My Current HiFi System 2026 – Updated December 21st 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 going into 2026:
Main Reference Speakers Stand Mount
The Fleetwood Helios is a speaker that represents a wonderful value within the higher end audio world. This is a unique speaker, handcrafted in small batches with real torrified wood. These have a huge and unique sound, and are not hard to drive. For the money I know of no better speaker for someone who wants a high end sound, a unique handcrafted speaker and beauty all in one.
The driver used in the Helios is a coaxial driver that is a professional and very expensive driver. So says Fleetwood, this driver is not used in any other home audio speaker made today. The Helios produces near full range sound from these small boxes that boggle my brain. The workmanship of the Helios is old school when there was passion and pride in creating something so very special and yes, this is a speaker you could hand down generation to generation.
The design of the Helios is artistic and beautiful yet the sound is even more so. What these do is so unique and so different that there is not a speaker made today that can even start to compete with the Helios for anywhere near what they cost. These use torrified wood and that wood? Pennsylvania OAK and yea I mean real solid 1″ thick OAK. These are not stained, rather they are cooked for stability so the color you see in natural from the torrification process. This keeps the wood stable for decades and we see this in very pricey guitars today such as with special editions from Martin.
In any case, this is one of my new reference small speakers and at under $5k this is stunning speaker, not perfect, but amazing in sound, looks, build and will last a lifetime. Review to come soon but yes, this is one incredible speaker.
Pros: Expansive huge scale of sound – can fill a space with ease – beautiful in looks and construction – quality parts, pro driver – fairly easy to drive – natural sound that projects nicely – small and easy to set up – based and made in USA – price is so right – details come out to greet you – front ported so can be placed closer to the wall. Transparent, and oh so gorgeous imaging. Intimate or all out WOW, you decide how to listen. Only bass heads will need more bass.
Cons: Bass is not the lowest so you will not get that gut punch or huge deep kick to the sound. These are more about details, air, being open and producing a huge stage that is wide, tall and deep. But for low bass you will need a sub for larger rooms or for those who like deep bass into the 20s. The bass these do have is nice, and when listening I do not find myself seeking more unless I want that kind of vibe. I love them as is in my 13X18 space. I may try the Fleetwood sub in 2026 with them.
Honestly though, the bass these put out is quite impressive as is. It just doesn’t go as deep as the T+A below, which cost $6k more.
To order a set or see more info check out Fleetwood Sound HERE.
SPEAKERS – T+A Talis R330 in Silver – Stand Mount #2
I have always had a love for a small traditional well done two way speaker and these T+A, while small compared to some others, sound as big as my large floor standers in every way from soundstage to impact with bass. The bass on these is simply incredible and competes with the best 2 way speakers I have heard in this area. The treble is sweet, airy and never overdone. The midrange has some beauty as well, some soul but overall these are clear, clean, punchy and big sounding.
These are not hard to drive and I have ran them with a Billie MK3 ($3k), a T+A Dazzle ($8500) and a Galion A75 ($1500) and all powered them with ease and beauty with the all out best being the Dazzle. These are $10,900 retail but sound like every cent of that. These are end game for a small stand mount and while I love the Helios above just as much, if not more, these two offer different vibes, presentations and sound quality.
The Helios is more open, taller stage, more 3D but less bass and not as refined in the top end. The T+A has more refinement, sounds almost as large and is sweeter in the treble and just has it all. Either speaker for me is end game but being a reviewer I had to have both here as both do things quite differently and I adore both of these. The T+A for richness, bass quantity and quality as well as being a premium German made product.
The Talis R330 remind me most of some Magico Mini’s I heard many years ago but with much more soul and beauty to the sound.
Pros: Gorgeous and so solid in build – all aluminum enclosure – all drivers and parts made in house by T+A in Germany – big sound – huge deep and controlled bass – these sound like big towers – great for small to mid large rooms – not so hard to drive but love some power – sweet sound, smooth but extended treble, some warmth in the mids yet every detail is exposed. Punchy when need be, sweet when need be, intense when need be. Just amazing sound.
Cons: In smaller rooms may be too much bass presence – price is over $10k in 2026 but worth it if looking for end game smaller speakers. No cons here really as these are as complete as it gets and sound massive for their size. No sub needed for small to mid sized rooms.
You can find the T+A Talis R300 at Jaguar Audio HERE.
Analog Integrated Amp – The Vinshine/Kinki DAZZLE – HiFi Huff Product of the Year 2025
This is a collab effort from Vinshine Audio and Kinki Studios and this my friends is the definition of a flagship analog 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 dense, with body, a bit of warmth and this makes it detailed, open and musical. The Dazzle comes with world class bass performance. Just a sublime analog integrated amp.
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+, is free from electrical and transformer noises, doesn’t look gaudy and is A+ quality from knobs to fuses to wiring to speaker outs. This sounds and feels like a high dollar high end amp and dare I say has better construction than the last McIntosh integrated I had that cost me $13k back in 2017. Better sound as well. This is a legit high end analog integrated that can power any speaker made. After it fully burned in there is now some warmth in the mids, but done just right without bloat or being overdone. It’s rhythmic, musical and effortless. It’s detailed, open and magical. All one could ask for. A home run and my product of the year for 2025. Truth be told, the only integrated I like more than the Dazzle is the $26k T+A PA 3100 HV.
Pros: Amazing what you get for the price compared to other brands – insane power on tap to drive any speaker – effortless vibe and sound – after a 100 hour burn in this amp became even more refined, sweet and now has some warmth as well. As musical as it is the Dazzle can also be enlightening with a superb detail retrieval and treble extension, though it’s smooth. So quiet, noise and buzz free 100% – Immersive listening – big easy to read display and all metal remote.
Cons: For some, made in China will be a con at $8500 USD but this is as good as it gets in build and parts – would be cooler with a more exciting display – Heavy so not as easy lift – will take 3-4 weeks to get when you order as each on is built to order it seems. Worth it.
You can see more info on the Dazzle HERE.
All In One Class D 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 (or all) that reside 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 more warmth in the midrange, a softer yet airier treble and a more organic spatial vibe vs the raw impact and muscle of the Dazzle. With the Astra, you will not need to buy a streamer, a DAC or a phono stage. It’s all here and all of them are top notch indeed.
Pros: It’s an all in one for the high end lane, has all you need besides speakers and speaker cables – big power class D amp that is warm, smooth and special – It’s seductive with some speakers, in sound – slim profile, beautiful to look at – best remote ever made IMO – a sense of luxury about it – superb packaging – made in France – just works, every time. No issues, no noise, no heat and sounds glorious but a more smooth warmer amp vs the Dazzle. Fantastic phono stage and DAC inside.
Cons: Well, it’s $20k to start and expensive.
My Review of the Astra is HERE
PreAmp – Galion Navy – Affordable but Awesome
This is a fantastic tube preamp from Galion. A step above the P75 this one is dead quiet, rich in sound, brings tube flavor yet is detailed and brings along more refinement. I have tested this with various amps and even the Dazzle above which worked out quite well, adding more air and some tube flavor. This is a high end preamp yes costs less than most it competes with. This doesn’t sound like a $10k preamp but it does compete well with $5k preamps, maybe a bit more. A brand new Navy will cost you much less than that. I will keep it around to test amps with when they come in for review.
Pros: Super preamp for what it costs – nice airy sound with great detail retrieval and huge bass performance – quiet and noise free – brings tube flavor to the system – all metal remote – easy to set up and seems very reliable and solid in build.
Cons – Has very high gain so just a little on the volume would do it, I would have liked to have seen it with a but of lower gain, but not too low. That’s it! This is a great preamp at a great price.
Streamer – Eversolo T8
I have heard streamers that sound a little better but cost thousands more. At the price of under $1400 this is a fantastic streaming transport. You need a DAC to pair with this as it is doesn’t have one built in, which is what we want when we buy a transport. This is like the lower cost version of a HiFi Rose RS130 and the T8 costs $4500 less yet delivers 90% of the sound quality. It sounds magical in this setup I am using and therefore, I felt no need to change it out. This one does it all and is a tremendous value which is why it is my pick for best Streamer value of 2025. If you want more performance and looks, I suggest a Lumin U2 or HiFi Rose RS130, both around $6k these days.
Pros: Can’t get a better streamer for this money, period – It is reliable and has given me zero issues – Everoslo keeps it updated regularly and improves the function and features over time – big huge display that can show you many things, up to you – great sound and performance – not much lag at all – all the connections we seek in a streamer – Great remote included.
Cons: Not as luxurious in build or design as my faves (Lumin U2 and Rose RS130) – sound is almost as good but not quite as those others that cost more (thousands more) so it can get better. So really no cons for the cost, at all.
You can buy the Eversolo T8 at Amazon HERE
DAC – The Audio Mirror Wave TUBE DAC
The Audio Mirror WAVE TUBE DAC is a pure reference flagship from the US brand Audio Mirror. I had no idea what to expect but this DAC sits with the heavyweights like the Nagra TUBE DAC yet costs less than half of that one. Yea, this one is not cheap at $22k but if you have a high end system and are looking at those $50-$100k DACS (yea that’s a thing) it would be a mistake to NOT audition the WAVE as it may save you tens of thousands of dollars if you enjoy what it does.
Big props to Vlad over at Audio Mirror has this one has left me super impressed. Again, never heard another DAC do quite what this one does in my system. It’s not slight either. Audio Mirror also sells lower cost DAC options and their Tubadour line is very highly praised. I love this DAC and in my review I stated I would manifest a way to allow this DAC to stay. By putting this here, I am doing just that. It is still here and I am planing for it to stay for 2026. We will see. If not I would move to a Tubadour DAC which I am sure is very good indeed.
Pros: Never heard a DAC this good, ever – nice looking design – solid build – nice metal remote included – -iso acoustics feet – easy/simple to use – USB in sounds best – magical sound in the right setup.
Cons: Price is $22k and it does take a good 20-30 minutes to start sounding its all out best.
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. This setup is pure gold for your power conditioning needs and is recommended for revealing systems where it will show it’s worth quickly and it does. Yes, this is a thing…revealing systems allowing you to hear things such as cable changes, power changes, etc. It is a real thing.
In regards as to why this is replacing the Tai Hang…
#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 very 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 Tai Hang, 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 “Tai Hang”. The Puritan is more about cleaning it all up and details pop, shine and are easier heard. Bass tightens up and gets more tuneful. The Tai Hang is smoother in my setup, brings a slight smoothness over the treble. Why this happens I have no idea, but it’s easy as pie to hear.
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. My system never sounded so deader than black quiet, nor has it ever been as revealing. I mean this in only the best way.
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 and it is noticeable and easy to hear. 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.You will never need another power solution than right here.
Review by end of Year or early 2026 on the PSM 156 NFR and GroundMaster City Ultra.
Pros: Excellent performance that surpasses more costly designs – inanely great quality fururtech plugs that are solid and hold well – comes with new Ultimate cable with Furutech connections – truly eliminates noise and DC on the line for a surgically silent background, which means more detail will be heard – meant for high end systems and it does what it says it does. This one elevated my system indeed.
Cons: Seems crazy to spend this much on a power conditioner – not the best looking thing (I keep it hidden).
You can get this from Jaguar Audio HERE.
CABLES
NORDOST VALHALLA SPEAKER CABLES
I have been using Valhalla speakers cables for over a decade and while I have strayed away from them over the years it wasn’t for long. I always come back to them, even after comparing with many other brands. I even prefer the original Valhalla to the V2 version and lately these OG have surged in price on the used market. I have just never found a speaker cable that does what these can do, for the price of a set on the used market which is around $3k vs the $13k that they originally cost. The air, the detail. the richness and bass is all here and even when I go to copper for a while I hear more grunge, more grit…and the Valhalla always cures it.
PURITAN AUDIO ULTIMATE POWER CABLES
I exclusively use Puritan Audio Utimate power cables for all of the gear above. They are awesome in all ways but I love that they are floppy and can be routed so easily. I own three 1 Meter cables and two 3 Meter cables and will always use them for as long as I have a system. I found my power cable and no longer look for better or different. I am not a fan of the big thick unruly cables, and yea, I tried many of them.
Jaguar Audio sells these Cables HERE
Also in house are the Virtual HiFi Vipers (see them here), the Vinshine Audio SW10 pro Network Switch (see it here), a Black Ice Audio FX10 H (see it here) and a Wiim Ultra streamer/DAC (see it here). I also have some Buchardt E50’s (see here).