2 CHANNEL STERO SPEAKER SYSTEMS
THE JOURNEY BACK FROM SONOS
At Headphone Auditions, it is my privilege to witness people’s journey back out of the depth of Sonos Hell to the salvation of Personal Audio and sometimes even (back) to Speakers.
TOP-END HEAD-FI = 2/3 of a HIGH-END HIFI system
My Top End Headphone Amplifiers often are build to drive efficient Speakers as well. Or – in case of Air Tight – the manufacturer builds for me a headphone jonction box for their Speaker Amplifier.
In both cases, my customer finds himself with a Headphone System which is already the better part of a very natural sounding speaker system.
THE 1ST WATT
As many music lovers, I’m a firm believer low power amplification combined with efficient speaker. What might sound like a compromise (headphone amp on speakers) is actually – for me – the Holy Grail.
THE 500th WATT
Having said that I have a 500 watt system that will help you understand what ‘holographic imaging’ actually sounds like….
CURATED STREAMING
And for the rest of us mortals there still is the super-cheat: The Streaming System is selected for the shop are carefully curated streaming system.
CURATED SYSTEMS
My approach in 2 channel is the exacte opposite from the Headfi Portfolio. Instead of having nearly everything for you to try out in the headphone world, I pre-selected, currated if you will, ONE SYSTEM PER PRICEPOPINT.
Under 1.000,-
Your Only Choice at sub 1k€
The Devialte Mania is the Audio-Hack that will sound suprisingly impressive where you put it – and you can put it where-ever!
It will listen to itself in the room – or lack of room in the garden for example – and adapt to it.
You have to hear ear before you invest in any other system under 2-3k€.
Under 6.000,-
Guru Q10 x Musical Fidelity – A1 x A&K PD5/PD10 x Audioquest BigSur x HAA Resolute Power
The Q10 is one of a kind, I’m was looking for a while for the prefect partner. The famous M1 is that partner! As a streamer on the menu I think a Astell&Kern PD5 or PD10 will bring a huge offering to the table as well in sound as versatility. Simply hook it op to the A1 and use it with Qobuz connect for example and with the remote that comes with the you will have the most relaxed listeimn experience on your couch!
Top that off withe a tailored but simple cable solution and the optional no nonsense turntable from Audiotechnica and you have yourself a record breaking bang-for-the-buck systen which you should hear!
Under 10.000,-
Dutch &Dutch 6c x HAA Resolute Power
I have the 8c on show and you will get a good idea of what the 6c will do in a smaller room: It will do wonders.
Around 15.000,-
Dutch &Dutch 8c x Audioquest Cinnamon LAN x HAA Resolute Power
This is you perfect point&shoot highend system.
It is 2 speakers, 2 powercords, 2 LAN cables and you Spotify or Roon
Around 15.000,-
Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 x Matrix TS1 x Audioquest Mackenzie XLR x HAA Resolute Power
Under 30.000,-
Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 x dCS LINAx
Under 80.000,-
T+A Soltaire S 530
T+A PA 3100 HV
dCS LINA
Okay, when you go to hifi shows they will often talk about the ‘holographic imaging’ meaning that the sound completly detaches from the speakers.
I’ve witnessed this exactly with one system, and that happens to be this one. The planar array tweeter does the magic. It only works in the quite narrow sweet-spot of these speakers, but when you put your head there – it’s over, you have arrived.
You should give it a try…
Under 80.000,-
Avantgarde Duo
Air Tight ATM300R
APL – DSD-WR
Headphone Auditions Amsterdam &
Audiophile Artisans Amsterdam
Subsidiaries of HIFI Auditions BV
Rapenburg 56 H
1011TZ Amsterdam
M: +31 683909266
stefan@headphoneauditions.nl
K.v.K. Amsterdam 93434391
VAT-ID NL866398533B01
EORI: NL866398533