Hi-Fi+ is a fun English audio mag to read. They cover Euro gear much more closely than we do so there are many “cottage industry” companies to follow. In the Dec 2021 issue they handed out some awards. Let’s go!
Disc Players
They like the Gryphon Ethos for a mere $41k. They like the Accuphase for $14k. They’re both beautiful, and I’m sure very good. Both use Sabre chips.
I will put the Marantz SACD30n ($3K) up against either one of them, head to head! The Marantz is built with its own transport and NON DAC chip design, in its own factory in Japan. You can do better than Sabre chips and at a lot less money.
Turntables
They like the Kuzma XL Air for a paltry $35k. It is one weird looking contraption. Good luck getting it set up right.
I will take the MoFi UltraDeck+ for $2500. It is built in Ann Arbor like a brick outhouse and features MoFi’s Master Tracker cart- literally the best tracker we’ve ever had in the house.
Cartridge
They like the EMT JSD Pure Black for $5k. That’s downright cheap for a cart reviewed in this mag.
I want the afore mentioned MoFi Master Tracker for $800. You don’t need a headamp and it is the best tracer we’ve ever found.
DAC
They like the Ideon Audio Absolute for $42k. This uses “custom” Sabre chips. OH?
I’ll take the Bryston BDA-3. At $3800 it competes with any DAC at any price and you have Bryston in your corner vs… anyone else!
Streamer
They like the Aqua Lin Q streamer for $6600. It’s cute and I’m sure it sounds good.
I will gladly sing from the roof top that you should buy the Bluesound Node (v3) for $600. We have learned that the MACHINE you buy is just the start to streaming. You need massive support behind the curtain and NAD/Bluesound is an INTERNATIONAL company and has proven it can do so, as it has been doing this for many years. And just WHO is Aqua?
You can run the Node analog out, or interface with your favorite DAC- which means the streamer can run $600 and be a smart choice.
Server
They like the Taiko for $36k.
I don’t want ANY server. It’s a waste of time and money. For music you can’t stream, get off your lazy fanny and play the SACD/CD or LP. How lazy are you that you’ll pay many thousands and spend hours fiddle futzing with a server with biffed up metadata?
Integrated Amp
They have several price ranges represented. Good for them! They like the Constellation Inspiration ($14k, 100×2).
Please strongly consider NAD’s M33 ($5500, 200×2 Eigentakt design) killer integrated with built in Bluesound streamer. It competes with the likes of Constellation at a fraction of the price, with double the power and a great on board streamer.
Preamp
They like the Robert Koda for $80K. Sure looks nice.
I will put the Bryston BR-20 ($6k) with built in DAC up against it, head to head, with no fear of the price discrepancy. And remember, Bryston gives you a 20 year warranty.
Phono Preamp
They chose the Hegel V10 for $1500.
So do I! It’s an awesome, discrete, edge of the art product!
Power Amp
They like the ARC 80S, $15k, 70×2- but at 1% THD. That is clipping! So you get, what, about 50×2 in a tube amp with ghost meters. What’s that? If you’re gonna do meters, speak up like Mac!
I absolutely love the NAD C298, $2200, 200×2. With the NAD the music doesn’t have to fight through piles of mismatched transistors or murk inducing transformers. If you get a taste of the Eigentakt design, you’ll be spoiled for resolution and noise floor! It has more than a thousand times less distortion than the tube boys.
Stand Mount Speakers
They like the Amphion Argon 3S for $3k per pair.
So do I. It’s my fave stand mount period. It’s rich, warm and beautiful.
Floor Standing Speakers
They like the PMC 6.5 inch 3-way for $12k. Looks cute and lean.
I’ll take the Amphion Argon 7LS for $6k per pair. It’s half the price and a lot more speaker!
Oh, by the way, last year the Argon 7LS was chosen as their Floor Standing speaker. They don’t give out back to back awards.
Subwoofer
They like the PureLow LO sub, a peculiar goofazoid sub for only $47k.
I like the JL Audio Fathom 110v2, $4k. With no apologies, F110 will compete with any sub out there at any price.
System
They like the NAD M10v2 with PSB Alpha T20 speakers, $3600. Nice value.
But I will take NAD’s new little brother, C700 ($1500) so I can add better speakers like the Wharfedale Lintons on stands ($2k) and whup their fanny!
Headphone Amp
They like McIntosh MHA200, $2500.
I do too!
Headphones
They like the T&A Solitaire, $4k. I’m sure it’s nice.
But I’ll take the Quad ERA-1 ($800) planar phones- simply a steal of a deal, and so good that we dropped Audeze!
Interconnects
They like the Vertere Redline, $800 1m.
I like the Kimber Carbon, $576. With Carbon/Teflon blend, the Carbon is more dynamic than any cable I’ve heard!
Speaker Cables
They like the Ansuz D2, $18k for a pair of 6’ runs.
I like the Kimber Carbon 16, $2280 for a pair of 6’ runs. With its Carbon/Teflon blend, you get detail and dynamics second to none.
Power Cables
They like the Tellurium Q silver for $2200, I’m sure it’s nice.
I’ll take the Isotek Premier ($200) with Gold pins and Teflon dielectric- tough to beat!
Can We Get Real?
I like to chide the mags for pumping gear that’s crazy expensive- because I work with people who work for a living and want a dollar’s worth of performance for a dollar spent. That’s what Audio Emporium is all about. If you think that’s a good formula, please consider doing business with us.