My Current Reference HiFi System heading into 2027
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 think of it as a learning process for all things audio. I do this to learn, to compare and to understand what makes some gear cost as much as it does. Sometimes it makes no sense and other times it does.
MAIN SPEAKERS
MAIN REFERENCE – SV Audio Gro from Denmark
I was the very first in the world to review these. I knew that these were special right out of the gate. Yea, these are it and I feel blessed to be able to own them.
They are so far out of my price range it’s sort of insane. I have yet to hear “better” for the sound I seek. Whenever I have these out of the system and place them back in I am blown away. Yes. I love my Helios below but these are the finest speakers I have ever owned or used. They speak my language, and that is MUSIC. Paired with the preamp and amp below, pure magic.
These sound good with all genres, so are not a one trick pony like some exotic speakers. This is a huge pro, not a con.
Simply gorgeous in all ways, smooth, rich. extended, bass down to 30-35Hz. They are refined and yet not sharp in any way. Not lean in any way. They bring a true luxurious sound that is quite addictive. They manage to weave a magical spell top to bottom. A human connection.
As I sit back and listen to my own SV Gro the music just envelops me with slight air, sparkle, weight and a midrange that is rich and large in scale. Bass brings it all together and nothing is lacking in my 14X19 space. No sub needed. I may not be able to keep these for long term as I could use the $$ more. If I can’t hang onto them at least I was able to experience these speakers for myself, for most of the year. They are quite special.
See my review of the Sv Gro HERE
SMALL 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 (with the Helios) yet vastly different from others I have had here. This one makes music sound bigger/better and this subs specialty is being lightning fast and enhancing the frequencies used in music rather than focusing on the lowest of lows. My review of the Fundamental is here.
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. Your results may vary of course and no, these are not for everyone.
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 with imaging that 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.
These are part of my reference setup because my wife and I love the design, build quality and most of all the sound quality. When paired with the Fundamental it doesn’t get much better for us. Fleetwood Sound has become one of my favorite audio companies ever.
If the SV Gro above have to leave me, I will be content as can be with the Helios and Fundamental though the new LUXE speaker from Fleetwood Sound has my full attention!
See more at Fleetwood Sound HERE
SMALL SPEAKER #2
Something new, possibly, soon. I am listening now to some of the most magical small speakers I have ever heard. They are duking it out with my Helios now and I hope to add them to the collection if I can.
STREAMER/DAC
Have not yet decided on this one, as in, a long term solution. So much out there. Will pick soon.
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 set of amps and preamp that 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 exotic preamps so there is that. The amps are magical. Together they are like a Unicorn for me. Never heard anything else quite like this pairing and it’s not about being “The Best” as that doesn’t exist. It’s about you more than the tagline. I love this sound, so for me, it is “My Best” but we all like different things, do we not?
When I took these out to box them up so I could send them 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.
This EC sound for me? It is the richest sound I have heard, the most refined, the most textured and layered as well. Oh, and the bass is like nothing I have experienced. It brought the SV Gro to life in the bass so much! I didn’t even know they could do what they were now doing. Holy cow. Texture and weight takes priority over “air” here but there is air! Body, soul, weight and deep bass take priority over neutrality but the sound can be clear and open depending on the rest of the system. This one throws some colors but only in the best of ways.
In fact, I believe this is how music should sound.
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. I sit here at 3AM sometimes and have it set to the lowest volume and I still get the full sound top to bottom.
Do not think these lack in soundstage, imaging or holographic renderings as they do all of that as well, just in a more realistic more dialed down way vs an artificial hyped up way. That is it…these sound the least artificial of any amplification I have ever heard. Makes my digital streams sound “better than analog” without question.
Don’t hate on me for hyping these as they are worth the hype, and then some. I still have that excitement every day when I sit down to listen. Some mornings it is turned on by 6:30 AM!
They are indeed VERY expensive 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 very wonderful 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. If you spend $75-100k on your system and do not have a power solution, you really should.
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.
Have I heard better cables? Yes. They cost 2-3X as much. Diminishing returns kick in fast. These here are a solid offering in the middle of the road price range.
A note: I recently had my banana connecters switched to spade. While away I put in some Analysis Plus $500 full copper cables. I lost my sound! Now the sound was much warmer, thicker and a bit blurred in comparison. I lost my depth and some of the holographic qualities. Bass was bigger and plumper but it seemed to darken the tone.
When the updated cables from SR arrived, the sound I grew to love was back. Yes, yes and yes. Cables make a difference in a well set up resolving system. Anyone who says otherwise is not telling you the truth.