What's Best Forum Newsletter October 2022

www.whatsbestforum.com

not displaying correctly? view in your browser

A feature from one of our new sponsors, Christopher Thornton at Artisan Fidelity.
Originally specialising in bespoke analogue based products, more recently they have also began marketing other hi-end brands audio including Tidal Audio.
Here are the words from Christopher:

"My father, a retired physician, first introduced me to classical music at a young age through his lifelong dedication to playing the trumpet, then later as a child, I began studying music in elementary school, beginning with a focus on wood string instruments, namely the violin, then as a teenager the piano. When I reached my late teens, I found myself immersed in contemporary music and began my hifi journey with a Pioneer stereo system I saved up for using my earnings from odd summer jobs and a weekly allowance.

By the time I was in my mid twenties, after a formal education studying Microsoft systems network engineering, I found myself naturally drawn back to my music collection and hifi listening once again became the focal point of my spare time. It was at this point that I decided to begin my professional foray into the industry beginning at a Chicagoland high end audio dealer, working under the tutelage of Greg Keller, senior sales manager.

After a number of years working closely with home automation network systems and home theatre design, I decided to take an extended leave of absence from the industry to refocus my energy into a more creative, designer frame of mind. During this transition time, I often yearned to return to my passion of listening to recorded music and made the decision to delve back into my roots by embracing the analog medium, LP records, with a strong desire to better understand their playback instruments through the study and restoration of vintage based record player systems, most notably belt drive, idler drive and direct drive derived designs from Thorens of Switzerland, Garrard company of England and Matsushita era Technics of Japan.

During subsequent years leading into what is now decades, my closely knit group of manufacturing partners, consultants and co-engineer colleagues expanded to include a group of talented industry leaders, including Soren Wittrup of CS Electronics, certified electronics technician and open reel to reel tape machine expert, endorsed by the well renowned recording engineer and producer, John Klett."

"Artisan Fidelity is a specialty high end audio retailer, Tidal Audio of Germany brand partner and bespoke manufacturer that recreates analog music through tailored design integrity, and passion. Our manufacturing efforts represent combined talents of skilled master woodworkers, artists, professional painters, certified electronics technicians, skilled mechanical and tribology engineers. Artisan Fidelity was founded in 2008 by Christopher Thornton, an entrepreneur who has spent the past 27 years pursuing higher fidelity sound, eventually taking his own love of music and implementing it into bespoke analog based products of his designs. Analog music enthusiasts worldwide and industry professionals, including Warner Brothers Archival Mastering Studio, continue to cherish their fundamental musicality, accuracy and craftsmanship.

Fundamentally, our product line represents the culmination of a keen understanding of the listener’s need for superior playback fidelity, build quality, finish and a meticulous attention to engineering detail. Artisan Fidelity creates sophisticated, reimagined time tested classic analog designs that employ precision machine engineering, advanced composite material application coupled with traditional old-world assembly and hand finishing techniques."

"In summary, my ultimate goal is to offer our clients a comprehensive high fidelity audio system design consultation and sales service combined with an unparalleled listening experience through an array of superbly designed, musical, elegant and robust high end products that will readily endure the test of time."

Read the Artisan Fidelity thread here!

A feature from one of our new sponsors Mark Jenkins
CEO at Antipodes Audio.
An interesting and innovative company based in New Zealand and specialising in high end nusic servers. Here are some words from Mark:

"Antipodes (Antipodes Audio Limited) began as a cable manufacturer in 2004, producing its own unique open-lattice silver wire and gold wire, using only pure unbleached cotton insulation, and its unique straight-line geometry.

In 2009, Antipodes began intensive research into music server technology and launched its first music server/players in 2011 to the Australasian market. Launching in the USA in 2014 quickly earnt a Stereophile Class A+ recommendation for the DX model. Around this time the Antipodes cable technology was sold, to enable Antipodes to focus on development of music server/players. Launching in Europe in 2016 quickly led to several awards."

"2016 marks a pivotal point in Antipodes history. In that year Antipodes launched the Oladra project, which represented a major shift in design philosophy. This project resulted in the ground-breaking CX and EX models in 2018, followed by the revolutionary K50 (flagship of the K-Series) in 2020. The K50 received a Stereophile Class A+ recommendation and wide acclaim by many as the best sounding music server/player available anywhere.

The final step of this project was achieved in 2022 with the launch of the Oladra, the complete embodiment of the breakthroughs achieved in the Oladra project. You will hear music that is organic, dramatic, lively and refined, with fine depth layering, solid images, and the ultimate in resolution."

"Music is what drives us. Technologies are selected entirely based on their ability to convey music. And because we are audiophiles too, we are equally focused on customer support. If you are using one of our music servers and having a problem then we are as keen as you are to get you back to listening to music. Our third key area of focus is to offer you the widest range of functionality possible, while making it incredibly simple to use – with an Antipodes, you can use Roon, Squeeze, HQPlayer, MPD, MimimServer, MPD, Plex, SONOS Server, etc., and switch between them with just a click.

All Antipodes products sold worldwide are designed and manufactured in New Zealand, and supported by distributors and service centres in 30 countries."

Read the Antipodes thread here!

A feature from one of our sponsors Aqua Acoustic Quality,
including the release of the superb AQUA La Diva M2 CD transport.
Here are some words Cristian Anelli at Aqua:

"Aqua has never followed the whims of market fashion but has always remained focused on achieving true high fidelity sound reproduction.

By combining dedicated research with creative thinking, the R&D Department has brought forth a range of innovations that recreates the experience of live music in your home. Aqua’s award-winning Formula xHD Rev2 and La Scala MKII Optologic DACs, LinQ Network Interface, and the La Diva M2 CD transport have stood the test of time.

Due to the modular structure, Aqua equipment can be updated with the latest technology, ensuring you will enjoy the highest audio quality for many decades."

AQUA La Diva M2

"We can announce the new generation La Diva, a machine that while maintaining the previous name is completely new, both in regards to the CD mechanic and all the internal electronics, power supply, FPGA decoding, clock, floating digital output circuitry, display, etc., is an entirely new design. This was necessary to increase the performance and sound quality. Our goal is always to amaze our customers."

"The La Diva M2 remains a "pure-CD" machine: Aqua has chosen to keep focused solely on CD reading, aiming for the best possible results with this medium.

This was done by interfacing the latest and most advanced Philips CD decoding circuit - with digital servo control - to our proprietary Aqua electronics.

The reading mechanism used is designed and optimized solely for reading CDs and nothing else, the massively (or use substantially) modified new CD Pro-8S transport has attained a new level of performance and mechanical silence.

The new display is ultra-visible with adjustable brightness! No LCD or commercial panels, Aqua only uses industrial components."

Read the Aqua thread here!

A selection of threads on What's Best Forum

Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX First Impressions