_{Prices listed in CA$.}

Some systems sound so effortlessly musical, so capable of preserving the music’s essence and soul, that while listening to them I tell myself that I’d be happy living with such a system for a very long time. Accordingly, I tell myself that this is my type of system, this is the type of sound I crave because it’s so intimate-sounding it’s like nothing is standing between me and my music, especially nothing of a mechanical nature.

One such system was the one I encountered in the Vinyl Sound room. Resting on a Norstone rack, the system was composed of a Thorens TD124 DD (Direct Drive) turntable fitted with an Ortofon SPU 124 cartridge ($21,000 for the package), a MoFi MasterPhono phono stage ($7500), an Accuphase 180Wpc, class-A/B, E-4000 integrated amp ($15,000), a pair of 2-way Fleetwood Deville SQ speakers equipped with a solid wood conical horn ($25,000/pair, stands not included), and a medley of Furutech cables and accessories interspersed throughout.

Getting back to the system’s sound, it was natural, organic, beautifully layered, finely toned, with an almost SET-like directness of expression that was captivating.