the wonderful Impex Records folks were in to say hi and play their new Donovan, the Hurdy Gurdy Man, lp. They had used the Dynavector XV 1t, and got to hear it here as well. She was extremely pleased, as were we.
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here I was on Thursday setup, trying to get the system to sing. It did, to a certain degree, the bass was amazing. Yet it had no flow like it had at home. After a very depressing evening, we revitalized at our daily Wildberries breakfast (always good), and went in early Friday morning and flipped the system to the bed board wall. Instant happiness, and it got better throughout the weekend. The Supertrac tonearm guy totally flipped out, several guys cried (more on this later) and then Sunday Mike Pranka tweaked the cartridge/table just a bit and holy moly, we had liftoff. It's nice when you work with a pro.
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a little stark looking compared to some of the major bling going on elsewhere, yet they couldn't compete with this sound. Glorious!
(next year we'll try to glam it up just a bit, otherwise the YouTubers don't pay attention)
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here is our Axpona show system:
WTL 254 turntable -Dynavector XV 1t cartridge -Jadis JP80 MC w power supply below it -Sugden FBA 800 Sapphire amp -Lateral rack, the new Aria -JM Reynaud Abscisse loudspeakers -the controller for the 254 is sitting on a trash can. Yours truly forgot the small table we were going to use. We yanked out a larger black U shaped shelf from the bathroom to use, yet everyone thought it was a subwoofer. Even the trashcan was assumed a sub. I guess the Reynaud Abscisse speakers were working so well people thought the bass delivered was awesome. People who know me know I hate most subs, except with tv, or the kind you eat. |
now would you look at this, will ya? Analog Source Component 2024 Bam! What have I been telling you? The Haven don't play!
I've had a WTL table since 1987, and will always have one here. Yes, the newest models, the 254 below, and the original Amadeus, now in Jr form, are the cream of Bill Firebaugh's designs. And not to crow too much, but the 254 was first heard here in the US. I couldn't be happier, especially with several new tweaks that US distributor Mike Pranka has developed. Come have a listen, bring some of your favorite lps, and prepare to be dazzled. $8750 for a top source isn't too bad, considering all the overpriced boring tables flooding the market.
I've had a WTL table since 1987, and will always have one here. Yes, the newest models, the 254 below, and the original Amadeus, now in Jr form, are the cream of Bill Firebaugh's designs. And not to crow too much, but the 254 was first heard here in the US. I couldn't be happier, especially with several new tweaks that US distributor Mike Pranka has developed. Come have a listen, bring some of your favorite lps, and prepare to be dazzled. $8750 for a top source isn't too bad, considering all the overpriced boring tables flooding the market.
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Welcome to one of the hottest pieces in all of audio right now, the Grimm MU2 is here. I immediately loved it, then it went thru a bleh stage, then better better better great! Some of it probably had to do with my internet here; I went from the regular
T Mobile black box to their newer black box, whatever it's called it apparently is faster, much faster, as my speed tests show. I'm almost like a regular streamer person now. Almost. Anyway, whether it's the improved speed, finally running in, a blessing from my fairy godfather, or Gertie putting her sweet nose on it and making it sound pretty pretty close to vinyl, I am loving it, truly the best digital I have had here, and the best I have yet to hear. Much better than that hugely expensive four box deal I've heard on several occasions at shows or customers, dry as an old dog bone out in the yard. This MU2 has real meat on it, and with a few tweaks from Stack Audio, has even begun to bring out the goosebumps. I've gotten a lot of meh's from some about the price ($17,500), yet when you figure a good dac, generally $5k-10k, with an equally priced paired streamer, and fancy cables that some of you buy, you're already close or way over the $17,500. And in this adorable smallish, light weighing box ( a god send with the bad knees or back ) with an equally impressive IQ , what's not to love. It does have a mighty fine preamp (analog input ) in as well, so you can now use it direct into an amp and get my full ringing endorsement, not like when some of you tried to do that with way inferior digital and I kept saying no no no. Come have a listen and see what you think. This might be an end game for some of you.
T Mobile black box to their newer black box, whatever it's called it apparently is faster, much faster, as my speed tests show. I'm almost like a regular streamer person now. Almost. Anyway, whether it's the improved speed, finally running in, a blessing from my fairy godfather, or Gertie putting her sweet nose on it and making it sound pretty pretty close to vinyl, I am loving it, truly the best digital I have had here, and the best I have yet to hear. Much better than that hugely expensive four box deal I've heard on several occasions at shows or customers, dry as an old dog bone out in the yard. This MU2 has real meat on it, and with a few tweaks from Stack Audio, has even begun to bring out the goosebumps. I've gotten a lot of meh's from some about the price ($17,500), yet when you figure a good dac, generally $5k-10k, with an equally priced paired streamer, and fancy cables that some of you buy, you're already close or way over the $17,500. And in this adorable smallish, light weighing box ( a god send with the bad knees or back ) with an equally impressive IQ , what's not to love. It does have a mighty fine preamp (analog input ) in as well, so you can now use it direct into an amp and get my full ringing endorsement, not like when some of you tried to do that with way inferior digital and I kept saying no no no. Come have a listen and see what you think. This might be an end game for some of you.
Heed, of Hungary, has made its way here to the Haven. I cannot believe how musical these pieces are. So far there's the Elixir 50w integrated $1750, the Quasar phono stage, $1400, the big PX power supply $1600 (for the Quasar and other devices like the Questar $500, also here).
I've not been this excited since the original Naim Qute arrived. Like the best box of these new Xmas chocolates from places you've never heard of until you stick it in your mouth and you go WTH or F depending on how much port you've had. You'll be hearing much more about these and their soon coming bigger relatives. Stay tuned.
Spring has been slow to come, yet here she is. First year for my new plantings of serviceberry, tree form, to bloom. Year round attractiveness, and berries for birds to boot. Far far better than those useless Bradford pears ( do not plant, please!)
Graham loudspeakers are coming to the Haven. I am particularly excited about this. I've always loved a good LS3/5a, doing very well with Falcons when they were available to dealers. I still love Falcons, yet the company itself can go take a flying leap for all I'm concerned with. Gertie says to be nice on here so I'll say no more. The Grahams will easily take their place, and the company is like a breath of fresh air. They have shipped and will be here shortly, so stay tuned. You will not want to miss hearing these. To start it will be the LS3/5, the LS3/5a, the LS6, and the LS8/1. All of these are stand mounts. And boy do I have the gear to make them shine. Look out! New to the Midwest, at least this part.
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a bit of Axpona show coverage from that nice fella Ken Micallef of Stereophile
 there's been a bit of a total shoes off reworking of Studio B, and the gear seems to sound even better. The suspended wood floor seems much firmer on this far right side, that could partially be it. I've never heard the Verdier Nouvelle table sound better. Same with the Amadeus 254. Even the Ayre CD player. Sometimes one just stumbles into something better?
have you heard this yet?
eeeeewwwwweeee!
has there ever been such a cartridge in its price range.
A stunner....you'll be tossing those Hanas(meh) aside for this one
this is one of the two new Hyperion record reissues I cannot stop playing. It is sooo good. I've read on the Hyperion site the response has been tremendous, so not sure if they'll be repressing or not. Certainly they are pleased, so maybe more titles will come. The Feather On the Breadth of God, very famous recording back when with that gorgeous British waif, Emma Kirby, is also out. That was a monster seller on CD. I don't have the reissue yet, my original lp may suffice, or I may take the plunge. This Bach and the Shostakovich that I bought have knocked all the new Tone Poets out of rotation. Don't wait if you're interested.
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MUSIC PLAYED HERE SINCE 1910
Welcome aboard, the Origin Live line of turntables and tonearms.
My first demo in is a beaut, the Resolution table, with the Enterprise 9.5" tonearm. From the get-go it's been a great, exciting, can't quit playing records, why did I not have one sooner type of turntable. I only knew Origin Live thru their replacement arms for Rega tables. This combo is just another level entirely. I am thrilled to be a dealer for this line, please come have a listen. The Resolution is 4th in the lineup. I will be getting a combo more affordable than this, and knowing me, eventually going above this. You'll be hearing me crow quite a bit about this. Between this and the newly tweaked WTL Amadeus 254 (roughly the same price range) I won't know what to do with myself. I know, BUY MORE RECORDS! Highly recommended. Or as the great T of my listening panel always claims, "tell em to bring their diaper". Thanks, T.
Welcome to the newest member of the Lejonklou family, this is the SuperKikkin preamp. Two single-ended inputs, remote control, and as always with Lejonklou, fun, amazing sound. $2695
Well Tempered Lab Verselex table on the Lateral Cadenz rack… a bit of heaven at the Haven
this is another of the Hyperion lp reissues. I'll beat Fremer to it and give it a 10/10. And WHEN is it not a good day to have Marc-Andre Hamelin on vinyl? Highly recommended
Great news to report! JC Verdier, out of business briefly thru a death in the family, has been purchased by an Austrian firm, details to follow. To many of us on the Haven listening panel, one of the greatest turntable lines out there, in my top 3. Stay tuned.
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the new WTL 254 turntable w the new Kauri MK2 cartridge...such goodness
the Jadis DA50 in front, the Jadis DA88 in back. Such a joy
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here's one of my new mascots, FP, that's front porch groundhog, enjoying some David Bowie. He likes to get up on this front porch settee and sun himself and apparently listen to music. He seems to be an original rocker. Loved the new Television reissue on Rhino.
Amadeus 254- absolutely enthralling...2023 needs to be the year of "the end of boring turntables"....there are way too many out there that need to go.
AND, now that it's almost 2025, and the 254 received Analog Source of 2024 by Stereophile, what are you waiting for? Ditch the nostalgia of those Technics and Garrard rebuilds, (which I admire but NOT as your main source), and get a really swinging turntable. Chop Chop!
after hearing many tables lately, this version of the Amadeus, the JR, still rises above all those. I truly thought we could not get any more music out of this table, until we prepared to take it to Axpona. With a lot of listening and fine tuning, this table is now easily one of the best in its price range, and shoots far higher than many pricier tables. Until we get to the Amadeus 254, review coming soon.
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the Meyer Yonna's, driven by the Fezz 2A3 integrated- 3 watts of wonderful
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