My Current HiFi System 2025 – Updated December 3rd 2025.
Audio has been in my life since I was a kid. I started listening to my mom’s records at age 9 on a portable all in one crappy turntable. I bought my first “system” at 15-16 and every week I would buy a new album. I would listen to that album all week until it was time for the next purchase or sometimes wear out the grooves! I still own some of those original albums today though they do not get played anymore. These days I am 100% into digital streaming as this brings millions of tracks right to our fingertips and the sound can be unreal with the right setup.
I get emails from time to time asking me what the state of my system is. It has changed often, usually every few months in the past as I get new pieces in that I fall for. I am a HiFi addict after all, lol. Just because I change a piece doesn’t mean what I had before is bad or no longer loved, I just like to keep things fresh for the videos and to experience as much as I can. I do this to learn, to compare and to understand what makes some gear cost as much as it does.
Lucky for me my wife is into this as well. While I listen daily, she sits with me on the weekends and we both enjoy it. Here we are on our weekend “date” at a local brewery. After this we went home to listen to some music. Fun Fact, my wife and I met in kindergarten and went to grade school together. Now in our upper 50’s we enjoy the simple things in life above all else.
This is my current system:
NEW MAIN SPEAKER COMING SOON?!?!? Maybe. Maybe I will stay with my faves. I will decide soon.
Speakers – Virtual HiFi VIPER for Serious Fun.
I own these now and these will stay for 2026 for reviews, comparisons and personal enjoyment.
These speakers from Poland and Virtual HiFi are a TRIP! This speaker is very small yet as hefty and solid as can be. The Viper features a 3D printed cabinet, a mundorf dipole AMT tweeter, a Dayton Audio Epique 150mm carbon fiber subwoofer and two passive radiators on the sides in a sealed cabinet. They even have a way to easily add an eternal sub and the speaker will do the work and set the sub up at the right crossover setting of 80hz. I do not need a sub in my room as these put out plenty of big, tightly controlled bass and are full bodied in sound yet with some stunning detail being retrieved. The wow factor for me is the small size, hefty weight, cool cabinet and a nice tweeter that sits up top. These are like a mini Qualio IQ and fill my 13X18 room with absolute ease. Never heard a speaker of this tiny size sound this musical yet open and rich. It’s a full range speaker but if in a large room, prob wouldn’t be enough. You can hear and see more of them on my Instagram @hifihuffofficial.
These will need some serious power to come alive and sound glorious. They are 82 DB efficient and 4 ohms. I run them with the DAZZLE Integrated which pumps 560 WPC into 4 ohms and it’s just effortless. I would say a Dazzle with a set of Vipers make for an amazing audiophile system for critical listening or even for room filling fun times. I will also state that these like to be turned up a bit to sound their best as well.
THESE SMALL BOXES EASILY turned my space into a dance club yet on the same night I dozed off in may chair to the mellow sounds of Tigerforest. I was awash in a 3D soundscape that was large, open and detailed yet there was incredible bass here. The Devialet Astra also sounded sublime with them, and powered them with ease. The Heaven 11 Billie MK3 ran out of steam and sounded great at low to mid volume but almost had too much warmth (Ice Version).
These image great, superb even, and have some depth with 3D characteristics and details that aren’t in your face. They also do a holographic stage with the right amp, setup (they like to be set wide apart and toed in to your ears). They can JAM and be played loud or that can play at a more mellow volume and still sound awesome. Not for low wattage tube amps! These are just cool, fun and sound amazing, really.
More info here at Virtual HiFi
Amplification – The Vinshine/Kinki DAZZLE
This is a collab effort from Vinshine Audio and Kinki Studios and this my friends is the definition of a flagship integrated amp. It hangs with the best from the big names yet costs way less than those do. This integrated features things other brands never even think about such as including high end cryogenic treated fuses, cryogenic treated power inlet, insane construction and quality with gold plated PCB’s, vibration draining feet, a short and direct path from preamp to amp, a total of eight power supplies, dual 800w matched toroidal transformers (1600 watts of instant power on tap), dead silent operation, the all new SSCLD module for ultra wide bandwidth, dynamic range and virtually no distortion.
There is much more such as internal flame cabling, ShoonTH binding posts and the ability to drive any speaker made by man. It also plays well with easy to drive speakers. I have tested the Dazzle with five sets of speakers ranging from 82DB to 98DB efficient. Each time I was blown away by either the raw power on tap or the delicacy to which the Dazzle can perform. The sound is big, bold, powerful with an effortless flow. It is detailed, punchy and a bit incisive. The Dazzle comes with world class bass performance. It doesn’t run hot, just warm and yes it is large and heavy.
Update After The Review: In a 2 channel HIGH POWER analog integrated amp it doesn’t get much better, even if you spend much more. I should know, I have two $25k+ integrated amps here now and while they offer a little more in some areas, the Dazzle offers it all in a balanced way that is simply jaw dropping good for the $8500 USD price. Heck the Dazzle even offers a thing or two above those amps in sound. Yea, it costs a lot but again, this is a high end piece that performs and is built to a much higher level than the usual $8500 integrated. Finally a reference level amp that doesn’t cost $20k+, make electrical noises, doesn’t look gaudy and is A+ quality from knobs to fuses to wiring to speaker outs. You can spend more and maybe get a little more or maybe less.
You can see more info on the Dazzle HERE.
Amplification – Devialet Astra
Yes indeed, the Devialet Astra is still here and is the finest all in one integrated I have experienced. It’s a costly one to obtain but it does it all so no need for any other boxes if you like the vibe of this sleek integrated. Everything is optimized to work together perfectly from the streamer, DAC, pre amp and amp. The remote is the best ever made IMO and this piece delivers amazing sound and ease of use. Also houses a remarkable phono stage that puts most in integrated amps to shame. Amazing piece and no other “all in one” I have heard can deliver what the Astra brings. It’s sleek, thin, lightweight but solid and just works. While you can add your own streamer and DAC to the Astra the ones inside are top tier indeed.
Compared to the Dazzle the Astra has some warmth in the midrange, a softer yet airier treble and a more organic spatial vibe vs the raw impact and muscle of the Dazzle.
My Review of the Astra is HERE
PreAmp – Galion Navy
I had the super affordable P75 from Galion as my resident tube PreAmp but switched to the Navy after hearing it in my system with the A75 Power amp of which I also have on hand. These are the separates I have here as they are incredible for the money they cost, as in just a stupid deal. The Navy is a premium tubed preamp and it works so well with almost any amp I have tested with it. The Navy uses tubes so it has some tube flavor as well as a modern sound with open stage, details galore and solidity all at the same time. It’s a more refined, snappy and lit up version of the P75 with a bigger chassis and bolder looks.
This is here as when I need to test a power amp so the Navy will be my main goto in a preamp. It’s pretty awesome, built well, looks nice and sounds phenomenal. This one is also dead silent in operation. I use it from time to time with the A75 Power Amp which is just an insane deal. The Navy and A75 are under $5k for the set and can slay some pre/power combos that cost double.
Streamer
I will post what my streamer will be for 2026 soon! Still deciding. Will it be a past fave or an all new beast? I will reveal by end of year but the competition is fierce!
DAC
Still deciding on this one ; ) Stiff competition exists here and it’s now possible to pay so much less for a DAC that gives huge performance. Testing $1k-$20k DACs at home this year showed me which one I should go for. I am still deciding but will choose soon.
Network Switch – Vinshine Audio SW10 Pro
I never wanted to review these things in the past as I assumed they were a little bit scammy. A network switch to improve sound? Yea, right, we are talking about DATA here (then again, same with a DAC and they can vastly improve sound). Well, Vinshine Audio sent me their newest flagship switch called the SW10Pro to review since I am a streaming kind of guy. I simply plugged it in, and routed my router through the SW10Pro and then to the Streamer. They make claims that this can improve your digital streaming performance with more refinement, a wider stage and details being more noticeable.
BTW, the SW10 Pro is not only a network switch, it also houses a high quality clock that can be used instead of your DAC clock, which are often inferior to what is here. This also can use SFP for the best connection to your network. It has various “zones” to keep everything quiet and refined. The design is a 10/10 for something like this.
I placed it in and I noticed the difference immediately with a cleaner yet ever so slightly smoother sound and a more open soundstage. A bit more refined. When I replaced the stock generic ethernet cables with Audioquest Pearl cables ($200 for two) it got even better. Seems as if imaging improved as well, which only could be from some kind of noise or grunge being removed. There is also a clock here that can plug into your DAC clock and improve the sound by using the SW10PRO clock over the DAC clock, and this is a feature I use now as well for. more refined smoother sound with yet again, a small change to the soundstage for the better.
With the instant improvement to my system with digital streaming, I told Alvin he can’t have it back and I did buy this piece to keep in the system for 2026, it is all paid for. This one is not a scam at all, but a useful “tweak” that really helped my system and while I do feel it is priced on the high end the construction and design are top notch. This will not be a huge system changer as with new speakers… but it does work as stated, and is for those enthusiasts who just want that “little bit more” squeezed out of the system. I like having it in as well for the noise reduction capabilities her and even using its clock, bypassing my DAC clock. The design and build is pure flagship here as well. Some will say it does nothing, but I heard it and while the improvements are slight I enjoy the “extra” it brings. I bought the review unit. This also can use SFP which is nice and I will be testing this next, before I do the review by end of year.
I’d recommend this for highly resolving systems for that “cherry on top” type of thing. It’s so worth it for my system here that it’s one of those permanent additions like speaker cables and power conditioners. It just stays in and does what it does without calling attention to itself.
More info HERE at Vinshine Audio.
POWER CONDITIONER – Puritan Audio PSM 156 NFR + GroundMaster City Ultra
This replaced the awesome Vinshine Audio Tai Hang power conditioner for two reasons but will be my power conditioner going forward as I did just pay for it from Jaguar Audio, so I now own it and it will sit in this spot for all of 2026 and probably way beyond as I haven’t found better for my needs. This setup is pure gold for your power conditioning needs and is recommended for revealing systems where it will show it’s worth quickly.
In regards as to why this is replacing the TaiHeng…
#1 it has two more outlets (that are better) than the Tai Hang, and I needed them. Sure, I could have bought another Tai Hang as they are priced so right but when I heard the new PSM 156 NFR with its upgraded premium Furutech GTX series connectors (and the upgraded Ultimate cable it comes with) I was hooked instantly and this wasn’t even on my radar. Again, I thought “how could this be an improvement over the standard 156”? Well…it is and I feel this is one of the finest power conditioners you can buy. One guy who posted online replaced his big time money Shunyata Everest with this and has no regrets. It’s that good and sort of a small secret within the audio community. One of those “if you know, you know” kind of things.
#2 With the new Groundmaster City Ultra dded, the performance is stunning (and I prefer it to the stand alone ground master). It has cleaned up my electricity so well, even better than the TaiHang, previous 156, PS Audio PP20 and all of the Audioquest models I have tried. No hype, no joke. I hear instruments and voices easier now, as the system has taken on an even more effortless flow. Zero noise, grunge, buzz or hums at all. This dual setup costs a lot but power is the foundation of our systems and so many disregard it. Then again, not everyone may need a power conditioner, but some will absolutely hear the benefits with ease. I feel almost any great system can benefit from one though and JaguarAudio allows for a trial period with this piece. Check ’em out. BTW, I have been using Puritan Ultimate power cables in my system for years now and have several. These are my go to PC’s and all I will use. The Puritan does “sound” different from the “TaiHang” and I will speak of this in my review soon.
I have tested power conditioners from the “best” such as Audioquest (up to Niagra 5000), PS Audio (big money PP20), Shunyata ($6500 Denali) and a few others as well. I will just say that the new Puritan NFR is end game for me and my power needs as it just doesn’t get better unless you spend $20k+ and even then, not so sure this can be bested as it does what it says and it delivers. I prefer it to all of the above conditioners as those were all great but didn’t fully address all of my power issues. The PSM 156 NFR does. My system never sounded so deader than black quiet, nor has it ever been as revealing. I mean this in only the best way. Also, this is fantastic for removing DC on your lines. This DC can cause transformers to hum and buzz, and yea, I have it on my line. This fixes it and my amps that used to buzz due to this DC on the line, well they no longer do this.
With this said…
I would recommend this Puritan 156 NFR for high end revealing systems, and the Tai Hang or standard PSM 156 for mostly everyone else. These are the only two power products I recommend at this time, period.
This one is a level up from the standard 156 and offers a bit more solidity while still making everything sound clear and clean with a slightly expanded soundstage. I had zero intention to move from the TaiHang but this one did it for me. No it’s not aesthetically as pleasing as any of the others but for me, these things stay hidden anyway. What matters is the performance and this one is insanely good.
The 156 NFR comes with an updated Ultimate cable that uses Furutech connectors which is pretty sweet as that alone is a $2k upgrade.
Review by end of Year or early 2026 on the PSM 156 NFR and GroundMaster City Ultra.
You can get this from Jaguar Audio HERE.