Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show Report
Florida Audio Expo 2020 Show In Tampa, Florida.

Gershman Acoustics, exaSound, VAC, And Nordost Cables
Report By Frank Garofalo

  Gershman Acoustics was showcasing their new Grand Studio II loudspeakers ($11,900) at the 2020 Florida Audio Expo. The Grand Studio II loudspeaker is essentially two large two-way monitors on top of each other. This speaker system features a pair of 1" high performance ferro-fluid cooled coated silk dome tweeters, which are accompanied by two 8" woofers. These two 8" woofers utilize extensively vented motors in order to eliminate compression and to allow for quiet excursion of the drivers.

The crossover within the Grand Studio II is hand built with point-to-point soldering in addition to the use of high-quality capacitors. Everything is enclosed within a completely handcrafted enclosure, using the highest of quality 1.75" high-density board finished in meticulous multi-layered lacquer, which is exquisitely hand polished. This loudspeaker system is mounted to a very sturdy contouring stainless steel stand.

VAC was in many exhibit rooms at the Florida Audio Expo and they certainly had quite presence at the show which is great! If you didn't know, VAC is located around an hour south of the Florida Audio Expo in Tampa. Powering the Gershman Studio II loudspeakers was the VAC Statement 450S iQ StereoBlock vacuum tube power amplifier ($60,000). Pre-amplification was handled by the VAC Master Preamplifier ($40,000). Streaming true lossless high-resolution music via Qobuz was the exaSound Delta Music Server ($3000 to $3500 depending on options) to the exaSound PlayPoint DM Dual Mono DAC ($8500). A VPI Prime turntable with an AudioTechnica cartridge acting as an additional source in this room. Connections are made by the high-precision and carefully handcrafted Nordost Cabes.

Looking beautiful on display sitting in red was the Gershman Grand Avant Garde Speakers ($14,900, seen below).

This system worked well together with incredible synergy to produce an effortless musical performance. Great imaging and inner resolution backed up by fast, tight bass. As always, love the look of VAC products as well as Gershman loudspeakers. The good looks are, of course, an added bonus to the incredible performance you are getting from these brands.

Equipment List
Gershman Grand Avant Garde Speakers: $14,900 
Gershman Grand Studio II Speakers: $11,900 
exaSound PlayPoint DM Dual Mono Streaming DAC and Music Server: $8,500 
exaSound Delta Music Server Heavy Duty DSP processing with Roon: $3,000-$3500 
exaSound E32 Mark II 050256 / DXD-32bt DAC: $2,500 
exaSound Sigma Streamer: $750 
VAC Master Preamplifier: $40,000 
VAC Statement 450S iQ StereoBlock: $60,000 
VPI Prime Turntable w/AudioTechnica Cartridge 
Nordost Cablesh

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