As a frequent visitor to the High Water Sound rooms of Jeffrey Catalano, I know to look at the records even before I look at the rig. Catalano always brings records I don't know but must own after hearing them in his room.
Catalano's records at CAF included variants on jazz, electronic, and world beat such as Jazzanova's Mixing, Simon Popp's Trio, Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet's Live Spirit I, the Paul Brändle Trio's Paul, Rick & River, Casimir Liberski's The Legend of Zelda, and H.A.N.K.'s The Big Melt.
Catalano's gear is usually fascinating, too. He brought two US debuts to CAF, including a new idler-drive turntable, the Torqueo Audio Exclusive, which is made in Italy ($25,000). The Controllo Limited X power supply is $10,000. The Glanz MH-1200S tonearm ($28,463) was supplied with various Ortofon SPU cartridges, their low output stepped up with an Ortofon SUT-T100.
The room also presented Zeiler Audio products: the PR-01 preamplifier, PA-01 amplifier, and the US debut of the SP-01 loudspeaker. Cabling was from Dalby Audio, Stein Music, and Furutech.
About that turntable. "The design of the mechanics is the result of 3 years of research and meticulous testing," the Torqueo website notes. "All mechanical and structural parts originate from CAD design and are crafted using bronze, non-magnetic stainless steel AISI 316, brass CuZn19Sn, and a high-quality aluminum alloy (Ergal). These components are machined by CNC and laser equipment with extremely tight tolerances. The meticulous calibration of all parts allows for very high precision of movement and near-silent operation."
Those debut loudspeakers? "The ported Zeiler Audio SP-01 loudspeaker is a high-efficiency, single-point-source design, using a pro audio 15" neodymium coaxial driver with a glass-fiber-reinforced paper cone, with an elliptical 80 x 60° wave-guide providing directivity, seamless coherence and great dynamic range," the website says. "With a minimum impedance of 8 ohms and 97dB efficiency, the SP-01 is an easy load for any amplifier."
This system was coherent, energized, and very engaging, drawing life-force and fire from Catalano's records. The speakers barely crack 80 pounds. Maybe they have a future as a Stereophile review subject.
Catalano's gear is usually fascinating, too. He brought two US debuts to CAF, including a new idler-drive turntable, the Torqueo Audio Exclusive, which is made in Italy ($25,000). The Controllo Limited X power supply is $10,000. The Glanz MH-1200S tonearm ($28,463) was supplied with various Ortofon SPU cartridges, their low output stepped up with an Ortofon SUT-T100.
Those debut loudspeakers? "The ported Zeiler Audio SP-01 loudspeaker is a high-efficiency, single-point-source design, using a pro audio 15" neodymium coaxial driver with a glass-fiber-reinforced paper cone, with an elliptical 80 x 60° wave-guide providing directivity, seamless coherence and great dynamic range," the website says. "With a minimum impedance of 8 ohms and 97dB efficiency, the SP-01 is an easy load for any amplifier."
