My Current 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. I bought my first “system” at 15-16 (1984) 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.
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 Speakers Stand Mount
SMALL SPEAKER #1 – T+A Talis R330 in Silver – Full Range Stand Mount made in Germany.
My all out fave speakers right now for my 13X18 space. Full stop.
These are pure reference end game smaller speakers for mid sized to medium large rooms. These sooth my soul on those nights when I want a bit of warmth and body. A smooth sound but also beautiful and organic style detail up top. T+A makes Talis models in larger sizes as well for larger rooms but there is always something about a small two way that does magic in the right space. These vanish.
The R330 look the part as well with an all aluminum enclosure and in silver they are as gorgeous as any small two way speaker I have come across. I have always had a love for a small traditional well done two way speaker and these from T+A, while small compared to some others, sound bigger then they are and in no way are they lean, bright or sterile. Quite the opposite.
The bass on the R330 is simply incredible and competes with the best 2 way speakers I have heard in the high end $10-$25k area. Tight yet bombastic when called upon. The treble is sweet, airy and never overdone allowing these to throw quite the holographic stage when powered with the right amp. I once heard a set of $100k 2 way small stand mount speakers, these Talis get 95% there. It’s spooky how good these are when paired with a nice amp and source.
The midrange has beauty as well as some soul and body. Some warmth and richness that is palpable rests inside as well. Couldn’t want for more in a speaker of this size and while very expensive at $11k or so you do get what you pay for with this German made speaker. All drivers and the entire speaker are made in house by T+A and these are not a hard drive. In fact I have been listening to these for 2 weeks with a 4 watt tube amp and WOW…I do not need more in my space.
For those who want to step up their sound to the high end while keeping things small and easy to manage. T+A is legendary in the audio realm. I love these more than any other small two way speaker I have heard under $25k and this is why I bought them after the review, in Silver.
I have tried all brands from low cost to exotic. These hit the sweet spot in a 2 way stand mount in all ways from design to sound to build quality. Stunners.
Posted a bunch of first looks and sound samples at my instagram during the review period @hifihuffofficial
SMALL SPEAKER #2 – 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.
These will never shout at you but will instead give you an immersive soul stirring listening session within the right setup. 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. The bass plumped up over the months of using them vs fresh from box but these are not deep bass monsters like the T+A above. With the audio mirror DAC and Matrix streamer I also have the sound is unreal good and some of the most goosebumps inducing I have heard in recent memory.
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 and VERY open.
Posted a bunch of first looks and quick sound samples at my instagram @hifihuffofficial
Buy these or see more info at Fleetwood Sound
MONO AMPS – Burson Voyager Timekeeper with Fusion Core
SHOCKINGLY GOOD and now my all time fave mono amps…EVER. When these showed up I wasn’t that excited about them. Why? I thought they would be bright, crisp and lean as I kept hearing how “fast” these amps were. Well, I was wrong and after spending many weeks with these for a review I just could not believe the sound and overall quality of these powerful mono amps. These are light, run 30-40 watts in class A and then move to Class A/B for 100 watts into 8 ohms and 200 watts in to 4 ohms. The entire chassis is the heatsink and the fusion core power supplies are a must IMO. With them, these are as silent as if you were running them with a battery power source. Amazing dynamics, rich warm tones, surgically silent even in high gain mode, beautiful color and detail retrieval. These are refined as it gets, smooth yet powerful and truly kicks it with any heavy music or these can also do delicacy with ease. Only con? They run HOT and sound best using XLR as these are a fully balanced design. These are HEAVEN with the Immersiv D1 DAC going direct to them, which is how I am using them currently. Also tested with a Galion Navy preamp with great results. The perfect mate would be a Burson Soloist preamp, which is also a head amp. I may have to seek one out as I reviewed one two years ago, well before I had these amps. These fit the bill for anyone looking for end game mono amps. I have heard much more expensive but not better and these are “fast” but also have body, heft and fluidity. Pure musical gems. RCA or XLR. Low gain or high gain via button on the back. Eerily silent with the blackest backgrounds I have ever heard when paired with the Immersiv D1 DAC.
SEE THE BURSON VOYAGER TIMEKEEPER AMPS HERE
Streamer – Matrix NT1 Streaming Transport
Amazing streamer and yes they really do make a difference in a higher end setup, for sure. Think of the NT1 as a slightly more refined, sweeter, more open and yet smoother sounding streaming transport vs the Everoslo T8. This one has an external clock in, allows you to add an SSD drive, uses an isolated USB out to DAC and a superb built in 60W linear power supply. Simple, no fluff, made for all out sound quality and the design and build is lightweight and yet very lovely and solid. Lots to discuss about why this one is so good and I did in the review linked below.
This NT-1 has upped my level of digital streaming. Add the Matrix SC-1 clock and SS-1 Pro switch as I did and you will have a super refined streaming setup that sounded better than I imagined it could. Pricey, sure. Worth it? All depends on how far you want your streaming to go as well as how big your budget is for such things. We are not all as crazy as I am and let’s face it, differences are just that, different. I can’t say one is “better” as it depends on the system it is going in. For me, I like the entire ecosystem from Matrix as it seems matured and serious with the clock, the switch and even the new ethernet enhancer that comes in at $699. I will add this in 2026 as soon as my wallet recovers from this purchase.
I am using it now with the SC-1 clock and SS1-Pro switch and this is the best I have ever heard my digital sound. Magic indeed. On its own though the NT-1 is as good as those $6k streamers for $2k less. See the review linked below for all of the details but I ended up purchasing the NT-1, SC-1 and SS1 PRO for my system as once I heard it, I was hooked. As long as it all works I can’t imagine finding better for the same less money and I could never pay more as I am not a wealthy audiophile. For me, Matrix hit the sweetest of sweet spots and delivers a complete streaming solution with the focus on bringing the best sound which is what we seek after all.
Also, these are very reliable and glitch free. No issues as they also stay updated.
See this on the Matrix Website HERE
Site Sponsor Dedicated Audio also offers the Matrix NT1
DAC – The Audio Mirror Wave Tube DAC
See more about the Wave Tube DAC at Audio Mirror HERE
My full review can be seen HERE
DAC – The Immesiv D1 HDR-A DAC
Review coming but this one will be added to the stable here. This is the first of its kind, a multi path DAC that some are saying is an all out game changer. Is it…I mean… well…I have added it to the system ; ) Review in May 2026.This is also a pre-amp/DAC and a very fine one indeed, best I have tested when it comes to a pre/DAC. Direct to amp via XLR is the way to go with the D1 according to the manufacturer. It sounds incredible going direct to the Burson amps above and the D1 is quite different from other DACs I have had here, regardless of cost or pedigree. Bests the WAVE above in ways of bringing more of a refined, smoother and luxurious kind of sound. Complete if you will, top to bottom. This DAC has an uncanny ability to never show any harshness, brightness or hardness in your digital files and the noise floor is non existent here. It’s an all new ballgame.
Details and review soon but I predict this one may be hard to get once the word spreads, and it already is. A $25k level DAC in sound and build for $12k? Yep, 100%.
See the Immersive D1 Page 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 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. Those 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.
CABLES
SPEAKER CABLES – Sticking with my 13 year old Nordost Valhalla OG for now.
POWER – GALION P400 AND P200
I just switched to some new power cables. Not because my last ones were bad nor did I tire of them, but in this hobby, especially for a reviewer, keeping things fresh seems to be the thing to do ; ) When I heard the P400 power cable from Galion I was very impressed with what it was doing with my source and even amp. The P200 was very nice with my DAC and I feel like I sensed a bit of improvement in bass, clarity and air all while staying refined, zero harshness.
These Galion cables are super impressive in build and looks as well with the P400 just looking downright awesome, rivaling some uber big money brands. These new cables are quite stunning and priced right. Not all believe in power cables but many swear by them. Me? I know they can alter the sound in some ways as I have heard it for 15 years when I started testing out power cables. I will say I never heard a difference back in the late 90’s when my system was a hodge podge and not very well setup or done. When my system was more polished, I found power cables swaps altered the sound in ways that I liked or didn’t. There is a reason why even Nordost says “start with the power cables” above even speaker cables and IC’s. These are truly home runs for the price.
See the Galion Power Cables HERE
INTERCONNECTS – New IC’s being added soon – full loom of same brand
TWEAKS – Stack Audio Auva 70 and EQ Isolators
The AUVA EQ and 70 are used under loudspeakers and electronics to control vibrations and this in turn tightens up the bass and brings things into focus. Made for systems that are revealing. I didn’t use to believe in these things so much but now that I have all in place. yea..these are doing SOMETHING.
The EQ isolators go under equipment such as your streamer, DAC or amp. This also helps to snap everything into focus, and yea…they do help to do this when under my streamer and DAC. The effect may be small or large depending on your system and how much vibration you have going on. I have used ISO Acoustics, Nordost and Axxess Noir feet and the Stack Audio is as good or better than any of those. These are made well, feel solid and do not use ball bearings. If you have set up a solid system and do not have a fancy rack that isolates for you, these will do similar things to what those fancy isolation racks do. I do not use a fancy rack so these work well in my system. I have a set of EQ under the NT-1 and SC-1 as well as my amplifiers. A set of Auva 70 under my speaker stands, using the spikes. These are what I call an “icing on the cake” upgrade, to add that finishing touch to the system for a small investment.