Ken Micallef

Volti Audio’s New Benchmark: The Vittora

Volti Audio’s Greg Roberts debuted his new Vittora Loudspeaker System ($50,000). It is the latest version of the horn-loaded system Art Dudley reviewed in September, 2013. The new Vittora system included the two main, birch-ply speakers (104dB at nominal 8 ohms, 50Hz-20k), two Extended Low Frequency ELF12 cabinets (with 12" sub drivers), one ELFpre preamp, and two ELFamp amplifiers (500W each). Alternately, customers can order two ELF18 cabinets (which include an 18" driver).
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Aurorasound HFSA-01 integrated amplifier

Audiophiles are often misunderstood as mere hobbyists; in fact they hold a profound reverence for sound. Japanese jazz kissas, where vintage vinyl, turntables, tube amplifiers, and horn speakers have drawn audiences since the 1950s, exemplify this passion. Western audiophiles share a similar fervor, though our pursuit of sonic perfection often manifests in a more discreet, almost monastic, lifestyle.

Shinobu Karaki, a 65-year-old electronics designer, is the founder and chief designer of Japan's Aurorasound. A music lover first, an audiophile second, and an aspiring jazz and classical guitarist, Karaki crafts phono stages, step-up transformers, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and integrated amplifiers for his Yokohama-based audio company.

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Sonic Awakening: House of Stereo, Steinheim, T+A, Wolf Audio Systems, Synergistic Research

Located directly across from my berth 444, I fell out of my room and into 445, knowing not what was in there. I spied the handsome profile of Nexus Audio Technologies’ Walter Schofield, seated alone on a single padded chair, closely appraising a system of his own making. I grabbed a couple of donuts, poured myself a cup of Joe, and asked Walter to fill me in. He came out of his trance. “Ken!”
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