stillpoints

AXPONA 2017: Bricasti Design goes network

May 11, 2017

Brian Zolner of Bricasti Design is on something of a tear. Last year at AXPONA, Zolner introduced a new stereo amplifier and a new preamp/DAC — the latter earned a Best-in-Show nod. This year, to continue the roll out schedule, Zolner has [...]

Capital Audiofest 2016: DSA amplifies their approach

August 14, 2016

DSA stands for Dynamic Sounds Associates, but they might as well call themselves Dat is Super Awesome. Hmm. Okay. Welp, that’s probably why I never got anywhere as a marketing professional. Oh well. Never mind. At CAF this year, DSA brought [...]

Capital Audiofest 2016: Because Tidal, enough said

August 9, 2016

I was told, years ago, that there were certain expectations that were completely legitimate to cling to. Horns have a certain sound to them, for example. As do triodes. And panel speakers. And ceramic drivers. The problem, perhaps obvious giving the [...]

Newport 2016: Merrill Audio, German Physiks, VPI delivers!

July 3, 2016

It was late in the day, and I returned again to the fabulous Merrill Audio room at T.H.E. Show 2016. Merrill Wettasinghe dropped the needle on a VPI Avenger Signature turntable, and I could watch the smiles appear across the room. “Hey, why am [...]

AXPONA 2016: The Voice That Is presents TIDAL, Bricasti, Aurender

April 16, 2016

In terms of raw sex appeal, an early winner from AXPONA featured a full set of electronics and loudspeakers from TIDAL Audio out of Germany. Pools of liquid ink have been captured and somehow suspended in semi-solid forms; casework with glittering [...]

Newport 2015: Stillpoints and Exemplar Audio

June 16, 2015

Now this was fun. “Show Conditions” don’t usually offer the chance to listen to gear that was recently living in your house, but the tenth floor room shared by Stillpoints and Exemplar Audio offered just that — with a source [...]

High End 2015: Vitus Audio

June 14, 2015

I’ve been using some Vitus Audio Reference electronics in my reference system for some time now, mainly on the recommendation of a friend and long-time dealer, Doug White at The Voice That Is. I’ve been very impressed with Hans-Ole [...]

AXPONA 2015: The Voice That Is, with TIDAL, Bricasti, Aurender, Purist Audio Design, Silver Circle

May 16, 2015

Doug White of The Voice That Is built a gorgeous system around the TIDAL Contriva GS speakers ($69,690 as shown), easily the best looking speakers at the show. Note that this speaker is also a complete reworking of the Contriva Diacera SE [...]

CES 2015: E.A.R. and Hansen at Wes Bender Studios

January 12, 2015

There are more than few vendors that are quite content to let me know where I stand on the evolutionary scale, though Wes Bender is one of the very few that tends to make me laugh about it. Usually, the issue tends to be the absurd camera I tote [...]

CAF 2014: Bricasti Design brings catapults, hurls insults at poor quality audio

July 31, 2014

Brian Zolner of Bricasti Design has a good reason to be smiling. His new under $30k/pair (est.) 200wpc M28 mono amplifiers are simply outstanding. His M1 DAC has been sitting on top of the A+ Recommended Components List at Stereophile since its [...]