New York Audio Show Report 2015
Show Report By Rick Jensen

Elija Budd Room — Lawrence Audio
I spent a good amount of time relaxing and enjoying simple and elegant presentation of Lawrence Audio (of Taiwan) speakers, driven by a brand-new Jeff Rowland Design integrated amp. The Bryson BDP-2 that supplied the music was hidden behind the screens at the rear, so all one saw were the Lawrence Double Bass speakers ($28,000/pr) and the Rowland Daemon amp ($39,000) (connected by some very nice MG Audio Design cables). The sound was big and effortless, as well it might be: the Daemon (1500 wpc) wasn't even breathing hard. I had not heard the Lawrence speakers before and was very impressed. Beautifully finished, they are indeed shaped like large stringed basses (the others in the line are the Cello at $18,000 and the Violin), with the baffle logically getting narrower at the top. The Daemon, finished in a burnished gold, is also a looker. It has a touch screen for all functions that can also be governed by a remote app via Bluetooth. It would be fascinating to spend more time with this system, where the components seemed well matched.

Room 5001 — Teresonic / AMG
I did not get to see Mike Zivkovic, the head of Teresonic, who was out while I visited the room. But Miles Dabic, who designs all the Teresonic equipment and who brims with enthusiasm for everything that makes music sound better, gave me the rundown on their products. The all-analog presentation was very impressive and testifies to the purist approach of the team. Minimal signal path, high efficiency, all tube amplification are all hallmarks of the company philosophy and practice. The tall, curved IngeniumXR speakers ($19,985/pr) are very musical and natural. Efficiency is specified at 104dB/W/m via the single driver. Indeed, they were powered by the Reference 2A amplifier ($15,000), and its 2.5 watts had no trouble driving the big Ingeniums. The bulletproof and elegant AMG Giro turntable with 9W2 tonearm ($10,000) supplied the music via a Musical Surroundings NOVA II phono stage. AMG's Teatro Ccrtridge was mounted to the Giro turntable ($2750), with Teresonic cables completing the array. Also present were the smaller and still efficient Magus speakers, yet I only was able to listen to the Ingeniums, about which I have no regrets at all. Excellent sound.

Room 5007 — Vinnie Rossi Audio / Volti Audio / Triode Wire Labs
While I was there, the stars of the show in Room 5007 were the records spinning on the Palmer 2.5 turntable. And isn't that as it should be? The incredibly knowledgeable Al Pryor of Mack Avenue Records played two LPs by Cécile McLorin Salvant almost in their entirety: no one left the room. I rushed out to buy the LPs immediately afterward. That is not to denigrate the equipment in the room; after all, it had a key role in what we heard. Vinnie Rossi showed off his LIO modular-do-everything front end ($6,775 with DAC and phono stage at the show) and VR-120 MOSFET amplifier ($4,995). With the Volti Audio Vittora horns, calling on the spirit of Paul Klipsch, it all made for wonderful music that impressed with the sense of space (not always easy in show conditions). Triode Wire cables linked it all together: while one cannot discern the sound of anything with accuracy in a quick listen, these cables are nicely made and quite affordable in high end terms. Another room where I could have spent a lot of time if it were possible. Tanks everyone for a fun, small show and look forward to attending the New York Audio Show next year!

---> Back to New York Audio Show 2015 report homepage.