Jason Victor Serinus

Munich 2019

Octave Jubilee 300 B, HP-700 preamp, Focal Scala, Clearaudio Master Innovation, Wireworld Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 19, 2019

I was never able to take a photo of Octave’s full system, because so many people were walking up to the equipment rack and Focal Scala speakers to ogle Octave’s new Jubilee 300B amplifier (54,000 Euros). (That’s what happens when you display in one of the big glass-entranced spaces surrounding three sides of the first floor Atriums in the MOC.) You’ll have to settle for this photo, taken of a static display on the other side of the room divider from the active system.

Munich 2019

Verity Audio Monsalvat Pro-4 Preamplifier, Amp-60 Reference Monoblocks, and Lohengrin IIS Reference loudspeaker system; Melco N1ZS/2A Music Server, TW-Acustic Raven Black Night Turntable; Dynavector XV-1 S MC cartridge; Cardas Cables, Quadraspire Rack

Jason Victor Serinus May 14, 2019

Verity Audio's system paired their Lohengrin IIS Reference loudspeaker system (110,000 Euros/pair) with the following electronics: A new preamplifier with active crossover, the Monsalvat Pro-4 (64,000 Euros) is designed to work with the loudspeakers; two Verity Audio Monsalvat Amp-60 Reference power amplifiers ($58,000 each), which I reviewed in the June 2019 issue; a Melco N1ZS/2A music server (9,975 euros); a TW-Acustic Raven Black Night turntable (29,500 Euros) with Raven 12 tonearm (5000 Euros) and RPS 10 phonostage (6,000 euros), and a Dynavector XV-1 S MC cartridge (4500 Euros).

Munich 2019

The New Pass Int-25

Jason Victor Serinus May 14, 2019

Just released and seen in passive display, the single-ended only Pass Int-25 ($7250) combines an XA-25 with a simplified Int-60 front end. The Int-25 has three inputs, all single-ended.

Munich 2019

Vandersteen Audio's Model Seven Mk II loudspeaker System; Brinkmann Balance 2-Arm 33rd Anniversary Edition Turntable; Harmonic Resolution Systems Rack, and AudioQuest Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 14, 2019

The characteristic—perhaps I should say inimitable—Vandersteen midrange was in evidence in a system that paired a Brinkmann Audio front end and amplification (detailed below) with Vandersteen ($63,999/pair). The top was quite lively, which made for an extremely exciting listen to an LP of Jeff Beck's extraordinary "Brush with the Blues." Highs were also haunting on the vinyl version of Lou Reed's hilarious (to me) 2003 recording "Vanishing Act." I didn't write down which digital tracks were played, but a return to vinyl with Vanessa Fernandez's "I Want You" revealed that the system also had excellent slam.

Munich 2019

Zellaton Reference MkII Speakers, YS Sound Electronics, Reed Turntable, Top Wing Cartridge, Schnerzinger Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Excellent bass, a somewhat toned-down presentation and somewhat dry midrange, and excellent imagingthe speakers completely disappearedwere the hallmarks of Zellaton Reference Mk II Loudspeakers (2018) (147,950/pair). As with all our show reports, how much of what I heard was due to electronics previously unknown to me, and whose sound I cannot begin to describe until I hear them in a familiar context, I cannot ascertain.

Munich 2019

Vienna Acoustics Mozart Speakers, Vincent SP-T700 Amplifiers, Pangea Cables

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Given the background noise, it was a little difficult to focus on the music from Yello and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd in the system from Vienna Acoustics and Vincent, but this little system's ability throw a large, ear-catching ambient soundstage was its strong point. Speakers were the Vienna Acoustics Mozart (1800/pair). Vincent electronics included (I think) the new DAC-7, which handles up to 32/384 and DSD256 and has a tube output stage, along with the SA-T7 preamp (2499), SP-T700 mono hybrid amplifier (1999/each), CD-S7 hybrid CD player (2199), and PHO-701 phono stage (649). Cables were from Vincent and Pangea.

Munich 2019

Raidho TD1.2 Speakers, Chord Ultima 2 Amplifiers, Pear Audio Blue Turntable, Top Wing Cartridge, Gamut Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Raidho Acoustics' new TD1.2 speaker ($24,000/pair), whose unveiling I missed at AXPONA, resurfaced in Munich. Hearing a track from the Ray Brown Trio's Soular Energy led me to write, in my notebook, "Pretty amazing how well these small speakers create such a big soundstage." Transparency around solo instruments and percussion was quite exceptional. Save for a touch of dryness, which could have been room-related, this system sounded excellent.

Munich 2019

PMC Does Miles in Dolby Atmos

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Thanks to Michael Fremer, whom I ran into at the MOC while we both waited for the show to open on Day 3, I ended up at a private listening session in the PMC room. There, after Michael pulled out his video camera and engaged in a thorough, only-Michael-would-know-enough-to-ask-such-questions Q&A with PMC's Maurice Patistit will appear at AnalogPlanet.comwe listened to two revivified tracks from Miles Davis's iconic Kind of Blue that have been given the full Dolby Atmos surround treatment.

Munich 2019

Aavik M-300 Amplifiers, Børresen 05 Loudspeakers, Ansuz Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 13, 2019

Having heard at previous shows the pairing of Aavik electronics, Børresen loudspeakers, and Ansuz cabling, I've been trying to find language adequate to describe the quality of its earth-rooted bass and midrange. There's a very special, aged-in-wood component to its bass sound that I find fascinating. Combined with clear highs that, while not shy, are capable of conveying intimacy, the system made Anette Askvik's "Liberty" compelling listening.

Munich 2019

Estelon Forza Loudspeakers, Kronos Pro Turntable, Bassocontinuo Racks, Kubala Sosna Cabling

Jason Victor Serinus May 11, 2019

The "Ocean Mystery" colored Estelon Forza loudspeaker (110,000/pair) made quite a statement all by itself. Paired with a Kronos Pro turntable (37,600) with SCPS1 power supply (13,500), Black Beauty tonearm (8400), and ZYX Universe 3 cartridge (8100); Bassocontinuo racks; Kubala-Sosna Realization cabling; Audes ST-3000 power conditioner (3900); and Furutech NCF Booster-Signal (2780), it conveyed electric guitar with natural bite, relayed all instruments except Eugene Istomin's somewhat tinkly piano on the Reference Recordings' LP of Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 with natural timbres and a strong midrange, and, on my Channel Classics SACD of the Mahler Symphony No.2, nailed the great expanse and natural timbres of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, along with some brightness on top.