Stenheim Reference Ultime two vs Zellaton Reference

[Rob181]

Sorry to intrude (how is the weather down under?)
We never had a distributor or dealer in AUS with the mentioned brands.

Cheers
Stavros

Hi Stavros - hope that you are well. I was almost an early adopter of Aries Cerat many years ago - my how you have grown since then - congratulations.
Not sure Rob from Purasound would agree with you - "PuraSound is the exclusive Australian distributor for Luna Cable’s, Skogrand Cables, Aries Cerat, Grandinote, Pink Faun High End servers, AlsyVox Audio Design Speakers, Etsuro Urushi Cartridges, Keces Audio."

 

[pjwd]

Yes we did, few years ago before covid lockdowns. Melbourne Vic (Victoria) had the longest lockdown in the world, nearly 3yrs! That dealership was known as Nirvana Sound. Although they carried many exotic brands, I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer." They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear. Their very last was the Dartzeel integrated amp, which I nearly bought! After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales and the Dartzeel chap in Switzerland is no more either... I cancelled my order.

We also had an Alsyvox representative in WA (Western Australia) Perth, he used to post on WBF but I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more either. Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it. Very very tiny percentage can afford this level, and most aren't really interested in forking out 6 figures for better sound. Doesn't work that way here.
Although I must say, that cheapo Blue Sound Node sells more than bread moves at the supermarkets! For a few hundred bucks everyone's going BlueSound Node, streaming with delight

Current weather is 13C this morning was a tad chilly 2C! Nice and fresh. Teeth clanking
Cheers, RJ

BTW all my highend and ultra-high-end auditions take place at mostly private demos in Spore or HK, they have the REAL highend! I usually visit those countries once or twice a year between July & Aug. Getting ready to head there next month to hopefully listen to the Zellaton Statements or the Genesis Tributes. My two endgame auditions before I depart Earth.

News and Reviews - — PURASOUND

www.purasound.com

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Yep! That's the one. Hopefully they're still active and sales going well... or least sustainable business, unlike most over here who've pretty much folded up.

Like I said, although this is in Perth which is still within Aus, I still prefer to head over to Spore & HK, especially the Adelphi, that's like my big doggy haven. . Plenty of bones and plenty of room to woof around. Tail wiggling profoundly!
Woof! RJ

 

[Purasound]

Yes we did, few years ago before covid lockdowns. Melbourne Vic (Victoria) had the longest lockdown in the world, nearly 3yrs! That dealership was known as Nirvana Sound. Although they carried many exotic brands, I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer." They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear. Their very last was the Dartzeel integrated amp, which I nearly bought! After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales and the Dartzeel chap in Switzerland is no more either... I cancelled my order.

We also had an Alsyvox representative in WA (Western Australia) Perth, he used to post on WBF but I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more either. Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it. Very very tiny percentage can afford this level, and most aren't really interested in forking out 6 figures for better sound. Doesn't work that way here.
Although I must say, that cheapo Blue Sound Node sells more than bread moves at the supermarkets! For a few hundred bucks everyone's going BlueSound Node, streaming with delight

Current weather is 13C this morning was a tad chilly 2C! Nice and fresh. Teeth clanking
Cheers, RJ

BTW all my highend and ultra-high-end auditions take place at mostly private demos in Spore or HK, they have the REAL highend! I usually visit those countries once or twice a year between July & Aug. Getting ready to head there next month to hopefully listen to the Zellaton Statements or the Genesis Tributes. My two endgame auditions before I depart Earth.

Hey guys, Not wanting to hijack this thread but when misinformation of this nature is spread I feel its appropriate to point out the inaccuracies.
I dont want to get into a back and forth and the thread should stay on topic. If anyone wants clarification on my post please PM me.

To clarify firstly Nirvana sound is very much still in business. They sell a number of excellent products including both Stenheim and Zellaton. I am not affiliated with Nirvana sound but I would call the owner Mike a friend and colleague who I have a lot of respect for. The founder of Nirvana, George sold the business a few months ago not due to poor performance but due to his other commitments which have grown to be very successful and is taking up much of his time. George is still very much involved in the industry as a owner in Dohmann Audio. Again I consider George a friend and colleague.

Nirvana (Melbourne based) were the first company to introduce Alsyvox to Australia a number of years ago. About three years ago Purasound took over the representation of Alsyvox and still today we are the exclusive importer for Alsyvox for Australia.

I would disagree with Big Dogs state of the industry down here. Yes we are a small market/population compared to major overseas markets. Despite this there are many music enthusiasts who value and invest in the cutting edge products of today.

And finally Purasound was the first company to introduce Aries Cerat to Australia (over 8 years ago) and we proudly continue to do so. Nirvana was never a "sub-dealer" for Aries Cerat nor would George engage in those tactics as he is person of great integrity. Nor would Aries Cerat stand for such an arrangement.

Finally Stenheim v Zellaton

I have admired both these brands for a long time and I could not imagine anyone being disappointed with either brands offering. Both sensational products.

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Hey guys, Not wanting to hijack this thread but when misinformation of this nature is spread I feel its appropriate to point out the inaccuracies.
I dont want to get into a back and forth and the thread should stay on topic. If anyone wants clarification on my post please PM me.

To clarify firstly Nirvana sound is very much still in business. They sell a number of excellent products including both Stenheim and Zellaton. I am not affiliated with Nirvana sound but I would call the owner Mike a friend and colleague who I have a lot of respect for. The founder of Nirvana, George sold the business a few months ago not due to poor performance but due to his other commitments which have grown to be very successful and is taking up much of his time. George is still very much involved in the industry as a owner in Dohmann Audio. Again I consider George a friend and colleague.

Nirvana (Melbourne based) were the first company to introduce Alsyvox to Australia a number of years ago. About three years ago Purasound took over the representation of Alsyvox and still today we are the exclusive importer for Alsyvox for Australia.

I would disagree with Big Dogs state of the industry down here. Yes we are a small market/population compared to major overseas markets. Despite this there are many music enthusiasts who value and invest in the cutting edge products of today.

And finally Purasound was the first company to introduce Aries Cerat to Australia (over 8 years ago) and we proudly continue to do so. Nirvana was never a "sub-dealer" for Aries Cerat nor would George engage in those tactics as he is person of great integrity. Nor would Aries Cerat stand for such an arrangement.

Finally Stenheim v Zellaton

I have admired both these brands for a long time and I could not imagine anyone being disappointed with either brands offering. Both sensational products.

Ah! Good to know, and thanks for the info.
Those people you mentioned (George and Mike) yes, been in contact. However, Melb ops is not really happening any more, there's no stock and few of us have received official emails stating very clearly the business is wrapping up. With that said Nirvana Sound was bought over by another outfit, now offering those previous brands as well as the new owner company's brands. So expanding the market reach... which is a good thing!
The website still shows that the business is active, perhaps taking orders from the other company. I don't know, plus what about service & tech support???

However, unlike before (pre-covid) there's no one that we're aware of where we can have a demo on Alsyvox or any of those speakers. No one in Vic. Whereas WA is concerned, that's great!
If you do have someone who can give us a full private demo of either Alsyvox, Zellaton or Steinhams, please do let us know. There are 5 of us who would like to attend.

Misinformation is not my creed... that was mentioned during the last Melb hifi show where NS exhibited and few days later sent out those emails to all their customers. All my mates received this email from George. So that's not my info rather first hand info I received from the vine... maybe misinfo I don't know.
IF NS are truly up & running and have bounced back, that's bloody great! I do wish them all the very bestest. Will certainly keep an eye out with their latest ventures... and hopefully we get to see some ultra-high-end here in Melbourne.

So cheers to George and his crew!
Thanks for the update.
RJ

 

[Big Dog RJ]

The thread's already hijacked... but that's generally the case with these forums know?
Going to lift some weights now, need to burn off those calories after listening to fine tooons!
Keep well y'all and most of all, enjoy those finest tunes! Woof

Also just to add, must not forget the forgotten audiophile. There are so many struggling to make ends meet here, especially with this crazy cost of living and topsy-turvy world we live in. Getting groceries on the table and paying for bills essentials is priority. Not some 6 figure or half a million dollars speaker system that reproduces tunes.
RJ

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Sorry, didn't mean to dampen the parade... just saying as noted above, and thanks for the update/ corrected version by Purasound. That's certainly great to know.

As for the majority of normal people with family priorities, owning such highend gear isn't on their "essentials list." Such luxury gear is nearly a want... and not a need. You really don't have to dump 6 figures whether in $AUD or $USD to enjoy fine tunes, hell no. Having said, the other half of those who can afford such top tier gear, go for it! Enjoy every moment, it's your hard earned dollars, no one else's. None of us here on wbf nor any other forum can tell you what to buy or how you should listen to music, that's solely your choice, your personal preference.

However, there's certainly one thing we can all advice on and thats, tell us what you're after and we'll help you spend your money!!!

Woofty woof'n! Keep those tubes glow'n, and keep those tooons hum'n!
RJ

 

[George Moraitis]

Yes we did, few years ago before covid lockdowns. Melbourne Vic (Victoria) had the longest lockdown in the world, nearly 3yrs! That dealership was known as Nirvana Sound. Although they carried many exotic brands, I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer." They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear. Their very last was the Dartzeel integrated amp, which I nearly bought! After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales and the Dartzeel chap in Switzerland is no more either... I cancelled my order.

We also had an Alsyvox representative in WA (Western Australia) Perth, he used to post on WBF but I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more either. Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it. Very very tiny percentage can afford this level, and most aren't really interested in forking out 6 figures for better sound. Doesn't work that way here.
Although I must say, that cheapo Blue Sound Node sells more than bread moves at the supermarkets! For a few hundred bucks everyone's going BlueSound Node, streaming with delight

Current weather is 13C this morning was a tad chilly 2C! Nice and fresh. Teeth clanking
Cheers, RJ

BTW all my highend and ultra-high-end auditions take place at mostly private demos in Spore or HK, they have the REAL highend! I usually visit those countries once or twice a year between July & Aug. Getting ready to head there next month to hopefully listen to the Zellaton Statements or the Genesis Tributes. My two endgame auditions before I depart Earth.

For any other person interested in this post, I thought the right thing to do is present some accurate information on Nirvana Sound. I am the founder of Nirvana Sound in Australia and feel I need to give some clarity here. Please note I'm responding to the point in bold below:

I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer."
This is incorrect. Nirvana Sound was not a dealership, we were the direct importer of all the brands that we carried and we supported a network of dealers. We were a distributor and sold direct to clients if no dealer carried the product.

They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear.
This is incorrect. We launched in 2019 and built a strong business that achieved 35% growth every year. In the high-end space, we were told by many of our supply partners that we sold an unusually large number of their flagship products. In late 2024, we had an offer from Magenta Audio to buy Nirvana Sound and I made the decision to sell it. Nirvana Sound still exists, just with new owners.

On another note, we have sold & experienced both Stenheim Ultime and Zellaton Ultra series speakers. I personally use Zellaton in my system in Melbourne. They are both exceptional options but VERY different in the way they sound.


After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales
As mentioned above, this is incorrect. It was sold as a profitable business.

I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more
This is incorrect. Alsyvox is represented by PuraSound in Queensland.

Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it.
This is also incorrect. In our experience over 5 years of running Nirvana Sound (which includes the worst COVID lockdowns in living memory), we sold and supported around 18 systems that were over $500K and quite a few over $1m. Australia has a surprising number of discerning clients who carefully curate their systems and invest serious funds into their hobby.

Big Dog RJ, I wish we had met when you visited Nirvana Sound. Sincerely wishing you all the best in your journey.

 

[George Moraitis]

Having said that, and the funny pun by Bonzai...
There are definitely system upgrades that deserve a mighty WOOF! And it's also nice to actually see these properly set-up in a forum like WBF for all to view in full glory.

The other thing is, I can confidently confirm on only the ones that I've actually come across on person and have actually auditioned at length. The latest and greatest being the Zellaton Reference Ultra's, (driven by CJ's ART series amplifiers) and soon to in the proud room of Stevo! So that's one such system I can certainly relate to, simply outstanding! By all means! The other damn beautiful thing is, I could hardly hear the box! For the very first time, a true cabinet design from a specialist company that produces only a handful of these each year. I must say, whatever they've done, they done it right!

We had the Steinhams here at Nirvana Sound, although quite impressive they were demoed in a room full of chockers... people playing musical chairs trying to get their fat bums on the sweet spot. Maybe I should have left a prickly porcupine there... so no one would dare sit! Room of chockers, people coughing and sneezing, then some guy clearing his throat as he drops his hifi guide bag and all the brochures spill out... yeah, not the ideal for critical listening to Steinhams. Hell no! Anyway, after that, the importer closed up and no more Steinhams, nor anything that they carried (Dartzeel, Aries Cerat, Wilson Benesch, Alsyvox and Alieno etc.) So that private demo is never going to happen.

Anyway, if I were to venture back towards another box design speaker (only IF...) that would be Zellaton without a doubt! I'm not really sure how they do it as a cabinet but it's just superb!
Will call off on a good note, Steinhams are probably tops, there's no denying that. Those Swiss miss truly know how to produce something that grabs attention (Dartzeel, Solution, Goldmun, CH Precision, watches & chocolate!) It all depends on personal preference, that's all.

So cheers to both excellent products. If you've got the cash then you know where to stash.
Woof! RJ

Please note that Nirvana Sound never dealt with Aires Cerat. Please contact Rob at Purasound in Queensland who will be able to give you a great audition experience with Aires Cerat.

 

[Big Dog RJ]

For any other person interested in this post, I thought the right thing to do is present some accurate information on Nirvana Sound. I am the founder of Nirvana Sound in Australia and feel I need to give some clarity here. Please note I'm responding to the point in bold below:

I believe they were not a direct importer... rather going through either HK or Spore as a "sub-dealer."
This is incorrect. Nirvana Sound was not a dealership, we were the direct importer of all the brands that we carried and we supported a network of dealers. We were a distributor and sold direct to clients if no dealer carried the product.

They lasted only few years, selling only a handful of gear.
This is incorrect. We launched in 2019 and built a strong business that achieved 35% growth every year. In the high-end space, we were told by many of our supply partners that we sold an unusually large number of their flagship products. In late 2024, we had an offer from Magenta Audio to buy Nirvana Sound and I made the decision to sell it. Nirvana Sound still exists, just with new owners.

On another note, we have sold & experienced both Stenheim Ultime and Zellaton Ultra series speakers. I personally use Zellaton in my system in Melbourne. They are both exceptional options but VERY different in the way they sound.


After learning that the dealership closed due to lack of sales
As mentioned above, this is incorrect. It was sold as a profitable business.

I don't think Alsyvox is represented any more
This is incorrect. Alsyvox is represented by PuraSound in Queensland.

Such exotic brands and ultra-high-end gear simply won't sell in Aus. There's hardly any market for it.
This is also incorrect. In our experience over 5 years of running Nirvana Sound (which includes the worst COVID lockdowns in living memory), we sold and supported around 18 systems that were over $500K and quite a few over $1m. Australia has a surprising number of discerning clients who carefully curate their systems and invest serious funds into their hobby.

Big Dog RJ, I wish we had met when you visited Nirvana Sound. Sincerely wishing you all the best in your journey.

G'day George! Nice to hear from you mate.
Ah OK, thanks for those clarifications... definitely seems like my info was quite off the groove! This is what happens when you engage with enthusiastic chappy's attending shows and talking shop on forums.

As the highend industry is concerned, I've got a different take on it. Engaging in this kind of spend requires large amounts of disposable income. The majority don't have this. As for the rest good on ya!

*Note* just wanted to add because I feel it's important, especially for enthusiastic Aussie customers down unda: during the time NS was in operation in Melbourne, it was probably the one and only type of store of its kind. Truly high-quality gear the best that money can buy and they represented SOTA. It's only hopeful to see this level and category of fine systems continue... and my mates wish them all the best. Although the 5 of us already own very fine systems: 2 of us own CLX's, 1 owns triple stacked horns, 1 owns Maggie's 30.7's and the other owns a very very fine pair of refurbed Apogee Diva's done by Graz, we're always thinking about different kinds of gear down the line. So, perhaps in the distant future we may venture into different gear, who knows! Until such time, keep those tubes glowing and enjoy those finest tunes!

Will be in touch, cheers RJ
Thanks for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Getting this thread back on track, after a slight derailment... there was another audition that our group attended comprising of the Steinhams driven by VTL amplifiers and Nordost Odin Gold2 (Supreme reference) cables. Although the Steinhams were on demo with the VTL's, it was Nordost who were mostly exhibiting on the day. Nordost were also introducing their Qbase Mk3 power boards and offering specials during the event. So, overall it was a top performance!

On another note, when I actually auditioned the Zellaton Reference Ultra's driven by CJ's top of the line ART series amplifiers, that was a "Stop the train moment!" With the most three critical attributes that I experienced straight away:

1. Full coherency of all drivers, no gaps or issues in blending, as if from one type of material.
2. The start-stop acceleration and speed is sheer brilliance!
3. Zero resonances or colorations, cannot hear the cabinets at all, as if no box!

These three aspects hit me straight away, and reminded me so much of electrostats! Which I own. So, my preference is towards Zellaton's at this stage. Haven't really heard another box/ cabinet design capable of all three attributes, so very effortlessly done. SOTA with finesse!

BTW our good mate Stevo, just took delivery of the Z-Reference Ultra's, driven by his array of Lamm ML3 Class A tube amplifiers. Stevo has just discovered a whole different level of fine tooons!

Woof! RJ