RMAF 2015 page 2

GTT Audio also serves as the USA distributor for self-powered (Class-D) Kii DSP loudspeaker system ($13,900). Designed by Ncore inventor Bruno Putzeys each enclosure houses 12 independently powered drivers (using 250 watt Ncore amps) and a dozen A/D-D/A converters. I was surprised at how large, realistic and uninhibited this system performed. It never seemed to overload or thin out as the music became more intense and complicated. This wasn’t my first time hearing the Kii as I heard it this past spring at the Munich High End show. And it was just as impressive sounding there. Lots to like with this loudspeaker system especially when considering a small space. Bravo!  

Spent a good amount of time listening to the curvaveous and sexy JBL model 67000 Everests horn loudspeakers ($80k). And they do sound quite impressive: dynamic, yet inviting and intimate when the source calls for it. Great bass contol and a sweet top end despite being driven by Mark Levinson solid-state gear.   

Highwater Sound’s Jeff Catalano is the sole USA import of the German-made Cessaro Horn Acoustic loudspeakers – among the other exotic brands (like TW Acustic and Tron-Electric) he also imports. However, the Cessaro Wagner, at $65k is perhaps the least expensive loudspeaker I have seen thus far. Surprisingly, the sound is not impacted in the least. Maybe, just maybe, the SPL meter isn’t swinging as wildly or you don’t quite feel that same sense of low-end growl as you do when using the more expensive Cessaro models. But the musicality remains intact compliments of the electronics which included the aforementioned and gorgeous TW Acustic ‘table ($40k and 2 tonearms), RPS 100 phonostage ($17k) and 300B SE mono amps ($18k). A Tron-Electric Syren preamp ($55k) completed this system and provide the type of listening experience I’ve grown accustomed to hearing from Highwater Sound. Unfortunately, I was the only one covering this show and as usual, I could not stay as long as I would have wanted. Thank You for another great sounding setup Mr. Catalano.

High-end Electronic’s Alfred Kainz had another excellent sounding high-end rig this year. Sweet and delicate with full and quick-footed bass had me captivated for nearly an hour. Ultimately, I spent more time than I wanted in this suite compliments of some pretty impressive components that included the Voxativ 9.87 speaker system ($35k), replete with the AC-4d wideband driver and bass extender (not subwoofer!) and powered by the Voxativ 845 mono amp ($17k) and PA-01 tubed pre/phonostage ($9,900). Analogue source was DPS-2 turntable ($4,400) using the classy ViV Lab Rigid Float arm ($6,400) using a Shun Mook Reference 2 cartridge ($6,000). Digital play came by way of the marvelous sounding TotalDAC D1 Music Server ($5k) and D1 tube DAC ($10k). I was quite intrigued by the Pranawire Linebacker SE AC conditioner ($3000) and High Fidelity CT-1 AC cables. Voxativ interconnects and speaker cables were used throughout ($1,500 and $2,000 respectively).

Robert Kelly who serves as director of German Physiks loudspeakers really knows how to make the model Carbon Mk IV ($31,500) disappear right in front of you. There was also lots of buzz surroundng the new (PCM, Quad-DSD and DXD format capable) Merging Technologies NA-DAC ($10k) fueled by an Ayre CX-7eMP player ($4k) used as a transport. Kelly tuned up some very nice sounding hi-rez files that had Moreno Mitchell scratching his head at the ability this system to simply vanish right before your eyes compliments of Ayre electronics that included the KXR-Twenty pre ($27,500), MX-R amps ($29,500). Equipment racks hardly get the recognition they deserve but Moreno and I noticed the very attractive Audio Points’ Sistrum Isolation Rack and Platforms almost immediately. Our own Norm Luttbeg wrote quite nice things on his experience with these very products (here).

Can’t tell you how nice it was running into Albert Von Shweikert’s son Damon operating this lovely suite that featured a glossy silver pair of VR55 Aktiv loudspeakers ($60k) driven by a stack of Constellation Audio electronics and Your Final System (YFS) Music Server ($13,500). I was unaware that Von Schweikert designed their own cables too but the sound had lots of sparkle and dynamic impact. I was reminded while looking at Damon how much I enjoyed my time with Von Schweikert loudspeakers over the years. They still have lots to offer for the money. 
 

I thought this was the same Audio Note rig that took my breath away some years back that boasted the AN Signature DAC5/Transport combo that had a total retail asking price above $150k. I’m not certain of the price of the rest of the electronics but you can bet the amplifiers were in the same price range while the loudspeaker were about $75k. I will never forget the sound that system recreated using my most favorite jazz sampler disc. The overall quality forever changed my impressions of what one can expect if they allow themselves to listen first and not be too judgemental (which I had been because I too could not wrap my head around the price of this normal looking gear). Mr. Cope allowed me the pleasure of returning time and time again during that weekend to further examine what my heart had been longing for. 

If you noticed that isn’t the back of my head above but that of Stereo Times’ contributor Moreno Mitchell. I couldn’t have been more pleased than to introduce Moreno to Audio Note (UK). I have long considered them to be among the best of the best in term of sound quality (I also include Audio Note (Japan), Audio Consulting of Switzerland, FM Acoustics and Behold as well). Moreno was impressed despite the fact this was an affordable Audio Note (UK) system. Very impressed were his words.