If you like sound that’s so direct and intimate it feels like you’ve got a close-up view of everything that went into the recording mic—and who doesn’t?—then the Bliss Acoustics system that was demoed could be right up your alley.
Playing when I was there were a CSPort TAT1M2 turntable ($42,950) fitted with a J.Sikora KV9 Max tonearm ($16,450) and an Etsuro Urushi Cobalt cartridge ($6300); a string of CSPort electronics including a C3EQM2B phono stage ($17,000), a C3PR preamp ($25,750), and a 30Wpc, GM70-tube-based GM70PA-C power amp ($30,500); and a pair of 97dB-sensitive, open-baffle AudioNec OBI Max Black Edition speakers ($41,500/pair). Cabling was by Luna Cables and the equipment rack was by Modulum. Also being demoed but taking a break were a J.Sikora Standard Max turntable ($31,500) along with a collection of Nagra gear, including a Classic DAC II ($24,500), Classic PSU ($21,000), Streamer ($6500), and Compact phono stage ($6900)
I heard Louis Armstrong’s trumpet blow with such veracity of tone and textural tactility—and his singing sound so up-close and personal—it felt as if he were performing live for me. When a jazz band played, they sounded transposed into the room. The music was alive, spontaneous, highly descriptive, fresh-paint vivid, and micro-resolved. It was a revelation.
Partaking in that demo was a quintet of Nagra components: the Reference Anniversary turntable ($232,500) with Reference cartridge ($24,500); the Reference preamplifier ($129,500); a pair of HD AMP monoblocks upgraded to Reference status ($159,000/pair); and an HD PHONO ($115,000). These fed a pair of AudioNec Evo 3 tower speakers ($144,000/pair), while cabling was by Luna Cables, Hemingway Audio, and Nordost, and stands by CS Port and Modulum.
Products not in use during my visit included a Nagra Classic Streamer ($6500)/HD DAC X ($89,500); a J.Sikora Reference turntable ($64,500) with a J.Sikora KV 12 Max tonearm ($20,300) and Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux cartridge ($9635); and a Synergistic Research network switch ($4200).
If you are a hi-fi enthusiast, please give Dragan a call and make an appointment to visit him. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
Products not in use during my visit included a Nagra Classic Streamer ($6500)/HD DAC X ($89,500); a J.Sikora Reference turntable ($64,500) with a J.Sikora KV 12 Max tonearm ($20,300) and Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux cartridge ($9635); and a Synergistic Research network switch ($4200).
If you are a hi-fi enthusiast, please give Dragan a call and make an appointment to visit him. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.