HiFi Connoisseur

05/09/2026

kaleidescapeinc Strato K out for testing.

I’ve got a bunch of their new 4K Cinematic titles with 4:4:4 chroma available for testing too. On an Anthem AVM90 and JVC DLA-NZ500 to test it out fully. Wish me luck.

05/09/2026

It is after hours.

When I first set the Focal Scala Utopia Evo M up, I just used a “guesstimate” to place them roughly symmetrically from the listening position.

I just needed a space to run them in first.

Now these speakers are run in - I figured it’s time to take out the tape measure and the laser measure to be sure. And sure enough, they needed a little bit of nudging to be exactly right.

Now the centre image is sharply focused. Bliss.

The karan_acoustics Master PowerA monos and the Halcro Equinox partner so well with these speakers. And the meitneraudio MA3i by EMM Labs Inc. provides the source.

Next step - I need to measure up the space to see if the REL Planar PL2s can fit in the space left.

05/09/2026

Focal Powered By Naim Audio

The Naim Classic 350 power amps driving the Focal Kanta N2s, with the NSC 222 streaming preamplifier as a source. I’m running them in for now. And then I’ll hook them up to the Scala Utopia Evo M

04/09/2026

Naim Audio New Classic series is here.

Guess where these are going?

01/09/2026

The cold months may be behind us in the southern hemisphere but there’s something special about the warmth of tubes. So today, the Audio Research Reference 330Ms get to shine. And supplemented with the Stromtank S2500 for power, running on battery mode.

Bliss

26/08/2026

EMM Labs Inc. also produces the Meitner range. We have the MA3i in the store along with the flagship DV2i. And it shares a lot of the same DNA

It sounds phenomenal in our Focal Scala Utopia Evo M demo system.

The Meitner MA3i, the DAC for perfectionist audiophiles!Thanks fo...

25/08/2026

The KEF LS Luxe finish is next level.

And the new larger UniQ driver definitely delivers too.

Come by for an audition.

25/08/2026

KEF LS LUXE now available in store. Cant wait to set them up.

21/08/2026

We have had the Focal Scala Utopia Evo M for a few weeks now - running in with a tube preamplifier. Seemed like a waste of burning previous tube life. So I finally brought out the new halcroaudio Equinox preamplifier. It’s the first time I’ve heard it in the store and honestly, it doesn’t sound like the Halcros of old. Don’t get me wrong - the detail, micro dynamics that the brand is known for is still there. But what floored me was that I didn’t lose any of the timbre and richness I was getting from the tube preamplifier before. The soundstage might even have extended deeper than before.

15/08/2026

I’m really impressed with the Ava Pro remote. A fully programmable remote control. Even works some of my more esoteric gear. Like the McIntosh Laboratory Inc. MX180 AV processor and kaleidescapeinc Strato V.

No more juggling remotes.