Tubes and planer/ribbon speakers usually make a very good
match. The Analysis Audio Omega full-range speakers ($14,990 per pair) lived up to that
legacy paired with the Antique Sound Labs AQ-1009 845 DT monoblocks ($5600 per pair), and
a Ray Samuels Audio Stealth preamp and XR-10B phono stage ($2495 and $4500 respectively).
The system was connected with Bybee cables: HGA X32 speaker cables ($1139/eight-foot pair)
on top and X16 ($734.95/eight-foot pair) below, DNA interconnects ($389.95/meter pair),
and Power Golden Goddess power cords ($1250 each). Using either a VPI Super Scoutmaster
turntable or an Audio Research Reference CD7 CD player, the speakers achieved an
effortless, detailed, holographic sound that John Crossett (a planar guy) found highly
involving.
