Alma Music and Audio of San Diego, California, and Sterling, Virginia, showed two well-appointed systems at CAF including several US debuts.
In room 849, the US debut was the Luphonic H2 turntable ($4995), which was running a Hana ML cartridge ($1200). The Hana was helped by an SPL Phonos phono stage ($2500). On the digital source side was an XACT S1 EVO music server ($18,500).
Further downstream were an SPL Director Mk2 preamp with DAC ($4700) and an SPL Performer s900 stereo amplifier ($5500), the s900 powered another US debut, the gorgeous Basel Acoustics Concept V01 loudspeaker ($17,900/pair). Kubala-Sosna cables and Nemesis Acoustic Panels completed the system in 849.
Over in room 844, Alma and Philip O'Hanlon of On A Higher Note presented another Luphonic turntable debut: the UR3 turntable with 12" tonearm ($8490). Phono preamp duties were handled by a Moonriver 505 phono stage ($5995). An Accustic Arts Power III integrated amp with DAC and phono ($20,490; the phono stage was not in use, obviously) drove Franco Serblin Accordo Essence speakers ($21,975/pair).
GigaWatt PowerPrime power conditioner ($4600), Kubala-Sosna cables, an Artesania Exoteryc Rack ($9339), and Nemesis Acoustic Panels ($799/each) concluded the setup in 844.
I hung for a while in 844 as O'Hanlon play choice music from his deep vinyl collection. We enjoyed original Chico Hamilton vinyl on Contemporary and FKA Twigs' single "Eusexua," among other selections. The sound was coherent, low in noise, and atmospheric, allowing me to relax and fully engage.
Further downstream were an SPL Director Mk2 preamp with DAC ($4700) and an SPL Performer s900 stereo amplifier ($5500), the s900 powered another US debut, the gorgeous Basel Acoustics Concept V01 loudspeaker ($17,900/pair). Kubala-Sosna cables and Nemesis Acoustic Panels completed the system in 849.
Over in room 844, Alma and Philip O'Hanlon of On A Higher Note presented another Luphonic turntable debut: the UR3 turntable with 12" tonearm ($8490). Phono preamp duties were handled by a Moonriver 505 phono stage ($5995). An Accustic Arts Power III integrated amp with DAC and phono ($20,490; the phono stage was not in use, obviously) drove Franco Serblin Accordo Essence speakers ($21,975/pair).
GigaWatt PowerPrime power conditioner ($4600), Kubala-Sosna cables, an Artesania Exoteryc Rack ($9339), and Nemesis Acoustic Panels ($799/each) concluded the setup in 844.
I hung for a while in 844 as O'Hanlon play choice music from his deep vinyl collection. We enjoyed original Chico Hamilton vinyl on Contemporary and FKA Twigs' single "Eusexua," among other selections. The sound was coherent, low in noise, and atmospheric, allowing me to relax and fully engage.
