![]() ![]() Spearheaded by the Galileo PowerCell SX ($27,995), Synergistic Research Schweikert Audio Endeavor SE speakers ($31k with footers and outriggers),īerkeley Audio Alpha Design DAC Reference Series 3 ($28k), Berkeley Audio Alphaĭesign USB Module ($1,995), Synergistic Research Power Conditioner stack, Pre-amp and phono stage ($44k), VAC Master 300 mono amps ($37k each), Von Reproduce, so I'm only going to list the highlights: VAC Master Signature The massive price list would take an hour to The SynergisticĬomponents - with whatever magic they employed- complemented the VSA / VAC That the new-ish amps needed some additional run-in time. The VAC stack sounded phenomenal, but I'm told Refined after Leif's timely intervention. In short, the entire system sounded more natural and Highlighted stunning detail, loads of air, superb bass definition and extension,Īnd stellar imaging. ![]() Stevie Nicks enchanted on a live version of Silversprings. Turned off the speaker's ambient tweeter system, a hallmark of the design.Īfter Leif corrected this oversight, Her Royal Highness, the Songbird herself, Piece, and more importantly, like real music. Now the system and speakers sounded more of a As the accompanying guitars swelled in volume, I detected no glassĪnd grain up top, those colorations replaced with a sound of exceptional Sounded much more engaging, Cash's husky baritone tactile and present in the After LS's tinkering, Johnny Cash's stellar rendition of Hurt The sense of sensuous, enveloping immediacy, tonal expressiveness, andĭirectness that I hear from the VSAs (and from other VSA-based / VAC-drivenĪt my insistence, Leif Swanson altered toe-in,Īdjusted speaker bass output, and engaged the ambient ribbon tweeter to dial in Never hear at home (or at other showings of the ESEs). Region sounded distinctly bright and - at times – "glassy", something I Additionally, the upper-mid / lower treble Recreate the air and bloom that I hear every day from a far more modest systemīuilt around the same speakers. (still R2R) followed and sounded much better. Reinterpreted version of Cyndi Lauper's pop classic Time after Time (R2R) tape version of Hotel California tape still lacked air and bloom. When I returned on Sunday morning, a reel-to-reel VSA's chief designer, Lief Swanson,Īsked that I return later that weekend after the team had a chance to dial in Themselves, lacking air, bloom, and body. VSA Endeavor Special Edition loudspeakers (my current references) did not sound Off then on again his Galileo Active Ground Block grounding system. Synergistic himself, the always-energetic Ted Denny, turned On day one of the show, sound staging seemed expansive in widthīut lacking in center fill, and with somewhat diffuse imaging. Synergistic Research / Von Schweikert Audio exhibit in Suite 315 proved a tale In rooms that, for the most part, sounded quite natural and controlled. Booze flowed freely, the post-pandemic vibe mandating civility over rancor, decorum overįortunately, current political and culturalįissures took a back seat to the sybaritic pleasures of just listening to music Wi-Fi capacity frustrated all, but enraged none, seasoned room attendees now hip to the need to lug CD and SACD players and digital files to offset their inability the stream. The balmy Tampa weather delighted locals and Snowbirds alike, just as it had in years past. International Audio Expo (February 17th through 19th), now a settled and mature occasion, enchanted by not surprising. Other parts of the country struggled under the piercing bite of record low temperatures, brutal snow loads, toxic train derailments, and fractured partisan politics, the Florida Super values and sound at the Florida International Audio Expo 2023.įLAX 2023 Show Report by Maurice Jeffries
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