SWAF 2025 Show Report Part 2 
Plus The Exciting Blue Note Awards
A musical experience that I will never forget.
Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Show Report By Paul Schumann

High End by Oz had a rocking room at SWAF. The system had several components by Viva Audio: Verticale Speakers ($125,000/pair), a Linea Preamp ($34,500), a Solista Power Amp ($31,500), and a Numerico DAC ($27,500). The tape deck was an Ultima Apollo with an Outboard Power Supply ($55,000), and the music server was a Pink Faun ($21,000).

Albedo Silver Cables were used, including the Gravity 3 power cable ($14,000/ 2-meter), Metamorphosis Mk II speaker cables ($17,000/ 2 m), and Signature XLR cables ($19,150). Sin Audio supplied a PSD Unlimited Power Conditioner ($23,500) and a PC-10 Ghost Power Cord ($10,500/2 m). Racks were Ultrasonic X-Frame ($3,000/level). The music produced by this system was exciting and highly dynamic.

If you like highly polished chrome, then you would have loved the Krystal Clear Audio-Video room. This was one of the most difficult rooms to take pictures in because of all the reflective surfaces. All of the electronics and speakers were Burmester. They were a 111 Music Server ($55,000), a 175 Turntable ($60,000), a 077 Preamp ($65,000), a 218 X Amplifier ($50,000), a 948 Power Conditioner ($10,000), and BC150 Loudspeakers ($150,000/pair).

Critical Mass Systems provided a QR Double Wide Rack ($35,000) and QR Amp Stands ($14,000/each). All of the cabling was by Kubla*Sosna and was comprised of Realization Speaker Cables (16,400/3-meter), Sosna Realization Interconnects with mono adapter ($14,500/2 m and $13,100/1.5 m), a Realization Ethernet Cable ($4,500/1 m), and Realization Power Cables ($3,750/1.5 m). The soundstage projected by this system was immense.

Audio Note was back at Southwest Audio Fest 2025 this year with a wonderful sound system. As usual, the sound was warm and inviting. This year's system was comprised of Meishu Konzertmeister amplifier ($65,000), TT-Three Turntable and PSU 1 ($9,412), IO-1 Moving Coil Cartridge ($5,028), Arm Three/II ($2,465), AN-S5 Moving Coil Step Up Transformer ($10,685).

Audio Note UK was also showcasing their CD 4.1x/II CD Player ($14,331), and AN-E / SPX LTD Field Coil Speakers ($65,000).

---> Next Page.