My Current Reference HiFi System 2026
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.
October 1st 2026: So the new room is set up and it has now been 2 1/2 months since I have moved. I have decided on my main system that will be used for reviews, comparisons and my own personal enjoyment. What I finally chose is different from the last room in some ways and in other ways, the same.
MAIN SPEAKERS
Fleetwood Helios with Fundamental Sub – Fleetwood Sound USA
I loved these speakers since I received them but now that it has been one year with the Helios I love them today more than ever. The Fleetwood Sound Fundamental sub is the finest sub I have ever tested or used yet vastly different from others I have had here. This one makes music sound bigger/better and this subs specialty is being lightning fast. Will work with horn speakers (or any speaker) and there is no slop, just bass reinforcements for your mains. This is not about going down to 18hz as the Fundamental probably fades out around 25 hz but what it does for the low bass and midband is incredible. The Helios now gives me that guttural punch to the chest when called upon or the sweet delicacy of late night listening. With the preamp I chose the dynamics, holographic stage and emotion stay the same at any volume. Kick Drums are insane.
The Helios though has also aged like fine wine and they offer it all for me in my mid sized close to 14X19 sized room.
Metal and high energy music such as EDM is insane but so is Jewel, Melody Gardot or Diana Krall when they croon through the speakers. Fleetwood Sound makes some special speakers and the Helios just speak to me in a way no others have done before. Your results may vary of course and no, these are not for everyone. I will never sell them.
I also still own the SV Audio GRO that I adore as they are magic but so are the Helios and Fundamental for $20k less.
See more at Fleetwood Sound HERE
MAIN SPEAKERS #2
SV Audio Gro
WORLD CLASS. That’s what the SV Gro are. Thanks to Nect Level HiFi for hooking me up with these as they are incredible. Such refinement, so big in sound, so evolved…meaty, airy, 3D and never ever hears or fatiguing in any way. With the EC gear powering them, simply magical and end game retirement level status.
While I love the Helios above I also love the SV Gro equally as much. While these cost more, they do bring more such as bass down to 30Hz (though the Fundamental does lower duty amazing with these and also disappears from the room with them) and more treble air.
The emphasis is on the music, not effects. These do not sound “HiFi” or artificial but have warmth, glow and low volume is also incredible here. Another small company with passion oozing out of them, any SV Audio speaker will be a masterpiece. Made in Denmark and yea, they are in the upper tier of pricing but an end game for almost anyone. No, it’s not 10 feet high and it doesn’t cost $200k but I was never a fan of those kind of systems. Not in sound, looks or price.
For me the SV Audio Gro is a 10/10 and it goes in every 2-3 weeks as I cycle the speakers. This keeps me from wanting new ones as well ; ) Change it up, new sound.
See my SV Audio Gro Review HERE
MUSIC STREAMER
While I would have loved to stuck with my Matrix stack I had to cut costs for the move, to free up cash in order to purchase our new home. Around this time the Everoslo T10 showed up and it impressed me greatly for what it cost. The Matrix was a bit more delicate and airy but the T10 is more punchy. The T10 still does the imaging, air, etc and for what it costs vs the competition it is getting harder to recommend more pricey streamers (unless you have an exotic level system). But yes, the matrix NT1 is a little bit of a better sounding streamer but just different really (and double the cost and then some).
The Everoslo T10 has been rock solid since it showed up many months ago and I have no complaints. The display is awesome, the app is one of the best there is and the performance sits so close to those $5k and up boxes. No, this is not the “best” streamer I have tested but for the money you cannot get close to it. At the under $3000 price point this is my pick for a digital music streaming transport. There is no DAC here so that will be needed. The streamer in my system is subject to change every now and again as new comes in but for the last few months the T10 has been doing a wonderful job.
I will soon get in the new Eversolo clock and their new R2R DAC so we will see how that goes.
You can order the T10 at Amazon HERE
DAC
Usually, this changes every few months (though this one may just stay long term as it is so good) and for now I have a beautiful LAIV Harmony DAC 2 in place and this one may be tough to replace as it would take spending much much more to improve upon it.
It’s not cheap at just under $4k but the Harmony 2 sounds like a true refined higher end DAC. It’s an R2R and LAIV has upgraded it in a few ways as I spoke of in my review. It’s more spatial, immersive and sweeter. There is warmth but also it’s somewhat transparent. It made my DAC of the YEAR for 2026 due to all it brings for the price. For now it sits as my main DAC as it’s just so damn musical and enjoyable with the amps below, and those amps and preamp are $55k+ pieces. The Harmony is not the weak link here and feels right at home.
While the Harmony 2 uses the same R2R architecture the sound was slightly improved in a couple of ways. The new SRC mode is also quite noticeable when engaged, at least for me.
While it comes in for $1200 or so more than the OG did when it was launched, we can blame tariffs for the increases according to what I was told. There is also a shortage of boards due to AI now…which makes it tough on some of these audio products. Even so, if you have an under $5k budget for a DAC, this one must be auditioned. I do like it better than the OG Harmony and thew new display is also a huge improvement.
You can see more or order the Harmony 2 HERE
POWER
It’s a bit unreal to me but I have worked with Electrcocompaniet to purchase the AW300M mono amps and the brand new and quite stunning EC5 preamp as my main reference going forward. I will not mince words. This is the finest preamp I have ever tested or used, let alone owned. It’s next level and was ten years in the making. As a reviewer who is growing each year I figure it is time I settle in with some serious amplification.
The problem: once these showed up for review in their crates and I was able to get the full experience within my room I was more than blown away. Everything else I had here or have heard seemed like a downgrade, as incredible as the other amps are that I have access to. Here is a shocker…I even prefer this setup to the quadruple the price Nagra HD Pre and Classic AMP with HD DAC. As in much prefer. Since these were review units I was able to work out a deal and make the purchase. Well, as of today, October 1st, I have not yet paid but will very soon. These will be mine as of end of November, or around my Birthday.
The Electrcocompaniet sound is unique and the only other time I heard something similar was in the ECI 6DX II integrated amp from the same brand. You guys know how much I loved that integrated but I really didn’t use the DAC inside of it, nor the streaming. This EC5 and AW300 setup though, is that sound but leveled up by 10 in refinement, depth, immersion, richness, bass performance and all out magic.
The richest sound I have heard, the most refined, the most textured and the bass is like nothing I have experienced. It brought my SV Gro to life in the bass so much that I didn’t even know they could do what they were now doing. Holy cow.
With the Helios and Fundamental it’s so damn good. I couldn’t imagine sending these back as when I took them out and placed in a $10k integrated amp that I adore I said “what happened”?!?!?!?! I knew these broke me in more ways than one, lol.
The sound is just huge in scale, effortless, never analytical or sharp and no matter how loud or soft I play it brings the feels, the vibes and takes me back in time. When I play live music from the 70’s, I am there. Playing the new Rammstein Live in Mexico it is …OMG….OMG! It’s like that old school sound of dense, full bodied and yet somehow the magic remains with some transparency, huge impact and a guttural drive.
This is the finest sound I have ever had in any of my rooms on over 40 years so I couldn’t pass on these and the offer presented to me to purchase them. EC’s slogan is “If Music Really Matters” and that is spot on as these make all music I play sound real, emotional, immersive and just…WOW. Low volume or loud…it’s the same magic. Nothing ever flattens, gets hard, sounds empty or without soul. Magic I tell ya..magic.
These have the potential to be lifers like my Helios and SV Audio Gro.
Review Coming Soon but SEE MORE ON THESE HERE
POWER CONDITIONER – Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 SX
After having this in for review with a bit of skepticism I was blow away by the performance and features of this power conditioner. For me, even into a dedicated line, I heard improvements in noise floor, richness, airiness and depth. This is one serious power conditioner and after testing quite a few high end models, this is the one staying in the system. Twelve outlets, non current limiting and truly does what it claims to do and my big 300 WPC amps sound a bit better plugged into this vs the wall, which is not the usual.
This one doesn’t tilt up the treble as some do (some audioquest/puritan) nor does it darken the tone as I have heard a couple others do (PS Audio/Vinshine). I feel this one lets the music flow while keeping everything clean and open but yet brings solidity to the sound. My bass has never sounded better. All in all, I am now a huge fan of Synergistic Research and this one replaced what I thought was my last power conditioner. I think this one will be my final unless there is an updated model of the 12 in a few years, or if I upgrade later to say the 14. I do not see that happening anytime soon as these things are pricey…man oh man are they pricey.
Will be an SR fan for life and this one stays long term.
I am now a believer and fan of Synergistic Research as I have now actually experienced a couple of their products first hand, and I love what they do for my setup. No snake oil with the power cell for me, they are the real deal.
CABLES
I recently rewired my entire system with Foundation XL cables from Synergistic Research. From interconnects to digital cables to power, ethernet, clock cables and speaker. I was so impressed with the Powercell I knew this would be a good thing, and it was indeed. My review is here.
These cables from SR are so nice, and do not sit in the exotic or crazy territory. They sell some like that but these here are kind of mid level in their line up and so so good, improving greatly on what I had. Now everything is the same type of cable everywhere, even my clock cables and USB. The result is just a finishing off of the sound, more air, nicer bass, more refined, more dynamic and so much good. Every piece is powered by a Foundation XL power cable and each cable is powered by the Powercell SX12. These lay down a nice solid foundation but are not overly detailed, airy or treble forward. Think smoother.
This truly added the final finishing touch on everything. I am so so happy to finally have such great cables all through the setup. When you have a full loom, they all seem to work together to deliver the chills. I assume going up the ladder at SR will bring more visceral bass and richness but for what these cost, a super choice. They are also light and easy to maneuver and are also lightweight so no big garden hose sized heavy cables here. I also have their carbon elevators but you can read about those in the review.