Margules i-240 integrated and MS-01 prototype server meet Raidho's TD3.2 speakers, RSX Tech and DH Labs cabling and more
AV Luxury Group International, based in Las Vegas, unveiled a system that stood out for its speed, openness, and impressive range of colors. A case in point: O-Zone Percussion Group's "Jazz Variants," that did a fine job of evoking the system's well-controlled deep bass and striking highs.
Margules, Raidho, and Shunyata Shine
In their second, considerably larger room at the Long Beach Show, AV Luxury Group International pulled out all the stops. Immediately catching eye and ear were Raidho Acoustics TD 3.8 3-way loudspeakers in Walnut finish ($117,000/pair). With a nominal impedance of 6 ohms, these babies can throw a huge, enveloping soundstage from as little as 50Wpc amplification.
Mark Hollis 1955–2019
The news broke on Facebook yesterday that Mark Hollis had died, aged just 64. I was late to appreciate Hollis's work, including his extraordinary solo album from 1998 (above). But since Stephen Mejias turned me on to him, Mark Hollis's music, both solo and with the band Talk Talk, has been in heavy rotation. (You can find my review of Talk Talk's final album, Laughing Stock, herescroll down the page.) Fellow fan, Michael Vamos of distributor Audio Skies, asked if he could share some thoughts.
Mark Levinson Leaves Cello, Forms New Company
High-end audio legend Mark Levinson has departed Cello Film and Music Systems, the company he founded 15 years ago, and has formed a new business, Red Rose Music. The new company will break all performance barriers with both affordable and cost-no-object audio equipment, Levinson stated last week, and is already registered as a new business with the state of New York.
Mark Levinson Sponsors Sir Paul
For all of the audiophiles who lament that the industry is simply preaching to the converted, Harman International's Mark Levinson® brand has a response: Wait'll you get a load of this.
Marsalis Family Creates New Label
Branford Marsalis is unhappy with the music industry. Unlike many of his colleagues, he intends to do something about it.
Marten at AXPONA 2026
At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Marten Global Sales Manager Martin Dunhoff about the company's latest offering, the new $500K Marten Coltrane Quintet Extreme loudspeakers.
Marten Mingus Quintet 2 loudspeaker, Jorma Power Filter and Statement cabling, and MSB M550 monoblocks
Ease was the order of the day in the Marten/Jorma room. Soprano Anna Moffo sounded just lovely, with superb air and open soundstaging, on an LP of her singing the "Jewel Song" from Gounod's Faust. Ditto for pianist Byron Janis, whose superb-sounding recording of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto graced a prized Mercury Living Presence LP. Deserving of honor was Swedish manufacturer Marten's new Mingus Quintet 2 loudspeakers (62,000/pair, equivalent to US$66,100). This replacement for the original Mingus Quintet boasts a new midrange driver, lower distortion, higher sensitivity, a new crossover, and a less resonant cabinet than the previous model.
MartinLogan CLX Art at Audio Advice
MartinLogan's Truth in Sound Tour makes a stop at Audio Advice in Pineville, North Carolina.
MartinLogan in 100 New Locations
An expanded alliance between one of the High End's most respected speaker manufacturers and one of the most aggressive upscale retailers should bode well for both partners—and for music lovers nationwide.