HiFi I didn’t buy in 2023, but wanted.

At $1.1 million USD, the Borreson M6 Loudspeakers, Aavik C-880 Control Amp, Ansuz cables, & Aavik P-880 Power Amp practically do not make my list, but WOW!

This list is limited to gear that is practically affordable, and at $11k the Borreson X3 loudspeaker fits that bill. Psyphonyx Audio wants the X3 more that I, so …

Two speakers competing at $3k/set make the list; MoFi SourcePoint 8 and Clayton Shaw Acoustic Labs open baffle Caladan. Nemo Propaganda advises, before you purchase a new component, know your plan and why you are upgrading.

The SP8 is a new dual concentric speaker designed by Andrew Jones that performs amazingly in the MidFi and HighFi space, but as a Tannoy owner the SP8 don’t offer enough change to change. Read about my Tannoy journey here.

Contrarily, I’ve listened to very few open baffle loudspeakers and my experience with the Spacial Audio Labs Q6 dipole was evidence that open baffles offer vast sonic diversity to justify a purchase.

There were many speakers which caught my eye in 2023, OGY, 8MM, etc.

When John Darko talks about something I want it!

Add to the list, Shanling’s ET3 CD transport; the whole design is as ritualistic and tactile as spinning vinyl. I love physical media, compact disk collections and currently playing CDs through an old school Panasonic DVD player. Would the Shanling transport really make a sonic difference? Hmmm, I don’t know, but it’s new and cool.

Forget about the gear, if your room sucks, or reflects, then you can’t correct that with great gear — but great gear matters.

Add to this list John Hunter Acoustics 24x48x4” $160 acoustic panels. Very small acoustic control changes can impact sound dramatically, and for that reason I choose eight JHA panels, modular to move around; add $149 to each panel to create gobos. Acoustic Science Corp from Eugene OR makes great treatments aslo.

I would like to hear Ron’s thoughts at New Record Day about Dennis Folly at Acoustic fields. Dennis often bashes mineral wool absorption, I wonder what Ron would say?

There is one amp to rule the Elac BS403s, and that is the Naim Uniti Atom. There has been no other amp to drive these like the Naim Uniti has done.

I’ve seen and heard Allnic gear in the flesh and blood, they make beautiful stuff and the T-2000 integrated amplifier made my list.

Measurements matter and tuning is worth a solid investment of a Mini DSP or JL Audio Max-Kit.

Microphones! When Ron Bruneh published his review of the Caladan and gave full disclosure to the Earthworks QTC 30 stereo microphones, I knew immediately that I need a set.

IsoAcoustic decoupling stands, yeah, they’re cool and hyped, and would be cool under stereo JL Audio E112 subs, but let’s look at Norman Varney’s Equipment Vibration Protectors. Joseph Audio knows that EVPs work. Norman is extremely knowledgeable.

What Did I Buy?

What Did I Buy?

For four defining reasons at $10k the Black Ocean Audio [M] Stack will enter my system in early 2024:

As a brand ambassador for Black Ocean Audio, I understand the value, quality, and passion offered by owner and musician Nick Tarnofsky. James Dasteel of Reference Components in Santa Monica CA knows that real wood construction matters, it creates sonic realness. The [M] Stack has Ultra resolution. When you experience the [M] Stack in person, feel the construction, knock on the cabinets, and listen, they create an emotional connection balanced with the human connection being part of BOA.