Sunshine and warm weather made it tempting to spend some time outside, especially for audio show attendees who were from almost anywhere other than Florida. The quality of the products on display, however, kept most rooms crowded on Day 2, and most of the rooms were sounding good.
Pure Audio Project, Pass Labs, VPI Industries and Luminous Audio
This show was the debut for the PureAudioProject Quintent10 Horn2 Open Baffle Speakers ($9,000). They also had their Quintet15 Horn1 speakers in this room.
Room partners and their components are listed below:
– VPI Industries Prime turntable ($4,250)
– Pass Labs XP12 preamplifier ($5,800)
– Pass Labs XA25 power amplifier ($4,900)
Luminous Audio Technology supplied their Arion phono stage and all cabling. Price not listed.
Joseph Audio, Doshi Audio, and Cardas Cables
This trio of well-known audio companies put together a room highlighted by the Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphene loudspeakers ($15,000/pair), which were sounding very good when we visited the room. They were being driven by a Doshi Audio V3 Stereo Amplifier ($20,000) and a Doshi Audio V3 Line Preamplifier ($18,000).
The system also included a Berkeley Audio Design Reference Series 3 DAC ($22,000), a Berkeley Alpha USB, and an Aurender W-20SE Network Streamer. There was also a Doshi Evolution Series Tape Preamplifier ($18,000) in the system.
Cardas Audio supplied the Clear Beyond Series Balanced and SE cables used in this system.
Acora Acoustics, Room 1
This is the second time we’ve heard the granite speakers that are putting this Canadian-based company on the audio map. Yes, you can shake your head at the thought of granite cabinets, but you will be surprised by the sound when you hear them. Here’s what was in their system:
– Acora Acoustics SRB Loudspeakers ($15,000/pair)
– VAC Sigma 170iQ Integrated Amp with Phono ($9,990)
– Esoteric K-01XS Disc Player ($20,000)
– Esoteric N-05 Streamer/Renderer/DAC ($6,500)
– Transrotor Fat Bob S Turntable with ME 5009 Tonearm ($17,500)
– Airtight PC-7 Cartridge ($2,500)
– Audioquest cabling (price not given)
MSB Technology
MSB Technology was debuting its new S500 Stereo Amplifier. This new hybrid class-AB amp uses zero negative feedback and is on the market now for $58,500. It was driving a pair of Magico M2 loudspeakers that sell for $63,000.
The source in the system was the MSB Reference DAC with user-changeable modules for TosLink and coaxial inputs for XLR and RCA outputs. It also had the module for a preamp with passive volume control, another for MSB’s Femto 140 clock, and module options for streaming services. The Reference DAC starts at $39,500 plus the optional modules.
The sound in this room was huge with a great soundstage, but it was a little analytical for my taste.
Note: Our complete coverage for this show is available here.
