An analog rig worthy of kings, queens, and farmers - I'm in the latter camp-  Stereo Haven is very happy to have on demo the Brinkmann Bardo turntable, the Audio Research REF 5 SE preamp, and the Audio Research REF 2 SE phono preamp, all sitting on Harmonic Resolution Systems shelving, the SXR series shown here in black.  At the end of the Brinkmann 10.5 tonearm sits that jewel of jewels, the Dynavector XV1t cartridge. Notice this rack has been optimized for LP's only.  
There is digital, of course, and one chosen with care, which is on an adjacent rack. Yet it can't compare to what sits here. One of the goals of Stereo Haven is to show analog to this surrounding area the likes that haven't been heard before.
As I was looking for a truly reference turntable line, I and my colleagues went down the list of manufacturers, crossing off most as we went. Always in the back of my mind the name Brinkmann kept coming up. I remember looking at photos of it and thinking it looks beautiful, solid, maybe a bit steely. Sort of like Sibelius, both his face and music.  Don't ask me why- I have strange connotations sometimes. At least it didn't remind me of Bruckner. Well, the steely part did come as I unpacked the box and saw a most wondrously machined device, yet it wasn't cold in appearance at all.  The solid came in the way the table/arm felt to the touch, with machining having that spares-no-expense look, perhaps like an SME, yet surpassing that with a stunning, warming design. (Have you seen an SME in person? Meh! Makes my blood run cold.) Then after the table was put together and began to play, the music came out in this beautiful way that only a few tables I've heard could do.  Stunning is a word I seldom use, but that's all I can say when I get near the table, and then, THEN I get to play that table.  It's simply stunning. And I do use that word in the 2nd Full Definition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary.  Maybe, as in the 1st Full Definition, I'm still rather astonished that it sits in my front room, still in disbelief that Helmut and Andrea Brinkmann would allow me to represent it in my area, or maybe I'm really back to the 2nd Full Definition, I'm so strikingly impressed by its beauty and excellence.  Trust me, you will be, too!
  So yes, this is a reference table, no question about it. It may be out of the reach of most, or so you say. Yet, when you're ready to take a leap for the finest, when you've finally realized that LIFE IS SHORT, that you only have so much time left on this planet, and that you've been putting off having a great record player to go with all those LP's  you've accumulated and fussed over all these years, well, ladies and gents, kIngs and queens, and all those farmers living around me, this is certainly a name to put on your short list. 

Brinkmann.  Now on display at Stereo Haven. Call for an appointment.


-more to come...so much more....

  Even though it's quite the beast, in size and weight, the Line Magnetic 219 integrated continues to easily charm all who hear it. Many of you are writing me about it, and with good reason - it's that good.  It can drive speakers I normally wouldn't think an amp of its output could. Those massive transformers must be capable of huge reserves of power. Within reason, of course, within reason.  Some of you are not so reasonable, and should probably look at different amps. Magnepans are a no, and so are Dynaudios...well, they're a no anyways! (Ed note..that's the hobbyist speaking)
  Yet couple it with something like the DeVore 0'96's, and you've hit a home run. It controls the bass driver splendidly, it brings out the beauty of the mids that the 0/96's are so famous for, it captures the tone and texture of real performers. You can get off the merry go round that so many of us in the hobby twirl on for decades, swapping and switching, losing money by the constant trading to find that elusive match.  Well here it is, Dorothy.  That elusive system, it's here! Right in your own midwestern back yard.  
  There are a few things I'd like you to know about the 219 before my pompoms retire for the evening. 
As I said, it's big, it's heavy. 125 pounds worth of heavy. It comes to you by freight. No smiling Charlie will come with his dolly and wield it in this time. I will come smile while we hook it up together. And I'll stay and smile watching you smile as it warms up and begins to sing.  Especially if you have DeVore 0/96's already in place, or something equally suited. There are tons out there, just no Magnepans, and definitely no "#*@+%.  In my own little corner, I've used it not exclusively but extensively with DeVores is all.  If you're to put it on an amp stand, which I would hope you would, and never on carpet alone,  make sure you have two people for the job, and put it where it will probably stay.  I've got my demo on a Quadraspire Sunoko Vent, and use castors so I can push it around where needed.  Otherwise I'd be stuck until my schlepper came to bail me out. Surprisingly, it doesn't put out much heat, no more than any other Line Magnetic here at the Haven.  That photography reviewer, who some of you might have read online, goes on about the heat.  Well, the goofball lives in Arizona. A headphone amp would be hot in the summer in Arizona. No worries here in the midwest, spring or summer. 
  So that's about it for this charmer. One of those "most delightful" pieces of audio gear ever made.  And another thing, it certainly is hard to keep your eyes off of it. Depending on cabling used, it may sit here between the speakers, yet often it is off to the side on a long run of Auditorium A23- a Haven fav!- and I've watched people crane their necks routinely to ogle it.  And who could blame them? Like all Line Magnetics, comes with an easily removable cage. I usually remove it for serious listening. And with an amp like this, is there any other kind?

  So sorry, forgot to add the system I've been evaluating, and enjoying, the Model 1's with. The system in the photo below is what I would normally show the 1's with - all matched to a price that goes hand in hand with the Model 1's. 
For starters, the Line Magnetic 211 integrated, on the bottom shelf, is more than enough power to drive the 1's to an astounding volume level, even for some of you! (you know who you are). Above that we have that amazing CD player, also from Line Magnetic, the 215CD.  It is one honey of a disc player, with both optical and coaxial digital outputs. I can't say enough about it, yet for the time being- and to spare you- we'll move on to the next shelf.  The other source in this system starts with the Audio Research LP1 phono stage, a remarkable moving magnet only phono preamp. Great for most any moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridge, it's being used here with a step up, the Auditorium A23 step up transformer, which mates perfectly with the lower output moving coil cartridge being used here, the EMT TSD15.  Lovely sounding cartridge. The TSD15's output is low enough that it needs additional gain than what the LP1 can give, hence the A23 SUT.  Art Dudley of Stereophile wrote years ago, I think when he headed the Listener, that often the best combo for a low output cartridge is a MM phono stage in conjunction with a MC step up transformer.  Listening to this combo I have no doubt he's right.  Reigning supreme on top, and rightly so, is the Well Tempered Lab Amadeus turntable. Whether in this system with the Vandy 1's, or the reference system in the next room, this table leads the way to musical bliss. More on that later, much more. 

  Yet another speaker has come to the Haven from now defuct St Louis Stereo to surprise, impress, and be baffled by its brilliance.  I'm referring here to the starter in the Vandersteen line, the Model 1. I've had many of those "around $1000" speakers here at the Haven.  Favorites have been the Totem Mites and Rega RS1's, with quality stands putting both within that price range.  So now here is this floorstander  full range Model 1,  pouring its heart out with a beguiling charm that nothing near this price has achieved, not even the afore mentioned.  I had to wait a bit after bringing them home for a listen, to get an affordable speaker cable that used bananas as do these Model 1's. My go-to  price conscious speaker cable has been the Audioquest Type4, and all mine had spades to match the other Vandersteen models.  Cables came in on Saturday, due to that wonderful FedEx Home delivery service, so after an initial night of run in for both cable and speaker, they are off and running. 

  Already they're putting every chain and multi-tiered brand of loudspeaker to shame at anywhere near their price range. If you think you can't enter the high end of music making due to monetary constraints, or have been a victim of flawed low budget speakers, or used has- beens that need retired, think again.  These Vandersteen Model 1's will charm and delight you, are easy to drive and place, and will definitely give one a taste of the high end.

  Now here we can focus on one of the prime goals of Stereo Haven, which is showing quality, long-lasting products that continue to improve over time. There are more Vandersteen 2's in the country than most any brand of speaker. If you doubt me, watch sales on the used market. Since the mid-70's this model has been in production, and hearing the newest version, the pinnacle of the 2's, one can understand why.
Using the same floor footprint as any small standmount two-way, the 2Ce's give a complete top to bottom cohesiveness lacking in so, so many speakers in its price range. 
  So now to a few truths and assumptions about this speaker.  Like some, I was never a huge fan of the Vandersteen line as a budding hobbyist. In my youth, I heard them at local shops, yet always chose some electrostatic or British 2 way to save my pennies for. And many of my friends had these very same assumptions. After trying to give them my best at the ol St Louis Stereo, while again very nice, just didn't quite get the boat afloat. And that was with the great man of audio himself, Richard Vandersteen, overlooking my setup while visiting there.
  Yet here they are, amongst a handful of other great speakers that I've chosen to represent out of zillions out there - I swear there's as many speakers now on the market as there are crappie jigs at Cabela's. Why are they here? Because I was duped into believing they were only very good, due to poor rooms (St Louis Stereo) or poor setups ( past local dealers), I almost passed them by. The newest version of these speakers are without a doubt one of the great buys in all of audio, that's why they're here. Coupled with the right amp, perhaps a Line Magnetic 211 -EL34 tube, Line Magnetic 501 -KT120 tube, or an Audio Research VSi60 -KT120 tube, some quality cabling from Audioquest, a great source like the Line Magnetic 215CD player or WTL Amadeus table/Dynavector P75 phono stage/Dynavector 20xL cartridge, and you're set. Come give them a try, again. One listen at the Haven and you'll be shaking your head why you should pay more... well, for some of you, anyway. And THAT I can help you with as well....