Germany's Active Audio Vertrieb imports a
large number of North American products, and they had a room full of them at High End
2004. Avalon's Eidolon Diamond loudspeakers sounded fantastic, but of course an audio
system is about more than just one component. At the front was a Basis 2500 turntable with
Graham 2.2 tonearm and Grado The Statement cartridge. Electronics were an Ayre P-5x phono
stage, Hovland HP200 preamplifier, and Pass Labs XA160 mono amplifiers. Cabling was by
Transparent Audio. Total system price? In excess of 100,000 €. The result? Stunning
sound.
