From Maryland to Munich, I've been consistently impressed by the audio systems of Nashville, Tennessee's Gestalt Fine Audio. This year's CAF continued the streak.
Room 325 brought the PrimaryControl Kinea II turntable ($24,995) with the same company's Field Coil Loaded tonearm ($34,995). SUT and phono stage were by Cinnamon Galle ($8250 and $32,995, respectively. The cartridge was a Fuuga MC ($10,995).
A SW1X Audio Design provided amplification: PRE V Signature line stage ($83,041, a US debut) and SW1X Audio Design MPA V Special power amps ($37,836/each). Those Cinnamon Cassia loudspeakers ($54,995/pair) and Cinnamon Malabar VLF sub ($15,995) were also US debuts.
The US debuts continued hot and heavy in Room 323: The new SW1X SUT II step-up transformer ($9048), SW1X LPU IV Special phono stage ($30,301), and SW1X AMP IV Special integrated amplifier ($20,507).
Room 323 had a TW Acustic Raven GT2 turntable ($12,500) and TW Acustic Raven 10.5 tonearm ($6000); here, too, the cartridge was a Fuuga MC. The Fuuga played into a SW1X PRE III Classic preamplifier ($28,041) and Wolf von Langa SON loudspeakers ($21,995/pair).
Russia-made Tchernov cables were used in both rooms.
The Gestalt Fine Audio system in 323 showcased its versatility by nailing three distinct soundscapes: the tonal splendor of Miles Davis's trumpet on Cannonball Adderley's "Autumn Leaves"; the drenched-in-blues atmosphere and gritty definition of John Lee Hooker's The Healer; and the polite, controlled reproduction of Donald Byrd's "Hush."
Gestalt also presented the North American debut of the SW1X DAC V Classic in the Monroe ballroom.
Room 325 brought the PrimaryControl Kinea II turntable ($24,995) with the same company's Field Coil Loaded tonearm ($34,995). SUT and phono stage were by Cinnamon Galle ($8250 and $32,995, respectively. The cartridge was a Fuuga MC ($10,995).
A SW1X Audio Design provided amplification: PRE V Signature line stage ($83,041, a US debut) and SW1X Audio Design MPA V Special power amps ($37,836/each). Those Cinnamon Cassia loudspeakers ($54,995/pair) and Cinnamon Malabar VLF sub ($15,995) were also US debuts.
Room 323 had a TW Acustic Raven GT2 turntable ($12,500) and TW Acustic Raven 10.5 tonearm ($6000); here, too, the cartridge was a Fuuga MC. The Fuuga played into a SW1X PRE III Classic preamplifier ($28,041) and Wolf von Langa SON loudspeakers ($21,995/pair).
Russia-made Tchernov cables were used in both rooms.
The Gestalt Fine Audio system in 323 showcased its versatility by nailing three distinct soundscapes: the tonal splendor of Miles Davis's trumpet on Cannonball Adderley's "Autumn Leaves"; the drenched-in-blues atmosphere and gritty definition of John Lee Hooker's The Healer; and the polite, controlled reproduction of Donald Byrd's "Hush."
Gestalt also presented the North American debut of the SW1X DAC V Classic in the Monroe ballroom.
