This review page is supported in part by the sponsors whose ad banners are displayed below
Charisma Audio was attracting good traffic with their new Audio Exklusiv line of electronics and the Capriccio Continuo Admonitor speakers from Italy. The new highly anticipated Calyx DAC was also on hand to support the digital front end and the Well Tempered combination was serving the analog side. Kick and a transparent refinement which combined with a touch of tube magic brought smiles to the audience. This was one of those systems that could easily play to perfection in a room of real-world size.


Bernard Li of Charisma Audio



The Italian ATD Z3 mid/woofer and elliptical crossover from Joseph Szall showed up in the original Magico Mini and the driver is currently also used by Volent of Hong Kong. The tweeter is a Hiquphon.



Ovation Audio brought out their Thiel CS2.4 and Electrocompaniet Electronics to room-melting effect. Scheu Analog and Benz did the analog honours. When one sat to listen, the room disappeared. Isn’t that what all systems should do?



Toronto Home of the Audiophile pulled out some heavyweight components to energize the room with authority. There was PS Audio, Pass Labs and the Gershman Acoustics Black Swans speakers. State-of-the-art contenders showed why they deserve such high regard. Lavish high-pedigree sound impressed with power and a touch of delicacy. There were also personal touches one enjoys with these affairs. Mrs. Gershman was on hand as were her children who offered up product pamphlets. Truly a family business.



Tash Goka of Reference 3A, another Canadian manufacturer, paired their much praised Grand Veena loudspeakers with the Antique Labs Hurricane amplifiers and a Copland CD player. Analog was also on hand with a Van den Hul Frog front end. Playing in a large room, it showed off as big, bold and majestic.


Tash Goka next to agolden muRata piezo super tweeter.