Today's morning visit brought some some sobering contemplation. Even after being around for quite a while in our beloved industry, I've again reminded myself, how its never good to be closed minded or uber-wise when it comes to sound of certain products (or high end audio systems).
I've never head TAD Reference One speakers performing up to the level, that their given price would justify or even consider them entitled for the uppercut echelon status. Well...
This very day changed my view. I've had a pleasure to experience remarkable setup consisting of the TAD Reference One speakers, VTL’s Siegfried Reference monoblock amplifiers, Audio Union Döhmann Helix 1 turntable, Thrax Orpheus phono preamplifier, Kuzma 4Point tonearm, Ayon Spheris III - Linestage, Meridian digital front end and Faber's Cables loom. Yes, quite a sum up...
When it comes to the subject matter, I would simply suggest to explore simple, straightforward change, that cost no money and take a bit of time. The differences are sometimes of no small impact and even the owner of this extreme audio system shared in conversation, that he had his doubts, but the practical results (with repeated testing) were not marginal by any means.
And the sound? Well, this is not exactly affordable system, but it acted as an exemplary stand out ultra high end audio system, that have managed to perform far above the expectations, acting beyond being just the sum of expensive components. To be honest, I've had my doubts about the Beryllium drivers as too many high priced speakers on the market forces speakers to portray the music in the realms of intolerable brittleness. Yet, as proven with the ultimate (multi million) horn system in Italy, where all the drivers were made out of this exotic material, it all depends on the way they're implemented.
The balanced potency of this setup have managed to conveyed the music with captivating natural vibrancy and transparency, as well with the surprisingly balanced trinity of tone, timbre and colour, that is rarely heard no matter how expensive the systems might be.
Too often these days and as experienced at this year's Munich High End Audio Show 2017 the stratospheric prices of quite some products (and systems) are not justifying even the 1% of the hefty price tags, based on their actual performance. A sad reality...
After a long day, I'm more then happy to write up, share my experience with all of you. Yes, this system is expensive. Yes its beyond most people reach. But... For a change I could reason the extreme expense, based on the extreme sonic performance. This setup comes with the high-end price tag and it sounds like a high-end audio setup! Works for me...
One of the better/best systems I've had luxury to audition in a while. Period!