Hi-Fi+ is a fun English audio mag to read. They cover Euro gear much more closely than we do so there are many “cottage industry” companies to follow. In the Dec 2021 issue they handed out some awards. Let’s go!

Disc Players

They like the Gryphon Ethos for a mere $41k. They like the Accuphase for $14k. They’re both beautiful, and I’m sure very good. Both use Sabre chips.

I will put the Marantz SACD30n ($3K) up against either one of them, head to head! The Marantz is built with its own transport and NON DAC chip design, in its own factory in Japan. You can do better than Sabre chips and at a lot less money.

New for us are the phenomenal Atoll CD players. CD80 Signature is $1750 and my favorite CD value in the biz. It is within spitting distance of the Marantz for $1250 less. It uses Burr Brown DACs with no negative feedback. It runs dual transformers, lots of filter caps and has a rich, burnished sound. I love CDs and CD80Sig is as good a buy as there is – built in France with 3 year warranty.

Turntables

They like the Kuzma XL Air for a paltry $35k. It is one weird looking contraption. Good luck getting it set up right.

I will take the MoFi UltraDeck+ for $2500. It is built in Ann Arbor like a brick outhouse and features MoFi’s Master Tracker cart- literally the best tracker we’ve ever had in the house.

Cartridge

They like the EMT JSD Pure Black for $5k. That’s downright cheap for a cart reviewed in this mag.

I want the afore mentioned MoFi Master Tracker for $800. You don’t need a headamp and it is the best tracker we’ve ever found.

DAC

They like the Ideon Audio Absolute for $42k. This uses “custom” Sabre chips. OH?

I’ll take the Bryston BDA-3. At $3400 it competes with any DAC at any price and you have Bryston in your corner vs… anyone else! We also have the Atoll DAC100 for a grand. It’s unassuming physically but sounds great with 24/192, running BB DACs with no negative feedback. It sounds clean and warm, not stark.

Streamer

They like the Aqua Lin Q streamer for $6600. It’s cute and I’m sure it sounds good.

I will gladly sing from the roof top that you should buy the Bluesound Node for $550. We have learned that the MACHINE you buy is just the start to streaming. You need massive support behind the curtain and NAD/Bluesound is an INTERNATIONAL company and has proven it can do so, as it has been doing this for many years. And just WHO is Aqua?

You can run the Node analog out, or interface with your favorite DAC- which means the streamer just streams. You don’t have to pay more.

Server

They like the Taiko for $36k.

I don’t want ANY server. It’s a waste of time and money. For music you can’t stream, get off your lazy fanny and play the SACD/CD or LP. How lazy are you that you’ll pay many thousands and spend hours fiddle futzing with a server with biffed up metadata?

Integrated Amp

They have several price ranges represented. Good for them! They like the Constellation Inspiration ($14k, 100×2).

Please strongly consider Atoll’s IN300 Signature ($4500, 150×2). This incredible integrated sounds better than anything coming from China due to a PAIR of ballsy, dual toroidal transformers and huge filter caps- along with MATCHED MOSFET transistors. It has a dynamite DAC built in and sounds more dynamic and powerful than NAD or the other Chinese alternatives.

Preamp

They like the Robert Koda for $80K. Sure looks nice.

I will put the Bryston BR-20 ($6,800) with built in DAC up against it, head to head, with no fear of the price discrepancy. And remember, Bryston gives you a 20 year warranty. Or you might buy the incredible Atoll PR200 for $1500. It’s the best value in an audiophile preamp out there.

Phono Preamp

They like the Hegel V10 for $1650.

So do I! It’s an awesome, discrete, edge of the art product! A good alternative for $700 is the Atoll PH100 for $700. We’ve sold it for MM and MC use. It’s a home run for either range of carts.

Power Amp

They like the ARC 80S, $15k, 70×2- but at 1% THD. That is clipping! So you get, what, about 50×2 in a tube amp with ghost meters. What’s that? If you’re gonna do meters, speak up like Mac!

I absolutely love the Atoll AM100 ($1500, 100×2), AM200 ($2200, 120×2), AM300 ($3900, 150×2 or 500w mono). The Atolls have monster dual transformers with huge banks of filter caps. They sound warmer, richer and provide more impactful bass than even the NADs, which have been our fave bargain amps for years.

Stand Mount Speakers

They like the Amphion Argon 3S for $3k per pair.

So do I. It’s warm and musical. But it’s not heavy in the bass or tough. If you want that, please get the Atohm GT! ($4500). The GT-1 will knock you on your arse with bass, power and better detail and imaging than anything similarly priced.

Floor Standing Speakers

They like the PMC 6.5 inch 3-way for $12k. Looks cute and lean.

I’ll take the Bryston A1, $5000pr or A2, $4000pr.The Brystons have uber powerful bass and dynamics. They make the cutie Euro speakers sound like sissies- and the warranty is 20 years!

Subwoofer

They like the PureLow LO sub, a peculiar goofazoid sub for only $47k.

I like the JL Audio Fathom 110v2, $4k. With no apologies, F110 will compete with any sub out there at any price.

System

They like the NAD M10v2 with PSB Alpha T20 speakers, $3600. Nice value.

But I will take Atoll’s SDA200 for $4300 with Bryston Mini As for $1665. You get a legit 3 way and real bass for your money. The French built Atoll makes the Chinese NAD sound like a pocket of loose change.

Headphone Amp

They like McIntosh MHA200, $2500.

I do too!

Headphones

They like the T&A Solitaire, $4k. I’m sure it’s nice.

But I’ll take the Grado RS1x, $750 per pair, with wood cups. Made in the US, they sound warm and full.

Interconnects

They like the Vertere Redline, $800 1m.

I like the Kimber Carbon, $576. With Carbon/Teflon blend, the Carbon is more dynamic than any cable I’ve heard!

Speaker Cables

They like the Ansuz D2, $18k for a pair of 6’ runs.

I like the Kimber Carbon 16, $2280 for a pair of 6’ runs. With its Carbon/Teflon blend, you get detail and dynamics second to none.

Power Cables

They like the Tellurium Q silver for $2200, I’m sure it’s nice.

I’ll take the Isotek Initium, $175, nickel pins with poly dielectric- tough to beat!

Can We Get Real?

I like to chide the mags for pumping gear that’s crazy expensive- because I work with people who work for a living and want a dollar’s worth of performance for a dollar spent. That’s what Audio Emporium is all about. If you think that’s a good formula, please consider doing business with us.