Genesis.One

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (i5, 256GB SSD, 40GB RAM, Sonoma 14), 4TB external SSD with Thunderbolt 3, Audirvana Studio, Qobuz Sublime, Singxer SU-6 USB bridge, LHY Audio SW-8 & SW-6 switch, Laiv Audio Harmony; Active filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Power amplifiers: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos & Gold Note monos on subwoofer; Headamp: Enleum AMP-23R; Phones: Raal 1995 Immanis, HifiMan Susvara; Loudspeakers: Qualio IQ [on loan] Cables: Kinki Studio Earth, Furutech; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra on all source components, Vibex One 11R on amps, Furutech DPS-4.1 between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, LessLoss Firewall for loudspeakers, Furutech NCF Signal Boosters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat; Room treatment: 2 x PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass traps
2nd system: Source: FiiO R7 into Soundaware D300Ref SD transport to Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe; Preamp/filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Amplifier: Kinki Studio EX-M7; Headamp: Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Loudspeakers: MonAcoustic SuperMon Mini + Dynaudio S18 sub; Power delivery: Furutech GTO 2D NCF, Akiko Audio Corelli; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Audioquest Fog Lifters; Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z230 work station Win10/64; USB bridge: Singxer SU-2; DAC: Sonnet Pasithea; Headamp: Kinki Studio THR-1; Speaker amp: Crayon CFA-1.2; Speakers: Acelec Model One Headphones: Final D-8000 & Sonorous X, Audeze LCD-XC, Raal-Requisite SR1a on Schiit Jotunheim R
Upstairs headfi system: FiiO R7, COS Engineering D1, Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Headphones: Raal 1995 Magna, Meze 109 Pro, Fiio FT3
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe; Loudspeakers: Zu Soul VI; Subwoofer: Zu Submission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: TBA

Fall 2024. "The first 20 circuit boards are assembled. The housing production is in the starting blocks. I then have to write code to bring that thing to life. Only then will we see whether my idea really sounds the way I imagined. I think this DAC will be available for purchase by the end of this year. Vince wants to appear at October trade fairs with it. But I'm sceptical. I don't know if I can program it that quickly. I've also been tasked with designing a cost-effective version. Work upon work. You'll be the first to know anyway. Vince wants to send you the DAC to test. That was clear from the start!"

That was Roland Krammer, former head engineer at Austria's Crayon Audio. Years ago he'd moved back to Romania's Bucharest. He now works as contract engineer with Canada's hifi distributor Vince Saw of Red Dot Audio. Obviously Vince still represents Crayon. It's the core of their connection. And, Roland's original CFA.1-2 has long been one of my favourite mid-power amplifiers. So I kept tabs on the man who designed it. When it became apparent that Crayon had stopped introducing new product, I hoped that it didn't signify the end of Roland's career. I then learnt that he'd found a new home. At lazy intervals I learnt of progress with that collaboration. Finally the first new Krammer product was 'round the bend. If Roland engineered it, I needed to hear it. Thankfully my name was in the sorting hat.

This time it's a D/A converter, not current-feedback amplifier. A few hours after Roland's latest email, reader Peter B. checked in. "… last year I was in contact with Roland Krammer who told me that he and my friend Vince are collaborating on a new DAC. Now it's my understanding that it's gone into production. Do you know anything about it?" The hifi rumour mill was printing premature bills already but the currency was solid. With my enthusiasm for the earlier amp, I expected a sterling exchange rate on performance despite the notoriously weak Canadian $ against the €uro. Speaking more to this is Vince's taste in hardware imports. Those tick off 6moons stalwarts Cube Audio, Enleum and sound|kaos. His big digital brand is Playback Designs by DSD guru Andreas Koch. On what price branch would this collab with Roland position? Vince's champagne tastes in DACs probably don't leave much room for beer-budget concessions? If I read these cards right, Roland feels no pressure. None.

… to be continued…