My Current Reference HiFi System 2026
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 in 1978. She had a few 45’s and I remember playing Hall and Oates One on One” when it was a #1 hit, on that crappy all in one. I loved it.
I bought my first “system” at 16 (1984-1985) from a rent a center as I had no big cash or credit yet 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 the fingertips and the sound can be so immersive with the right setup.
Anyway, 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.
Main Reference “Small Tower” Speaker
The SV Audio Gro from Denmark. Full range, small, under 50 lbs each. Pure Magic.
My first reaction was to the retail price of $32,000 which I felt was insane as I unboxed these beautiful works of art. I mean, it is insane and anyone who says it is not is also insane, lol. But this is an older guy talking, who has lived through the times when $2k seemed expensive for a set of speakers, lol.
How can a small compact floor standing speaker cost this much money? I can go buy, for cash, a 2026 Ford Maverick XL for less than this though I would get much more use out of the SV Gro, more happiness, more pleasure, more peace, more serenity. Even so, I can spend half and get some pretty killer used speakers. So again..why spend so much here? I mean, Next Level HiFi who is the USA distributor of SV Audio has some pretty sweet used speakers for less than this now, and I am sure those would be amazing as well. So again, WHY?
Well should read my full review if you want to hear all of the reasons why (there are many) but these fully made in Denmark speakers are a treat for the eyes and ears, pure all out magic and for me in my space outgun any other speaker I have here now or any I have ever had here, for my size room of 13X18. Speakers should always be size appropriate to your room. I’ve had speakers here that were too small and some that were too large. These are perfect for smaller to mid sized rooms and are indeed of the high end variety. This means top tier parts, craftsmanship, auto quality paint and well..luxury if that is your thing. These are for the audio obsessed. Those who want the finest crossover parts, the finest drivers and cabinet work. Yes, this does make a difference in sound though it’s only for those who want to go to this level in audio. Again, for those who are like me, obsessed with w channel audio.
SV Audio which is short for Storgaard & Vestskov is a small family run business and it shows. Pride, quality and a drive for neutrality and musicality is what they bring to the HiFi World.These are now my new reference floor standers for the room which are now added to the two smaller speakers below and now my final speaker for the review collection. I have others in a different space but these here are in rotation for the main room now. I could never afford these but I do get an industry discount and I also offered Next Level HiFi some ad space to get the price down some. It reach a point where I could do it by selling off some old gear I had, and some of it I forgot about as it was in storage. At the end of the day, due to this, these did not cost me much at all but I could never buy these at the retail price as I am not the usual clientele for a speaker like this. For those of you who are, I suggest taking a look or heading to Next Level HiFi to hear them for yourself. Amazing speakers.
We am moving soon to a new home, new room. Hopefully these will work out there as well or better than they do here!
Posted a bunch of first looks and sound samples at my instagram during the review period @hifihuffofficial
SMALL SPEAKER REFERENCE – Fleetwood Helios – Audio art made in the USA.
The performance here is surprising really. As small as they are they are huge in scale, soundstage width, height and depth and the imaging and soundstage is also quite surreal in my 13X18 space. The midrange is big in scale and the treble is extended yet quite smooth depending on your source and amp. Very immersive and spatial presentation and in fact, some of the best I have had here in this regard, regardless of size or cost. These project the music like a movie projector, throwing a large scale soundstage out into the room.
Immersion is top tier when set up away from walls a bit, a bit wide apart and allowing them to breathe. After months of use, these have also tamed up from the first couple of weeks of use. These now have some warmth as well and are just remarkable in their realism.
As for bass these are very good for the size but will not do deep bass (as in down to the 20’s or 30’s) and they are not “fat” or “juicy” in the mids either but rather about bringing you all of the information within a recording in a human and beautiful way. With the Helios, voices greet you, instruments are focused and separated very well and again, come out in the deep and tall stage. The Helios is not lean or fat but neutral with a hint of warmth in the mids yet bring an open sound regardless.
These sound best with an amp that has some energy and punch.
Posted a bunch of first looks and quick sound samples at my instagram @hifihuffofficial
Buy these or see more info at Fleetwood Sound
POWER? – While the speakers above and power/cables below are staying there will be a new power solution coming. Will it be an end game all in one or a full on separates system? Whatever it is…it must run cool to lukewarm, be 100% silent in operation, have decent power, be solid state but have soul and it must deliver a hassle free experience and stunning sound. Deciding soon, before the move to the new home and room.
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 amps sound quite better plugged into this vs the wall, which is not the usual.
This one doesn’t tilt up the treble as some do nor does it darken the tone as I have heard a couple others do. 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 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 here, 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.
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.