Ofra Gershman debuted her new Symphoria loudspeakers ($70,000/pair) at CAF. Joining the loudspeakers were a LampizatOr Aphrodite DAC ($105,000) and a Gulfstream music server ($8500).
Kevin Hayes of VAC provided the amplification, specifically his Master Preamplifier ($30,000) and Master 300 iQ monoblocks ($44,000 each), which drove the Symphorias. Cardas Clear Beyond wired the whole system.
Room attendees were graced with the presence of Anne Bisson, who sand along with her own tracks on the Gershman/VAC system.
The made-in-Canada Symphoria features dual 8" woofers, each paired with its own "Bass Trap Chamber," which is said to redirect and dissipate back-wave energy before it can reflect through the driver's cone. Gershman's SSAS (Separate Sub Alignment System) floats the midrange/tweeter module on IsoAcoustics devices, isolating those drivers from the bass enclosure (and vice versa, presumably). The Symphoria's sensitivity is specified as 89dB into 6 ohms, 20Hz–20kHz.
I quite enjoyed this system, even though there was no turntable in sight. Natalie Merchant's "Motherland" sounded natural, with strong tone; Merchant's svelte delivery. came across clearly. Marcin's take on "Kashmir" was like having my head sucked into deep space, so noise-free and present was its reproduction. Bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons's track played with realistic weight, body, and speed. The presentation was distinctive, with a strong sonic signature.
Kevin Hayes of VAC provided the amplification, specifically his Master Preamplifier ($30,000) and Master 300 iQ monoblocks ($44,000 each), which drove the Symphorias. Cardas Clear Beyond wired the whole system.
Room attendees were graced with the presence of Anne Bisson, who sand along with her own tracks on the Gershman/VAC system.
The made-in-Canada Symphoria features dual 8" woofers, each paired with its own "Bass Trap Chamber," which is said to redirect and dissipate back-wave energy before it can reflect through the driver's cone. Gershman's SSAS (Separate Sub Alignment System) floats the midrange/tweeter module on IsoAcoustics devices, isolating those drivers from the bass enclosure (and vice versa, presumably). The Symphoria's sensitivity is specified as 89dB into 6 ohms, 20Hz–20kHz.
I quite enjoyed this system, even though there was no turntable in sight. Natalie Merchant's "Motherland" sounded natural, with strong tone; Merchant's svelte delivery. came across clearly. Marcin's take on "Kashmir" was like having my head sucked into deep space, so noise-free and present was its reproduction. Bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons's track played with realistic weight, body, and speed. The presentation was distinctive, with a strong sonic signature.
