Second Floor: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Savoring the fantastic sound systems on the second floor.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker

Plaza A Lenbrook Americas
I usually enter a room at a show with the expectation of evaluating the sound quality of the presentation. In the past few years, Lenbrook Americas has presented some of the best DALI speakers with NAD amplification that was frankly, disappointing – either because of the mismatch of electronics or a mismatch with the room size or shape. In Plaza A, there was a similar mismatch of both space and electronics. The display here in this room was different in some key ways. I came away with a different perspective this time as I realized they were intent on selling their products to a wide range of customers and they had set up the room, not to display their products for the absolute best sound quality (which would have been impossible in this large room), but to interest customers in the broad categories of gear they offer. They were simply offering people a glimpse of what they wanted them to consider buying.

And there were sufficient knowledgeable staff members available to help the customers. Perhaps as a member of the press, they were a little reluctant to approach me, but when I reached out and engaged the folks they were knowledgeable and helpful. So let's give their room a go-around.

The DALI Rubikore 8 speaker ($15k) was a gorgeous speaker available in four finishes that I had been hoping to hear. I like the Rubikore because it presents a beautiful wood front baffle rather than a baffle with a large metal portion around the tweeter and midrange which aesthetically plants the speaker in a contemporary style. DALI speakers usually sound great, but most are in the Danish Modern tradition. The Rubikore series is a refreshing addition.

The rig was comprised of the new NAD M66 BluOS Streaming DAC / Preamplifier ($7,499) and the new NAD M23 stereo power amp with Purifi ($4,899) which are good products in their price range, but from previous experience with the DALI Epikore 11 speaker driven by much more expensive amplification, I expect the Rubikore is capable of very fine sound quality, too. What I heard here was pretty bad, but it is easy to blame the room size and shape more than the electrical components... and then there were all the conversations going on in the room overlaying the music. BTW, the Epikore has now been expanded into a series of floorstanders and a stand-mounted monitor.

Available in Maroon, Natural Walnut, White, and Black, the black drivers were thankfully very inconspicuous on this walnut finish. The Rubikore series includes more expensive models 11 and 9, as well as less expensive model 7 and stand-mounted model 3. With moderate 88dB/W/m sensitivity and roughly 4 to 6 Ohm impedance, it will require medium power to drive them... say 40 to 400 Wpc, depending on the room size and listening level. Amplifier quality will pay dividends here.

On another wall was a more modest rig that would make sense to a much larger audience. It looked very nice with the piano gloss black speaker and matching rack for the components. A gloss black turntable would have stood up the more modest NAD analog front end and made a much stronger statement.

The new NAD M10 V3 BluOS streaming amplifier ($3,495) will undoubtedly have broad appeal as the all-in-one movement is gaining traction at multiple price levels of the high end. I expect to see several at the Capital Audiofest 2024 audiophile show next week.

Taking it down a notch into the Lifestyle category, this was a fun-looking rig with the orange monitors and psb BP8 subwoofer ($2k) with bi-polar 8" drivers in a cube that is 14" x 13" x 13". AnCore amp powers it and there are plenty of controls on the panel as well as speaker level inputs.

Another table featured the three new Bluesound Node models including the Node Nano ($299 USD), Node ($549 USD), and the top model Node Icon ($999 USD) with dual mono DACs. Praised for its user-friendliness, the Node is a likely entry point for those who don't want to get too technical with streaming. Count me in. I still have thousands of LPs in my collection yet to be explored.

Of particular interest was the possibility of upgrading the Nodes' performance with an aftermarket external power supply such as a Sbooster. Two of the models allow you to plug one right in, while the other requires an aftermarket adaptation. It is said to greatly improve the sound quality – comparable to streamers costing thousands more.

And here is the Node Icon ($999 USD) along with psb M4U 9 headphones ($699 CAD). At the time of writing, it was out of stock, so it is likely a hot item. It is loaded with features. I'll let you explore it on their website.

---> Next Page.