Part 2 of our award winners from AXPONA focuses on systems and products that can realistically fit in an average home both in terms of the space required and the budget. Yes, we heard from some of you regarding the price points for the systems in part 1 of our award winners post. Believe me, we understand that these systems are out of reach for many people, and we get it. We’re thrilled when we get to hear these systems, but we’re also thrilled that there are some very, very good systems and products that are at more attainable prices like those we are covering here.
High Water Sound: Best Room Between $75,000 – $100,000
Jeffrey Catalano’s High Water Sound room is always one of the highlights of any show for me. This year at AXPONA, he brought some less expensive equipment starting with the North American debut of the Horning Aristotle Ellipse loudspeakers for $16,000 per pair. As usual, Jeffery was using a TW-Acustic turntable. This time it was AC/3 at $21,000 with a TW-Acustic 10.5 tonearm for $5,500. The phono cartridge was the Miyajima Madake stereo cartridge for $5,900. He was using electronics that were new to me; the Arte Forma Audio Jadeite linestage at $3,500 and two of their Due Volte 805 SE amps for $7,500. He was also using the Vibex Granada/Alhambra power filter that costs $5,000. The cables were from Teo Audio. The sound had great timbre and harmonics. The stage was big and the coherency was almost perfect.
High Fidelity Services: Best Room Between $50,000 – $75,000
This High Fidelity Services room featured the new Verity Audio Otello three-way speakers in a beautiful Makore finish driven by the Trilogy Audio Systems 923 hybrid amp with 125 watts per channel and fully balanced. The system also included the Trilogy Audio Systems 907 class-A phono preamplifier with an external power supply which was the TW Acoustic GT SE turntable with TW 10.5 tonearm mounted with the Ortofon A95 cartridge. The digital source was the Playback Designs Merlot DAC. The cabling was the Signal Projects and Vibex.
The sound was beautiful with a transparent midrange, very good bass, and a beautifully open top end. Overall, the sound was well-balanced. I feel that the new Otello speakers are an exceptional sounding and looking speaker at its price point.
Volti Audio/BorderPatrol/Triode Wire: Best Room Under $50,000
In the Volti Audio, BorderPatrol and Triode Wire Labs‘ room,I loved the new matching look of the Border Patrol S20 EXS integrated amplifier and the Volti Rivals speakers. Not only do they match in the wood finish, but they also sound incredible together. The source was the BorderPatrol DAC SE. According to Greg, the speakers will soon feature an optional outboard crossover The cables were from Triode Wire Labs.
I told Greg, “It sounds great, but I always feel like your speakers and the BorderPatrol amps are made for each other.” I was not surprised that this was one of the best sounding systems at AXPONA.
Best Budget Product Debut: Vanatoo Transparent One Encore
This Encore version of Vanatoo’s well-received Transparent One should be out soon. I couldn’t believe it actually sounded better than the Transparent Zero, but it was a significant step up in small powered speaker. I don’t know how they keep getting more out of these little boxes, but believe me they do. You can expect this speaker to be on the market sometime late this summer at a price that’s slightly higher than the current Transparent One.
Best Real-World Priced Debut: The LTA ZOTL Ultralinear Amplifier
Linear Tube Audio’s ZOTL Ultralinear Amplifier is the latest design by David Berning utilizing his Zero-hysteresis, output transformer less amp design and custom power supply. It’s built by LTA, has a power output of about 18 watts per channel, and uses 17JN6 tubes. They are built to order in the company’s Tacoma Park, MD shop and have a retail price of $6,800.
This amp was in several systems at the show, and every system it was in sounded great. The most expensive speakers I heard it with were the Daedalus Audio Apollo 11 at $22,800, but it also sounded great with the Spatial and Fern and Robby speakers that are closer to $10,000 per pair. This is a very special amp.
