My Current Reference HiFi System 2026
I get emails from time to time asking me what the state of my main reference 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. 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 over a year with the Helios I love them today more than ever. The Fleetwood Sound Fundamental sub is the finest sub I have ever 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. My review of the Fundamental is here.
The Fundamental is not like other subs. Not in output, design or driver used.
This is not about going down to 20hz as the Fundamental probably fades out around 25-30hz hz but what it does for the low bass and midband is all out incredible. Think of this as a “Bass Module” rather than a true deep bass sub as it does wonders for the mid bass not just deep bass. 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 with the Fundamental. I never heard a sub like this.
The Helios 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 an all out assault on my senses but so is Jewel, Melody Gardot or Diana Krall when they croon through the speakers with the sub. 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. With that said, I will never sell them. For under $5k I have never found a speaker that can touch it for what it does. Projection without shout. Details without aggression. Immersion and flow, imaging is top tier. Holographic with the right amp. Magic can pour out of these but if I think back to day one, they were a bit hard up top. After a year they bring warmth, and a gentle top end with my EC5 and AW300. Beautiful and do need about 50 hours of running in. I speak from experience here.
These are part of my reference setup because my wife and I love the design, build quality and most of all, sound quality for the money. Fleetwood Sound has become one of my favorite audio companies ever. If I can be honest, these are my personal fave speakers EVER but only when paired with the Fundamental.
Oh, I hear the price will be raised sometime soon on Helios, I have no idea by how much.
See more at Fleetwood Sound HERE
MUSIC STREAMER
Eversolo T10 and Evcersolo C10 Master Clock
While I would have stuck with my previous Matrix stack (that I adored) I had to cut costs for the move and purchase of the new home in July 2026. Around this time the Everoslo T10 showed up and it impressed me greatly for what it cost, and yes, it is more affordable. The Matrix was a bit more delicate in sound, luxury in design and more 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). Even so I am loving the T10 and never feel as if I am missing anything.
I also missed my Matrix clock I had (which was very nice indeed) so now I have the Eversolo C10 clock in for review and it will stay as it is for sure improving the digital playback. It is not as luxury in design or build as the Matrix but will my guess is that it will cost about half. The C10 is connected to the T10 and my DAC as well, and yes, the clock has refined the sound further but it’s a small improvement as all clocks are. I hear it more in imaging, deep black backgrounds and spatial renderings. Even so, if your goal is all out quality for your digital streaming an external clock always improves this.
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 $6k and up boxes. Some feel it meets them or bests them but I will not go that far.
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 and I have no reason to move on.
If you have $6-$10k to spend here check out Matrix NT1 and Lumin U2X.
You can order the T10 at Amazon HERE
DAC
Usually, this changes every few months 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. After a move to a new home, after new furniture and getting my audio room setup and after the EC Gear I am busted! So no new exotic DACs for me. Luckily for me, this one sounds just as luxury as those but just a bit more laid back.
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 here but really only when I use SRC mode. 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. It’s so musicaly beautiful. I also gave it my GOLD Award! I appreciate this DAC more than I did when I reviewed the OG.
For now it sits as my main DAC as it’s just so enjoyable with the amps below, and those amps and preamp are $55k+ retail cost pieces. The Harmony sounds right at home here.
I keep the SRC filter set at sharp as I found it to be very different from slow. Never heard such a change with a filter before. IN a warm setup, sharp sounds best. In a brighter setup, slow will be the one to pick.
If you have an under $5k budget for a DAC, this one must be auditioned. This is one DAC that makes it hard to keep recommending the big money boxes but this is not a hyper detailed analytical DAC. It’s an R2R so it’s more musical rather than hyper clean and overly detailed.
The Harmony 2 is probably the nicest sounding R2R I have heard yet (I haven’t heard them all, not by a long shot) but if you like more sparkle and shine vs natural flow check out a non R2R DAC like the Imersiv D1 at $12k or a SoulNote D1 MKII ($4500), which I really loved as it was a holographic but very open style of DAC.
You can see more or order the Harmony 2 HERE
POWER
Electrcocompaniet EC5 Pre and AW300M amps.
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. Yes, I can say that with confidence as it is not even close. Keep in mind, I have not tested tons of high end preamps so there is that. The amps? Phew..amazing in all ways.
TO BE CLEAR, I have not yet paid for these but plan on doing so by end of year. So I am manifesting here ; ) It may not happen as I have to find a way. We will see.
The EC5 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 that really fits what I love and crave in sound and then KEEP IT. If any gear I have ever had in was worthy of “End Game”, this is it.
When I took these out to box them up to send back I placed in other VERY NICE integrated amps. Everything else I had here or have heard seemed like a downgrade (as incredible as the other amps are) that I have access to. I am in now way throwing shade at the others as they are gorgeous and cost much less so it comes down to needs, wants and budget.
Since these were review units I was able to work out a deal for the set but man, ouch, still a fortune for me. While I am still figuring it all out these should be mine all mine by December.
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 multiples in refinement, depth, immersion, richness, bass performance and all out magic. Analog vibe, even with digital. Maybe not by “10” but you get my drift.
The richest sound I have heard, the most refined, the most textured and layered and the bass is like nothing I have experienced. It brought the 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. Texture takes priority over “air” here. Body, soul and deep bass take priority over neutrality. This one throws some colors but only in the best of ways. In fact, I believe this is how music should sound but I prefer these traits to ultra fast, sharp and leaner.
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. Cinematic even. The sound just grows as the volume dial turns.When I play live music from the 70’s, I am there. Playing the new Rammstein Live in Mexico it is OMG! It’s like that old school sound of dense, full bodied energy and yet somehow the magic remains with some transparency, huge impact and a guttural drive.
The EC5 is also transparent but brings some of the brands signature weight to the sound so it will not sound lean or sterile..ever. Overbuilt indeed but in the best of ways.
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 when turned up, a true experience. Low volume or loud…it’s the same magic. Nothing ever flattens, gets hard, sounds empty or without soul. Magic I tell ya..magic.
Do not think these lack in soundstage, imaging or holographic renderings as they do all of that as well, just in a more realistic muted way vs an artificial way. That is it…these sound the least artificial of any amplification I have ever heard but for some it may sound a touch darker than what you are used to.
Don’t hate on me for hyping these as they are worth the hype. Sure thing they are indeed VERY expensive, yes..but for me a new level up from anything I have had before. Yes, that excites me after 4o years of being in this world of audio. I do mot discriminate against cheap gear or expensive gear. I just judge it by the experience.
Written and Video Review is HERE
POWER CONDITIONER – Synergistic Research PowerCell 12 SX
After having this in for review with a bit of skepticism I was quite happy with the performance and features of this power conditioner. For me, even into a dedicated line at my last house, I heard improvements in noise floor, richness, airiness and depth. Noise floor dropped and the music just emerged from a blank slate.
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, truly 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. The bass has never sounded better and there is no hash, noise, grunge or anything offensive coming out of my speakers with this in place.
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. It is what it is.
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 do not look exotic nor sound as such. They do 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 and richer vs leaner and more analytical. These do use silver and copper but do not have any brightness or sheen about them.
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 music in a way that is just right. I used to have a mish mosh of cable brands and it did get better using all of the same cable throughout.. I assume going up the ladder at SR will bring more visceral bass and richness along with enhanced air and detail 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.