Salon Systems
Mismatching is the road to audio hell, and a road that is congested.
Let e-Bay and Audiogon be the answer to other peoples’ prayers!
Here is an inner track for audiophiles who have forgotten - or novices who have never known - how good a dedicated system can be. Most of the following system components have won awards.
There is no such thing as “affordable high-end” so we commence at systems from £3,000. The vital ingredient we seek is a synergy or “signal transfer” which yields emotional involvement, “magic,” musicality, the X-factor; whatever you call it, it isn’t subtle.
Please click to select from the systems below for more detail:
THE ITALIAN JOB: One
AYRE ACOUSTICS
THE ITALIAN JOB: Two
THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
CONNOISSEUR SYSTEM
THE EASTERN CONNOISSEUR SYSTEM
THE GRYPHON CANTATA SYSTEM
THE POSEIDON SYSTEM
THE VINYL DREAM
Mark Levinson 326S Baby version of the Ref 32 Pre-amp at a reasonable cost of £6,995. Like most technologies the benefits of the research for the reference products trickle down into more affordable products like the 326s Pre-amp. You get alot of the quality of its bigger brother, providing a jump in the quality available at this price. |
Ayre Acoustics C-5xe Universal Disk Player Stereophile Extract: "It ought to be fairly obvious that I found the Ayre C-5xe more than satisfactory. I didn't expect it to disappoint, but I was unprepared for just how much it delighted me. I've heard a lot of impressive audio components over the years, but I've heard very few that afforded me greater musical pleasure or sent me on as many voyages of musical discovery through discs I thought I knew well." - Wes Phillips, July, 2005 |
Gryphon Diablo The ultimate reference integrated amplifier at £6100. The Gryphon sonic magic in a reasonable sized and georgeous case, you must hear this as it puts most pre power combo's to shame, pure music at its best. |
Brinkmann LaGrange turntableThe Brinkmann LaGrange turntable is without a doubt the best source component I have ever had the chance to enjoy over an extended period of time. It represents a level of perfection and emotional connection to music that I have never heard before. - Danny Kaey extract from Positive Feedback |
Vac Renaissance Signature II "With the "right supporting cast," the VAC Renaissance Signature Mk.II is the best preamp I've auditioned. Its resolution of low-level spatial, temporal, and timbral detail, and its uncanny coherence across the realms of space, frequency, and loudness, put it in a class by itself. These strengths made listening to a musical performance through the Signature a more moving experience for me, and one step closer to the real thing.." - Stereophile Extract - Brian Damkroger |
ProAc D100 The imposing new Response
D100 takes on the mantle of flagship model from our legendary Response
Four, which has delighted discerning audiophiles for the last twelve
years. |
