DECEMBER 2023
Another year has almost flown by, and it is hard to believe that nothing has been said on these pages since Spring and the inaugural Deluxe Audio Show at the Whittlebury Hall back in March.
Usual inertia and an embedded element of laziness (lame excuse of too many years in the business combined with "late age" will not get me very far, I know) were the main reason for this inexcusable and, for no real reason, negligence. Being one of those who detests apologies in hindsight more than words can tell, I shall not even try...and, instead, do my (true) best to improve. There is always something to say, some news to share, some experience and newly acquired knowledge to offer for your consideration. Even new products do turn up from time time! Ergo, no valid reason to stay totally silent in this day and age of so much over-presence and bullying pressures sent down our throats through all and sundry 'social media' weaponry.
So, what did happen since Spring in and around the modest Audiofreaks universe? To begin with, I did my usual pilgrimage to the opening (trade) day of the High-End 2023 event in Munich. As every year, numerous halls of the MOC complex were filled up to (almost) a hilt with a countless number of new products of all kind, which accompanied most established manufacturers that keep coming to Munich year after year. As I have said for long, it continues to amaze me and, at the same time, escapes my wildest imagination, the very intent and purpose of so many new brands and products!!!??? Most of which, in all probability, rarely if ever, go into production and fall into oblivion before having had a chance to life for some years. Let us not forget - a substantial capital input is required for any new single or multiple high-end audio product line to make the journey from a mere idea to the finished commodity. Heaven knows where that money comes from to be spent within the realms of (realistically) ever diminishing high-end audio playground. It is, of course, always possible there are still quite a few of those whose profits are in desperate need of 'expenses' (losses?) in favour of a more palatable annual tax bill...
Sadly, not many of Audiofreaks principals were exhibiting in Munich with the bright exceptions of Cardas Audio and finite elemente. One of my best lifetime friends, Franc Kuzma od KUZMA analogue components was not just exhibiting in his usual, elegant (static display) fashion, but also celebrating 40 years since the inception of the business.
As 2023 unfolded, a small selection of new products happened, and enriched the respective model collections of their makers. finite elemente started delivering the pagode Signature mkII equipment supports and conrad-johnson added the ART PHONO preamplifier as a natural partner to the ART88 line stage (presented in 2022).
Those who have not reached the production or shipping stage with new developments, but were getting closer to the finish line, were: Zanden Audio Sytems (a new 16-bit DAC with R2R technology and many other innovative solutions, also a new small phono preamplifier), Audiobyte (a complete new Hydra range with much improved aesthetics and performance with individual internal power supplies), Rockna Audio (an absolute state of the art Wavedream DAC and, possibly even an integrated CD player), while I have reason to believe that brains behind Cardas Audio never sleep and, apart from the ongoing refinements of existing designs whenever possible, there may be a few new things to speak about in 2024.
Speaking about new products it somehow connects naturally to a few observations about the state of global and UK high-end audio market. Audiofreaks' manufacturers never belonged to those who felt they must have a new product every few months or sooner. Consequently, I am delighted to see new products only as and when they really are new or, at least, refreshed enough to bring an indisputably superior sonic performance that can be verified without any difficulty.
I may be wrong, but I have an increasingly strong feeling that, just like within most societies around the world, we live in an era of "middle class disappearance". Talking about middle class in social terms is almost as simple or difficult as discussing the "broad midrange" in reproduction of recorded music. Why? Because it represents the vast majority of what matters and what constitutes the foundation and main pillar of the entire spectrum, if you like. There is no healthy society without a thriving, strong middle class. Likewise, without a good sounding broad midrange (where almost all relevant music information and sounds come from anyway) there is no crucial essence of a good sound.
There seems to be an increasing degree of polarisation towards the extremes these days, which comes as no surprise bearing in mind the global economic and political trends and changes taking place day after day. It is my impression that there is a commendable increase in sales of extremely expensive high-end audio components and systems (and I do mean EXPENSIVE) on one, and true budget counterparts on the other end of the scale. I am not sure how much good or bad that brings - those making obscenely expensive components should be content as they need fewer buyers in total for the same reward. But, the opposite end requires bigger and bigger volume, which also means more and more customers who have or will buy...not sure how easy that may be to make happen. The only true consolation for both sides is that the ultimate quality of their respective creations does seem to give more and more 'sound for the money'. Where does that leave everyone else making true high-end products? Hard to tell and, for sure, 2024 will show the real situation even more truthfully and realistically, with my sincere hope not to be for worse.
Audiofreaks products continued to enjoy complimentary press both in the UK and internationally from all the brands who had something new to offer for scrutiny. Only a few days ago, hifi+ magazine in the UK announced their 2023 Annual Awards and I am pleased and honoured to mention finite elemente pagode Signature mkII, conrad-johnson ART88 and ART PHONO preamplifiers, as well as the Karan Acoustics Master Collection PHONOb preamplifier and POWERb STEREO amplifier to have been singled out as those worthy of such an accolade.
As far as in-house activities and projects go, 2023 was another educational and interesting year. It has now been 18 months since Wilson Audio Alexx V loudspeakers replaced the brilliant Sasha DAW I thoroughly enjoyed for a full year beforehand. And, I have to say, the learning process has been (and still is) very complex and demanding. While my long-standing beliefs in no loudspeaker being ever too big or an amplifier too powerful remain as solid as ever, having the Alexx V in the same acoustic environment where Sasha DAW were, proved to be a serious challenge. There was (and still is) no question about their substantial superiority in every imaginable aspect of sound in general, but to get the most out of such a sophisticated and responsive (to even slightest changes) design, is a monumental, long-standing task. The fact one cannot even move such heavy objects without additional help (let alone not in tiny increments required), does not help. But, the incremental reward with every step of the process, are so easy to perceive that it easily justifies all the effort. I am still at least 20-30% away from what I would like to think is the best achievable... What I am hearing from the Alexx V day after day is already so pleasing, that the remaining effort required to "cook them to perfection" is neither daunting nor tiring. Whilst on the subject of Wilson Audio, I have to say I am very, very curious about the new Sasha V released a few months ago - one wonders what and how much could be improved on an already comprehensively accomplished predecessor? Apparently quite a lot - I will tell you more in 2024.
Another area of audiophile exploration worth mentioning is related to tuning devices designed by Frank Tchang under the brand name Audio Systems International. As someone who has been closely involved with Harmonix and Shun Mook Audio (two leading names from the resonance tuning world) products over the years, I have to say ASI tuning devices are at least as powerful, positively influential, and beneficial in every listening room and with any type of a single audio component or a complete audio system. Without trying to gain any depth of understanding of how they work and what may be the principle behind (Frank Tchang very patiently tried to enlighten me to the maximum of my abilities), I am pleased to report that ASI tuning devices have transformed the overall tonal balance and, even more importantly to me, the ability of my complete system to present an ultra-natural and properly developed soundstage in all three (3) planes! I have never heard such a degree of natural and palpable holography in my listening room before. And I am not even halfway down the road of all the treatments Frank directed me to do.
It may be a completely wrong time to do so, but I was really pleased when, after my initial experiments, Audiofreaks has become the current sole UK distributor of Audio Systems International products. If you find it not too hard to consider believing, read all you can about ASI devices on the web and gain courage to try the simplest "starter kit" - you will not be disappointed.
As a fitting final paragraph, I would like to mention that 2023 gave me a LOT of wonderful MUSIC, both live and recorded. For another year, I was lucky to have been able to visit several opera houses (ROH, Glyndebourne, Vienna, Zurich among others) and recharged myself with the inimitable nature of a natural, "live" sound of human voices and musical instruments. Also, my LP and CD collection grew respectably, too. Not so many new recordings of classical music (that has stopped some years ago, sadly), but those released were a welcome addition in terms of new artists or new interpretations. The most pleasant surprise was, however, a constantly increasing number of LPs on offer - both as new recording and intelligent re-issues with competently remastered works from original analogue recordings and/or tapes. Looking forward to more of the same in 2024. We are, after all, in this for the MUSIC, aren't we?
As always for the past 35 years, allow me to thank You for keeping Audiofreaks alive in 2023 with your continued support and patronage. I wish we (all) had not lost so much of the Continental Europe enthusiasts and friends over the past couple of years (thank you, Brexit), but the core remains faithful, loyal and, above all, kind, and human. I wish everyone joyful and entertaining Season's Holidays with lots of good health and happiness in the New Year 2024.
