vanguard Bookshelf Speaker is a sealed box design, like the original, and matches the original’s height and width dimensions. Still, Nguyen added a full 8” depth, bringing a bolder and considerably deeper frequency response to the ear of the listener. The front profile is the same, with a 5.25” paper cone driver and 28mm silk-domed tweeter. Nguyen says a paper cone driver “gives more definition and a natural sound.” You don’t get the reflex bass with a sealed box as with a ported design, but you get a nice, tight bass. Master cabinet makers finely craft each Vanguard cabinet to exacting standards and materials for an heirloom-quality speaker. Each cabinet is made of solid bamboo, with internal bamboo battens, and features nickel-plated 5-way binding posts, a removable front baffle, and a cloth grill held in place with magnets for a clean look. The Vanguard units I tested were finished in high-quality Russian Baltic birch. A play of Boz Scaggs “Desire,” from his album Dig (2001 Virgin), was a shocker with the Vanguards on stands in my main rig; surprisingly, full-throated driving bass came into the room from these 8” deep small wonders. Vocals were rich, with great body – the entire presentation was extremely well-rounded and enjoyable. They throw a broad, deep phantom channel image, and the speakers disappear. I highly recommend it. (Greg Voth)

Tekton Design Nebo loudspeaker ($4,200): The Tekton Design Nebo speakers are a triumph. They deliver a level of detail and immediacy that is truly rare, combined with a rich and smooth tonality that is both engaging and emotionally satisfying. Whether you’re a lover of music or simply looking for the best speakers available, the Nebo’s are a must-hear. The patented midrange speaker array, combined with the deep and nuanced bass, creates a soundscape that draws you in and immerses you in your music. And all of this is available at a price that is far lower than the competition; I will be purchasing the review set. Highly recommended. (Review in the works – Richard Willie)

YG Acoustics Sonja 2.2i Loudspeakers ($88,000)

The YG Acoustic Sonja 2.2i Loudspeakers are by far the best high-end speaker I have had the pleasure of owning and listening to in my home. I previously used the YG Acoustics Hailey 2.2, which has to be considered one of the best-sounding pairs of speakers for the money; however, Hailey’s big brother Sonja 2.2i is in a different league. Sonically, the Sonja does it all and then some. The Sonja’s deliver life-like, natural sound, evident by YG Acoustics’ latest technologies. The newly upgraded crossovers, billetDome Tweeter, and the BilletCore midrange driver produce an astonishing performance unequaled for the asking price. These speakers demonstrate the ultimate in accuracy and musicality. Marrying the technologies of the YG Acoustics flagship Sonja XV results in a stunning sonic performance coupled with sheer second-to-none build quality. The YG Acoustic Sonja 2.2i will be my end-of-the-line speakers…. For now? (Moreno Mitchell)